because not enough websites start with the letter “Z”
Posted in life, social issues on Oct 9th, 2009
Today’s announcement that President Barack Obama has been named the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize winner no doubt shocked many people, including President Obama. In a way this award is borrowed from the future. It represents what I hope will be the Obama administration’s legacy.
When I was active in the dojo we used to tell karate-ka [...]
Posted in social issues on Jan 20th, 2009
Text of President Barack Obama’s inaugural address on Tuesday, as prepared for delivery and released by the Presidential Inaugural Committee.
OBAMA: My fellow citizens:
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as [...]
Posted in social issues on Nov 26th, 2008
Yahoo! News is reporting the results of a simple literacy test given to US government officials. Â The results are dismal. Â Elected government officials scored just 44% on average on the test which asks questions about history, economics, and civics.
You can take the test yourself. Â I scored 27 out of 33 for 81.82%.
Posted in social issues on Nov 12th, 2008
One aspect of the recently concluded campaign for the White House that I found difficult were the character assassinations made by both President-elect Obama and Senator McCain.  It is all too easy in today’s sound-bite driven world to generate something damning about another person using out-of-context quotes, or references to half truths.  And it appears that we [...]
Posted in social issues on Nov 5th, 2008
This morning when I sat down to eat my breakfast I had to wake up the computer and refresh CNN and the New York Times, and FiveThirtyEight.com, just to make sure that what we experienced last night wasn’t a dream, that it wasn’t somehow a mistake that had been corrected overnight.
It’s not a mistake. Â And [...]
Posted in nerdliness, social issues on Nov 4th, 2008
For what it is worth, I predict that Barack Hussein Obama will become the 44th President of the United States of America shortly before midnight (Central Time) with an Electoral College vote of 375-163.
Here’s my map:
Make your own at: 270towin.com.
Posted in elsewhere, social issues on Nov 4th, 2008
From Henry V, this speech seems fitting today.
Henry V:-
“This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And [...]
Posted in life, social issues on Nov 4th, 2008
At about 6:55 am this morning I cast my ballot in the 2008 elections. Â The whole process took about 30~35 minutes, which is nothing compared to the lines in some states for early voting. Â I was only outside for about 5 minutes, and then the line moved indoors.
Here are my notes, hastily taken on my [...]
Posted in life, social issues on Nov 3rd, 2008
My lifetime has seen nine presidents: Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush Sr., Clinton, and Bush Jr. Â There have been twelve Presidential elections since I was born, and seven since I was old enough to vote. Â The candidates I’ve supported have been on the losing side more than the winning; my record is 2 [...]
Posted in social issues on Nov 1st, 2008
I’ve always been a rather indifferent voter, and, having moved several times in the last decade, I’ve sometimes been unregistered and unable to vote. Â This year is different, however. This year I have been very active in following the campaigns and watching the polls.
My favorite polling site, FiveThirtyEight (so named as that is the total [...]