Hey, I started late. My 'rents enrolled me in a semester at George Mason in 1976. I didn't want to go, and I was more interested in beer than anything else at the time. I flunked out right away, and mom and dad moved on to the next kid. I was free to do what I liked, and I did, until I had to sober up at the young age of 24.
My older brother Mike convinced me to take a few computer classes in an effort to as he put it: "get my head out of the rock and roll star clouds and get a real job..." (sorry if I misquoted that, Mike, it was a long time ago). I said "with what money?" Well, Mike offered tuition for 2 classes as a gift, and that seed money turned out to be very valuable. I decided to get an associate degree in computer information systems. I was frustrated that when I scheduled out working full time and going to school at night - the degree would take 6 years. A wise friend of mine told me "so what? 6 years will go by anyway - you may as well be in school". Six years later, almost to the day, I collected an A.A.S. (associate in applied science), magna cum laude.
I also got married, bought a house, and launched a computer career. after a couple years, the school bug bit me again, and I entered an undergraduate program, again in computer information systems. 3 years later, I earned a B.S. in my chosen field. THen I bought a bigger house, and my wife delivered a beautiful baby girl for us. I was out of the education business for 10 years.
A flurry of events coincided to again push me to consider enhancing my education. I chaecked out Masters Degree programs at various schools. What field? I had two degrees in Information Systems, so I decided to go the business route, and chose to go fo rthe MBA. It took 2 years, and I graduated with a 4.0 GPA. The school had no honor society, so I could not tag a 'Magna' or a 'Summa' onto it, but I'm happy none the less that my grades were so good.
The MBA was complete. I had momentum. Should I go for the doctorate? I asked friends and peers. Generally the answer was negative. "It is really tough." "It will strain your marriage." "It is pure insanity." Then there were a few that said - "It is very hard, and it takes a long time. You need support from your family and friends and work. But you CAN do it, and the reward is unmeasurable. It is achievement, awareness, capability, and understanding all wrapped up into one package."
So I aplied for the loans, signed the papers, and enrolled. That was 2 and a half years ago. In another year or year and a half I expect to complete my dissertation, walk across the stage, and get hooded as a doctor of management (DM). It has been tough. Really tough. It has strained my marriage. It has worn my nerves to a frazzle. It has affected my performance on the job. All but my very closest friends and my wife have said "quit, if it's so much trouble!" But I will not. I will finish, and it will be a crowning achievement, in my view.
The few that have continued their support will be listed in my acknowledgements. They are invaluable. As were the ones that advised me: "It is tough, but you CAN do it, and it is worthwhile.". They are my champions and my heroes. They are the people I model myself after. Simply put, I want to be like them. Do you? If you are thinking of a phD or a doctorate, I have this to say: "It is tough. It takes a long time. And it takes away from all other aspects of your life. But you CAN do it. And I believe the results will be worthwhile."
I'll let you know in another year. Until then - pray for me, if you will!
Jimmy Jones
Monday, July 20, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Let's pretend it's warming up
We may need to soon, as we try to convince ourselves that we are warm, even as we shiver. The main problem right now is that the sun is not being cooperative in helping man turn the Earth into a gigantic ball of fire. Solar activity (sunspots and flaring) have been decreasing since 2002, and it seems that aside from all the screaming, these phenomena contribute the most, by many magnitudes, to global warming.
Less Sun activity means reduced solar winds, longer-lasting and more frequent cold advection around the polar ice caps (yes, they will grow), refreezing of freshwater bodies such as the Dutch canals and portions of the Thames, and reduction in ariable land for food production. Climate scientists including NASA solar physicists, climatologists, geophysicists, and other professionals predict that another full solar cycle, which concludes sometime in 2012, should be enough to provide strong indications for which side is right, the warming fanatics or the cooling advocates.
The reason I use these two descriptive terms (fanatics and advocates), is that global warming ideology permits no debate at this time. Try to debate the point with anyone who tells you you should stop using incandescent bulbs. Count the sentences before they call you "ignorant" or worse. Those of us who believe that the science is incomplete are not allowed to participate in the conversation.
Look at the climate legislation that just passed the US Congress without one single member of the House, Democrat, Republican, or Independent, having read the bill.
By around 2020, I believe we will have a firmly established trend of either global warming or cooling. In the mean time we need debate and peer-reviewed study - not political grandstanding. We need to hold off on decisions that materially affect the economy and the national well-being, such as the boondoggle that just made it through Congress. We need to return the debate to the scientific, not political arena.
Let us take that step in the Senate, and throw this piece of legislative junk in the trash, where it belongs. We can do it even though Al Franken was allowed to steal his Senate seat. Since Kennedy and Byrd are out for medical reasons, the vote need not be fillibuster-proof. If Republicans can act together (hear me, Olympia and Susan?), we can help protect America from its non-representing representatives. I hope this will be the case. In any event, I am stocking up on 1,000 incandescent bulbs and dimmer switches, so I can at least enjoy my lighting until I pass away. When I'm dead, I won't hear my kids and grandkids screaming at me for bequeathing them such lunacy as this climate bill.
Less Sun activity means reduced solar winds, longer-lasting and more frequent cold advection around the polar ice caps (yes, they will grow), refreezing of freshwater bodies such as the Dutch canals and portions of the Thames, and reduction in ariable land for food production. Climate scientists including NASA solar physicists, climatologists, geophysicists, and other professionals predict that another full solar cycle, which concludes sometime in 2012, should be enough to provide strong indications for which side is right, the warming fanatics or the cooling advocates.
The reason I use these two descriptive terms (fanatics and advocates), is that global warming ideology permits no debate at this time. Try to debate the point with anyone who tells you you should stop using incandescent bulbs. Count the sentences before they call you "ignorant" or worse. Those of us who believe that the science is incomplete are not allowed to participate in the conversation.
Look at the climate legislation that just passed the US Congress without one single member of the House, Democrat, Republican, or Independent, having read the bill.
By around 2020, I believe we will have a firmly established trend of either global warming or cooling. In the mean time we need debate and peer-reviewed study - not political grandstanding. We need to hold off on decisions that materially affect the economy and the national well-being, such as the boondoggle that just made it through Congress. We need to return the debate to the scientific, not political arena.
Let us take that step in the Senate, and throw this piece of legislative junk in the trash, where it belongs. We can do it even though Al Franken was allowed to steal his Senate seat. Since Kennedy and Byrd are out for medical reasons, the vote need not be fillibuster-proof. If Republicans can act together (hear me, Olympia and Susan?), we can help protect America from its non-representing representatives. I hope this will be the case. In any event, I am stocking up on 1,000 incandescent bulbs and dimmer switches, so I can at least enjoy my lighting until I pass away. When I'm dead, I won't hear my kids and grandkids screaming at me for bequeathing them such lunacy as this climate bill.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Great Global Warming Quote
Nothing from me - just thought this guy was worth quoting. Not that any GW fanatics will be able to understand it at all...
"In the ice core record, CO2 increase has always lagged behind temperature rises and the lag involved is estimated to be 400 to 800 years." [emphasis mine] "There has never been a period when a CO2 rise has preceded global warming. I have seen it argued that the past 30 years has been so exceptional that it MUST, for the first time in the history of the globe, be CO2 driving the warming trend. That is an assertion of such low probability that it should require very powerful evidence to support it. I have seen no such evidence. Indeed, on a cursory inspection the slow but steady increase in atmospheric CO2 is clearly not coming through in a slow but steady rise in global temperatures. Instead we see rises and falls in global temperatures that bear no obvious relationship to the steady rise in CO2 unless one puts the cart before the horse and announces that there is no other possible reason and the trend period adopted is carefully chosen to suit the proposition." - Stephen Wilde
The whole article can be seen at:
http://climaterealists.com/index.php?id=1041
"In the ice core record, CO2 increase has always lagged behind temperature rises and the lag involved is estimated to be 400 to 800 years." [emphasis mine] "There has never been a period when a CO2 rise has preceded global warming. I have seen it argued that the past 30 years has been so exceptional that it MUST, for the first time in the history of the globe, be CO2 driving the warming trend. That is an assertion of such low probability that it should require very powerful evidence to support it. I have seen no such evidence. Indeed, on a cursory inspection the slow but steady increase in atmospheric CO2 is clearly not coming through in a slow but steady rise in global temperatures. Instead we see rises and falls in global temperatures that bear no obvious relationship to the steady rise in CO2 unless one puts the cart before the horse and announces that there is no other possible reason and the trend period adopted is carefully chosen to suit the proposition." - Stephen Wilde
The whole article can be seen at:
http://climaterealists.com/index.php?id=1041
Monday, May 11, 2009
Tax these idiots
2 posts in one day? Well, I couldn't resist after reading a few recent quotes from Hollywood "stars" about politics, along with all the utter meanness these morons exhibit for anyone that doesn't engage in herd think like they do.
I Googled for the top paid actors and actresses, and came up with numbers for the top 20 in 2006. That is good enough for my purpose. I propose that we simply pass a law for these 20 alone - all income is taxed at 90%.
Oh, sure - we can pass a law for these 20. What, you missed Barney Frank and Fu...er...Chuck Schumer passing a law recently for just the AIG employees that received bonuses? Get with the program.
Here goes. The top 20 actors and actresses earned an average of $23 million each in 2006. Taxed at 90%, this would have netted the U.S. Treasury $414 million for just 20 people in ONE YEAR!! And hey, this tax STILL leaves these imbeciles almost $2.5 million to spend as they like. Perhaps we should pass another law that says they have to donate 90% of the left over income to reducing their carbon footprint - you know, all the pollution they create jetting here and there, living in their multi-million dollar mansions, driving their Maybachs and Escalades...
Wow - that would STILL leave them almost $250K per year - a LOT more than I make!
Hey, let's do this! If we expand the 90/90 rule to ALL rich celebrities, we could probably pay back the trillions of dollars of debt being created by Nobama! And, we reduce class envy - the overriding goal of liberal Democrats. Should pass easily given the current makeup of the executive and legislative branches. We wouldn't even need a Supreme Court battle :)
Actors, musicions, football/basketball/baseball players...they all vote liberal anyway, so they should be on board with this. We all need to sacrifice, right?
Right?
WooHOOO! Let's DO it!!
I Googled for the top paid actors and actresses, and came up with numbers for the top 20 in 2006. That is good enough for my purpose. I propose that we simply pass a law for these 20 alone - all income is taxed at 90%.
Oh, sure - we can pass a law for these 20. What, you missed Barney Frank and Fu...er...Chuck Schumer passing a law recently for just the AIG employees that received bonuses? Get with the program.
Here goes. The top 20 actors and actresses earned an average of $23 million each in 2006. Taxed at 90%, this would have netted the U.S. Treasury $414 million for just 20 people in ONE YEAR!! And hey, this tax STILL leaves these imbeciles almost $2.5 million to spend as they like. Perhaps we should pass another law that says they have to donate 90% of the left over income to reducing their carbon footprint - you know, all the pollution they create jetting here and there, living in their multi-million dollar mansions, driving their Maybachs and Escalades...
Wow - that would STILL leave them almost $250K per year - a LOT more than I make!
Hey, let's do this! If we expand the 90/90 rule to ALL rich celebrities, we could probably pay back the trillions of dollars of debt being created by Nobama! And, we reduce class envy - the overriding goal of liberal Democrats. Should pass easily given the current makeup of the executive and legislative branches. We wouldn't even need a Supreme Court battle :)
Actors, musicions, football/basketball/baseball players...they all vote liberal anyway, so they should be on board with this. We all need to sacrifice, right?
Right?
WooHOOO! Let's DO it!!
Social Networks
I'm finally discovering social networking a-la the internet. Oh, I've known about MySpace, FaceBook, and more for a while, but I never really saw any benefit wasting time "chatting" with people that had nothing better to do than sit at their computer...hey, wait.
All I DO is sit at my computer. Having become certifiably insane to the point of continuing in higher education as a "mature" adult, and having an IT job, I never get to leave my computer(s). I feel naked without a keyboard and monitor, and an internet hookup.
So I did the mature thing and signed up with some professional sites first, like LinkedIn. Then I meandered into MySpace and Twitter. Well, nothing happened for a while, and I got bored after the initial few days of learning my way around.
Then I signed up at FaceBook. The first day, someone I hadn't seen for 30 years asked me if I was the Jimmy Jones who.... Yes, I was. Then: 'Bam'. The hits kept pouring in. After a few months on FaceBook, I have hooked up with more than a dozen people that I haven't seen or spoken to since high school, which was almost before we had electric lights. I have really caught up with them too, because they posted not just pictures, but family albums, with captions! And they TALK about the pictures. And they TALK about what they are doing, and what they are going through. And I do the same thing! And it seems as if the 30 plus years has all but vanished in many cases.
My sister has been digging through old family photos, restoring some, and posting a LOT on FaceBook. The ones that can't be determined are put up for all to guess at: "anybody know (where, who, what) this is? And inevitably someone does. This is great. Talk about knowledge-building, friendship-making, family-strengthening, and just plain good times.
I don't know where it will go. And like all new technologies and practices it is getting abused and tiresome in some cases. Especially all the "what animal are you", "what superstar are you" type quizzes. Enough, already.
But the basic function and service provided have a lot of value to me, and I plan to get as much out of it as I can. I'm excited about the potential, and look forward to checking everyone out each day to see what new goodies people have posted, or what new "old" friends and acquaintances have joined.
Hope to see you there. Say "Hi" if you find me!
Jimmy Jones
All I DO is sit at my computer. Having become certifiably insane to the point of continuing in higher education as a "mature" adult, and having an IT job, I never get to leave my computer(s). I feel naked without a keyboard and monitor, and an internet hookup.
So I did the mature thing and signed up with some professional sites first, like LinkedIn. Then I meandered into MySpace and Twitter. Well, nothing happened for a while, and I got bored after the initial few days of learning my way around.
Then I signed up at FaceBook. The first day, someone I hadn't seen for 30 years asked me if I was the Jimmy Jones who.... Yes, I was. Then: 'Bam'. The hits kept pouring in. After a few months on FaceBook, I have hooked up with more than a dozen people that I haven't seen or spoken to since high school, which was almost before we had electric lights. I have really caught up with them too, because they posted not just pictures, but family albums, with captions! And they TALK about the pictures. And they TALK about what they are doing, and what they are going through. And I do the same thing! And it seems as if the 30 plus years has all but vanished in many cases.
My sister has been digging through old family photos, restoring some, and posting a LOT on FaceBook. The ones that can't be determined are put up for all to guess at: "anybody know (where, who, what) this is? And inevitably someone does. This is great. Talk about knowledge-building, friendship-making, family-strengthening, and just plain good times.
I don't know where it will go. And like all new technologies and practices it is getting abused and tiresome in some cases. Especially all the "what animal are you", "what superstar are you" type quizzes. Enough, already.
But the basic function and service provided have a lot of value to me, and I plan to get as much out of it as I can. I'm excited about the potential, and look forward to checking everyone out each day to see what new goodies people have posted, or what new "old" friends and acquaintances have joined.
Hope to see you there. Say "Hi" if you find me!
Jimmy Jones
Friday, April 24, 2009
What I believe
I find it important to list these things, more for me than for you. My beliefs are founded on research, supported by history, validated by current events, fueled by passion and presented with emotion. I do care what you think, although I have learned that you are equally inspired to find your own path in this world.
First, I believe in an ultimate Maker, who is in charge of everything, and who expects me to act "right" of my own volition.
Built on that, I believe that I can choose to do wrong, but that by violating physical, mental, and spiritual principles, I will end up damaging myself and others as a consequence.
Next I believe that mankind is basically flawed. I happen to believe it is because of original sin, but whatever the cause, people are just "not right". We are capable of the highest good, and the most despicable evil, and I believe that under the right conditions, any of us are capable of either.
Built on that, I believe there is a resolution for that flaw, and that is our continued journey toward reunion with our Maker. Any time we turn away, we are unhappy, and our level of defiance and self assurance in ourselves doesn't matter. When we turn away, we are unhappy.
I believe that people should freely choose to help each other, but should not be compelled to do so by outside forces.
Built on that I believe that each of us has a responsibility to care for ourselves, and not to expect others to do for us what we can do for ourselves.
Built on that, I believe the world is a place of opportunity, but not of guaranteed results, and that any effort to make everyone equal is doomed not only to failure, but to inflicting more harm than good on target and surrounding populations.
I believe that man (generic) is arrogant in the extreme to think that he can materially affect planet earth in any long-term sense. All we do is play in the dirt. What we use comes from the earth. What we make goes back to the earth. Man cannot break this cycle.
I believe that man must be governed by laws, not by other men - when we forget this, we end up with chaos, dictatorships, and worse. I believe we are forgetting this now.
I believe that money cannot buy happiness, but that it does make shopping for happiness a lot more fun.
I believe government should live within its means - just like families. Enough is enough.
I believe strength (and its use) guarantees peace - history is justification.
On the lighter side, I believe in energy, convenience, comfort, and fun.
I believe in nice cars - anyone should be able to drive whatever he wants and delight in it.
I believe in Heating and A/C - stay warm in winter and cool in summer - do not sacrifice.
I believe in lights. Incandescent bulbs are prettier, can be dimmed, and are cheap. Use them.
I believe in land ownership, not oversight. If I want to fill my bog, I should be able to.
I believe in food. Good food makes me happy, and I want my fat, salt, sugar, meat, and caffeine.
I believe in well-behaved children. If I need to cause a little pain to generate good behavior, OK.
I believe that everyone deserves more chances. We all make mistakes, and plenty of them. If we admit we are wrong, and try to start over, our past should not be held against us.
Built on that, I believe in forgiveness. And it is simple. If we want to be forgiven we should forgive.
Built on that, I believe in St. Francis' prayer:
First, I believe in an ultimate Maker, who is in charge of everything, and who expects me to act "right" of my own volition.
Built on that, I believe that I can choose to do wrong, but that by violating physical, mental, and spiritual principles, I will end up damaging myself and others as a consequence.
Next I believe that mankind is basically flawed. I happen to believe it is because of original sin, but whatever the cause, people are just "not right". We are capable of the highest good, and the most despicable evil, and I believe that under the right conditions, any of us are capable of either.
Built on that, I believe there is a resolution for that flaw, and that is our continued journey toward reunion with our Maker. Any time we turn away, we are unhappy, and our level of defiance and self assurance in ourselves doesn't matter. When we turn away, we are unhappy.
I believe that people should freely choose to help each other, but should not be compelled to do so by outside forces.
Built on that I believe that each of us has a responsibility to care for ourselves, and not to expect others to do for us what we can do for ourselves.
Built on that, I believe the world is a place of opportunity, but not of guaranteed results, and that any effort to make everyone equal is doomed not only to failure, but to inflicting more harm than good on target and surrounding populations.
I believe that man (generic) is arrogant in the extreme to think that he can materially affect planet earth in any long-term sense. All we do is play in the dirt. What we use comes from the earth. What we make goes back to the earth. Man cannot break this cycle.
I believe that man must be governed by laws, not by other men - when we forget this, we end up with chaos, dictatorships, and worse. I believe we are forgetting this now.
I believe that money cannot buy happiness, but that it does make shopping for happiness a lot more fun.
I believe government should live within its means - just like families. Enough is enough.
I believe strength (and its use) guarantees peace - history is justification.
On the lighter side, I believe in energy, convenience, comfort, and fun.
I believe in nice cars - anyone should be able to drive whatever he wants and delight in it.
I believe in Heating and A/C - stay warm in winter and cool in summer - do not sacrifice.
I believe in lights. Incandescent bulbs are prettier, can be dimmed, and are cheap. Use them.
I believe in land ownership, not oversight. If I want to fill my bog, I should be able to.
I believe in food. Good food makes me happy, and I want my fat, salt, sugar, meat, and caffeine.
I believe in well-behaved children. If I need to cause a little pain to generate good behavior, OK.
I believe that everyone deserves more chances. We all make mistakes, and plenty of them. If we admit we are wrong, and try to start over, our past should not be held against us.
Built on that, I believe in forgiveness. And it is simple. If we want to be forgiven we should forgive.
Built on that, I believe in St. Francis' prayer:
- Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
- where there is hatred, let me sow love;
- where there is injury, pardon;
- where there is doubt, faith;
- where there is despair, hope;
- where there is darkness, light;
- and where there is sadness, joy.
- O Divine Master,
- grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
- to be understood, as to understand;
- to be loved, as to love;
- for it is in giving that we receive,
- it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
- and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
- Amen.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Dr. Malveaux
Dr. Julianne Malveaux is onto something. Normally, I am not a big follower of hers, but she has spoken up for a bailout for students (http://www.juliannemalveaux.com/bailout-for-our-students.html).
The concept is something like this: carmakers and banks are getting bailouts to keep from going under - why not students? Home-buyers are getting payouts and renegotiated lower interest rates - why not extend the same to students? I agree with the good Doctor that we students need 1% loans, more time to repay our loans, and higher Pell Grants. Go, Dr. Malveaux, GO!!!
Oh, one more thing. I think it's really, really, really MEAN that Dr. Malveaux recently said this about Barack Obama:
"I hope his wife feeds him lots of eggs and butter and he dies early like many black men do, of heart disease. "
What - you don't believe that an educated black woman in the public eye would say that about a prominent African American in today's society?
Well, I lied......a little bit. Dr. Malveax actually did offer those same intentions, but for a different prominent African-American, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas (http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2003/12/28/hate_speech_of_the_left/)
Hmmm. Maybe, seeing how mean-spirited Dr. Malveaux can really be, I should look for college funding assistance elsewhere...
The concept is something like this: carmakers and banks are getting bailouts to keep from going under - why not students? Home-buyers are getting payouts and renegotiated lower interest rates - why not extend the same to students? I agree with the good Doctor that we students need 1% loans, more time to repay our loans, and higher Pell Grants. Go, Dr. Malveaux, GO!!!
Oh, one more thing. I think it's really, really, really MEAN that Dr. Malveaux recently said this about Barack Obama:
"I hope his wife feeds him lots of eggs and butter and he dies early like many black men do, of heart disease. "
What - you don't believe that an educated black woman in the public eye would say that about a prominent African American in today's society?
Well, I lied......a little bit. Dr. Malveax actually did offer those same intentions, but for a different prominent African-American, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas (http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2003/12/28/hate_speech_of_the_left/)
Hmmm. Maybe, seeing how mean-spirited Dr. Malveaux can really be, I should look for college funding assistance elsewhere...
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