Who Gets Food Stamps?
Filed under: Blog Entries, Community, Politics, Society & Culture
Whenever I hear the words “food stamps” or “WIC”, I have this image in my mind. I don’t know how it got there, but it’s there and for some reason I can’t seem to shake it. I know others have that same image and over the years, the “welfare system” has become a hot topic on the Republican debate trail. People are going crazy over a program that helps those in need and I’m sure the majority of those complaining have no idea who the system is helping. While reading through some posts at factcheck.org, I found the following:
The most recent Department of Agriculture report on the general characteristics of the SNAP program’s beneficiaries says that in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2010:
- 47 percent of beneficiaries were children under age 18.
- 8 percent were age 60 or older.
- 41 percent lived in a household with earnings from a job — the so-called “working poor.”
- The average household received a monthly benefit of $287.
- 36 percent were white (non-Hispanic), 22 percent were African American (non-Hispanic) and 10 percent were Hispanic (Table A.21).
We don’t argue that the program is either too large (as Gingrich does) or too small. It has certainly reached a historically high level, and may or may not grow even larger in the months to come. But the plain fact is that the growth started long before Obama took office, and participation grew more under Bush.
Now, I don’t want you to think I’m blind to the fact that there are people abusing the system. Just like the tax code is abused, I’m sure there are many getting over on the good ol’ US of A. But for the most part, in my special world, I’d like to think it’s beneficial to those who need it most.
As an added bonus, I thought I’d add a link to the WIC PARTICIPANT AND PROGRAM CHARACTERISTICS 2010: SUMMARY.
Google Anita Borg Scholarship
Filed under: Blog Entries, Education, Personal Finance
The deadline is approaching, so you might want to jump on this now.
As part of Google’s ongoing commitment to encouraging women to pursue careers in computing and technology, we’re pleased to announce the Google Anita Borg Scholarship, through which we hope to encourage women to excel in computing and technology and become active role models and leaders.
Scholarships will be awarded based on the strength of candidates’ academic background and demonstrated leadership. A group of female undergraduate and graduate student finalists will be chosen from the applicant pool.
All scholarship recipients and finalists will be invited to visit Google headquarters in Mountain View, California for a networking retreat which will include workshops with a series of speakers, panelists, breakout sessions and social activities.
Award Amount:
$1,000 – $10,000
Deadline:
Usually In February
Website/Contact Info:
http://groups.google.com/anitaborg
Interact with the Obama Administration Online
Filed under: Blog Entries, Obama, Politics, Technology, Twitter
The Obama Administration has done an amazing job in utilizing technology and this week is no different. Wednesday thru Friday, they will be hosting live discussions online covering topics that Americans are concerned about. On Monday the President will be interviewed LIVE from the White House on Google+ and Youtube.
Wednesday – Friday: Office Hours marathon of online question and answer sessions on Twitter
To participate, anyone can ask a question on Twitter with the hashtag #WHChat, and administration officials respond to questions in real-time via Twitter. Follow the Q&A through the @WHLive Twitter account. If you miss the live session, the full Q&A will be posted on WhiteHouse.gov to cross-post and Storify.com/WhiteHouse.
1/25: Answering general questions about the speech
All-day: Josh Earnest, White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary
1pm: Mark Zuckerman, White House Deputy Director of the Domestic Policy Council
3pm: Dan Pfeiffer
1/26: Constituency focused sessions
10am: Veterans
- Matt Flavin, White House Director of Veterans and Wounded Warrior Policy
11am : LGBT
- Miriam Vogel, White House Senior Policy Advisor and Gautam Raghavan, Assoc. Director for Public Engagement
Noon : Women
- Racquel Russell, Special Assistant to the President for Mobility and Opportunity Policy and Avra Siegel, White House Deputy Executive Director for the Council on Women and Girls
I’m Back! (Hopefully for good this time)
I’m sure if you’ve visited this site in the past, you’ve noticed the lack of posts over the last year. I love blogging, but it takes a lot of time to put together and the last year has been pretty crazy. I have so much I plan on posting, but I never quite get to it.
Well, that’s about to end. Life is no less hectic, but I want to commit to doing better this year. “Random thoughts about everything and nothing” will become less of a motto and more of a reality. While the posts may not be as lengthy as I’d like, I hope to share some quality thought-provoking topics with you.
Here’s to a new start.
Black Hockey Leagues in Canada
Canadians are known for their love for hockey. I don’t really know much about the sport, but a Google+ link from Guy Kawasaki led me to a video about the colored hockey teams of the maritimes, 1895-1925. The video ended with a plug for a book called “Black Ice” by George Robert Fosty and Darril Fosty.
Comprised of the sons and grandsons of runaway American slaves, the league helped pioneer the sport of ice hockey changing this winter game from the primitive “gentleman’s past-time” of the nineteenth century to the modern fast moving game of today. In an era when many believed blacks could not endure cold, possessed ankles too weak to effectively skate, and lacked the intelligence for organized sport, these men defied the defined myths.
While I might not be a big hockey fan, I’m all about learning more about black history. There’s some good information to be had. Check out the video and let me know what you think.
Reed Behind the Lines Tonight
Filed under: Blog Entries, Entertainment & Sports, Family
Watching some reruns of the Cosby Show this weekend, I learned about a new Cosby-like show on BET starring Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Tracee Ellis Ross called Reed Behind the Lines. I try to support quality black TV shows when they premiere, so I’ll be watching to see if it lives up to the hype.
I was listening to Malcolm pub the show on the Tom Joyner Morning Show yesterday and he piqued my interest. I have a special place in my heart for the Cosby Show because everywhere I went as a kid, I had to hear the “Theo Huxtable” references regarding my name. I didn’t mind the attention, but sometimes it got old.
According to the show’s website Reed Between the Lines follows a modern-day blended family as they navigate life’s ups and downs with wit and humor. According to Warner, BET has signed the show for a full season. It’s good to see BET making the move to get family shows on the network.
Reed Behind the Lines debuts tonight (October 11th) at 9pm CST. Check out the video below for a sneak peak of the show.
The Fires in Bastrop County and How You Can Help
Filed under: Blog Entries, Business, Community, General, Society & Culture
I received this information from one of my fraternity brothers who used to live in Bastrop. If you haven’t seen the news the people in Bastrop County are in need of help in a major way. More the 25,000 acres have burned and 476 homes have been destroyed. Currently, there is zero containment of any of the fires. In a press conference with Rick Perry, he said this is one of the biggest fires he’s ever seen.
Press Conference: Bastrop County Judge Ronnie McDonald
If you want to help or if you know someone near Bastrop that can help, please forward this information:
Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management ( Like them on Facebook)
Financial needs are great and donations can be made through the Bastrop Christian Ministerial Alliance: 512-332-8661 or 512-332-8977.
Donation needs - Supplies needed at this time- new pillows, bed sheets, blankets, towels and toilettries. These donations are being accepted at Trinity Zion Church @ 151 Shiloh Rd., accepted until 7p tonight then beginning at 9am Tuesday. Call these numbers for donations information: 512-332-8661 or 512-332-8977.
VET HELP!! - A vet in Bastrop trying to do triage out in the fields for the Bastrop animals and she is in desperate need of help. She needs vet or medical people to help her, bandages, meds, whatever she can get. Please contact Christy at 512-796-0327 Pls. leave a msg. if she does not answer!”
Angel Care Ambulance - In need of non-perishable items, ex: can foods, bottled water, diapers, personal hygenie items, blankets, etc. If you would like to help, please drop off items at Angel Care Ambulance. 1105 W. Corpus Christi. We will deliver the items by this weekend. Any questions please contact Micki @ (361)542-9117, SHOES AND CLOTHES OF ALL.
For additional news coverage on this situation visit:
http://austin.ynn.com/content/top_stories
Please pray for all the leaders, emergency crews, assisting crews and people in Bastrop County. This is a devastating fire and the dry weather isn’t helping the situation. If I receive any additional information, I’ll post it here.
Employment Opportunities at TDLR
I know, I know. I haven’t been using this site recently like I should have. Things have been pretty busy, but more posts are coming soon. Here’s one that I received in an email last week. With the unemployment situation the way it’s been, I thought this would be something people could use. If you know of any other companies hiring, send them to me and I’ll post them here.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) announces the following job openings:
Compliance Field Inspector (Inspector IV) – South Region (El Paso and surrounding area)
Posting Number: 0604-11
Group/Step: B15, Position 229
Opening Date: 06/23/11
Closing Date: Until Filled
$31,729 – $37,500 annuallyBoiler Inspector Team Leader (Boiler Inspector III) – Austin (North Campus)
Posting Number: 0801-11
Group/Step: B22, Position 109
Opening Date: 08/05/11
Closing Date: Until Filled
$50,002 – $53,448 annuallyBoiler Inspector Team Leader (Boiler Inspector III) – (East Region - Houston)
Posting Number: 0802-11
Group/Step: B22, Position 46
Opening Date: 08/05/11
Closing Date: Until Filled
$50,002 – $53,448 annuallyTDLR provides a total compensation package that enables us to attract, motivate, and retain highly skilled and talented employees, including a merit system, full use of salary ranges, performance awards, retention
and recruitment bonuses. TDLR is ranked as one of the Top 25 mid-sized employers in Greater Austin.Please visit TDLR’s employment page for more information on these positions, how to apply and all other current openings.
President Obama’s Weekly Address – 07/30/11
Filed under: Blog Entries, Personal Finance, Politics
Compromise on Behalf of the American People
President Obama urges both Republicans and Democrats to take action to avoid defaulting for the first time in our nation’s history.
Funny how all of a sudden raising the debt ceiling has become a big deal. When the previous Republican administration started handing out dollars for the war and banking industry, no one had anything to say. The debt to be handed down to our children wasn’t as big an issue because we had more important things to do.
I have never seen a bigger group of babies than the ones who serve in Congress today. Each group wants their way and when they don’t get it, they fold their arms and storm out of the room. What’s the big deal with putting a balanced deal together where both groups get something they want and lose something they want to keep. Is putting a deal together really that complicated or are they making it harder than it should be? This is politics at its worst and the American People are the ones who are going to suffer in the end. Maybe their paychecks should be the first thing put on hold if a resolution is not met before the deadline. But then all they’d do is get money from lobbyists and special interest groups. Oh well.
Playing “chicken” with the economy is not a good thing to do right now. I honestly thought Boehner would be more open to working things out. Guess I was wrong.
Take Control
Filed under: Blog Entries, Community, Education, Society & Culture
If you can control a man’s thinking, you don’t have to worry about his actions. If you can determine what a man thinks you do not have worry about what he will do. If you can make a man believe that he is inferior, you don’t have to compel him to seek an inferior status, he will do so without being told and if you can make a man believe that he is justly an outcast, you don’t have to order him to the back door, he will go to the back door on his own and if there is no back door, the very nature of the man will demand that you build one. – Carter G. Woodson.
60% of Texas students disciplined by expulsion or suspension
For some reason, this quote from The Mis-Education of the Negro really stuck with me. Sometimes we forget how powerful the mind really is. We’re born into the world as blank slates and our life experiences build who we will eventually become. I hate to see articles like the one above because after a while the students and community start to accept these actions as the norm. It’s at this point where their thinking can be controlled by their surroundings.
In reading books on slavery, I always wondered why a plantation full of slaves allowed one person to control them. They easily outnumbered their slave owner, but never came together to overtake him. This is what happens to some communities and it’s only when the people have had enough, that they make up their mind to change their situation.
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