Bloods, Crips and Latin Kings say "Stay in School"

With marijuana being legalized in more and more states, the profit margin for drug trafficking is taking a hit. Fears are spreading about other well known drugs following suit. "We predict that in the next five years you will see personal doctors prescribing different forms of speed, cocaine and mild hallucinogens," said a top gang's spokesperson. Many gangs are scrambling to find other sources of new revenue.

"We need to work smarter," said another gang's representative, "and we are revamping our recruiting process." Many gangs' recruitment practices are now looking beyond the normal pools of this year's high-school dropouts. 

Chemistry Grads

Chemistry majors are on the rise for 2015, as these skills are in high demand. "Millennials are wanting the new trendy synthetic drugs, and their tastes are changing faster than our generation X customers." With more and more people wanting the next-big-thing right now, drug development timelines need to shrink. "We no longer need, or have the time to wait for, the same volume of drugs to be smuggled into the US." Following the meth trends of the past few years, gangs are finding they can produce their own designer drugs here. Shrinking the timeline of production to distribution. 

Computer Science Grads

With recent developments it's more obvious than ever that now is the time to break into the digital market, and those gangs who have not started to do this are missing out. "It's time for us to start treating corporations as people," said one gang's spokesperson. If US gangs want to stay competitive they'll have to increase the size of their targets.  

Right now there is a lot of competition out there, and on a global front. "I haven't had to deal with the Russians since the 90's, and with new gangs, like Dark Seoul, emerging everyday, well it's time to start finding ways to build our business instead of losing these revenue streams to international markets."

2015 will be a transition year, with big growth potential. Likely we will see some top players make major changes and the rise of new emerging gangs. 

Christmas as a Jew

Yes Rebecca there is a Santa Clause, but he is not for you.  You may enjoy looking at the festive lights without putting up your own.  Though stores and buildings accommodate you with holiday trees, your mom still says you cannot have one.  Although you enjoy eight days of presents, it may fall nowhere near Christmas and so you feel forgotten.  People will wish you Merry Christmas, and you will pause in confusion on how to respond.  Finally you return their merry greeting with the same.  For no matter what you say, they will not understand the fact that you don't celebrate Christmas.

You may find yourself at a mall where there is no line to see Santa.  Your mom may nudge you it is ok, and you go and sit on his lap.  He will ask you, "what do you want for Christmas?" Which your reply will be, "I'm Jewish."  Santa then says, "Ho ho ho, that's ok," and he hands you a present.  You will walk away feeling like this gift was not really meant for you, but you play with it all the same.

You can join in the merryment and get lost in the season.  But on Christmas Day you will wake up in your home, just like on any other day.  If you choose to go out, you will go to the movie theater, because there is nothing else open.  Here you will find others who are just like you.  Though the movie teller will probably greet you with Merry Christmas.