Math Science Institute (MSI) is a major in Brooklyn Technical High School. It concentrates on mathematics, natural science, and computer science. The junior year MSI courses include: AP Java A, Math Research. The senior year MSI courses inclue: Discrete Mathematics, calculus, and an elective natural science class. MSI was designed for the most promising students at Brooklyn Technical High School, as well as the most diligent ones. This major was created in the 1970s, targeted at educating students who have an interest in science or mathematics.
Sissy Nation refers to the end of empire; and as coined by cultural journalist John Strausbaugh, specifically to the end of the American Empire. Strausbaugh is quick to point out, in his book Sissy Nation , that much of the western world isn't far behind the United States in unraveling the individualism, the personal integrity, and the gumption that made America great. He stresses that the "ideals" of America are sound, and that they have served to provide an excellent model upon which to build a nation, but that the average American's dependence upon virtual reality, consumer goods and branding, escape, or just wanting to be entertained is leading to the decay of the nation and the emergence of a new breed—the American Sissy. According to Strausbaugh, we choose "sissy leaders" who, at best, tell us whatever we want to hear in order to get elected, and at worst, lie to us and manipulate us in accordance with our fears. And our fears, fueled by the popular press, are many.
The author likens the fall of America to that of the Greek and Roman empires, but seems saddened that we've cycled so quickly, that our empire is coming to an end just at the point it came into its own—powerful enough to influence mankind for the good.
Strausbaugh's inspiration for the book comes, in part, from George Orwell, whom he quotes at the opening:
We have now sunk to a depth in which the restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men
— George Orwell
Jason Cooper, at Library Professionals , compares Sissy Nation with Curtis White's, The Middle Mind: Why Americans Don't Think for Themselves.
Sources:
Sissy Nation: How America Became a Culture of Wimps & Stoopits ISBN: 978-1905264162, (pages 2-3), published by Virgin Books USA, New York, NY, 2008
Orwell, George; Essays Everyman's Library, New York, NY, 2002 ISBN-13: 978-0375415036
White, Curtis;The Middle Mind: Why Americans Don't Think for Themselves. HarperOne, New York, NY, 2004
http://books.libraryprofessionals.com/2008/02/coming-to-shelf-near-you-sissy-nation.html
The author likens the fall of America to that of the Greek and Roman empires, but seems saddened that we've cycled so quickly, that our empire is coming to an end just at the point it came into its own—powerful enough to influence mankind for the good.
Strausbaugh's inspiration for the book comes, in part, from George Orwell, whom he quotes at the opening:
We have now sunk to a depth in which the restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men
— George Orwell
Jason Cooper, at Library Professionals , compares Sissy Nation with Curtis White's, The Middle Mind: Why Americans Don't Think for Themselves.
Sources:
Sissy Nation: How America Became a Culture of Wimps & Stoopits ISBN: 978-1905264162, (pages 2-3), published by Virgin Books USA, New York, NY, 2008
Orwell, George; Essays Everyman's Library, New York, NY, 2002 ISBN-13: 978-0375415036
White, Curtis;The Middle Mind: Why Americans Don't Think for Themselves. HarperOne, New York, NY, 2004
http://books.libraryprofessionals.com/2008/02/coming-to-shelf-near-you-sissy-nation.html
Rommel Zamora (born June 25 1987), originally from Irvine, California, gained publicity by creating an online petition against R&B singer Ashanti Douglas. He was featured in Time, MTV, and several other high profile new publications. Currently, he is pursuing a career in the fashion industry, having attended Parsons The New School for Design.
Ricardo Rangel (born 1966) is the Democratic justice of the peace for Webb County, Precinct 2, Place 2, based in Laredo, a largely Hispanic city of some 200,000 population on the Mexican border in south Texas. Rangel (pronounced RAN HELL) was first elected to the bench in 2002 and was reelected in 2006. He has been twice cited for driving while intoxicated, once prior to his JP service, and again in a February 15, 2007, arrest on Texas Highway 359. One of five justices of the peace in Webb County, Rangel draws a salary of approximately $70,000.
Rangel was earlier arrested for DWI on November 27, 1999. That charge resulted in a plea bargain. On January 14, 2000, he pleaded guilty to public intoxication in regard to the 1999 incident. In the second case, Rangel was pulled over for a defective taillight. He failed a field sobriety test and refused a Breathalyzer test at the Webb County jail, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The refusal to take the Breathalyzer test, which is designed to measure the level of alcohol in a person's system, means a six-month revocation of the individual's driver's license. Rangel's attorney, Alonzo Ramos of Laredo, said that the JP did not fail the sobriety test but relayed an "apology" from Rangel to "his constituents and the people of Webb County". Ramos denied that his client was under the influence of alcohol when he was stopped by police and added that Rangel is "just waiting for day in court."
A second-offense DWI is a Class A misdemeanor in Texas and usually nets a fine of up to $4,000 and a jail term of up to twelve months. A first-time offender faces the Class B misdemeanor charge, which usually means a $2,000 fine and up to six months in the county jail.
Rangel has previously worked as a warrant officer, jailer, deputy sheriff, tax warrant officer, and a court security officer at the Webb County Sheriff's Department in Laredo.
Rangel was the second justice of the peace in Laredo to have been arrested for DWI in the five-month period prior to February 2007. Democratic JP Hector J. Liendo was arrested for DWI and being in possession of an open alcoholic container in September 2006.
Rangel was earlier arrested for DWI on November 27, 1999. That charge resulted in a plea bargain. On January 14, 2000, he pleaded guilty to public intoxication in regard to the 1999 incident. In the second case, Rangel was pulled over for a defective taillight. He failed a field sobriety test and refused a Breathalyzer test at the Webb County jail, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The refusal to take the Breathalyzer test, which is designed to measure the level of alcohol in a person's system, means a six-month revocation of the individual's driver's license. Rangel's attorney, Alonzo Ramos of Laredo, said that the JP did not fail the sobriety test but relayed an "apology" from Rangel to "his constituents and the people of Webb County". Ramos denied that his client was under the influence of alcohol when he was stopped by police and added that Rangel is "just waiting for day in court."
A second-offense DWI is a Class A misdemeanor in Texas and usually nets a fine of up to $4,000 and a jail term of up to twelve months. A first-time offender faces the Class B misdemeanor charge, which usually means a $2,000 fine and up to six months in the county jail.
Rangel has previously worked as a warrant officer, jailer, deputy sheriff, tax warrant officer, and a court security officer at the Webb County Sheriff's Department in Laredo.
Rangel was the second justice of the peace in Laredo to have been arrested for DWI in the five-month period prior to February 2007. Democratic JP Hector J. Liendo was arrested for DWI and being in possession of an open alcoholic container in September 2006.