Reflections From a Murky Pond

It’s a well-known fact that job growth is not keeping pace with the increasing number of college graduates, and that the resultant unemployment crisis is a major economic and political concern. What’s far less well-known is that employers’ and business leaders’ demand for talent is not being met by the supply of graduates.

A majority of employers say applicants lack crucial communication and interpersonal skills, and can’t think critically and creatively, or solve problems.

To put it simply, there’s not going to be job growth involving college graduates because the employers, despite being in a position to have their pick of the crop, can’t find skills that they’re looking for in employees. Modern students have spent the entire scholastic careers being miseducated for the job market and for life.

The vast majority of schools, from kindergarten through college, don’t adequately prepare students to: lead, collaborate with others, or affect change. Skills such as: problem solving, leadership, teamwork, empathy, and social and emotional intelligence are not being taught to students. Nor are either personal or intellectual humility.

No. Modern school may, and often do, churn out graduates with solid or more than solid technical skills in various field, but those same graduates were woefully miseducated in every other aspect of life. Employers have little or no need for uncommunicative, non-goal driven, hubris-filled employees.

There is, quite rightfully, a lot of kerfuffle over the Obama Regime’s new military budget which cuts the military to pre-WW2 strength levels. This is a logical and pragmatic fear-based outraged. The world is largely not our friend and a weakened military is not Americans’ ally at all.

On the other hand, this is not the gutting of our defensive strength that it is proclaimed to be. We’re talking about just under a 20& reduction in force over the next 5 years if nothing changes. Hence, the complaint are largely, though by no means entirely, unfounded and spurious.

No, what we have here is the ever-repeating Catch-22 SNAFU. The situation is normal, all fucked up, because it’s normal for circular logic and self-conflicting rules within the civilian political bureaucracy to interfere with the efficient operation of the military. Irrespective of political party affiliation it’s a rarity for any politician to have our nation’s defense as a priority when it comes time for the US Military appropriations budget.

Additionally, reductions in force and realignment of assets is also normal as the priorities and threats shift. As the Obama Regime has: no interest in returning to Iraq; has abandoned Afghanistan; and has no intention of projecting military force to protect or expand American interests abroad, this had to be expected.

It’s really pointless, given the nature of the problem, to argue against these defense cuts on the basis of national security. It, however, is wise to argue against them on the grounds of economics and the horrendous impact they will have upon employment. Financially the proposed cuts by the Obama Regime are historic.  The 2011 defense budget represented 4.7% of America’s GDP; this year’s total will be 2.7%.  In other words US defense spending is set to plummet from $705.6 billion in 2011 to $496 billion, a 30% drop.

So there will be approximately $209 billion less spent upon the military which will in turn mean that defense contractors will be able to earn that much less. This will necessarily cost thousands upon thousands of jobs across the country.

No Matter How You Say It, Tomatoes Are Good!

You say,  “Tomāto.” Others say, “Tomahto.” I just say that I want some of that, a lot of that, in fact, and as often as I can have it. 😛

Yes, I know that to many I come across as a staunch anti-Feminist. I assume that among the few of the Feminist females that I’ve interacted with I am labeled by them as grossly and horribly atavistic and misogynous. That, however, says far more about the mindsets and worth of my detractors than it does about me. I am, in point of fact, a true feminist with a great and abiding love for women. It can hardly be claimed to be my fault that the Feminist movement, almost always plagued by deranged and bitter radicals, devolved into something toxic after it succeeded in its aims.

For no great reason other than something on internet offended me – what more reason could I need? – and got me thinking actively about something that’s been niggling my brain – is niggling racist? -  for some time I’ve decided that showing my feminist side is appropriate at this time. So…

WHAT THE HOLY FUCKING HELL IS WITH FEMALE ATHLETES HAVING TO DO “GLAMOR” SHOTS?!?!?!
 

 
Please don’t get me wrong; I think there’s a benefit to guys lusting after women with bodies which are honed by their particular athletic endeavors. It certainly beats the skeletons dipped in wax that fashion and weight-loss industries keep telling us are desirable. My issue, such as it is, is with the fact that female athletes posing for “glamor” shots, i.e., the sexier the better, has become de rigueur across all arenas of female sport.

Face it, when a Google search for “Sexy Olympians” returns approximately 8,460,000 results, society has an issue involving these athletes. Rather than glorifying their abilities, we revel solely or mostly in their figures.

Taking time to have a hot breakfast is a great way of starting your day. Face it, your mother was right: Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Not only does it give you energy to start a new day, but breakfast is solidly linked to many health benefits, including weight control and improved performance.

Start The Day With A Hot Breakfast

Not only is a hot breakfast a nice, peaceful start to your day – before all the stresses of family, work, and obligations fully ramp up and take over – it’s a fine way to get your blood pumping in the right direction. 😉

And, for those of you like me who telecommute regularly, we can often come back later for “second breakfast.” This eliminates the quandary over sunny side up or over easy.