02/6/08

NDS: Advance Wars: Days of Ruin Game Review

Advance Wars: Days of Ruin Box Cover I got my hands on Advance Wars: Days of Ruin a week ago and the game has taken up most of my free time. Days of Ruin is the fourth installment in the Advance Wars series, the second on the Nintendo DS. I played the first one, Advance Wars: Dual Strike, and didn’t find the gameplay interesting. I had trouble keeping up with the strengths and weaknesses of the units. The storyline for Dual Strike also had that rah-rah feel, making the game sugary sweet. Days of Ruin has more of a serious theme to its plot which I find more to my liking.
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02/4/08

Election Ruminations and Predictions

We are on the eve of Election Day. After much deliberation and consultation with the Oracle (a magic 8-ball), I am set on how I will vote tomorrow in the polls. The only decision left is on when I will vote–early in the morning or immediately after work.

Primary Election

Democratic Party
Obama’s message of change really resonates with what I am currently looking for in a candidate at this time. Edwards resigned and Clinton seems to flip-flop on a lot on issues.
Vote: Obama
Prediction: Clinton

Republican Party
McCain is running away with this one.
Vote: Republican Party does not let unaffiliated voters vote
Prediction: McCain
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02/2/08

Choosing a Political Party

There use to be two political parties to choose from, the Democrats or the Republicans. Everyone knew where the two stood on issues and those who followed each party fell into two distinct categories. Democrats were the working class, the poor and the minorites. Republicans were the business owners, the rich, and the retirees. Now, the Democrats and Republicans have flip-flopped on issues so much, their differences have been blurred. With the Bush vs Gore elections and Gore’s subsequent loss due to the Independant Nader, other parties besides the big two have become relevant in the political scene.
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01/31/08

SF: Prop B – A New Deferred Retirement Option Program for the SFPD

The City is currently short 200 to 300 police officers in their force. Another 500 or so are up for retirement this year. Even with the increased pay offers and the high demand, there are just not enough recruits coming out of the Police Academy to cover the deficit.
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01/31/08

SF: Prop A – Clean and Safe Neighborhood Park Bonds, 2008

To my surprise, there are a couple of bonds measures that affect the residents of San Francisco to be voted on along with the primaries and State propositions.

Proposition A calls for issuing general obligation bonds worth $185,000,000 to be used to improve and repair the City’s public parks. This bond is the first step in the City’s 10-year Capital plan to renovate and retrofit the City’s infrastructure; the plan was passed by the voters last year. The funds generated from the bonds will be used in the following ways:
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01/31/08

Drama in the Primaries all but over

This is disappointing.

In the past, the primaries have always been predetermined before the 2nd wave of states can contribute to the match. This year was suppose to be different. Both the Democrats and the Republicans had strong candidates to become their presidential representatives. Now the outlook, however, has become pretty clear cut due to the decisions of endorsers and the resignation of one of the Big Three in the Democratic Party.
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01/29/08

The Primaries have finally reached California

Finally, the presidential candidate primaries have reached California and 21 other states in what shapes up to be a deciding moment next Tuesday. Unlike some other states, voters who declined to state their political affiliation in California can vote in both the Democratic and Republican elections.
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