Halfway done...

As the second spring break of my undergraduate education comes to a close, I've come to realize what a boring person I can be. I spent seven days cooped up in my room writing proposals and doing research for term papers that are due in two months. There weren't many people on campus, so I spent the free time I had with a few of the other RA's who live too far away to go home.

While I understand that I probably spent my spring break right way, I'm angry with myself for not having fun while I had the time. Then again, I'm angry with myself for several reasons, so this is just one of the less heavy things to add to the list.

I've been thinking about a few things over the past few days that I haven't had the opportunity to share with anyone, so I will share them here. (They have nothing to do with State and Local Government.....)

• I'm sure Moammar Gadhafi is very pleased to hear about natural disasters in Japan as it takes a great deal of attention off of the conflict in Libya.
• I wish the Libyan conflict was taking place while I was taking Political Psychology as Gadhafi would be a great subject for such study.
• Does anyone else think Gadhafi looks a little scary? Or at least interesting?
• I find it interesting that CNN calls the conflict in Libya a civil war...the State Department declines to call it a civil war.
• My 10 month vegetarian phase has turned into a lifestyle and I will never go back.
• What is the structure of Belmont's government?

After speaking with BPD, it seems as though interaction with local government units occurs on several different levels and occasions. The police department may interface with a fire department when there is an arson or fire...or when there is an alcohol poisoning at NDNU. The police department may work with a school district on campaigns for behavior modification.

Study Questions:

1.) What phenomena explain the dramatic decrease in the number of school districts from 1952 to 2002? (Figure 1.1, page 247)

2.) What phenomena explain the dramatic increase in the number of special districts from 1952 to 2002? (Figure 1.1, page 247)

3.) What are the advantages for the citizens of weak-mayor forms of local government?