Final Post

The grade I feel I deserve for this class is a B+/A-.

I feel confident in this because of several reasons. I had only one absence this semester. While in class I participated as much as I could and I feel that I brought positive contributions to the class discussion. I completed and recieved good grades on all but one or two assignments. Through out the course I made advances in my writing ability and critical thinking. Of course I still have room for improvement to be made, but I am a better writer and think more critically than I did last semester. Most importantly because of this course, I now have a better idea of where and how I need to improve.

TAYLOR'S NECESSARY EVILS

The public needs protection. However, so do our first responders. Nearly 45 years later the shortcomings of the Taylor Law have become apparent. All essential public employees in New York State are covered by the Public Employees Fair Employment Act more commonly referred to as the Taylor Law. Named for labor researcher George W. Taylor, the state statute spells out the rights and limitations of public employees  and municipal unions. In layman's terms the law prevents public employees from striking, at the threat of hefty fines and jail time. In return for this major concession the governor appoints the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) to settle all contract disputes. However, like any legal dispute PERB takes nearly a minimum of 2 years to get involved. Most public employees, especially first responders agree that they should not have the right to strike. A current Nassau County Police Officer said "no matter what cops could never strike, it would be dereliction of duty." Retired New York City Detective Garrett Gorton added "I could never drive in my police car with blinders on." Similar feelings are shared among fire fighters. A retired Luietenant and former president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association  said "a vast majority of people who go in to emergency services go in to the field because of  a desire or calling to help others."

Holiday Tidings

Growing up the holiday season is always a special time of year. Unfortunately, as each year passes the holiday magic gets a little more tarnished. I come from a large family, we all used to spend the holidays together. As life happens though families grow apart. But even worse for me was when the family I started was over. When I was 21 years old I met a girl and fell in love. At 24 we got married in October. I thought that what I had found was the real deal and that with some work we would live happily ever after. 2 years later I found out how wrong I was. By the time I was 26 my wife and I owned 2 houses in 2 states (NY and Ga). I was in it for the long haul and Natalie had me and everyone else believing she was too. Boy, was I suprised when she told me she wanted a divorce! We had just moved to Georgia 6 months earlier. There was no indication that anything was wrong, one day we were trying to have a baby, then bam she was gone. Nothing could have prepared me for the whole life that I had worked so hard to build to come crashing down. The worst part was that she gave me no reason as to why andI had not done anything wrong. Not to mention I was a 1,000 miles from everyone I knew! Of course it was Thanksgiving Eve when Natalie told me she wanted a divorce. I did what I thought was right and I went shopping and cooked us 1 last Thanksgiving feast. It was the first time that we were not with either of our families for the holidays. Since 2006 I have not been able to feel any holiday magic, nor am I able to have faith in a woman again.

Save Jobs, Trim Fat

3,496 jobs saved in New York. The second largest union in New York State, the Public Employees Federation passed a revised four year agreement to prevent massive layoffs. In the agreement, the union conceded to a three year pay freeze and higher health care contributions. In September the PEF had rejected a five year deal. Layoffs were slated to begin the very day that the agreement was ratified by the PEF.
“Although this was a difficult decision for our members, it demonstrates they are willing to do their part to put New York state on a stable financial footing, as all New Yorkers should, and are helping to resolve a fiscal crisis for which they were not responsible.This agreement preserves our members’ jobs and the services they provide.  During this economic downturn, the state’s citizens are more dependent on these vital services than ever, in the wake of the flooding earlier this year." said PEF President Ken Brynien.
75% of the union membership voted in favor of the revised agreement. The agreement preserves the pay-scale, the employment and the careers of PEF members.  It maintains increments and salary-grade parity, longevity payments and co-pays for doctor visits at their current levels. "We are certain the governor understands the sacrifice our members have agreed to accept, and recognizes the value PEF members and other public employees provide to the citizens of the state". Brynien continued, “We now call on the governor as part of his efforts to increase the efficiency of state government, to direct his attention to areas where PEF has highlighted cost savings.  These areas include the elimination of wasteful contracting out and reducing the state’s excessive authorities, commissions and public benefit corporations that make up the state’s shadow government.”
New York Governor Cuomo is attempting to close a $10 billion deficit in the state budget that started April first.

Blog #3

There are too many times that I feel helpless, worthless, and insignificant. At times the feelings are even much darker then those. My depression sometimes forces me to have wretched thoughts. The thoughts and feelings that consume my being are those of the most evil sort. When the depression is at it's worst my thoughts are basically nonexistant, it takes my entire being just to get through the day and accomplish the most menial tasks, the sort that one usuaslly completes without even thinking. On many occasions I have found myself contemplating suicide. Being miserable is so completely exhausting. In my conscience mind I know that these feelings and thoughts are only temporary, so I try to hide it and carry on as if everything is ok. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. My depressive disorder is no secret in my life, mostly everybody who knows me on a personal knows about it.When I was a young boy,  my depressive tendencies were recognized and I started seeing a psychiatrist in the first grade. Now I am thiry-one and have seen many professionals through the years. As much as I wish I could get help from those that I am close to, I can't. It is my plight and mine alone. To be honest I am about to enter the fourth month of my current depression!

Critical Thinking 2

For this assignment I chose to compare an article from MSNBC.COM with an article from FOXNEWS.COM both articles deal with Gov. Perry's tax plan.

Perry’s Flat Tax Plan Seeks Major Tax, Spending Overhaul
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/10/25/perrys-flat-tax-plan-seeks-major-tax-spending-overhaul/#ixzz1bqwtfQMs

and

Perry pitches his 20-20 optional flat-tax economic plan

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/10/25/8481131-perry-pitches-his-20-20-optional-flat-tax-economic-plan

 

Firstly, without reading anything MSNBC published a much smaller article than FOXNEWS did. Both sources give the basic information of Perry's proposal. Both articles also compare Perry's plan with the other GOP candidates, FOXNEWS however goes on to include a comment made by the Obama campaign. The MSNBC site promotes liberal or leftist politics and appears to cover the article because they have to. Where as the FOXNEWS site promotes conservative or rightist politics and because of this, Fox felt the need to include the inflamatory comment made by the Obama campaign. The nature and relevence of this article require that all news sources run the story, however, how much space and what is included in the article can tell an educated reader alot about the source of the article. Everybody has a bias, whether its across political party lines, or preparing to try to swing one primary candidate or another into a better light all come into play in the publishing of any article.

Mangano's Credibility

Nassau County is facing a $310 million budget gap. County Executive Mangano is threatening to lay off hundreds of county workers to close this gap. In response to this threat thousands of unionized county workers gathered outside the County Executive's office in mineola on Monday October 17th. The workers' rallied in protest to how Mangano handles the county's finances.
Mangano claims that the union bosses are refusing to negotiate their contracts. What the County Executive is refusing to admit is that many of these contracts are in effect for years to come. The Police Officers' contract is in effect until 2015, yet their salaries were already frozen this past January. Now Mangano is pushing for legislation to void the current contract and force his terms on the Cops here mid-contract. What are Mangano's terms? 1-Open contract until the county is out of fiscal trouble; 2-Close 2 precincts; 3-Eliminate minimum manning (which means that there would be no minimum amount of Cops on duty at any time); 4-Restructure salaries; 5- Reduce vacation days; 6-Reduce sick days; 7-Contibute 25% to all insurance this year; 8-Force Cops to work extra days without pay. During their last contract negotiations under Suozzi, the PBA already conceded approximately $15,000.00 per year, costing them their uniform allowance, several vacation days, and 2 weeks pay.
It seems that Mangano is trying to tighten the belt all around the county, but that is not the case. The county has recently spent $100 million on ball fields, Mangano continues to hold an extravagent car show, and he has created many unnecessary $100 thousand per year patronage jobs.

Blog 2

Everybody suffers through out their life. Some more than others. I am one of the many who battle  depression. Through out my life,
I have experienced long recurring periods of nearly debillitating depression. For me, these depressive periods started at a young age. They have no rhyme or reason and nothing in particular brings them on, but when I fall into one it lasts weeks to months. I have come to accept these melancholy periods as part of my life. I do my best to hold my depression at bay and to carry on pretending that everything is ok, but sometimes it is simply not possible. There are too many times that I feel helpless, worthless, and insignificant. At times the feelings are even much darker then those. No matter what, nothing seems to be able to prevent or end these terrifying and crippling periods of self-loathing and despair. I know there are medications available to treat depression, but I know that these lows do eventually end. With that in mind I choose to experience and endure my natural and real feelings. I don't ever want my hapiness  to rely on a drug. It is my opinion that it is better to go through the ups and downs of my depression.

CRITICAL THINKING

You are investigating a story about illegal dumping near an elementary school.  A person comes up to you and offers to provide you with documents that will definitively prove that the dumping has been going on, who is responsible, and the toxins that have been dumped.  This is obviously a huge story. Only catch is, the individual wants you to pay him for those documents.

Question:  Are you willing to pay for the information?  Support your answer with substantive arguments.



             For me, the answer is without hesitation no. This is the type of situation that I feel is not negotiable. I would never pay anyone for information. No matter how huge a story is, it can be broken without buying information. After all, Woodward and Bernstein were able to take down President Nixon without buying information. Besides my ethical reservations about paying a source, I feel that any person who needs to make a financial gain to release information is not a reliable and trustworthy individual. Also, the documents could be falsified, and the same offer can be made to other reporters as well. In my heart and mind some things are simply black and white.

BIG BROTHER SEES YOU ON LONG ISLAND

DRIVERS BEWARE. FIRST CAME SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS. THEN NASSAU COUNTY INSTALLED HUNDREDS OF RED LIGHT CAMERAS. NOW MASSAPEQUA PARK IS INSTALLING PARKING VIOLATION SENSORS. IN NOVEMBER 5O SENSORS WILL BE INSTALLED UNDER THE STREETS TO DETECT ILLEGALLY PARKED CARS NEAR THE PARK BLVD. BUSINESS CENTER. THE WIRELESS DISCS WILL NOTIFY POLICE OFFICERS VIA CELL PHONE WHEN A CAR IS PARKED ILLEGALLY IN CERTAIN AREAS OF MASSAPEQUA PARK. THIS WILL ALLOW OFFICERS TO QUICKLY TICKET VEHICLES WITHOUT HAVING TO DRIVE ROUNDS TO KNOW WHEN PARKING INFRACTIONS ARE COMITTED. VILLAGE OFFICIALS CLAIM THAT THE NEW MEASURE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH RAISING REVENUE. MAYOR JAMES ALTADONNA SAID "IT’S A SAFETY ISSUE." THE $25 FINES WILL MAKE THE TRIAL OF THE DEVICES SUCCESSFUL. SO EXPECT THE SENSORS TO BECOME PERMANENT BY THE BEGINNING OF 2012. ALSO, DON’T BE SURPRISED WHEN THEY ARE INSTALLED IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

First Post

Throughout the course of my life experiences, I have become very comfortable sharing and disclosing nearly everything that I have been through. However, that is on a verbal level. In writing I am moderately comfortable as well. However, writing in this forum I am very uncomfortable publishing almost anything of a personal or opinion based nature. I know of several people who have caught an awful lot of grief because of what they published on the web. Once someone publishes anything on the internet, they lose all control of that information forever. No person is exempt from internet backlash. From olympians to teachers, criminals to cops, and right down to your average citizen, people do not realize that once you publish something on the internet, it's out there for the world to see forever. There is no such thing as a private or protected post, nor can you actually delete something. Even if you do delete something, it is still saved on a server somewhere and there is no telling who may print what you post right as you publish it. The internet is a great information sharing tool, however we must realize, acknowledge, and accept the fact that you can never truly remove anything that you publish on the internet.