Day: February 7, 2012

Android invades the Military

frog3Leave a comment

Android vs Ios. It is a common argument fought on backroom internet forums. It seems however that android has won this battle. The US Military will adopt the Android operating system this year, putting it inside their tactical devices. The military has already shipped about 40 phones overseas, it is planned that 75 tablets and 50 phones will be sent to the army this march.

These devices will be used to modernize the army and increase the individual soldiers capabilities. It will also be useful for intelligence officers stationed overseas. Soldiers and intelligence officers often need to make secure calls to Washington. These calls require encrypted software, software that android has the potential to run. This software will allow calls to be transmitted securely with little threat of people dropping in.

The app that will be released with these devices is called Mission Commands. It will allows soldiers to share information seamlessly on the battlefield. A major advantage of these devices are that they are easy to use and require no specialized training. These device will be released this July.

Are We Still a Democracy?

therightliberalLeave a comment

I often hear people saying “we live in an oligarchy” or “we live in a plutocracy” (or both). We title ourselves a democratic republic, but is that still the case today?

First, a few definitions (from Google) for those younger/ignorant readers:

1. Democracy: A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives

2. Plutocracy: Government by the wealthy

3. Oligarchy: A small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution

4. Republic: A state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch

5. Totalitarian (from Wikipedia because I liked their definition better): Government regulates nearly every aspect of public and private life

6. Meritocracy: Government or the holding of power by people selected on the basis of their ability

So, now that’s out of the way we can start to look at this. Immediately we can say that we do not live in a meritocracy given that the GOP controls the House.

It would be very hard to say that we are not living in a plutocracy given that most of the politicians in Washington are extremely wealthy and the fact that it is damn near impossible to be elected into a high position without wealth from the private sector.

The debate could rage on about whether or not we live in an oligarchy or not but I would argue that if we are in a plutocracy (which we are) then it must also be an oligarchy because the elected officials are only from the top 2% or so, which is a (relatively) small group of people.

It is quite clear (just by the definition) that we do not live in democracy solely based on the definition. That being said, we do live in a representative democracy in which we vote for people that vote for us. It is not a democracy in the original sense, but it is a modification of it.

Added to that is the part of us being a republic. I think that without a doubt we are a republic if you look at the definition, there just isn’t really any arguing with that.

And then we get to my favorite, the totalitarianism. Based on that definition it would be hard to argue one way or another. Yes, the government does control much of our lives. But, we do still have freedoms that we use daily. In my mind we have not gotten to the point of being totalitarian and I feel that the American spirit will keep that away.

So what are we then? I would say we are a Demoplutoligaric Republic, but that’s just me.

We live in a society that is becoming more and more elite. Although the tone of this may sound pessimistic I am not. My feeling is that we must commit to what we want to be, we must make progress in some direction.

If we want the wealthy to rule the country, lets be honest about it and just commit to it. If we stop being closet elitists then we can decide to make progress. That being said, we must be careful what we choose.

We live in a key time where the power could switch very quickly into hands that may not use it in the way we want. We as a country must come together and decide where we need to go and how we will get there.

Worst Person 16-Floyd Mayweather

backinphilly1 Comment

Floyd “Money” Mayweather makes his first appearance on my list of just plain bad sports people. It’s not like he did anything wrong, though. This one is just me complaining.

Floyd has one more fight scheduled before he gets shipped to prison. The fight will take place at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on May 5th. After much speculation about a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight FINALLY HAPPENING…Mayweather once again screws the population out of the Super Fight. I was planning a party to watch the fight on Cinco de Mayo. I was ready. I was going out of my mind excited for this fight. AND THEN MAYWEATHER GOES AND SCREWS US AGAIN!!!!

No matter.

When Floyd gets out of prison, the discussions will once again begin between himself and Manny.

It’s gotta happen at some point. They can’t dodge this forever.

Mudslinging 101

therightliberalLeave a comment

Oh the GOP, how they make politics interesting.

I was recently watching Rick Santorum’s concession speech from Florida (although it was given in Las Vegas) and I was shocked to see that he was not saying anything negative. In fact it was quite the opposite, with him complimenting Mitt Romney.

But his obsequiousness is only because he knows he can’t win so he is shooting for Vice President. Hey, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.

Butt then I saw Gingrich’s speech. All I can say is wow. What an evil and stupid man.

The basis for his speech was basically saying that he could still manage to win “Evil Dictator of Whatever Country I’m Currently In”.

He said that in his first day he would overturn both “Obamacare” and the choice to delay the Keystone pipeline. He said his goal was to get the Democrats out and save America.

Well so much for bipartisanship.

Gingrich is a crazy man and to be honest he scares me. His goals are for full control by the Republicans of the government so he can get rid of every program and tax ever devised. That sure will help.

Romney and Gingrich have gone back and forth for quite a while now, slinging much mud at each other.

It doesn’t seem to have gotten them very far.

All this negativity helps no one. It may seem hypocritical coming from someone who is writing about how idiotic and unhelpful these people are, but when the stakes are as high as they are  now, some foresight would help.

Instead of proving how incapable your opponents are, why now show how capable you are?

And there is the answer: none of them are capable.

College

thehungryrunnergirlLeave a comment

I want to go to college right now. Like, right now.

So, I went on a college visit today. The college I went to is one of my top choices right now. It’s a Christian college, and campus is relatively small but people are very friendly and nice. I had a meeting with the track coach there, and met some of the runners. They are so friendly that they called me over and let me join the prayer before practice. There are some Olympians and nationally recognized runners there. I can totally imagine myself practicing with them and with the coach on their track. I can’t wait to run a bunch of meets and practice all year with my teammates and wear the same Nike team shirts and jackets.

I really can’t wait for college. I could go out during weekends whenever I want! I want to meet more people!

5 more months to go…

I just want to graduate.

Netflix, Tetris Battle, and Online Shopping

rangerthecatLeave a comment

These 3 things will be the death of me.

I am suffering from lack of sleep every day, or at least it seems that way.

I know I only have myself to blame, but seriously, there are WAY too many distractions around these days, especially on the internet.

I recently got a Netflix account, and there are so many good movies and shows that I have wanted to watch, but never have time. So, when is it that I can find time? When I should really be sleeping, of course. And TV shows always have such suspenseful endings, I can hardly quit once I have started.

Tetris battle has been making me crazy. Each game is only 2 minutes, so I always thing to myself, “What’s the harm in one more game? It’s only 2 minutes.” But that keeps escalating, and I play way more than I should. It is the most addicting game in history. Can’t live with it, can’t live without it.

Online shopping is extremely luring because there is no way for me to go out and shop, so online is the only way I can get my fix. I have some extra money at the moment, and I guess I’m just dying to spend it. Shoes are my main obsession… There is no way I could go a day without at least shoe shopping for 10 minutes.

I really need to figure out how to help myself break the curse these things have put me under; there is no way around procrastination. I need a day where I can just sleep for hours and watch Netflix, play tetris battle, and online shop for as long as I want to get it all out of my system.

Let’s talk Super Bowl!

backinphillyLeave a comment

I’m usually very excited for the Super Bowl. I love sitting down to watch the NFL’s best go head-to-head and duke it out for one last game for the Lombardi Trophy. Snacks on the table, soda and other drinks in plastic cups and tons of guacamole and other dips set the menu for the game of the year.

In my family, you never go hungry. Whether it be a giant Super Bowl Sunday feast, or a light mid-morning snack, you get filled up. It’s an Olivo tradition to just eat, and love to eat. Of course, it’s done in a sense of moderation. But, it’s the weekend of the Super Bowl. Screw moderation. Let’s talk football and food.

Let’s start with the game.

The Giants and Patriots are about to square off in a rematch of Super Bowl 42. As I’m sure many people remember, the Patriots were riding an 18-0 record into the game, where a win would secure a perfect 19-0 record. The Giants however were able to stop the Patriots and won the game due to the miracle David Tyree catch.

I gotta be honest. I don’t care about this Super Bowl. My family is coming up and a lot has happened in the past week. I had a personal issue that changed a lot of my Super Bowl plans, and the game simply has no appeal to me. I will root for the Patriots because I can’t stand the New york giants. When are the Eagles going to win a Super Bowl? it’s starting to get ridiculous.

Now to the food.

Nachos, burgers, hot dogs, ribs, Lay’s, onion dip, the list goes on. At the end of the day I better be stuffed.

Not much else to really say though. I’m pissed off at the game. I don’t wanna watch it. But, as an NFL crazyperson, I just simply can’t stay away. Enjoy the game. I know I won’t.

Sea Names/Blog Name

kirbyfullyloadedLeave a comment

One of the first things you get at CIMI is a sea/sail name.

Usually bestowed by the Yachties, it is based off your appearance, personality, skills, or has no connection to you whatsoever.

TBYC (the Beach Yacht Club) is made of wood and the interior/exterior is covered in sharpie, paint and glitter, bearing the sea names of all the CIMIans past.

That's our mascot, Commodore Peanut. See the writing on the outside?

I think most people write their name (at least) twice. Also, a sea name might be modified or changed, constituting a re-inscription.

I got my name on the second day of Sea Camp, 2009.

I don’t play video games, and I’m not really familiar with the characters, not even the classic ones.

However, there is one name I know.

Kirby. The little pink blob.

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