Do You Know What Your Kids Are Playing?

Today's parents are increasingly working harder and are spending less and less time with their children. It is easier to sit children down in front of a video game than to interact with them after a long day at work. Xbox and Playstation have now become hyper realistic in their graphics and images, especially when it comes to violence. Severed limbs, brutal beatings with inanimate objects, and executions are common place in today's video game environment. Games like "Grand Theft Auto" depict such violence. For example, there is a scenario where one can pick up a prostitute, "conduct business", and then run her over with a car to get your money back. It may seem benign or even humorous to an adult observer, but it is that indifference to life can have a major impact to a child who's moral values have not yet been set and who cannot fully comprehend fantasy from reality.

Recent studies in the Psychological Bulletin state that children that are exposed to violent video games show less remorse and virtually no empathy. They also show an increase in aggressive behavior. (Anderson, Shibuya, Ihori, Swing, & Bushman, 2010) The study went on to say that not only children, but young adults who play violent video games will be more prone to resolve a conflict in a violent manner after playing violent video games. In fact, video games have a greater impact than both violent movies or television. What's worse is the online community. I have personally played video games online and have been subjected to abusive language that I wouldn't even be comfortable repeating in front of my best of friends during casual conversation.

What this tells me is that it is imperative that we, as adults, need to monitor what our children are playing. The government has put a rating system in place, much like a movie rating. Parents should take these ratings seriously and limit violent exposure from video games if they want to help their children grow into a balanced adult.

Anderson, C. A., Shibuya, A., Ihori, N., Swing, E. L, & Bushman, B. J. (2010). Violent video game effects on aggression, empathy, and prosocial behavior in eastern and western countries: a meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 136(2), Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WY5-4YJRMGV-1&_user=10&_coverDate=03%2F31%2F2010&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_origin=browse&_zone=rslt_list_item&_srch=doc-info(%23toc%237177%232010%23998639997%231783411%23FLP%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=7177&_sort=d&_docanchor=&_ct=12&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=ce3e5def3142796fcf87efbd27d97a5c&searchtype=a

teacher cutts are for idiots

On June 9th 2010, Montgomery County stated a budget that would cut 250 teachers from there school system... Explaining that it wasn't the budget they wanted, but the budget that they could afford... What they failed to explain, is that the County is laying off the experienced teachers
( teachers that have been in the school system for 1o-2o years) because they cost to much to keep in there budget. This is what this budget is basically saying:

-250 teachers gone
-1 student added to every classroom because of the increase in population at schools
-Newer teachers are ridiculed because there students aren't passing state tests
- The county Wants Better teachers, but are eliminating good ones cause they can't afford them.

Please explain how this is helping the public school system.. Its amazing to see how hypocritical congress and politics are when it comes to education. Yes they say it needs to be better, but aren't willing to do what is necessary to improve education.

If you really want to improve education, now listen up... Put more money into it! If you can't find it, try cutting military funding and pulling out of the two wars America can't afford. Or perhaps improve teacher salaries and promote being a teacher, instead of scaring them half to death with standardized testing, and stating that teaching is for people that can't due.

Americans won't due any of the above to help education, but will continue to complain, and say that education is going down to the tube. But its fun to watch these people examine education and think that standardized testing is the way to improve education....

Campaign Caps

There is a big controversy going on Capitol Hill on whether or not a limit of fund raising should be initiated for campaigning. It has come to the point where whoever raises the most money will win the election. IS this true? I don’t believe it’s entirely true but it may inhibit the candidate to “get out there” so to speak. Obama Raised 468 million and McCain only raised 224 million (Times, 2010) in which Obama slaughtered McCain in votes. Could the amount of money Obama spent be a key factor in McCain’s struggle? Or the incompetent Sarah Palin as a running mate? Questions of this magnitude establish that it’s not entirely true that whoever wins is the one who raises the most money. Does a president win for what he stands for or money? Did Obama win because of money or the popularity amongst the lower/middle class and was this due to political campaigning. The answer is “kind of” in which his slogans were everywhere and cost money that attracted his audience, and well McCain didn’t really have to campaign since Sarah Palin is an idiot, and most of her key remarks would be channeled on an news broadcasting channel anyway causing publicity and popularity. Although presidential campaigns are a lot different in which receive fund-raising and receive nationwide supporters, but local official candidate Meg Whitman is a different story. Meg Whitman Spent 119 million of her own money for her campaign, (which is the most money ever spent on a campaign in which was her own money.) (RICHMAN, Meg Whitman spends $119 million on own campaign; most ever in U.S. race, 2010) Is this wrong to use your own money as leverage to tackle your opponent? Having supporters and fund-raising for your campaign is different from using your own money for governor positions and state elections. Due to the locality of elections candidates aren’t going to have the supporters as a “candidate for Presidency” and seems unfair to other runner up candidates. With recent candidates trying to buy out an election such as Bloomberg in which bought his election, (net worth of campaigning of 109 million of his own money), and Meg Whitman spending 119 million, there should be a level cap on campaigning.

Smoking Hookah!!

Have you ever smoked Hookah? If no, than good. but if yes.. then read this article.

Hookah was invented in the Middle Eastern Countries many years ago. For the past centuries people have been smoking Hookah without knowing how harmful it can be. even though the water is suppose to filter the smoke, however it does not do the job. did you know that smoking Hookah once is equivalent to smoking one pack of cigarettes. and one more thing... did u know that Hookah is actually more harmful to your teen an lungs than cigarettes. well if you did and you are still smoking it, then you must be out of your mind. but if you didn't know, then stop smoking.

teenagers today are smoking too much Hookah, with the new Hookah bars that opened in Maryland, the teenager are now smoking more then usual. even though smoking Hookah feels good, and the smoke is flavored and thick.. but it still has more harm than any other type of smoke. in many states the laws require the person smoking to be over the age of 18, however since these devices are now sold everywhere, any one could gain access to smoke Hookah when ever they want.

smoking Hookah increases the risk of lung infections, also it increases the risk of mouth cancer, lung cancer, and many more diseases. So is it really worth the risk? of course not. just because you like smoke coming out of your mouth does not mean that you should not be aware of the risks and the consequences of smoking too much.

so if you are Smoking... STOP... and if you are wondering what it feels like to smoke, then try it once... But DONT GET ADDICTED!!!

The New Cell Phone Law is a Blessing to Marylanders

On Friday, October 1, 2010 the new cell phone law goes into action. The new law will prohibit all Maryland drivers from using a cell phone without a Hands Free Device while operating a motor vehicle. In addition the new law would prohibit "a holder of a learner’s instructional permit or provisional driver’s license who is 18 years of age or older from driving a motor vehicle while using a handheld telephone".  The fine for a first offense would be $40 and subsequent offenses would be $100. (Maryland Senate Bill 321)

     With this new law hundreds of Maryland residents will be saved from auto accidents and slow drivers.   All to often I find myself behind a driver in the lane going 10 miles under the speed limit, only to pass them and see they are on the cell phone.  It has been said that texting and talking on the cell phone impair your driving as bad as a drunk driver.  To often I have had close calls with people merging into my lane and not being aware because they are chatting on the phone.  The new law will allow for those  busy people who can't put the phone down to use hand's free devices. 

     This is a comprise, because some States do not allow even hand's free devices.  I hope that in the near future the roads will be come safer for everyone and the accident rate will decrease because of the new law.  To often I have driven pass accidents involving families or children only to think, was this a drunk driver or cell phone user.   With the new cell phone law going to effect I hope enforcement is quick.  I myself have to go purchase a ear microphone this weekend and I encourage others to do the same.  Who knows you might save a life or at least save the fine of $40 bucks.

Motorcycle Safety

Recently while driving down the interstate, I drove by one of those billboards and it read "Motorcycle Safety: Share the Road". This simple statement started me thinking on what exactly was required of me as a vehicle driver to share the road and what exactly are the responsibilities of the rider.

As a vehicle driver the responsibilities seemed like common sense. The list is one that they drill into your head from the start of your driving career. All of my ideas need to be completed more often and with more caution with motorcycles present obviously but all are very simple and usually part of your normal driving routine. The list contained things like defensive driving, checking your blind spots, keeping safe distances from the vehicles around you and of course, watching out for motorcycles.

When it came to thinking about the responsibilities of the rider, I was stumped. One would think that they are probably the same as if your were on four wheels instead of two but after seeing an abundance of riders out on the roads lately, I'm starting to think that isn't the case. How are we supposed to safely share the road and prevent an accident when their driving is so sporadic? Over the past few months, I cannot tell you how many times I have seen riders barreling down the center lines or weaving in and out of traffic all while driving at ridiculously fast speeds. I have also seen some texting/talking while riding, tail gating and doing tricks on their bikes.

With all I have seen lately, I am having a hard time figuring out if the majority of motorcycle accidents are really due to an outside party or the negligence of the riders themselves. Maybe it's half and half but I really don't know. I do know that in order to keep riders safe we really need to make an effort on all parts to eliminate these potential hazards.

America is Ignoring the Traffic Jam Nightmare

America is Ignoring the Traffic Jam Nightmare

    The majority of America citizens deal with it every weekday in every major city in the country.  From 8am to 10am and 3pm to 6pm we deal with the frustration of moving from point A (usually work or home) to point B (again work or home) in the slow dragging, break light infested traffic jams. For the last 30 years we have added pavement on top of pavement in adding road expansion but the traffic never flows.  Americans both its citizens and policy makers continue to ignore that the majority of us are pulling our hair out everyday, but no one says anything.. Day after day we bite our lips and get to our location at 10mph, if you are lucky.  It is time for America to find a solution.  High speed rail, flex hours, telecommute are just a few of the solutions we pretend don't exist.  America is no longer a factory 9 to 5 driven society, the work is all technology and can be done from any computer.  Today, we spend the majority  of the work day in front of a computer screen, tapping on a keyboard.  These task with proper self management can be done from office satellite stations or from the comfort of our home.  With the increase of accidents, road rage incidents and pollution it is time America wake up and make some major changes.  What will it take for us to open our eyes and realize the problem?  Will it take what recently happened in China where the traffic jam was so bad cars didn't move for days. Before this happens I hope we start to find real solutions to our traffic jam problem and start to make smart decisions in moving cars through the concrete pipelines to our destination.