The first debate between Barack Obama and John McCain was supposed to center around some questions about economic and foreign policy. Unfortunately, I often had a hard time remembering what the questions were because they simply weren’t being answered. This is business as usual in politics, but it has no place in writing. (More interested in politics than writing? Here’s why I voted for Obama.)

Here is a list of every single question each candidate was asked to answer:

• Where do you stand on

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Not all articles are created equal. Most articles aren’t completely true, are biased, and even considering them as sources will give you dubious marks at best. To protect your integrity, as well as your pride, perform the following each time you are scanning a Wikipedia article for some source material.

The next time you are on Wikipedia, take a look at the top right of an article of your choice. If you see a little lock, that means that nobody can edit it anymore. In other words, the article …

This may seem like a puerile premise, but think about it. When you think back to elementary school, who were your favorite teachers? The nice ones. Back then, it didn’t really matter what was taught, as long as your teacher was kind to you. As adults, we really aren’t that different; we will always be more willing to storm a beach if our general treats us respectfully.

When I say nice, I don’t mean easy. What I mean is teachers who treat their students like fellow human beings. Teachers who stand on a soapbox waving a flag with their Ph.D. attached …

It’s true; this is possible!

There are 168 hours in a week.

• Job 1 – 40 hours.
• Job 2 – 40 hours.
• Job 3 – 20 hours.
• School – 4 classes. (12 Credit Hours)
• 7 Days a week – 8 hours a night.

What a jam-packed, fun-filled week!

You work a little more than 14 hours a day with this plan; not too bad! You always have to be a little bit late to class, but it’s no big deal, right? You’re making money!

You leave class a little early every day or don’t even go at all, so that’s awesome. Class blows, right?

You often have to …

Some of these may already be graduation requirements, but if they aren’t, you need to take them anyway.

1. A Public Speaking Class of Some Sort. – Public speaking is a skill you will need your entire life. Start while you are young. In the real world, boardrooms and auditoriums won’t be forgiving.
2. CPR/First Aid Class. – This course is generally only required for teachers, but everybody should take it. It is a brief class with little to no homework. Plus, you learn how to save lives.
3. Foreign Language(s). – There are many benefits to learning a foreign language. I’m a French speaker,

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Ben Franklin put around a thousand pounds into a trust fund in 1790 and by 1990 it had grown to millions of dollars. Take a page out of his book and start investing TODAY.

I wouldn’t know if Scottrade is any better than the other online discount brokers, but I use it anyway. I’m one of those poor souls that thinks saving for retirement instead of buying junk is a good idea. Are you too?

If so, from now until October 31, 2008, …

Image source: about.com

Did you ever notice how your interests say a lot about who you are or desire to be?

Most of us remember the pressure to like and dislike certain things. I remember when I bought Eminem’s first CD 10 years ago. I was convinced for whatever reason he was by far the best musician I had ever heard…I later realized I had allowed myself to be influenced by my peers. As a result, I was able to delude myself.

Take a …

All it takes to be a Muslim is to say, and mean, “There is no God but God, and Mohammad was his prophet.” This doesn’t mean Jesus wasn’t a prophet, too. It is simply a statement accepting that Mohammad was as well. That’s right, Christians – you’re one head nod away from a pilgrimage to Mecca!

The similarities and differences between the closely related Islamic and Christian faiths are intriguing and revealing. The thick, bold line many practitioners of both faiths draw is in fact much more blurry than they think. Small differences abound, but an overall sense of cohesion is …