Issue 378 Anti-homeless studs!!! July 14, 2014

Yes that is right "anti-homeless studs".  I first learned of this on the Blaze Network and it had me wondering why anyone would do such a thing.  Well, let me tell you the back story.

Back story: In England, high priced hotels do not want homeless people begging for money or sleeping by the entrances by their hotels.  They feel it drives away business (which they are correct about).  So they had studs placed into the ground (the equivalent to those spikes that keep birds from landing or nesting in certain spots).  And thus, the story on the Blaze asking if this is moral or not.

I don't find this moral:  There are better and much nicer ways of keeping the poor from sleeping or begging near your business.  What could possess you to place spikes on the ground so as to drive the homeless away like they are some animal.  We have police who can drive these people to shelters for a reason, or at the very least a facility that can help them get out of poverty by finding them a job.  The spikes are what people do to animals, they should not be used against other people ever.

Conclusion:  People are treating other people like animals because we, not just as a nation, but humanity as a whole lost its values of life and liberty.  We need to reconnect to what is most important or else worse things than these anti-homeless studs will begin to happen.  And when that does I'll be there to say I told you so.  So reconnect with what is important, God, humanity, humility and the like.  Before we can correct others, we must correct ourselves.

Issue 377 Child learning: at own pace July 11, 2014

A child is a knowledge sponge.  They take in the world around them and then process it, which then constitutes their abilities and also determines their future.  The issue today is that schools (usually government run ones) cannot allow the child to move through their education at their own pace.  As such, they are held back by their peers who may need extra time.  So what can we do about this so that children can push themselves to learning excellence without being held back?

Material based, not grade levels:  One method is that children are not advanced using a grade level based system.  Instead they advance as they acquire knowledge and the proficiency in that knowledge.  So you go from basic addition and subtraction to algebra, to geometry and finally to calculus, but this is not learned as you move up each grade level.  You simply just move onto the next level of math and its complexity instead. As such, grade levels are irrelevant as the child will move from subject to subject based on their own personal performance.  So they can go from studying the American Revolution to world history in as short as a year if the child is capable of doing so, even if they are still struggling to understand algebra in their math class.  You could say this idea works on a system similar to the United States high school curriculum with each subject taught by a different teacher, but in this case geared toward fostering the child's ability to advance based on their own innate capabilities.

Cycle system:  This system goes by a few other names, but here the same teacher you had in first grade would be the same teacher you had all the way to fifth grade.  In addition all your classmates would be the same too.  This allows for a relationship between teacher and student where the teacher can act as an adviser to the student as the teacher will hence know all the students weaknesses when it comes to learning.  This can allow the teacher to adapt other teaching techniques to prevent that student from ever falling behind.  Basically, why bother getting a new teacher each and every year when you can get to know one who knows you and knows what it takes for you to catch onto the material and succeed.

Self-taught:  Here the teacher hands out dittos to students who are deemed capable of teaching themselves a problem simply by following a few examples on a page.  These students once done with the ditto simply need to ask for the next ditto so that they can either reinforce what they learned or move on to more complex problems like in math or science.  This is basically how the computer based learning works, save with the advantage that lectures can be given to each student via computer at the same time, before quizzing them on their knowledge.  The only other advantage with computer based learning here is that a student may be able to skip a subject and move onto another one if they so choose due to how hard it may be for them.  Both have good advantages and teachers can then look at their work and determine areas of weakness in which dittos or computer programs can be used to help the student get a more hands on approach to learning that subject matter so that they get it.  The teacher in this scenario really focuses mainly at monitoring the progress of the students and providing extra help and advice when required.

Class A, B, C, D, and F:  This approach is very classical, but may be combined with any of the aforementioned.  Here they identify the students who have the most learning difficulty and the least difficulty.  Those with the least learning difficulty are in class A with each of the students who have progressively worse learning difficulty placed in to class B, C, D and so on with the slowest students who have the hardest time absorbing information and knowledge in class F.  The purpose here is in part to keep the fast learners from being slowed down by their counterparts and for the slower learners to get that extra time and attention they need to succeed in the first place.  Of course, students can test out of a slower class and move into a higher one based on how well they perform as well.  Similar to the Honors classes and the A.P. accredited classes (where you can get college credit) in my old high school.  And no, this is not saying any of the students are dumb by any means (or super smart for that matter).  It just means some need more time to get a better handle of the material.

Conclusion:  These are all ideas that can be applied to current school systems to help students advance at the pace they need.  We need to cultivate a student body that can learn and advance on its own because if the course moves too slow, or is uninteresting, then the students will become uninterested and thus end up failing or missing opportunities.  This is why computer based learning is so good for the students who can take advantage of it, they no longer need to wait for the teachers or their peers to catch up.  

Issue 376 What guns should be unregulated? July 10, 2014

Well, you’re probably thinking I am nuts for even posing the question.  However, if you think about it, there are numerous firearms that are completely outdated in which they do not even make ammunition or parts for anymore.  This group is called historical firearms and I am going to make my case on why they should be unregulated to you.

Long reload:  Muskets, and classic muzzle loading fire arms from the days of the American Revolution and back need not be regulated when it comes to being bought and sold.  Main reason is that they can fire off 3 rounds max in one minute (and that is if you’re really good at loading them).  There is a group of gun collectors who shoot these firearms and really only need a license to purchase the gun powder (cause it is a possible bomb making material) in order to shoot them.  You probably never heard of this, but there is a segment of the gun culture here in the United States that likes shooting historical firearms like muskets and similar weapons.  Other firearms like the wheel lock and flint lock are also in this category as they require a long and lengthy process to load and then fire.

Out of date:  Another grouping that overlaps slightly with the first is firearms that are considered outmoded and thus their parts and ammunition are no longer made.  Basically, old French 8 mm rifle rounds, and other similar guns need not be regulated as they can only be fired in controlled situations and after a pricey process of making the ammunition.  Even then, if said weapon is in disrepair it will lose value if forced to manufacture newer parts or convert it to modern standards.  Even guns that shoot up to 28 bullets in a single trigger pull (back before the Machine gun was invented they tried numerous ways to barrage the enemy including guns with literally 28 barrels to fire all at once) are in this category and are thus regulated to the historical class of firearm.  So, as long as the gun is not being updated to fire modern ammunition, or the ammunition cannot be easily made, then it makes no sense to regulate said firearms.

Less than lethal: There is one other grouping that (I'm not 100% sure on this specific one) may not need be regulated.  These firearms are guns that shoot small caliber bullets or other types of ammunition that are so small, that they cannot kill anyone save with a lucky hit.  So you may have this tiny palm gun used for a last ditch defense against an attacker, but at most all you will be able to do with it is put a small hole in him and scare them half to death.  So these guns, depending on the lethality of the ammunition need not be regulated (much).

Conclusion:  Some guns just do not need to be regulated due to their being outmoded (depending on the situation).  As such, why waste money regulating these firearms any further when the real killer is the hand gun.  The hand gun is a last ditch personal defense weapon, but also the weapon of assassination and murder.  If anything need be regulated, it is the hand gun, not the historical and now ineffective musket.

Issue 375 What's an assault rifle? July 9, 2014

Assault rifle is a scary term.  In fact when you hear assault rifle you may think of the guns the U.S. military uses.  You would be correct to think of it as a military fire arm, but looks does not define an assault rifle as many lawmakers seem to think.  So allow me to define it for once based on my own personal knowledge of firearms.

What constitutes an assault rifle?:  Well the simplest way is to define it is that it shoots 3 or more rounds each time the trigger is pulled.  It may be equipped with a selector switch to enable the rifle to fire a single round at a time or to fire on full automatic like a machine gun (fires until it runs out of bullets or the trigger is released).  Also, it has to shoot rifle rounds.  So ammunition used in a pistol like a 9 mm, or a 45 ACP, do not count (though they would count for a sub-machine gun).  And that is it.  This is what actually constitutes an assault rifle.

Legalities:  However the law would have you believe that a rifle with a telescoping scope, an extra grip, or any other accessories added to the gun make it an assault weapon.  False, the accessories add to accuracy, or capability of the gun to either shoot in dusk or complete darkness and possibly at longer ranges.  That is all.  Collapsible stocks, extended magazines of ammunition and similar accessories serve to either make the gun easier to carry and to shoot, or in some cases for bragging rights.  However, the people in government think things with these accessories are scary and thus deem them to be deadly assault weapons.  Truth is you can have two M-16 rifles (standard issue for the U.S. army) but only one is considered an assault rifle.  The reason, because the civilian model one shoots one bullet at a time, while the military can shoot 3 or more.  So looks mean nothing.  It is all about capability.

Conclusion:  I hope this clears this all up.  While I own no guns, I support the second amendment and our right for self-protection.  My only grip is that they should stop blaming the gun and instead blame the shooter instead.

Issue 374 Real rich: buying power July 8, 2014

I feel as if I have discussed this before.  That people who have lots of money are not truly rich.  Instead it is about buying power.  But what is buying power?

What is it?:  Yes it has to do with money.  In this case it is about the amount of things you can buy with the smallest denomination of money.  So if you look at the American past, a movie used to cost ten cents, but now it can cost as much as $20 in some places.  As such, the buying power of an individual to go to the movies went down.  Same thing with respect to buying gas here in the United States.  A gallon of gas used to cost about $1.75 at most, but now it costs $3.50 or more.  This is a loss of buying power that reduces our ability to spend on other things that we may want to buy, whether that be necessities or on recreational items.   Those who can afford to spend more on other items whether that is due to better budgeting/saving or having more disposable income are and can be considered richer as they can afford to spend more without fear of possibly pinching pennies to get by.  So a person with a ton of money may not actually be rich as they may not have enough money to buy things outside of what they deem necessities based on their lifestyle or other mitigating factors. So no matter how much you have, you may never actually be rich.

What influences buying power?:  There are a few things.  The one you have the most control over is your budget.  With careful planning on expenses and taking opportunities to accumulate a more advantageous financial position, you can gain in buying power.  But if you spend on the non-essentials, or do not monitor your money properly, then you will decrease your buying power.

The cost of items also limit or enhance your buying power.  One influence is taxes on business, the shipping costs for their products, manufacturing costs, and any government regulations that are imposed on those items.  All this increases the cost of an item and makes it less affordable and can even limit salaries of those individuals working.  So people can be priced out of being able to afford a simple lough of bread.  You can also factor in the stock market as well, as like with oil, investors can cause an items price to rise or fall, or even remain stable in most cases depending on the situation.  Though the stock market typically acts as a stabilizing influence to prevent sharp price increases and thus protects buying power.

Inflation is another problematic factor.  This one is caused by government and its manipulation over the value of the currency in use in the country.  By printing more money, the value of the dollar goes down in the same way that an items price goes down if more supply is created.  So because the dollar is affected by the same supply and demand factors on the market as everything else, if the dollar’s value goes down, then prices of goods will naturally increase to accommodate the larger sums of money needed to make those goods and for businesses to get a return on their investment. As such, this is governments fault.

Conclusion:  I am sure my explanation could be more detailed in respect to examples, but this is the simplest and shortest way I can explain it without it becoming a total headache for you may dear reader.  So I hope you liked the issue and gained a better understanding on who the real rich really are, for it may even be you.

Issue 373 Boarder crossing July 7, 2014

Sergeant Tahmooressi has been imprisoned by the Mexican authorities for well over 2 and a half months.  He was imprisoned for missing an exit on the American and Mexican border in which he claimed his guns were in the vehicle when stopped by the police down in Mexico (thus following the law).  The Mexican authorities then for some unknown reason imprisoned the Marine and has since been in fear of his life from the gang elements that run Mexico's jails.  We have no idea when the Sergeant will be released.  Hopefully by the time of this issues publican however this issue will be resolved.  Yet, no matter what, have to show a firmer hand with respect to border crossers, and I'm not talking about illegal migrants.  Allow me to explain.

The other border crossers:  Apparently numerous people accidentally cross the U.S. Mexican border each day.  When caught by the members of the U.S. border patrol, they are simply escorted back over the boarder after about three hours’ worth of paperwork (source: discussion on "Real News" on the Blaze Network which airs at 6 pm each week day).  Sometimes these individuals who have crossed have drug paraphernalia and even guns of their own.  These illegal crossings range from basic civilians to even Mexican military personnel.  Sometimes the line between drug dealer and Mexican police/military is ultra-thin.  So here is my proposal based on what happened to Sergeant Tahmooressi.

Proposal:  When a person crosses the United States and Mexican border illegally and are then caught, any and all drug paraphernalia should be confiscated immediately.  Any weapons that are non-Mexican police/Military with the exception of personnel who are caught with some form of illegal drugs will also be confiscated.  Then and only then will we send them back over the border.  This is to send a message to those corrupt officials in Mexico who, I would guess, want to hurt us, or follow the orders of the cartels.  On top of this I think it is stupid that we don't confiscate the drugs and weapons that they accidentally cross over with in the first place.  I mean, why are we not trying to hurt the cartels financially by taking more from them and taking the guns that result in deaths on both sides of the U.S. Mexican border.

We can also profit a little off of this.  Those drugs being confiscated can be tested for their purity and usability in either legal marijuana or for conversion to medicinal/medical purposes.  Once tested, they can be sold off to the highest bidder to either drug companies, universities doing drug research, or basic distributes that sell medical/recreational marijuana.  This money can then be used to fund the border police in further operations or other purposes they deem permissible via congress or through the State governments to secure the U.S. Mexican border.  The guns on the other hand can also be checked out, this time to see if they were used in a crime.  If used in a crime, they can be used to bring up charges on cartel members in Mexico or here in the United States to put them in jail.  If not used in a crime (or cannot be proven to be used in a crime) the gun can be stripped of its parts and sold as scrap or be sold as a whole to gun enthusiasts or licensed gun dealers for resale. Again, the border patrol gains more money to fund operations in this scenario.  

Conclusion:  So what do you all think of my idea as a reaction to what happened to Sergeant Tahmooressi?  Is this a good idea?  Will it really aid in or striking back at the cartels?  I really do not know, but what I do know is this, it is dumb to just let these illegal crosser's go back with drugs and guns untouched.

Issue 372 4th of July July 4, 2014

Today is America's Independence Day.  

We celebrate our countries birth, the sacrifices made to make it and then hold it together.  

We honor our soldiers who sacrifice for us and those who made this nation great.  

Yes America has gone through sever trials and tribulations, but we always come through and we always seek to correct our mistakes.

Today we celebrate our founding and our principles that made our nation so strong and resilient.

We will continue to grow, stumble and then set ourselves back in the right direction.  

However, we can only do this through the people who call America home.

It is the American people who make up our nation and to whom we owe a debt of gratitude to for our continued perseverance.

So God Bless the people of the United States for you are what makes this country strong.

Happy Fourth of July.