Today, the Labor Dept. reported that unemployment skyrocketed to 6.1% - the highest level its reached in five years. Within mere hours (as well they should have), presidential hopefuls Senators Obama and McCain responded to the report with their own take on how to address such a pressing issue for Americans.
According to Sen. McCain, a jobs training program is necessary to retrain American workers for the “changing market.“Â Acknowledging that he well aware that “Americans are hurting,” Sen. McCain is desperately trying to separate himself from the very man who created this mess - President Bush.
Yet, despite his acknowledgment of a hurting America, Sen. McCain’s plan does little for the average, working class America. Try telling the janitor who was laid off last month in a company’s downsize that there will soon be a “jobs training program” thanks to good ol’ Washington. I’m fairly certain that a jobs program isn’t going to help him.
Sen. McCain’s response to the unemployment report reveals a larger problem that his campaign has been battling since the beginning - connecting to working class voters.  At this stage in the game, working class citizens need tangible help - let’s see, would a stimulus package maybe do the trick? (I wonder who could be offering that?) - rather than theoretical support intended to get them back up on their feet.
With children to feed, a towering pile of bills to pay, and medical needs going ignored, these families are, indeed, hurting. But, Sen. McCain just can’t seem to fathom that not everyone’s bootstraps are made from impenetrable Italian leather like his own.
- MM
When my mother last came to visit Geneseo, she said, “I don’t see how anyone could go to this school and be out of shape!” She was referring to the rolling valley inclines that do make the daily trek to class somewhat of a workout. Many students maximize their time here with sports, jogging, and trips to the gym, and I commend them.
Personally, I don’t do any of those things (I’ve never even seen our gym), and I know I’m not the only one who needs more than a little motivation to get up and moving. Hence my introduction of a pretty neat website - onehundredpushups. The site offers what seems to be a pretty manageable six-week program leading to the ability to perform 100 push-ups. Just before I started writing this I tried the initial test myself and broke down after fourteen, but with the help of this site I plan to be the envy of all my peers by Halloween.
In all seriousness, USA Today recently ran an article discussing teenage apathy toward exercising. Putting just a few hours a week toward exercise can make a huge difference in health and attitude for all of us, and having a tangible goal to work toward makes it easier to get started. Best of luck!
According to this news bulletin from Amsterdam, sex will shortly be permitted in Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s best-known public park - and a police institute is pushing for this “freedom” to be extended to all public parks in the country.
“Why should we try to maintain something that is actually impossible to maintain, which also causes little bother for others and for a certain group actually signifies much pleasure?” argues Mr. Paul van Griekan, adding that public sex will be restricted to evening and night-time hours once the rules come into effect after the summer.
Though the Dutch have always been pioneers in open-mindedness, the logic given by Van Griekan is a bit difficult to swallow. I’ve always held that bedrooms are the perfect place for all kinds of private activity, sex included. If the people of the Netherlands want to have a few R-rated parks, I suppose that wouldn’t hurt anyone, but all public parks? Surely there must be at least some minority constituent that holds dear the more conventional implications of “natural scenery.”
Furthermore, the article alleges that part of the reasoning for the rule is that the regulation of sex in public will harbor homosexual couples from “queer-bashing.” This not only perpetuates the stereotype that gays are overly promiscuous, it seems an absurd solution: Gay couples are being beat up for having sex in public, so…encourage them to do just that over in the park? Considering Vondelpark is right next to the Red Light District, there must be enough places to do this sort of thing that the public can have at least one place to kick around a soccer ball (or is it a football?) without seeing such primitivity. But then again, maybe that’s the beauty of Amsterdam.
As many of you know, Gov. Paterson has told SUNY to make major cuts to the tune of $110 million. (Check out our story on it here.) This is obviously devastating to the SUNY system, but the good news is our friends at UUP/NYSUT have put together a letter you (and all your friends) can send to the governor asking him to reverse this. As noted in the letter, it truly has been an amazing (and awful) turnaround: Former Gov. Spitzer’s Commission on Higher Education gave many suggestions on strengthening SUNY, and Spitzer listened. Now, his successor is taking the issue in the completely opposite direction. Let him know what a bad idea this is!
As I browsed the NY Times Web site this afternoon, I found an article that I found slightly disturbing and incredibly intriguing - a professor at an Evangelical Christian college who is being fired because he’s getting a divorce. The professor, who has taught at the school for 20 years and has been married for 34, was well aware of the stipulation in employment at the college. Nevertheless, because he refuses to discuss the reasons for his divorce (only adultery or abandonment are reasonable excuses), Professor Dramm must leave the school.
In our culture where divorce is increasingly common, it seems strange that a school could place such requirements on an employee. A student was quoted as saying that the rule helps people stay “committed to the Scriptures” during a time where that happens rarely. Yet, to plunge that deeply into an employee’s personal life seems an unnecessary breach of privacy. For example, another employee at the school was fired for converting to Catholicism.
Some students agree that the rule is a bit strange and unncessary, as nearly 400 signatures have been collected on a petition to allow the professor to continue teaching. While the outcome of this bizarre incident has yet to be decide, it really does make one wonder where to draw the line between requirements for proper conduct and privacy.
With the 2008 NFL Draft officially in the books, it’s time for a quick analysis of some key picks and an early look forward to the season.
The top 3 happened pretty much as expected after the Dolphins signed Jake Long, with the Rams taking Chris Long 2nd and the Falcons picking Matt Ryan 3rd, essentially saying goodbye to Michael Vick (as if they already hadn’t). The Raiders took some of the pressure off JaMarcus Russell by picking Darren McFadden, creating a solid backfield duo with Justin Fargas. Glenn Dorsey provided the Chiefs with a nice gift for the 5th pick, while the Jets got more athletic on defense, adding Vernon Gholston, another defensive end/linebacker hybrid to join Bryan Thomas and Calvin Pace.
Other notable first-round picks were Derrick Harvey, who Jacksonville took 8th after trading their first-round pick (26th) along with two third-rounders and a fourth. Why they wouldn’t put that package together for Jason Taylor, a Pro Bowl defensive end who could help immediately, is beyond me. Baltimore grabbed Joe Flacco 18th, which I thought was early for the Delaware quarterback. The Steelers stole running back Rashard Mendenhall 23rd, while with the next pick the Titans reached for a back of their own, Chris Johnson.
The second-round found the Redskins happy to get first-round talent in receivers Devin Thomas (34th overall) and Malcolm Kelly (51st). Mario Manningham dropped into the third round due to character issues, but could be a steal for the Giants with the 95th pick.
Now for some notable Day 2 picks.  Dennis Dixon could turn into the next Antwaan Randle El after going 156th overall to Pittsburgh, who drafted Randle El back in 2002. A poor Senior Bowl showing plummeted Andre Woodson to 198th, where the Giants snagged him up. Woodson is a very low-risk pick in the 6th round that could pay dividends down the line for New York. Mike Hart fell to 202nd overall and could also be a late-round steal, as he was once pegged as a first-rounder.
Now that the draft is complete, it’s never too early to group all 32 NFL teams into separate categories: contenders, sleepers, average teams and pretenders.
AFC -
Contenders: New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Diego Chargers
Sleepers: Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, Denver Broncos
Average Teams: Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens
Pretenders: Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs
NFC -
Contenders: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks
Sleepers: Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, St. Louis Rams
Average Teams: Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals
Pretenders: Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers
In about four months, we get to see how wrong these predictions turn out to be.
   With an entertaining first round that included three series going the full seven games, it’s time for round two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. For what it’s worth, here’s who I’m picking to win each series and why, starting with the East.
1-Montreal vs 6-Philadelphia
The Flyers have certainly come a long way from their dismal season last year. GM Paul Holmgren should be commended for putting this year’s team together, which has gone from the bottom of the conference a year ago to the second round of the playoffs. Daniel Briere is finally starting to look more like the player who Buffalo fans recognize, tallying six goals and five assists in the first round against Washington. Martin Biron has been solid in goal, but still hasn’t proven that he can lead a team deep into the playoffs.
The Canadiens struggled to pull out their first round series against Boston, allowing the Bruins to come back from a 3-1 series deficit to force a game seven in Montreal. The Canadiens came out strong in the deciding game though, cruising to a 5-0 victory as rookie goalie Carey Price stopped 25 shots for the shutout.
Philadelphia has done surprisingly well this year, and although I’m not sure if Price has what it takes to bring the Stanley Cup to Montreal this year, he’ll be good enough to get them past the Flyers. Prediction: Canadiens in five
2-Pittsburgh vs. 5-New York Rangers
I really, really wanted to pick the Rangers here. They came on strong towards the end of the season, and cruised past New Jersey in five games in the first round. Henrik Lundqvist has had a fantastic season, and captain Jaromir Jagr seems determined to bring New York to the next level in the last year of his contract. Still, the defense worries me; although Marc Stall will certainly be amped to go up against his younger brother Jordan, any team that puts Christian Backman on the ice for an extended period of time scares me.
Then, on the Pittsburgh side, you have two of the best young players in the league in Sidney Crosby and Evegni Malkin, plus trade deadline acquisition Marian Hossa. The Penguins barely broke a sweat while sweeping past Ottawa in the first round, and look like a team determined to bring the Cup to Pittsburgh, just over a year after it looked like the franchise was headed to Kansas City. Even though goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has been far short of spectacular throughout his career, the Pens still look like the team to advance…or do they? Can I really pick a team with Fleury in net over one with Lundqvist? I don’t think I can. Expect the Garden to be rocking this series. Prediction: Rangers in six
Now, on to the West
1-Detroit vs 6-Colorado
With the Avalanche bringing back Peter Forsberg and Adam Foote mid season, this series has the feel of one of those classics from the late 90’s/early 2000’s that these teams had. Since the Avs moved from Quebec for the 1995-96 season, the Pepsi Center has been a very difficult place for opponents to play in the playoffs, and this year should bring the fans some nostalgia.
Detroit went through a couple of slumps in the regular season, but still managed to pick up the President’s Trophy for having the most points in the league. In the first round against Nashville, the Red Wings had trouble with the pesky Predators, and needed a fluke goal by Nicklas Lidstrom to take control of game six, which ultimately clinched the series for Detroit.
Although Colorado goalie Jose Theodore played out of his mind against Minnesota in the first round, I can’t see him outlasting Chris Osgood, Henrik Zetterberg and company in round two. Prediction-Red Wings in six
2-San Jose vs 5-Dallas
The Sharks were a trendy pick at the beginning of the season to win the Cup, and despite their struggles against Calgary in the first round, many experts still are picking them to take it all. Grabbing defenseman Brian Campbell from the Sabres at the trade deadline was a bold move by GM Doug Wilson, considering Campbell is set to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year. Signing center Jeremy Roenick , who had previously considered himself retired was also a risky move, but his veteran leadership has helped the team and his play in game seven against the Flames (2 goals, 2 assists) propelled the Sharks into the second round.
The Stars looked impressive while knocking off the defending champion Ducks in the first round. Goalie Marty Turco has been outstanding, silencing any doubters who wondered why Dallas shipped off top level goaltending prospect Mike Smith to Tampa Bay for Brad Richards at the trade deadline.
This should be an entertaining series. I hate the fact that it will allow a southern team to allow to the conference finals, but it should be interesting nonetheless. Dallas will put up a fight, but in the end the Sharks will have too much bite. After the scare from Calgary, these guys are ready for the long haul. Prediction: Sharks in 7
Summer’s coming up fast, and for many of us that means a road trip, be it the drive home from school or just a youthful rite of passage. For the vast majority of us these trips will simply be fun or uneventful, but for those of us born with the unfortunate medical condition known as plumbeus pes - more commonly referred to as a lead foot - any trip can come with some unexpected expenses in the form of a speeding ticket.
I’m not here to tell you to watch out for tickets - everyone knows that, and every good speeder has formulated his or her own strategies for keeping Smokey off his or her tail. I am here to warn those that don’t know (and in my experience, that’s most of us) that in the event that you finally do accrue one or two tickets, you may be looking at a far greater expense than you expected: a whopping sucker punch from the long, fat arm of NY State law called the Driver Responsibility Assessment.
The terms of the assessment are simple: in addition to regular fines, accumulate 6 points on your driving record in 18 months and you will be assessed a fee of $300, payable either in three “annual assessments” of $100, or all at once. In addition to the $300, a driver owes $25 per year, or $75 total for every point over 6 points on his or her abstract. The purpose of the system, enacted in November, 2004, is to act as a more effective deterrent to speeding - an aim it often succeeds at once a driver is “assessed” so violently by it.
I take issue with the system, however, and not just because I am currently an assessee. As those of us who have sped in the past can attest to, 6 points is not that difficult to accumulate - one ticket for 21-30 mph over the limit, or two tickets for a much more moderate 1-10 mph over will earn you the 6 points you need to ride the extortion express. Furthermore, I had never heard of the fee, having taken my driver’s ed. classes before it was enacted. Neither had my parents or any of my friends.
Simply put, if the purpose of such a heavy fee is to prevent speeding and save lives, it might be even more successful at it if the state made an effort to advertise its existence (maybe a billboard or some PSAs warning drivers to slow down or face the impending shaft, perhaps?). As it stands, the assessment feels more like a sneak attack on drivers and another way for the state to fill its coffers.
Have a great summer, drive safe and consider yourselves warned.
You might want to add blogging to the list of things your parents warned you about.
According to this article from the New York Times, over-blogging can have some pretty hardcore adverse health effects. Two notable bloggers recently died, apparently as a result of the stress their profession put on them. It sounds somewhat over-the-top, but those caught up in this vastly growing sphere of the Web find themselves falling prey to the always-connected, up-to-the-minute nature of the Internet.
In addition, this article, “The Decline and Fall of the Writer,” from the Observer has been circulating around recently. In it, blogging is blamed for producing young writers who only have the skills to write instant-gratification clips, and not legitimate feature stories.
I agree, and I don’t - while I don’t think blogging should replace real writing experience (your college newspaper, for example - nudge, nudge), it is a great way for anyone to showcase their interests and reach a broad audience. The huge number of blogs is getting somewhat out of hand, and the NYT article shows how things can get really out of hand. I think that by and large, though, blogs have done us some good.
The irony of blogging about how intense blogging has become does not escape me, but I just thought this was some interesting stuff.
Let me just preface this post by saying that I’m a novice when it comes to politics. Don’t get me wrong - I’m obviously up to date on current affairs on such. But, sometimes, the overwhelming amount of political coverage makes my head spin. Gradually, however, I’m learning more and attempting to navigate my way through the whirlwind of American politics (otherwise being in D.C. next semester will really suck.)
Anyway (there’ s point to this post, I swear!), an recent article written by a family friend for a Philly paper really helped me get a better grasp of what’s going on in this country as we prepare for a huge change. I’ve yet to decide who I’m voting for, and sometimes the mud-slinging and inane political coverage makes me really apathetic to the whole ordeal. And while I can’t definitely say who I’ll be voting for in the election this November, Newall’s article is a fresh look at a topic that is often covered ad-nauseam in the media. It allows you to feel like you were there with him, recruiting supporters, experiencing history. It helps you realize that we don’t have to be disillusioned. Regardless of which candidate, or party even, you’re rooting for, our participation matters… just be prepared to fight (or work alongside!) the 6′4 men standing in your way.
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