Sometimes being #1 is not good...
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Thursday, 12 November 09 - 09:26 PM (GMT) By Chad Holtz in Politics and current events/issues |
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This makes me sad....Juarez is now the murder capital of the world:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125746132763632051.html
Sad week.
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Friday, 26 June 09 - 02:47 PM (GMT) By Chad Holtz in Politics and current events/issues |
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So long Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson. What an impact you've all made in the span of my lifetime. The kids had the question last night of "Who was more famous: Farrah Fawcett or Michael Jackson?" Well, that's a tough question - both were very famous and impactful in their own way. Our youngest wasn't quite grasping why all the media coverage (in his world at 9yrs old, these two haven't been that impactful) - but for my wife and I, growing up in the 70's and 80's, all three of these people had major roles in pop culture.
Also, our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of Ed Thomas and Mark Becker. Yes, we should be praying for BOTH families and the entire community of Parkersburg.
And finally - to Nick on the loss of his friend at the very young age of 27 to a battle with cancer. Way too young.
Thoughts and prayers to all.
Interesting article
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Wednesday, 20 May 09 - 03:53 PM (GMT) By Chad Holtz in Politics and current events/issues |
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http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/05/20/elpaso.juarez.school/index.html
Good ideas, bad ideas, REALLY BAD ideas...
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Tuesday, 28 April 09 - 03:09 PM (GMT) By Chad Holtz in Politics and current events/issues |
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I caught most of this interview this morning but haven't seen the whole thing yet....but it's definitely worth a watch, it's Matt Lauer's interview with the Captain of the ship that was held hostage by Somali pirates. Matt does a nice job, the Captain is so honest, and he sets a few things straight that were reported inaccurately:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/30447788#30447788
A few minutes later I hear a story about the Swine Flu and how it's continuing to spread and then, my paraphrase: "The State Dept is urging that all "Non-essential" travel to Mexico be cancelled. Reporting now live from Mexico City is NBC news' _______ " Uhm....ok...apparently sending a journalist to Mexico City to interview a bunch of freaked out people on the street and in the airport is now considered "Essential" Travel. Have you ever noticed how the media always does that?
"The worst hurricane in history is bearing down on <insert location>, reporting live for us from the path of the storm is correspondent, <insert name>"
"The Highway Patrol is urging ALL people to stay off the roads, the snow and ice have made them impassable. Reporting now from our news van heading north on <insert road> is reporter <insert name>"
It happens all the time! Dumb! But - you can't put all the blame on the media - the people have an insatiable appetite for this and are glued to the TV. The media are just giving the people what they want.
And finally, in perhaps the DUMBEST idea of the day, did you see this? Uhm yeah...let's go fly a jumbo jet at low altitude over NYC and buzz some skyscrapers. Oh, and just for fun, let's have it trailed by some fighter jets. Panic? I would imagine so!!! Not the brightest idea of the day...
Wow.....
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Wednesday, 15 April 09 - 10:42 PM (GMT) By Chad Holtz in Politics and current events/issues |
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Wow...did you see this? I can't even bring myself to joke about it....
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,516021,00.html
"Where do we find such men?"
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Monday, 13 April 09 - 03:19 PM (GMT) By Chad Holtz in Politics and current events/issues |
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I've referenced on this blog before about my fascination with aviation, planes, helicopters, military aircraft, etc... Along with that, comes a total respect for our Armed Services. I've never been in the military, but as I get older, I've often thought of the pride, accomplishment, and sense of "something bigger than yourself" that must come with being in the military. My Dad was, although, not by his choice. He was drafted into the Vietnam War. However, it was a sense of pride he carried with him the rest of his life. He was pretty highly decorated for his service, but he never bragged or was boastful about that....typical. It had been his duty, and he did it with pride, and honor when called upon.
I've watched the shows on the Military Channel, the History Channel, the Discovery Channel - you name it, about the training of elite forces. I watch with wonder and awe, but it never truly sinks in.
But - sometimes, you just need to stop and pause and think about what is asked of these young men and women and how they deliver when needed.
Here's a great article I came across today. Take a minute and read it - it's worth it:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/04/13/greene.seals/index.html
Be careful what you read/hear...
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Thursday, 02 April 09 - 04:03 PM (GMT) By Chad Holtz in Politics and current events/issues |
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I've said this before and I think everyone inherently knows it...but here's another great example of be careful what you read/hear and how much of it you believe.
NOTE: this is not any kind of political statement or minimizing the problem. Actually, I think the problem is FAR WORSE than most of the people quoted in this article have any idea at all.
I've been in Juarez, I've stayed there, among the people, the poorest people - who are scared, who have either been or family/friends that have been threatened or impacted by this. I've talked to them. I've eaten meals with them - in Juarez and in El Paso. I get letters from them updating us on the situation. Maybe people who are very recently quoted as "The Mexican drug/gang situation is starting to get out of control" should try the same. "STARTING" to get out of control? Really? I've been there 4 full weeks in the last 4 years, and although that certainly does NOT make me an expert - it gives me more direct experience than most of the people being quoted. It's been out of control and escalating for several years - but it appears that Washington is just now noticing.
Anyway - here's the article I was referencing above.
What do you think?
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Friday, 20 March 09 - 02:06 PM (GMT) By Chad Holtz in Politics and current events/issues |
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A good move? A bad move? Too casual? Bad timing? Indifferent?
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/03/19/obama-does-tonight-strike-right-tone/
Thoughts?
Hodge-Podge
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Monday, 23 February 09 - 02:51 PM (GMT) By Chad Holtz in Politics and current events/issues |
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Life imitates art: I swear I've seen this on a movie (or 10) before.... TWICE they've done this? wow. I've often wondered with movies getting so good/realistic, are we actually giving people ideas - I guess this answers that question: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,498346,00.html
Weekend movie review: Burn After Reading - I was really expecting this to be funny. I mean fall off the couch, have to push pause to catch your breath type funny. Personally, I was quite disappointed. I didn't find it very funny at all, and it was just downright strange. Apologies to those that told me it was "hilarious", but I'm not recommending it.
Weekend movie review #2: Get Smart - for me, this was surprisingly good. I'm on again, off again fan of Steve Carell but I thought he did great. Personally, I like Dwayne Johnson (a.k.a. "The Rock") as an actor and liked him in this movie. I haven't seen many Anne Hathaway movies, but liked her in this and after seeing the "impromptu" skit at the Oscars with Hugh Jackman, like her even more. Good movie, worth the $3.99 rental.
Speaking of the Oscars: Wow - what a format change - it was like no other Oscars I had ever seen. I liked it. It kept my attention even when they were giving the statue for Best Left Handed Foreign Short Film Animator Specializing in Original Music Score and Special Effects with Sound Mixing. Nice job Hugh, nice job Academy. I especially liked how they presented Best Supporting Actor/Actress and Best Actor/Actress.
Mission Trip: I keep meaning to post more info/stories about the recent mission trip that my wife and I went on, but I'm having so much fun reading Mark's accounts of the trip, that I don't know what to say. Nice job Mark! That bouncy ball post is spot on - best 50cents I ever spent! 
In the news....
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Friday, 30 January 09 - 03:17 PM (GMT) By Chad Holtz in Politics and current events/issues |
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Sometimes, it's really hard to follow the news...too many "bad" stories. Here's a sampling from a news website:
Tiger terrorizes villages in India: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,485610,00.html
Incest: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,485586,00.html
Murder Trial: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,485611,00.html
Murder-Suicide: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,484986,00.html
Man attacks ex to get implants back: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,485050,00.html
That's only a sampling, from the front page only of news site, from 1 morning and the list could go on and on. Depressing.
... More items are available in my News Archive
