Even I Am "Going Green" in Irving

Hey kiddos. I've found some great opportunities for you to get involved at any age. All of the following events are supported through Irving's City Council and community members.





1. Be a "Blue Bag Buddy".
This is for the recycler in you. Anybody that is wanting to promote curb side recycling can sign up for this program. You will receive a "Blue Bag" promotion kit featuring pins, buttons, a tee shirt, flyers and other goodies to show off your passion. Sign up with a friend or an organization to make your experience more of an impact.
http://www.ci.irving.tx.us/solid-waste-services/blue-bag-buddy.html





2. Irving Master Composter Training Program
This program is for all ages. Sign up online. You will learn the basics of composts, how to make it, and the fundamentals of your backyard's dirt. You will even be digging though the landfill in Irving. This program is absolutly hands on for those of you that really want to make a difference. It costs $20 for training, but this will be refunded for those that make it through training. This team meets on Saturdays. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
http://www.ci.irving.tx.us/solid-waste-services/master-composter.html




I hope you all will take full advantage of these materials. All it takes is a few clicks with your mouse to create real change. Keep in mind, change can be hoped for. Untill change is seen, there will continue to be a lack of motivation. Make the difference.

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.



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.

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.

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

Explain to me the value of a college degree.

Hey guys! I'm over ten followers, and it has only been about a week and a half. Thanks so much for your support. Keep spreading the word. If there's a story that you want me to cover, or someone you'd like for me to interview, let me know.

I have a few things to cover today. Make sure you read them all. I've saved the best for last.

Talking with the "conservative voice" of District 105, Linda Harper Brown, I was bemused as to her involvement throughout the years. Analyzing her background, she grew up in Dallas, attended Kimball High School, and considers herself a "four generation Texan". In high school, she had the intent of being a linguist; therefore, she chose to take Latin.
After establishing a family, she moved to Duncanville in which she became involved in her children's lives through PTA, being the Red Cross Coordinator, and electing officials to the school board. With all of her involvement, she was selected to be a member of the City Council. Still committed to her involvements, she started a campaign for DART. While I may not be a big supporter of public transportation, she fights for what she believes in. Nearly every time she attends official meetings in Austin, Rick Perry fights against her work ethics against TX DOT (Texas Department of Transportation). "I'm not a fan of his attitude," Brown stated, "He's very disappointing."
I'm not sure if this is just me, but I have found one thing in sync among Republicans and Liberals. None of us seem to like Rick Perry. Having been elected during George W. Bush's first term, he needs to get out.
Now, this is my main concern regarding all of my research thus far: Why are all of our elected officials lacking a college degree? My mentor, Herbert Gears, has no degree. A representative of the Texas House, Linda Harper Brown, has no college degree. This is baffling. I personally do not want my city to be ran by someone who has the equivalence or less than that of myself. I know that my classes are rigorous. I know that growing up thirty-five years ago did not ensure advanced classes. Thus, I have a higher education than the people representing our community, our state, and our nation. This is absurd. So, all of the preaching that goes on in school about the importance of a college degree is apparently insipid and bogus. They aren't needed. Does this change my mind set? No. I hope that my generation will lead by example and not simply follow in the footsteps of our elders. The process in leadership and official representation needs to be a difficult process. A "weeding-out" type process needs to occur to ensure dedication once one is elected. These officials are not setting an example for my peers.

If you could all leave me a comment telling me your profession and degree, this would help my study tremendously.
Thanks.

Updates

Just so you guys don't think I've forgotten about you, I will be interviewing Linda Harper Brown next Monday. Of course I will post how all of that goes. Hopefully I'll get some inside information on what is to come for Texas and how her election process for governor will go down. If there is anything that you would like for me to find out, let me know.

Also, I will be touching base on the hypocrisy of Senator Olympia Snowe following Max Baucus on his health-care reform statement. I feel that this is a great story to go along with my Kirk England post. By the way, let me explain why I shunned Mr. England for following in his father's footsteps. I know some of you took offense to that. Mr. England assumed that all of my opinions came from my parents. He told me that I should believe what I believe and not the thoughts of my parentals. With that statement, he told me that he followed his father as a mentor, teacher, and a role model. That's a bit hypocritical, don't you think?

Thanks guys,
Taeler

A Visit with Kirk England

Sorry that this response is late. Please forgive me. As you all were informed, I held an interview with our State Legislature, Kirk England. He is the representative of district 106 which is entitled to South Irving and Grand Prairie. His job consists of "being the voice of [his] constituents". Alongside this, he is a State Farm insurance agent located in the heart of Grand Prairie, Texas where he provides health, life, boat, car..etc. insurance to those in the community.

Talking with Mr. England, I've discovered that he is a man of good intentions, but has he always implemented what he believes to be true? Does he himself practice his own preached principles? When speaking of my conservative beliefs I was told that I should "grow out of them"; although, he told me that "[I] should always respect and have tolerance towards those of the opposite belief'". It seemed a bit hypocritical to me. Telling him that I follow Ann Coulter as a role model, he fired back in saying that she "is the Devil". How is that respectful?
Something else that seemed off to me is the fact that his father was a congressman and a State Farm Agent as well. Mr. England followed in the footsteps of his father as if he himself could not and would not, march to the beat of his own drum as I do. This brings me into my next question: Is age associated with how seriously adults take you? I do believe so. This is ridiculous. If one like myself is taking the time to read articles from those such as Ann Coulter and Sean Hannity, then why on earth should I not be taken seriously? Mr. England did not take me seriously. With his biggest concern being the funding of Public Education, he should be taking kids like me extremely seriously.
Talking about his political party, he has recently labeled himself as a Democrat. Spending over forty-five years of his life as a Republican, why would he change so suddenly? Apparently, the Republican leadership in Austin did not understand and would not support issues that were important to his district, primarily public education. “My focus will always be community before my party”. Going back to my earlier statements, I do believe that I am a part of his community. Is he taking the time to represent myself? While Mr. England asked that I not discuss his party change, I will give you all a link. Please come up with your own conclusion. I find it as an easy way out. It appears as if he gave up on his party. Who's to say that this won't continue?
http://www.burntorangereport.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=4098
Bringing up his opinions on President Obama, he states that he is a follower. When he asked if I believed in universal health care, I stated that I do not. "That's such a shame, that only shows ignorance," England stated. Following this statement, he told me that he is socially conservative. How can these two go together? While I believe that universal health care is a wonderful thought, Obama already has our country in debt. We cannot afford this. I'll save my explanations for another blog. England also stated that we had an excessive amount of minority votes in this past election. Were their votes for the right reasons? I told him conclusions were made through celebrity influences, race, and age. All he responded with was, "At least they voted." I thought that was pretty low to his standards. Once again, he isn't holding up to his personal standards, nor is he properly representing his community.
In conclusion, Mr. England appears to not be so in touch with his community. Talking with students like myself, I hope that he realizes this. Mr. England, you're a good man, but I do not believe that you are a man of your word. Thanks for your time.