Screech's Life Observations

Chess with Conner (From Other Blog)

So I found out two nights ago that Conner has taught himself chess. I knew he'd been playing chess on the computer, but I didn't think he was learning. He proudly showed me how the rook, bishop, knight, queen, and pawn all move. So, last night I played a game of chess with him after work. His mom watched while he and I played and talked about the game.

So I found out two nights ago that Conner has taught himself chess. I knew he'd been playing chess on the computer, but I didn't think he was learning. He proudly showed me how the rook, bishop, knight, queen, and pawn all move. So, last night I played a game of chess with him after work. His mom watched while he and I played and talked about the game.

Suzie Orman

Suzie Orman is being criticized at www.msn.com for touting advice that she herself doesn't follow. I don't want to criticize her for that. I mean, her situation is very different than most people's. The thing I have always disagreed with is that she focuses too much on lowering expenses (which is  important), and presents that as an investment strategy (NOTE: I'm not saying that she thinks paying off debt and investing are the same things, but she presents them together and compares the interest one pays on debt to the return on an investment (ROI)). Although this is a useful analogy, there is a difference.

Is it Morally OK to Deny Healthcare to People Based on Their Ability to Pay?

This article states that in the next few years Americans will be spending $1 out of $5 on healthcare costs. To put that into perspective, take your gross pay, multiply it by 0.8, and then subtract your taxes and insurance costs as well as other withholdings. Do you like what is left over?

Electric Cars on The Horizon?

GM recently made an announcement that, if true, I think has the potential to save the company and help clean up our air. They are targeting 2010 as the release year for a car that can run on electricity for 40 miles, takes 6 hours to recharge, or if you engage the gasoline engine, could go 150mpg, because the gasoline engine would charge the batteries, not run the car itself.

Separation of Church and State Threatened in USA

This article, from www.msn.com, nicely demonstrates a concern I've had for some time. This is a concern that the Founding Fathers did their best to prevent, and it is happening in our time. Religion in the United States is starting to directly influence political thinking.

World Affairs

I was talking with a friend of mine who is from Nigeria. He was explaining why people in his country have been rebelling against the government. I am not taking sides, mind you, but am simply regurgitating what he said because it makes sense to me.

We Think We Are Too Special

That is the result of a study found. You can see the original article from www.msn.com using this link. I agree. My generation, and the one following us, tends to be selfish. I don't want to blame just the parents, though. I blame our media.

An Inconvenient Truth

    I watched the Al Gore DVD last night, and I must say I am extremely impressed with it. Some of the most memorable moments for me were the comparisons with what was predicted by computer models and how it compares with actual recorded events. In addition, data was shown from sources that weren't measuring for the sake of global warming. The USN, for example, has measurements of polar sea-ice thickness from before the 1970's, and have measured a noticeably reduced thickness of the icecaps, especially since the 1970's

Nature of Time

    I was letting my mind wander, and I started thinking about the nature of time itself. What is it? There are many threories, and I think that Wikipedia has the best overall definition. My thought is that time is indeed a "tangible" dimension of our universe. It is difficult for us to comprehend because it is really a mathematical construct. Just like Quantum Physics, atoms, and other scientific fields of study, time is difficult for human beings to understand, but easy for us to measure.

Just Getting By

With the minimum wage law being passed (at a state level where I live), I thought it appropriate to express a little of my economic views. I see an interesting and scary thing about how our economy works now that we've had almost 40 years of experience of not being on the Gold Standard. You'd think that this would have destabilized inflation. The truth of the matter is, it actually allows governments to keep inflation in check.