Let the Games Begin!

Obama for America

http://www.barackobama.com/

I couldn't have asked for better timing to be working and living in DC...

If you need a good laugh...

Just in case you need a laugh:

Remember it takes a college degree to fly a plane, but only a high school diploma to fix one. Reassurance for those of us who fly routinely in our jobs. After every flight, UPS pilots fill out a form, called a "gripe sheet," which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft. The mechanics correct the problems, document their repairs on the form, and then pilots review the gripe sheets before the next flight. Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense of humor. Here are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by UPS pilots (marked with a P) and the solutions recorded (marked with an S) by maintenance engineers. By the way, UPS is the only major airline that has never, ever, had an accident.

P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.

P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

P: Something loose in cockpit.
S: Something tightened in cockpit.

P: Dead bugs on windshield.
S: Live bugs on back-order.

P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent.
S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.

P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
S: DME volume set to more believable level.

P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
S: That's what friction locks are for.

P: IFF inoperative in OFF mode.
S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.

P: Suspected crack in windshield.
S: Suspect you're right.

P: Number 3 engine missing.
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.

P: Aircraft handles funny. (I love this one!)
S: Aircraft warned to: straighten up, fly right, and be serious.

P: Target radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.

And the best one for last..................
P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.
S: Took hammer away from midget.

Preach it, sista'!~

Its already April.

I'm happy to say that things are much better since my last post. The first two months of this year were hell. But that's behind me now. Looking forward to the rest of this year and enjoying my DC experience. Already, my friends and I made another trip to Linden for their delicious ice wine while Beth was in town; enjoyed the Broadway play "Doubt" at the National Theatre; organized a glorious picnic lunch on the mall at the Kite Festival; rooted for the Wizards towards their 107-106 win over the Warriors at the Verizon Center; danced at the Village Underground (what a ghetto place) during my trip to NYC; and most importantly sent in my taxes (finally!).

Some friends at work and I have this email chain back and forth on current events, social/political/economic issues, and anything else that we find interesting to discuss. My former project manager sent out a link to a speech delivered by Rebecca Haglin of the Heritage Foundation (http://www.hillsdale.edu/imprimis/2006/04/) and I couldn't help but speak my mind on the issues raised.
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[Former project manager],

As you articulated below, I hope that you read my response to the article in the spirit of open dialogue... As you can probably tell from my other response to the article on Korean wedding gifts, social issues evoke a strong response from me.

First of all, I'm sure Rebecca Hagelin wrote and delivered her speech in the hope of educating and empowering her audience. Unfortunately, I didn’t find it at all educational or empowering. But she does a good job of effectively exploiting the worst fears for parents. I know I won't do justice to my perspective in this email, but I'll try to at least present an overview of my thoughts. Ideally, such debates should be held outside, under the warm sun, with a pitcher of fresh juice within easy reach, kalbi grilling in the background, and Caron Butler popping in for a visit. (smile)

I found her first section titled "Home Invasion" to be one-sided and extreme. I don't disagree with what she describes to be problems and issues present in our society today. Kids can access and consume "bad" media/entertainment/advertising/information/images/etc. as Hagelin argues. But they can also do the same with "good" media/entertainment/advertising/information/images/etc. She fails to portray a holistic view of childhood/teenage life. Essentially, I was disappointed that she doesn't even present a black and white view.... just black.

I also found her recommendations to be somewhat limited and imbalanced. She endorses censorship, filters, and micromanagement - but these should be complemented with openness, trust, risks, and evaluated against the age, maturity level, and situation of the kid/teenager. Only then, will the parent avoid building walls and truly instill a moral compass in the child.

I believe a kid who is raised in the ghettos/projects of any major U.S. urban city and who is bombarded with hip hop, drugs, sex, MTV, and violence daily can be a moral and ethical person- and many times can be even more moral than those kids that are "taught" to be so. Kids and parents who overcome such challenges are bigger heroes to me than those who merely avoid them.

Ultimately, my issue with Hagelin is that she oversimplifies a complicated topic.

Respectfully,
me