It's amazing how much information we are bombarded with on a daily basis. I don't think it has always been this way - in the past, information was neither free-flowing, save conventional gossip means, nor pushed at us during every waking moment. This certainly has contributed to our laziness as a culture. But the fact that in the present we are better connected and informed and linked into this mental network must be worth something?
I just read an article about the performance of Russian women in the elite tennis ranks and at Wimbledon. Relatedly, I saw a documentary on European basketball camps, in which the rise of players from such camps has begun to dominate the NBA, and was responsible for the defeat of the USA Dream Team at the Olympics a few years back. It seems that countries outside the United States have taken a stance on being willing to allow players to excel to their best genetic ability in one thing, sacrificing general abilities in other, non-essential, areas. In the case of the European basketball players, they forego schooling and enter camps to compete and hone thier skills as early as the age of 10. Such collective discipline is rarely seen in the US, if at all, at the level of these European countries.
This is rather inspiring. I mean, to think of the potential that is not being fulfilled in the US, by educative and governmental demands of having all students meet average standards. No doubt that in years to come, Americans will be thought of as well-rounded, but excelling at little. I very much admire athletes and others who pursue an interest with a singular focus, driving all their energy towards it. To Lance Armstrong, other Americans who follow this practice, and fellow citizens of the world, I salute you. I certainly wonder if this can be reproduced further in theUS, i.e. more intensive camps for youths and adults for skill-building.
There's a snippet about Continental Airlines cutting special meal service, including kosher, Hindu, and most important, vegetarian meals. This sucks! I am going to be sure to brown bag my own amazing vegetarian dishes, such that my fellow passengers wished they had a meal as good as mine. Time to call the Continental 1-800-WEDONTCARE number to voice my disgust. I am hoping it only affects coach travel, but it is definitely another example of Gordo "The Liar" running Continental into the ground. Time to start burning some FF miles with reckless abandon.
Turns out there are certain requirements for donating blood. Some are understandable, such as male-male sex (considering the concern over AIDS and the cost of testing for it), but others I really have to question. Why prevent people from donating blood who:
a) lived in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland for 3 or more months from 1980-1996?
b) lived in Europe for 5+ years since 1980?
c) spent more than 6 months at a military base in most European countries between 1980 and 1996?
Seems there is an insect called the tardigrade that has some extraordinary properties of life and resilience. It can withstand extremelty cold temperatures, including cryogenic freezing, as well as a high level of radiation. These critters are just perfect for space travel !
Some students consolidated their college loans a few years ago at high interest rates, sometimes up to 8%. Interest on federal student loans is about to fall to 3.4%, leaving many students unhappy as they will be repaying for a much longer period. Since there are very few ways to refinance, these students are looking for the government to help. Go figure. I guess I am glad that I have, as of this month, finished paying off my student loans.
A leading senator, Frist (R-Tenn), has recently offered his support to a constitutional amendment to make gay marriage illegal. Is there any non-religious backed reason for this? I am not gay, but I fully support everyone else's right to commit to and form a union with anyone they choose. At least Canada has figured this out. Go Canada!
In 6 months, passengers have filed 6700 compliants with the TSA for lost, stolen, or damaged goods. So far, 5 in 7 cases have settled with the government paying out money. Is the TSA doing a good job if it is costing taxpayers more to reimburse travelers?
How soon will it be before the US realizes it does not have Iraq, let alone Palestine and Israel, under control?
As for candidates running for the 2004 election, it seems Nader is again stepping up to the plate. Go Nader! Perhaps this year we can get him above 5% so that in 2008 the Green Party can official be recognized and get some much needed funds. But who knows, when Dennis Miller, a man who I consider to have a well-refined creative talent, has joined the Bush camp. It's not so much that I support Nader (though I'm abashed at Bush's imperialism), as I do the establishment of a third party in America.