As we all know, on Monday April 15th, 2 bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon killing three and injuring over 150. This act of terror was unacceptable and whoever is responsible will be found and punished accordingly.
Why the Boston Marathon though? Was there any symbolism here that this person was trying to fight? I think not. I think this person was deranged and psychotic and simply had the intent to kill and injure many innocent people.
When I first heard about this event, I didn't think too much about it, but then when I got back to my dorm from class I looked at facebook, watched the news and saw the videos. It was much worse than I thought it was. Then I realized through Facebook, all my friends from high school as well as my family who lives in and around Boston. I didn't know until later that I knew several people running in the marathon. Luckily, they weren't injured or killed.
That same day was the Red Sox "Patriot Day" at Fenway, where it is the only game in the MLB to begin at 11:00 AM. The game was done just before the bombs went off. After that tragic day, Patriot Day has stuck to me. We are all Patriots and we are all defenders of our freedom.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
A Fraternity Not A Frat
As a member of a Fraternity this is very important to me. Greek life is more than people just think. It isn't just a group of drinking buddies, a group of similar interests, or a group of random guys. I can find all of that in school with friends, clubs, and my hall.
The stigmas associated with Fraternities are what I would describe as a Frat. A Frat is a bunch of guys who drink together and rage together and have fun. They do things in their everyday life which could be considered a TFM (Total Frat Move). While sure, some things that are associated with a Frat are part of a fraternity. Its only part of it, just like Frat is only a part of the word fraternity. Frats dress fratastic, and yes I do dress fratty it is simply the culture of it.
A fraternity is a brotherhood. I know I can always count on my brothers and can trust them. Sure we might live the frat life, but we also live our lives like a true brotherhood. It is filled with trust, bonding, and brotherly love. These brothers are my life and some of my closest friends. It builds character, morals, experience, and leadership. All things that are critical to the real world and substantial to leading a successful life. It helps build relations with immediate brothers, other fraternal brothers, and alumni. These connections help to further ones life and get ahead of the game. All in all joining a fraternity was the best decision of my life and I wouldn't want it any other way. I am a member of Beta Theta Pi and I am in a fraternity, not a frat.
The stigmas associated with Fraternities are what I would describe as a Frat. A Frat is a bunch of guys who drink together and rage together and have fun. They do things in their everyday life which could be considered a TFM (Total Frat Move). While sure, some things that are associated with a Frat are part of a fraternity. Its only part of it, just like Frat is only a part of the word fraternity. Frats dress fratastic, and yes I do dress fratty it is simply the culture of it.
A fraternity is a brotherhood. I know I can always count on my brothers and can trust them. Sure we might live the frat life, but we also live our lives like a true brotherhood. It is filled with trust, bonding, and brotherly love. These brothers are my life and some of my closest friends. It builds character, morals, experience, and leadership. All things that are critical to the real world and substantial to leading a successful life. It helps build relations with immediate brothers, other fraternal brothers, and alumni. These connections help to further ones life and get ahead of the game. All in all joining a fraternity was the best decision of my life and I wouldn't want it any other way. I am a member of Beta Theta Pi and I am in a fraternity, not a frat.
Why I didn't Post This Earlier
This assigned blog was due last week and why am I just writing it now?
No, it's not because I didn't care about it, or that I'm trying to stick it to the man, or some other lame excuse.
In all honesty it was because I simply forgot and the reason it slipped my mind is that it seemed minuscule to all the other things going on in my life. What is one simple, little blog post? More than one would think. It's a way of expressing yourself and the more I get into this its calming and not just a boring assignment.
This past week I had a lot going on. Every day I had to be at a meeting earlier than I would've liked (8:30 AM) in order to have budget meetings. I met with every student group on campus and listened to them tell myself and the rest of SGA's finance committee their proposed budget for next year. I also had a lunch date with a prospective student, an RLC meeting on Wednesday and a fraternity chapter meeting. In addition, I had dance practice every night for AKA's "So You Think You Can Stroll". (We did a fantastic job, but didn't win) Our practices didn't go unnoticed, we just weren't the best ones out there. Finally, the coming weekend was my fraternity's formal in Savannah, Georgia. I was looking forward to it so much and looking forward to getting off of Furman's campus.
What I learned from last week and these coming weeks is I'm too busy and spread out to thin. We learn from our mistakes and fix them. That is why I'm currently reorganizing myself and getting my priorities straightened out.
No, it's not because I didn't care about it, or that I'm trying to stick it to the man, or some other lame excuse.
In all honesty it was because I simply forgot and the reason it slipped my mind is that it seemed minuscule to all the other things going on in my life. What is one simple, little blog post? More than one would think. It's a way of expressing yourself and the more I get into this its calming and not just a boring assignment.
This past week I had a lot going on. Every day I had to be at a meeting earlier than I would've liked (8:30 AM) in order to have budget meetings. I met with every student group on campus and listened to them tell myself and the rest of SGA's finance committee their proposed budget for next year. I also had a lunch date with a prospective student, an RLC meeting on Wednesday and a fraternity chapter meeting. In addition, I had dance practice every night for AKA's "So You Think You Can Stroll". (We did a fantastic job, but didn't win) Our practices didn't go unnoticed, we just weren't the best ones out there. Finally, the coming weekend was my fraternity's formal in Savannah, Georgia. I was looking forward to it so much and looking forward to getting off of Furman's campus.
What I learned from last week and these coming weeks is I'm too busy and spread out to thin. We learn from our mistakes and fix them. That is why I'm currently reorganizing myself and getting my priorities straightened out.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
"He's the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now"
Could there be a Batman out there?
He is the most realistic superhero known to man, he has no super powers and is just an all around bad ass. He has technology and gadgets that help him to fight crime and is fully human. He is my favorite superhero hands down. But how realistic is this notion of a vigilante?
Very I would say. Someone who is advanced enough, smart enough, and physically fit enough can easily pull this off. Bruce Wayne by day and Batman by night, any typical human being can do this as long as he fits the qualifications. He could help the local police force to fight crime and make the cities and streets a safer place. Plus he is free to the city and maybe even more effective, saving the city a lot of money and making it a more effective way to clean up crime.
Would this man be a billionaire? I would assume so because they need a lot of money in order to afford this advanced technology. For all we know there is a Batman out there, like George Clooney or Mitt Romney or Donald Trump.
How helpful is this man? Pretty damn helpful because he would have done a lot. However, if we don't know if this man exists, do we deserve to have this man protecting our citizens? OR should this idea be saved for the government officials. We should take pride in the average citizen, Batman or not, who takes civil action. He is simply a good citizen and the citizen that we need to further our American values. For example, the rich celebrities aforementioned are not actually Batman (although George Clooney does play him). However, they contribute to society and are good citizens.
He is the most realistic superhero known to man, he has no super powers and is just an all around bad ass. He has technology and gadgets that help him to fight crime and is fully human. He is my favorite superhero hands down. But how realistic is this notion of a vigilante?
Very I would say. Someone who is advanced enough, smart enough, and physically fit enough can easily pull this off. Bruce Wayne by day and Batman by night, any typical human being can do this as long as he fits the qualifications. He could help the local police force to fight crime and make the cities and streets a safer place. Plus he is free to the city and maybe even more effective, saving the city a lot of money and making it a more effective way to clean up crime.
Would this man be a billionaire? I would assume so because they need a lot of money in order to afford this advanced technology. For all we know there is a Batman out there, like George Clooney or Mitt Romney or Donald Trump.
How helpful is this man? Pretty damn helpful because he would have done a lot. However, if we don't know if this man exists, do we deserve to have this man protecting our citizens? OR should this idea be saved for the government officials. We should take pride in the average citizen, Batman or not, who takes civil action. He is simply a good citizen and the citizen that we need to further our American values. For example, the rich celebrities aforementioned are not actually Batman (although George Clooney does play him). However, they contribute to society and are good citizens.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Place Your Bets
March Madness is finally here! Time to join your work place and friend bracket groups in order to compete for bragging rights and glory. If your good at guessing or have a lot of knowledge on NCAA basketball then this is an easy way to make some quick cash from winning the pool or part of the office pool. The odds of winning are extremely low and there is a science behind bracketology. Don't pick the exact same as everyone else nor the exact same as the "experts". The chances of you winning if you have the same picks as everyone is lower then. But simply put make good choices, don't pick the number 16 seed to win it all.
Also, one must do research before filling out the bracket. Listen to ESPN and read sports analyses. As stated, only 1.8% of the country has Texas winning, yet experts say they have a 5.8% chance of winning, thus making it a good choice. Very few people will have it and its chances are decent and making them the most undervalued team. It is good to go for undervalued teams because it increases your chances. (These statistics are based in 2011).
There is much needed analyses that need to be looked at and careful considerations needed. These careful thoughts could be the difference between winning and losing. This is now a cultural identity for Americans and a tradition in the work place. Time for a little slump in work place productivity.
Just some tips I heard on ESPN: Most years, all final 4 teams were ranked between 1 and 4 in their respective sections. Only once did the final 4 consist of all top seeded teams. So choose a top team, but don't always choose the most top team.
Also, one must do research before filling out the bracket. Listen to ESPN and read sports analyses. As stated, only 1.8% of the country has Texas winning, yet experts say they have a 5.8% chance of winning, thus making it a good choice. Very few people will have it and its chances are decent and making them the most undervalued team. It is good to go for undervalued teams because it increases your chances. (These statistics are based in 2011).
There is much needed analyses that need to be looked at and careful considerations needed. These careful thoughts could be the difference between winning and losing. This is now a cultural identity for Americans and a tradition in the work place. Time for a little slump in work place productivity.
Just some tips I heard on ESPN: Most years, all final 4 teams were ranked between 1 and 4 in their respective sections. Only once did the final 4 consist of all top seeded teams. So choose a top team, but don't always choose the most top team.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Keep Calm, Carry On
One of the biggest and most controversial issues in America today is gun control. How should the government regulate guns and how can we limit mass shootings?
Well unfortunately, mass shootings will never be stopped even if there was to be an entire ban on all guns because people can still access them. So what should we do? Well some gun laws are necessary and in fact I agree with all the laws present on http://www.tracetheguns.org/#. I think these laws don't prohibit guns or impede on the constitution or on my personal rights. They are simply safety checks that hold people responsible and accountable. Accountability is a major aspect that needs to be used. \
However, the current suggestions by congress and President Obama, I strongly disagree with. Background checks are a must, but limitations on magazine rounds are pointless, when one can reload a gun just as quickly anyways. Also, a semi-automatic weapon ban isn't much useful either. While there is no "real" need for them by the public, they are nice to have and add to a sense of security by civilians. Many criminals choose to use these and no matter if they are banned or not, criminals will still have access to them. They do now anyways and criminals don't follow the law anyways (hence they are criminals) so what makes us think they will in this case then. THEY WON'T! (98% of guns used in shootings are obtained illegally)
When looking at recent shootings, guns are used in self-defense purposes (hence the reason many civilians carry). For example in the Aurora, CO shooting. The shooter picked the one movie theater that was within a mile from his home which banned weapons (there were more than 8 other options). http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/09/10/did-colorado-shooter-single-out-cinemark-theater/
As the article notes, all mass shootings since 1950 have occurred in gun free zones. These criminals are smart and know that in gun free zones there is less chance of being stopped. Clearly by disarming the population even more, we are only left more vulnerable to criminals with guns.
Well unfortunately, mass shootings will never be stopped even if there was to be an entire ban on all guns because people can still access them. So what should we do? Well some gun laws are necessary and in fact I agree with all the laws present on http://www.tracetheguns.org/#. I think these laws don't prohibit guns or impede on the constitution or on my personal rights. They are simply safety checks that hold people responsible and accountable. Accountability is a major aspect that needs to be used. \
However, the current suggestions by congress and President Obama, I strongly disagree with. Background checks are a must, but limitations on magazine rounds are pointless, when one can reload a gun just as quickly anyways. Also, a semi-automatic weapon ban isn't much useful either. While there is no "real" need for them by the public, they are nice to have and add to a sense of security by civilians. Many criminals choose to use these and no matter if they are banned or not, criminals will still have access to them. They do now anyways and criminals don't follow the law anyways (hence they are criminals) so what makes us think they will in this case then. THEY WON'T! (98% of guns used in shootings are obtained illegally)
When looking at recent shootings, guns are used in self-defense purposes (hence the reason many civilians carry). For example in the Aurora, CO shooting. The shooter picked the one movie theater that was within a mile from his home which banned weapons (there were more than 8 other options). http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/09/10/did-colorado-shooter-single-out-cinemark-theater/
As the article notes, all mass shootings since 1950 have occurred in gun free zones. These criminals are smart and know that in gun free zones there is less chance of being stopped. Clearly by disarming the population even more, we are only left more vulnerable to criminals with guns.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Who Will It Be?
As the whole world knows Pope Benedict XVI has resigned, being the first to do so in centuries. Most Popes are Pope until death. So now all the Cardinals who are eligible to vote (younger than 80) are eligible to vote in the Conclave. There are over 100 Cardinals attending, where they will discuss who should be the next Pope and then vote on it.
The media of course is already weighing in on who it should be. Some of the favorites are Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the U.S. (who I'm personally hoping for), as well as Mark Ouellet of Canada, Peter Turkson of Ghana and many others. Who ever the Conclave chooses will have a lot to look forward to in the future. Technically, the Pope doesn't have to be one of the Cardinals, it can be any baptized male so that means it could very well be me. However, I strongly doubt that it would me, but I would make a darn good Pope if I do say so.
However, one must look to the favorite options. I think that it would be in the church's best interest to pick someone not from Europe to increase the diversity of the church and to promote non-European expansion of the Catholic church. Being a Catholic, I strongly favor advancing the Catholic church. It says that there are more conservative than liberal leaning cardinals than before so there is no chance of the church "modernizing" its stances on abortion, gay marriage, and other religious affiliated political and moral issues. While, I agree with the church's stances on said items, I believe that they need to become either more modern or accepting or even more transparent with their specific beliefs. If a younger and non-European Pope was to be elected the Papacy and church would look different and possibly gain back parishioners and expand the Catholic church and make it more appealing to younger generations and more cultures.
The media of course is already weighing in on who it should be. Some of the favorites are Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the U.S. (who I'm personally hoping for), as well as Mark Ouellet of Canada, Peter Turkson of Ghana and many others. Who ever the Conclave chooses will have a lot to look forward to in the future. Technically, the Pope doesn't have to be one of the Cardinals, it can be any baptized male so that means it could very well be me. However, I strongly doubt that it would me, but I would make a darn good Pope if I do say so.
However, one must look to the favorite options. I think that it would be in the church's best interest to pick someone not from Europe to increase the diversity of the church and to promote non-European expansion of the Catholic church. Being a Catholic, I strongly favor advancing the Catholic church. It says that there are more conservative than liberal leaning cardinals than before so there is no chance of the church "modernizing" its stances on abortion, gay marriage, and other religious affiliated political and moral issues. While, I agree with the church's stances on said items, I believe that they need to become either more modern or accepting or even more transparent with their specific beliefs. If a younger and non-European Pope was to be elected the Papacy and church would look different and possibly gain back parishioners and expand the Catholic church and make it more appealing to younger generations and more cultures.
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