Financial settlements are ruining the public's right to know
Another year, another settlement in a priest-boy sex scandal.
I am all for settlements. Victims should get everything they can because priests' actions in these scandals are utterly reprehensible.
But there has to come a time when the public's right to know about what happened comes into play.
Too many times, lawyers will work out settlements and stop any public testimony from occurring. This serves to push down the incidents when they should be trying to put them in the public eye. The only way people can learn from the past is to be presented with it.
But the church is almost invincible. So many abuses have been covered up it is ridiculous. In the article, they say bishops only answer to the Vatican. I hope sometime soon they have to answer to local police. And their parishioners.
That's what they say they do. But when settlements hide details from parishioners, it doesn't seem to be the case.
Raising the minimum wage doesn't do much, but it's a start
The minimum wage will go up Tuesday for the first time in about a decade. It will increase from $5.15/hr. to $5.85/hr. That's 70 cents an hour more. That is not a shabby increase.
But more has to be done if they are going to eliminate the term "working poor" as Barack Obama said in the article. Seventy cents in a normal 40-hour work week amounts to $28. Take taxes away from that and you're talking about $17-20/week extra.
On Sept. 1, 1997, the last minimum wage increase occurred. On that day, the rate went from $4.75/hr. to $5.15/hr.
According to the Consumer Price Index, gas on that day cost motorists $1.334/gallon. Last month, the average was $3.100/gallon. Doing quick math, that's an increase of $1.766/gallon. That means if you put 10 gallons of gasoline in your car every week, you have already eliminated the extra money on your check.
Tuesday's increase is a part of a series of increases that will see the rate move to $7.25 in 2009. Here's hoping they think of other ways to help those in the most need. The flawed and unpopular trickle-down theory Republicans have long supported - giving tax breaks to the rich so they'll spend the money in the community and, thus, increase the un-rich's available funds, if you will - just are not cutting it.
Harry Potter fans have their Muggles in a bunch over review
The New York Times reviewed the latest and final installment of the Harry Potter book series on Friday, a day before the official release date. And Harry Potter fans don't like it one bit.
You know what? It's a review! When will people realize they have a choice in whether they read a review or not? But even worse is what some people are saying in the above link. One person who responded under the name "Maria" said reviewing the book and giving away details in the disguise of a review is like "killing a baby-elephant (sic) in front of kids." What?!?! I know plenty of people who enjoy Harry Potter. I have enjoyed the movies so far. But, seriously, if you equate killing an animal with reviewing a book early and ruining it for you - without acknowledging the fact that it's your fault for opening the review - refocus your energy on other things.
Some fans feel betrayed. Some are demanding an apology. And then there's "Alexis." She says "the point is that every HP fan is trying their hardest to avoid being spoiled..." That's not what it sounds like from this point of view.
But one of the best comments in the link is from "amanda." She said this is not a proud day in America and "this is why other countries hate America." Yes. Premature book reviews. I think she found the root of all terrorism. Give her a Nobel Peace Prize.
Beckham's arrival will only do positive things for soccer's popularity
Quick. Name five teams in Major League Soccer. Can't do it? You're not alone.
Soccer in America has long been thought of as, well, it hasn't been thought of at all. Prevailing wisdom says David Beckham will change that.
Beckham played in 12 minutes of the Los Angeles Galaxy's exhibition match against the British club, Chelsea FC, and the league expects him to provide a long-awaited shot in the arm as it continues to struggle to match the popularity of even the National Hockey League.
You know what? It's going to work. Success in American minds is a process. For years, soccer has tried to hop on the momentum of the 1994 men's World Cup held in the United States. The MLS began its games in 1996. The women's World Cup then gave the sport a huge spike when the U.S. team won it on its home turf in 1999. You remember it? The Brandi Chastain game?
Anyway, the next logical step is finding a superstar. So the league lured one of the biggest in the world. And now it's time to watch it grow.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Friday, June 29, 2007
The new iPhone!! Oh yeah, and immigration, racism and the White House controversy
Can we take more of Mexico back? - border issues
A 1.5-mile section of the fence built along the U.S.-Mexico border in 2000 by U.S. crews was actually built in Mexico. The section goes 1 to 6 feet into Mexican territory. So when the illegal immigrants are sent to Mexico - and, of course, I mean all the Polish, Italian and Mexican immigrants a lot of Americans want to get out of the country - will the United States even know where that is? Of course, James Johnson, a farmer on the border, doesn't understand what the fuss is about.
"The markers are in the right place, and the fence is crooked," Johnson said. "But for 120-plus years it was agreed upon that that fence was the border."
I am certain Mr. Johnson would feel the same way if the fence was built on his land.
They just can't get along - White House subpoenas
Let's see if I get this straight: Congress says give us the papers behind the firings of several U.S. attorneys and wiretapping documents. They serve the White House with a subpoena, a LEGAL document that says "give us the information."
But the White House invokes executive privilege, another LEGAL strategy.
The reasoning is giving up documents might hinder other people in powerful positions from doing their job because they would fear being forced to testify or having their documents exposed. Can you be any more transparent??? Look, for full disclosure, I am a moderate that leans left. Let's make no mistake about that. But I don't think the reasoning is that good. If that was the case, why would Bush be offering up those same officials for off-the-record interviews. Something stinks about off-the-record. And that is the ease with which people can deny statements. And this administration doesn't exactly have a proven track record in the department of honesty.
Tumbling like a house of race cards - Vivica A. Fox
Racism exists. Everybody but the most idyllistic - or racist - person will acknowledge that. Sometimes it's blatant and nasty. Other times it's subtle and maybe even unintentional. But when somebody uses the race card when it hasn't been dealt, it pleases everybody out there who either believes minorities cry racism too often or want another justification of their racist thoughts.
That's what Vivica A. Fox did.
Granted, she was drunk. But that gives her no excuse to minimize what anybody who actually has dealt with racism has gone through.
Some might defend this and say that as a successful black woman, she goes through this and might have truly believed this was racism.
That is not convincing. She drank and drove. She got caught. In her unclear thoughts, she thought this would be a good way to get out of this. It wasn't. And she screwed up more than she even thinks.
Another technology craze - iPhone
Crazy. Insane. Ridiculous. Any other adjectives apply to iPhone people?
So the day is finally here and on the way home, I saw a line of people waiting for the latest coming of the VHS.
The thing looks amazing. It really does. But waiting in line from the early morning hours? I just don't see it. I would venture a guess that some of the people who waited in line this morning are the same people who make fun of nerds and geeks who wait in line for video games.
A 1.5-mile section of the fence built along the U.S.-Mexico border in 2000 by U.S. crews was actually built in Mexico. The section goes 1 to 6 feet into Mexican territory. So when the illegal immigrants are sent to Mexico - and, of course, I mean all the Polish, Italian and Mexican immigrants a lot of Americans want to get out of the country - will the United States even know where that is? Of course, James Johnson, a farmer on the border, doesn't understand what the fuss is about.
"The markers are in the right place, and the fence is crooked," Johnson said. "But for 120-plus years it was agreed upon that that fence was the border."
I am certain Mr. Johnson would feel the same way if the fence was built on his land.
They just can't get along - White House subpoenas
Let's see if I get this straight: Congress says give us the papers behind the firings of several U.S. attorneys and wiretapping documents. They serve the White House with a subpoena, a LEGAL document that says "give us the information."
But the White House invokes executive privilege, another LEGAL strategy.
The reasoning is giving up documents might hinder other people in powerful positions from doing their job because they would fear being forced to testify or having their documents exposed. Can you be any more transparent??? Look, for full disclosure, I am a moderate that leans left. Let's make no mistake about that. But I don't think the reasoning is that good. If that was the case, why would Bush be offering up those same officials for off-the-record interviews. Something stinks about off-the-record. And that is the ease with which people can deny statements. And this administration doesn't exactly have a proven track record in the department of honesty.
Tumbling like a house of race cards - Vivica A. Fox
Racism exists. Everybody but the most idyllistic - or racist - person will acknowledge that. Sometimes it's blatant and nasty. Other times it's subtle and maybe even unintentional. But when somebody uses the race card when it hasn't been dealt, it pleases everybody out there who either believes minorities cry racism too often or want another justification of their racist thoughts.
That's what Vivica A. Fox did.
Granted, she was drunk. But that gives her no excuse to minimize what anybody who actually has dealt with racism has gone through.
Some might defend this and say that as a successful black woman, she goes through this and might have truly believed this was racism.
That is not convincing. She drank and drove. She got caught. In her unclear thoughts, she thought this would be a good way to get out of this. It wasn't. And she screwed up more than she even thinks.
Another technology craze - iPhone
Crazy. Insane. Ridiculous. Any other adjectives apply to iPhone people?
So the day is finally here and on the way home, I saw a line of people waiting for the latest coming of the VHS.
The thing looks amazing. It really does. But waiting in line from the early morning hours? I just don't see it. I would venture a guess that some of the people who waited in line this morning are the same people who make fun of nerds and geeks who wait in line for video games.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Transport entry No. 3
But don't tell them that. Yet another multi-million dollar athlete injured himself while doing an activity that most contracts say is off limits.
Free agent Lavar Arrington crashed his motorcycle Monday and was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.
While Arrington is not under contract to any team and will probably recover, it does bring up the issue of athletes and motorcycles.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow and former Chicago Bulls guard Jay Williams all injured themselves on motorcycles, while under contract.
Why does this continue to happen? Because they think they are invincible. When you excel at something, you sign contracts that say "no motorcycle riding" without thinking because, you know, nothing horrible can happen to you. Throughout your life, you're being told you are great and there is nobody better than you.
But then, when you least expect it (maybe when you're a free agent trying to rehabilitate an injury and latch on to some team), fate comes around and reminds you that nobody can completely avoid injuries.
The phenomenon is pretty stupid.
If a contract was there, ready to pay me millions of dollars to play a sport, and the contract said "no walking," I'd use those millions of dollars to pay somebody to carry me around.
Free agent Lavar Arrington crashed his motorcycle Monday and was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.
While Arrington is not under contract to any team and will probably recover, it does bring up the issue of athletes and motorcycles.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow and former Chicago Bulls guard Jay Williams all injured themselves on motorcycles, while under contract.
Why does this continue to happen? Because they think they are invincible. When you excel at something, you sign contracts that say "no motorcycle riding" without thinking because, you know, nothing horrible can happen to you. Throughout your life, you're being told you are great and there is nobody better than you.
But then, when you least expect it (maybe when you're a free agent trying to rehabilitate an injury and latch on to some team), fate comes around and reminds you that nobody can completely avoid injuries.
The phenomenon is pretty stupid.
If a contract was there, ready to pay me millions of dollars to play a sport, and the contract said "no walking," I'd use those millions of dollars to pay somebody to carry me around.
Transport entry No. 2
So there's Paris Hilton.
I heard she's kind of famous. I'll never figure out why, though. Anyway, apparently she was overcome with some mysterious illness in prison. Not only that, but apparently, God was sending a message. It was like 24 hours after she was dragged, kicking and screaming and sobbing, to her cell. And now God told her to be a role model. Yikes.
I don't blame her for the illness. If I were to go to prison, I'd probably get sick too. It's called "I don't want to be here syndrome."
I heard she's kind of famous. I'll never figure out why, though. Anyway, apparently she was overcome with some mysterious illness in prison. Not only that, but apparently, God was sending a message. It was like 24 hours after she was dragged, kicking and screaming and sobbing, to her cell. And now God told her to be a role model. Yikes.
I don't blame her for the illness. If I were to go to prison, I'd probably get sick too. It's called "I don't want to be here syndrome."
Is this thing on?
I have transported the first few posts in The Journey because they belong more in this blog.
This is my blog.
What is going to happen in my blog?
I will at times talk about fun things (Sports, TV, Paris Hilton's latest sob session).
I will at times talk about things that make me wonder about society and where it's going (wars, politics, reality TV).
Sometimes, I will talk about things going on in my little necks of the woods (West Dundee, Ill., during the summer and Charleston, Ill., when school's in session).
Should you care what I think about these things? Absolutely not. But I'm hoping you comment on my blog ... even if it's just to tell me I think way too highly of myself.
A little bit about myself: I'm a 30-year-old college senior studying journalism at Eastern Illinois University. I took several years off after I graduated high school in 1995 to pursue other things ... namely, working at a dead-end job. I went back to school in August of 2003 at a community college and transferred to EIU in August of 2005. I'm active on the school's newspaper, The Daily Eastern News, and will be editor-in-chief in the fall. I am working on my second internship. This one at The Daily Herald, a paper in Chicago and the suburbs.
That's a little bit about myself. I have more, but will save it for another time. I hope at least one person out there reads this. But if not, hey, it's all for me.
This is my blog.
What is going to happen in my blog?
I will at times talk about fun things (Sports, TV, Paris Hilton's latest sob session).
I will at times talk about things that make me wonder about society and where it's going (wars, politics, reality TV).
Sometimes, I will talk about things going on in my little necks of the woods (West Dundee, Ill., during the summer and Charleston, Ill., when school's in session).
Should you care what I think about these things? Absolutely not. But I'm hoping you comment on my blog ... even if it's just to tell me I think way too highly of myself.
A little bit about myself: I'm a 30-year-old college senior studying journalism at Eastern Illinois University. I took several years off after I graduated high school in 1995 to pursue other things ... namely, working at a dead-end job. I went back to school in August of 2003 at a community college and transferred to EIU in August of 2005. I'm active on the school's newspaper, The Daily Eastern News, and will be editor-in-chief in the fall. I am working on my second internship. This one at The Daily Herald, a paper in Chicago and the suburbs.
That's a little bit about myself. I have more, but will save it for another time. I hope at least one person out there reads this. But if not, hey, it's all for me.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Random thoughts need some loving too
As The Journey focuses on a specific field - journalism - this will be where the world's news is discussed.
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