Tag: Herald-Times

Ban the Ban

Today on the Herald-Times website there has been a serious discussion regarding IU’s smoking ban which went into effect last January.  It started with a reporter searching the campus for smokers and placing updates on their website, she then spoke with administrators and wrote a full article.

The ban has not been enforced in any way, and as a smoker it bothers me on fundamental levels.  As an employee I could be terminated for violating this policy (which I try very carefully not to), while students face very slight (if any) consequences.

In my opinion, this smoking ban is going to be just like the ban on alcohol on IU’s campus, not spoken about.  I was blown away to actually find out that alcohol is actually permitted on campus for university events if students or others under the age of 21 are not going to be in attendance.

The online discussion on the Herald-Times website opened my eyes up to a few things that I hadn’t known before, and I thought I would pass those along to everyone out there.

All of these “smoking bans” that we see today can trace their roots back to 1930’s Germany.  Read here for more information.  It’s really shocking to me, and confirms my ideas about the subject since day one.

Did you know that over a lifetime, medical costs for obese and average people are more than that of smokers?  Read here for the article.  This information “threw a bucket of cold water” into what everyone thought.  I’m a firm believer that we have been sold on the idea that smoking is “more” unhealthy than it really is.  I’m not trying to say that there are no health risks – I’m just saying as a country I think we’ve been duped.

These two articles really opened my eyes regarding this issue that has been raging in this town for almost 15 years now.

I have been a smoker for more than half of my 28 years on this earth.  I know it’s not the healthiest of things to do, but I do it anyway.  I’ve taken chantix, nicoderm and the commit lozenges to try to quit.  The reason I have not succeeded in quitting is because smoking is part of who I am.  Without it I do not feel like myself, while that is “normal,” I don’t like feeling that way.

While I know it is a chemical addiction just like drugs and alcohol are, that does not bother me.  I have other addictions that I think are worse.  To name one, it’s my endless addiction to technology.

That’s a whole other story that I’ll leave for another time.

Need A Paper?

Then I’m your man, at least on the far westside of Bloomington.

I officially became a carrier for the Herald-Times today.

Rachel and I went on the route, and we had a few hiccups but it went pretty smooth.

200 papers, 2 hours.

With high gas prices, you would think that it would be a losing situation, but it’s not.  The route is only 26 miles, and I can deduct that expense on my taxes next year.

I’m eventually going to buy a beater of a car and use it.  Until then, I think I’m going to use my truck.  This morning we learned that Rachel’s car is just a wee bit small.

Opportunity or Not?

While making dinner this evening, I received a phone call.  The phone was ringing like crazy today, but this one was way out of left field.

It was the Herald-Times, asking me if I was interested in becoming a paper carrier.  I had sent them my resume about a month ago when a carrier position opened up.  It just happens that the carrier for “my” area quit.

I’ve agreed to go on a “test” run tomorrow morning, bright and early at 4:15.

This is something that I would love to do, but a 7 day a week commitment is tough for a young individual like myself.  We occasionally spend the night at friends and family members homes.  I wouldn’t want to be grounded.

In other job seeking news, I had an interview at the VA clinic in town, and got another call for an interview with what seems to be a general contracting company in town.

The interview at the VA clinic went well.  It’s a position in their front office, I’m just worried that my lack of experience in a medical office setting puts me at a disadvantage.

It would definitely be exciting to work for a general contractor again, but my back isn’t what it used to be.

Due to these concerns, I’m giving this some serious consideration.

I don’t want to work for KFC again, anything but fast food.

Primarily Undecided

For the first time in my lifetime, the Indiana Primary has become an important step in the process of deciding who will become the next president of the United States.

The hardest part, for this household anyway is deciding on who to vote for.  We are not “hardline” party voters.  We instead vote for the issues that are more important to us, and try to make an effort to vote for a person who will do their job, and do it well.

Since G.W.’s administration has made everything under the sun a nightmare, we are voting Democratic this time.  One point I have been making since it has become a Obama vs. Clinton showdown is that history will be made no matter who wins the nomination.

Both canidates have made appearances in Bloomington.
Obama showed up for the Little 500, and was here last night.  He gave a speech at Assembly Hall with a crowd of 13,000 present.  I sat comfortably at home and watched it via a live feed on the Herald-Times website.
Hillary, Chelsea and Bill Clinton have all made appearances here.  While I have not gotten a chance to see any of them speak, I haven’t heard much buzz regarding those appearances either.

When all of this began I was leaning towards voting for Hillary, but I have changed my mind, I think.  The turning point for me was last night when Obama said that, his entire campaign was funded by the american people, one $25 check at a time.”

Last night, we went to my grandmothers for dinner.  We have to drive by the airport to get there, and saw a large plane.  It had an american flag and “The United States” printed on the sides of it.  We knew it was for Obama.  While there, we were watching the news and they had a live feed from Indianapolis.  He was there speaking.  About 11pm, long after his speech here was over, we felt that plane leave.  It was an experience unto itself.

This country needs a change, and while I see it happening with either canidate, I see it happening better with Obama behind the wheel.