Lovin the Library

You know how I can tell it is finals time? I have spent 20 of the last 48 hours at the library. This makes me wonder how effective our current school system is: it seems to be hard for most students to retain information. Thus, for cumulative finals, you have students basically trying to re-learn everything they already learned once, except they try to do it all in a few nights, rather than a semester. I am no expert, but i do believe that there is another, more effective way to teach classes in college, and, for that matter, high school. Our education levels in America have steadily declined as compared to other countries, so would a complete overhaul of the way we educate our young populace turn this around?

Thinking back...

President Obama visited our campus back when he was campaigning, and as i think about it now, several months later, it is amazing the following he had even then. The line to get to the oval, where he was speaking, was over a mile long. It was hard to get to class. Everyone seemed to have some sort of Obama paraphernalia. It almost seemed more like a sporting event, or an opening of a really big movie. It is amazing how he spawned such a following so quickly among democrats and republicans alike with a simple message.

Term: Franking

I was studying for my American Government and Politics final when i came upon an interesting political term: Franking. This privilege is only extended to members of Congress. Any member of congress is allowed to sign their name in the spot on an envelope for "Official Business" where the stamp goes, and they do not need to attach postage. Yet another interesting perk of being a legislator.

Transparency? Change?

News from Townhall: President Obama will not release the photos taken in the photo op fiasco in New York involving Air Force One. Shortly after, there was an announcement that on May 28th the Obama administration plans to release photos of "abuse" of prisoners in Afghanistan and Iraq that have previously been classified. This is an effort by the Obama administration to "increase government transparency" and to show that this administration is all about change from former administrations. Yet we see another example of a president trying to keep things that make him look bad out of the news and bait the press with things that he can blame on the last administration and, specifically, the republican party. Some change.