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March 28, 2007
On Lassen County
This will be the first of a (hopefully) weekly article here focusing on Lassen County and Susanville events. I recently moved to Susanville and find some of the challenges facing the small community fascinating. My plan is to offer up the headline from the Lassen County Times and give my snarky take on the information contained within.
So why should you, who probably live in Chico, care? The events of Lassen County and Susanville are similar to those facing Chico, though on a smaller scale. Moreover, the news here can have a very real and profound effect on the news of Chico and Butte County.
TIMBER COUNTY FUNDING TIED TO IRAQ WAR BILL
At first glace this seems like a good thing. In the late 80's when the timber industry was gutted counties that depended on the tax from timber cutting saw a huge loss in revenue. Many towns simply vanished, those that managed to survive have seen a constant cut in services due to lack fo revinue. A rider on the Iraq war bill promises to give timber counties some much needed funds to fix roads, hire teachers, and upgrade emergency equiptment.
The problem with this is that it's a pork project. What do timber counties and Iraq have in common? Not one damned thing! The rider was introduced as a way to get some official to vote for the bill, as most political pork is. Also, since President Bush promised to veto the bill if it had a time table included, which it does, it's all for naught. Now someone in Washington can say "well, we tried to help you guys, but the President killed the bill," and be done with it. Not fair. Timber counties need some funding. When the government decides to cut their source of income but not replace it with something else that's underhanded. When their solution is to add political pork to a bill that they know will die, that's just wrong.
STUDENTS PETITION TO ALLOW iPODS AND CD'S IN CLASSROOM
Students at the Johnstonville school read a petition to the board, signed by a number of students, to allow CD players and iPods in the classroom. They cite a study that says that music helps concentration and improves learning. Yea, okay, I agree with that but do they really think they'll get personal listening devices in the classroom?
The problem here is that while some students may listen to music that'll help them study, the vast majority will be listening to whatever they like and not study at all. Besides music they can listen to Podcasts (internet radio talk shows), or if they have a proper device, watch movies or TV. The idea of personal listening devices isn't going to happen, but I have to applaud the students who are trying. They learned what the system for trying to get such things done was, followed it, offered peer-reviewed studies, and presented their information in a proper way. The schools response should be lots of praise, and classical music streaming through the intercom. Heh, classical!
LASSEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO CUT PROGRAMS
Okay, this isn't a headline out of the paper but it's news and I want to talk about it and it's my blog so I can. Nyeah!
Lassen Community College is in trouble. Trouble with a capital T....Declining enrollment and low reimbursement have forced them for years to slowly whittle away programs and not replace staff as they leave. Now they've decided to cut another program. Basket Weaving? No. Gunsmithing? Nope. Horse Shoeing? Wrong again! They're cutting Chemistry!
Yea, Chemistry. That class that's a pre-req for 65% of CSU and UC majors. Chemistry. It's needed to gain entrance into Nursing school to fill the vast shortage of trained LVN's and RN's in the nation. Chemistry, a core course. They're going to cut that. They wouldn't want to cut the girls basketball team, raise class fees, or even tuition, they want to cut out Chemistry.
In the same meeting where they gave Chem the axe they discussed how to improve enrollment. How is it possible to have that many educated people in a room that are that stupid? Cut the Chem program and you'll destroy the Bio program and the Nursing program. Then what's left? The reason enrollment at Lassen is down is because students can't get all classes they need to get into the CSU or UC system. So how is cutting a core class going to help that problem?
Posted by at 09:13 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 15, 2007
On Gandhi
What would Gandhi do? That's the message that's popping up on signs across the country. A message concerning the conflicts in the Middle East, the signs challenge readers to consider what the peace advocate would do in our current situation. I'm here to tell you what he'd do....nothing.
Gandhi was opposed to all forms of violence. During World War 2 he was appalled at the aggression of the Axis nations. He was more appalled, however, that the Allies fought back. In his mind the correct thing to do was to be peacefully overthrown. He also blamed the Jews for their "participation" in the Holocaust. According to Gandhi the Jews were the aggressors against the good German people and so got a just fate. He was proud, however, that they did not put up a violent protest to the genocide.
In Gandhi's biography he accounts several instances of a people being attacked by an aggressive neighbor. In every account he discusses the wrongness of the aggressor, but how the defender is more wrong fighting back, thus escalating the violence.
Had Gandhi's world view taken place, the world would be filled with Hitler's, Hussein's, and other tyrants. These dictators certainly didn't subscribe to his ideals, and if nobody stood up to fight them, they would be successful in taking over the planet. While Gandhi's dream of a peaceful planet is grand, he was unrealistic in his expectations on how to get there.
Posted by at 05:14 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
March 09, 2007
On Courts
Two different court related things came to my attention today that left me a bit giddy. One is a decision that shows that there's still a bit of common sense left in the world, the other is a group of decisions. Lets start with the group of decisions.
The 9th Circuit court is that which is mostly comprised of the San Francisco area and has seated some of the most outrageously liberal judges in the country. In theory when judges make decisions they're supposed to be Constitution based, fair, and balanced. However, this court makes decisions that are so wacky that they have the distinct honor of being the court most appealed to the Supreme Court. Adding to that honor is the fact that the Supreme Court has overthrown their decision 87% of the time! Of the last 13 cases appealed to the Supreme Court from the 9th Circuit Court, only 3 of the decisions were deemed Constitutional! The 49ers had a better record than that last year!
The other court decision that struck my attention today concerned the 2nd Amendment and Washington D.C. The District of Columbia has long tried banning guns for a myriad of different reasons. They've cited the fact that D.C. isn't a state, so the Constitution doesn't really apply there (really, the Constitution doesn't apply in the nation's capitol, so say these gun-grabbing nuts). They've said that since most of the nations leaders are there from time to time that a gun ban is necessary for the protection of politicians, never mind the fact that our taxes pay for their security. It's been argued that the violent crime rate in D.C. is so high that a gun ban is the only way to keep the peace. This is true but the statistics also show that every time a new, stricter gun law comes into act in D.C. the violent crime rate spikes.
This morning a federal appeals court overturned D.C.'s gun ban. In a 2-1 decision they held that the 2nd Amendment does not apply to militia's only, but that all people should have the opportunity to own a firearm. They also stated that D.C. may not require gun owners in D.C. to keep their guns unloaded, diassembled, trigger locked, and in a locked compartment. What the court did suggest was a comprehensive background check and proficiency check before a person could lawfully own a gun. This not only seems reasonable to me, but just plain logical.
Posted by at 12:02 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
March 08, 2007
On Buying the Cow (Again)
I've been writing this blog for a while now. My first entry was to explain the name of the blog and since then I've had a lot of new readership who don't know what it means. So, I think it's time to explain it again in short form.
We've all heard the expression "Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free". Typically it refers women but it can really refer to any situation when you only want to get part of something, without dealing with the hassle of the whole thing. In regards to this blog, I fully intend to give out the whole thing. Like it or not that's what I do. Sometimes hearing the whole story is tough for people, it offends their hardcore right or left wing values, religious beliefs, or moral attitudes. Bummer. Everyone would like a glass of milk now and then, but here you gotta take the whole cow, what you do with it after you have it is your own business (hamburgers come to mind). After hearing what I have to say you may not like my position, you may not like me. You may call me a right wing nut, a left wing freak, an atheist, a religious zealot, a wolf in sheep's clothing, or anything you like, but if you think about what I have to say I think you'll agree that I'm at least fair in my judgment of a situation, and at most right. Enjoy your cow.
Posted by at 06:35 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 07, 2007
On War Story 5 (A successful mission)
last nights mission went off pretty much without a hitch. much to all of our surprises, complex operations like that usually get screwed up, and you have to improvise on the fly.
Im tired though, we flew for about six hours using night system. you may not think that isnt hard but ask any apache pilot and he'll tell you thats sheer hell.
but we got our guys inserted. without taking any casualties. seemed like the taliban either didnt have a clue we were coming ( which i doubt, since the operation was on the news before we even took off) or they knew that they were out gunned, and decided to withdraw. some ground guys at the lz said that they were seeing flash lights around the lz but we looked and didnt find anything suspicious. the taliban use colored flashlights to signal, since they know that we can pick up on their radio traffic.
thats all i got right now, we get debriefed later on today so we'll figure out how the whole thing is doing. later.
Posted by at 09:21 AM | TrackBack
March 06, 2007
On War Story 4
Emailed to me this morning, here is an update from my Cousin Sean in Afghanistan.
anyways, we're going to be starting a major offensive in the next couple of days. cant say where due to opsec. but its going to be big. we're working with the brits, our guys and the canadian special forces ( yeah i know, but these guys are actually pretty good)
Things are supposed to get pretty hairy for the next couple weeks, i guess we're trying to head this taliban offensive off before it starts. I figured its about time. we've known where these guys are for awhile now i guess, but we havent done anything about it. ill give you more details after we accomplish the operation
WHen I flipped on the news this morning they were talking about the offensive being undertaken by American forces against the Taliban. Fox News showed satelite images of a group of 3 or 4 terrorists firing anti-aircraft small-arms fire towards a group of Blackhawk helicopters. The group then ran to a wooded area to hide. The heat-sensing technology of the satelite followed them, allowing a AC-130 gunship to fire on them. If you're not familiar with an AC-130 let me explain. This is a converted cargo aircraft fit with several firing points in the fuselage of the aircraft. High volume machine guns, 20 and 30mm cannons are common though some have been equipt with larger weapons for specific missions. These aircraft are capable of firing hundreds of thousands of rounds of small caliber rounds at a position a minute. Basically, if one finds you and fires on you, you will die.
Posted by at 06:33 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 05, 2007
On Iconoclastic
Iconoclastic is another Norcal Blog hosted by the Chico Enterprise Record. It's author, Meagan Dixon, has devoted most of the subject matter to exploring gender and relationship issues. She being a 20 something girl, and I a 20 something guy I've emailed her and asked if she'd mind if I regularly posted replies to her subject matter. She's graciously agreed. So, keep an eye on Iconoclastic. I think we'll all learn something about each other.
Posted by at 05:53 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 03, 2007
On Terabithia
My wife and I went and watched Bridge to Terabithia last night. She'd read the book when she was very little, I never had. I had no idea what to expect. The previews make it look like another story similar to Chronicles of Narnia. It's definately not that. While it does have really excellent special effects, they're not the focus of the film.
WIthout giving away the plot of the ending too much I have to say it was a great movie. The overall theme is that imagination is a great thing, cherished by the young and young at heart. My wife and I left the theater talking about how children use their imagination and how adults tend not to.
Also in the movie is a great story of the power of a friendship between two "outsider" youths. It's touching and sad at the same time. Anyone watching will find themselves thinking about friendships they had as a child. I know I certainly did, and while it's been a few years I know I still find myself deeply missing my friend, and I wish I could talk to her sometimes.
Posted by at 07:09 AM | TrackBack
March 02, 2007
On Timing
Anyone who's observant in reading my blogs will have noticed the times posted at the bottom of every entry. This shows what time of the day I wrote my piece. That observant individual may also notice that those times are generally in the middle of the night or very early morning. Why is this? Well, I've got insomnia.
When I say I have insomnia I don't mean that I just can't sleep tonight. I have real, honest to goodness, chronic insomnia. I've had it for years. My mom has it, my grandmother has it, my twin has it. We just can't sleep. Generally I go to bed, tired, fall asleep for about 2 hours, and then wake up and can't go back to sleep. I've tried prescriptions but they're problematic. For one they're addictive, no matter what the well-worded ads say, and I don't like that. Two, the nature of my job is such that I'm on call a lot, so I can't take a med that will keep me from being able to wake up and be moving within a couple minutes. Three, they work too well for me. They just knock me for a loop. We're talking about 12-16 hours of unconsiousness. I don't have that kind of time.
While the insomnia is irritating at times I've learned to live with it. I just get up and find something to do. I read, I play on my computer, I blog. I rarely watch TV, there's nothing on in the daytime to interest me, let alone at night. My wife gets small bouts of insomnia on rare occasions. She doesn't handle it quite as well. She feels she needs to wake me up to let me know she can't sleep, she gets frustrated, she tosses around and generally adds to my insomnia. Oh well. It's just part of loving her.
People who sleep well just don't get it, though. When you tell them you didn't sleep last night they figure that you woke up twice to pee or something. It's not qutie that simple. My insomnia wakes me up and keeps me up...it lasts for days. We're talking a 5-7 day period with no more than 3 hours of sleep a night. It's just how it is. I rarely sleep a night through, anyways. I'm a light sleeper by nature and so 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep comes only about once a month, if that. Sleep is a precious commodity for me, and people like me. To go to sleep and stay there, to wake up feeling refreshed in the morning, to sleep soundly is a rare and special thing. If it's something you are lucky enough to have, treasure and enjoy it. And if you can't sleep, don't wake up those who are, we may have to smother you with a pillow.
Posted by at 03:10 AM | TrackBack
On Skateboards
The city of Chico is debating what countless cities across the country have debated over and over again: Whether or not to ban skateboarding in one of it's parks. I can see their point, really. The city spent an obscene amount of money on the new City Plaza and they don't want it damaged. And skateboarders do damage the property they use to skate on. It's not intentional, not always anyways, but it does happen. As boarders grind along rails, jump off ledges, and loose control of their boards damage gets done. Then there's just the nuisance part of it. A couple who go to the park to enjoy the atmosphere don't want to hear the loud banging of skateboards on concrete, or the occasional (or frequent) explatives from a skateboarder. Add to that the risk of injury to a child on city property and some mother who decideds to sue over it and it's just more risk than any city should have to endure.
The trouble here is that by banning skateboarders at the park the city starts down a slippery slope. If these kids or their parents live within the city it's their money that paid for the park. Shouldn't they get to use it how they see fit? Also, once you ban one group, who else are you going to ban? I'd deal with skateboarders over panhandlers any day. Are they going to ban all vagrants? What if the sight of love-sick youths is offensive to me? Should they be banned? They may carve their names in a tree, isn't that destructive? You see where I'm going here.
If I had to make a decision, however, I'd ban the skateboarders. They have their own, very expensive, specialized park just a few blocks away. There's no other reason to go there unless you enjoy that sport. Let the City Plaza be used by others who can't use the skate park.