November 11, 2015

WaPo - Veterans Day: How many veterans work for the federal government?

So how many military veterans does the federal government employ? Roughly one in four of 2.1 million federal employees is a veteran, according to statistics compiled by the Office of Personnel Management. The agency also suggests that more than 1 million federal jobs are tied to supporting the military — either at the Pentagon or other security agencies.

And one-third of the federal government’s new hires in the first half of fiscal year 2011 were veterans, according to President Obama’s Council on Veterans Employment.

The council reported in July that the federal government hired 34,788 veterans in the first half of fiscal year 2011, up from 32,825 hired during the first half of FY 2010.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/post/veterans-day-how-many-veterans-work-for-the-federal-government/2011/11/10/gIQAbEd29M_blog.html

And that does not count active military personnel who are also government employees.

So the next time a Republican talks about reducing the size of government, remember to ask how many military veterans will be laid off as a result.

November 9, 2015

Just got a robocall from Ben Carson's campaign. As if...

Deep in the deepest part of South Texas - Hidalgo county.

Good luck!

November 9, 2015

THE MARS UNDERGROUND [HD] Full Movie

Published on Oct 16, 2014
"The Mars Underground" Updated Edition/Director's Cut

Leading aerospace engineer and Mars Society President Dr. Robert Zubrin has a dream. He wants to get humans to the planet Mars in the next ten years.

Now, with the advent of a revolutionary plan, Mars Direct, Zubrin shows how we can use present day technology and natural resources on Mars to make human settlement possible. But can he win over the skeptics at NASA and the wider world?
The Mars Underground is a landmark documentary that follows Zubrin and his team as they try to bring this incredible dream to life. Through spellbinding animation, the film takes us on a daring first journey to the Red Planet and envisions a future Mars teeming with life and terraformed into a blue world.

A must-see experience for anyone concerned for our global future and the triumph of the human spirit.

"This film captures the spirit of Mars pioneers who refuse to let their dreams be put on hold by a slumbering space program. Their passionate urge to walk the soil of an alien world is infectious and inspirational. This film is the manifesto of the new space revolution." James Cameron - Director of "Avatar"

November 8, 2015

Border Stories | Franciso Guajardo | TEDxMcAllen

And more:

http://tedxmcallen.us/blog/more-tedxmcallen-2015-videos-now-online/

November 7, 2015

Why Your Next CEO Should Have a Childhood in Poverty | Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar | TEDxMcAllen

Published on Nov 1, 2015
Learning the skills it takes to create your life instead of waiting for opportunity to be handed to you is what drove Dalinda to learn to code.

Dalinda is an educator specializing in impacting communities through technology. While eJumcomm is working on empowering student leaders and families within the education system, her latest startup Border Kids Code acts as an enrichment program to empower student for the high tech world of tomorrow teaching them to code with after-school and summer programs.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

November 5, 2015

THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW 11/ 4 /2015 Chris Christie shows contender qualities in speech on addiction

I wish our Democratic candidates spoke with this kind of eloquence on the subject of addiction.

Say what you will about the Crispy Critter, and I've said a lot about him, mostly negative, this time he hit the ball out of the park.

November 4, 2015

Paving Paradise to put up a parking lot.

Who says your dollar doesn’t stretch in today’s housing market? In poking around looking for homes priced less than $50,000, we uncovered a 20-bedroom mansion in Manchester, NH, for just $29,900.

Of course, there is one tiny catch to get all this house for such a low price. Namely, a buyer has to move the home from its present location, a task that could cost $200,000 to $300,000 if done locally.

The Catholic church next door now wants the home sold and moved so it can build a parking lot for parishioners. Greg Barrett is the listing agent.

The 30-room, Queen Anne–style mansion still features original ornate wood molding and carvings throughout, as well as stained-glass windows and a massive main staircase, all classic touches that harken back to the Gilded Age.







http://www.realtor.com/news/unique-homes/mansion-on-the-move-in-new-hampshire/?cid=syn_outbrain_0214_rss_uh-01

November 4, 2015

Scaling Walls With Words | Amalia Ortiz | TEDxMcAllen

November 4, 2015

Undocumented Dream | Rossy Evelin Lima | TEDxMcAllen