The impetus for today's argument is two-fold: first the horrific actions of Alton Nolen who beheaded Colleen Hufford, and also attacked and attempted to behead Traci Johnson, a co-worker who had filed harassment charges against Nolen, prompting Nolen's suspension from Vaughan Foods. The second event that occurred that made me consider what was going on in Oklahoma happened that same day, though I did not see reports about it until 2 days ago.
Last Friday, Jacob Mugambi Muriithi was arrested for threatening to behead a former co-worker. According to the the accuser, Murithi claimed to be working on behalf of ISIS, and responded to her question of why do ISIS members kill Christians by stating "this is just what we do."
If that doesn't send chills down the spine of any non-ISIS citizen, I'll just assume you're Chuck Norris, or maybe Raylan Givens.
The D.A. in Alton Nolen's case apparently is facing huge political pressure from people up above, because he claims that Alton's heinous crime was simply a byproduct of the fact he had lost his job at Vaughan Foods. When people make statements like that, I often wonder how it is that they are able to go so long without breathing. I also contemplate if it's the lack of oxygen that leads to such statements being made.
In Muriithi's case, Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater had the good sense to make this statement: “We take these threats very seriously." One can only hope that he makes good on that thought.
Part of the reason I didn't have as visceral of a reaction to the beheading of Colleen Hufford was in part due to intentional avoidance. I didn't want to consider the thought that beheadings were here, in America. I also didn't want to become someone who would be considered intolerant of others.
That was a mistake on my part. I fell in to the trap that many of our politicians have, trying to see the good in everyone, while assuming that there are no evil groups looking to destroy, maim, and kill Americans simply because they are Americans. I'm here now to see that I have seen the error of my ways.
An attack in Oklahoma, of all places, sends the message that there is no safety to be found. Constant vigilance is needed in every corner of our lands, because that is the reach of global terrorist groups, regardless of what they call themselves.
Perhaps we as Americans need to look to others for leadership on this isue. In Australia, where credible threats were received of ISIS agents being ordered to carry out a random beheading. In response, the Aussies marshaled 800 federal and state police officers and gathered up 15 persons (9 of whom were released, at least temporarily), and were able to identify the man that they believe to be the chief terrorist in their nation, Mohammed Ali Baryalei.
On the other hand, the American government struggles to decide what to do with ISIS fighters with American passports who are going back and forth to the Middle East. I'm not sure at what specific moment in time we lost our place as a world leader, but I do know we are no better than middle-of-the-pack in the moment.
Perhaps that is why terrorists feel so comfortable making their home within the confines of our borders- they're well aware that most times, we are all talk, and no action. Even our current strategy of 'bombing' ISIS agents in their strongholds is proving to be a flop, despite the fact that the U.S. military has the strength to obliterate every last member, wherever they may lie.
The time has come to recognize the fact that by whatever name we choose to call it, we are in a war for our civilization, for our culture, for our way of life. Those who would impose their will on us have made their desires known. It is past time for our governmental leaders to do the same.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Thursday, September 11, 2014
We Must Always Remember 09/11/2001
It has been 13 long years since that fateful day when 4 airliners were hijacked by men hell-bent on creating terror on our shores. Two of the flights (United Airlines 175 & American Airlines 11) were hijacked from Boston's Logan International Airport; Flight 93 was hijacked from Newark, N.J., and American Airlines 77 from Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C. Within 2 hours of the hijackings, terror reigned across this nation's shores. No one knew quite what was going on, but everyone was aware that a horrible tragedy was unfolding in NYC, and then our nation's capital.
In our world, 13 years might as well be 1,000, given the amount of new data that is created on a daily basis. Our world is designed for 6-second Vine videos, not day-long tributes to the 3,000 souls or so who perished in the attacks and the immediate aftermath. We're bringing up a generation with the intent, it seems, of ensuring they have the attention span of a goldfish.
With that in mind, I considered the 6th grade classroom I work in today. As I looked around, it dawned on me that not one single student was alive when the events of 09/11/2001 occurred. They had no stories of their own to reflect upon, only those that had been told to them by family members who were alive when the act occurred. I also thought about the fact that the young students who were kindergartners at the time of the attacks will be graduating at the end of this school year. For them, it has been something that has hung over them for their entire lives. However, for my students, and even some in grades above, and all students who are below them, it is something that happened in somebody else's life, not their own.
One of the 'popular' arguments in the aftermath of the attacks was that our own government was directly responsible for the attacks perpetuated on our soil, for the sole purpose of going to war in the Middle East to gain their trove of crude oil. They speculated that the buildings collapse too perfectly resembled that of an intentional implosion. I've seen buildings imploded, and they're over with in a matter of seconds, not hours. Also, I watched live, in horror, as the second tower was struck by another jet. It was in that moment that I realized that the first plane had not been an accident, as the early assumption had been, but that we were under attack.
It is because of those who would deny what occurred on 09/11/2001 that we must not ever allow that notion to gain a foothold in the psyche of the American people. It is imperative that each new year of young citizens is exposed to the horrors of that day, that they understand that those events really did occur. They are not made up, they were not a Hollywood movie, unfortunately. Evil people in another part of the world decided they would take the lives of not only innocent Americans, but those from dozens of countries around the world whose only mistake was to be in one of the towers on that morning, to say nothing of the thousands of service men and women who have perished in various conflicts as our government worked to track down those that took part in those attacks specifically, and other attacks in general.
It was a horrible day, one that must not be forgotten. It is our duty to make sure that it is never forgotten.
In our world, 13 years might as well be 1,000, given the amount of new data that is created on a daily basis. Our world is designed for 6-second Vine videos, not day-long tributes to the 3,000 souls or so who perished in the attacks and the immediate aftermath. We're bringing up a generation with the intent, it seems, of ensuring they have the attention span of a goldfish.
With that in mind, I considered the 6th grade classroom I work in today. As I looked around, it dawned on me that not one single student was alive when the events of 09/11/2001 occurred. They had no stories of their own to reflect upon, only those that had been told to them by family members who were alive when the act occurred. I also thought about the fact that the young students who were kindergartners at the time of the attacks will be graduating at the end of this school year. For them, it has been something that has hung over them for their entire lives. However, for my students, and even some in grades above, and all students who are below them, it is something that happened in somebody else's life, not their own.
One of the 'popular' arguments in the aftermath of the attacks was that our own government was directly responsible for the attacks perpetuated on our soil, for the sole purpose of going to war in the Middle East to gain their trove of crude oil. They speculated that the buildings collapse too perfectly resembled that of an intentional implosion. I've seen buildings imploded, and they're over with in a matter of seconds, not hours. Also, I watched live, in horror, as the second tower was struck by another jet. It was in that moment that I realized that the first plane had not been an accident, as the early assumption had been, but that we were under attack.
It is because of those who would deny what occurred on 09/11/2001 that we must not ever allow that notion to gain a foothold in the psyche of the American people. It is imperative that each new year of young citizens is exposed to the horrors of that day, that they understand that those events really did occur. They are not made up, they were not a Hollywood movie, unfortunately. Evil people in another part of the world decided they would take the lives of not only innocent Americans, but those from dozens of countries around the world whose only mistake was to be in one of the towers on that morning, to say nothing of the thousands of service men and women who have perished in various conflicts as our government worked to track down those that took part in those attacks specifically, and other attacks in general.
It was a horrible day, one that must not be forgotten. It is our duty to make sure that it is never forgotten.
Sunday, September 7, 2014
"We Don't Have a Plan Yet"
The impetus for today's argument comes from the man who uttered the now infamous phrase that ISIS was the JV of terrorists. He is the man who is allegedly the most powerful man in the world (though there may be others across the globe who argue that point), and according to published reports, he is a man who knew of the potential dangers that ISIS presented for over a year.
Despite this, he managed to not have a plan, as he told the world last week. Perhaps a little less time on the links, your Majesty. Meanwhile, a second American journalist paid the price for the colossal lack of leadership displayed by our "Commander-in-Chief", as ISIS beheaded Steven Sotloff, a man who was simply attempting to expose the atrocities that were going on in the region. Perhaps if our king was paying as much attention to world events as Sotloff, and James Foley, they might still be alive, as would be the many others who ISIS has brutalized over the past year.
Meanwhile, if the Wall Street Journal is on top of their game (they generally are), that's simply the starting point for this group of terrorists (and many of their ilk in that region of the world.) According to this report, women are being raped, mutilated, kidnapped, and herded about like cattle, all in the name of jihad. The WSJ report was the first that I've seen on this front, which is disappointing, but not surprising. Even more disappointing is the fact that our President has not condemned those actions, at least not yet. Why would he? The American public's fascination with pop 'culture' doesn't require him to do so.
Then again, they are also the same people that cheered and voted for him when he promised to bring home American troops from the region, despite warnings that doing so would destabilize the region. One of the people who issued such a warning was former President George W. Bush who said in 2006:
So in 2006, President George W. Bush understood the potential consequences and foresaw a possible outcome that has come to pass if America and its allies did not follow through with the plan that was in place to help stabilize the region. In a rush to appear cool and in charge, Obama accomplished exactly the opposite of what (I can only hope) he was trying to achieve: he made that area, our nation, and the world a much less safe place to be. All in the name of appeasing those that President Bush so rightly spoke of in 2006:
Despite this, he managed to not have a plan, as he told the world last week. Perhaps a little less time on the links, your Majesty. Meanwhile, a second American journalist paid the price for the colossal lack of leadership displayed by our "Commander-in-Chief", as ISIS beheaded Steven Sotloff, a man who was simply attempting to expose the atrocities that were going on in the region. Perhaps if our king was paying as much attention to world events as Sotloff, and James Foley, they might still be alive, as would be the many others who ISIS has brutalized over the past year.
Meanwhile, if the Wall Street Journal is on top of their game (they generally are), that's simply the starting point for this group of terrorists (and many of their ilk in that region of the world.) According to this report, women are being raped, mutilated, kidnapped, and herded about like cattle, all in the name of jihad. The WSJ report was the first that I've seen on this front, which is disappointing, but not surprising. Even more disappointing is the fact that our President has not condemned those actions, at least not yet. Why would he? The American public's fascination with pop 'culture' doesn't require him to do so.
Then again, they are also the same people that cheered and voted for him when he promised to bring home American troops from the region, despite warnings that doing so would destabilize the region. One of the people who issued such a warning was former President George W. Bush who said in 2006:
Mr. Zarqawi and Al Qaida, the very same people that attacked the United States, have made it clear that they want to drive us out of Iraq so they can plan, plot and attack America again. That's what they have said. That's their objective. I think it is very important to have a president who's realistic and listens to what the enemy says. Secondly, I am confident -- or I believe; I'm optimistic -- we'll succeed. If not, I'd pull our troops out. If I didn't believe we had a plan for victory, I wouldn't leave our people in harm's way. And that's important for the woman to understand. Thirdly, in spite of the bad news on television -- and there is bad news; you brought it up. You said, How do I react to a bombing that took place yesterday? It's precisely what the enemy understands is possible to do. I'm not suggesting you shouldn't talk about it. I'm certainly not being -- please don't take that as criticism. But it also is a realistic assessment of the enemy's capability to affect the debate, and they know that.
They're capable of blowing up innocent life so it ends up on your TV show. And, therefore, it affects the woman in Cleveland you were talking to. And I can understand how Americans are worried about whether or not we can win. I think most Americans understand we need to win. But they're concerned about whether or not we can win. So one of the reasons I go around the country to Cleveland is to explain why I think we can win. And so I would say: Yes, I'm optimistic about being able to achieve a victory.
But I'm also realistic. I fully understand the consequences of this war. I understand people's lives are being lost. But I also understand the consequences of not achieving our objective by leaving too early. Iraq would become a place of instability, a place from which the enemy can plot, plan and attack. I believe that they want to hurt us again. And, therefore, I know we need to stay on the offense against this enemy. They've declared Iraq to be the central front. And, therefore, we've got to make sure we win that. And I believe we will (emphasis added.)
So in 2006, President George W. Bush understood the potential consequences and foresaw a possible outcome that has come to pass if America and its allies did not follow through with the plan that was in place to help stabilize the region. In a rush to appear cool and in charge, Obama accomplished exactly the opposite of what (I can only hope) he was trying to achieve: he made that area, our nation, and the world a much less safe place to be. All in the name of appeasing those that President Bush so rightly spoke of in 2006:
Now, some in this country don't -- I can understand it -- don't view the enemy that way. I guess they, kind of, view it as an isolated group of people that occasionally kill. I just don't see it that way. I see them bound by a philosophy with plans and tactics to impose their will on other countries. The enemy has said that it's just a matter of time before the United States loses its nerve and withdraws from Iraq. That's what they have said. And their objective for driving us out of Iraq is to have a place from which to launch their campaign to overthrow moderate governments in the Middle East, as well as to continue attacking places like the United States. Now, maybe some discount those words as, kind of, meaningless propaganda.As a result of kowtowing to those with no knowledge of how the world actually operates, not only has the President jeopardized all who currently are in the region, but he has also regulated the sacrifice that was made by Americans and her allies to secure the region in the wake of 09/11/2001. It is a poor way to repay such a sacrifice. One can only hope that whatever the plan is that comes out of Washington is, it somehow manages to provide safety, security, and shelter for those in the Middle East, while providing peace for Americans everywhere.
Friday, September 5, 2014
If You Think Fast Food Workers Should Earn $15 An Hour...You Might Be Stupid
The impetus for this argument is twofold, so I'll begin with the less egregious of the two. A couple of weeks ago, someone I know posted to their Facebook feed something to the effect of "Raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour. If Congress earned minimum wage, they'd make the change right away."
The one part of that argument that I like is paying Congress the minimum wage. However, raising the minimum wage itself is a ridiculously stupid idea, as we'll discuss below.
The second portion of the argument has been unfolding across the country over the last couple of days as fast food workers have walked out on their jobs, while demanding that they be paid $15 an hour. Extrapolated out over a full year, assuming (and yes, given the current climate, I understand that is a lot to assume) that is a salary of $31,200, or just $6,000 less a year than a full-time, licensed teacher earns in Florida, MA.
Consider that for a moment: to be a licensed teacher in the Commonwealth of MA*, it is necessary to have completed at the very minimum a Bachelors Degree. Within 5 years, it is required that you attain your Masters Degree, just to maintain your license and job.
What are the job requirements (in most communities) to be a fast food restaurant employee? To have absolutely, positively no skills whatsoever. It probably doesn't hurt if you're between the ages of 15-21, and you're on your first job.
I don't need a fancy economics degree, and I don't even have to cite all of the fancy economic arguments to explain why paying fast food restaurant workers $15 an hour is a baaaaaaaaaaad idea. It's really this simple: When the most important part of your job description is being able to mouth the words "Do you want fries with that?", you're easily replaced. I could teach my 4 year old nephew to run a cash register in about 2 minutes, and if he had a tall enough stool, he could make the burgers and fries, too. He'd also work for all the chicken nuggets he could eat and chocolate milkshakes he could drink (about 3 and 1), and he'd consider himself coming out ahead of the game in that exchange.
Fast food restaurants are not designed to be a career option to raise a family of 4 on. In fact, they're not designed to do much more than give someone enough experience to move along and get a different, slightly better paying job, so that the restaurant can hire a new minimum wage employee and cycle through the process again. Restaurant chains are in business to create cash flow for their owners/stock holders, not to enrich unskilled laborers to the point that they would easily be within the top 5% of wage earners in the world. Fast food jobs are not intended to be careers, though it is not so difficult to move up the ladder in a fast food job if you apply yourself.
I knew someone when I was in high school who started at McDonald's in his junior year just working part-time to earn some spending money (what minimum wage jobs are intended for.) Within a year of his high school graduation, he had already been made a store manager, qualified for a company car and stock options (he wasn't old enough to take either one, though) and had a salary of $40,000 a year or so. He got to that point by being a dependable, competent worker who put in his time. The workers rioting in the streets across the nation have not. They are a bunch of lazy, self-entitled schmucks.
Further, and this is important, your jobs are not necessary. If you think that McDonald's or Wendy's or any other chain restaurant does not have the resources to fully automate 99% of their needs, you're sorely mistaken. There is at least one chain in the South where customers place their order Jetsons'-style, and simply pay the cashier the money, which is a position that could also be eliminated. Many food stores in the area already have self-pay checkouts, the technology isn't even that cutting edge. Vending machines have been around for decades now.
So perhaps instead of taking to the streets to demand wages you can't justify, take a night class. Learn a trade besides fry-o-lator. Improve yourselves in some small way. Stop simply taking from others because politicians need a campaign issue to run on. Your life situation is a product of the decisions you've made, no one else. Poor life decisions are something that can be corrected, however, dumping copious piles of cash on top of them usually results in failure.
The one part of that argument that I like is paying Congress the minimum wage. However, raising the minimum wage itself is a ridiculously stupid idea, as we'll discuss below.
The second portion of the argument has been unfolding across the country over the last couple of days as fast food workers have walked out on their jobs, while demanding that they be paid $15 an hour. Extrapolated out over a full year, assuming (and yes, given the current climate, I understand that is a lot to assume) that is a salary of $31,200, or just $6,000 less a year than a full-time, licensed teacher earns in Florida, MA.
Consider that for a moment: to be a licensed teacher in the Commonwealth of MA*, it is necessary to have completed at the very minimum a Bachelors Degree. Within 5 years, it is required that you attain your Masters Degree, just to maintain your license and job.
What are the job requirements (in most communities) to be a fast food restaurant employee? To have absolutely, positively no skills whatsoever. It probably doesn't hurt if you're between the ages of 15-21, and you're on your first job.
I don't need a fancy economics degree, and I don't even have to cite all of the fancy economic arguments to explain why paying fast food restaurant workers $15 an hour is a baaaaaaaaaaad idea. It's really this simple: When the most important part of your job description is being able to mouth the words "Do you want fries with that?", you're easily replaced. I could teach my 4 year old nephew to run a cash register in about 2 minutes, and if he had a tall enough stool, he could make the burgers and fries, too. He'd also work for all the chicken nuggets he could eat and chocolate milkshakes he could drink (about 3 and 1), and he'd consider himself coming out ahead of the game in that exchange.
Fast food restaurants are not designed to be a career option to raise a family of 4 on. In fact, they're not designed to do much more than give someone enough experience to move along and get a different, slightly better paying job, so that the restaurant can hire a new minimum wage employee and cycle through the process again. Restaurant chains are in business to create cash flow for their owners/stock holders, not to enrich unskilled laborers to the point that they would easily be within the top 5% of wage earners in the world. Fast food jobs are not intended to be careers, though it is not so difficult to move up the ladder in a fast food job if you apply yourself.
I knew someone when I was in high school who started at McDonald's in his junior year just working part-time to earn some spending money (what minimum wage jobs are intended for.) Within a year of his high school graduation, he had already been made a store manager, qualified for a company car and stock options (he wasn't old enough to take either one, though) and had a salary of $40,000 a year or so. He got to that point by being a dependable, competent worker who put in his time. The workers rioting in the streets across the nation have not. They are a bunch of lazy, self-entitled schmucks.
Further, and this is important, your jobs are not necessary. If you think that McDonald's or Wendy's or any other chain restaurant does not have the resources to fully automate 99% of their needs, you're sorely mistaken. There is at least one chain in the South where customers place their order Jetsons'-style, and simply pay the cashier the money, which is a position that could also be eliminated. Many food stores in the area already have self-pay checkouts, the technology isn't even that cutting edge. Vending machines have been around for decades now.
So perhaps instead of taking to the streets to demand wages you can't justify, take a night class. Learn a trade besides fry-o-lator. Improve yourselves in some small way. Stop simply taking from others because politicians need a campaign issue to run on. Your life situation is a product of the decisions you've made, no one else. Poor life decisions are something that can be corrected, however, dumping copious piles of cash on top of them usually results in failure.
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