Go Out and Shop May 1st

By now, you are aware of the "day without immigrants" scheduled for May 1st.  This event is being organized by the ultra-left and supporters of illegal immigration.  Their intent to somehow negatively impact the American economy by not working or buying anything on Monday may have some visual impact, but it will matter little to our nation's bottom line, especially if real Americans ( i.e., citizens) pick up the slack.

 

I strongly encourage citizens and those who wish to side with real Americans to show teach these quasi-communists a lesson and go out and spend on Monday.  We will probably do our grocery shopping then, maybe even go out to eat.  If there is an impact, then perhaps I will actually be able to find a place to park and get through grocery shopping without having to wait 20 minutes in line or listed to a bunch of squealing kids.

 

In all honesty, this is really just a way for Mexicans to enjoy a second three-day weekend in a row, with Cinqo de Mayo occurring on Friday.

The Sad Side to this Story

An owner of a professional football team in Montgomery, Alabama, fired her entire squad of players over a pay dispute.  Namely, the players were not being paid.

 

The most telling quote of the story, in my opinion, belongs to the owner when asked how she will field a replacement team.

 

"There are 100 ball players to replace anyone that doesn't want to play football," LaMunyon said. "And these guys don't want to."

 

She is absolutely right.  It used to be (and probably still is for some) professional baseball that captivated its competitors to the point of doing everything in their power to continue their careers, no matter where it took them.  Now it is football.  With the explosion of indoor football (there are many leagues and teams are scattered across America, especially the southeast), the sport has its own unlimited minor league where those still inkling for a shot can state their case on the field.

 

There is a romantic quality to it, but it is also very sad.  For every minor leaguer who makes it to the big time, in any sport, hundreds, perhaps thousands, will never see the light of day.  Unlike baseball, where risk of injury is far less, football is still dangerous no matter the level of competition.  One could argue that in the minor leagues, with lesser skilled players perhaps more bent on making statements and not thinking about how to properly "hit" someone, the chance for serious injury is greater.  Taking into account the limited medical facilities afforded by the cash-strapped teams (most of them lose money), injuries can fester into serious illness and even death.  In recent years, we have heard many horror stories of players hoping for one more day in the spotlight, only for it to be their last on an unknown field in a no name town.

 

At some point, this explosion of minor league football, and its ramifications, will be noted by the sportswriting community and others.  Until then, the boys will keep playing, and we can only pray for their safety.

Muggles and Books

A group of Gwinnett County, Georgia, parents spoke out at a hearing in support of banning Harry Potter books from a school library.  To aide their defense, a student exposed to the books at a young age described how they led her to witchcraft, the primary complaint of the parents, which in turn led to depression and thoughts of suicide.  As a result, the now-reformed girl believes as well that the books should be removed.

 

I do believe that the testimony of the child is true.  Some are very impressionable when exposed to stimuli and can be drawn into just about anything.  It is their parents' responsibility to ensure that exposure is controlled and that corresponding impact is mitigated.  I also agree that there are some written materials that are inappropriate for children and should not be found in grade school libraries (depictions of sex, for example).  However, while Harry Potter is not a favorite of mine, I do not see anything wrong with its availability in school libraries at any level.  The material is written for all ages and, while dark, expresses a fantasy world that is purposely detached from reality.  In other words, it is hard to confuse fantasy and reality in this case, which makes it less likely to be impressionable on children.

 

The article mentioned that an overflow crowd attended the hearing, which tends to be the norm when it comes to parent interaction with school affairs, focusing on the details instead of the big picture.

Free Wireless for College Kids

It appears that start-up Xero Wireless plans to establish a "free" wireless phone service, complete with free phones and minutes, to college students this fall.  In exchange for the minutes, the consumers will have to watch approximately 4 ads on their phone a day, possibly tailored to their interest.

 

Skeptics naturally believe that the advertising requirement will doom the service, believing few have any interest in being forced to sit through a commercial.  Others think that with the young adult focus, Xero is focusing on a demographic more willing to put up with the matter in order to acquire free minutes.  Personally, I do believe this will appeal to students, especially their parents, who would not mind shifting their kids to a service that reduces their cost.

 

That is, until you realize that prepaid for the average user is still not as good of a deal as a regular plan.  It can force better rationing of time, but if kept unchecked, it is like most no-credit services, charging a premium for the lack of commitment ( i.e. contract).  This could, however, benefit the elderly, who really need cell phones only for emergencies and would not mind the interraction of the commercials.

 

Then there is the advertising itself.  While there will be many companies who may sign up, it is still untested as to whether or not the ads will generate sales.  I could probably open the phone, turn on the commercial, then leave it running and walk away.  Their long term health will be whether or not students, who have been made a consumer force due to easier access to credit than in the past and penchant for low-cost consumables, will purchase what they see.

 

Free internet was a novel idea, but it failed.  I don't know if free wireless will, but chances of success are cloudy at this point.

 

Yes, this post was convoluted, but I didn't feel like writing about anything else.

Urban Push Not New at Wal-Mart, Just the Support for It

Wal-Mart recently announced a plan to open stores in depressed urban areas, which will also include some programs for local economic development. The move is being touted by the media as an effort for the retailer to improve its image.  However, I really do not see anything new with the strategy except that they are organizing it on a national level.  Over the past several years, Wal-Mart has attempted to open Supercenters in several urban areas, including Atlanta, Washington, and Chicago.  Instead of support for the jobs, tax revenue, and economic boom these stores would provide, not to mention access to cheaper goods by populations who need them, they have been met with criticism and significant opposition.  Perhaps the unified strategy will soften the response, but I doubt it.  Despite their efforts to improve the quality of life for others through stores in areas that need them, some are just bent on decrying the retailer every chance they get.  This is unfortunate, just as much as those who suffer the most when Wal-Mart is not allowed to expand. 

Golfing as a Business Class

Many universities across the country, notably in this case both David Lipscomb and Vanderbilt Universities in Nashville, are offering a specialized course for their students that helps them learn how to play golf and conduct business while on the golf course.  The faculty, which includes golf instructors, and the students do take the course seriously, which is commendable.  My issue is whether or not this is a good utilization of class time and incorporation into the coursework that comprises a student's degree (the students quoted in the article are primarily graduate or law students).

 

I will be the first to admit that college does not provide a strong background in skill application, in other words, using the skills you develop in part through the knowledge you acquire with your education.  However, colleges and universities are making significant strides to focus more on skills development in their programs, since that is what employers want to see in the graduates they hire.  Business, law, and other professional-oriented majors are more in tune with demand response, given that their reputation depends on graduate hirings more so than other majors.

 

Still, the issue remains, is this taking the focus on skill development over knowledge acquisition a little too far?  Isn't it really up to the students to develop these types of communication and facilitation skills on their own through the open campus of learning by doing?  Classical educators may scoff at such programs, and while they are used as electives, they probably take the place of theory or knowledge course that is likely just as or more essential to the foundation of the student's education.

 

If done properly, this course does not have to be an example of the "watering-down" of collegiate curriculum.  There are plenty of "traditional" courses that already receive that designation.  I'm just not for sure if it is a good idea in the long run for colleges to go this far in skills application.  There is definitely a place for it, such as capstones or group project courses often required today of seniors.  Schools must remember, though, that they cannot prepare their students for every situation they will face in life.  It is likely better to provide them with a general understanding rather than overspecialize on specific situations.  Not all business takes place on the golf course.