Fort Collins CityWorks 101

Minutes ago I received an email confirming that I have been accepted into Fort Collins' CityWorks 101 program. The CityWorks 101 webpage describes the program as follows:

City Works 101 is an eight-week program, which will give residents a behind the scenes look at running a city. Participants will see first hand how the City makes decisions, allocates funds, and provides services.

I applied almost a month ago, having forgotten to do so when I first heard about the program last year.

I was beginning to worry that I had missed my chance or hadn't been accepted into the program. Now I am exuberantly excited to have a chance to learn about and get "behind-the-scenes" of the city I've learned to love and respect: Fort Collins, Colorado.

Indiana Jones 4 Movie Poster

The release of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is soon to be upon us. On Valentine's Day I wrote my initial blog about the upcoming film, in which I included the trailer ("The Man with the Hat is Back.... again"). I hope everyone is gearing up for the next chapter in Indy's adventures! I'm including the release poster - made public today - below! (Thanks to the TheRaider.net for posting this!)

Adjustments to the INDY Polls this week

I've decided to extend the 2008 Democratic Candidate INDY Poll until the last of the states vote this season, rather than just having it used as a weekly poll. In order to change the title of the poll, I had to remove it and then add it back into the blog. I feel kind of bad because it had already started to accumulate votes, but I'm relieved to see that the votes are already coming back in. If you have not yet done so, I suggest you come on back and recast your vote.

In the place of the candidate poll, I placed a poll about Daylight saving time as the weekly poll. So, head on over to the INDY Blog and place your votes. Thanks!

Ditch Daylight saving time

I've been saying this for years, but I'm quite happy to see it gaining popularity in the mainstream: Daylight saving time is actually just a waste of time.

It was a National Geographic article which prompted my attention to this today ("Extended Daylight Saving Time Not an Energy Saver?"). In addition to the lack of energy saving, I have a few reasons for which I dislike DST. Rather than reiterate them here I'd encourage you to read the Wikipedia article on "Daylight saving time", in which the pros and cons are clearly stated and the many studies are cited.

Daylight saving time became even more of an annoyance for me when the Bush Administration decided to have it extended. Something which, the public was told, would help us to conserve more; when in fact it increases society's energy (e.g. oil, coal, etc.) and materials (e.g. shopping, services, etc.) consumption.

I realize that this post will fall on many a deaf ear. The falsities that DST "saves" energy, eases our sleep schedules, and boosts the economy are still firmly rooted in the mind of America. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that the practice of moving the hands of the clock will stop in the foreseeable future. A sad fact, but - like the imperial measurement system or the combustion engine - it's a artifact of "tradition" that people just aren't willing to let go of, even if there is a cleaner and simpler option available.

SelectSmart your candidate

Over the years, I've used SelectSmart for the fun of seeing where I line up on a number of issues. However, my favorite use is still to see where I match up with political candidates.

If you're a resident of a state that is yet to vote and you're still unsure of where you should place your vote, I would recommend trying the 2008 Presidential Candidate Selector.

If you would prefer to go straight to a side-by-side comparison of the various candidates, you can visit SelectSmart's 2008 comparison of positions.

If you would prefer to just see an itemized list of the issues for the major players at this point in the 2008 primary season, here you go:

- Hillary Clinton
- John McCain
- Barack Obama

Remember, knowledge of where a politician stands on the issues is the key to selecting the elected official who will best represent your voice.

Introducing the Weekly INDY Poll

I've decided to begin posting weekly polls on the INDY Blog website. I will post the polls on Friday (when I am able) and the polls will close the following Friday at 6:00 AM MST (or MDT).

I am considering offering other - longer running - polls for either larger issues or site suggestions as well, but before I proceed down that path I want to test the waters with these weekly polls.

This week's poll is on a subject which is driving much of my posts recently: the 2008 Democratic nomination. I have included all candidates who are still running active campaigns.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

Is McCain really the McSame as Bush?

John McCain has an upstanding military record, he has had to stand firm against the criticism of both Republicans and Democrats, he has a strong environmental policy, and he tries very hard to weigh out his options before making a decision. He is a successful middle-right candidate and some people would find him preferable to Hillary Clinton (if she were to win the Democratic nomination).

I'm not going to even think of what choice I would make, if I were stuck choosing between either Clinton or McCain at this point. (Especially since I stand firmly by the side of Barack Obama.)

However, I will say that I'm a little uneasy with how McCain has supported and assisted George W. Bush in moving things the direction they have been taken these last 8 years. And, apparently, I'm not the only one, as demonstrated by the Campaign to Defend America ad which I've included below.

I am no fan of negative campaign ads, and I will heartily call out those who would demean someone simply for personal or political gain. So, I scrutinized this ad before choosing to post it. Therefore, I discerned that because this ad stayed focused on the specific political issues on which McCain has agreed with Bush and it did not attack his character as an admirable individual, I will let it through. (Plus, as an AV guy, I'm impressed by how the ad has visually shown what would possibly be the political result of such similarities between McCain and Bush.)


URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN10_6pyshQ

Clinton wins Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas Primaries

Last night Hillary Clinton won the Ohio (54% to 44%), Rhode Island (58% to 40%), and Texas primaries (51% to 47%). (The results are still coming in for the Texas caucus.) Barack Obama has - thus far - won Vermont (60% to 39%). (The numbers are still coming in for Vermont as well.)

I'd recommend taking a look at my spreadsheets directly ("2008 Primaries Current Standings"), but - for quick reference - here's a screen capture of the main page for my Democrats spreadsheet (as of 2008-03-05@09:45 MST).



As someone who very carefully chooses where to place my vote. Based on a politican's record, character, and kindness, it has been very tempting for me to become depressed by last night's results. In fact, I won't say that I haven't lost heart for a few moments over the last couple of hours. It has been very rough seeing Clinton's recent negative campaign tactics yielding an increase in her votes. I had thought Americans had learned to see past those underhanded overused and politically meaningless insults. But, it is no matter. I still have HOPE! And the same hope I hold to is shared by millions of other people around the globe.

The people of the United States of America are awakening. The power is with us - the people. We are saying "Yes, WE Can", not "Yes, she will" (new Clinton chant heard in Ohio last night) because the change must come from the people, of the people. And WE the people of the United States of America, want to see someone who will stand for us in Washington DC.

So, now our eyes now turn to Wyoming. This Democratic primary has given every person a voice. The votes of every state have made a difference. So, please, don't just watch while the people who should echo your voice throughout the globe are chosen for you. Make your voice heard and make your vote count. No matter who you support. It is you who decides who governs the USA.

Obama Final Ohio Ad

The Hill Blog has brought my attention to "Obama’s Closing Pitch in Ohio" [The Hill Blog]. Tomorrow could end up being the deciding factor in the delegate numbers for Clinton and Obama.

Here are the number of pledged delegates at stake for each state voting tomorrow:
Ohio: 141
Rhode Island: 21
Texas: 193
Vermont: 15
Remember, you can get all the current delegate standings and voting results from the spreadsheets I put together. (Visit this post for more information: "2008 Primaries Current Standings")

I've included Obama's ad below:

URL: http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid353515028/bctid1438426726

Comparing Clinton, Obama 3AM ads

As I have done previously ("Mud-slinging should be a thing of the past"), I would like to show you another set of ads from Clinton and Obama. Clinton released hers earlier this week, propositioning that only she has the skills to handle a global crisis. Obama has responded today with his own ad, pointing out the differences in the judgments both he and Clinton have made regarding international calamities.

Clinton ad:

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M70emIFxETs

Obama ad:

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=879o1_pxO0c