brianshah.net

After a long and hard-fought campaign, Senator and now President-elect Barrack Obama is the 44th President of the United States of America. This was not a race about race, class, or stardom. The people voted for positive change, honesty, integrity, and loyalty; the nation chose the change it needed. The majority looked beyond the façades of the war hero, the hockey mom, and the mascot plumber. Not all people are easily swayed by the rhetoric, lies, and deception that the Republicans tried to push. Today, we look forward to being Americans again.

Congratulations to President-elect Barrack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden for winning the White House. The United States looks forward to positive and needed change and prosperity, and I have no doubt that this will be your legacy. This blog post is dedicated to the United States, and especially to you, Barrack Obama, Joe Biden, your families, and your friends.

One of my guilty pleasures is watching Meet the Press on NBC. I enjoyed watching Tim Russert help viewers understand the world of American politics and get at the heart of what some of the experts, politicians, and other guests were really telling us. His death yesterday is a serious loss in the world of the political press. He was a true gentleman. He was a fine political analyst and a fantastic moderator. He was a genuine person. The world has lost a great man.

I dedicate this post to Tim Russert’s family, friends, coworkers, and fans. May his legacy live on.

According to the Appleton Post-Crescent, presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and John McCain are suggesting suspending the federal gas tax to help drive fuel costs down so that Americans can continue to afford to drive.

Today’s prices are $3.69 per gallon in my city. With an 18.4-cent per gallon suspension, I’d still be spending over $3.50 per gallon. So instead of paying what was a record-high $3.25 last year, I’m still spending more after a suspension. Let’s do the math.

(more…)

I was reading through the Wheeler Report when I came across an interesting collection of letters to the Wausau Daily Herald. There are a multitude of issues that affect everyone in the state. But I zeroed in on the NFL Network and the “video choice” bill.

Even though Wausau is in a less-populated area of the state, I agree at what these citizens wrote. I especially like Mr. Duffy’s comment: “the royal screwing the NFL is giving its loyal fan base hardly calls for government intervention - although a fan boycott of the NFL Network would do wonders.” That should be the first step of those of us who love football. If the NFL was really here for the fans, it would not have become so greedy as to create a cable network and limit access to the real fans.

(more…)

I’m typically not one to think about such frivolous matters such as naming a new school. But living nearby, I had to pipe in on this conversation.

A few months ago, the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) was prepared to name a new school after Hmong Freedom Fighter General Vang Pao. However, Pao was recently indicted in a failed coup attempt, and MMSD requested new names. I agree that the board should not name the school after such a controversial issue. After collecting suggested names, the board is now requesting comments.

(more…)

I came across this Government Technology “Point of View” editorial today regarding the cost of the war in Iraq to civilians here at home. Many communities depend on federal funding to provide salaries for law enforcement officers and personnel, but the funding is being diverted to the war in Iraq.

The editorial references the Government Technology article, “Vanishing Act.” It’s an article about how funding is diverted from community policing to the war efforts and homeland security. As a result, crime is up (although, admittedly, there are other factors), and police departments are forced to revert to reactionary methods of policing versus the proactive benefits of community policing. Additionally, many police officers are also military soldiers and are now serving in the war.

(more…)

There’s a group of people that hold a World Naked Bike Ride to protest car and oil use. The ride coordination started in 2004.

Although the sentiment is a good cause (I would like to use alternative methods of transportation, including my bike), I don’t think the means are effective. So here are my problems with the ride:

(more…)