Thursday, January 22, 2009
Fixed Comment Box
I fixed the comment box on my other blog. You should all be able to comment away now. I'm sure that was the only thing stopping you! :D
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
New Position
Elections were tonight for College Republicans and we elected a new Chair. (This is the leader of the group, the chief executive) We elected a very trustworthy candidate that has done a lot of work in the past month to get us on the right track. I won my election for Vice-Chair. I'm extremely excited to get to work and dig in on how we can make our group better here at CMU. That's all I have for tonight - it's late!
Monday, January 19, 2009
CommUNITY Breakfast
As you are all aware, today is a day to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. More so, however, it is a day to honor diversity, equality, and respect in all walks of life. Today I celebrated by attending the CommUNITY Breakfast at CMU. At 7:30 this A.M., we all gathered in the UC Rotunda on campus. This year's guest speaker was none other than my soon-to-be boss Representative Bill Caul. I will be doing an internship in the State Capital this fall with Mr. Caul. He is a great man who delivered a fitting speech for the occasion.
Afterwards he had some time to chat with myself and a few of my College Republican friends.
Afterwards he had some time to chat with myself and a few of my College Republican friends.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
CM-Life Article
So I was recently appointed to a committee in College Republicans for public relations. I got my first interview tonight from the CM-Life, and it was to reflect on the Bush Administration, along with his farewell address. The whole article follows, but if you just want to get straight to my interview, it's near the end. Enjoy!
President George W. Bush's farewell speech Thursday was his final opportunity to shape his legacy.
The 43rd president of the United States chose spreading peace abroad and fighting terrorism as his main messages, although he said there are things he would have changed.
"There are things I would do differently if given the chance," he said. "Yet, I have always acted with the best interests of our country in mind. I have followed my conscience and done what I thought was right."
Bush warned Americans that the nation will face more challenges, but expressed his confidence in its ability to overcome them.
The president rejected isolationist policies and encouraged the nation to continue the fight for freedom and democracy around the world.
"This nation must continue to speak out for justice and truth," he said. "Advancing this belief is the only practical way to protect our citizens."
Bush noted the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, the transformation of the military, the intelligence community and FBI, a new Medicare program and the bailout among his accomplishments as president.
The once-Texas governor noted changing the Afghanistan and Iraq governments to democracies as other successes of his presidency.
"There is legitimate debate about many of these decisions," he said. "But there can be little debate about the results."
The President acknowledged those who disagreed with many decisions he made, but hoped they would agree he made tough decisions.
Serving the nation as president was an honor, Bush said, but the title of "citizen of the United States of America" means more to him than any other.
Aside from molding his legacy, Bush wished President-elect Barack Obama good luck, saying his presidency is "a moment of hope and pride for our whole nation."
Student Reaction
Central Michigan University students have had mixed reactions about Bush's eight-year tenure.
Caro junior Zachary Raymer and Waterford senior Kyle Gentges find Bush to be an inadequate president, and neither agreed with his decision to invade Iraq.
"I don't really think he knew what he was doing," Gentges said. "After 9/11, we started going after Iraq and Iraq got in the way of catching Osama bin Laden."
Raymer said the economic bailout was a necessary decision, but does not like how it has been handled.
"There has not been enough oversight with what we've done with the money," he said.
Instead of throwing the money at the problem, Raymer said, the money should have been used to create jobs and investments that will pay off in the long run.
Coleman freshman John Porter, a member of the College Republicans, said Bush's speech was honest and sober. He praised Bush's honesty, even though many people may not have agreed with his policies.
"We cannot question the man's integrity and honesty," he said.
Porter thought Bush's greatest accomplishment was preventing a terrorist attack for seven and a half years.
Porter said Bush's expanded AIDS treatments in Africa were another great accomplishment.
"No one has ever done more for the continent of Africa than George W. Bush," he said.
Bush was put into an unprecedented situation, Coleman said, and dealt with it well.
"His record speaks for itself. He saw 54 months of job growth... even Barack Obama can't change some of Bush's policies," he said.
President George W. Bush's farewell speech Thursday was his final opportunity to shape his legacy.
The 43rd president of the United States chose spreading peace abroad and fighting terrorism as his main messages, although he said there are things he would have changed.
"There are things I would do differently if given the chance," he said. "Yet, I have always acted with the best interests of our country in mind. I have followed my conscience and done what I thought was right."
Bush warned Americans that the nation will face more challenges, but expressed his confidence in its ability to overcome them.
The president rejected isolationist policies and encouraged the nation to continue the fight for freedom and democracy around the world.
"This nation must continue to speak out for justice and truth," he said. "Advancing this belief is the only practical way to protect our citizens."
Bush noted the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, the transformation of the military, the intelligence community and FBI, a new Medicare program and the bailout among his accomplishments as president.
The once-Texas governor noted changing the Afghanistan and Iraq governments to democracies as other successes of his presidency.
"There is legitimate debate about many of these decisions," he said. "But there can be little debate about the results."
The President acknowledged those who disagreed with many decisions he made, but hoped they would agree he made tough decisions.
Serving the nation as president was an honor, Bush said, but the title of "citizen of the United States of America" means more to him than any other.
Aside from molding his legacy, Bush wished President-elect Barack Obama good luck, saying his presidency is "a moment of hope and pride for our whole nation."
Student Reaction
Central Michigan University students have had mixed reactions about Bush's eight-year tenure.
Caro junior Zachary Raymer and Waterford senior Kyle Gentges find Bush to be an inadequate president, and neither agreed with his decision to invade Iraq.
"I don't really think he knew what he was doing," Gentges said. "After 9/11, we started going after Iraq and Iraq got in the way of catching Osama bin Laden."
Raymer said the economic bailout was a necessary decision, but does not like how it has been handled.
"There has not been enough oversight with what we've done with the money," he said.
Instead of throwing the money at the problem, Raymer said, the money should have been used to create jobs and investments that will pay off in the long run.
Coleman freshman John Porter, a member of the College Republicans, said Bush's speech was honest and sober. He praised Bush's honesty, even though many people may not have agreed with his policies.
"We cannot question the man's integrity and honesty," he said.
Porter thought Bush's greatest accomplishment was preventing a terrorist attack for seven and a half years.
Porter said Bush's expanded AIDS treatments in Africa were another great accomplishment.
"No one has ever done more for the continent of Africa than George W. Bush," he said.
Bush was put into an unprecedented situation, Coleman said, and dealt with it well.
"His record speaks for itself. He saw 54 months of job growth... even Barack Obama can't change some of Bush's policies," he said.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
New Blog
Started a new blog, it's purely political, and not politically correct. If you think you'll be offended, feel free to ignore it. I'm going to keep this blog to family related stuff for you guys, and use the other for my soapbox and right-wing movement.
www.rightwingreform.blogspot.com
Thanks!
www.rightwingreform.blogspot.com
Thanks!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Semester Schedule
This is my schedule for this semester, I'm excited! I'm trying to get into a Math 105 class as well, leaving me at 18 credits!
BUS 100
Essential Business Skills | Monday, Wednesday 5:00P - 6:15P | Kayla M Slezak
ECO 201
Principles of Macroeconomics | Tuesday, Thursday 2:00P - 3:15P | Tao Peng
ECO 202
Principles of Microeconomics | Tuesday, Thursday 11:00A - 12:15P | Gregory A Falls
PSC 150
World Politics | Monday, Wednesday 3:30P - 4:45P | David Jesuit
PSC 151
The U.S. & The World | Monday, Wednesday, Friday 12:00P-12:50P | David Jesuit
BUS 100
Essential Business Skills | Monday, Wednesday 5:00P - 6:15P | Kayla M Slezak
ECO 201
Principles of Macroeconomics | Tuesday, Thursday 2:00P - 3:15P | Tao Peng
ECO 202
Principles of Microeconomics | Tuesday, Thursday 11:00A - 12:15P | Gregory A Falls
PSC 150
World Politics | Monday, Wednesday 3:30P - 4:45P | David Jesuit
PSC 151
The U.S. & The World | Monday, Wednesday, Friday 12:00P-12:50P | David Jesuit
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Millen Hiding Behind Camera
Millen hiding behind camera
He owes Lions fans explanation for his role on 0-16 season
BY DREW SHARP • FREE PRESS COLUMNIST • JANUARY 4, 2009
Matt Millen doesn’t get off the hook that easily.
NBC should insist that the erstwhile Lions chief executive wear an 0-16 stamp on his forehead for future network appearances. It should introduce a segment for its three-day Super Bowl pregame show, “How to Build an NFL Door Matt with Matt Millen.”
Here’s a novel concept. Why not demand that Millen do his job as a studio analyst? His role as a “football expert” is to explain what occurs beyond the range of public eyes, breaking down what went right and what went wrong with simple clarity.
But when he broke his public silence Saturday during the network’s “Football Night in America” show, he told NBC’s Dan Patrick that it wasn’t as easy as merely blaming himself.
“There’s a lot more to it than that,” Millen told Patrick. “I could give you excuses. I could give you reasons. To me, that’s just an excuse after the fact. You take the hit and move on.”
Millen blew it again. Detroit deserves a detailed explanation for what went so horribly wrong from those who perpetrated the deed. Simply saying that you’re responsible for the disaster doesn’t make you accountable. That requires serving a penance. If Millen truly seeks atonement, he must delve deeper into those additional “reasons” of which he spoke.
Was there a lack of uniformity between Millen and his front office, Millen and his coaches? Was there an even greater lack of organizational confidence within the locker room than what already has been documented? Did ownership interfere even more than what already has been reported?
I’m really tired of the Lions’ “There’s nothing more to say” defense regarding past failures.
Coach Rod Marinelli tried it during his farewell. It didn’t work.
Tom Lewand and Martin Mayhew tried it during their introduction. It didn’t work.
Millen tried it in his nationally televised mea culpa. It really didn’t work.
Millen remained in seclusion on his Pennsylvania farm following his firing Sept.24, never returning phone calls from local media. But he called NBC back when the network approached him about returning to the television studio.
A network spokesman said Saturday that NBC kept Millen’s playoff pregame appearance under wraps until the last instant. Millen apparently was worried that, with enough advanced notice, there might be a flock of Detroit reporters waiting for his inevitable exit at the doorsteps at Rockefeller Center in New York.
He sounded subdued, certainly not the gregarious sort that endeared him to television viewers during his days as Fox’s No. 2 game analyst. How can anybody watching him not crack up laughing? Millen’s 31-84 record (not counting the other 13 losses after his dismissal) as president hardly makes him a credible voice when questioning another team’s decision making.
If he ever says that a team needs a wide receiver, Bob Costas’ immediate retort should be “Well, you ought to know about that Matt since you drafted one in the first round three straight years. By the way, Matt, how many of those guys are still in football?”
Millen: “Charles Rogers is starting now for his prison team, Bob. And Mike Williams is a third alternate on the Jenny Craig Pro Bowl team.”
Cue the rim shot.
Millen will turn his Detroit experiences into a joke. He’ll smile through his misery knowing that he already has collected $38 million for those 31 wins and is still owed $12 million from William Clay Ford Sr. for the final 2 1/2 years on that five-year contract extension.
Laugh, clown, laugh.
But it’ll only ratchet up the local anger even more that Millen, who once openly questioned the toughness of one his players, didn’t have the guts to stand before his harshest critics one final time as Marinelli did just hours after the Lions fired him last Monday.
Millen instead hid behind the plumage of the peacock.
He owes Lions fans explanation for his role on 0-16 season
BY DREW SHARP • FREE PRESS COLUMNIST • JANUARY 4, 2009
Matt Millen doesn’t get off the hook that easily.
NBC should insist that the erstwhile Lions chief executive wear an 0-16 stamp on his forehead for future network appearances. It should introduce a segment for its three-day Super Bowl pregame show, “How to Build an NFL Door Matt with Matt Millen.”
Here’s a novel concept. Why not demand that Millen do his job as a studio analyst? His role as a “football expert” is to explain what occurs beyond the range of public eyes, breaking down what went right and what went wrong with simple clarity.
But when he broke his public silence Saturday during the network’s “Football Night in America” show, he told NBC’s Dan Patrick that it wasn’t as easy as merely blaming himself.
“There’s a lot more to it than that,” Millen told Patrick. “I could give you excuses. I could give you reasons. To me, that’s just an excuse after the fact. You take the hit and move on.”
Millen blew it again. Detroit deserves a detailed explanation for what went so horribly wrong from those who perpetrated the deed. Simply saying that you’re responsible for the disaster doesn’t make you accountable. That requires serving a penance. If Millen truly seeks atonement, he must delve deeper into those additional “reasons” of which he spoke.
Was there a lack of uniformity between Millen and his front office, Millen and his coaches? Was there an even greater lack of organizational confidence within the locker room than what already has been documented? Did ownership interfere even more than what already has been reported?
I’m really tired of the Lions’ “There’s nothing more to say” defense regarding past failures.
Coach Rod Marinelli tried it during his farewell. It didn’t work.
Tom Lewand and Martin Mayhew tried it during their introduction. It didn’t work.
Millen tried it in his nationally televised mea culpa. It really didn’t work.
Millen remained in seclusion on his Pennsylvania farm following his firing Sept.24, never returning phone calls from local media. But he called NBC back when the network approached him about returning to the television studio.
A network spokesman said Saturday that NBC kept Millen’s playoff pregame appearance under wraps until the last instant. Millen apparently was worried that, with enough advanced notice, there might be a flock of Detroit reporters waiting for his inevitable exit at the doorsteps at Rockefeller Center in New York.
He sounded subdued, certainly not the gregarious sort that endeared him to television viewers during his days as Fox’s No. 2 game analyst. How can anybody watching him not crack up laughing? Millen’s 31-84 record (not counting the other 13 losses after his dismissal) as president hardly makes him a credible voice when questioning another team’s decision making.
If he ever says that a team needs a wide receiver, Bob Costas’ immediate retort should be “Well, you ought to know about that Matt since you drafted one in the first round three straight years. By the way, Matt, how many of those guys are still in football?”
Millen: “Charles Rogers is starting now for his prison team, Bob. And Mike Williams is a third alternate on the Jenny Craig Pro Bowl team.”
Cue the rim shot.
Millen will turn his Detroit experiences into a joke. He’ll smile through his misery knowing that he already has collected $38 million for those 31 wins and is still owed $12 million from William Clay Ford Sr. for the final 2 1/2 years on that five-year contract extension.
Laugh, clown, laugh.
But it’ll only ratchet up the local anger even more that Millen, who once openly questioned the toughness of one his players, didn’t have the guts to stand before his harshest critics one final time as Marinelli did just hours after the Lions fired him last Monday.
Millen instead hid behind the plumage of the peacock.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Happy Honda-Days
It was 9:00AM on this day and I had set out for Shepherd Road. I met the old man at the door and we said our good mornings. It was much like the other days, except much earlier. It was much like the other days, but this time we wouldn't be sticking around the farm for long. We had a mission. Armed with paperwork and pamphlets, and a copy of Consumers Report - the Grandfather and I saddled up in the '97 Ford F-150 and didn't even hesitate leaving the house. Our journey took us to the expressway, and past Midland. We didn't stop until we had arrived here, at this joint:
Grandpa and I were car shopping. As we drove around the lot, we were looking for a CR-V, black, with black leather seats. We couldn't find one, and the salesman who came to greet us said that they currently had none in stock, but could get one from a nearby dealer. We sat down at the salesman's desk and Grandpa already had his first question ready.
"What the hell are you charging me $227 in fees for?"
Salesman: "You see, when we file paperwork through the state we can legally charge you up to $250 between state fees and our own labor to file the paperwork."
Grandpa smiles and pulls out his copy of Consumers Report.
"Read this", he says to the salesman.
"Mr. Porter, we don't charge you 'Prep-fees' here, other dealers may, but we don't. We are only charging you for filing papers."
Grandpa: "Well you must not have read what I just showed you! Consumers Report says not to pay any fees you try to hit me with."
Salesman: "Mr. Porter, they say 'prep-fees', we're not charging you a prep-fee."
Grandpa: "I'm not buying then. There are ways you can take those off."
Salesman: "We can't charge other customers one rate and you another."
Grandpa: "Well I don't see why you're charging them for this either!"
Salesman: "I'll tell you what, we'll knock that $227 off the sticker price, but they still have to show up on the bill."
Grandpa: "I want a set of fog lights on there for free, too."
Salesman: "That I have to ask my sales manager about, I'll see what I can do."
At this point the salesman leaves and Grandpa looks at me and laughs and says, "I'm about to get one hell of a deal if they give me those lights and wave those fees. You see, I must have been reading what I WANTED that article to say, because he's right - it says prep-fees right here..."
The salesman returns and says, "Mr. Porter, we're going to wave the $227 dollar fee by knocking it off the sticker price, and we will pay half of the package and installation on the fog lights. They cost $430, so we pay $215 and you pay $215."
Grandpa turns and smiles at me and says "Looks like I'm just gettin' one fog light then."
The salesman can do nothing but laugh hysterically. Needless to say, this was a good enough deal for even a stubborn Porter. We then move to the financing portion. Until January 5th, Honda is doing 1.9% financing on 11 models, and one happens to be the CR-V. Now, if you know anything about a credit union, you know that money kept in there collects interest of just above 3%. That means that you're actually making more money by financing your car at 1.9% and leaving the other money in the bank.
So, tomorrow, the eldest of our family will own a 2009 CR-V EX-L, black, with black leather seats. Not to mention he's getting fog lights installed for the low, low price of -$12.
Happy Honda-Days!
Grandpa and I were car shopping. As we drove around the lot, we were looking for a CR-V, black, with black leather seats. We couldn't find one, and the salesman who came to greet us said that they currently had none in stock, but could get one from a nearby dealer. We sat down at the salesman's desk and Grandpa already had his first question ready.
"What the hell are you charging me $227 in fees for?"
Salesman: "You see, when we file paperwork through the state we can legally charge you up to $250 between state fees and our own labor to file the paperwork."
Grandpa smiles and pulls out his copy of Consumers Report.
"Read this", he says to the salesman.
"Mr. Porter, we don't charge you 'Prep-fees' here, other dealers may, but we don't. We are only charging you for filing papers."
Grandpa: "Well you must not have read what I just showed you! Consumers Report says not to pay any fees you try to hit me with."
Salesman: "Mr. Porter, they say 'prep-fees', we're not charging you a prep-fee."
Grandpa: "I'm not buying then. There are ways you can take those off."
Salesman: "We can't charge other customers one rate and you another."
Grandpa: "Well I don't see why you're charging them for this either!"
Salesman: "I'll tell you what, we'll knock that $227 off the sticker price, but they still have to show up on the bill."
Grandpa: "I want a set of fog lights on there for free, too."
Salesman: "That I have to ask my sales manager about, I'll see what I can do."
At this point the salesman leaves and Grandpa looks at me and laughs and says, "I'm about to get one hell of a deal if they give me those lights and wave those fees. You see, I must have been reading what I WANTED that article to say, because he's right - it says prep-fees right here..."
The salesman returns and says, "Mr. Porter, we're going to wave the $227 dollar fee by knocking it off the sticker price, and we will pay half of the package and installation on the fog lights. They cost $430, so we pay $215 and you pay $215."
Grandpa turns and smiles at me and says "Looks like I'm just gettin' one fog light then."
The salesman can do nothing but laugh hysterically. Needless to say, this was a good enough deal for even a stubborn Porter. We then move to the financing portion. Until January 5th, Honda is doing 1.9% financing on 11 models, and one happens to be the CR-V. Now, if you know anything about a credit union, you know that money kept in there collects interest of just above 3%. That means that you're actually making more money by financing your car at 1.9% and leaving the other money in the bank.
So, tomorrow, the eldest of our family will own a 2009 CR-V EX-L, black, with black leather seats. Not to mention he's getting fog lights installed for the low, low price of -$12.
Happy Honda-Days!
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