Quick update!
i got lazy over thanksgiving weekend, but i should be getting on a better blogging schedule shortly. expect at least 4 posts this week. 
A Quickie: Basic Economic Understanding
i read an article the other day on Walmart , where it stated that their profits this quarter rose 8 percent. It stated that part of the reason why it went up was not only because of increased sales, but also because of controlling wages. Now think for a moment. Usually what controlling wages means is that they give little or no salary increases… or worse, higher new workers at lower rates. If you have to jip your employees who are only making 8.00-10.50 an hour out of his/her 25 cent raise per hour to make a profit, your business is not doing well. If you keep lowering or maintaining your workers salary, they won’t be able to buy anything, hence the economic slump we are in now. Granted, Walmart jobs are low-skilled jobs, and can easily be replaced, but do you really want to punish people for doing their jobs? They still work hard, many hours a day.
Thinking Critically about Iran
This topic is a very complicated one. Lets assume for a moment, we don’t know anything truthful about Iran; Whether or not it’s Shiite, whether or not they are supplying groups in Iraq with munitions and training, and whether or not they are “evil” as Bush would call them. Lets just look at Iran, for a moment, as a country with its own situation. If you were a 2nd tier nation, and you wanted to become one of the “Great Powers”, what would you do, or be willing to do, to achieve that? In your general geographic area, who are you most threatened by? What are your main sources of income? Are there certain domestic troubles or ideologies that are pushing you in one direction or the other?
The first and most important goal for any given country, is its need to be independent. If your borders are being threatened, you, as a country, would do as you deem necessary to preserve those borders. In Iran’s case, not only do you have Israel in your backyard which “may or may not have nukes” as they like to say, but now you have a Super Power on your doorstep as well. That would make any country with whom you have poor relations with start to become very defensive, and in a sort of survival mode. Does becoming a nuclear power preserve your borders? No country that has nuclear capabilities has been fully conquered, however there is a little asterisk there. India and Pakistan (both of them nuclear powers) have been at a standoff for years over Kashmir, and have had skirmishes.
Iran’s main source of income is oil. With gas prices reaching almost $100 a barrel, Iran’s profits are skyrocketing. Iran’s infrastructure is in poor shape though, and they could be profiting a lot more from it. Assuming for a moment their nuclear ambitions are completely civilian, having nuclear plants provide most of your domestic supply needs would allow you to export even more oil, and thus more money. A country can’t live off of oil alone forever, as we all know, so having a more diversified economy is beneficial to any nation.
To be able to tackle the Iran problem in a mature way, we must be able to see the other side of the story, to understand what the other side could be thinking. This piece is in no way intended to be an appeal to be more sympathetic to the regime, but is intended to make you think of other possibilities, and to make better arguments either for, or against, Iran.
Blame Canada! …. or thank them?
this is actually old news, but most people don’t realize it. Canada is actually the largest oil exporter to the U.S., and Saudi Arabia is 2nd. This is actually part of the reason why the Canadian dollar is beating the U.S. dollar (as is every other currency), but also part of the reason why our gas prices only go up by 25-50 cents instead of a dollar, or more! So next time you meet someone from our neighbor in the north, give them a hug.
Colbert can still be president!
Apparently, in an open letter from KFC to Stephen Colbert, he has been offered to be their acting president for a day.
November 12, 2007
An open letter to Stephen Colbert:
We’ve been closely following the news around your decision to run for president, including the recent development that your name will not be allowed on the ballot in South Carolina.
We know you are disappointed, but there are many KFC staffers who are proud members of ColbertNation and we are here to help.
It is with great pride that I tell you that KFC has the power to pave your road to the White House, and to offer you the presidency! No ballot, election or voting required.
KFC Headquarters in Louisville, Ky., is located in a building called the White House and we’d like to invite you to our White House to serve as KFC president for a day.
Your day as president would begin with a “swearing in” ceremony, where you’ll place your hand on the book containing the Colonel’s secret recipe. Your first official duty would be to help us sort the “left wings” from the “right wings.” We’d also like you to hold a “State of the Chicken” address with some of America’s most dedicated restaurant managers.
One of the best things about being KFC president for a day is that you don’t have to choose sides. We have plenty of mashed potatoes and gravy, cole slaw and macaroni and cheese to go around, and KFC will allow you the liberty of enjoying all of our sides!
Colonel Sanders brought Southern Hospitality to fried chicken fans around the world, and we think you’ll enjoy experiencing our Southern Hospitality during your one-day term as president of KFC. Your chance at a seat in the oval office may have been denied, but you’ll always have a seat at KFC’s dinner table.
With the ongoing writers’ strike, I assume there is some free time on your calendar. I look forward to giving you a tour of your White House office soon.
Regards,
Gregg Dedrick
President of KFC
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