Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Faith Based Initiatives


Even if Obama is not religious at all, he is very smart in forming social policy. His work as a community organizer taught him that faith based groups will always be working with those who are oppressed and embracing these groups will not only help those who are seeking the aid but also the government as well. This alone is not the answer but it is one step closer.

Crafting Policy Agenda, Obama Team Brings in Faith Groups

Perspective

David Brooks - Lost in the Crowd

We haven't heard from Mr. Brooks in a good while. Never forget individual free will within any preconceived determined situation.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

MGMT - The Youth



I love this song and this homemade video is crazy.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Who is Going to Heaven?


Who do you think is admitted to Heaven?

Heaven for the Godless?

Friday, December 26, 2008

Have a Happy, Happy, Happy, Happy Hanukkah!


Competing religions. American consumerism. Christmas vs. Hanukkah.

Are you ready to rumble?

The Invisible Hand of God.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Development as Freedom


Profitability and justice are not mutually exclusive.


A Small Bank Juggles Its Roles.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Revolution in Economic Thinking?

Here is a little summary of where the study of economics has been and will be going. I think the article misses a few points of why we are in this mess but nonetheless it is worth a read.

Paradigm Lost

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Rick Warren

Thoughts on the Inauguration selection.

Taking Yes for an Answer.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Friday, December 19, 2008

Falling


In order to find our way out of this financial crisis, one of the most important things that needs to happen is to have housing prices return to an accurate pricing level from the inflated levels of the past few years. It hurts but we are getting closer to the bottom.

Southern California Housing Prices.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

The Funniest Man on Morning TV

Could be Potential...


Charles Hamilton - Brooklyn Girls"

I feel this song like I felt "Kick, Push" when it first came out. Not sure what that means yet.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

We Are Just Finding This Out Now?

I think most sociologists could have told you this years ago.

Lost in the Crowd

An older article that I liked and thought was relevant

If You Are Open to Growth, You Tend to Grow

Monday, December 15, 2008

God


An old book review that was just recently sent to me. It contains some deep thoughts on God.

Lunging, Flailing, Mispunching

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Amazing!



Kanye West performing an incredible combo of Heartless and Pinocchio Story on SNL. This is why he is THE ARTIST of our lifetime. Absolutely incredible!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

In Honor of Wordsmiths


An excellent piece showing appreciation for those who truly understand the English language. I wish I was a good writer and I dedicate this post to everyone who is.

Typing Without A Clue.

Monday, December 8, 2008

I Know I'm Late But...

Lupe Fiasco - And He Gets the Girl

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Unemployment in the US

So the news that the US lost 533,000 jobs in November is obviously significant news but it doesn't tell the whole story.

Unemployment is defined as, "an economic condition marked by the fact that individuals actively seeking jobs remain unhired. Unemployment is expressed as a percentage of the total available labor force. The level of unemployment varies with economic conditions and other circumstances."

The key to this definition is the labor force, which is defined as, "the labor force of a country (or other geographic entity) consists of everyone of working age and below retirement age who are participating workers, that is people actively employed or looking for work. Child labor laws in the United States forbid employing people under 18 in hazardous jobs."

So what is the real number of people who are unemployed?

Read this.

Friday, December 5, 2008

"...cold cocking red headed dudes just for the F of it."

See more Adam "Ghost Panther" McKay videos at Funny or Die

Holla Holla Holla...



I was running on the treadmill tonight. My music was on shuffle. Rihanna's Umbrella came on. Besides Jay-Z and the sexual innuendos I pictured a "hip" mega-church getting really into this song as a Praise and Worship song. I thought it was funny and hope to one day see my vision fulfilled... on TV preferably.

Regardless, Rihanna is worth watching. And yes, I listen to Rihanna. So what?

One of Chicago's Finest



This is a pretty old video since the album was released about a year ago but if you are new to Lupe and his work, it is a great introduction before you take your first listen. Enjoy.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

A Bigger Threat to the US


Not that we shouldn't be concerned with terrorists but a domestic issue like this one will more likely be our downfall than a terrorist attack.

College May Become Unaffordable for Most in U.S.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Racism in the US of A


Now, by no means is the author of this article "average." He is, I assume, very well paid and highly educated, not to mention a number of other things. He is "average" though, in the sense that he is no scholar of racism and race relations, but let me qualify that by saying that I am not either. The "average" person has not read Racism Without Racists and everyone has their own biases. I do like this article though because, even though it is probably not sociologically correct in some places, it is an "average" person's approach and in that sense it is real. My brother sent me this article and although I do not necessarily agree with all of it, I think it is worth a read.

You might wonder why there is a picture of Malcolm X, well, that is because of my crush on him.

Enjoy.

Will You be my Black Friend?

"Vogelocity"

My brother at his finest.



Monday, December 1, 2008

Smart, Very Smart


This is a good essay but it is pretty technical with lots of background reading. It is definitely worth the read if you have the time.

The Greatness of Keynes...

Friday, November 28, 2008

Microfinance and Baby-Naming


I enjoy Joel Stein's work but I adamantly deny being a yuppie, or a hipster, or a yuppie, hipster. Chris "Call me a Hipster as long as You're a lis'ner" Wiens is the hipster in "the Basement."

Regardless, read these two articles from Joel Stein.

Global Cupcake Kings.


Please Help Joel Stein Name His Baby!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

CCIL on ABC 7

When the Governor starts speaking there is a young blond gentleman to the extreme left of the screen. You can only see the back of his head - but that's me! I made the background of the news!

Click here for the video and story!

Straight up out of movie scene...

I was quoted in the Medill Reports this week. Excuse the misspelling of my name.

The volunteer coordinator at the league, Chris Wienes, said the volunteers will not only serve the poor but will sit down and eat with them.

“I think it’s important for people to identify with others,” Wienes said. “It goes a long way for both sides to share a common meal together and both be celebrating the things they are thankful for -- whether it’s for the food being served to them, or being fortunate enough for the time to serve the food.”

Click here for the full story.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Sir, Goodbye for Now


Chris and I would like to say goodbye and good luck to Mr. Patrick Reynolds. A great friend who will be heading to Nicaragua with the JVI program for the next two years. If you are interested in following Patrick's story, a link to his blog is on the right, Vista Del Camino. Good luck and make some poor decisions.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Friday, November 21, 2008

Welcome Back, Yeezy!


Kanye posted his new album on his blog. Kanye West - 808's and Heartbreak I'd say my top five songs on the album, after an initial listen, are:

1. Welcome to Heartbreak feat. Kid Cudi
2. Paranoid
3. Amazing feat. Young Jeezy
4. Heartless
5. Street Lights

Best lyrics:
1. Do you really have the stamina
for everybody who sees you to ask, "Where's my camera?"
- Pinocchio Story

2. I chased the good life my whole life long;
look back on my life and my life gone.
Where did I go wrong?
- Welcome to Heartbreak

3. My friend showed me pictures of his kids
and all I can show him was pictures of my cribs.
He said his daughter got a brand new report card
and all I got was a brand new sports car.
- Welcome to Heartbreak

4. If Spring can take the snow away,
can it melt away all our mistakes?
- Coldest Winter

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Is this going to be on the exam?

Remember that one kid in your class as an undergrad who would arrive on the day of the exam and start a conversation about the upcoming exam with another student to only proclaim to anyone listening that they “had not studied at all for the exam” and that they “didn’t care how they did.” This kid is trying to act tough but the first student who asks a question about the exam material immediately throws the non-studier into a whirlwind. Out come the notes and there is a hint of fear in their voice. (For the record, I am guilty of being that guy that says “oh the exam wasn’t that difficult” and “I wasn’t that worried” when really, as all of my friends know, I studied for hours on end but not late into the late because of course I was in bed by 11pm and up by 6am).

One of many favorite things about graduate school is that many of the same types of students are still there. You would think that now that these students have finished their undergraduate degrees and have the foundation of a fledging career that the worries that pushed these reactions as undergraduates would die and school could be more enjoyable with less of a focus on grades and a greater interest in learning for its own sake. Nope, nothing has changed. The array of student types and reactions are just the same as at undergraduate level. The types are easy to point out. As an undergraduate, the students who arrived early were always the most studious, not necessarily the brightest, but usually the biggest nerds who were often ideal to have in your group for a group project because they would complete their work early and always try to do more than their fair share (basically that’s me). The only difference between undergraduate students and graduate students is that the graduate students will arrive to class earlier due to the timing of class compared to the end of the work day. Or how about those students who arrive to class, unpack their computer, and then proceed to browse ESPN’s website or Perez Hilton’s website for an hour (Yes, I watched a student do this). In a MBA program, the only difference is after the checking these those sites, the students then go to check their stock portfolio and shake their head in disgust as they mutter to themselves “what is my broker doing?” or give a little smile when their portfolio rose and whisper to the person next to them “cash money bitches.” Then of course, there is the person that no one likes but loves to tell stories about after class, the person who asks excessive, unnecessary questions. These students find it necessary to ask questions with the most obvious answers but their best attribute is timing. These students impeccably find it worthwhile to ask the professor a question that requires the longest, most-drawn out answer just as the professor has finished covering the material for the class and it appears that the class might be let out early. These students are more often than not clueless about the class regardless which just makes their obscure question that much more perplexing. In graduate school, where leaving 10 to 15 minutes earlier means that much more after a three hour class, there is no difference, these students still have the most impeccable timing with random questions.

Students will be students so it is not a surprise that things don’t change. I can only hope that I don’t have to see any more UGG boots in class but of course, it is only November.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

the Bradley Effect vs. the Urkel Effect


Once again, a little late, but still pretty funny.

Can Obama Overcome the Urkel Effect?

Monday, November 10, 2008

Still Working...































I know it is a little late but I do want to remember the late Studs Terkel, one of Chicago's own.

In rememberance of Studs Terkel.

"V-E-T-E-R-I-N-A-R... It's veterinarians."



I know Veteran's Day is tomorrow, but I have today off work so I'll post this video a day early.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Haikus of the Week

God is ev'ry thing;
Empty lot across the street
Can I find You there?


Name something you find;
Number one answer on "Feud:"
'Myself in others.'


Worker ants bring dirt;
Before the sun sets at night
A mountain is made.


Gone out to find life
Inheritance thus wasted
Still welcomed back home.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Grab a drink, grab a glass...



Nas - If I Ruled the World