I have continued to follow the story enclosed below for a few reasons. One, the act was atrocious - if, indeed, it was a homicide. Two, under any circumstances, it is never deemed appropriate to use another human being's body involuntarily to send a political message. And third, it is reminiscent of the American Revolution's hasty and overreactionary tactics of protesting the oppressive acts mandated by the British Parliament, particularly tar and feathering. Sure, let's use people who are employed by the government to have people fill out a survey as punching bags, or in this case, a billboard sign. As in history, the administrators of the Stamp Act were merely doing their job by enforcing the mandates enclosed in that act. In order to fulfill their duties, they did not commit harmful crimes, they did not trespass on to property, they did not in any way personally infringe upon the individual liberties of the members of the colonies. They were doing a job. If you don't want to fill out the census, while it is a crime, it is your discontent that you must own and not harmfully impose upon another human being in such a distructive manner. It's a damn piece of paper. A piece of paper, in fact, designed to gain the population of a state more representation in Congress so their voice is heard. Regardless of your feelings about the content you are being surveyed on in the census, it is not so invasive that a human being's life or fellow citizen's life should be spared to prove discontent. I can only hope that in the event this is determined a homicide the rash individual is brought to justice.
********************************
Census Worker Found Dead In Kentucky -- What Do We Know?
Zachary Roth
September 24, 2009, 2:54PM
Over the last 24 hours, we've been tracking a gruesome story developing involving the death of a Kentucky Census Bureau worker. The potential political implications of what happened are already generating a lot of attention around the internet -- so it's worth taking a moment to lay out what we know.
On September 12th, the body of Bill Sparkman, a 51-year old part-time Census worker and teacher was found in a remote area of the Daniel Boone National Forest, in Clay county, in rural southeast Kentucky. Sparkman reportedly had died on the morning of the day before.
According to an AP report published yesterday, the FBI is working with state police to determine whether this was a homicide, as is believed, and if so, whether it was motivated by anti-government sentiment. An anonymous law enforcement official told the AP that the man was found hanging from a tree with the word "fed" written on his chest. (The source didn't specify the instrument that had been used to write the word. MSNBC has said several times today that it was scrawled in marker, but has not sourced that information.) It's a federal crime to attack a federal worker because of his job, or while he's carrying it out.
The leak to the AP about the word "Fed" has sparked fevered speculation that Sparkman may have been murdered as an expression of anti-government -- and even specifically anti-Census -- sentiment, of the kind ginned up by conservatives of late. Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) said earlier this year that she would not fill fully out her census form, which is a crime.
But the motivation behind the killing -- if indeed it was a killing -- is not clear at this point.
A spokesman for the Kentucky police told TPMmuckraker last night that police were still looking into death, that an autopsy has been scheduled, and no cause of death has yet been listed.
And the commander of the state police post handling the case told the Lexington Herald-Leader today that the police hadn't confirmed it was a homicide. "There are too many unanswered questions for us to lean one way or the other," she said. "Every scenario is still on the table. We have not ruled this is a hate crime against a federal employee."
And an ABC News report suggests there could be more in play than raw anti-government feeling:
[S]ome people wonder if his death in the remote part of southeastern Kentucky known for its meth labs and hidden marijuana fields had less to do with his job than simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time.If that speculation were accurate, the "Fed" that may have been scrawled on Sparkman's chest could be intended as a warning by criminals to law enforcement to stay away, rather than as a pure expression of opposition to government -- though it may be hard to separate those two motivations entirely.
It's not even entirely clear what Sparkman was doing in the remote area. A Census official told the AP that her office was told Sparkman's truck was found nearby, with a computer he was using for work inside.
As for the dead man himself, Sparkman's mother, Henrie Sparkman, who lives in Florida, told the AP that Bill Sparkman had moved to Kentucky to be a local director for the Boy Scouts of America. He also worked as a substitute teacher.
Census officials told the AP that Sparkman had worked for the Census since 2003, in five Kentucky counties, including Clay county.
Henrie Sparkman also said that investigators had told her the body was decomposed, and it would be better for her son to be cremated.
She added to the AP that she didn't know what had been behind her son's death. "I have my own ideas, but I can't say them out loud. Not at this point," she said.
No one answered TPMmuckraker's call to a Florida number listed for her.
Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, whose department oversees the census, said in a statement:
We are deeply saddened by the loss of our co-worker. Our thoughts and prayers are with William Sparkman's son, other family and friends.
Locke called Sparkman "a shining example of the hardworking men and women employed by the Census Bureau."
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Lakeland Florida Police caught playing Wii Bowling
Lakeland Florida Police caught playing Wii Bowling: "
Lakeland Police playing Wii Bowling during a drug bust.
Author: drummerboy199
Added: September 22, 2009
"
Lakeland Police playing Wii Bowling during a drug bust.
Author: drummerboy199
Added: September 22, 2009
"
Absolutely ridiculous. Do your job and get out.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
University Of Calif. Faculty, Students To Walk Out
More than 1,000 faculty members and students at the University of California schools are planning to walk out Thursday in protest against an increase in tuition and furloughs. Joshua Clover, an associate professor of English at the University of California, Davis, says the moves instituted by the university system's administrators mean that students are getting less attention from their professors despite having to pay more for their education.
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I'm pretty proud of the UC system making a statement against tuition and furloughs. ASU has dealt with tuition hikes, furloughs AND a surcharge. Who knows if this will actually change anything but at least they're putting their foot down.
Evangelist Kirk Cameron Plans To Distribute Darwin's Origin Of The Species With Creationist Introduction
Evangelist Kirk Cameron Plans To Distribute Darwin's Origin Of The Species With Creationist Introduction: "
"
Do you remember Kirk Cameron, former child star and current promoter of the banana-as-proof-of-God theory of evangelism?
In a video posted recently to YouTube, Cameron lays out a plan to subvert 'Darwin Day' on November 22, 2009 -- a date marking the 150th anniversary of the publishing of Charles Darwin's 'Origin of Species.' Cameron says that he and like-minded activists plan to deliver 50,000 copies of an altered version of Darwin's book to students at dozens of U.S. universities.
Cameron explains that this 'very special' edition of the 'Origin of Species' will include an introduction explaining 'Adolf Hitler's undeniable connection' to the theory of evolution, and highlighting 'Darwin's racism' and 'his disdain for women.' Cameron's edition also exposes the 'many hoaxes' of evolutionary theory, while presenting a 'balanced view of Creationism.' (There's a pdf of this introduction here.)
Super classy guy, that Cameron. Tying Darwin to Hitler. And misogyny and racism. What, no pedophilia or necrophilia? A YouTuber who goes by the name ZOMGitsCriss responds to Cameron's plans:
WARNING: Strong language, not safe for work.
Confused about the Health Care Proposals???
These sites really helped clarify things for me. Have a look.
CNN's Health Care Reform Proposals Explainer
Rock the Vote: Health Care
New York Times FAQ Sheet
CNN's Health Care Reform Proposals Explainer
Rock the Vote: Health Care
New York Times FAQ Sheet
Monday, September 14, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Change of Shade
I finally took the big plunge. I have avoided dying my hair for three years after two years of addicted coloring. That was all changed yesterday with the spontaneous purchase of a box of dye at CVS and quick application before I could change my mind.
The Result: Love it!!!
The Result: Love it!!!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
President Obama's Education Pep Talk
Today was meant to be a day where school kids were to tune into a speech given strictly for their benefit. President Obama had planned to give a speech to kindergarten through twelfth graders regarding their responsibility for their own education. But a week ago, a fiery debate started. Parents were concerned with the administrations plan to supply a supplementary lesson plan with the speech asking the students to write an essay focusing on what they would personally do to help the President. Parents all across the country believed this was a plan to indoctrinate the students of America. To rectify the situation, the administration withdrew their lesson plan, suggested that students write an essay about their personal education goals, and agreed to release the text of the speech on Labor Day for public review. With all these attempts to pacify the public, school districts still banned showing the speech to students until the speech was reviewed. Some districts even went as far as to increase security settings on teachers' in-class internet so they could not broadcast it via online video or audio.
There are quite a few fundamental issues with this. First, while I do agree that releasing a lesson plan asking the students to write about how they're going to "help the President" does sound a little...agenda-driven, with the release of the text, teachers, parents and school officials clearly would have realized that by "help the President" the administration meant to take control of their education, thus serving their nation - a point President Obama made repeatedly throughout his speech. It's all in the wording. The administration essentially didn't ask anything different the second time around, but somehow it made a difference.
Second, this is incredibly insulting to the OFFICE of the President of the United States. I do not believe the President should be able to say whatever he damn-well pleases to the impressionable youth of America or even to the citizens of the U.S. in general. We live in a country constantly wary of authority and power abuse. However, when the President of the United States wants to encourage your child to do better in school and take control of their future regardless of their circumstances, I have a really hard time understanding that.
On that note, let's talk about censoring the President. Where were all these angry people when President G. W. Bush gave any speech? For eight long years, my poor impressional brain was subjected to his incoherent ramblings about every topic on the planet. His speeches most definitely should have been screened and edited before aired... all for the sake of the public good. In President Obama's case, at the very least, your "impressional" second grader would be exposed to an excellent public speaker addressing issues directly relevant to their life at this moment. Your second grader would be instantly engaged in their country.
Third, the growing bi-partisan canyon in the is country is destroying the institutions we have prided ourselves on for 250 years. Such a blatant sign of disrespect to the President sends the wrong message to kids, teenagers and young adults all across America. I sure hope that my future, hypothetical children will still have dreams of becoming President even after all the respect has withered away and their power resembles that of the Queen of England - a symbolic figurehead.
The speech itself was one of the most inspiring speeches I've ever heard. Obviously its basis on a topic I am very passionate about lends to its positive attributes, but also President Obama successfully related to students on a personal level. His overall message that by taking responsibility for your education, you are also taking responsibility for your civic duty is incredibly empowering for students. It's something tangible that they can do now. They can do better on their test next week. They can study a half an hour longer each night this week. They can map out their educational goals tonight. By these little steps, they are serving their nation while their nation is serving them. It's a call to duty reminiscent of President Kennedy's "Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country." President Obama is guiding students down the path of what they can do for their country. This is definitely a message every child is entitled to hear. Democrat or Republican.
An excerpt from the speech...
For full text of President Obama's speech... Click Here.
For the news story... Click here.
There are quite a few fundamental issues with this. First, while I do agree that releasing a lesson plan asking the students to write about how they're going to "help the President" does sound a little...agenda-driven, with the release of the text, teachers, parents and school officials clearly would have realized that by "help the President" the administration meant to take control of their education, thus serving their nation - a point President Obama made repeatedly throughout his speech. It's all in the wording. The administration essentially didn't ask anything different the second time around, but somehow it made a difference.
Second, this is incredibly insulting to the OFFICE of the President of the United States. I do not believe the President should be able to say whatever he damn-well pleases to the impressionable youth of America or even to the citizens of the U.S. in general. We live in a country constantly wary of authority and power abuse. However, when the President of the United States wants to encourage your child to do better in school and take control of their future regardless of their circumstances, I have a really hard time understanding that.
On that note, let's talk about censoring the President. Where were all these angry people when President G. W. Bush gave any speech? For eight long years, my poor impressional brain was subjected to his incoherent ramblings about every topic on the planet. His speeches most definitely should have been screened and edited before aired... all for the sake of the public good. In President Obama's case, at the very least, your "impressional" second grader would be exposed to an excellent public speaker addressing issues directly relevant to their life at this moment. Your second grader would be instantly engaged in their country.
Third, the growing bi-partisan canyon in the is country is destroying the institutions we have prided ourselves on for 250 years. Such a blatant sign of disrespect to the President sends the wrong message to kids, teenagers and young adults all across America. I sure hope that my future, hypothetical children will still have dreams of becoming President even after all the respect has withered away and their power resembles that of the Queen of England - a symbolic figurehead.
The speech itself was one of the most inspiring speeches I've ever heard. Obviously its basis on a topic I am very passionate about lends to its positive attributes, but also President Obama successfully related to students on a personal level. His overall message that by taking responsibility for your education, you are also taking responsibility for your civic duty is incredibly empowering for students. It's something tangible that they can do now. They can do better on their test next week. They can study a half an hour longer each night this week. They can map out their educational goals tonight. By these little steps, they are serving their nation while their nation is serving them. It's a call to duty reminiscent of President Kennedy's "Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country." President Obama is guiding students down the path of what they can do for their country. This is definitely a message every child is entitled to hear. Democrat or Republican.
An excerpt from the speech...
For full text of President Obama's speech... Click Here.
For the news story... Click here.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Life in Solitude
I've been avoiding my blog. Primarily because I feel guilty for not completely my European adventures synopses. I've decided everyone can just get over it. If you want to know stories, just ask me.
I now reside in my very own one bedroom apartment. Just me and the cat... *ahem*
It took me about a week and a half to shake the feeling of waiting for someone to get home. Whether or not it was conscious, I was always waiting to hear Andria get home before I actually settled in for the night. Now, I wait for no one. Now, I lock up the apartment as tight as possible and wiggle into bed with a bit of an uneasy tremble in my tummy. All in time.
Despite my camping chair living room furniture, things are coming together well. Thanks to the generous help of my family, I have a fully functional kitchen. I don't have anything on cinder blocks... so that's a plus. I'm almost fully unpacked... another plus.
Let's be honest and straight forward here. My whole "Yay! My Own First Place!!!" feeling was really overshadowed by the fact that my bank information was compromised. Somehow or another, some skeezy low-life made duplicates of my two Wells Fargo debit cards and one credit and ran about the Valley on a shopping spree. The crazy things is all of my cards were still in and have never been out of my possession. Shady. Thankfully, Wells Fargo Fraud Protection is amazing and caught it right away. While the dirtbag was able to charge about $500 to my accounts, I was able to get provisional credits so essentially I have my money back. However, that's pending a decision from investigations from the bank and police departments finding that I did not actually make those charges. That can take up to 90 days. Ugh.
My life is still a circus.
You could say my faith in institutions has been reaffirmed over the past weeks. My bank did the job they are hired to do - protect my money... and even more so, defend my integrity as an economic player. The police departments have handled my case with diligence and are keeping me posted on all information regarding my case. The utilities companies, credit card companies and loan companies have worked with me to give me reasonable extensions on my bills, even reducing the due amount temporarily until I get back on my feet. Amazing. Where there is dark... there is also light.
This event also reaffirmed my faith in the existence of some otherworldly, cosmic force. The context for this occurrence: it happened on a Thursday morning... I was moving into my new place on Friday morning... and starting back at school the following Monday. However...
The Monday before this happened, I bought all of my books for schools because I had an overwhelming desire to get it off my To-Do list.
The day before it happened, Wednesday, I went to Wells Fargo to pull out my money order to pay the apartment complex.
The day it happened, Thursday, my parents got into town. It's awfully nice to have a police officer mom to go file police reports with you. Even more important, it was extraordinary to have them here to hug me and make everything seem maintainable.
Clearly, something was working my favor. Maybe it was God handing me a little to learn from. Maybe it was Karma... getting me back for doing something that wasn't quiiiiite so bad that I deserved a full punishment. Or maybe it was just chance. Whatever it was, I'm glad it was in my favor. (Thus far, my claims haven't closed yet.)
So back to life... school is school. Political Science is really interesting... just a lot of reading. Work is going REALLY well. At the office, I'm still loving every moment of it. It's super easy when you thoroughly enjoy the people you work with. From the people in my office that I see every day to my manager in CA. Everyone is just sooo easy to work with and so pleasant and, even more important, really respectful. Gammage hasn't been in action much lately. We don't have a show until late September. However, a week from Tuesday I will be getting my certification in CPR and AED, which is pretty cool. I'll definitely feel much more comfortable working with the large crowds we attract and in emergency situations.
Now I'm heading into Labor Day weekend. Tonight, I'm speaking at a fraternity rush event for AKPsi (yay being an alumnus). Then, FINALLY, I get some quality time with the boyfriend. More adventures to be told.
I now reside in my very own one bedroom apartment. Just me and the cat... *ahem*
It took me about a week and a half to shake the feeling of waiting for someone to get home. Whether or not it was conscious, I was always waiting to hear Andria get home before I actually settled in for the night. Now, I wait for no one. Now, I lock up the apartment as tight as possible and wiggle into bed with a bit of an uneasy tremble in my tummy. All in time.
Despite my camping chair living room furniture, things are coming together well. Thanks to the generous help of my family, I have a fully functional kitchen. I don't have anything on cinder blocks... so that's a plus. I'm almost fully unpacked... another plus.
Let's be honest and straight forward here. My whole "Yay! My Own First Place!!!" feeling was really overshadowed by the fact that my bank information was compromised. Somehow or another, some skeezy low-life made duplicates of my two Wells Fargo debit cards and one credit and ran about the Valley on a shopping spree. The crazy things is all of my cards were still in and have never been out of my possession. Shady. Thankfully, Wells Fargo Fraud Protection is amazing and caught it right away. While the dirtbag was able to charge about $500 to my accounts, I was able to get provisional credits so essentially I have my money back. However, that's pending a decision from investigations from the bank and police departments finding that I did not actually make those charges. That can take up to 90 days. Ugh.
My life is still a circus.
You could say my faith in institutions has been reaffirmed over the past weeks. My bank did the job they are hired to do - protect my money... and even more so, defend my integrity as an economic player. The police departments have handled my case with diligence and are keeping me posted on all information regarding my case. The utilities companies, credit card companies and loan companies have worked with me to give me reasonable extensions on my bills, even reducing the due amount temporarily until I get back on my feet. Amazing. Where there is dark... there is also light.
This event also reaffirmed my faith in the existence of some otherworldly, cosmic force. The context for this occurrence: it happened on a Thursday morning... I was moving into my new place on Friday morning... and starting back at school the following Monday. However...
The Monday before this happened, I bought all of my books for schools because I had an overwhelming desire to get it off my To-Do list.
The day before it happened, Wednesday, I went to Wells Fargo to pull out my money order to pay the apartment complex.
The day it happened, Thursday, my parents got into town. It's awfully nice to have a police officer mom to go file police reports with you. Even more important, it was extraordinary to have them here to hug me and make everything seem maintainable.
Clearly, something was working my favor. Maybe it was God handing me a little to learn from. Maybe it was Karma... getting me back for doing something that wasn't quiiiiite so bad that I deserved a full punishment. Or maybe it was just chance. Whatever it was, I'm glad it was in my favor. (Thus far, my claims haven't closed yet.)
So back to life... school is school. Political Science is really interesting... just a lot of reading. Work is going REALLY well. At the office, I'm still loving every moment of it. It's super easy when you thoroughly enjoy the people you work with. From the people in my office that I see every day to my manager in CA. Everyone is just sooo easy to work with and so pleasant and, even more important, really respectful. Gammage hasn't been in action much lately. We don't have a show until late September. However, a week from Tuesday I will be getting my certification in CPR and AED, which is pretty cool. I'll definitely feel much more comfortable working with the large crowds we attract and in emergency situations.
Now I'm heading into Labor Day weekend. Tonight, I'm speaking at a fraternity rush event for AKPsi (yay being an alumnus). Then, FINALLY, I get some quality time with the boyfriend. More adventures to be told.
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