My Bill

So this is my baby. The bill that I hope will sweep congress like glue.

H.R. _______

In the House of Representatives

Representative Zachary Wong introduced the following bill which was referred to the Committee on ______________________

A Bill

Section 1: The purpose of the bill is to provide protection as well as funding for restoration of all historical buildings in the United States.

Section 2: The Congress hereby finds and declares that during the post World War II years, the United States experienced a massive influx of returning GIs from Pacific and European fronts. Returning soldiers began leaving their previous rural lives and began living in heavily populated, metropolitan areas, and to accommodate these soldiers, older buildings were demolished and empty land tracts were cleared to create suburban sprawls. The bill covers an important topic because it is in the best interest of the Congress to preserve pieces of this nation’s history. Currently, buildings of any nature end up being demolished or marked for demolition regardless of age or historical value. This bill will define “historical” as well as “significant” to determine the protection of a building. Historical will be defined as any building 60 years or older in age, and Significant as any building with regional, state or national historical significance. It is known that buildings hold pieces of this nation’s history in their construction methods and events that occurred within these buildings. Historically significant buildings were usually built on prime real estate locations and land developers recognize the ideal locations. These buildings find themselves on the wayside and end up demolished to make way for newer commercial enterprises. Historic buildings hold the history of past eras and to remove these buildings would be to remove history itself since they hold information on construction methods as well as historical events itself that occurred within them. It is necessary to preserve buildings for future generations to enjoy and gain inspiration from. The bill understands the necessity of providing protection for all historical buildings by providing certification and funding if necessary and how to preserve buildings for future generations of Americans.

It shall be recognized that all public buildings and some private buildings hold historical value. Known that within the past 230 years, many historical events have occurred all over this nation including those that may have happened during critical times in this nation i.e. the Civil War, the Great Depression, et al. Buildings such as Penn Station in New York city were masterpieces of the Beaux-arts movement[1] wound up being torn down by financially struggling companies[2]. Such activities led to private movements to protect buildings. Politically significant buildings are no exception such as the Freedom tower in Miami, Florida which provided a safe haven for people who had managed to escape the Castro reign of the late 1950s. The building was marked for demolition to be turned into condominiums but however due to much protest, the building was spared and the condominiums built in front of it.[3] The Larkin Administration building of Buffalo, New York was famed architect, Frank Lloyd Wright’s first commercial project. The building had included many innovative features such as air conditioning and plate glass windows and was advanced for its time. But by 1950, it was sold and demolished. The claim that a truck stop was going to be built on it had been abandoned and a parking lot built instead.[4] This demolition like the other previous two mentioned brought uproar into local and national architectural communities and a rash of preservationists throughout Buffalo[5]. All three buildings similarly raised up certain points. What action should the government take to preserve these buildings and to prevent them from further harm?

It is known that buildings of past eras give cities an appeal as well as a unique character. The structural and aesthetic parts of these buildings are also important to US history in that they are sources of important information on the contributions and construction methods of those time periods. Problems arise when illegal clashes between private homeowners and the city undoubtedly occur. In the city of Alameda, there supposedly are buildings left partially demolished or in a state of public nuisance or a safety hazard. If such activity should continue, these pieces of history are lost forever.[6] In the city of San Francisco, the old Emporium, recently rebuilt as a new building in the old shell of the original building, had a demolition contractor that had demolished more of the building than was allotted by the city[7]. The construction company involved in demolition had violated the block charter on the limits of how much could be destroyed. It was noted that apart from the façade and the dome, nothing else of the building had survived and the preservation board began asking questions[8]. What cities can do is limited and under the General Services Administration, only historically significant buildings are protected and receive federal upkeep funding. This also raises the question of “How much of a building must be saved in terms of structural frame and aesthetic accents?” As well as, How do you get funding buildings not on a national register?

It is recognized that buildings of the past need to be protected for the future. The Darwin D. Martin house of Buffalo, NY was a Frank Lloyd project and had been abandoned after the economic collapse of 1929. The property was subsequently vandalized and many pieces of it were stolen. Today private foundations are doing their best to restore such national treasures but the majority of funds come from private benefactors and public donations[9]. Many other buildings of the past have been preserved for future generations such as San Francisco City Hall, Wright’s Falling Water, museums, and landmarks. What can possibly be done to prevent a “crash” of building and preventing them from becoming nothing more than a vandalized building?

Although the damage of many historic buildings is irreversible, there is still time to preserve whatever buildings are left to hold American history intact through its buildings. This bill identifies the necessity of providing protection for all historically designated and/or significant buildings by providing local, state or national certification as well as funding and basic guidelines on restoration of buildings for future Americans. Through the problems identified and recognized in §2, it is necessary to pass the following bill to ensure the preservation of American heritage, culture and history.

Section 3: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled that this be entitled “The National Historical Building Preservation Act”

(A.) Establishment

(1.) In general: There is established within the Department of the Interior an office to be known as the Building Preservation Administration (in this section hear after to be referred to as the “Preservation Administration”)

(2.) Headed by: The Preservation Administration shall be formed as a new agency in the Department of the Interior.

(3.) Purpose: The purpose of the Preservation Administration is to maintain and regulate records of all buildings as defined as “Historic”. As well as providing funds to private owners to maintain historic properties to ensure the character of local regions. The Preservation Administration also will serve as a central office of all State historic councils.

(B.) Administration of Funds

(1.) Process: Under the direction of the Preservation Administration, Each state shall form a council of no less than 15 persons to be known as the State Historical Council. In turn, each county or designated jurisdiction shall form a Sub State Historical Council with no less than 7 persons each. The Sub State Historical Council shall process local applications for certification to receive funding from the county in which certification is applied for. Should the Sub State Historical Council find that a building applying for certification is of State significance, the building will receive funds from both state and the jurisdiction certification was applied for. Should the building in question be significant on a national level, the building will receive funding on the national and state levels.

(2.) Certification: For owners to receive any federal or state funds for restoration, the property in question must undergo certification

(a.) Administration of Certification: Property owners must apply for certification for funding. A copy of the certificate must be posted in a visible and public area of the property if undergoing renovations.

(b.) Regional Level: Building owners must apply for regional certification before receiving any federal funds.

(c.) State Level: Should a regional applicant find that his or her property is if state importance, the regional application will move onto the State Historical Preservation Council where it will be determined if the applicant should receive state or regional funding.

(d.) National Level: Should a building be found of national importance, the owner of the property must either turn over the property with just compensation to be maintained by federal personnel, or apply for national certification and keep the property.

(3.) Budget: This bill will cost approximately 2 billion dollars per annum and shall be distributed among states and distributed further by a state council for restoration of buildings. Funding will come from federal income taxes. States shall be allowed to issue parcel taxes which also will provide funding for the bill.

(a.) Distribution of Funds: Among the Preservation Administration and State administration, the 2 billion dollar budget will be distributed as follows

(i.) 1.2 billion dollars will be distributed among States for redistribution among counties and or jurisdictions.

(ii.) 500 million dollars will be maintained by the Preservation Administration when the use of eminent domain is required.

(iii.) 200 million dollars will fund for the upkeep of currently registered national and state historical buildings

(iv.) 100 million dollars will provide salaries for workers and employees working under the services of the administration

(b.) Determining the allotment of money for a building.

(i.) If a building is found to be of regional and/or state significance, the property owners shall be entitled to the allotment of 5,000 dollars

(ii.) If a building is found to be of national significance, the property owners shall be entitled to the allotment of 10,000 dollars

(iii.) If a building not of significance, but of historical merit has received local and/or state certification, it is entitled to a graded allotment system. The building in question shall be inspected by a local committee of no less than 3 persons holding civic positions. The committee shall determine based on condition and significance how much shall be allotted.

(C.) Enforcement

(1.) Incentive to comply: The Preservation Administration and/or State Preservation Administrations shall make it known public of incentives in complying with regulations of building preservation.

(2.) Outsider Incentives: If in the case where a building without proper certification or visible certification goes under massive restoration such as demolition, State administrations shall offer small incentives to reporters of “non-comply” renovations.

(a.) Should it be found that the outsider incentive system is abused; the person of the abusive nature shall be punished by government under the full extent of the law.

(3.) Failure to Comply or Refusal to Comply: If in the case where a property owner refuses to either certify, or is certified and fails to meet expectations of the administration, under Eminent Domain, the property in question shall be purchased at or above market value, from the incumbent owner and sold to someone who is found of good character and willing to comply with restoration regulations.

(D.) Date Effective

(1.) Should the bill come to pass, it shall become valid at noon on the first day of the next month in the year it was passed in.

(E.) Date Ineffective

(1.) Should this bill be surpassed by a more effective bill, this bill shall be rendered null and void only with the consent of at least a one half majority in both houses. As well as being authorized as null and void by the incumbent president.

My cynacism at new levels

So in bridge, we have an officer, who shall remain nameless, who is incompetent sometimes...

So I drafted the Articles of Impeachment up!

here she is in all her restitutional glory:

Amendment Prop __

Brought before the Officers of the Society of Bridge Builders, an Amendment proposition drafted by Club secretary Zachary Wong on this Date of January 24, 2007.

Presented on:___________________

In debate on:___________________

Approved on: ___________________

Supporters:

Zachary Wong - Secretary

An amendment proposition

Section 1: To provide an amendment on impeachment of officers incapable or inactive in duty.

Section 2: The club finds and declares that in real life, if an officer is found incapable of performing one’s duties, that it is in the best interest of the club to have the officer removed from his post and be bumped back down to a standing club member. It is known and recognized that an effective officer is one who is active, and regularly participates and pulls his or her own weight.

Section 3: Be it enacted by the Society that this will be entitled as the “Impeachment Amendment”

--Section two--

Articles of Impeachment

Title I. Reasonable Cause

A. Should it be found that an officer is shirking in his or her duties, it should be brought to the attention of either the President or Vice President.

B. Reasonable cause is recognized as a loose term and has no solid definition. If any member suspects an officer of acting in lax in his or her duties and it is brought to the attention of an officer, a special investigational committee of no more than two persons shall be formed to investigate the officer in question.

C. In the case where an officer is found to be truly of the neglectful attitude, he or she shall not be denied the rights read to him or her.

Title II. Known Cause of Absence

A. Should it be found that an officer is of absent in his or her duties, it the right to not attend shall not be infringed.

B. If the absences should exceed a reasonable limit (such as one and one half months), the officer shall be stripped of his or her title.

C. Member has right to appeal to regain official position

Title III. Rights of the Accused

A. You as an officer have been found by the special investigational committee of being neglectful in your duties. You will appear before a tribunal and defend yourself and your actions. You have the following rights.

1. The right to resign before the tribunal

2. The right to appeal for a counter investigation

3. The right to a defense council of your choice

4. The right to a fair and speedy tribunal

--Section three--

I. In general, this bill will allow for the impeachment of an officer found guilty of violation of any of the first two titles of the articles of impeachment

II. Purpose – To provide a legal written document if enacted as law to provide for the impeachment of officers found in violation of the articles of impeachment

III. Policy Guidelines – On behalf of Chairman Sweet, all affairs shall be dealt by the office of the secretary and the President.

IV. Budget – None shall be necessary

V. Tribunal – Shall be conducted on either a Friday of a set date or a Saturday of a set date. The accused is allowed the right to bring a defense council. If he or she is incapable of finding one before the tribunal date, he/she shall have no right to attain one once the tribunal itself has started.

VI. Tribunal standards – Shall be conducted by the incumbent president of the Club, the vice president and one officer of their choice. Chairman Sweet shall oversee and will have the right to question the accused. Prosecution will be led by the head of the special investigational committee.

VII. Special Investigational Committee (SIC) – Shall be conducted by any member to investigate the activities of the accused officer to find any record of corruption, tardiness, incapability or poor quality of work.

VIII. Post Impeachment – Once both sides have presented their cases as well as rebuttals, the tribunal officers shall convene and deliver a final judgment for the accused.

IX. Found Guilty – Officer shall be stripped of his/her position and allowed to remain a member

X. Found Innocent – officer shall not be stripped of his or her title and the person who had presented a reasonable cause before a lead officer shall be put on probation for 3 weeks and must be the first person there and last person to leave every meeting for the three week period.

Creedum

So, I decided to write a creedum. Whatever the hell that is.

So here goes:

Hither tither
yonder you

What holds and beholds the truth to you?

What light?
What sound?
Has broken yonder window over there?

Ok, I admit, it sounds like random jargon.

A second from Death

Well, this blogger almost died tonight.

If you want to hear the story, keep reading. Otherwise, keep scrolling down for the previous entries or use the handy dandy link to post bar on the side.

So tonight on Tuesday 16, 2006. I was on my way to a city-council meeting at City Hall. Problem was, I was there about an hour too early. So I decided to walk over to Sally's house and the problem was, I didn't want to wait to cross the lights at Santa Clara since I had just missed them. So I remember, there's a crosswalk on Webb and I run for it, hoping to beat the traffic incoming from Lincoln Avenue.

So I start to cross, and I notice the traffic coming from the Santa Clara side is starting off. No need, I can cross in no time. But since I'm in a hurry, I dash forward and apparently, this was the same time a Cadillac LaSalle decided to speed right before a pedestrian crosswalk.

So I start to run across the street which is pretty stupid, And I'm wearing rather dark clothes, but there's this Cadillac that comes hurtling down the street at break neck (30 or 40 mph) speeds and I realized, I'm right in it's path and i'm going to be hit by a Cadillac, a block away from my friend's house. What if I die right here at this very moment. But accordingly, there wasn't a single moment to waste thinking about that sort of stuff so as quickly as I could using my sharp reflexes, I jumped my legs forward and my body came with it a little after, but doing that, I just barely missed being hit my that dick head who drove the stupid car.

Afterwards, I was pretty shaken by the whole thing. I was still shaking there at Sally's house and it took awhile to calm down a little.

So today, lesson learned. Never cross in the dark, wearing a dark blue coat and running in front of a Caddy LaSalle. Although, this whole incident has given me an entirely new outlook on my eventual mortality and my futility of life. The fact that we could be mere bones in the ground in a matter of seconds, or an incapacitated corpse in the hospital. Also, when you get the opportunity, cross at the lights for safety. The world is filled with dick head drivers who think pedestrians are nothing more than mere inconveniences. Imagine me... a dead inconvenience...

I laugh at the mere thought of being dead.

New Banjo Building Blog

I have decided to finally start up another blog to show construction progress for my Senior Project banjo!

here at:

www.banjoaqap.blogspot.com

Another top list?! Top 10 Composers

So, Why did I bother again to write another top ten? The same reason why people read "Dub" magazine. To look at other people's lives and wish we were living their life. But pimped out cars and baggy clothing aside, I decided to have a little looksie at my top 10 favorite composers.

So how, of the hundreds of composers in the world, did I manage to pick my top ten? First off, i'm very partial to Martial Music. The more he wrote, the more I like him. The better he wrote, the more I liked it. But there were also a few composers in here that dont really fit under the martial music type fellows. But understand, you're dealing with me! Not some schmuck who listens to nothing but raps and shuns every other form of music aside. So let's get started before I diverge.



#10: Kenneth J. Alford.

The man's famous for writing the world known "Colonel Bogey March" featured in the whistling movie, "Bridge over River Kwai." If you noticed, it was mentioned as number uno in the previous post, but I'm not that generous when it comes to non-movie music.

#9: Karl King

The Iowa king of Marches! Although he has written like 50 more marches than Sousa, his marches never acclaimed their fame since he was the more, well how do you put this? Suckier? Not entirely that sucky, but he wrote some pretty worthwhile pieces.

#8: Sir Edward Elgar

The man who wrote that annoying song that us band nerds have to play over and over and over and over and over again at the graduation ceremonies in June. At first, I would have been ready to slap this man in the face, but when I heard his Enigma Variatons, I would rather just hold his hand and commit no acts of violence.

#7: Gustav Holst

Oh man, this guy is so awesome. And the Planets suite? Oh man, oh god, oh yes! And dont get me started on his first suite in Eb for Band. *cough III. March *cough *cough cough * oh, sorry about that, I ought to watch where I'm coughing sometimes *wink wink*

#6: Jan Sibelius

The man at first, seemed nothing more than a pudgy pile of marshmallows until I heard his early work. Finlandia. Ohmigosh! It's so amazing! No words can describe it, apart from Freaking and Amazing.

#6: Richard Strauss

The little known son of the waltz king. I bet if you ever mentioned the Blue Danbue in front of him, he's probably spit and just be all huffy about it. Kinda like Will Ferrell as "Franz Liebkind" when describing Churchill. "YOU WERE LED ON BY THE B-B-C!" Well, maybe not, but he's written some pretty awesome pieces such as that one that was used in 2006 a Space Odyssey.

#4: George Gershwin

The man's got Rhythm. *haha, pun*. Singlehandedly, he's written three of some of my most favorite pieces. Rhapsody in blue, an amazing piece of rhythms as well as harmonies and catchy bits of virtuosity.

#3: John Phillip Sousa

The first thing that comes to mind, when you say his name, The Stars and Stripes Forever should be playing over and over in your head. Forever so to speak. Heh... Well, like I said, I'm a big fan of Martial music and what better than the man who's written in the vicinity of 130 marches. Sure 130 doesnt sound like much, but have YOU written anything?

#2: Dmitri Shostakovich

The man who stuck it to the Stalin Man! Shostakovich is one of those type of composers you either hate or love. And apparently, I love him! His symphonies are amazing pieces of work, espically No. 5, 7, 10, 11 and 13. I have yet to find a copy of 14 and 15. But not only did he write such stirring pieces of music, you can also accredit him for writing very light and bouncy pieces such as his Galop from Cheremushky, and his Jazz Suites. Sometimes, he got quite romantic as seen in the second waltz from Jazz suite no.2.

And topping the charts at #1: Leroy Anderson

The Swedish composer who typed his way into my ears. I first picked up his CD at the San Francisco library and at first, I was kinda reluctant to check it out since I had no idea who this guy was, but I took a chance and listened to him. The first song I scrolled over to, "The Typewriter" was amazing. I had not expected what I was about hear. It starts off as pretty light music then all of a sudden, a typewriter starts playing. I highly recommend everyone to find a copy of Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride" and listen to it. If you didnt know already, he was the guy who wrote the Sleigh Ride piece. That one you always hear in the winter.

"Lets hear those sleigh bells ring-a ling
ring ting tinga ling ling...
Come on it's lovely weather for a
Sleigh Ride together with yooouuuu...."

So that's it. My top 10 composers as of January 2007!

Zach's top 10 favorite Movie Opening/Theme musics!

Number 10: Opening overture to "Battle of Britain"

In my honest opinion, I really like this song even though it's just a movie march. As Will Ferrell once put it:

"Russian Folk songs and French Ooh-la-las! cant compare to the German Oomph Pah Pah!"

And that's really the best way to put it.

Number 9: Theme "The Great Escape"

This is a easily recogonized piece of music. G, c, G, e, d, c, A. Everyone knows the tune as Steve McQueen walks into his nazi holding cell for his bad conduct. Heh, heh, good ol' trouble makers.

Number 8: Theme from "The Pink Panther"

Ooh, sexy. There's not much to say about this piece except it's world wide recgonition and acclaim. You cant help but be sneaky when it starts to play on your MP3 player. Causing everyone about you to wonder what the hell you are doing.

Number 7: Theme from "The Godfather"

Ah, a timeless classic. The one song if ever played, will strike the hard chiseled features of Marlon Brando's face into your mind and cause everything else to just leave. Strikes fear into every non-coreleone member of the family. *rat-tat-tat*

Number 6: The opening song from Disney's "The Adventures of Robin Hood"

Man, No one can forget that singing rooster.

Number 5: Opening credits music from "Games Gamblers Play"

Very few people who are white will know of this movie. So understand, it's sung entirely in chinese and alongside flashing lights and animated chickens, the theme song is really cool. Also, it's written by the actor: Sam Hui

Number 4: Theme from: Aces go Places 1 thru 5

Again, see above

Number 3: Opening music from Disney's "The Aristocats"

Hehe, Love it.

"Oh zer is nuthing like zeh Areeisto-cats"

Number 2: Casablanca's "As time goes by"

Instantly recogenized as the song that we all want sam to play it again. Also, for you BBC buffs, the theme from the TV show... "As Time goes by". Haha!

so, here's that I say: "Play it again Sam"

and last, and definetly not least

Number 1:

*Commercial Break*

Do you need teeth? I am good doctor, needing patients to operate on for practice. Only 9.95!



yeah.

So At number one:

Bridge Over River Kwai: Colonel Bogey's March

One of my all time favorite movies, the Bogey march was written back during the great war by the man behind the pseudonym Kenneth J. Alford who would later write several more influential marches.

So everyone, that's my top 10 and I advise you all to maybe write down your top 10 or so and see how others feel.

Either Lovesick or sick of Love

Well, almost Feburary. Everywhere I go, all my friends (the cool ones) have girlfriends and they all look so happy. It makes me sick in the gut. I'm either missing the old feeling of holding someone in my arms when we walked, or maybe it's the disgust I feel of seeing all the PDAs everywhere. Blech, I was on a bench once, someone rolled onto me while making out with his girlfriend.

Some open letters

Dear Calculus,

I hate you. No wonder why so many people in the world hate you. You suck, that's why. I take one look at you and I cant help but throw up. Even throw up that throw ups. Look, if you want to get people to take you, be a bit easier. Well, I cant blame you entirely. It's probably that mistake of a teacher Sigmon who's ruined you. I'm sorry if that's the case. I'm sure you're fun and all, but you've driven away my friend Bobby... In his Galant...

yours,
Z

------

Dear BMW lady on Webster

You suck at driving. Who the hell double parks on webster? Just to drop off mail? If I could, I would have just rammed into your car and that'd be the end of you. But no, I cant. Oh btw, go home and lose some weight. You're probably fat or soemthing.

yours,
Z

------

Dear EA Games,

Thank You

yours,
Z

As of Late

Yeah, so I know I havent been writing too much lately, and I cant blame myself. Life is boring at times. It's like living out in Witchata, Kansas. Although, the just had some pretty kick ass Freezing rain.

So let's git-r-done!

Lately, Senioritis has hit me hardest in the past week. Lack of doing homework, watching youtube alot, spending too much time blogging, masturbating. Just kidding about the last one. But It's rough, you're living in constant fear that you're GPA will just drop and you'll never get ahead in life and yet, you dont do a thing about it. Ie, doing my work. I will on occasion do my english work and science work. But that's me. I live for the A. I starve for it. I fall in submission before it. Writing and naked before it. But that's me.

Big news as well, I havent finished my community service for Gov't class. Damn you! So now, i'm mostly going to end up stuck in a city council meeting throwing paper airplanes across the room. Haha! I hit the speaker in the eye! 3 points!

Also, my portfolio is due friday. But! I'm still missing alot from it. Holy sihit *that's supposed to be a bad word* and yah, I'm not too proud of the writing portions in it. The only thing i've done good on is probably the resume.

Senior Project is also drawing close. I'm not sure if I should assemble the banjo and build one in CAD or just turn in my bill. Hm... decisions decisions. I really want to do the banjo, but i'm really strapped for cash. I've been sending alot of mail to Pennsylvania. And packages dont send for cheap you know!

Well, that's all I have to say now. Goodnight everyone. I'll see you on the 8th or so

You cant help but wonder, how NAMBLA is legal

The words Man/boy love is a big tip off if it doesnt disgust you.

Semi-Dissapointing bowl game season

I am sad... but not entirely... the teams I like, most of them lost

Wake Forest, Notre Dame... all wiped clean

both by Louisiana State



But the California Golden Bears wiped San Diego with texas A&M!

Take that bitches!