9/11 Trial in/out of downtown Manhattan

To an Attorney General sitting in his office in D.C., the best place to have the trial of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed(one of the creators of the 9/11 attacks) would be Manhattan. Right where his plan came into action. This would be the place where justice would be served well. But to many residents in and around the area, a big "I don't think so," flashed across their minds, faces and tweets. The downtown area is already riddled with construction for the past 9 years. Does anyone also need to be reminded that New York City is also the most populated city in this country? Everyone and everything is already on top of each other. Everyday is a hectic one here. This was how the "Welcome to New York" bump/shove/push was created. If the biggest trial for the United States is held by City Hall, downtown Manhattan, who knows what more havoc it can provoke. It will be more frustrating, more expensive, more dangerous and definitely more trouble than wanted for. Yes, justice needs to prevail and it actually would be great if it can happen where the crime was made. But in this case, it doesn't make sense. Of all the places we have in this nation, Mr. Attorney General Eric Holder, does it really have to happen here?

What A Weekend

Hello! Just wanted to wish you all a Happy Chinese New Year, Happy Valentine's Day, Happy President's Day, Happy Olympics and Happy NBA All-Star. There's something for everyone. Enjoy!

MTA's Budget 2010 = Absurd

Maybe it's best to revamp the committee that is in charge. Because obviously the current ones can't make or implement any effective decisions. Do they even know how they went into a $300+ million deficit? There are major cuts in service and eliminations of bus and train lines, which if need be, New Yorkers can still handle...barely. I mean the G train can go. It only runs once a month to anywhere, anyway. But what is this bloody nonsense about taking away free Metrocards from students? They're joking. I don't understand or comprehend this. This should not even be an option. Were the repercussions of this even thought out? A majority of public school students come from low-income families and qualify for free lunch. Can they afford to buck out an extra $90 a month for each child that is attending school? Probably not. This will affect students' attendances because they can't afford to take a train/bus to school everyday. And let's face it, there are still many New York City schools that still need to work hard in getting our kids to even read properly. How is that going to happen when another incentive to show up to class is taken away. And if they jump the turnstiles, they'll get arrested! So are we trying to turn our kids into school skipping turnstile jumping petty criminals? Great. I guess money does come first.

UPDATE: As of 3:00 P.M., the MTA has apporved the budget which includes the "no more free rides" for students. The MTA will be holding public hearings on the approved budget before voting again. I'll check into that one.

Long Time No See

So...it's been a while! Too long. Sorry, got caught up with...life! Which this blog should be a part of, with my political ambitions and all! Anyway, I just wanted to make a quick note.

RIP - Ted Kennedy. And if you haven't heard about this by now, I hope it's because you are from another planet.

I'll be back!

Urumqi Unrest

The most Western and Northern part of China there resides a population consisting of a Turkic Muslim minority known as the Uighurs. The last few days it has also been a place of riots, violence, and unrest due to feuding ethnic groups. As of now, the count is up to 156 dead and thousands wounded. The funny thing is, people aren't even sure what started this. Some news medias stated that some protesting Uighurs (protesting something)became violent on some of the Han. Then yesterday, it was reported that as a response to the violence, some of the Han (majority population) Chinese has started to carry bats and machetes to beat and hurt anyone who crosses their path and is a minority. This is absolutely horrifying. What century are we in? As happy as I am living in my city,state, country and bubble, I try to remember that PLENTY of other regions and countries in this world are still different in terms of thoughts of human rights. To me, it's a no brainer. We're all humans. And these NUTSOs (I mean from both sides!) are wielding around bats and machetes to do what? What is there to gain? Nothing but more hate and death. Violence + violence = more violence. Absurd. Make room for an olive branch!

If you've been noticing, there has also been a degree of openness in information traffic. The Chinese government hasn't tried to block as much traffic(I said as much. I know they blocked Facebook.) of information as it used, too. It's starting to see that the world is getting smaller and smaller and communication and not isolation is key.

Today, President Hu Jintao sent in thousands of troops to handle this situation. Troops are urging people to stay home and stop fighting. They are protecting Muslim communities from crazy mobs and vice versa. Putting a crackdown and a curfew on the region helps stop the bloodshed for now, I hope. Drop that stick first, then we can talk.

Thomas Hobbes (Leviathan):
"No arts; no letters; no society; and which is worst of all, continual fear and danger of violent death; and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."

Bye, bye, Gov. Palin

Holy moly. On Friday, Alaska's Governor, Sarah Palin, just called it quits. She will step down from her post later this month and will not seek re-election. Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell will be sworn in as Governor on July 26th. Sarah Palin shot onto the national stage as John McCain's running mate in the 2008 presidential election. She is also known for having an abode where you can see Russia from.

Governor Palin stated that since she is not seeking re-election she will be in the undesirable position as a lame-duck. So she's giving it to someone else. Yes, that is lame. The Alaskan Governor said that she is leaving because ever since she's been back from her VP campaign trial, her office has been bombarded with "frivolous" complaints and accusations. She thinks this will cause a waste of taxpayers' money. Her excuses are pretty frivolous.

The GOP said that they wished she didn't go but Alaska is still in safe Republican hands. The Democratic National Committee thinks it's a sham. The DNC said it is irresponsible of Palin to be stepping down from her post for the reasons she's given. She is leaving her constituents in the "cold." Either she has other personal agendas and being Governor is wasting her time or she is just not cut out for the job. Well, I think everyone (especially politicians) have personal agendas. I think it's great. We're meant to live, have goals, thrive and make the most of our lives. We're not meant to be couch potatoes.

But I think Governor Palin is running. As an elected official she should be expected to take complaints and issues, etc. She should have thought of these possibilities when she decided to be John McCain's running mate. If she can't take this as a Governor how did she expect to handle the possibility of being Vice President? Anyways, now she can focus on other things, whatever that may be.

Pay Attention in Class

Yesterday, Mayor Bloomberg, along with all the borough Presidents, decided to go on and appoint a Schoolboard (close allies of the Mayor) and let Joel Klein continue to be the Chancellor. Mayor Bloomberg said that the issue of continuing mayoral control on NYC's public education system cannot be left floating around and unattended to in the chaos of the State Senate. That is why he and other elected officials are taking care of it instead. Because our children are important.

My friends, who are teachers in the system, gave me an overwhelming "NO" when I asked if they want mayoral control to continue. My friend, Miss C., goes on to explain her frustrations over our nachos and guacamole. I love guac.

Schools are closed for failing results, but they are closed too quickly. There was no chance and resources to let them improve. It is not a business, as the Mayor is approaching it as, but a school. Numbers are improving, students are passing, but at a cost. Smarter students are moved to a better school and failing students are moved to a failing school. Miss C. sees no advantage of leaving behind any student who is or in danger of failing in a classroom. She wants to continue to work with them until they succeed and not condemn them to failure only.

Having mayoral control and the No Child Left Behind Act also forces teachers to teach students how to pass exams. Teaching for this reason and not for their minds is not a success to Miss C. I don't think its a success for NYC students, either.

Albany-No chips for you!

During my commute home, a few days ago, I saw a parent getting frustrated with her screaming and crying child. The child didn't get the snack that he wanted. His mother first tried to explain to him why he couldn't have his bag of chips. He doesn't need more junk food and they were on the way home for dinner anyway. There was no need to spoil his appetite. Then the kid just screamed louder. Oh, boy.

His mother finally pulled him to the middle of the platform and told him, "You see all these people around you? Everyone is looking at you. And it isn't because you are doing something good right now." Then our ride arrived.

It has been 3 weeks since the Republicans staged a coup within the New York Senate. The Democrats and Republicans have been fighting for the majority with tactics such as turning off the lights, locking doors to the Chambers, pulling the power cord to the mic when someone is speaking, etc. Next up, a food fight in the Capitol's cafeteria. The whole state of New York is looking at its elected Senators and watching them duke it out in the spotlight of every major and local media outlet. And it isn't because they are doing a good job right now.

Later, King of Pop. RIP

Today was one of the rare days this June that NYC had a sunny one. I went out to happy hour(my specialty) with a friend and talked about life, work, love, friends and family over a Stella. Then a fellow happy hour lad said "Michael Jackson is dead." "I'm sorry. What? Have you been drinking a little too much?" Nope. Farrah Fawcett left us this morning and before the day's end MJ, too. I know this has nothing to do with politics, but hey, they were some part of everyone's life(people my age at least). It's all about Thriller and Smooth Criminal, yo. No denying Michael Jackson was special and a national treasure. Even though I thought he went nuts the last few years, he has accomplished so much and, no doubt, his art has contributed to our culture and our lives in many ways. It's shocking to see him go so young (at age 50), so sudden and so fast. It's still so surreal. His music (and moonwalk) will never die. RIP, Michael. Thoughts to his family, friends and fans.

(picture:istockphoto)

S.C. Governor Found

Well. It turns out that Gov. Sanford was really up to no good. Sanford apparently went to Argentina to meet up with his mistress there. Where did the Appalachians come from then? His staff wasn't too sure but they gave the best answer, I suppose.
It started out as something suspicious and then it blew the doors wide open. Sanford should have mentioned that he was leaving the state and country, for one thing. Who knew he was also having an affair? Actually, probably a lot of people... just not the whole country. These things or getaways are personal, but as a head of state he should have informed his staff and Lieutenant Governor. As for his wife, that's between them. Now he joins the ranks of Gov. Spitzer, Jim McGreevy and Sen. John Edwards. The exposed ones at least.