Note: I am not advocating gambling, pyramid schemes, or anything else in this post. If you don't believe me, just try this.
Moola is a cool little website that pays you to watch ads and play games. They give you a penny (or more!) to watch an ad for some reputable company, and then let you bet another person at a little game of chance. If you win, you get their penny and play someone else for two pennies. If you lose, Moola gives you another penny and lets you play again!
They have also added a cool feature that lets you use google through moola and get additional free money. I know, it sounds way too good to be true, but they must like giving away money. Anyway, it costs you nothing, you get to waste time in class, play some games, and maybe win some cash (or coins).
If you want to play, click the link below, enter your email address, and have fun. I promise there are no catches, other than the pesky ads you have to watch (about 30 seconds each). I'm up to $4.23 right now, which sounds like nothing, but it's not bad money just for using google as a search engine.
Here's the link: http://www.moola.com:80/moopubs/b2b/exc/join.jsp?sid=4d5449744d6a6b794d6a673d-2
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Friday, February 08, 2008
How law school has influenced my political thinking
A lot of people would think law school must include a lot of talk about politics. I'm sure that is a question answered differently depending on your enjoyment of political discussion. It certainly has not influenced my thinking about politics on many issues. However, it has caused me to reconsider the priority I give certain issues. Therefore, here is a little insight into how I will be voting in November
I still believe a social conservative would be nice in the White House. I am not such a big fan of the war, although I think the republicans are doing a good job of selling it to the more moderate conservatives (evidenced by John McCain). I think the economy should be the second-most important issue this year, given it's current downturn. But most important:
Who will you nominate to the Supreme Court?
If I could ask each candidate only one question, this would be it. I would probably ask for names, because I'm sure the candidates each have some judges in mind. You have to be important to get nominated, so if a person is not already on the radar, the likelihood they get nominated is probably slim. I want to know names.
I know that Bush's "litmus test" language was criticized by a lot of people, but at least he was honest about it. And he stuck to it.
Most people, including me a month ago, would never have considered this a big issue. It really only takes one or two Supreme Court opinions from the last 30 years to recognize why this should be important to people. No matter which way you lean politically, we should all be able to agree that the judicial branch of government should be just a branch, and not the government. They have a job, and they should do it. Instead, the Court has stepped way too far into the realm of judicial legislation for the country's good.
I want a Supreme Court justice who trusts the legislature to do its job. More than that, I want one who trusts the people to do their job. It is a great thing in this country to be able to elect representatives who represent the views and beliefs of the majority, or at least the majority who care enough to vote. We have a system that also allows those representatives to be removed by a popular vote. Instead, the courts have often taken it upon themselves to override the legislatures of states and Congress, and thereby, the will of the people.
While I enjoy my rights, there is a proper way for those rights to be defined. It is not through Constitutional interpretation by the Court which is biased and politically motivated. The people have no recourse against that. Leave legislation to the proper branch of government, where the people have a means of being heard.
I still believe a social conservative would be nice in the White House. I am not such a big fan of the war, although I think the republicans are doing a good job of selling it to the more moderate conservatives (evidenced by John McCain). I think the economy should be the second-most important issue this year, given it's current downturn. But most important:
Who will you nominate to the Supreme Court?
If I could ask each candidate only one question, this would be it. I would probably ask for names, because I'm sure the candidates each have some judges in mind. You have to be important to get nominated, so if a person is not already on the radar, the likelihood they get nominated is probably slim. I want to know names.
I know that Bush's "litmus test" language was criticized by a lot of people, but at least he was honest about it. And he stuck to it.
Most people, including me a month ago, would never have considered this a big issue. It really only takes one or two Supreme Court opinions from the last 30 years to recognize why this should be important to people. No matter which way you lean politically, we should all be able to agree that the judicial branch of government should be just a branch, and not the government. They have a job, and they should do it. Instead, the Court has stepped way too far into the realm of judicial legislation for the country's good.
I want a Supreme Court justice who trusts the legislature to do its job. More than that, I want one who trusts the people to do their job. It is a great thing in this country to be able to elect representatives who represent the views and beliefs of the majority, or at least the majority who care enough to vote. We have a system that also allows those representatives to be removed by a popular vote. Instead, the courts have often taken it upon themselves to override the legislatures of states and Congress, and thereby, the will of the people.
While I enjoy my rights, there is a proper way for those rights to be defined. It is not through Constitutional interpretation by the Court which is biased and politically motivated. The people have no recourse against that. Leave legislation to the proper branch of government, where the people have a means of being heard.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Part 4
Conclusion:
Great last question. Giuliani cheers for the wrong team. We certainly don't need a fan of the bad team as president.
Romney likes the Sox! Not enough, though, to make me vote for him after tonight.
I am now supporting Mike Huckabee for president. He seemed honest and firm in his convictions, yet open-minded to the world we live in and the fact that some people see things differently. I like his social conservatism. I like that he wasn't divisive like the Boston/NY rivalry (baseball or political). Most of all, I like that he stayed positive, seemed comfortable in who he was, and seemed like he could win a general election more than the other candidates.
And maybe he could help with America's obesity problems...
Great last question. Giuliani cheers for the wrong team. We certainly don't need a fan of the bad team as president.
Romney likes the Sox! Not enough, though, to make me vote for him after tonight.
I am now supporting Mike Huckabee for president. He seemed honest and firm in his convictions, yet open-minded to the world we live in and the fact that some people see things differently. I like his social conservatism. I like that he wasn't divisive like the Boston/NY rivalry (baseball or political). Most of all, I like that he stayed positive, seemed comfortable in who he was, and seemed like he could win a general election more than the other candidates.
And maybe he could help with America's obesity problems...
Part 3
This is a hardline republican crowd.
I like that the Republicans have a candidate who is willing to support gun control legislation. I don't like that the Republicans still have candidates who are sellouts to the NRA.
Romney is turning the inner city crime issue into a family values issue. Answer the question!
He also sounds like he's for bigger government.
Here comes the abortion question...Oh, and it's kind of a legal question...
Ron Paul takes the federalist view. Leave it up to the states. Answer the question!
For the record, I think it should be a state issue and the president will have little to say about abortion. I could be wrong, especially through future Supreme Court appointments, but I think it's a copout for Paul to not answer the question.
Fred Thompson talks about the Supreme Court. He says overturning Roe v. Wade should be a priority. I think we have much bigger issues in the country right now, especially out of our president.
For the record, I wish Roe v. Wade would be overturned.
Giuliani leaves it to the states to decide issue of abortion and would not sign a bill. Not good for equal protection under the law in an increasingly modern and mobile society.
Romney would sign the bill if there was such a consensus in Congress and the states to pass the bill.
Time for Death Penalty question: What would Jesus do?
I think it's more important to be aware about the candidates running for president than to outline Contracts tonight. I may regret thinking that.
Huckabee acknowledges the difficulty in deciding to execute a criminal. Best answer of the night so far: "Jesus was too smart to ever run for public office."
No For the Record here, I'm not sure about the death penalty.
Question: Do you believe every word of the Bible?
Giuliani: There are allegorical/interpretive parts of the Bible. I believe it, but I don't believe every single thing in a literal sense (i.e. Jonah in the whale)
Romney: I believe the Bible is the word of God, I miss in some ways, but I try to live by it.
Huckabee: Until we get the simple things (Love your neighbor, As you've done to the least of these...) we can't worry about the harder things.
Good sermon for a large number of churches Sunday morning. Let's get the simple things right, then worry about the little things.
For the record, I am not going to touch what some of those little things are. This is a political post, not a theological/religious one.
Commercial time.
I like that the Republicans have a candidate who is willing to support gun control legislation. I don't like that the Republicans still have candidates who are sellouts to the NRA.
Romney is turning the inner city crime issue into a family values issue. Answer the question!
He also sounds like he's for bigger government.
Here comes the abortion question...Oh, and it's kind of a legal question...
Ron Paul takes the federalist view. Leave it up to the states. Answer the question!
For the record, I think it should be a state issue and the president will have little to say about abortion. I could be wrong, especially through future Supreme Court appointments, but I think it's a copout for Paul to not answer the question.
Fred Thompson talks about the Supreme Court. He says overturning Roe v. Wade should be a priority. I think we have much bigger issues in the country right now, especially out of our president.
For the record, I wish Roe v. Wade would be overturned.
Giuliani leaves it to the states to decide issue of abortion and would not sign a bill. Not good for equal protection under the law in an increasingly modern and mobile society.
Romney would sign the bill if there was such a consensus in Congress and the states to pass the bill.
Time for Death Penalty question: What would Jesus do?
I think it's more important to be aware about the candidates running for president than to outline Contracts tonight. I may regret thinking that.
Huckabee acknowledges the difficulty in deciding to execute a criminal. Best answer of the night so far: "Jesus was too smart to ever run for public office."
No For the Record here, I'm not sure about the death penalty.
Question: Do you believe every word of the Bible?
Giuliani: There are allegorical/interpretive parts of the Bible. I believe it, but I don't believe every single thing in a literal sense (i.e. Jonah in the whale)
Romney: I believe the Bible is the word of God, I miss in some ways, but I try to live by it.
Huckabee: Until we get the simple things (Love your neighbor, As you've done to the least of these...) we can't worry about the harder things.
Good sermon for a large number of churches Sunday morning. Let's get the simple things right, then worry about the little things.
For the record, I am not going to touch what some of those little things are. This is a political post, not a theological/religious one.
Commercial time.
Part 2
Fred Thompson shows a video criticizing Mike Huckabee for increasing taxes and Mitt Romney for being pro-choice. It backfires.
Mitt owns up to a record that includes pro-choice decisions, says he was wrong (10 points if you name the last politician to admit that) and says he is now pro-life and won't apologize for it.
Huckabee admits he raised taxes, but talks about other cuts he made. I think Thompson loses with the video.
Back to outlining Contracts.
Mitt owns up to a record that includes pro-choice decisions, says he was wrong (10 points if you name the last politician to admit that) and says he is now pro-life and won't apologize for it.
Huckabee admits he raised taxes, but talks about other cuts he made. I think Thompson loses with the video.
Back to outlining Contracts.
Republican Debate Part 1
My thoughts as I watch the YouTube debate tonight:
I should be outlining for my exams.
Rudy Giuliani is in trouble. Accusing Mitt Romney of hiring illegals was a major stretch and probably cost him all credibility with me for the rest of the debate.
Mitt Romney reminds me of John Kerry. I think he would be good for the economy, but I don't trust him.
Fred Thompson looks very old. He needs the Law & Order make up crew to help him out.
John McCain looks defeated already. He's speaking like a second day convention speaker, maybe even a VP candidate, and it's disappointing, because I like what he is saying.
I like Mike Huckabee. Sure, spending tax dollars on education for children of illegal immigrants is not popular with republicans, but at least he sounded reasonable and convicted. Unfortunately, he just said he would get rid of the IRS, and as nice as that sounds, it is really unreasonable. We need taxes. Maybe not as much as we pay now, but seriously...get rid of the IRS?
Here's an income tax question. Let's see what they say:
McCain - will not support replacing the income tax with a retail tax, but would support cutting the income tax from the 30% level it is now.
I like this answer. It's realistic and honest.
Unfortunately, he now compares the war now with WWII and Hitler. Maybe popular with hardliners, but the country would not like this answer. He now sounds very defeated, like he is just pushing an agenda with no regard for winning the primary.
Ron Paul cracks me up. I would love a "smaller government" candidate, but not him.
Question:
Would you promise to not raise taxes?
Yes from everyone but Hunter, who recognizes national emergencies can arise. Fred and McCain don't make pledges to anyone but American people.
Point to Duncan Hunter. I like honesty.
Question about farm subsidies. I'm in NC now, where not much farming is done. I'm gonna check out for a little while and outline. More to come.
I should be outlining for my exams.
Rudy Giuliani is in trouble. Accusing Mitt Romney of hiring illegals was a major stretch and probably cost him all credibility with me for the rest of the debate.
Mitt Romney reminds me of John Kerry. I think he would be good for the economy, but I don't trust him.
Fred Thompson looks very old. He needs the Law & Order make up crew to help him out.
John McCain looks defeated already. He's speaking like a second day convention speaker, maybe even a VP candidate, and it's disappointing, because I like what he is saying.
I like Mike Huckabee. Sure, spending tax dollars on education for children of illegal immigrants is not popular with republicans, but at least he sounded reasonable and convicted. Unfortunately, he just said he would get rid of the IRS, and as nice as that sounds, it is really unreasonable. We need taxes. Maybe not as much as we pay now, but seriously...get rid of the IRS?
Here's an income tax question. Let's see what they say:
McCain - will not support replacing the income tax with a retail tax, but would support cutting the income tax from the 30% level it is now.
I like this answer. It's realistic and honest.
Unfortunately, he now compares the war now with WWII and Hitler. Maybe popular with hardliners, but the country would not like this answer. He now sounds very defeated, like he is just pushing an agenda with no regard for winning the primary.
Ron Paul cracks me up. I would love a "smaller government" candidate, but not him.
Question:
Would you promise to not raise taxes?
Yes from everyone but Hunter, who recognizes national emergencies can arise. Fred and McCain don't make pledges to anyone but American people.
Point to Duncan Hunter. I like honesty.
Question about farm subsidies. I'm in NC now, where not much farming is done. I'm gonna check out for a little while and outline. More to come.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Engagement
The big news is: I got engaged.
Her name is Gina, and she is wonderful in every possible way. I asked her to marry me Thursday night and she said yes! We have not set a date yet, but we have picked colors.
If you would like to hear the story, you can post a comment.
Until then, I've got work to do and baseball games to watch.
Her name is Gina, and she is wonderful in every possible way. I asked her to marry me Thursday night and she said yes! We have not set a date yet, but we have picked colors.
If you would like to hear the story, you can post a comment.
Until then, I've got work to do and baseball games to watch.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
More library posts
This time from the law library at Wake Forest University
Today I would like to devote my post to one of the most important topics of September. That would mean...yes...you guessed...a red sox post!
Why is Clay Buchholz not starting again? I know, I've heard the reasons provided by Theo, but I'm just not buying them. I can understand saving his arm, or saving his curveball until we really need it in October. But give him a chance to start again. Johnny Vander Meer is getting a free pass this time, and it just doesn't seem fair!
Let him start, when he gives up a hit, go pull him. No big deal. But the kid (I think he is younger than I am) deserves a chance to break what may really be the toughest record in baseball to break.
In the meantime, let's all celebrate the fact that we are worried more about a prospect getting a chance to play than we are about the team from New York that is seven back.
17...is a magic number...yes it is! Let the countdown begin!
Today I would like to devote my post to one of the most important topics of September. That would mean...yes...you guessed...a red sox post!
Why is Clay Buchholz not starting again? I know, I've heard the reasons provided by Theo, but I'm just not buying them. I can understand saving his arm, or saving his curveball until we really need it in October. But give him a chance to start again. Johnny Vander Meer is getting a free pass this time, and it just doesn't seem fair!
Let him start, when he gives up a hit, go pull him. No big deal. But the kid (I think he is younger than I am) deserves a chance to break what may really be the toughest record in baseball to break.
In the meantime, let's all celebrate the fact that we are worried more about a prospect getting a chance to play than we are about the team from New York that is seven back.
17...is a magic number...yes it is! Let the countdown begin!
Monday, September 03, 2007
Blogging from the Harding library
Right now I have the distinct pleasure of sitting in a library...which is nothing new lately.
This one, however, belongs to my "wonderful" alma mater. I don't mean to imply by the quotes that I think Harding is wonderful, nor do I mean to imply that it is terrible. The library itself may be a little sparse, but that's ok, because at least they have a fiction section, and not just tons of books by the ALI. For those of you who don't go to law school, that's not Cassius Clay. You really don't need to know anything else about it.
I got in last night for my first trip back to Searcy as a graduate while students are actually here. It's a little bit weird, but not as much as I had thought. I guess the campus looks nice. The grass is still green, the trees still have leaves, and I've yet to find the new building, but I'm sure there is one somewhere. We'll see what I think after wandering around all morning, going to chapel, maybe sitting in on a class. There are several people I would like to see while I'm here, so hopefully that can happen as well.
As for the reason I'm here, because I know you are all wondering. She's sitting next to me working on her bioethics homework, which sounds important. And she's beautiful. I just thought I should let everyone know that.
I have to go now. I hear I can't be late for chapel now that big brother is watching me.
This one, however, belongs to my "wonderful" alma mater. I don't mean to imply by the quotes that I think Harding is wonderful, nor do I mean to imply that it is terrible. The library itself may be a little sparse, but that's ok, because at least they have a fiction section, and not just tons of books by the ALI. For those of you who don't go to law school, that's not Cassius Clay. You really don't need to know anything else about it.
I got in last night for my first trip back to Searcy as a graduate while students are actually here. It's a little bit weird, but not as much as I had thought. I guess the campus looks nice. The grass is still green, the trees still have leaves, and I've yet to find the new building, but I'm sure there is one somewhere. We'll see what I think after wandering around all morning, going to chapel, maybe sitting in on a class. There are several people I would like to see while I'm here, so hopefully that can happen as well.
As for the reason I'm here, because I know you are all wondering. She's sitting next to me working on her bioethics homework, which sounds important. And she's beautiful. I just thought I should let everyone know that.
I have to go now. I hear I can't be late for chapel now that big brother is watching me.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
That time of the year
This week the world is treated to the great, late-summer drama called "Red Sox - Yankees."
Anyone else excited?
I'm looking forward to the next two games a little more than I normally would be. We are up 7 games instead of down 7, and a win tonight would be doubly sweet. Beating Clemens and negating the win last night by the bad guys would be really nice.
When we win, there is nothing better in sports than a game between these two. When we lose, there is nothing worse. That's probably a good definition of a rivalry. Not only do the standings change every time they play, but it determines whether or not the day was good.
Go Red Sox! I need a good day today.
Anyone else excited?
I'm looking forward to the next two games a little more than I normally would be. We are up 7 games instead of down 7, and a win tonight would be doubly sweet. Beating Clemens and negating the win last night by the bad guys would be really nice.
When we win, there is nothing better in sports than a game between these two. When we lose, there is nothing worse. That's probably a good definition of a rivalry. Not only do the standings change every time they play, but it determines whether or not the day was good.
Go Red Sox! I need a good day today.
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