Political Observation

During a lengthy discussion today, not because I wanted to continue speaking to this guy but because he wouldn't stop talking, I was told several times about problems with our country and our government. I should also pref-is this by saying the gentleman I was being talked at by is a US citizen but his girlfriend is a Puerto Rican reporter with strong/extreme socialist views. I don't mind people sharing their opinions with me, unless I have something I should be doing that is more important, but something he kept saying was really getting on my nerves. He kept saying that the problems we are facing are normal for a "Democracy" like ours. Democracy, that word probably doesn't annoy some of you as much as it does me but I really dislike when I hear people incorrectly state that our nation, the United Stated of America, is a Democracy. Perhaps the best explanation of the difference between a Democracy and a Republic, which we are, can best be explained by this video. Please enjoy!

Political: Obama Democrats

I got this in an email a couple years ago but it is still very applicable. Enjoy!

A woman in a hot air balloon realized she was lost. She lowered her altitude and spotted a man in a boat below. She shouted to him,

"Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."

The man consulted his portable GPS and replied, "You're in a hot air balloon, approximately 30 feet above a ground elevation of 2,346 feet above sea level. You are at 31 degrees, 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49 .09 minutes west longitude.

"She rolled her eyes and said, "You must be a Republican."

"I am," replied the man. "How did you know?"

"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct. However, I have no idea what to do with your information, and I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help to me."

The man smiled and responded, "You must be an Obama Democrat."

"I am," replied the balloonist. "How did you know?"
"Well," said the man, "you don't know where you are or where you are going. You've risen to where you are, due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. You're in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but somehow, now it's my fault." 

Fun in class

So, after I finished my MBA I figured that I would take a beginning conversational Spanish class for fun with a co-worker. It has been pretty easy so far but for some reason the last discussion question that we have to answer has thrown me a curve ball. I looked over the points that the question is worth and not replying at all would be the difference between getting a 100% and a 99% in the class… so I decided to have some fun with it. This is the question and my response. The instructor's feedback is also listed below. Enjoy!

Discussion Question 1 - Week Five - Thread

What are some examples of adjectives referring to states of mind that can be used with more than one verb in Spanish?

My response:

I am having a really difficult time answering this question. I guess I just don't understand the question very well. My thoughts on this can basically be summed up in this video though. Enjoy!

My feelings on adjectives that could be used with multiple verbs to express one's state of mind.

Josh Abbott, MBA/HCM
Alumno
Mesa, Arizona

Week 5
Discussion Questions	20.0	20.0
Comment: The link you provided partially answered the question.  Try to summarize your  answers from the sources.  I am not deducting points this time.		H

  Booya!

Immigration Reform: Not a joke, sorry.

People that know me well know that I lived in Guatemala for about two years from 2003-2005. I enjoyed my time there and grew to love the people and the country. To tell the truth I even looked into what it would take to get Guatemalan citizenship to make traveling to and from Guatemala easier/more realistic. My plans stopped as soon as I found out that I would have to renounce my US citizenship. Guatemala, I love ya but there is no way I am going to give up my status as a citizen of the United States for you or any country on this green earth. Any way, for those that know me may also be aware that I have some very strict views on immigration that might be surprising for those that believe, due to my love of Guatemala and the people there, that I am morally bound to stand up against illegal immigration. Now before someone jumps off the handle on this let me explain that I am not against immigrants and believe that they offer our country a huge benefit and we in turn can offer them a better future, I just don't believe that sneaking into the country is the right way to go. A while back when the state of AZ passed SB1070 the President of Mexico came to Washington D.C. and openly, to congress, denounced the state of Arizona, and the country, calling us racist and bigots. I can't say that I agree with him but I can see how the view of having a nation's borders secured by guarded fences and laws deporting immigrants back to Mexico may seem harsh to some yet Mexico's stance on this is hypocritical and ridiculous. I have been to the Mexico Guatemala border and seen the fences, walls, armed guards, and patrols that they have there. I have also spoken to people who have been shot at and seen people shot by the Mexican military that guard their border. So why is it okay for them to guard their southern border but racist for us to guard ours? I received another fun email the other days and found the information to be very interesting. Check it you as these seem a little racist to me:

New Immigration Laws: Read to the bottom or you will miss the message...

1. There will be no special bilingual programs in the schools.
* * * * * * * *
2. All ballots will be in this nation's language.
* * * * * * * *
3.. All government business will be conducted in our language.
* * * * * * * *
4. Nonresidents will NOT have the right to vote no matter how long they are here.
* * * * * * * *
5. Non citizens will NEVER be able to hold political office.
* * * * * * * *
6 Foreigners will not be a burden to the taxpayers. No welfare, no food stamps, no health care, or other government assistance programs. Any burden will be deported.
* * * * * * * *
 7. Foreigners can invest in this country, but it must be an amount at least equal to 40,000 times the daily minimum wage.
* * * * * * * *
8. If foreigners come here and buy land... options will be restricted. Certain parcels including waterfront property are reserved for citizens naturally born into this country.
* * * * * * * *
9. Foreigners may have no protests; no demonstrations, no waving of a foreign flag, no political organizing, no bad-mouthing our president or his policies. These will lead to deportation.
* * * * * * * *
10. If you do come to this country illegally, you will be actively hunted &, when caught, sent to jail until your deportation can be arranged. All assets will be taken from you.
* * * * * * * * *
Too strict ?

The above laws are current immigration laws of MEXICO!

These sound fine to me.

NOW, how can we get these laws to be America 's Immigration Laws?  

SNL: Tim Tebow and Jesus Sketch

When looking at this from a completely satirical point of view you can see how this is pretty funny. I also think it is interesting how at the end they throw in the bit about Mormonism being completely true. Heck, from the mouth of two or more witnesses right? Funny sketch, enjoy!


SNL Tim Tebow sketch

Not appropriate for kids... but really funny.

The doctor said, 'Joe, the good news is I can cure your headaches. The bad news is that it will require castration. You have a very rare condition, which causes your testicles to press on your spine and the pressure creates one hell of a headache. The only way to relieve the pressure is to remove the testicles.' Joe was shocked and depressed. He wondered if he had anything to live for. He had no choice but to go under the knife. When he left the hospital, he was without a headache for the first time in 20 years, but he felt like he was missing an important part of himself. As he walked down the street, he realized that he felt like a different person. He could make a new beginning and live a new life. He saw a men's clothing store and thought, 'That's what I need... A new suit.' He entered the shop and told the salesman, 'I'd like a new suit.' The elderly tailor eyed him briefly and said, 'Let's see... size 44 long.' Joe laughed, 'That's right, how did you know?' 'Been in the business 60 years!' the tailor said.. Joe tried on the suit it fit perfectly. As Joe admired himself in the mirror, the salesman asked,'How about a new shirt?' Joe thought for a moment and then said, 'Sure.' The salesman eyed Joe and said, 'Let's see, 34 sleeves and 16-1/2 neck.' Joe was surprised, 'That's right, how did you know?' 'Been in the business 60 years.' Joe tried on the shirt and it fit perfectly. Joe walked comfortably around the shop and the salesman asked, 'How about some new underwear?' Joe thought for a moment and said, 'Sure.' The salesman said, 'Let's see... size 36. Joe laughed, 'Ah ha! I got you! I've worn a size 34 since I was 18 years old.' The salesman shook his head, 'You can't wear a size 34. A size 34 would press your testicles up against the base of your spine and give you one hell of a headache.'