The Student Government Association (SGA) here at UMBC is looking for enthusiastic, motivated, and dedicated students to lead and staff the Executive Branch and its many Departments for the 2011-2012 academic year! 

Executive Branch staff will work directly with the President, Executive Vice President, Department Directors and Assistant Directors, and the rest of the Executive Branch. Each member in the Executive Branch will have the opportunity to envision, implement, and oversee change throughout the UMBC Campus via projects, initiatives, and policies. All officers will have chances to improve leadership skills, create relationships, and be a part of shared governance here at UMBC. No experience is required; training and guidance will be provided for all positions.

Thanks to Wikimedia

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

How’s this for a party? Republicans set to hold their first debate TODAY!

Maybe just one more semester…College graduates are less excited than ever about heading into the real world.

Avoid at all costs: Gas for rental cars can cost up to $9!

And, maybe Tea Party will argue against anything?

Are U.S. students dumb?

According to the 2010 National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), only 7% of eighth graders are able to correctly identify the three branches of government, and furthermore only 10% can describe their relationships to one another.

This test measures the educational progress of students in 4th, 8th, and 12th grades. Many people are appalled by the civics scores released on Wednesday including Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor who had two words to describe the results, “That’s pathetic.” She also added

the statistics in this latest study confirm that we have a terrible problem on our hands. It motivates me to work a lot harder

Are these students just not paying attention in school or are facts about the government unimportant? Should we be worried about the next generation?

Almost immediately following the death of Osama bin Laden, word spread that the U.S. government was in possession of photos of his corpse (Not the fake photo-shopped one you’ve already seen on the web).

Many questioned whether or not the pictures would be released to the general public.

Now we have an answer…NO!

In an interview taped for 60 Minutes President Obama states his administration has decided not to release the photos. He cited fears of national security risks as the main reasoning behind the final decision.

It is important for us to make sure that very graphic photos of somebody who was shot in the head are not floating around as an incitement to additional violence. As a propaganda tool. You know, that’s not who we are. You know, we don’t trot out this stuff as trophies.”

Some, like Sen. Lindsey Graham and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, have expressed disagreement with the White House’s decision. On the other hand, there is a large portion of Congress who are supporting the president.

John 21:15-19 (NIV 2011)

¹⁵ When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

¹⁶ Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. ¹⁸ Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹ Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

Reflection:

Jesus is testing Peter here, looking to see with Peter what is really in his heart. Does Peter love Him? The process is painful, but it results in a proving of Peter’s love for Jesus, despite all that had happened and been done.

As Jesus speaks with Peter, He sees forward to the time when Peter will be filled with the Holy Spirit and all that he is called to will be possible. Jesus can speak with confidence when He commands, “Follow me!”

Response:

We have the Spirit of God living in us, who makes it possible for us to love God and follow Him. Let’s read this passage again, asking God to give us a greater love for Him and a greater desire to feed His sheep. As we pray, let’s fully believe that following God is possible. He has called us to this life and He empowers us because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.