Ariel’s Story Picks: California Dream Act, Trading Rights for Security and Pizza on the Moon

With Chad on vacation, I'll be taking over the "steaming pile" for a few days (and changing the name temporarily...) Today, I've found stories that will make you mad, make you think, and make you go "What the heck?"

1.) California Dream Act passes through state senate [link]

About a month ago, I reported on the California Dream Act, a bill that would allow illegal immigrants in California to receive privately funded scholarships to attend state universities. As if that isn't bad enough, that was just the first part of the bill. Here's Part 2:

Under the measure, undocumented and out-of-state students who attended high school in California for three or more years are eligible to apply for state-funded financial aid for college. Illegal immigrant students would essentially receive the leftovers of state-funded grants and scholarships, with legal residents getting first dibs on financial aid before money goes to qualified undocumented students.

A state Senate committee analysis estimated the bill will cost the state about $40 million, or about one percent of its $3.5 billion budget for campus financial aid. It will go into effect in 2013.

So now we're using U.S. money to fund the education of illiegal immigrants, when thousands of U.S. citizens are struggling to pay for college? Give me a break, California.

2.) Fewer Americans willing to trade their rights for security [link]

In a recent USA Today poll, only 25% of Americans said that they would be willing to sacrifice some of their rights and liberties if it meant that the government would protect them from terrorism. If that number seems a little high, think about this: when this question was asked back in 2002, 47% of Americans were ready to give up their rights in return for security. Back then in the post-9-11 haze, we wanted the government to do whatever it took to make sure we weren't attacked again. but now, we've wised up. The U.S. people are realizing that too much government intervention is a bad thing. Now, if only the government would realize that too...

3.) Domino's Pizza plans to open store on the moon [link]

Yes, you read that right. Domino's Pizza in Japan has released plans to construct a store on the moon. The project has been in development for almost a year now, is estimated to cost around $14 billion and will take 15 rocket launches to transport the materials.  There's no set date on when the store will open, but I'm thinking somewhere around...never. I mean, really? You think your game day pizza takes a long time now? Try ordering one from the moon; the football season will be over long before the pizza even gets there!