Another 4th of July gone by

I hope everyone is having/had a great 4^th of July weekend. I am sure it was filled with the usual fireworks, national anthem, Old Glory flying everywhere (yes I know Old Glory is one flag that is currently undergoing massive preservation efforts and as such is not every star spangled banner we see flying everywhere), and many different variations of God Bless America and Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA. I will detour from my usual 4^th blog where I boast about how great the country is, even with its many, many faults. Instead, I wanted to take a few minutes to thank those who have served, are serving, or will serve in the armed forces or the many peace groups out there (Freedom Corps, Peace Corps, Red Cross, etc). Despite the many flaws that our and the international media love to point out (let's face it; there is no better story in a foreign country than how the USA screwed something up), Nothing is ever said about the many good things that we are doing, even under this Administration and Congress (I support the current Administration… Congress is a different story). But more on that later in this blog.

Whether or not you disagree with the war on terrorism/Iraq, I would hope you support the troops, who are willing to risk their lives for us and others. Enough cannot be said about them and I just wanted to add my many thanks. At my city hall, there is a "wall" that the Veterans Center has on display with a simple phrase that while it may not poetic, it does sum up the service of the military personnel, "All gave some, Some gave all".

Something caught my eye the other day that was just sad. On a street corner you had a large group of anti-war protesters with signs essentially saying pull them out/bring them home now. They were loud and while I disagree with them, I support their right to protest. What made me sad was on the other corner, there were a small group of pro-war (I will not say pro-military because the anti-war people may be pro-military, just against this particular war) demonstrators (I do not think you can call them protesters as they are not against a current policy/action) that were just sitting there with very simple signs. From my vantage point, it did not look like they were saying anything but they were being yelled at (I assume, the people looked very angry) by two of the anti-war people (they had the anti-war signs). Why is that okay? They are doing the same thing the other group is doing yet they are being yelled at? If it was because they support the war, then that is truly sad. Anyways, on to my ramblings below.

To be fair, I should clarify my 1st paragraph sentence. It isn't that nothing is ever said of these good things, they are either pushed off the main stories or are very briefly covered. During the Christmas Day tsunami a few years ago or the Burma Cyclone Nargis that is still a humanitarian nightmare, very few stories were covered showing that the US, along with many, many other nations were trying to help. The US sent USNS Mercy to the tsunami region and I believe, although I have not confirmed this, to Burma. The Tsunami victims allowed the US to help and we did so willingly and without a favor in return. Our military also sent ships to Burma that to this day are still denied access to unload vital humanitarian aid supplies. Granted, we are not liked around the world and the Junta are pussies but I would think that the media would run a few stories on this. Do not get me wrong, I am not expecting the international media to play into the propaganda campaign of the United States, but run something.

Despite our "quick draw" policy, we were able to negotiate with two nations that are our enemies, and arrive at a peaceful solution. Libya and North Korea. The North Korea story, I think, should be a huge story. The US was able to get North Korea to agree to a plan to dismantle their nuclear weapons and their ability to produce them. Yes, the US and 4 other nations arrived at the agreement with the North but do not forget that it was the US's idea and insistence on the 6 party talks. This brought other nations who have an interest in the nuclear North and Korea's closest ally, China. This was important and it was resolved, on paper at least, at a table and not on a battlefield. I would think even those who disagree or even hate President Bush would be happy to hear of a peaceful solution but the story is rarely talked about on the media, especially on CNN and MSNBC. For fairness, Fox News did cover this story to a greater degree but despite their claims, they favor my political side and party.

There really isn't any point to my blog and I know the logic and arguments are rudimentary compared to other brilliant writers but this is what crossed my mind as I wrote this so I wanted to type this down.

Happy New Year!!!

Good evening (or morning/afternoon, depending on when you are reading this). Tuesday is the New Year's and I am excited. Every year, this is the day that we government junkies look forward to. A year of spending is almost behind us and a year of money to be spent awaits. We, of course, spend the money wisely and with caution because it is not ours. It is our customer's (residents) and we must protect it as much as possible.
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That is why I love the City I work for. We reduced our budget by 1% and I know, this does not seem like much but we are keeping a balanced budget and finding more non-tax revenue streams. Not only are we reducing the budget but we are also increasing service. We are adding a 4Th ambulance and staffing a brand new Fire Station. Not many other cities can say that they reduced budget and increased service. And no, my Public Administration friends, no transference took place. We just simply looked at what we were spending and decided we could do more with less. My department is important (and not because I am in the department... well, not entirely) because we bring in the non-tax revenue. Our non-tax revenue is the second largest source of revenue. In almost all cities, Sales tax is king and property tax is number two. Not so with us, property tax is number three. A non-tax revenue source is our number two.
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Not all government is wastefull. If more governments really examined where we are spending money, there would be little need for new taxes. This is a counter point to my friend's blog about the anti-tax society and the need for taxes. To be fair, he was not saying bring us more taxes, he was arguing society's view of taxes is wrong... but I digress. Anyway, the new fiscal year is among us and the point to this blog is really to say... HAPPY NEW (fiscal) YEAR!!!

Birthday Celebration

This blog goes out to my good Friend Karen, whose birthday happens to be today. Karen turns 27 today and is just three years from the big 30.

If you live in the United States then you probably have heard about the recent California Supreme Court decision regarding Prop 22 and the marriage definition. The court ruled that the ballot initiative, which was approved by 61% of the voters only a few years ago, is unconstitutional. Once the decision become finalized, in about 1 month, same-sex couple can get hitched and legally be married. In anticipation of this ruling, opponents have already gathered enough signatures to place a new proposition on the November ballot. This one, unlike the first, would change the California constitution instead of the law. This would make the Cal. Supreme Court's decision null and void from that point on, not retroactive to this ruling. The opponents have asked the court to stay its decision until the November election to avoid a very complex and a legal mess. You see, if the court does not stay its ruling and the ballot initiative passes, then we will have one set of gay couples who are legally married but any future couples would be denied the ability. Courts have historically viewed amendments and laws as future looking, not retroactive. That is why those married between June and November would be legally married after the new amendment is approved.

I supported Prop 22 and continued to be against "marriage" for same sex couples. This has placed a bit of friction on more than one friendships, especially the one with my friend who happens to be a lesbian. Honestly, I am disappointed by the Court's ruling but I will respect the law and the new definition. The last thing I want, however, is a continued battle over this one issue and the millions of dollars spent, by both sides (with the "liberals" planning on spending about $5 million more than the same-sex marriage opponents) on ads and a media blitzkrieg trying to convince us to vote one way or the other. I think there are better uses for that money and my conservative friends should just get over it and act like Christians should. I am against this new amendment initiative and would encourage others to vote against it as the legal mess that would be caused would be a disaster waiting to happen.

We have relied on Courts overstepping their jurisdiction in order to bring socially needed changes in the past. A majority of the population supported segregation and the Jim Crow laws that kept minorities away from the privileges of the majority. The Courts had to defy the popular vote and force the change on us. I doubt there is anyone who would argue that Courts were wrong. This may be one of those cases but I am big enough to admit that I do not know. History will be the only judge that would know for certain so I yield to history. Gay Marriage is a certainty and it is time we focus our attention and resources to stopping the "global warming" farce and helping those in need.

Can 1 person really make a difference?

Today, as some of you may know, is the Birthday of one of the worst humans to ever set foot on the Earth. Adolf Hitler led his nation to the attempted genocide of the Jewish population within his own country and those within his sphere of influence. I cannot help but think of something Eddie Izzard said in his stand-up routine, called Dressed to Kill, in that Hitler killed people next door. Stupid man. The world is notorious for not really caring about what goes on inside of another country but will, eventually, try to stop activities when they expand their horror outside of their borders. This is pretty much the standard that the world follows with few exceptions, mainly Africa. It seems that the world as a whole really doesn't care what atrocities are being committed on this continent that, in Risk, is vital for world domination.

There are those who hold pointless rallies trying to claim that they actually want to change what is happening but as soon as the rally is done, they go home and spend their money like the 1^st world population they are. Do not get me wrong. I am one of these, although I do not, for the most part, pretend to be one of these semi-caring people and attend rallies to make me feel better. I think it is wrong and I wish my attitude would be more of a humanist but the truth of the matter is, I am not. I hope that the world would stop pissing on each other and actually lend a hand to those in need. It reminds me of the Pen and Teller series, Bullshit, and a rally for the environment in the nation's capital that they attended to demonstrate the uneducatedness (a new word I just created) of the rally people. They circulated a petition to ban dihydrogen monoxide from all products. They listed the damage that this substance can cause and people lined up to sign it. At the end of the day, all these environmentalists signed a petition to ban water. Furthermore, this week was celebrated by many cities as a green week in honor of Earth Day but in holding these fairs, concerts, and activities, they made the environment worse than if there was no event. I know this is an oversimplification and a massive generalization but look at the San Diego Earth Day event today. They expected over 60,000 in a small area. How much resources were used. How many more bottles of water were consumed because people were outside. How much fossil fuels were consumed by those traveling much further than they would in any other Sunday? How much trash was generated? So much for making a difference.

I fully support those who actually want to make a difference and struggle to get this uncaring world to support a worthy cause. I hope they are able to achieve, even if it is only on a small scale, what it is they set out to do. We do not have enough "drivers" in this world. I apologize for using the VW slogan that actually speaks for the world as a whole. One day, I hope I become one of these drivers but for now, I know I am merely a passenger in this game called life. I am beginning to question my long standing philosophy that one person cannot make a difference. Unfortunately, it seems that this statement is still very much true but one day maybe, just maybe, it will be a thing of the past.

Tidbits Galore

It has been sometime since I last posted so I thought I would spend this blog not talking about one or two topics but several topics. I call this, tidbits galore, as I am a relatively unimaginative person and as such, cannot create decent titles to save my ass. As I write this blog using Office 2007, I could help but notice that it is actually copyrighted in 2006, not 2007. So why not call it Office 2006? Microsoft is better than apple (Wait as I stand back to receive the outcry over this sacrilegious comment but all of you apple people can kiss my oversized man ass) but then they go a do stupid little stuff that shouldn't bother me but I am spending a couple of minutes writing on a copyright year. Nevertheless, this is not one of the topics I am here to discuss.

I have recently begun the task of updating my will and creating my living will. I find it horrifying that people, of all ages, do not have a will already created. It is a fantastic document as it is the one thing that almost guarantees you get the last word (unless the courts get involved). If you have any last minute slight or dis you want to dish out, this is your chance. I actually enjoy this process, but then again, I can be a little odd at times. My living will is just to say whether or not to keep a tube in my stomach or lungs should I become a vegetable. The last thing I want is another Terry Shrivo case.

I would like to congratulate Tali on her engagement to Danny Vaughn as Tali will soon become Tali Vaughn. Tali, for those that do not know, is the sister of Tannan and is somewhat of a handful. I move on. I would like to place a call on the politicircus people to actually update their blog as it has been over a month. Get off of your laze asses and write something, you bums. I cannot wait for Amsterdam next year and a trip to Montana at some point. That is all, no real burning issue to discuss today, everything is fine and dandy.

My Travels on the Sprinter…

Please note that I was asked, by those who coordinate my work's employee newsletter (called the City Scene- I really don't like the name but I cannot change it) to write an article on my Sprinter travels. For those who do not know, NCTD, North County's public transportation district, opened a new light-rail train called to Sprinter. It travels along the old 1800's industrial rail line that really does not go to any popular destinations but the track was there so, let's save some money. The line, originally estimated to cost $85 million dollars swelled, like most government projects, to a price nearing half a billion dollars. I was very skeptical about this train but decided to give it a week. The post below is what I wrote for the article. It is a little bit of a puff piece but the incidents mentioned actually happened. I will expand on those in a different post but here it goes… (Oh, those comments in parenthesis are my edits for this blog to provide some additional background).

I feel as though I should begin by disclaiming that despite my claims in the glorious Dive Day (this will need explaining, later though) e-mails, my reasons for trying the newly opened $478 million Sprinter had little-to-nothing to do with being "green". In fact, I am not really a "green" person (I am, after all, a Republican ha-ha), seeing that I drive a SUV that on a great tank gets a little over 18 miles per gallon. With the exception of traveling to other large metropolitan areas and the fantastic San Diego Trolley, which seems to favor only a small geographical portion of the County, I do not use public transportation. For me, there really was no incentive or desire as like many Californians, I like my car and I like to drive. So, why my desire to all of a sudden try the Sprinter?

That is a good question. I guess the simple answer was that I wanted to see how much money I would actually save. In the past, I have to fill up every 6 days and with a 20-gallon tank and the current skyrocketing prices at the pump, there was a little extra incentive to try this new contraption. So, I figured I would see what the $478 million was all about and give the Sprinter one week. In addition to the Sprinter, I would also be taking the bus. Now, the last time I took a bus, other than the Red and Black at San Diego State University (Go Aztecs!), my last experience was in middle school when I rode on the Poway Transit (which, let's face it, has a very different clientele than Escondido, San Marcos, Vista, and Oceanside) once or twice. Okay, back to the story at hand, my journey to work was going to take three times longer than if I were to simply drive myself to work. I would also have to wake up significantly earlier than usual and let me just say that I am NOT a morning person (in fact, I often wake up angry at my alarm clock for not pausing the space time continuum). This was going to be a very interesting week.

Despite the early mornings and the occasional interesting characters that ride the '356' bus, you know the arguments and the coffee throwing incidents, the bus has not been bad at all. It picks me up the same time everyday and, when I do not play follow the leader and get on the wrong bus (yes, this happened), it takes me to where I needed to go and with plenty of time to catch the Sprinter. For the Sprinter itself, it was very smooth, clean and comfortable. Although my journey on the train only lasts for just three stops and for just 10 minutes, I have found myself wanting to stay on but somehow I do not see the City liking that idea. There have not been any delays, when I have been on the train (the second day of operation, a guy got ran over and lost part of his legs, ouch), and even though the morning commuters seem to be dwindling, the evening train remains packed. I have been pleasantly surprised and I am saving money every day. The all-day passes, good for unlimited bus and sprinter rides, cost about $4 or you can purchase the monthly pass for $54. If you ride 13 ½ times in a month, you will have paid for your ticket. With the 9/80 structure here, each month we average between 17 and 19 workdays, so you are bound to save money. Since I do not have my car here at work, I am not tempted to drive around, wasting more gas, during my lunch hour. It has been two weeks since I last filled up my car and it still has over half a tank left. All and all, I have been impressed and saving money to boot. Despite the longer trek and my early mornings (damn you time), I will continue to take the Sprinter and the bus to work, and I encourage all of you to at least give the Sprinter a try. See you on the Dive Days!

SimCity My A**

I would like to take a break from my usual blog entries and discuss a matter of grave importance. Well, maybe not grave importance but a good rant nonetheless. I recently purchased the latest in the SimCity phenomenon called SimCity Societies. In this version, you do have to build roads and the occasional power plant but after that, there is very little essence of SimCity, or at least the game that I fell in love with. I am what I call a Government Junkie. I majored in government, I worked in government in high school, my career is government, my masters will be in government, and I love the government style city planning game. The first SimCity was revolutionary and, back then, considered a hard game to play and master. The second release, called SimCity 2000, brought upon the world the super-duper buildings called… I forget. But they were way cool and could hold tens of thousands of people. Water was first introduced but to a limited scale. The next installment, aptly named SimCity 3000 expanded on the new versions, although the super-duper buildings were lost to time. Trash and neighbor deals were created but really no way to build a region. In comes the best version of SimCity in the confusingly named SimCity 4. This game is just awesome as you not only build a city but a region as well. If you have too many residents in one city, they will find work in the nearby municipalities and the game is intertwined with everything else. This version was actually the basis for several tourism rich cities/nations to calculate where they need to spend money so they can attract more tourists. In these games, the creator built in actual city effects and principles that we study in school. Transference is a big one but nothing compares to the multiplier effect. Cities must grow, to some degree, in order to survive. Although with the modern day set-up in real life, this is more along the lines of counties but the basis is the same.

Multiplier effect:

It works like this. Company A makes 5 widgets a year and Company B buys 2 per year in order to make their product for their customers. They have a great year and the customer (residents) base grows and they must order 5 additional widgets the next year for a total of 7. Company A must now make more widgets to bring their total up to 10 so Company B can have their 7 total. In order to do that, A must hire more staff, buy more supplies and is now producing 10. B has a good year and continues to expand but this time they must order only 3 additional for a total of 5. Now A has capacity to make 10 but is only selling 8. Even though B is still growing, the multiplier effect dictates that A is too big and must downsize, thus reducing the supplies they order and the number of staff, which will snowball out of control. This, of course, is a way simplified version of what actually happens in economics and cities but as you can see, any slowdown can lead to disaster for cities.

Back to the issue at hand:

SimCity Societies is nothing more than a new twist on the Sims. It does not deserve the name of SimCity. I would be fine if it were SimSocieties but no, Sim fucking societies.