Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Who Wants to be a Fire Fighter?

Last week, I interviewed the Fire chief, Mr. Mario Molina. My mentor requested that I interview him because he plays a very important key role in local government. He is the head chair for all of the fire stations in Irving, TX. This man is a prime example of showing excellence in our community. He claims, “I've wanted to be a firefighter since I was six years old.” Growing up in Monterrey, Mexico, he described watching the firefighters from afar in admiration.
After growing up in Chicago, he moved back to Mexico for an Engineering Degree. Not satisfied, he came to Dallas to “give back to [his] community” and become a firefighter.
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Now, my purpose of this interview was not only to boast about Irving's exceptional fire department. I am here to help my community get involved. I would like to give a special shout out to Daniel at MacArthur High School. I hope you will use these resources to your advantage.


Involvements
Toys for Tots: Every year, Irving ISD looks through the financial records of their students to see who is financially needy. All of the fire stations in Irving are acting as toy drives. Just bring toys by at any time, and these will be dispersed among the families that are in need of a wonderful Christmas.

Fill the Boot”: You may have seen firefighters alongside highways and major streets holding a boot. Well, I assure you that these men are legit. All of the proceeds will be donated to charities sponsoring muscular dystrophy. This begins in the Spring. If you would like, you can pick up a boot, and bring it to your school or office to help them cover more ground.

KIDS WANTING TO BECOME FIREFIGHTERS: Contact Irving ISD at the Ad Building or Irving High School. They are currently hosting an EMT program where kids partner with the Irving Fire Department. This counts as a college credit class and prepares you for working directly after high school.

Contact your local fire station for more details on all of these activities.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Did Obama Deserve the Nobel Peace Prize?

Well Liberals, looks like we've learned a lesson: Never elect a “celebrity” as President. Obama is not even a year into his Presidency and his approval rate has rapidly declined to %49. An October 1-5 Associated Press poll showed that %56 of Americans approved of Obama's job performance. A September 17-20 NBC/Wall Street Journal poll found that only half of all Americans backed his handling of foreign policy. But wait, Britain, Germany, France, and Spain love it. They approve over %57. To all of you Bush bashers, he was at an %81 approval thus far into his Presidency, leading former President Clinton at %76 percent, according to Fox News. These two former presidents had the love of their representing country.

This past Thursday, December 10, Obama was presented the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway. The Nobel Peace Prize winner is chosen by a five-member committee of lawmakers elected by the Norwegian parliament. Specially appointed advisers weigh in. More than a year before the prize is awarded, the Nobel committee seeks nominations from members of governments and international courts, heads of universities, academics and previous Nobel laureates. Self-nominations are not allowed. The nomination deadline is in February. The committee makes its final vote in October. The winner is determined by a simple majority vote.

While this may sound legit, Obama was not even nominated until less than two weeks before elections. He had not yet made it into Presidency. So, Nobel Peace Prize committee, you selected a nominee based off of his public speaking abilities and promises rather than accomplishments. “We felt that he finally gave hope to America,” stated a committee member. Well, personally I have never felt more hopeless. This prize is only feeding his global personality which does not help him politically. Can we focus on the approval of America before the rest of the world, please? Congratulations, Mr. Obama. Must be nice to just have things handed to you. Oh America, it's okay. He is giving his 1.4 million dollar prize money to charity. Of course this justifies everything.

While Mr. Obama seemed to promise us so much, lets take a look at what he has really accomplished.

He banned extreme interrogation techniques for terrorists. Well, I do believe that if we have prove a man to be a terrorist, why not interrogate? He also promised to close the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, a task with difficulties that have Obama headed to miss his own January 2010 deadline. He said he would end the Iraq war. All he did was lessen the amount of forces sent to Iraq. He has pushed for new efforts to make peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. I haven't seen this goal taken off at all yet. His administration is talking to U.S. foes, such as Iran, North Korea and Cuba. Once again, when was this supposed to happen?He pledged to take the lead against climate change. Although, the U.S. seems likely to head into December's crucial international negotiations in Copenhagen with Obama-backed legislation.

Thanks for reading. I'll keep you all posted on the United Nations Copenhagen meeting. I'd like to give the facts on Global Warming. Plus, I've got a few internship opportunities for those of you around the metroplex. Just keep checking in.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Time for a Refresher

Over the course of my Independent Studies' Career, I have lived, learned, and retained. I have interviewed local political officials in several states, talked to multiple government bound graduates, and attended many work sessions and City Council meetings. With all of this said, I have taken some time away from my blog to dissect what is poor and implement the necessities. Keep in mind that this blog is not only for your amusal, but it is my product that I want to see grow. I need this to reflect my passion and persistence for delivering what is important to those reading this and to my intended audience: my generation.

Brainstorming for several weeks, I have concluded that local government is affecting our every day lives, habits, and activities more so than the President ever could. Thus, my focus will be towards the ignorance of my generation. I want my peers to know that change is easily accessible if they reach out just a bit further. I have decided to shorten that reach by giving kids ways to get involved with local politics. This can entail hosting events, putting up signs, supporting a local campaign, or joining a district party. Yes, I will still cover stories of importance on national levels, but I do not want my blog to be intimidating. I'm delivering the message of, "If I can do it, so can you." I feel as though it is up to me to induce this change, and I have taken on this challenge.

Taeler De Haes