Are you like me? Do you watch the news and wonder what is happening to the world we live in? One thing I am particularly disgusted with lately, is the innocent lives being ruined over gang violence, and stupidity.
We should not have to wear bullet proof vests just to take a walk, go outside for a smoke, get the mail, you get the point. When it becomes unsafe to do day-to-day activities what does that say about society? Let me first point out to any and all gang members: Needing an entire group, entourage, "family" to protect you, fight your battles, and prove your points, doesn't make you hard, or a gangster, or even relevant. In fact, in my opinion it makes you look soft, like a week minded individual who can't do anything in life except negatively impact the lives of others.
I'd like to focus my anger toward one story in particular: A fifteen year old girl was walking the dog with her one year old niece, when two gang bangers opened fire, striking the one year old girl in the head. The girl, let me rephrase, BABY is currently fighting for her life in a Chicago Hospital. Police say the gang members were attempting to shoot a man on a bicycle and the girls were caught in the cross-fire.
I don't care what your reasoning, what your logic, or your lack of education and respect, when a baby gets shot its just unacceptable. It makes me sick to turn on the TV and see people shot because they wore a certain color, walked in a certain block, or just got caught in crossfire like this poor baby.
There needs to be a change. By gang leaders and our elected officials and police. Gangs get away with too much. There needs to be a no nonsense policy nationwide to get these fools off the street. People argue that society creates barriers and situations that force people to join gangs, to survive and provide. I say that's simply a load of shit (for lack of better terms), and the definition of a cop-out. Gangs don't have to be negative. Young men and women can band together to form a positive group to better the community, take advantage of learning programs, take on community service projects to stay active and out of trouble. If people took time to help build and renew the community they live in we wouldn't have as many problems that we do. Some may say that is optimistic and not realistic. I would agree. I don't foresee gang members reading my post and dropping their guns and picking up a book or painting a mural instead of tagging a business, but at the end of the day the point it THEY COULD.
I challenge any and all gang members and leaders to use their power, influence, and followers to do good for the community you live in. Put the guns down, stop killing children, stop luring our youth into such a dangerous lifestyle, stop the violence that ruins communities, and do something with your life.
I challenge elected officials and judges nationwide: Create policies that put gang leaders in jail longer. Crack down on violence as hard as you do on drugs. Lets stop spending money on useless programs and funnel it to a REAL program to help keep communities safe, keep thugs in jail, and away from the children.
Please post any comments, questions, and arguments.
Phil Murray
TheDukeOfSaucingham
Phil Murray
TheDukeOfSaucingham
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Farewell Glenn Beck
This December, Glenn Becks' self titled show on Fox news will be canceled. While some conservatives are sad, I couldn't be happier. This man is the exact reason people get turned off to politics. Uninformed opinions, conspiracy theory, false accusations, and most recently fear tactics. Glenn Beck made so many ridiculous accusations and made an attempt to scare Americans into following his rants and raves. It worked extremely well in 2009, but since the economy has been on an up-rise he has lost over one million viewers and 300 sponsors.
Anti semantics, irrationality, accusations, and attempting to scare the nation into hoarding food for the coming Apocalypse just couldn't last for Beck. I am no where near liberal but accusing the President of being a racist, born in Africa, and plotting against the nation..... Well just isn't true. I'm a huge proponent of pointing out what Obama has done and more importantly failed to do, but acting like a tabloid and reporting false truths or hateful remarks is simply unacceptable for a professional reporter/news pundit.
America is a land where you can believe what you like and not be persecuted for it. Freedom of speech is a right listed for us by our founding fathers. Here lies the issue I have with Glenn Beck... He speaks about what our founders would have wanted, how we need to learn more about our history and what the founding fathers really wanted the future for America to be.... But the one thing he doesn't realize is that with the right to speak freely comes the responsibility to report accurate information without prejudice. One of the best parts of being an American is the right to choose to be a Democrat, Republican, Independent, etc however in the end we need to realize it is going to take a real try at bi-partisan relationships to turn the country around and get back on track. Ranting and raving about the President will get us know where. People pay attention to angry Americans (AKA Tea Party), but what happens when the anger runs out, what happens when Democrats don't have control of the Presidency or the Senate? Where will the anger channel? My guess is within their own Tea Ranks. An internal dispute is most likely what will happen when time passes and we realize these people can't lead a country on fear and anger alone.
Glenn Beck being fired from his daily show, is a great step in the right direction. Glenn Beck was a fear monger and a poster child for the Tea Party, and furthermore what is wrong with politics today. It's not a game to be played by angry people with a lot of money, it is a calling talented, qualified, distinguished Americans who honestly want to better our country and the state of this union.
I am done with my rant about my disdain for Beck and his Tea Party friends.... Although opinionated I believe there are a lot of truths in what I have said and hope some people who read this take heed to warnings and can learn to put aside emotions to do what is best for the country and most importantly its people.
Anti semantics, irrationality, accusations, and attempting to scare the nation into hoarding food for the coming Apocalypse just couldn't last for Beck. I am no where near liberal but accusing the President of being a racist, born in Africa, and plotting against the nation..... Well just isn't true. I'm a huge proponent of pointing out what Obama has done and more importantly failed to do, but acting like a tabloid and reporting false truths or hateful remarks is simply unacceptable for a professional reporter/news pundit.
America is a land where you can believe what you like and not be persecuted for it. Freedom of speech is a right listed for us by our founding fathers. Here lies the issue I have with Glenn Beck... He speaks about what our founders would have wanted, how we need to learn more about our history and what the founding fathers really wanted the future for America to be.... But the one thing he doesn't realize is that with the right to speak freely comes the responsibility to report accurate information without prejudice. One of the best parts of being an American is the right to choose to be a Democrat, Republican, Independent, etc however in the end we need to realize it is going to take a real try at bi-partisan relationships to turn the country around and get back on track. Ranting and raving about the President will get us know where. People pay attention to angry Americans (AKA Tea Party), but what happens when the anger runs out, what happens when Democrats don't have control of the Presidency or the Senate? Where will the anger channel? My guess is within their own Tea Ranks. An internal dispute is most likely what will happen when time passes and we realize these people can't lead a country on fear and anger alone.
Glenn Beck being fired from his daily show, is a great step in the right direction. Glenn Beck was a fear monger and a poster child for the Tea Party, and furthermore what is wrong with politics today. It's not a game to be played by angry people with a lot of money, it is a calling talented, qualified, distinguished Americans who honestly want to better our country and the state of this union.
I am done with my rant about my disdain for Beck and his Tea Party friends.... Although opinionated I believe there are a lot of truths in what I have said and hope some people who read this take heed to warnings and can learn to put aside emotions to do what is best for the country and most importantly its people.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Online Poker: Betting Against the House.
As most of you probably heard earlier this week, the US Attorney has shut down three major online poker sites, and handed our lawsuits to each. The three sites are Absolute Poker, Poker Stars, and Full Tilt Poker. The US Attorney's office has accused these sites of bank fraud, money laundering, and using loop holes to process payments from the US. The US Attorney's office has been building the case for years and officially charged 11 people and shut the sites down. The question I have for everyone is... What is the point? Lets explore what is happening.
The US Government is upset that Americans are gambling online. Why would this be? We could get up get dressed, take a drive to the casino and play poker for hours and it would be perfectly legal. What is the difference between laying on the couch watching sports and playing some poker online and going to the casino? The answer my friends is taxed revenue. The government makes billions of dollars from casinos each year. They aren't getting a cut of online poker and that isn't going to sit well with Uncle Sam. I completely understand the way the world works, and feel there's a better solution. Do not make it illegal to play online poker, just tax it. We pay tax on just about everything, so whats the big deal. These websites aren't going to fight a tax because they make billions each year from American players. However that doesnt seem to be happening here. Now "we" the American people are going to be inconvenienced by not having online poker AND our tax dollars are going to be wasted in a long cat and mouse battle between poker companies and their lawyers and the US Attorneys staff.
Here's the solution.... US - tax the sites and make billions.... Poker sites - agree to the tax and make billions.... American public - have fun playing poker and spending billions.
Always interested in questions, comments, and counter arguments!
Phil
TheDukeofSaucingham
The US Government is upset that Americans are gambling online. Why would this be? We could get up get dressed, take a drive to the casino and play poker for hours and it would be perfectly legal. What is the difference between laying on the couch watching sports and playing some poker online and going to the casino? The answer my friends is taxed revenue. The government makes billions of dollars from casinos each year. They aren't getting a cut of online poker and that isn't going to sit well with Uncle Sam. I completely understand the way the world works, and feel there's a better solution. Do not make it illegal to play online poker, just tax it. We pay tax on just about everything, so whats the big deal. These websites aren't going to fight a tax because they make billions each year from American players. However that doesnt seem to be happening here. Now "we" the American people are going to be inconvenienced by not having online poker AND our tax dollars are going to be wasted in a long cat and mouse battle between poker companies and their lawyers and the US Attorneys staff.
Here's the solution.... US - tax the sites and make billions.... Poker sites - agree to the tax and make billions.... American public - have fun playing poker and spending billions.
Always interested in questions, comments, and counter arguments!
Phil
TheDukeofSaucingham
Friday, April 22, 2011
Higher Learning: Overpriced and Overrated?
As a recent college graduate, the subject of the "true" value of higher education has become increasingly intriguing to me. The first topic that needs to be addressed is the price of a higher education. College tuition increases steadily each and every year. Although prices raise each year, the education you receive never changes or increases. In fact, most recently, as tuition rises we are seeing budget cuts, course lists shortened, atrocious scheduling options, and a shortage of teachers. Tuition is one thing you can count on increasing steadily regardless of the state of the economy. The question that remains is it worth it? Will I recoup my investment?
The answer I have no choice to give at this point is maybe not. How many of you know people, family, friends, even yourselves, accumulated staggering debts to pay for school. How many people are still un-employed? How many of you are working in jobs you hate or have no relation to your degree JUST to pay for the education you received. The state of the economy leaves a very dry job market, riddled with jobs that require experience and simply prefer degrees. How are you supposed to accumulate 3- 5 years of experience when you have 4-6 years of school to complete? This brings me directly to the next point. Lets say you would like to receive a degree for accounting. It will take you four years of classes. At least one of these years will be spent on classes that have absolutely nothing to do with accounting, finance, or business in general. Sure its nice to be well rounded but at what price. One year of college ranges from $5,000-$50,000. This leaves me no choice but to point out most schools are using prerequisites and course requirements as a way to make money. Now I hate to reduce a college education strictly to an investment. Higher learning is something to be proud of, and the more graduates we have the better off society is for sure. However, at the end of the day college is still an investment, and one you are told you will recoup and make back in no time. The investment in your future could be potentially crippling. For Example: A $50,000 loan put on a thirty year repayment plan can quickly become a $250,000 investment by the time your loan/interest is paid in full.
I am certainly writing based on personal feelings and personal experiences. I feel that growing up we were all fed the idea that we go to college, get the job, make more money than we could spend and pay off our student loans. I don't see that happening in the world today. I'm sure there are many examples of students who finished college got a great job right out of school and I couldn't be happier for you. I just don't think we see it enough. If you do the math and divide college graduates by available entry level college graduate jobs.... Lots of grads are left in the dark questioning previous decisions and hoping for a turn around in the near future. I am interested in your thoughts, feelings, questions and comments!
Phil
The Duke of Saucingham
The answer I have no choice to give at this point is maybe not. How many of you know people, family, friends, even yourselves, accumulated staggering debts to pay for school. How many people are still un-employed? How many of you are working in jobs you hate or have no relation to your degree JUST to pay for the education you received. The state of the economy leaves a very dry job market, riddled with jobs that require experience and simply prefer degrees. How are you supposed to accumulate 3- 5 years of experience when you have 4-6 years of school to complete? This brings me directly to the next point. Lets say you would like to receive a degree for accounting. It will take you four years of classes. At least one of these years will be spent on classes that have absolutely nothing to do with accounting, finance, or business in general. Sure its nice to be well rounded but at what price. One year of college ranges from $5,000-$50,000. This leaves me no choice but to point out most schools are using prerequisites and course requirements as a way to make money. Now I hate to reduce a college education strictly to an investment. Higher learning is something to be proud of, and the more graduates we have the better off society is for sure. However, at the end of the day college is still an investment, and one you are told you will recoup and make back in no time. The investment in your future could be potentially crippling. For Example: A $50,000 loan put on a thirty year repayment plan can quickly become a $250,000 investment by the time your loan/interest is paid in full.
I am certainly writing based on personal feelings and personal experiences. I feel that growing up we were all fed the idea that we go to college, get the job, make more money than we could spend and pay off our student loans. I don't see that happening in the world today. I'm sure there are many examples of students who finished college got a great job right out of school and I couldn't be happier for you. I just don't think we see it enough. If you do the math and divide college graduates by available entry level college graduate jobs.... Lots of grads are left in the dark questioning previous decisions and hoping for a turn around in the near future. I am interested in your thoughts, feelings, questions and comments!
Phil
The Duke of Saucingham
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