Blogs of the Month: August 06
Aug/31/2006 05:05 PM Filed in: Life Happens
It's been a
full month since the blog-software
meltdown. It's been two months
since the Mavs playoffs. That means we now have a
full month of blog entries not affected by either
my inability to post, or the hits from Gordon
Keith's site.
So, it's back to a relatively calm month for the blog. Lots of you are obviously still stopping by to read.
That's gratifying.
Thanks.
And now, for the August Blogs of the Month: (Read the rest. Click here)
So, it's back to a relatively calm month for the blog. Lots of you are obviously still stopping by to read.
That's gratifying.
Thanks.
And now, for the August Blogs of the Month: (Read the rest. Click here)
Connecting the Dots on the Cost of Immigrants
Aug/25/2006 10:13 AM Filed in: Thoughts
from Purple Land
I'm back
to writing on immigration issues
again. And I'm not here
tell you that migrant workers don't cost the
American economy. I'm sure they do. Every adult in
this country costs the economy something.
But if we are going to have a proper debate about the
costs of migrant workers to our economy, then we also
need to look at what they contribute
to our
economy too.
This is an issue I've discussed before, but it came back to me this week because of two stories in the Dallas Morning News. The first story appeared on Tuesday, and while it was supposed to have been a story on how Parkland Hospital is petitioning the Federal Government for reimbursement of medical costs to migrant workers, the headline screamed something different:
"Migrant care costing millions: Parkland says price for nonemergency services tops $22M for year"
(online edition, registration required for all links in this blog)
The second story that caught my eye ran the very next day. The story was, ostensibly, about the burgeoning black market for identity papers, such as Social Security numbers. But buried in this story about a swell in black market papers, was a fact that should have caught everyone's attention: Migrant workers have paid billions of dollars in taxes to the federal government.
My point in juxtaposing these two stories --from the same newspaper on back-to-back days-- is that to have an honest debate about immigration, we must first be honest about what immigrants contribute to our economy. We've got to connect the dots between what migrant workers cost our economy/government, and what they contribute to our economy/government. And the truth is: they pay more in taxes than we give them credit for. (Read the rest. Click here)
This is an issue I've discussed before, but it came back to me this week because of two stories in the Dallas Morning News. The first story appeared on Tuesday, and while it was supposed to have been a story on how Parkland Hospital is petitioning the Federal Government for reimbursement of medical costs to migrant workers, the headline screamed something different:
"Migrant care costing millions: Parkland says price for nonemergency services tops $22M for year"
(online edition, registration required for all links in this blog)
The second story that caught my eye ran the very next day. The story was, ostensibly, about the burgeoning black market for identity papers, such as Social Security numbers. But buried in this story about a swell in black market papers, was a fact that should have caught everyone's attention: Migrant workers have paid billions of dollars in taxes to the federal government.
My point in juxtaposing these two stories --from the same newspaper on back-to-back days-- is that to have an honest debate about immigration, we must first be honest about what immigrants contribute to our economy. We've got to connect the dots between what migrant workers cost our economy/government, and what they contribute to our economy/government. And the truth is: they pay more in taxes than we give them credit for. (Read the rest. Click here)
Too Young for Test Anxiety
Aug/18/2006 04:41 PM Filed in: Life Happens
School
started this past Monday. Our daughter, Maria, is now
in the third grade. On her way in the school doors
Monday, I snapped a couple of pics with the camera
phone.
It's still hard for me to fathom that she's old enough for the third grade. It seems like only yesterday that we were walking her into kindergarten class, holding her hand, afraid that she might get pushed around by bigger kids. Now, she is a bigger kid.
But, she's still a kid. And there are some things that a kid shouldn't have to worry about in the third grade.
But Maria is worried, and she told me so the other day. On Sunday afternoon --the day before school started, and as we were coming home from lunch-- Maria told me that her stomach hurt, and she felt like she was going to be sick. I try to take these kind things seriously, and so I asked her some questions. I felt her forehead. Nothing seemed to be amiss.
So then, I asked her, "Are you worried about something?"
It was, after all, the day before school. Maybe she was worried about meeting new friends, or finding the right clothes to wear on the first day.
"Yes," she said meekly.
" What are you worried about, sweetie?
There was a long pause. And then, she quietly asked, "What if don't pass the TAKS test?" (Read the rest. Click here)
It's still hard for me to fathom that she's old enough for the third grade. It seems like only yesterday that we were walking her into kindergarten class, holding her hand, afraid that she might get pushed around by bigger kids. Now, she is a bigger kid.
But, she's still a kid. And there are some things that a kid shouldn't have to worry about in the third grade.
But Maria is worried, and she told me so the other day. On Sunday afternoon --the day before school started, and as we were coming home from lunch-- Maria told me that her stomach hurt, and she felt like she was going to be sick. I try to take these kind things seriously, and so I asked her some questions. I felt her forehead. Nothing seemed to be amiss.
So then, I asked her, "Are you worried about something?"
It was, after all, the day before school. Maybe she was worried about meeting new friends, or finding the right clothes to wear on the first day.
"Yes," she said meekly.
" What are you worried about, sweetie?
There was a long pause. And then, she quietly asked, "What if don't pass the TAKS test?" (Read the rest. Click here)
If Everybody Claims Victory, Does Everybody Win? (Israel and Hezbollah)
Aug/16/2006 07:28 PM Filed in: Angels and
Pins
It's the
craziest part of the new cease fire between Israel
and Hezbollah-- the part where both sides are
claiming victory. Both sides seem ready to accept
this --at least temporary-- cease fire. Both sides
are publicly saying now is a great time to stop
dropping bombs on the other. Because --they each
claim-- they have met most of their major "goals."
For Hezbollah, I suppose they have managed to assert themselves as a powerful political/social force in the region. For Israel, I suppose at some level, they have avenged the kidnapping of two soldiers.
But how is this victory? Isn't it just a pitiful continuation of the same conflict that has raged for....how long? Decades? Centuries? Millennia?
And here's the truth: no matter what each side claims, this is not a war that can be won. Ever. Not now. Not a hundred years from now. Winning/losing is the completely wrong conceptual axis. The only real realistic axis moves back and forth between coexistence and constant war.
Anytime anybody thinks they have "won" in the Middle East, get ready for more bloodshed down the road.
A few years back, during the Palestinian Intifada, I wrote a song called "Ishmael and Isaac." And, in honor (honor?) of current conflict, I've put it up on my myspace page, and you can listen to it there. (And use the "Standalone Player" as you read the rest of this blog...) (Read the rest. Click here)
For Hezbollah, I suppose they have managed to assert themselves as a powerful political/social force in the region. For Israel, I suppose at some level, they have avenged the kidnapping of two soldiers.
But how is this victory? Isn't it just a pitiful continuation of the same conflict that has raged for....how long? Decades? Centuries? Millennia?
And here's the truth: no matter what each side claims, this is not a war that can be won. Ever. Not now. Not a hundred years from now. Winning/losing is the completely wrong conceptual axis. The only real realistic axis moves back and forth between coexistence and constant war.
Anytime anybody thinks they have "won" in the Middle East, get ready for more bloodshed down the road.
A few years back, during the Palestinian Intifada, I wrote a song called "Ishmael and Isaac." And, in honor (honor?) of current conflict, I've put it up on my myspace page, and you can listen to it there. (And use the "Standalone Player" as you read the rest of this blog...) (Read the rest. Click here)
A Tribute to the Eagles and Chicago (An Upcoming Show)
Aug/15/2006 09:38 PM Filed in: Music News
We're back at
it again, and we just don't know when to quit. There
is another "tribute show" in the works, and it's
going to be as good, maybe even better, than
the Dan Fogelberg Tribute
Show.
It's a tribute to the music of the Eagles and Chicago. Yes, it's not exactly a perfect blend of styles. But they're bands that we who are in charge of thinking up this show love, and so that's how it worked out.
Here are the details:
A Tribute to the Eagles and Chicago
To Benefit UMCOR
7 pm September 16, 2006
Spring Valley United Methodist Church
We have started rehearsals, and based on what I hear so far I am very excited... (Read the rest. Click here)
It's a tribute to the music of the Eagles and Chicago. Yes, it's not exactly a perfect blend of styles. But they're bands that we who are in charge of thinking up this show love, and so that's how it worked out.
Here are the details:
A Tribute to the Eagles and Chicago
To Benefit UMCOR
7 pm September 16, 2006
Spring Valley United Methodist Church
We have started rehearsals, and based on what I hear so far I am very excited... (Read the rest. Click here)
30 Days (A TV Show You Should See)
Aug/12/2006 09:13 PM Filed in: Life Happens
It's a rare
moment when I encourage anyone to watch television.
But this is one of those moments. There is a show in
the FX network that I truly can recommend to you
without reservations, and that I hope many people
watch.
It's called 30 Days.
The show aired last season, but has been on haitus until quite recently. Now, it's back with a whole batch of new episodes.
Yes, it's a reality show. And, yes, there are too many of those already. But this a reality show that actually takes social issues head on. It's a reality show with a "point."
The premise is captivating: how will people change if they walk in someone else's shoes for 30 days?
(Read the rest. Click here)
It's called 30 Days.
The show aired last season, but has been on haitus until quite recently. Now, it's back with a whole batch of new episodes.
Yes, it's a reality show. And, yes, there are too many of those already. But this a reality show that actually takes social issues head on. It's a reality show with a "point."
The premise is captivating: how will people change if they walk in someone else's shoes for 30 days?
(Read the rest. Click here)
Questions that Keep My Up at Night (After a Foiled Terrorist Plot)
Aug/11/2006 10:35 PM Filed in: Thoughts
from Purple Land
This week,
the world has been gripped by a foiled terrorist plot
in England. Score of media outlets are reporting an
evil plan that might have involved at least a dozen
planes headed for the United States from Europe. By
all accounts, if hatched, this plot would have been
horrendous.
This week, this story screams at us through headlines and breaking news alerts. And as we inch close to the fifth-year anniversary of 911-- certain "what if" questions creep back into our heads. We begin to think:
"What if" this attack had actually happened?
"What if" there are more of their cohorts still out there plotting right now?
Like they did after 911, our minds begin to race with these "what ifs." And the media is all-too eager to help us feed these racing and paranoid thoughts with the constant barrage of the 24-hour news channels; reminding us of just how bad it might have been.
Well, I guess I'm weird. Because this morning I am not preoccupied with "what if" questions. I know that such attacks are still being planned, and that doesn't surprise me. Nor would it surprise me to learn that those captured have friends still out there busily plotting away. I am not asking "what if?" questions.
I find that I'm still asking still unanswered "why?" questions.
Like these:
Why is our "Homeland Security" Department wasting so much money?
Why have we not caught Osama Bin Laden?
And why are we still fighting a War in Iraq that has nothing to do with stopping terrorist attacks like this one?
These are my major questions, and I hope you will consider them with me... (Read the rest. Click here)
This week, this story screams at us through headlines and breaking news alerts. And as we inch close to the fifth-year anniversary of 911-- certain "what if" questions creep back into our heads. We begin to think:
"What if" this attack had actually happened?
"What if" there are more of their cohorts still out there plotting right now?
Like they did after 911, our minds begin to race with these "what ifs." And the media is all-too eager to help us feed these racing and paranoid thoughts with the constant barrage of the 24-hour news channels; reminding us of just how bad it might have been.
Well, I guess I'm weird. Because this morning I am not preoccupied with "what if" questions. I know that such attacks are still being planned, and that doesn't surprise me. Nor would it surprise me to learn that those captured have friends still out there busily plotting away. I am not asking "what if?" questions.
I find that I'm still asking still unanswered "why?" questions.
Like these:
Why is our "Homeland Security" Department wasting so much money?
Why have we not caught Osama Bin Laden?
And why are we still fighting a War in Iraq that has nothing to do with stopping terrorist attacks like this one?
These are my major questions, and I hope you will consider them with me... (Read the rest. Click here)
Ed Upton
Aug/10/2006 10:53 PM Filed in: Balcony
People
I meant
to post this in early July. But, due to the blog
problems I detailed for you late in the month, I am
just getting around to it now. Ed Upton was, most
assuredly, one of my Balcony People. And I miss him a
lot. But I'm always grateful for the high and tender
honor of eulogizing a friend.
And so, that is what follows... (Read the rest. Click here)
And so, that is what follows... (Read the rest. Click here)
Bluebell Ice Cream
Aug/08/2006 08:36 PM Filed in: Things to
Like about Texas
It was nearly
100 here today. It's been over 100 about 20 days so
far this summer. I am sure that it will be nearly a
hundred tomorrow too.
So, what better time to write about ice cream?
And what better ice cream to write about than Bluebell Ice Cream?
Keep yer Ben and Jerry's...
Keep yer Hagan Daz...
Keep yer Dreyers and Breyers (is it an accident that these two sound the same?) or any other brand you want to throw out there.
If you want some really good ice cream, it's gotta be Bluebell.
(Read the rest. Click here)
So, what better time to write about ice cream?
And what better ice cream to write about than Bluebell Ice Cream?
Keep yer Ben and Jerry's...
Keep yer Hagan Daz...
Keep yer Dreyers and Breyers (is it an accident that these two sound the same?) or any other brand you want to throw out there.
If you want some really good ice cream, it's gotta be Bluebell.
(Read the rest. Click here)