Monthly Archives: February 2009

Writing, Reading, and Writing Blogs

Posted on by
3

I believe every writer gets better with time and practice. One of the main reasons I created this blog was to have a vehicle for my writing. I started it several years with no promotion. It was only my little place on the Internet to put down thoughts. Since the New Year the blog is now on several directories and linked to other blogs. It has already taken some turns and the twists will continue. I have written for some time, but there is still so much to learn about the craft.

According to Stephen King, the rule to becoming a better writer is “read a lot, write a lot.” I can definitely do more of both. The focus of my blog is to make content key. The blog has no main topic, which was intentional. I want to be able to write about anything and everything.

In an attempt to sharpen my writing skills, and learn from others on the Internet, I browsed through some writing blogs. I came up with a few that I have bookmarked and would like to share with fellow bloggers. There are many successful writers on the web and we can all learn from their experiences.

Here are some of my favorite writing blogs:

Reading and writing go hand in hand. You must read regularly to write well.

Share

New York Post Cartoon Crosses Racial Line

Posted on by
5

The New York Post went too far with a controversial cartoon published Wednesday. The tabloid is getting a lot of heat for a racist depiction combining the recent shooting of a wild chimpanzee with President Barack Obama’s work on the US stimulus package. This is not the first time a unit owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation has been accused of racism.

Now the NAACP is demanding the firing of the NY Post cartoonist and his editor. The subject is the talk of the town this weekend. Protesters made their disapproving presence known outside the paper’s office. Many are not happy with the Post’s apology “to those who were offended” by the cartoon and a Facebook cause to support boycotting the paper is spreading like wild fire.

I don’t read the New York Post. I always thought it was a piece of crap.

Share

Bronx Borough President Carrión Joins Obama Administration

Posted on by
3

I am extremely proud to see a fellow Nuyorican appointed to a senior position in the Obama administration. After months of rumors that Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión Jr. may be offered a seat within President Barack Obama’s administration, last night I was excited to learn the buzz became reality. President Barack Obama tapped Carrión to be Director of the White House Office of Urban Policy.

Since Carrión became Bronx Borough President in 2001 over 2.2 billion dollars has been invested in residential real estate – resulting in 25,000 new units being built. He has directed 40% of his 2007 capital funding to housing development.

Carrión was born in Lower Manhattan and is of Puerto Rican heritage. He is the highest-ranking Latino elected official in the State of New York and also serves as the President of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials. In 1997 Carrión ran and won a seat on the New York City Council. Prior to his role as City Council Member he served as District Manager for Community Board 5 in the Bronx.

Carrión graduated from Kings College, a Christian liberal arts college in Westchester County and earned his Master’s Degree in Urban Planning from Hunter College of the City University of New York. He lives with his wife and four children on City Island in the Bronx.

Share

From Favorite Links to a Blogroll

Posted on by
3

I have decided to change the name of my favorite links to the traditional “blogroll.” In the blog world favorite links and/or exchanges are generally called blogrolls. Of course a blogger can title this feature anything he/she wishes. In addition to changing the name, I have edited the list to only include blogs that have agreed or chosen to add a mutual link to my blog. Nothing personal to those sites that were previously listed. A blog exchange is a valuable way to promote blogs that in turn assist in promoting your blog. This cooperative approach between bloggers helps us all. So, I would like to thank those who have added my blog to their blogrolls/favorite sites. I also encourage readers to take a moment to browse through my blogroll.

Share

Will the Stimulus Package Save Us?

Posted on by
Reply

On Tuesday, President Barack Obama will sign the $787 billion dollar stimulus package approved last week. Republicans are not happy, calling the package unlimited wasteful spending. However they did not offer a timely realistic alternative that would save homeowners, schools, and health care.

Pundits are pondering whether or not the package is enough or the right approach to fixing our broken and bleeding economy. The package is not going to get the country back on our financial feet right away, but it is something. Republicans may see it as a very expensive band-aid, however something needed to be done.

The approved stimulus package will help all of us. The financial government package will help the unemployed and the uninsured. Most working people will see a small tax cut that will show up as a few extra bucks in their paychecks. A large amount of money will go towards continuing and extending some unemployment benefits. And for the first time ever, the government will contribute to COBRA health insurance benefits for non-working people.

So will the plan save us from collective financial ruin? Maybe not right away, but it is a good start. Economists predict we will be in this miserable monetary situation for about two years. For now, we all need to continue watching every dollar, but keep buying what we need wisely to keep the economy moving.

Share