My Response to Today's USATODAY Community College Article

Though I have attended both four-year colleges and community colleges, I will neither go as far to say that four-year colleges are rip-offs nor go as far to say that two-year colleges prepare astronauts especially in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) community. There is more college aid in these disciplines. The federal government offers the American Competitiveness and National SMART grants in addition to the Pell Grant to lessen the burden for Americans wanting to major in these fields. In addition, several Fortune 500 firms, knowing that the US is producing one million less scientists and computer programmers than China and India, offer scholarships. Furthermore, as a native Clevelander with NASA Glenn in my backyard, it has not partnered with Cuyahoga Community College for any specialized training because to become an astronaut, physicist, etc, require a minimum of a BA. Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Mae Jemison have never started at a community college and it is by design.

The tier level exists because they serve different functions within society. If you do neither have the grades, the focus, nor the money then community college is for you. It is a cheaper alternative for people to find their footing and save money. Community colleges train blue collar workers. Four-year train white collar professionals. Though I have enrolled at community colleges to take mathematic classes, as an economist working in the STEM community, I value receiving my BA because it has more value. An Associates degree does not have the same value. None of America’s billionaires from Oprah to Bill Gates have ever attended community college. That is a fact. Therefore, the rant that four-year colleges are a rip-off is nonsense because they serve a very really function of training of best and brightest who are ready and prepared to learn now; and, being ready to learn upon graduating from high school is essential towards the United States retaining global competitiveness advantage.

Even though I love the function of a community college, I feel compelled to write this because a four-year college degree is not a waste. The people badmouthing four-year colleges do not possess the aptitude to win a scholarship to attend them. Furthermore, it is important to get as many children proficient in math and science in order to effectively compete with China and India. These two countries are producing one million more scientists and computer programmers than we are. Therefore, this nation can ill-afford the “college is not for everybody” and “four-year colleges are a rip-off” mentalities because stake as the world’s innovative leader is at stake.

Opportunity Journal Entry #24: Career Expansion

The HR specialist assigned the Census’ Statistician announcement, says that the OPM accepts USDA Graduate School credits. This enables me to take both statistics I and II to qualify for this position. Since they cost less than both UDC and AU, I will pay out of pocket. This career expansion comes at a great time because I will need to earn more money to finance my graduate education. The announcement gives me nine months to fulfill the requirements allowing me time to gather the money and use my developmental assignment as a stepping stone towards obtaining experience.

Becoming a statistician puts me deeper into the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) community; and, that is my career objective. I want to learn as much math as possible so that I fully understand the doctoral program information. Furthermore, I want to finish within four years not five. Mastering the math is key towards achieving my goal.

Opportunity Journal Entry #23: Ode to Financial Empowerment

Just when I think that there is no way I can afford my education, I put together a plan. Subtracting the agency’s tuition assistance and my scholarship leaves an outstanding balance; however, with money in my coffers, only a small difference remains. That’s why I really do not need a loan and to take a day to mull over whether or not to pay out of pocket.

It has taken nearly five months to accumulate this kind of money in my other account. Therefore, winning one more scholarship and diligently saving, technically I can pay for my education out of pocket come spring without any loan money. Furthermore, I can always return the additional money. The bank will approve or disprove of my loan within sixty minutes and it will disburse it to the school within two weeks pending no additional documentation. However, getting an updated billing is my job, therefore, Thursday morning, I will review my student account then apply for the loan.

Socking away money for a rainy day has its benefits because honestly I would have never known that this would be the emergency; yet, it is I can deal with it immediately without straining myself. Now I can stroll over and eat $5 entrees during Happy Hour and attend the PINK PASS party at K Street Lounge.

Lending a Helping Hand

Right upon exiting Wachovia, a lady stopped me to ask where was the Citibank on 15th Street? Her question confused me because I exited a retail bank and it did not register that she meant a credit bank. I pointed out Wachovia, Washington Bank, Adams Bank and implied that she was thinking about Chevy Chase Bank. This exchange prevented me from directly crossing the street forcing me to walk across two intersections to return to work. This diversion helped me immensely because I saw the Citibank branch. Feeling bad that I gave the lady the wrong directions, I ran across three intersections to tell me. Luckily, she was on her cell phone asking for directions when I apologized for my error. Afterward, she thanked me for telling her. Actually, that made me feel better than the 73 degree sunshine.

The Truth Behind the Obama-Jackson Rift

The black family war of words surrounding Barack Obama and Jesse Jackson are heating up with some misquoting being done on both sides. Yesterday Senator Obama countered Reverend Jesse Jackson’s remarks saying that fatherlessness is a particular problem within the African-American community because more than fifty percent of households have no father. Reality check: the American divorce rate is fifty percent so that is not just for black families but for all families. It is a shame that Senator Barack Obama has decided to speak from his Audacity of Hope pulpit instead of his Dreams of my Father one where he, too, grew up fatherless. Mr. Obama should preach how he managed to convert pain and self-destruction of cocaine drug usage into becoming an Ivy League graduate and more responsible father.

I pride myself on having the same background as Senator Obama: both of our grandfathers fought in World War II and he graduated from Harvard and Columbia and within one year I will be on my way. We are beneficiaries of the World War II Pell Grant because our ancestors had it when it covered 100% of state tuition. Currently, the Pell Grant covers less than 50% of state tuition and student loans have taken grant aids’ place. That is why we have spent our entire lives above the poverty line. Also, both Senator Obama and I are conceived in wedlock. These commonalites allow me to see the okie-doke whenever it rears its ugly head. In addition, I have pointed out the problems with defending his former pastor Jeremiah Wright before the preacher turned his remarks into a three-ring circus. Furthermore, I take particular issue with Obama’s welfare remark because he knows that there are more white people on welfare than black people. Now instead of inspiring young black men to become better individuals and, hence, better fathers, he gives fire and brimstone speeches admonishing them. His sermons give no solutions which is deplorable. Finally, Senator Obama admires President Abraham Lincoln and I, too, have a quotation for him: You can fool all of the people some of the time, you can fool some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.

How Bad Do I Want It? Update

I scored 660 instead of 700 on my quantitative section, therefore, I will retake the test. However, buying the Math Word Problems for Dummies book was the best investment ever made because it dissected all of the GRE problems. Though I wished that I had purchased it prior to the test, I was at least happy about the fact that I would score way beyond 700.

Independence from Bitterness

Immediately after hearing a Mexican-American woman's story about how her guidance counselor tried to discourage her from taking French because she was Hispanic at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival's NASA Pioneers seminar, I realized that I was not the only one because my mother and guidance counselor railed against me for taking chemistry. Instead I had to take botany and anatomy and physiology. After eleventh, I decided to take physics yet earned a D because I had no chemistry background.

That pain and anger stayed with me until that moment when I realized that I
can overcome this by reading Chemistry for Dummies and taking a class at UDC. In addition Dummies publishes Chemistry, Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry for Dummies along with Physics and Anatomy and Physiology for Dummies. Of course being the Type A personality that I am, I have researched state and community colleges near Harvard, Yale and Columbia to earn my science degree (it can be either biology, chemistry, or physics). Since I will have 44 math credits, all I will have to do is take the science and capstone courses. My dissertation phase allows me to be outside of school, thereby, giving me the opportunity to take classes at resident tuition rates.

How Bad Do I Want It?

Tomorrow is my GRE test and scoring 700 on the quantitative exam because I want to get into an Ivy League doctoral program. Though I possess significant economist experience, am an ALDP program participant, and in the honor society, but acing the GRE exam increases the probability of being accepted. I want this so bad that I have solved every problem in the official GRE book and have completed both PowerPrep practice exams.

Static on TV during the 2008 NBA Draft

I totally disagree with Dick Vitale's opinion that certain players should be able to bypass college and enter the NBA draft because they must look at their contracts as lump sums that must be astutely managed throughout their lives. Obtaining a colleges; and, look no education has its benefit than college football which requires three years. Furthermore, look at the quality of endorsements and its impact upon lifetime income. Even in the age of LeBron James it is no coincidence that no NBA players has received an American Express endorsement. Why? Because the majority of its clientele is college educated. Mr Vitale should have just stuck to the 2008 draft!

Barack Obama's the Presumptive Democratic Nominee and Why Hillary Should Not Vice-President

After winning the Montana and capturing 2132 delegates, Barack Obama is the presumptive Democratic nominee. He is the first black person to receive a major party nomination. Furthermore, Hillary Clinton has announced via email that she will end her campaign Saturday in Washington, DC (Though there is no word yet as to if she would release her delegates). Though there are many petitions circulating to have Clinton as the vice-presidential nominee, Hillary would not be a good fit for Obama’s campaign for several reasons:

1) She is polarizing and has too much negative history: See Watergate, Monica Lewinsky and the failed healthcare bill

2) She is a sore loser who cannot admit defeat: the votes have already been counted Tuesday night but Clinton refuses to concede until Saturday, four days later. If someone cannot admit defeat then surely she cannot say that she is wrong which will hamper Obama’s presidential bid.

3) John Edwards’ endorsement put Barack Obama over the top after Hillary regained momentum with wins in Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania. Moreover, Hillary cannot win the South, something that this primary has shown. Edwards, a North Carolinian, would be a better guarantee to secure votes in that region and Appalachia.

4) She cannot muscle Barack into receiving the VP slot: You only have pull when you win and already many voters are comfortable voting for Barack over John McCain. This whole “I’m holding onto my marbles” is very childish and will return to haunt her as a Senator and if she decides to run for the presidency in 2012.

Many reporters posit that Barack’s three-person VP panel does not have her on the short-list anyway. For instance, Caroline Kennedy along with her uncle, Senator Ted Kennedy, are early Obama endorsers. I totally agree with them because Hillary should not expect to receive a seat at the table just because she has come in second. You do not see Mike Huckabee openly campaigning for McCain's VP slot!

Opportunity Journal Entry #22: Climbing the Corporate Ladder

My boss has just told me that my promotional paperwork has been approved, and that it will show in check during this period! Nuff said!

The Weird and Unfortunate ramblings of Jason Whitlock

Jason Whitlock is once again calling braids and other untraditional hairstyles worn by NBA players as prison look. That’s bad and he needs to just chill and stop saying stupid stuff. The reason why NBA ratings are soaring are this season has been exciting to watch. The resurgent Celtics, LeBron, a rejuvenated Kobe. These are wonderful reasons to watch. When Larry Bird decided to grow facial hair, no one accused him of looking rebellious so why unevenly apply this to black players. Roger Clemens, with no facial hair is a bigger misfit by sleeping with fifteen years (the FBI is investigating Mindy McCready about this) and taking steroids. So looks can be deceiving! It is sad and unfortunate that I must hold my breath whenever I click on www.msn.com because www.foxsports.com is totally unprofessional and completely biased.

Why the BA stampede is necessary

It is high time to address this whole pseudo-BA degree glut market because all of this misinformation is extremely detrimental. Once again, I disagree with the assertion that a so-called stampede to a four-year degree does not make sense especially when China and India are producing one million more engineering annually than the US. It is stupid to advocate vocational and community colleges over four-year institutions when this country is losing the talent war. I would rather have a plumber with a BA and the intelligence to build a better mouse trap (in this case an eco-friendly toilet flush system) than one who just fixes existing technology. Furthermore, the four-year institutions possess better research laboratories to create the new technology. Neither a high school vocational graduate nor a community college certified vocational graduate possess the math and science aptitude to effectively compete in the global economy in the industrial market. Supply chain management requires advanced statistical knowledge acquired only at a four-year institution because community colleges do not teach the calculus-based statistics necessary to operate the machinery. Having taken calculus III, I am quite qualified to discuss why the BA stampede must continue in order to meet and exceed the global intellectual demands.

My Second Anniversary

Today marks my second anniversary on my job and the official date of becoming a ZP-III Economist. It amazes me how much I have grown since my first day on the job. I was so wide eye, I could not even find the Friendship Heights metro station. Then I pushed the wrong elevator button. Now I walk to work. Financially, I was broke with two checking accounts in ChexSystems. I could not even open a checking account. My bad credit forced me to live in Arlington Virginia because no one would rent to me. Now I am possess good credit residing two blocks from my employer.

Now here are some new objectives to accomplish during the next two years:
Complete my MA in Economics degree and graduate with Omicron Delta Epsilon honors
Pay off all CCCS debt
Become a GS-12 economist and apply and get accepted into the Executive Leaders Development Program
Finish my first year of doctoral school at an Ivy League school

Undoubtedly Redoubtable

redoubtable (adj.): 1) formidable. 2) worthy of respect.

In the face of adversity, I remain redoubtable and steadfast that I will perform well at AU, be inducted into the honors society, graduate on time and receive acceptance into an Ivy League doctoral school!

Mentoring from All Angles

The agency mentoring meeting is wonderful and upon learning that the organization will discuss publishing, am all the more amped to attend! Publishing a paper provides another opportunity to write and research my master’s thesis. Instead of depending upon other AU professors, bring a couple of my own people. Hey, professionals are professionals! Once the lady has gotten over my initial ambiguity (I did not know if the agency’s mentoring would collide with the department's, but since it did not I came!), I enjoy it. During the session, I mention that within one year I will be a GS-12 economist. My mentor, says that there are certain things, such as budget and vacancies, which are beyond your control. Well, I beg to differ because I am in ALDP; therefore, operating two levels above everyone else. Therefore, within one year, I will not just receive my GS-12 economist but also my MA in economics degree! Remember you don’t get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate!

Mixed Signals

The final is over. It has taken me nearly the entire semester for me to understand what the professor means when she says show your work. I am thinking that she means calculator commands but she really means theory. If I have known this before, I would have performed better on the test. It amazes me that I am the first one finish (although I have forgotten some stuff.). Finishing in the allotted time empowers me. After submitting my final, she returns my first lab so that I can score higher. Friday I will do this along with studying for my second lab. I feel great that she is really trying to help me, but, I feel that I might still need to retake calculus III. My gut feeling is that my overall course grade will be C- and since I am a graduate student, I base success on a B scale. By principle, I cannot accept this grade. So Monday, I will ask for other options. Mastering calculus III is essential towards graduate work therefore it is important that I fully understand it!

DL Hughley's Hypocrisy and Self-Hatred

Hypocrite comedian DL Hughley proclaims during the whole Rutgers debacle with Don Imus that anyone saying anything against black people is free speech but hate speech for everyone else. Furthermore, today on the Tom Joyner Morning Show he mentions that he has had a meeting with John Zogby regarding how people in Pennsylvania will vote and points out the racial composition of America. This is coming from the man who says that Barack Obama will not even win the Democratic nomination, but Obama has more pledged delegates than Hilary Clinton. Moreover, what about the white, conservative Republicans who affirm never to cast a vote for McCain at not only the primary but the general election? If DL Hughley looks at poll numbers, he will see that Barack versus McCain is even, but Clinton versus McCain, favors McCain. In addition, in this morning's New York Times, Jon Andrew, former DNC chairman and Indianan publicly supports Barack and tells former president Bill Clinton to have his wife drop out of the race and throw their support behind Obama. I do not understand why he talks because he is a hypocrite; and, the worse part is that he hails from the same city that I do: Cleveland. The Cleveland Cavaliers lose to the Washington Wizards now this! Rats!

Something Rivals.com Would Not Dare Publish Regarding Its Proposed College Football Playoff Proposal

Rivals always want to propose a division I playoff but the problem with this is that we first must have uniform schedule meaning the eliminating the conference championship games in the ACC and SEC because the NFL AFC and NFC do not have them. The problem is greed, of course, because these games generate a lot of money. That is something that Rivals would not dare to print because then the site will appear hypocritical which, of course, it is. It is not-so-secret that many of the conferences' coaches dread these games, but the board of directors receive a lot of money from them. This is why the ACC championship is moving from Jacksonville to Charlotte. In addition, having a playoff would make college football center around money instead of academics. Look no further than college basketball which requires one year of college versus three years for college football. Furthermore, why should the US government get involved in college athletics? That is ridiculous! Finally, I do not hear any other publication outside of Yahoo and Rivals (no ESPN, Sportingnews, Sports Illustrated, or any legitimate publication) proclaiming that there is this universal push so please get over your large, inflated egos!

I Know that the Atlanta Falcons are Desperate But Matt Ryan

Okay so I am one of the few who believe that the Michael Vick era is not over until the Falcons start winning just like the wise old sage from ESPN News said yesterday. Even with Matt Ryan’s selection because Matt Ryan has never won a BCS bowl game or broken any NCAA records except for choking in the ACC Title game against Virginia Tech allowing the Hokies to play in the Orange Bowl. Ryan is not even the best quarterback in the 2008 draft. I know that the Atlanta Falcons are desperate but really, Ryan is inaccurate, too skinny, and has a pathetic offensive line. Even with Sam Baker from USC, he will still get hit!