September 17th is Constitution Day and will fall on this coming Thursday. This holiday, sometimes referred to as Citizenship Day recognizes the ratification of the
United States Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens. It is observed on September 17, the day the U.S.
Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution in 1787. But this year, it takes on a new significance as our nation debates whether or not to provide universal healthcare to all citizens. I have heard many opponents of universal healthcare ask, “Where in the Constitution does it say that we’re entitled to universal healthcare?”. Follow me over the fold for the answer to this, and other questions about the amazing document at the core of our Democracy.
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Ok, I know I will likely raise the ire of readers here who are, by definition, likely multi-taskers. I mean, online students typically choose the online methodology for learning precisely because they’re too busy with jobs and family to devote so much time to on-campus classes. So while you’re here reading, toggling back and forth between this blog and your course work, feeding the baby, balancing the checkbook and getting your things together to go back to work tomorrow morning, let me tell you why such multi-tasking is bad for you. **Ducks and covers to avoid hurled projectiles** Continue reading… 
In an unforseeable turn of events, President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace this morning. Not as surprising, folks on the left were proud and folks on the right were incensed. Jump to read my take and then leave your own comments behind to share with the rest of us. 
It may surprise you to learn that even as layoffs mount and unemployment has passed the 10% mark, there are employers who are having a hard time filling positions that pay $50,000 to $60,000 plus benefits! How is this possible? Join me after the jump to find out. 
Last night, I attended a pro-reform rally at Memorial park in Nyack, New York along the banks of the Hudson in the shadow of the picturesque Tappan Zee Bridge. Nearly 1000 people turned out to support reform of the broken healthcare system and several musical acts donated their performance to rally the crowd. The top act was none other than the legendary proponent of social justice, Pete Seeger. Follow me over the fold for more details about the evening’s events and photos taken by yours truly. 
AP reports that despite President Obama’s trip to Denmark, the cities of Chicago and Tokyo have been pushed out of the running leaving only Madrid and Rio to compete for the honor of hosting the games. 
This week, the President, his wife and Oprah Winfrey are making a trip to Copenhagen, Denmark to lobby the International Olympic Committee to bring the 2016 Summer Games to their shared hometown of Chicago. This is the very first time a US president has personally lobbied the IOC for this purpose. 
I was living in California when the smoking ban went into effect there. Smokers and barroom patrons were very upset about the law’s passage. I recall, as a musician playing in many bars and clubs, the friction caused by this switch. But folks got over it. Then I moved back to New York and remember being incredulous that folks still smoked in the bars there, until the Empire State passed its own ban. Then the wailing among bar goers began again. And again, in time, folks got over it. It seems all the friction was worth it in the end. Follow me over the fold for the latest. 
With passions running so high in the healthcare debate, and with so many powerful forces trying to manipulate the process to suit their own agendas, it gets really hard to believe anything we hear. How does one separate the truth from the lies, the policy positions from the propaganda, the facts from the noise? Let me tell you of an excellent resource for cutting through the static and getting some answers from reputable sources.
On the 8th anniversary of the horrific attacks of 9/11, the nation mourns the loss of life and the loss of innocence. On this day in 2001, I was living in California and working in the investment industry at a private firm. I woke up just before 6AM Pacific (just before 9AM eastern) and turned on my TV just in time to watch the second plane plow into the World Trade Towers. Where were you when you learned of the attacks? Tell your story in the comments.