Major cuts, book deals, and SIGN UP!!!

MTSU cutting majors?
That is one of the ideas presented in the latest oversight report [1]. There are several majors listed for as possible cuts. Here is a list of the majors recommended for getting cut, listed by college:

Basic and Applied:
• All three Agri-Communications concentrations.
• Plant Biology.
• Electrical Construction Management (needs further review).
• Engineering Systems Technology. Energy Technology.
Environmental Health and Safety. Planning and Site Analysis.
Water and Waste Management. (This constitutes the total
Environmental Science and Technology Concentration within the
major.)
• Applications of Math, Professional Math
• Medical physics, astronomy
Business
• Office management major
• Public finance, General finance
Education and Behavioral Science
• Special ed major appears viable, but two concentrations need to
be analyzed to insure they have sufficient numbers. Data
presented was incomplete.
• Health and Wellness, Outdoor Recreation, Recreation
Administration, Recreation Therapy. The Recreation and
Leisure Services major should be reviewed further.
• Family and Consumer Science Education
Liberal Arts
• Medieval & Renaissance Art History, Modern and Contemporary
Art History, BS in French, BS in German, BA in German, BS in
Spanish, Geography, Geology, Public History, Globalization and
Commerce, Globalization and Culture, Jazz Studies, Theory and
Composition, Philosophy (as a major), Public Administration
(BS and BA), the Pre-law BA in Political Science, BA in
Sociology and BA in the Anthropology Concentration, BA and
BS in Communication Studies (consolidate with Organizational
Communication), BA in Communication Disorders. The
Geosciences major should be reviewed further.
Mass Communication
• Media Design and Graphics

You can view the entire report by clicking the link at the bottom of this post.

Disgrace Rod Blagojevich to write book ‘exposing the dirty side of politics’

He would know about it better than most. It’s obnoxious. What has this country come to when disgraced and impeached public officials get the opportunity to cash in on their bad decisions[2]? I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, former President Bill Clinton has been doing it since the moment he left office. On one hand, I like it, because it shows capitalism works. On the other, it makes me want to puke because I know that he will make a fortune doing it because people will still buy it.

And no post would be complete without…

My favorite topic - guns. The Tennessee legislature is debating several bills that would affect state Handgun Carry Permit holders[3]. Well why should I care, you ask? If passed, they would alter how some people obtain permits, where they could carry, and whether or not the holder’s information should be publicly available.

For example, right now, someone with military experience has to go through all the same channels I did to get a permit. With one of the bills, the classroom and range time is eliminated, as is the $115 application fee. Makes sense to me, since they already went through more than most of us and probably know more about firearms than the average Joe.

Another bill makes the database of people who have carry permits closed, meaning no one can go to the courthouse and say ‘I want a list of everyone who has a HCP in Coffee County.” As the law stands now, they can. So the government is making an open list of where crooks can go to steal guns. Great idea, guys.

Mailing List

As a new feature to this site, I have added a mailing list that you can sign up for to receive an e-mail when the site is updated. It will NOT be given to any third-party. Just look to the right side of the screen, and put in your name and e-mail, and you will be added.

[1] http://www.mtsu.edu/strategic/docs/final/Oversight_Final_Report.pdf

[2] http://townhall.com/news/entertainment/2009/03/03/publicist_ousted_illinois_governor_to_write_book

[3] http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/indexes/BillsBySubject.aspx?Primarysubject=2127&Chamber=B

Mondays....

Student Questioned by Police for Discussing Guns
For a student at Central Connecticut State University, a school of about 9,300, merely discussing guns got him questioned by the campus police [1].

John Wahlberg and two other classmates were giving a presentation on a 'relevant issue in the media.' His group chose to discuss school violence. Simple enough, right? Well, apparently, his teacher, Paula Anderson, reported him to the campus police for making students 'scared and uncomfortable.' If a law-abiding student wants to discuss guns, it's scary? The thought that it scared them worries me. Why would they be scared of discussion?

The president of the Riflery and Marksmanship club on campus, Sara Adler made the following statement:
“If you can’t talk about the Second Amendment, what happened to the First Amendment? After all, a university campus is a place for the free and open exchange of ideas.”
Well said, madam President.

Ramsey to run for governor
Tennessee Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey has announced his plans to run for the highest executive office in Tennessee[2]. He told republicans in Greene County that he intends to seek the GOP nomination for the office in 2010.

Paul Harvey dies at 90
Innovative nationally syndicated broadcaster Paul Harvey has died at the age of 90[3]. As possibly the most recognized voice in radio, he pioneered the ideas that many still use today, such as the seamless transition into product advertisements.

"Tea Parties" denounce spending plans
So-called 'tea parties' have been popping up all over the country [4]. They are protesting in anger over President Obama's new spending/ 'stimulus' plans. Please vote in the poll on the side for what you think!

[1] http://therecorderonline.net/2009/02/24/professor-called-police-after-student-presentation/?wtf

[2] http://www.wsmv.com/politics/18819384/detail.html#-

[3] http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090301/ap_on_en_ot/obit_harvey

[4] http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=90306

A Plethora of news...

First, Obama's "No earmarks" Budget - except it's full of them.
President Obama has said that he is for transparency in government[1]. So he rushed a bill through Congress so fast that it was impossible for anyone to read it. He said he opposes earmarks, and then signs that same bill the has billions in earmarks[2]. Double-speak at its best.

Tax money well spent?
President Obama rescinded the policy known as the 'Mexico City Policy '[3]. Why should my tax money have to pay for something I am morally opposed to? It is for this same reason that I believe that tax money should NOT go to any faith-based organization, regardless of religion. It just shouldn't be done. How can anyone put a logical argument on that?

However, I am aware that abortion is not going away. The cat is out of the bag, and it is not gonna go back in. I'm not that idealistic. I just think that if a female doesn't want the 'burden' of a child she should use protection, or stay abstinent. I find it hard to believe that she can't get the pill. It can be gotten for $15-$25/month. If for some reason she doesn't use protection, get the morning after pill. Dont run from a decision that was made. That's all that the majority of abortions are.

On the Economy
Why is the economy struggling? Because we are letting it. This problem could be solved by simply going to the mall, or the car lot, or anywhere that sells something, AND BUY SOMETHING! That is what would save the economy. It's actually pretty simple.

And now, the just plain weird news.

Man Dies After 'Guzzling' Viagra During 12-Hour Romp
Well... at least he died after a good day.

Notes:
[1] http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/TransparencyandOpenGovernment/
[2]
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/02/17/Signed-sealed-delivered-ARRA/
[3]
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/StatementofPresidentBarackObamaonRescindingtheMexicoCityPolicy/

Student Loan Forgiveness.... Seriously?

Over the past few days, I have been in a disagreement with several people over whether or not the government should forgive student loan debt.

My initial reaction was shock. How could someone possibly think that this is a good idea? Loans are the main way banks make money. Not to mention that everyone who has a student loan has gotten them willingly, knowing that they have to pay it back. That is why it's called a loan, not a gift. I know many people who have gone to school and graduated without a dime in student loan debt. They simply worked their butts off. It's not easy, but it's not impossible.

And if these loans are forgiven, what about the people who didn't take out loans? Is the government/banks just going to give them the money for school? Are they going to do it for everyone who has a student loan? What about people about to graduate high school? People tend to not think things all the way through when they make statements like this.

I'm Back.

First off, I want to thank everyone who read the old blog.

However, I'm changing things quite a bit, so I deleted all of the old posts so I can take this in a new direction. I'm no longer going to have a single topic that dominates everything. I am going to broaden things out, link to other sites more, and cover a wide range of stories.

I am going to talk about fiscal policy, government irresponsibility, abuse of power, and anything else that strikes my fancy that day. If it is newsworthy, it will be here. I am still going to give my view on the stories, but the stories covered will be different content daily. There will be some stories I follow on a running basis, such as what is happening on Wall Street.

If anyone has suggestions on a story you find interesting, send it to me. If I find it intriguing, I will post it and comment.

Once again, thanks for coming by to see me, and I hope to see you soon.

The Right Way