I HONESTLY do not mean to sound like an ass in this entry...
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On November 4th, 2008 History was actually made when Barack Obama was elected President of the United States for the Next four years. It did not surprise me, then again, it did at the same time only because I thought the same thing that happened years ago with Al Gore and then four years later with Kerry would happen AGAIN with McCain, since both Bush and McCain are both republican.
Not to offend those who support Obama, but I feel that this year's election has gone way out of hand. Of course there weren't any riots of such against each candidate however, I feel that ever since Obama was recognized, he's been some kind of icon where his face is on every wall, every t-shirt, pin, bag, pencil, you name it. Of course there is nothing wrong with that, but in my perspective, i feel that it has been some kind of popularity contest where everybody is only voting for the person who everybody is voting for.
I knew two republicans in our school, even during Bush's eight years of presidency, they both still supported him---I mean they seriously supported the guy. And ever since Obama came along they had surprisingly switched sides, and support Obama. I guess its a good thing, but from what I see, I think they only did that because 99.99% of their friends are Obama supporters. They could have still supported McCain... he hasn't done anything quite as dramatic as Bush, but he still is a republican, yet they still changed their Vote for Obama.
"For many of these Americans, the explanation was rather simple... the news media, completely enamored with Obama, simply refused to do their job."
(http://www.howobamagotelected.com/)
Regardless of who was going to win, it should not have been a popularity contest--people can agree that they did have some similar changes they wanted to make, but its all about who is going to ACTUALLY make that change and clean up all the mess that Bush has made for the past eight years? Either Obama or McCain would struggle to try to fix that up, but because the U.S. is already messed up, I assume that Obama [in this case] is just going to leave things the way they already are and just tweak things up--just a bit.
The race has not only been some kind of popularity contest, but as wel
Bottom line, Its great that Barack Obama is President-elect, but I do not think that people had the right reasons for voting for him, majority of the people at least.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
AWOL - Ebay
My 'Ebay experience' was actually annoying. This was the first time I used the site to bid on something. At first I didn't know what to bid on, so for the hell of it, I bid on a pair of ballerina flats that were $19.99 (plus shipping).
I started to bid on the item on monday of last week. The bid was coming to a quick end, in about two hours. At first the shoes were being bid for $5.99-i bid higher, just in case someone were to overcome that bid. LITERALLY, one mintue later, I was out-bidded by some random person. I bidded again, 2 dollars higher than the previous bidder, and once again I was outbidded by the same person. I honestly was not going to wait around to hope that I win the bid, so I stopped trying to out-bid the person and went looking for the same pair, for just $19.99. I was the first bidder, and the aunction was going to last two days later.
To my surprise, after the two days, I won the bid. At the time I did not use any stategy to try to win a bid. I asked Tyler what he does to win bids, since he's been buying and selling off of Ebay since 8th grade. He told me to wait til the very last minute to place a bid, however when I tried doing that, somebody was still out-bidding me. It was annoying to the extent where I had to try to out-bid other people to get this one item. But after realizing that its a website where people actually get items for cheap, it hit explained to me why people spend some much time trying to find bargins--not that its a bad thing of course.
In my opinion, Ebay is one big analogy of capitalism and how little and big comapanies work. Within Ebay, there are sellers who are, I would say, have the most bidders and least amount of bidders-more demand than other 'companies', which plays a big role on how successful a person can be with selling their product. All of what people actually do to the product is cause inflation by constantly raising the price in the matter of hours. In any given situation of buying and selling, one can agree with the phrase, 'time is money'.
I started to bid on the item on monday of last week. The bid was coming to a quick end, in about two hours. At first the shoes were being bid for $5.99-i bid higher, just in case someone were to overcome that bid. LITERALLY, one mintue later, I was out-bidded by some random person. I bidded again, 2 dollars higher than the previous bidder, and once again I was outbidded by the same person. I honestly was not going to wait around to hope that I win the bid, so I stopped trying to out-bid the person and went looking for the same pair, for just $19.99. I was the first bidder, and the aunction was going to last two days later.
To my surprise, after the two days, I won the bid. At the time I did not use any stategy to try to win a bid. I asked Tyler what he does to win bids, since he's been buying and selling off of Ebay since 8th grade. He told me to wait til the very last minute to place a bid, however when I tried doing that, somebody was still out-bidding me. It was annoying to the extent where I had to try to out-bid other people to get this one item. But after realizing that its a website where people actually get items for cheap, it hit explained to me why people spend some much time trying to find bargins--not that its a bad thing of course.
In my opinion, Ebay is one big analogy of capitalism and how little and big comapanies work. Within Ebay, there are sellers who are, I would say, have the most bidders and least amount of bidders-more demand than other 'companies', which plays a big role on how successful a person can be with selling their product. All of what people actually do to the product is cause inflation by constantly raising the price in the matter of hours. In any given situation of buying and selling, one can agree with the phrase, 'time is money'.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
AWOL - Constituion Assignment Part A
"We the people of the United States, in order to form a perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of America."
The purpose of the constitution is to create a "stable and just society", which is clearly stated in the Preamble. The goals listed in the Preamble are:
-> ESTABLISH justice
-> INSURE domestic tranquillity
-> PROVIDE for the common defence
-> PROMOTE the general welfare
-> SECURE the blessings of Liberty
-> DO ORDAIN & establish this Constitution
In the Preamble, the statement explains that the people of America; the U.S. citizens, came forth to put together a set of rules known as the U.S. Constitution which was created "for the people and by the people". The Preamble goes in depth about the suppositions made in the constitution such like establishing justice: making everything fair through the court of law. The constitution helps maintain peace within the American community and to also support those who decide to go to war. It benefits for what the government can provide; a republic and not a monarchy. These decisions are made by the separation of powers: The Legislative, Executive and Judicial Branches. Through the three branches, they are given checks & balances where they set up mechanisms to restrict each branch of what they can do.
->In the Legislative Branch, the Congress is split up into two groups: the house of representatives which include 435 members, and the senate, 100 members. The Congress has a total of 535 members who are responsible for the people and have the power to make laws, control money, declare war, ratify treaties and Amend the constitution.
->The Executive Branch, which includes the President and Vice-President, is responsible for giving a State of the Union address; judgment to the congress. He/She has the power to grant pardons for offences against the United States, appoint treaties, and veto.
->The Judicial Branch involves the Supreme Court which contains 9 judges. The court has the responsibility to declare a law constitutional or unconstitutional by using the judicial review as their weapon. They have the power to "declare the punishment of treason" where the court can estimate the charge of a convict.
I felt frustrated while reading the Preamble and the three articles of the U.S. constitution, due to the fact that it was written in old engllish. While taking notes, I always caught myself looking back at the blue text. I always did that to get a better understanding of the different branches and how they functioned.
Questions:
How can we support other parts of the word during war when our own country is already a wreck? Where does "insuring domestic tranquillity" come in?
How can the United States citizens benefit the constitution if they are constantly accused of doing something unlawful?
Why is it important to have 435 members in the House of Representatives?
In the next ten years, will the President(s) actually establish, insure, provide, promote, and secure of the citizens for America-in a more different way to what our current President has done for us?
How often is a bill made? Why can't the U.S. Citizens vote/veto a law?
The purpose of the constitution is to create a "stable and just society", which is clearly stated in the Preamble. The goals listed in the Preamble are:
-> ESTABLISH justice
-> INSURE domestic tranquillity
-> PROVIDE for the common defence
-> PROMOTE the general welfare
-> SECURE the blessings of Liberty
-> DO ORDAIN & establish this Constitution
In the Preamble, the statement explains that the people of America; the U.S. citizens, came forth to put together a set of rules known as the U.S. Constitution which was created "for the people and by the people". The Preamble goes in depth about the suppositions made in the constitution such like establishing justice: making everything fair through the court of law. The constitution helps maintain peace within the American community and to also support those who decide to go to war. It benefits for what the government can provide; a republic and not a monarchy. These decisions are made by the separation of powers: The Legislative, Executive and Judicial Branches. Through the three branches, they are given checks & balances where they set up mechanisms to restrict each branch of what they can do.
->In the Legislative Branch, the Congress is split up into two groups: the house of representatives which include 435 members, and the senate, 100 members. The Congress has a total of 535 members who are responsible for the people and have the power to make laws, control money, declare war, ratify treaties and Amend the constitution.
->The Executive Branch, which includes the President and Vice-President, is responsible for giving a State of the Union address; judgment to the congress. He/She has the power to grant pardons for offences against the United States, appoint treaties, and veto.
->The Judicial Branch involves the Supreme Court which contains 9 judges. The court has the responsibility to declare a law constitutional or unconstitutional by using the judicial review as their weapon. They have the power to "declare the punishment of treason" where the court can estimate the charge of a convict.
I felt frustrated while reading the Preamble and the three articles of the U.S. constitution, due to the fact that it was written in old engllish. While taking notes, I always caught myself looking back at the blue text. I always did that to get a better understanding of the different branches and how they functioned.
Questions:
How can we support other parts of the word during war when our own country is already a wreck? Where does "insuring domestic tranquillity" come in?
How can the United States citizens benefit the constitution if they are constantly accused of doing something unlawful?
Why is it important to have 435 members in the House of Representatives?
In the next ten years, will the President(s) actually establish, insure, provide, promote, and secure of the citizens for America-in a more different way to what our current President has done for us?
How often is a bill made? Why can't the U.S. Citizens vote/veto a law?
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
AWOL - Wal-Mart Worker Trampled Analysis
On the 28th of November, Black Friday was a day when Americans across the country made it a priority to buy products for a low price. Every year Americans buy these items to fulfil their needs, in replacement of their (probably) 1 or 2-year-old items they have at home.
On the 28th of November, Black Friday was also the last day of a man who went by the name, Jdimytai Damour. Damour was an employee of Wal-Mart. On the morning of Black Friday, Damour and other workers were assigned to barricade the Wal-Mart doors, until the store opened-which was at 5:00am. Witnesses say that "he was bum-rushed by 200 people" (NY Daily News) which unfortunately lead to his death an hour later when he arrived in the hospital.
It is more pathetic than it is outrageous that the people who were involved with the shopping spree were selfish enough to not realize that they were running over a man. It is explainable that if only one person to stop, and try to help him, then that same person would have been ran over as well--however, that would not be the case if everybody realized what was really going on below their feet.
Shoppers "took the door off the hinges", "Chant[ed] 'push the doors in", and when Wal-Mart employees tried to close down the store, after the death of Damour, shoppers were yelling, "I've been on line since Friday morning!"
The American way of life, based off this incident, shows how much concern Americans have over saving a little over $100 than a life of a person. "Whats funny about this is that they bum-rushed into the store, took the door off the hinges, and in the end did not steal anything" (Ben Sherry)-- which is ironic because that is usually something a robber would do when trying to steal something from a store. The anticipation and the rush of Black Friday show how fiend people are to get 'material items' such like your flat screen TV, or laptops and such--Not even realizing they had killed a person in the past 24 hours.
On the 28th of November, Black Friday was also the last day of a man who went by the name, Jdimytai Damour. Damour was an employee of Wal-Mart. On the morning of Black Friday, Damour and other workers were assigned to barricade the Wal-Mart doors, until the store opened-which was at 5:00am. Witnesses say that "he was bum-rushed by 200 people" (NY Daily News) which unfortunately lead to his death an hour later when he arrived in the hospital.
It is more pathetic than it is outrageous that the people who were involved with the shopping spree were selfish enough to not realize that they were running over a man. It is explainable that if only one person to stop, and try to help him, then that same person would have been ran over as well--however, that would not be the case if everybody realized what was really going on below their feet.
Shoppers "took the door off the hinges", "Chant[ed] 'push the doors in", and when Wal-Mart employees tried to close down the store, after the death of Damour, shoppers were yelling, "I've been on line since Friday morning!"
The American way of life, based off this incident, shows how much concern Americans have over saving a little over $100 than a life of a person. "Whats funny about this is that they bum-rushed into the store, took the door off the hinges, and in the end did not steal anything" (Ben Sherry)-- which is ironic because that is usually something a robber would do when trying to steal something from a store. The anticipation and the rush of Black Friday show how fiend people are to get 'material items' such like your flat screen TV, or laptops and such--Not even realizing they had killed a person in the past 24 hours.
AWOL - Buy Nothing Day. Black Friday Anecdote & Analysis
On the day after Thanksgiving, most Americans consider that day as a holiday known as "Black Friday". During that time of year, most chain-stores, such as Wal-Mart, sell their products for more than 50% off. On that day, shoppers are obligated to buy whatever they can get, even if they do not exactly 'need' that product. What's frustrating about black Friday is that after buying so many things, shoppers put themselves in a position where they have to pay all these bills after maxing out their credit cards. In the end, most of them are wondering where their money had gone. It comes to show how materialistic Americans have come to be.
With my experience on Black Friday, my family and I spent our time in the Poconos, where we actually did not shop for anything. We live in Reeders, PA which is a five minute drive from the outlet, and 15 minute drive from the mall. Because I had a basketball tournament that same day, my parents actually drove all the way from PA to NY to make it to the game in the Bronx. My cousin also tagged along because she was staying i New York City for the next two weeks. While I was playing in my basketball game, my family toured the city, visiting the Empire State Building.
In regards to 'Buy Nothing Day', if people were to actually follow up on that day, the economy would shift in terms supply & demand. Even though Americans are aware of the consequences for buying an excessive amount of products, people are still go about their way to do something that affects them in a negative way-which in my opinion is ridiculous.
With my experience on Black Friday, my family and I spent our time in the Poconos, where we actually did not shop for anything. We live in Reeders, PA which is a five minute drive from the outlet, and 15 minute drive from the mall. Because I had a basketball tournament that same day, my parents actually drove all the way from PA to NY to make it to the game in the Bronx. My cousin also tagged along because she was staying i New York City for the next two weeks. While I was playing in my basketball game, my family toured the city, visiting the Empire State Building.
In regards to 'Buy Nothing Day', if people were to actually follow up on that day, the economy would shift in terms supply & demand. Even though Americans are aware of the consequences for buying an excessive amount of products, people are still go about their way to do something that affects them in a negative way-which in my opinion is ridiculous.
AWOL - Thanksgiving Anecdote
On Thanksgiving, I usually spend the holiday with my dad's side of the family and my mom's side of the family. My parent's, my sister and I would drive to Dumont, New Jersey to visit my dad's side where most of the food is homemade cooking. We would stay there from 12pm-4pm. After four hours, my family, just the four of us, would travel all the way to Nanuet, New York where my mom's side of the family lives. Over there, most of the food was bought from the store, where the food was already made.
This year none of that actually happened. This time on Thanksgiving, my family only visited my mom's side, where I surprisingly did not eat as much- which is not common for the 'average American'.
According to the New York Times, "The average American consumes about 4,500 calories and 229 grams of fat throughout Thanksgiving Day". On Thanksgiving day, the most i probably ate was a dollop of mashed potatoes, a small slice of turkey, that I didn't even touch, and a small square of lasagna.
Americans consume a great amount of food that their body cannot handle. One of the major concerns in the American way of living is a person's own weight. By eating so much in one day does not help balance his/her diet. Though the food may be delicious, Americans are ignorant to prevent themselves from eating fatty foods--most Americans at least.
This year none of that actually happened. This time on Thanksgiving, my family only visited my mom's side, where I surprisingly did not eat as much- which is not common for the 'average American'.
According to the New York Times, "The average American consumes about 4,500 calories and 229 grams of fat throughout Thanksgiving Day". On Thanksgiving day, the most i probably ate was a dollop of mashed potatoes, a small slice of turkey, that I didn't even touch, and a small square of lasagna.
Americans consume a great amount of food that their body cannot handle. One of the major concerns in the American way of living is a person's own weight. By eating so much in one day does not help balance his/her diet. Though the food may be delicious, Americans are ignorant to prevent themselves from eating fatty foods--most Americans at least.
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