Friday, April 15, 2011
My thoughts on Nick Benoits article
I have to say this is something I feel very strongly about. I am so glad that steps are being taken to curb obesity but I feel the same as Nick that this should have been started a long time ago. I guess the biggest effects of the overload of technology and devices that do not promote physical activity has really become so apparent in the last ten years or so. What happened to PE everyday in elementary school like when we were kids. Personally I would rather the day be alittle bit longer for my kids and have that available to them than not. It isn't offered until 7th grade now to do that and join athletics. By that time kids have already put on extra weight that could have been curved. Ofcourse most of the responsibility belongs to the parents. Parents need to turn of the TV, computer and video games and kick their butts out the door and say go climb a tree, ride your bike or something! They're missing out on some of the best parts of being kid.
Obesity Craze by Nick Benoit
Lately there has been a lot of focus on obesity in the United States, especially from the government. Following Jamie Oliver's example from "Food Revolution," many cities, counties, states, and even the federal government are addressing the problem of obesity. When I first heard that the new federal health care bill will soon required restaurants to make calorie counts readily available to their customers I was ecstatic. I think this was something that needed to be done a long time ago, because people go to a restaurant and order a salad and have no idea that the salad could be 800 calories. So when Texas governments began to follow in the federal governments footsteps, I was even more excited.
According to Debra King (Austin American-Statesman), 30 percent of Texas children are overweight or obese. In Lubbock, where about 38% of Lubbock County residents were obese in 2007, they are working on a healthy dining guide to provide residents with healthy choices at restaurants in the area. I know I'm guilty of this as most people are, but when I go out to eat I have no idea how many calories I am consuming. Actually, I have no idea how many calories I consume at home.
My girlfriend works for the Texas Department of State Health Services, and they provide many wellness services to their employees. She has access to a worksite wellness program which provides fitness rooms, fitness classes, and a farm to work program. I think more programs like this should be provided to employees, as it would most likely cut insurance costs because healthy employees would not have to go to the doctor as often.
It makes me happy that different levels of government are addressing the issue of obesity, but why is this all just starting now. Being overweight and obese have been problems that have been around for a long time. I think more cities and counties in Texas should jump on the healthy bandwagon and encourage their citizens to make a change in their lives.
According to Debra King (Austin American-Statesman), 30 percent of Texas children are overweight or obese. In Lubbock, where about 38% of Lubbock County residents were obese in 2007, they are working on a healthy dining guide to provide residents with healthy choices at restaurants in the area. I know I'm guilty of this as most people are, but when I go out to eat I have no idea how many calories I am consuming. Actually, I have no idea how many calories I consume at home.
My girlfriend works for the Texas Department of State Health Services, and they provide many wellness services to their employees. She has access to a worksite wellness program which provides fitness rooms, fitness classes, and a farm to work program. I think more programs like this should be provided to employees, as it would most likely cut insurance costs because healthy employees would not have to go to the doctor as often.
It makes me happy that different levels of government are addressing the issue of obesity, but why is this all just starting now. Being overweight and obese have been problems that have been around for a long time. I think more cities and counties in Texas should jump on the healthy bandwagon and encourage their citizens to make a change in their lives.
Texas Unemployment Stays Below National Average
There has been an increase in jobs across the state in a variety of areas. An increase of 37,200 jobs to be exact. It is so pleasing to see something positive like this. Our unemployment average went from 8.2% to 8.1% staying below the national average of 8.8%. The biggest increase was seen in professional and business services adding 10,800 jobs to their market. Next was leisure and hospitality adding on 9900 jobs for their industry. Mining and logging added 4300 jobs, trade, transportation and utilities added 2300 more jobs, and construction added 2200 jobs. The trend has continued consistently for months now. This is great for our state moving toward our goal for jobs in our state for every individual who wants to work. Our job market and people are so diverse that we really have a step ahead for creating and maintaining a great statewide trend of employment for our citizens.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
TAKE A RIDE ON THE GAS PUMP ROLLERCOASTER
There won't be oil ever again March 8, 2011
In a posting by Eileen Smith on her blog In the Pink Texas, she discusses in a humorous fashion that I personally enjoy, those darn gas prices. She is directing the post to anyone and everyone that has to use gas to get around. I think that her position holds merit because she personally sees how much more money it now takes to fill up her car than it did even a month ago. I always thought it was so funny that years ago people were freaking out when gas went to $2.00. Then after they went to over $4.00 at one time, it's like now they have us right were they want us, because we handle the lesser alittle better now. $2.50 starts to not look as bad in retrospect. I am alittle scared to see how high it will get in our hottest months this year. I heard something interesting the other day on talk radio show. We have been driving cars for alittle more over 100 years now. Check this out Current gas prices and price history. it took about 70 yrs. for gas prices to reach about $1.00 and in the last 30 years, well, you see for yourself. It's pretty interesting. I know that there are a lot of different factors as to why, I just never thought of it in that way. As far as going to our oil reserves, I do not think we should do that. I would rather use foreign oil any day, and pay more at the pump. Rather than use up our reserves and than something crazy happens later where we get cut off for some reason from our foreign supply, what will we do then. We need to keep our little stash put up as much as possible. in the mean time it would be great tp use public transportation more, and get more fuel efficient vehicles on the rode and hopefully get alternative methods of fuel on the market. It is crazy to think that oil is not renewable resourse and there are a lot of people on this planet that rely on it. It seems no longer an option to take action.
In a posting by Eileen Smith on her blog In the Pink Texas, she discusses in a humorous fashion that I personally enjoy, those darn gas prices. She is directing the post to anyone and everyone that has to use gas to get around. I think that her position holds merit because she personally sees how much more money it now takes to fill up her car than it did even a month ago. I always thought it was so funny that years ago people were freaking out when gas went to $2.00. Then after they went to over $4.00 at one time, it's like now they have us right were they want us, because we handle the lesser alittle better now. $2.50 starts to not look as bad in retrospect. I am alittle scared to see how high it will get in our hottest months this year. I heard something interesting the other day on talk radio show. We have been driving cars for alittle more over 100 years now. Check this out Current gas prices and price history. it took about 70 yrs. for gas prices to reach about $1.00 and in the last 30 years, well, you see for yourself. It's pretty interesting. I know that there are a lot of different factors as to why, I just never thought of it in that way. As far as going to our oil reserves, I do not think we should do that. I would rather use foreign oil any day, and pay more at the pump. Rather than use up our reserves and than something crazy happens later where we get cut off for some reason from our foreign supply, what will we do then. We need to keep our little stash put up as much as possible. in the mean time it would be great tp use public transportation more, and get more fuel efficient vehicles on the rode and hopefully get alternative methods of fuel on the market. It is crazy to think that oil is not renewable resourse and there are a lot of people on this planet that rely on it. It seems no longer an option to take action.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Govenor Goes to Bat for Exonerated Man
http://statesman.com/opinion/texas-govenor-goes-to-bat-for-exonerated-man-1263330.html
In an article by the Editorial Board, this story is directed to Texans in general. A man named Anthony Graves has been declared innocent by the District Attorney, Bill Parham, after 18 years in prison. The article brings to attention that Govenor Perry is trying to help this man receive the 1.4 million in state compensation that is entitled to him. The State Comptroller Susan Comb's, refuses to pay him because of a technicality. The person writing the article agrees with and supports Gov. Perry in his effort to compensate this man for what he is entitled. I agree, he has now joined the many wrongfully convicted people that have atleast been lucky enough to have there case reopened with modern day technology, techniques and have been found to be innocent. Now the State Comptroller doesn't want to pay him the money he should receive to attempt to make up somehow for the last 18 years of his life. He doesn't have a pardon letter because he wasn't pardoned he was found innocent. Shouldn't Perry be able to fix this technicality and write him a letter if that is what he needs, and he has already been found innocent. The man who was tried with him and already executed declared Graves' innocence and admitted that he wrongfully accused him. Still it took years even then before the case was reexamined to show that he was in fact innocent. The case was so twisted by the prosecutors to begin with to convict this man they could not even conduct a retrial. I don't want to speak anymore on this until I pay my respect to the people who lost their lives' so horrifically that day. This is one of the most terrible crimes enacted on the innocent I have ever heard of and may God bless them and keep them and their families. That being said I think that sometimes when such a horrible act is committed maybe the facts are tangled and truths pushed in ways so as to get a conviction onto someone and bring some amount of peace to the victim's families. It seems like this may have been the case in Graves' situation. Not to mention the other man, Carter, admitted to wrongfully naming Graves in this crime. I think he should receive the money to help him repair his life and enjoy it to he fullest. I mean 18 years is a long time to anyone, even more so when you're sitting behind bars and you know you are innocent.
In an article by the Editorial Board, this story is directed to Texans in general. A man named Anthony Graves has been declared innocent by the District Attorney, Bill Parham, after 18 years in prison. The article brings to attention that Govenor Perry is trying to help this man receive the 1.4 million in state compensation that is entitled to him. The State Comptroller Susan Comb's, refuses to pay him because of a technicality. The person writing the article agrees with and supports Gov. Perry in his effort to compensate this man for what he is entitled. I agree, he has now joined the many wrongfully convicted people that have atleast been lucky enough to have there case reopened with modern day technology, techniques and have been found to be innocent. Now the State Comptroller doesn't want to pay him the money he should receive to attempt to make up somehow for the last 18 years of his life. He doesn't have a pardon letter because he wasn't pardoned he was found innocent. Shouldn't Perry be able to fix this technicality and write him a letter if that is what he needs, and he has already been found innocent. The man who was tried with him and already executed declared Graves' innocence and admitted that he wrongfully accused him. Still it took years even then before the case was reexamined to show that he was in fact innocent. The case was so twisted by the prosecutors to begin with to convict this man they could not even conduct a retrial. I don't want to speak anymore on this until I pay my respect to the people who lost their lives' so horrifically that day. This is one of the most terrible crimes enacted on the innocent I have ever heard of and may God bless them and keep them and their families. That being said I think that sometimes when such a horrible act is committed maybe the facts are tangled and truths pushed in ways so as to get a conviction onto someone and bring some amount of peace to the victim's families. It seems like this may have been the case in Graves' situation. Not to mention the other man, Carter, admitted to wrongfully naming Graves in this crime. I think he should receive the money to help him repair his life and enjoy it to he fullest. I mean 18 years is a long time to anyone, even more so when you're sitting behind bars and you know you are innocent.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Healthier Food Choices to Become More Affordable
February 10,2010
KVUE News interview with Michelle Obama, Are our Kids Eating Healthier?
http://www.kvue.com/home/Michelle-Obama-reflects-on-program-designed-to-help-kids-eat-healthier-115809374.html
There are so many news stories worthy of discussion, but this imparticular caught my attention because I am so pleased to hear it. In a discussion with the First Lady Michelle Obama on the development of the "Let's Move Campaign's" progress, a great step forward was mentioned.
They are going to partner with Wal-Mart to make healthier food more affordable. Healthier food will now be more comparable in price with less healthy food choices. I think this is wonderful, for so long I have thought it would be much easier for people to make better food choices if they were more affordable. I'm sure their must be a lot of people who would love to feed themselves and their families healthier food if it was a option for them and their budget. It also mentions that some critics argue that the government shouldn't be telling us what or how to eat. It's not like they're going to shove the food down our throats, bad or good.
In the end it is our personal decision what we put in our bodies. It is a fact about the seriousness of obesity and I think it is great that the government help with guidance on healthier food options and above all make them more affordable. Now if we could just get P.E back everyday in elementary school.
KVUE News interview with Michelle Obama, Are our Kids Eating Healthier?
http://www.kvue.com/home/Michelle-Obama-reflects-on-program-designed-to-help-kids-eat-healthier-115809374.html
There are so many news stories worthy of discussion, but this imparticular caught my attention because I am so pleased to hear it. In a discussion with the First Lady Michelle Obama on the development of the "Let's Move Campaign's" progress, a great step forward was mentioned.
They are going to partner with Wal-Mart to make healthier food more affordable. Healthier food will now be more comparable in price with less healthy food choices. I think this is wonderful, for so long I have thought it would be much easier for people to make better food choices if they were more affordable. I'm sure their must be a lot of people who would love to feed themselves and their families healthier food if it was a option for them and their budget. It also mentions that some critics argue that the government shouldn't be telling us what or how to eat. It's not like they're going to shove the food down our throats, bad or good.
In the end it is our personal decision what we put in our bodies. It is a fact about the seriousness of obesity and I think it is great that the government help with guidance on healthier food options and above all make them more affordable. Now if we could just get P.E back everyday in elementary school.
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