A Realistic Step Towards Disarmament

BP Fails Again

Seems like BP and failure are becoming synonymous:

RIP Dennis Hopper

We will miss you.

Woman Left On Plane, Shep Laughs

Not funny?

France has won the rights to host Euro 2016:

"This is a beautiful day for us," French Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes told the official UEFA Web site.

There's a great video too. Huge day for French football, especially considering I don't think they will fair well in this year's World Cup.

Obama on the Beach

Good to see him finally showing up.

Mosque Attacked in Lahore

There's a lot of chaos in the world and so little peace.

Obama Cancels Virginia Offshore Drilling

This seems like the result of the disaster in the Gulf. I don't know if this should be a permanent ban or a delay in implementing the project. There's a lot we can learn from the incident in the Gulf in regards to how to best contain a future disaster so that it doesn't affect the environment with the consequences as the BP explosion.

Maoists Attack in India

I'll have to read up on them.

Tradition

For the longest time, I've been trying to grasp what about Michigan that I love. Why did I decide to transfer to Michigan? What about the school made me want to go there? Why would I leave a place where I had established a group of friends and was extremely comfortable with the academics. What was I missing?

I get asked why I transferred all the time. Almost as quick as I am to admit that I transferred to the U, people swiftly ask me why I made the move. It's always been hard for me to explain. To understand why I moved on, they would have to understand me. They would have to get into my brain. They would have to know my values. They would have to know me.

I guess the first thing I talk about is sports. Perhaps because it the thing I can talk most about. This is almost a self defense mechanism because I really hate talking about myself. I would much rather talk about the place that I worked hard to get to. Also, Michigan sports are easy for everyone to relate to. Almost everyone I know goes to football games, many people go to hockey games and basketball games as well. You can make an instant connection with any Michigan student by mentioning the sports.

That's not the thing I cherish though. As much as Michigan sports need to win, success isn't what drives the athletic program. It's not what drives the school. What drives the school and what I love about and the reason I transferred to Michigan is the tradition. This is what was severely lacking at Case.

Oh and let me wax poetic about my youth. When I watched all the college students going batshit crazy, I thought it was the sports that I wanted to enjoy. Actually, it was the spirit that they had. The experience they shared. The love that was being built within them. I felt it all radiating within me when I first stepped on campus as a student.

Now I may get down on certain aspects of the school such as the difficulty of the academics or the lack of study space, but I never get down on the school. Actually, I am always happy when I'm at Michigan. The chant goes "it's great to be a Michigan Wolverine." That chant was made because it is entirely true. I always feel a sense of joy and pride when I'm around campus, and it's not uncommon for me to show my love for the school by wearing Michigan paraphernalia. Perhaps devotion is a more suitable term.

Another question I get is "what do you think of Michigan?" I laugh when I hear this question. It is probably the worst question I've ever heard in fact. There are a lot of decisions that I've made that I've second guessed, but never for a minute have I second guessed coming to Michigan. I did apply to a lot of schools and certainly thought some schools were more desirable. I look back and think, "wow I really lucked out." Hindsight is 20-20 and I couldn't see myself anywhere else.

I am really sad that I am soon to be entering my last semester of college. I am very happy that I get the chance to spend another semester at my school. I'm going to be cherishing every minute of it. I'm going to experience feelings of longing and desire. I'm going to want to hold on with everything I've got, but at the end, it will be the end. It will be time to move on to greener pastures as they say (yes, pun was intended).

That's not everything though. I've met a lot of good people over my time here. I don't want to waste these relationships. I want to spend time with the people who made me feel at home when I was new. I want to get to know people better. I want to meet new people. It's my last semester; I might not have regrets about going to Michigan, but I don't want to have any regrets as I'm leaving.

Thank you for reading.

Thank You For Honoring Our Fallen Heroes

Absolutely disgusting decision by Obama:

President Obama is skipping the traditional Memorial Day visit to Arlington National Cemetery, a move that has dismayed some veterans -- and comes at a sensitive moment in the administration's relationship with the military.

He's doing this to be in Chicago. Don't worry, he's going to the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetary, so it's okay. It's not like tradition means anything right? Veterans are disappointed:

Paul Rieckhoff, the founder and executive director of the group Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, expressed disappointment at the White House move. "Arlington is hallowed ground, and the center of our nation's attention on Memorial Day," Rieckhoff said. "Unfortunately, President Obama and his family will not be there with us."

Others are not:

"We don't really see the big deal, so long as he's taking the time to honor our fallen war heroes throughout Memorial Day weekend," said Ryan Gallucci, spokesman for AMVETS. " . . . Arlington is certainly not the only place our fallen heroes are buried, so why not pay your respects to veterans around the country?"

I disagree. This is a tradition that all presidents have followed. There are little things that we do that make our institutions special. This is one of them. I am utterly dismayed by his decision.

Prepare To Be Caned

Glad I don't live in the Southeast. An oil storm? Sounds horrifying.

What Else Would The French Do?

Strike of course. Like they need an excuse to not work. No work and protest? A French wet dream. I believe it's called "champagne."

Obama Steps Up

It's about time. BP dropped the ball on this one.

Van Persie Means Business

2 sick goals against Mexico.

Quality of Living: Cities

Mercer just came out with its rankings for cities with the highest quality of living:

Vienna retains the top spot as the city with the world’s best quality of living, according to the Mercer 2010 Quality of Living Survey. Zurich and Geneva follow in second and third position, respectively, while Vancouver and Auckland remain joint fourth in the rankings.

Very interesting. London and New York did not fare well. David Callaway makes a point of this:

It seems what makes a city good for bankers doesn't wash too well with the rest of us, or at least the ones who define these quality of life surveys. Which begs the question, does the presence of bankers in our cities bring down the quality of life? Seems a fair point, though doesn't explain why Baghdad was ranked last at 221st. Perhaps war zones are the only thing worse than financial centers when it comes to good living.

I found this very interesting. I believe that everyone has their own preferences. I believe in everyone's right to have these preferences so long as they do not infringe upon another's life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. My preference is beer, but I don't mind finance. I'd like to be in a city with both.

Facebook Simplifying

Messi Article

Great Messi article in Sports Illustrated.

It's Time For War

Well almost..

We've been following this story for a while now on Shep's Unverse. Obviously, the relationship between the two countries is getting hostile right now.

He's Still Talking

Barack Obama has picked the Lakers to win in the Finals:

"I've got to go with the Lakers again," Obama said. "I think Gasol may be the best big man in the league right now. He's different from Dwight Howard, but he's [got] unbelievable footwork, speed, savvy, he's playing magnificently.

I've bombarded President Obama in the past for discussing such matters. It's not just that he's picking the Lakers that irks me, it's the fact that there is world out there with problems. This man is the most powerful man in the world. He should be commenting on Korea, the European Debt Crisis, Job Creation, Immigration. These are real issues.

I am really starting to think that we have the most dense President in the history of this great country.

I Love Beagles

They make me melt.

Our Majesty The Budget

How old is the Queen nowadays?

Border Brigade

Obama is sending 1200 National Guard troops to protect the border:

And it's still not enough for John McCain.

This Is a Joke

Michigan punishes itself for violations:

"We're imposing on ourselves what we believe is corrective actions," athletic director David Brandon said in an interview with The Associated Press. "Ultimately, the NCAA will decide what the appropriate sanctions and penalties are."

More on punishment:

Michigan reduced its quality staff by 40 percent -- from five to three -- and will prohibit them from attending practices, games or meetings for the rest of 2010. Despite a new NCAA rule that allows quality control staff to attend meetings, Michigan won't allow this to happen until 2011.

The football program will forfeit 130 hours of practice time during the next two years. The university found that the football program exceeded limits on football activities by a total of 65 hours in 2008 and 2009, so it simply doubled the total for its self-imposed penalty.

Michigan will issue letters of reprimand to seven people it deems responsible for the violations: Mike Barwis, Scott Draper, Brad Labadie, Joe Parker, Rich Rodriguez, Judy Van Horn and Ann Vollano.

The university also acknowledges the dismissal of former graduate assistant Alex Herron, named in one of the NCAA's allegations for "providing false and misleading information" to both NCAA and Michigan investigators. Herron was fired after
Michigan received the NCAA's Notice of Allegations in February.

By admitting to major violations, Michigan knows it will go on NCAA probation for two years, which doesn't mean much unless more violations are committed.

Loddy fucking Da. I'm just blowing bubbles. Why punish at all?

Trauma for Thirteen Year Old

Really sad story.

They Can Do No Right

Toyota has halted sales of their Lexus LS model, the company's flagship, because of a steering issue:

The company said May 21 it would recall 3,800 of its model 2009 and early 2010 LS 460 and LS 600h L sedans to fix an “off- center” steering-wheel condition that can develop during certain driving maneuvers. Toyota isn’t aware of any deaths or injuries related to the problem and has received one U.S. complaint, said Bill Kwong, a company spokesman.

Kwong:

“Until there’s a fix, we can’t sell the vehicle,” said Kwong, based in Torrance, California.

With all the problems that BP has had, it's easy to forget the tumultuous year that Toyota has had. They have always been on their high horse about their quality. Now that their having problems with their cars, they have been knocked off. Other companies are definitely performing better right now with General Motors making a profit, Ford doing well, Honda continuing their success. For someone who isn't the biggest fan of Toyota, this is fantastic.

Hit Em Where It Hurts

South Korea has suspended trade to North Korea.

The Yuan To Explain International Finance

Pretty basic example of how currency appreciation works and is prevented.

Menes Zenawi Interview

Don't You Have More Important Things To Do?

Obama comments on Lebron and the Bulls:

"You know, like I said, I don't want to meddle," Obama told TNT. "I will say this: [Derrick] Rose, Joakim Noah it's a pretty good core. You know, you could see LeBron fitting in pretty well there."

"I think that the most important thing for LeBron right now is actually to find a structure where he's got a coach that he respects and is working hard with teammates who care about him and if that's in Cleveland, then he should stay in Cleveland," Obama said. "If he doesn't feel like he can get it there, then someplace else."

I've been critical of Obama in the past, and it's for things like this. You are the President of the United States of America. It's one of the most important jobs in the world. You should concentrate on doing that. We are not out of recession. Immigration looks like it may reach a boiling point. These are real issues. Put your partisanship aside Obama.

British Airways Strike

From the BBC:

BA has accused union leaders of failing to take up an offer of further talks in an effort to stop the five-day strike by cabin crew starting at midnight.

The Union:

Mr Woodley appealed to BA boss Willie Wash via the media on Sunday afternoon, saying: "Willie, turn round and reinstate our people's travel, without unnecessary vindictive removal of their service, and this union will call off tonight's strike."

The Airlines:

"We had agreed to a request from [conciliation service] Acas to meet this afternoon and are surprised that Unite did not take advantage of this," it said.

"We have already offered to reinstate travel concessions to cabin crew once all elements of our offer have been implemented.

"Of more concern to us is Tony Woodley's comment to the media that he wants to revisit certain proposals in our offer, when previously he had indicated that these were agreed."

This looks like it will not be solved soon given the bitterness that is being built up between the two sides.

BP Has Failed

Their efforts to stop the oil have been dismal. BP should face hefty fines for this failure. It's been over a month.

The Afghan Mission

It is clear that with the insurgencies that something must be done. Or we must vacate as we did in Vietnam. This should be a world wide effort, especially with countries like Pakistan. This is not a one country problem.

Black Box Found!

Who Is This Directed Towards?

Not that I'm complaining...