While I understand the Democrats argument for higher taxes, and the Republicans argument for cutting spending, I believe that both parties are missing the elephant in the room. The issue today is not the debt ceiling, it is not taxes, and it is not even welfare. The issue today is that America has forgotten the “American Dream". I honestly believe that everyone can become successful in the United States if they put their hearts and minds to it.

I define the “American Dream” as follows: The “American Dream” is the notion that all people, regardless of age, race, religion, or country of origin can be successful if they work hard, are innovative, and dedicate their lives to their family and their work, can become successful. I believe that everyone has the ability to fulfill the “American Dream,” even a 13-year-old freshman in high school.

At 13, I had this crazy notion that there was an opening in the web hosting market for a new web hosting company that would offer dirt-cheap web hosting by overselling server resources. At the time, a handful of other companies, such as Go Daddy, and Dream Host were just opening their doors. I started my first web hosting company in August of 2002 with a tiered shared hosting model. My prices were the best in the industry, and I instantly became overwhelmed with new clients. Some of my old clients you would recognize, others you would not. Within 8 months, I was bringing in revenue (not profits sadly) of over $10,000 per month. I had a handful of employees, none of whom knew I was only 13. Due to my success, a web hosting company by the name of Go Daddy offered to buy my clients from me. I thought who would want to hosted by company whose name sounds more like a bad adult commercial! I turned them down (in hindsight that was probably a bad idea.) Within 6 months, most of my clients had gone over to Go Daddy as they offered better prices with the same guarantee of service. While I did eventually sell my company, for a short period I was competing with the big names in the industry. I made many mistakes, and I was a bit overconfident in my abilities, but I was living what most would consider the American Dream. I was making enough money that I could pay my employees a decent wage, and I was having as much fun as a 13-year-old could! I was living the “American Dream.”

If I can live the “American Dream” as a 13 year old, what can you do? There are many success stories of college students being innovative, and coming up with the “next big thing.”

Google was formed in 1996 as a Stanford University project code-named “BackRub.” By 1998, Sun Industries co-founder Andy Bechtolsheim wrote a check for $100,000 to Google, and Google goes live. In December of 1998, Google is being acknowledged as the search engine of choice in the Top 100 Web Sites of 1998.  Now, Google is one of the most well known companies in the world, and the term “google” has become synonymous with “searching the internet.”

A bit closer to home, we have the UMBC Bio-Diesel club. The Bio-Diesel club is a group of UMBC entrepreneurs who are looking to come up with a way of effectively and efficiently create diesel fuel from ever day sources such as the Dining Hall. Last year, the Bio-Diesel club won the 2010 the “2009-2010 Prove-It Competition” and received $5000 from the SGA.

I challenge every student at UMBC to use your God given abilities to better yourself, to become innovative, and be the best that you can be. Strive for the “American Dream” and become successful. I believe that not only can every one of you become successful, but you can change the world, as we know it. All it takes is a desire to do something better. Our generation is the future of the United States, we need to take the lead and show that WE are still the most innovative nation in the world, and that the “American Dream” is still alive in every single one of us.

Important References:

http://www.coeit.umbc.edu/biodiesel-project-wins-prove-it-competition

http://www.google.com/about/corporate/company/history.html

Dr. Tim Oates, associate professor of computer science, does research in the field of machine learning and is interested in understanding the development of the human brain. Dr. Oates is also fascinated by the idea of making robots that are capable of learning and exhibiting human characteristics.  “I don’t know if we’ll ever have androids walking among us that are indistinguishable from humans,” says Dr. Oates, “but I bet we’ll get pretty darn close."

To read more about Dr. Oates' research pursuits, see his full research profile.

Courtesy of Chicago Historical Society

I’ll bid 50, who’ll pay 100?  110, 110? ….. Sold! $110,00 for America’s #1 gangster Al Capone’s Colt .38 revolver.

Even Usher wants a piece of the Middleton derriere, strictly business of course.  Pippa’s rear view has arguably made her the world’s most eligible bachelorette.

Just keep on piling the lawsuits.  Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is being sued by a former employee who was sacked for refusing to remove her hijab.

Death at a funeral … no really.  A woman wakes up during her own funeral only to die of a heart attack at having found herself pronounced dead and in a casket!

Still Winning, duh.  A new show may be on the horizon for Charlie Sheen.

Thanks to Sports Illustrated

After coming up short in two consecutive championships, the U.S. women’s soccer team is ready for a comeback in this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany.

We all remember the Mia Hamm era in the 90’s when women’s soccer was dominating the media and attracting millions of fans.

That was back then… when we were actually winning game after game (including World Cups!) led by Hamm’s incredible 158 goals!  The highest score of any man or women in FIFA history.  How’s that for a kicker!

After two back to back steals by Germany in the past two Worls Cups (2003 & 2007), not to mention an embarrassing 4-0 loss to Brazil in 07′,  the U.S. team is on a mission to steal back the title and the fans.

Women’s professional soccer leagues are no where close to garnering as much attention as the men’s. Hopefully all of that will change IF we take the cup.

“If we win this thing, I think we’re gonna see some fireworks in the U.S.” says the dynamic forward, Abby Wambach.

To the astonishment of many, stadium’s are already quickly filling up by the thousands for U.S.A.’s 1st game against Korea DPR today at 11:45 am ET.

Win or lose, we are excited to see the U.S. back on the scene (of course winning would be WAY more fun).

Matthew 8:18-22 (NIV)

18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

21 Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Reflection:

“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

Following the call of Jesus is not an escape or vacation from the realities of life, but instead challenges the very core of how we view and live our lives. It shakes our foundation and poses a threat to the way we ‘know and follow’ life. And this call is costly because it turns the norm into abnormality, unsettling both tradition and culture that we like to settle into. But ultimately, this call transforms because of the One we are following. And this transformation brings God’s love into where there was never love.

Responding to the Transmission:

Today, may we consider afresh the cost of following our Lord and Savior. It requires our death, us dying to the tyranny of self. Let’s pray and ask for willing hearts. Let’s pray for an increase and overflow of His love to pour into and out of our lives, so that others will be able to see, taste and experience His love.

Never fear, ExcellBook is here!

As you can see, some horrible person (Or people, rather: the clothing company Diesel, has something to do with this atrocity) has taken great pains to create an application that will disguise your Facebook account as an Excel spreadsheet.

Once the application is installed (PC and Mac versions available) open it up and log in through the file menu. Then you’ll be able to see and post status updates and use facebook chat.

Exciting, right?

Your guess is as good as ours as to how exactly this works, but it sure is ridiculous. Check it out at the aptly titled, Be Stupid At Work.