SLC DVNT: Think With Purpose

This economy is a Croc

2009-07-17T18:39:00.003-06:00

If there is to be a silver lining in the disaster that is our--the world's--economic crisis, it is the coming demise of Crocs. Those hideous, neon colored foam shoes that everyone from nurses, to musicians, to gardeners, to former Presidents wore.

Finally. Perhaps some respectability will return to the casual cloths wearing American.

Illegal immigrants and the Dream Act: Where's the fairness in that?

2009-07-10T12:52:00.006-06:00

Despite the overwhelmingly liberal swing of my blogging, there is one topic I have avoided discussing, both here and in conversations with friends and coworkers.

However, when it comes to the matter of immigration and illegal aliens in the United States, I can be counted as a conservative.

I ask you however, what is so conservative about wanting to know who is entering your borders? Or wanting the strict laws and procedures that we citizens have to follow, applied equally to those who have no right to be here?

Laws and procedures such as paying taxes, driving with proper and up-to-date licenses and insurance, etc.

What is so conservative about wanting the rewards from following those laws to go to citizens and not to those who have put nothing into the system?

And yet, the same people who break these laws, want us--citizens of this great nation--to feel obligated (and dare I say guilty) to bend over backward to make life easier for their undocumented illegal alien lives.

Well screw you I say. When an illegal immigrant has the gall to tell me that the Dream Act should be passed so he or she can go to college and dare to live a better life in a country that is not theirs, I want to laugh.

Why should they have that right when millions of American Citizens don't have that chance?

Where is the Dream Act for poor, at risk American children?

Where is the Dream Act for American college and masters graduates who did nothing more than follow their dreams, but now find themselves saddled with overwhelming debt to private loan corporations?

Why, I ask you, do illegal, undocumented aliens deserve a better chance in this country than this countries own citizens?

My answer: They don't. Call me a conservative, but I believe in tougher immigration bills and stiff punishments for those who think they can buck the system to do what they want, and then expect someone else to pay for them.

Islamic Law: Marital rape gets the green light in Afghanistan UPDATE

2009-07-10T12:37:00.003-06:00

Back in April of this year, I reported on the passing of draconian marital laws in Afghanistan, by President Hamid Karzai.

I am happy to say the leaders of Afghanistan listened to the national hue and cry over the passing of such laws, and have since reformed the marriage laws.

Is it perfect? By no means. Is it better than it was? Yes. Does Afghanistan, and for that matter nearly all Islamic nations, have a long ways to go before achieving equality and respect between men and women? Good God yes.

But remember, every change must begin with a single first step.

Iranian election monitors: No shit there was election fraud

2009-06-22T17:10:00.004-06:00

As one of thousands of Americans who were disenfranchised and impossibly angered by the 2004 election results that wrongfully concluded that George W. Bush had one a second term, my prayers and support go out to everyone in Tehran, Iran.

May the senior panel of election monitor's admittance to election discrepancies and fraud lead to a peaceful and fair resolution that will lead to Mir Hussien Moussavi's being declared the presidential winner.

Of course, I'm still a cynic and don't know if I believe if that will happen at all, or at least, not without more bloodshed.

Hispanic boy dragged by noose in parking lot, perp gets off with jail time sleepover

2009-06-17T22:09:00.006-06:00

I haven't written in a long time. But it's hard to write about things that piss you off when it seems as though everything in the news does.

But this just took the cake. Could someone please explain to me how,

"[An Ohio 18 year old] accused of putting a noose around a Hispanic boy's neck and dragging him in a parking lot..."

is sentenced to ONLY 10 (read TEN) days in jail?! I mean what the hell?

This incident is far too similar to the dragging deaths in Texas (Brandon McClelland and James Byrd). Of course, I could make connections to the "possible" racial motivations behind this sentencing, but that would preposterous given that America is in a "post race" era since we now have a Black president.

Gruesome crimes like those in Texas happened in barbarian times -- you know, like a year ago.

Guns in national parks

2009-05-20T15:26:00.004-06:00

Only two types of people who go to national parks with guns: The park ranger and those going to kill someone and bury them in the park.

Seriously, why would anyone need a gun in a national park?! Is Bambi really that much of a threat? Or maybe that mountain lion some 3 year old brat or annoying yappy dog was harassing...

Then again, I would side with the mountain lion if it chose to eat either one.

I just don't understand how President Obama, Democrats, or any right-thinking human being could agree with this, much less sign it into reality.

Gay rights & hospital policy

2009-05-19T10:21:00.002-06:00

I don't care what your stance on the gay rights issue is. We each have our own opinions that are formed from our different experiences and beliefs. But there is no way that anyone could agree with the actions of the doctors and hospital staff towards Janice Langbehn.

"When a loved one is in the hospital, you naturally want to be at the bedside. But what if the staff won’t allow it?

That’s what Janice Langbehn...experienced when her partner of 18 years, Lisa Pond, collapsed with an aneurysm....She died there, at age 39, as Ms. Langbehn tried in vain to persuade hospital officials to let her visit, along with the couple’s adopted children."

At what point does policy overrule or outweigh personal decision making? Mrs. Langbehn's partner had clearly chosen to spend her life with her; they had children together, spent 18 years together, where taking a vacation together, and had filled out health care proxy paperwork.

Should not the hospital and staff, no matter their personal beliefs or hospital policy, honored the LEGAL right that Janice Langhehn had to visit, care for, and make medical decisions for her partner?

Islamic Law: Marital rape gets the green light in Afghanistan

2009-04-16T07:52:00.003-06:00

I have sat here for ten minuets, trying to find the words to describe just how utterly ashamed and angry I am, and how news like Afghani President Hamid Karzai signing Islamic Law into effect scares the hell out of me.

Did you know that Canadian and European governments have considered allowing Sharia laws to their systems in order to be more inclusive and supportive of Muslims, and so as not to be seen as unwelcoming or prejudice?

How would you like to have laws that:

"[make] it illegal for a woman to resist her husband’s sexual advances," or "[require] a husband’s permission for a woman to work outside the home or go to school," or "[make] it illegal for a woman to refuse to 'make herself up' or 'dress up' if that is what her husband wants"?

Well, news flash: laws like that just became reality for Afghani women.

Sound of Music Train Station Dance

2009-04-13T10:48:00.003-06:00

I came across this video while checking out yahoo!

It brought tears to my eyes. I laughed, I sang along, I wanted to move to Belgium.

Nothing like spontaneous dances to make ones day.

Texas Rep. Betty Brown: Asian-American names are too hard to say!

2009-04-09T22:25:00.003-06:00

Wow. "There's dumb, then there's Texas dumb!" said one commenter in response to Texas Representative Betty Brown.

This woman actually let these words trip happily out of her botox enhanced mouth:

"Rather than everyone here having to learn Chinese — I understand it’s a rather difficult language — do you think that it would behoove you and your citizens to adopt a name that we could deal with more readily here?"

And yet she wants to claim it's the Democrats who are trying to make this about race when they demand an apology (which she still hasn't given).

Oh those Texas Republicans! Always reminding us that while every village has a missing idiot, some idiots make a box of rocks on a log look damn smart...

Big Oil reluctant to trip down Obama's golden road

2009-04-09T08:05:00.005-06:00

Can you honestly tell me that anyone could be surprised by this NY Times article about oil companies:

"...many of the oil companies are staying on the sidelines, balking at investing in new technologies favored by the president, or even straying from commitments they had already made."

Or this:

"The oil companies have frequently run advertisements expressing their interest in new forms of energy, but their actual investments have belied the marketing claims....

Shell, for example, said it spent $1.7 billion since 2004 on alternative projects. That amount is dwarfed by the $87 billion it spent over the same period on its oil and gas projects around the world."

Of course they are straying from the golden path of green technologies! They are in the business of profit. Americans, despite the growing number of motorized toy skates on the road, are forever addicted to their gas guzzling cars and trucks.

But it isn't just the vehicles as the article hints at. "The world consumes about 85 million barrels of oil a day." I'm sorry, be we'd have been dead a long damn time ago if that was all going into the gas tank.

That oil is in toys, plastics, cookware, roads, building materials, lawnmowers,...nearly everything we own, buy, use, and throw away is made from oil.

Is it really any surprise that our reliance on oil isn't such an easy habit to kick?

Barack Obama: Change you can believe in (and fear)

2009-04-05T21:46:00.003-06:00

This is a comment in response to the Op-Ed piece by Maureen Dowd titled, "The First Shrink."

"April 05, 2009 3:15 pm

I am a student of history. Professionally. I have written 15 books in six languages, and have studied it all my life. I think there is something monumentally large afoot, and I do not believe it is just a banking crisis, or a mortgage crisis, or a credit crisis. Yes these exist, but they are merely single facets on a very large gemstone that is only now coming into sharper focus.

Something of historic proportions is happening. I can sense it because I know how it feels, smells, what it looks like, and how people react to it. Yes, a perfect storm may be brewing, but there is something happening within our country that has been evolving for about ten - fifteen years. The pace has dramatically quickened in the past two.

We demand and then codify into law the requirement that our banks make massive loans to people we know they can never pay back. Why?

We learn that the Federal Reserve, which has little or no real oversight by anyone, has 'loaned' two trillion dollars (that is $2,000,000,000,000) over the past few months, but will not tell us to whom, or why, or disclose the terms. That is our money. Yours and mine. And that is three times the $700B we all argued about so strenuously just this past September. Who has this money? Why do they have it? Why are the terms unavailable to us? Who asked for it? Who authorized it? I thought this was a government of 'we the people', who loaned our powers to our elected leaders. Apparently not.

We have spent two or more decades intentionally de-industrializing our economy. Why?

We have intentionally dumbed down our schools, ignored our history, and we no longer teach our founding documents, showing why we are exceptional and why we are worth preserving. Students by and large cannot write, think critically, read, or articulate. Parents are not revolting, teachers are not picketing, and school boards continue to back mediocrity. Why?
We have now established the precedent of protesting every close election (now violently in California over a proposition that is so 'controversial' that it wants marriage to remain between one man and one woman!). Did you ever think such a thing possible just a decade ago? We have corrupted our sacred political process by allowing unelected judges to write laws that radically change our way of life, and then allow mainstream Marxist groups like ACORN and others to turn our voting system into a banana republic. To what purpose?

Now our mortgage industry is collapsing, housing prices are in free fall, major industries are failing, our banking system is on the verge of collapse, Social Security is nearly bankrupt, as is Medicare and our entire government, and our education system is worse than a joke. (I teach college and know precisely what I am talking about.) The list is staggering in its length, breadth, and depth. It is potentially 1929 x ten. And we are at war with an enemy we cannot name for fear of offending people of the same religion, an enemy who cannot wait to slit the throats of your children if they have the opportunity to do so.
Now we have elected President a man no one knows anything about, who has never run so much as a Dairy Queen, let alone a town as big as Wasilla , Alaska . All of his associations and alliances are with real radicals in their chosen fields of employment, and everything we learn about him, drip by drip, is unsettling, if not downright scary. Surely you have heard him speak about his idea to create and fund a 'mandatory civilian defense force' stronger than our military for use inside our borders. No? Oh, of course. The media would never play that for you over and over, and then demand he explain it. Sarah Palin's pregnant daughter and $150,000 wardrobe is more important to the media.
Mr. Obama's winning platform can be boiled down to one word: change. Why?

I have never been so afraid for my country and for my children as I am now! This man campaigned on bringing people together, something he has never, ever done in his professional life. In my assessment, Obama will divide us along philosophical lines, push us apart, and then try to realign the pieces into a new and different power structure. Change is indeed coming. And when it comes, you will never see the same nation again.

And that is only the beginning."

Tom Woods, Professor, Missouri

Monies: the secret word for colleges and universities

2009-03-31T08:44:00.004-06:00

"If you are a student of means or ability, or both, there has never been a better year [to apply]" Robert A. Sevier, enrollment consultant to colleges, NY Times.

Great news! If you can afford to go to college or university, go! If you can't afford to go without assistance, well, lets see how many spots are open after we fill them with everyone richer than you.

What the hell? The only reason I was able to go to my alma mater is because my hard work in high school got me a scholarship, and because there was no way my mom was going to be able to help me much.

According to this article, if I were to try to go to school now, I'd be over looked in favor of the person who can whip out his check book and cover tuition in full.

Education, no matter if it is high school or higher ed, should not be a business. The purpose of education is to prepare you to work in the real world, where businesses rule, money is king, and the bottom line is God.

I second many of the comments made in response to this article: There has to be some kind of education reform. This society already marginalizes the poor and underclass. Higher education is damn near the only way to over come these limitations, and it is already cost prohibitive to go, and just getting more so as time goes on.

Clinton: US Addicted to Mexico Addicted to US

2009-03-25T20:24:00.003-06:00

How refreshing plain and direct speech is!

"Our insatiable demand for illegal drugs fuels the drug trade. Our inability to prevent weapons from being illegally smuggled across the border to arm these criminals causes the deaths of police officers, soldiers and civilians" (Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton).

She has a very strong point. It is very hypocritical for the US to bitch about "all those damn Mexican drug cartels" when in fact we're the ones buying and giving them every opportunity to increase their profit margin.

The day we take real responsibility for our growing addiction—to the big name drugs (cocaine) AND the small name ones (marijuana)—and the day we take real steps to solve these issues, is the day there will be real progress.

Until then, they'll keep selling, we'll keep buying, and everyone will continue to blame everyone else but themselves.

13 year old student strip search in the name of War on Drugs

2009-03-24T20:56:00.003-06:00

At what point do adults, serving their community as school principals, nurses, and administrators, think that strip searching a 13 year old is remotely close to being a good idea?!

This seriously has me thinking of making a new blog label called: WTF?! Or something like that...

Anyway, it's true. A 13 year old girl (A) was strip searched after another student (B) was found to be in possession of prescription strength Ibuprofen and said she obtained the pills from someone else (A).

Basing their invasive and thoroughly unnecessary and unwarnetted search on this flimsy "evidence," school officials required the student to submit to a search, which, as you can guess, resulted in no pills.

The child's mother wasn't call. The police weren't called. And the school seems to think they did the right thing.

Seriously! WTF?!?

Jonathan Krohn: 14 year old Republican Party pundit

2009-03-07T13:30:00.001-07:00

"Conservatism is an ideology of protecting the people and the people's rights." (2:45)

Really? Then why are conservatives always trying to turn over votes MADE BY THE PEOPLE or CHOSEN REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE on abortion, gay marriage or civil unions, national health care, equal pay for women, equal protection under the law from hate violence and speech, etc. etc. etc.?

This kid scares me. He is proof of how ignorance, hatred, and close mindedness spread and continue to damage the US and the world.

The world in numbers

2009-03-04T21:54:00.002-07:00

You wanna see something creepy? Guy came to my job to help out with some repairs (damn broken heater), and we got to talking about the number of people who use the internet in a given day.

It's hard to say what I'm more freaked out by, the global population, the growing debt, the carbon dioxide output, or the number of people who spend their time in front of some sort of electronic device (TV, computer, cell phone, etc.) vs. the number of new books published.

What did you find most interesting/creepy?

Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses... SIKE!

2009-02-13T16:38:00.005-07:00

I'm having a problem. No existential crisis or anything like that, but a problem nonetheless.

The economic crisis that is the USA right now, is causing a disruption to upper middle class White folks lives. I take it back: for them, this might be an existential crisis.

As with any economic upheaval, the poor and disenfranchised are the first and often hardest hit. These also happen to be, in most cases, people of color.

Every winter, public libraries see an increase in homeless patrons. This year however, the "problem" is exacerbated by our devastated economy. Homeless men, women, teens, and young adults (20's), and families. The mentally and physically handicapped, not to mention the sick, the smelly, and dirty.

All sharing a public space with Entitled Americans.

Some of my coworkers feel we must "control" the problem, that these individuals should be removed from inside the library. Patrons complain that their tax dollars were not meant to run "another shelter" (never mind we have ONE shelter in SLC).

Never mind the ONE shelter in SLC kicks residents out during the day time. Never mind it is cold and snowy outside. Never mind that the library has chairs, internet access, bathrooms, and a fireplace to relax by. These people, these homeless are a threat to Privileged America, and God forbid we should be reminded of that privilege.

Perhaps it is because I was once in the same shoes as the disenfranchised patrons of public libraries that I feel empathy and understanding for their tough position. Or perhaps it is my complete and total fear of hearing those final words, "When I was hungry you did not feed me; when I was naked you did not cloth me. When I was imprisoned you did not come to see me; when I was ill you did not come to minister to me," and not having a answer.

Unless they are breaking the rules, for God's sake, leave those people, and yes, they are people before they are anything else, alone.

"Fitzgerald: The Ill-Founded Assumptions of Obama's Address To Muslims"

2009-01-31T12:31:00.003-07:00

So I'm not the only one, along with a conservative I still can't believe I agree with, who sees and has a problem with President Obama's address to Muslims.

What's that make it? 3 to...millions of "kum-bi-ya why can't we all just get along" left-wing nut jobs.

Fuck.

Charles Krauthammer: Pres. Obama's kissing Middle East ass

2009-01-31T11:16:00.004-07:00

Shit. A conservative I agree with? What is the world coming to.

But seriously. I actually don't think he went far enough. Is America enemies with the "Muslim world?" No. But here is a list of things I think we should be enemies of:

Killing children just because they are Jewish
Beheading bus riders
Religious persecution
Again, killing children
Infringing on Americans rights ON American soil
Throwing family members out of windows
Killing aide workers
Attacking people based on their sexual orientation
Beheading pro-government tribal leaders
Abusing societies disaffected

I could go one but I got tired of copy/pasting links. But you should get my drift. Was the Iraq war a mistake and thoroughly mishandled? Dear God yes. Was Afganistan mishandled? Again, yes.

But at what point are Americans and other "kum-bi-ya why can't we all just get along" left-wing nut jobs understand that not everyone can be friends with everyone? There are times when one side's "philosophy" is just so out of whack, that you have to step in and say, "hey, I'm not perfect, but even I know what you're doing is FUBAR and I'm going to have to impose my will on you."

No, America isn't enemies with Muslims everywhere or even Islam. But we should be enemies of the evil actions committed in the name of the "Muslim world" or Islam.

And damn if we should apologize for doing what we think is right to stop atrocities such as those listed above.

Going Green American Style

2009-01-31T10:52:00.003-07:00

This. Is. Amazing.

And kinda sad I think.

Remember the days when people did a thing just because it was the *right* thing to do? Not because “as Americans, we are good at entertainment and competition....”

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for going green and damn if I don't hope SLC will employ something similar.

But what part of "without the Earth you will DIE" don't people understand?

Still, props to California. Always on the cutting edge of smart.

Beijing Fumbles the transition

2009-01-30T19:48:00.003-07:00

I always said China shouldn't have gotten the Olympics. Oh sure, they pulled it off with style and pizazz, convincing (nearly) everyone that they were ready for the 21st (or, at least 20th) century.

The homeless, the sweatshop working poor, and grieving mothers of children fallen victim to governmental cheapskate syndrome were hidden away. Toothy grins and eagerly waving hands greeted tourists, Olympic junkies, and anyone glued to their TVs.

But all that aside. How do you turn that marvelous architectural work of art, the Bird's Nest Stadium, into an empty overpriced souvenir shop for tourists? Please, someone explain this to me!

Polictial reflection during study break

2009-01-19T12:47:00.003-07:00

Tomorrow, President-elect Obama will become Present Obama, leader of the United States of America.

In recent days, my "I voted for him out of necessity, not some fantasy of hope" bubble has been forced to rub elbows with the general sense of "oh isn't this wonderful" mindset of the masses. While I grumbled, I realized that perhaps I was not taking his inauguration in the fullness of its scope.

Despite what I think of him as a man and politician, he will be the first racial minority president elected. No small feat for a country built on inequality and violence.

Though I may find his "fancy rhetorical dance moves" overbearing and deliberately misleading, for the first time in years, we have a president who is not afraid of espousing the need and rightness of higher education. If indeed there is one thing I hope for from President Obama, it is the restoration of education as a good thing in the minds of American citizens.

In him we have a leader focused on individuals rather than corporations; community and national service rather than greed and rung-climbing; the reaching for high ideals rather than submitting to the ease of brute force.

Perhaps, perhaps, there is reason to hope. As they say, any change from what we had is good (minus Governor Palin).

To President-elect Obama: I don't quite like you and I still don't trust you. But good luck. As my President, I now stand by you.

Permission or no? Police req. to search cars

2009-01-08T19:51:00.004-07:00

I thought this was one of those "duh!" factor things.

It seems in Utah there was some question as to whether or not a police office actually *needed* your permission to search your vehicle after pulling you over.

Seems a little simple doesn't it? But to be sure I have it, lets do some math:

My = possessive. My vehicle = individual possession of vehicle. My, not yours infers need for permission. Thus: My vehicle, you need permission to enter, touch, or do anything with said vehicle.

I may suck at math, but I think this works out.

Of course, there are instances where "my" is canceled out by "reasonable proof of wrong doing" such as having a gun on the seat, drugs, open bottle of alcohol, person tied up and gagged in the back seat, where a police officer doesn't need your permission.

Next time a cop pulls you over for speeding or no lights and asks to search your car, stick to your hypothetical guns and say no way!

Of course, this won't happen unless you are any of the following:

*Black/listening to rap
*Mexican/have the Virgin Mary as back window decorations
*Gay/listening to Cher louder than neighborhood regulations allow
*Muslim/have something other than a...well, nothing, on your head

Truth falsified: Memoirs faked for...what?

2009-01-06T18:04:00.004-07:00

This is the third article I have seen in the New York Times about some previously unknown writer falsifying his or her "true" story.

What the fuck?

These people have had some legitimately good stories that had elements of truth, but were on the whole fiction. If, as I see it, the message is more important than the facts, sell it as fiction and be done! That way the message gets through without the taint of author greed and duped publishers and promoters like Oprah.

What I don't understand is why? The truth will eventually out—why go there in the first place?

Besides, the student side of me shudders at the idea of plagiarism.

For more, visit: "A Lineup of Recent Literary Fakers" by Mokoto Rich.

Utah Utes: Running Utes dominate the Crimson Tide

2009-01-02T23:20:00.005-07:00

I won't often blog about sports, but in this case, I got to.

Utah: ranked #7. Alabama: ranked #4.
Utah: undefeated season. Alabama: 12-1 season.

Can someone please tell me why the BCS seems to think that Mountain West teams don't deserve to play in their little tournament?

The U of U was the first Mountain West state to bust into the BCS, and we slaughtered the other team. Two more times Western teams were invited, and we split the difference. The Utes were invited again (4th time for a Western state), and again, Utes with an undefeated season, prove their metal.

News flash BCS: Up Yours.

Go Utes!

Digital deviousness: the text messaging trap

2009-01-02T09:33:00.004-07:00

Like anyone between the ages of 1 to 30 years of age, I text message. A lot. In many ways, I prefer text messaging to talking on the phone.

Talking requires conversation and a fake acknowledgment of things I don't care about at *that* specific moment:

"Hey, it's me..."
"Hey, how are you?"
"Not bad. Counting the minutes until I'm off of work. You?"
"Meh, about to go to a meeting. I hate meetings..."
"Yeah, they can be pretty boring."

A few minutes in and I still haven't gotten to the point! What was the point?

"Hey, I get off in an hour. Want to grab lunch at Crown Burger?"

But this convenient mode of communication comes with a price.

I thought I was getting a deal with Verizon's unlimited text messaging program. Not exactly. According to the New York Times article, "What Carriers Aren't Eager to Tell You About Texting," the cost to send these tiny, 160 character messages is minuscule. Minuscule. But I pay an extra $10 or so a month for unlimited messages, and I don't even send 300/month.

I think I'm getting ripped off...

One ending is just another beginning

2008-12-27T17:44:00.002-07:00

Greetings readers.

I apologize for the extended absence. I'm not going to go into a lot of details, but suffice it to say, my mother passed away on the 21st of December.

On top of two jobs and duties at home, she became more ill, to the point I had to take her to the ER. Updating my blogs took a back seat as you understand.

However, I am mostly back.

Thank you for your patience.

:-)

Kids these days

2008-10-12T17:28:00.003-06:00

Seriously, what is up with kids these days?

I look at people in my own generation and those coming after, and all I see are a bunch of privileged, egotistical, self-righteous, elitist, demanding, lazy (need I continue?)...babies!

According to this New York Times article, kids are "panicked, uncertain, and grossed out that their parents can no longer afford to buy them everything their little hearts desire."

Seriously, I think I'm going to be sick.

I grew up on the phrase, "you want to eat don't you? You want to keep a roof over your head don't you?" I grew up with the knowledge that sacrifices must be made for survival and future prosperity.

And no, not having iPods, new phones, designer clothes, the latest and greatest gaming systems, personal accessories, cars, and $100 allowances to just get good grades and not bug mommy and daddy aren't sacrifices.

These are what (White) upper middle class America calls a sacrifice.

No wonder the USA is falling behind the rest of the developed world in every measurable sense— technology, education, innovation, sciences, etc.

If we can't understand that there are more important things than these stale and worthless materialistic items, perhaps we deserve our fate.

I'm going to go practice my Chinese now. At this rate, "made in China" will mean "made in Chinese territory, formerly, the USA."

New York Times....Typo!

2008-10-09T17:11:00.004-06:00

Yes. I just wanted to point out that I, a 1.5 year graduate of McDaniel College, 1 year 3 month writing coach, BA English major who is a product of the Spell Checker Generation found a typo on page 4 of this article.

Oh, and if you read the whole thing (highly suggested), I just want to mention: Queen Latifah is an amazing artist and even more amazing role model for everyone, especially young women of color.

The world is a better place for her presence.

Black Republicans are real?

2008-10-09T15:52:00.003-06:00

I thought people like Richard Ivory and Tiffany Shorter were a myth. But, according the New York Times article, Young, Black and Republican in New York, there really are people like them are real.

Maybe I should rethink my position on Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy, and the Loc ness Monster.

Seriously though. I'm all for the separation of race and party affiliation. I've only been bitching about my struggles this presidential season. If I didn't believe in the freedom of choice, I'd be one of "those" voters. The ones who never look beyond party labels to the substance (or lack there of) beneath.

But being Black and labeling yourself a Republican? That's hard to swallow, even for me.

The GOP has never supported minorities they way Democrats have. They have been more homogeneous and self-serving than Democrats or any other "party" in our system. Who jumped aboard the civil rights movement? Who has tried to provide equality and opportunity to the underprivileged?

Minimum wage increases, paid maternal leave for parents, affordable health care, worker rights/protections, etc., etc. etc.

Democrats.

Still, I'm not one of those ignorant friends they talked about having. If I were friends with them, I'd continue being friends with them.

We just wouldn't talk politics. Ever.

Conversations with the elderly

2008-10-07T16:49:00.003-06:00

Nurse walks in to check on the patient sitting by the window. "Hi there sweetie, how are you feeling today? Do you want me to move you away from the window? You must be getting hot!" Without waiting for a response, the nurse unlocks the wheelchair and moves it in front of the TV.

"There you go dear, you'll be more comfortable here." Leaning forward, the nurse smiles and runs her hands over the soft hair pulled back in a simple pony-tail. "I'll be back to check on you later, okay?"
***
What kind of relationship do you see going on here? Who is this mysterious patient?

You probably are thinking it's a young child in the hospital, or possibly a mentally handicap individual in some care facility.

Unfortunately, this fictional conversation is taking place between a 20-30 female nurse and an elderly woman. This conversation is all too often a reality.

I have known people who think it is okay to speak to elderly people with that same high-pitched, sing-song tone we use with children. They think it is okay to give them pet-names like dear, sweetie, and honey.

And it pisses me off every damn time.

I look at it this way: I'm X age (24). They are Y age. Out of sheer respect for their age, their life experience, etc. I address the elderly as they tell me to ("you can just call me MaryJane"), by their last name (Mr./Mrs. so-and-so), or simply sir or ma'am.

Guess you could say, my momma raised me right.

Did yours?

Death, Doctors, and Organ Transplants

2008-10-06T20:52:00.004-06:00

What would you consider death?

Would it be after your heart has stopped? If so, for how long?
Would it be if you were unequivocally brain dead? But whose to say what that is?
Would it be if you were certain to remain a vegetable?

Interesting questions. Interesting debate remarked upon by the Washington Post.

I had never really thought about it. Like many, I assumed death was after the heart stopped or the brain was permanently kaput.

I didn't know that death was open to interpretation. I thought it just...was. I know that my "interpretation" of death deals with the soul departing, but the soul does not depart without the body's passing.

Or is it the body does not pass without the soul's passing?

Either way, death is no longer simple.

What do you consider "irrevocably dead" and "open for business" for organs harvesting?

Atlantic.com: Empathy for Sarah Palin?

2008-09-28T11:59:00.003-06:00

This article on the Atlantic.com by Ta-Nehisi Coates is something that I have been thinking and feeling for some time now (hat-tip J'myle!).

The comments below come from many camps—some who found themselves identifying and feeling sorry for Sarah Palin and others who said she brought it on herself and deserved no pity.

There is one comment I find myself struggling with, and that is, that since she [Sarah Palin] knows she is so far out of her league, she should tell McCain that she can not run as his VP. Easy as that.

Except not. Should she have said no from the get go? Hell yes. But how many times have we not said no to something, the found ourselves in some nearly impossible situation from which we saw no out?

If she says "No more VP" to McCain now, that will bring all sorts of trouble for her and for him. He will have to find another running mate (not an easy search), the GOP party will seem to be in disarray and uncoordinated, and mismanaged (not saying they aren't but they are trying to put on a good face) and that could be enough to cost them the election.

If that we to happen, guess who all of GOP America would blame? None other than Governor Sarah Palin. She could never run for public office again, and her "betrayal" of the party would be (likely) unforgivable.

She's stuck, as so many of us find ourselves to be in situations that are out of our control: Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

So yeah, I feel bad for her. Not as a politician, but as a suffering human being.

Russian Roulette with the future

2008-09-26T09:18:00.006-06:00

I had plans for this blog. It was supposed to be my corner for conversation on random world events and things I see in the news that interest me for good or for ill.

But, since the debacle that is our presidential election, it has turned into my corner to develop as a conscious voter.

Recently, my mother and I were talking about the candidates, foreign policy, terrorism, and Islam. My mother is two things: 1. The most knowledgeable about Islam as a religion, culture, and way of life than anyone who hasn't earned their degree in such studies, and 2. very opinionated.

She is, I think, going to vote for Senator McCain in November. Her reasoning for this comes down to security:
1. Nothing else matters if America is, as she will likely be, attacked again.
2. This future attack will come from the hands of Islamic fundamentalists who want to watch the West burn.
3. This attack will be better orchestrated and more powerful and more lethal than those of 9/11.

She believes that Senator Obama is naive and does not fully appreciate the threat posed by Islamic followers and states. She believes that Senator McCain has a better understanding, and will take those threats more seriously, and will be more likely to do whatever it takes to ensure America's safety.

I am torn. I want to elect a president who will take care of Americans first by improving health care, by improving chances for education, by reducing our foreign debt, by promoting green initiatives, etc.

But what good is all this if there are forces out there hell bent on destroying or subverting our way of life and very existence?

Threat to behead Canadian Prime Minister
60 Hindu's Killed in train fire
Homeless man beaten for eating during Ramadan
Father stabs daughter and crushes her head with a rock for seeing her husband

What do I do?

Barak Obama vs. Sarah Palin

2008-09-05T12:27:00.004-06:00

Some of you may be appalled to know this.

I was actually considering crossing party lines this election.

Oh, did you already get that indication from the mass of blog posts regaling you with my distaste, distrust, and discomfort for Barak Obama? Then I guess the above statement isn't much a surprise.

Try this one on for size:

I'm voting for Barak Obama.

It's true. I was either going to cross party lines or write in Hillary Clinton. Now, before you try and label me some ultra-left wing, man hating, rabid Clintonite nationalist, remember this: I believe the duty of every American is to vote their conscience. My conscience said to vote Mrs. Clinton because she was (is) the most qualified and ready.

But now, in light of Mrs. Sarah Palin being nominated as John McCain's VP running mate (mistress), I feel it is my duty to make sure (s)he doesn't win.

Mr. McCain is old. He could keel over November 5th if his wife said, "honey, lets have sex to celebrate your win!" Suddenly Maverick McCain is stone cold dead, and "lifetime member of the NRA, anti-right to choose, abstinence education is all children need to know about sex, we're fighting God's war in Iraq, crazy right wing religious zealot" Sarah Palin is President of the USA.

Dear God no.

I do my part in the name of lesser evil: I vote for Barak Obama.

Watershed moment for African Americans in the USA

2008-09-03T06:49:00.004-06:00

"You really have to give credit to the American people for being able to look past Obama's skin color to see the Harvard educated smart-ass underneath."

Historian Dr. Woodson.

Amen Dr. Woodson, amen.

Pee break during Song get NY man tossed on the street

2008-08-30T09:39:00.005-06:00

"During the patriotic 7th inning stretch at Yankee Stadium, nature called on Bradford Campeau-Laurion. When he tried to leave his seat during the traditional singing of God Bless America, however, he says he was stopped by a NYPD officer who said he'd have to wait until the song was done."

Seriously? I'm hoping the man was just piss-ass drunk and that's why they threw him out. As much as I love the song"God Bless America" and sing along to it every time I hear it, when nature calls, nature calls. I'd rather go during the quick break when no one else is going so I don't miss any of the game.

And just what if it had been a parent with a little kid? Kids really don't hold it well and sure don't give a damn about a song.

"You either let my kid go to the bathroom, or I let him pee all over your seats. You're choice officer, your choice."

Finally, it's over

2008-08-29T09:37:00.004-06:00

It's official. We either get a toothless pup or toothless old dog.

But: "below the belt" insults aside, I'm glad this insanity is finally over. Obama picked Biden and McCain picked Palin. It is over. The divide is conquered.

All that remains is to vote in November.

2008 Beijing Olympics revisited

2008-08-03T10:33:00.002-06:00

My views on China hosting the 2008 Olympics are pretty clear: I don't think they should have gotten them. However this article in the NY Times gave me some perspective.

I knew that the Chines suffered from some kind of complex when it came to the rest of the world: after all, we (and by "we" I mean the international community) use China as our poster child for "Everything Gone Wrong" in a nation.

My blog post listing just a few of the technical difficulties facing the Olympics this year highlights some of criticism being leveled at China. And in reading todays article, I'll admit, I was knocked a few pegs off my superior ladder.

That being said, I have to answer the authors rhetorical question:

"Before we put China on trial, though, we should ask a question about the other part of the argument: how good are the Olympics, again, exactly?"

Yes, the Olympics has a history of cheating, doping, lies, etc., and the nations hosting them have had all kinds of skeletons in their closets. But, as with all things, should we not aim to live and be the ideal of the Olympics? Yes, we will fail, but the goal is how close can we come.

Although this article provided me some needed insight, I still think, that given the unspoken goal(s) of the Olympics, China was not the best location for the 2008 Olympics.

PA teen murdered by those meant to protect

2008-08-01T22:33:00.004-06:00

"The Department of Human Services (DHS) strives to protect children from abuse, neglect, and delinquency. We also work to strengthen and preserve families by enhancing community-based prevention services. Our ultimate goal is to ensure the safety and permanency of DHS youth in nurturing home environments."

"Unable to help herself because of her cerebral palsy, she wasted away from malnutrition and maggot-infested bedsores that ate her flesh. She died alone on a putrid mattress in her mother's home, the floor covered in feces. She was 14 but weighed just 42 pounds."

I will say nothing about her parents, there is no combination of words that can appropriately address or explain my rage.

But the Department of Human Services (DHS) is another matter. They knew what was going on in that home, and they lied, falsified documents, and left that child there to die. After she was dead, they attempted to cover their tracks.

Perhaps the system is over burdened, perhaps the caseworker(s) were under trained and overwhelmed, and perhaps a million other excuses. Because in the end, that's what they are: excuses.

God grant her the rest and comfort she did not get in this life.

UPDATE: If you wish to contact the PA DHS and tell them your thoughts on the matter, their commissioner, Anne Marie Ambrose, can be at:

AnneMarie.Ambrose@phila.gov
215-683-6000

All hail our shadowy overlords!

2008-08-01T16:52:00.004-06:00

I always knew my vote counted for zilch...

...but I liked the illusion of democracy.

Don't misunderstand, I know this is satire (I hope...), but after 8 years of King George Bush, and looking down the loaded 4 year barrel of Crown Prince Barack Obama, you kinda start to wonder.

No End In Sight

2008-07-31T22:51:00.003-06:00

I want to see this movie. It will only reiterate the things we know, but what's better than being told "you're right?"

2008 Beijing Olympics

2008-07-30T23:16:00.002-06:00

I am an Olympic Junkie.

When they came to Utah, I became the poster child for couch potatoes everywhere. I was up by 7 to watch morning highlights, sat there all afternoon, and only shut the TV off when coverage was over. Winter Olympics in Italy I was no different. I pulled 8am-8pm shifts on the couch, ogling Olympians everywhere and wishing I could be like them.

This year I'll be watching for a different reason. In the past I watched to see the best compete. In a few short days, I'll watch to see how big a disaster it will be. I'd like to be an optimist, but deep down (ok, not all that deep) I'm a pessimist.

Who thought following Utah, Greece, Italy...with Beijing...was somehow a good idea?

For example...

Internet Censorship
Environmental Disasters
Allegations of Cheating
PR Control (what protesters, where?)
Attempts to control foreign media

...are just a few things challenging the Chinese and my hopes for a successful Olympics.

What do you think?

Canadians Apologize to Americans for...everything

2008-07-30T22:58:00.002-06:00

Have I ever mentioned that I'd like to run away to Canada?

Heir Apparent to the USA

2008-07-30T22:02:00.003-06:00

I'm going to move the general focus of this blog from political bitching, I swear. Just not yet.

Dana Milbank (Washingtonpost) said it best in todays article when she said: "Barack Obama has long been his party's presumptive nominee. Now he's becoming it presumptuous nominee."

Barak seems to have forgotten that he hasn't won (yet). Polls show him leading McCain, but never by much. American voters chose him over Hilary, but now it seems there not sure they want him or McCain. Basically, he has a lot of winning over to do.

Strutting around the globe, playing King George's first born golden child is not the best way to win any love. At least in my book.

Caveats and fancy promise side stepping

2008-07-03T16:46:00.005-06:00

I was afraid this is what would happen if he won the Democratic party nomination.

Throughout this campaign, Obama made tall order promises I was certain he wouldn't be able to fulfill or, in the case of article linked to this post (or this one), would seek to find ways out of ("what I meant when I said that was...").

I'm not telling those who voted for him I told you so, but I will remind you of what he said:

"[Obama] repeatedly said voters should demand a clear plan on how to end the war from all the Democratic candidates. On Sunday afternoon, he flew to his hometown of Chicago for a boisterous rally attended by more than 8,000 people at the University of Illinois-Chicago, where he once taught.
'The time has come for us to end this engagement in Iraq,' he said, saying he was proud he had been "consistent and constant" in his Iraq message" (Washington Post, Feb. 2007).

Now it's,

"[The] United States cannot sustain a long-term military presence in Iraq, but [Obama] added he would be open to “refine [his] policies” about a timeline for withdrawing troops" (New York Times, July 2008).

Oh I give up.

I told you so.

When too much of too little is a bad thing

2008-06-01T16:11:00.006-06:00

The other day while at work, I had an interesting conversation with one of my coworkers.

She was writing a story about some LDS (Mormon for you non Utahans) characters. After reading her story and commenting on it, she asked me if I thought any of the terms she used were "Utah/LDS jargon" and wouldn't be understood by an outsider.

A short list of the words she was worried about were: bishop, ward, hymn, and sacrament.

What made this conversation so interesting me however, was that she said that in various creative writing classes throughout her college career, other LDS students wondered whether these words "belonged" if you will, to Utah and Mormons.

I was disturbed. I am by no means the most versed individual in religions and faiths outside of my own. I did attend Catholic grade school, and the majority of my friends growing up were LDS. I have known Buddhists, in college was friends with a Muslim, I took two semesters of world religions, and briefly considered dating a Wiccan. Some of my closest friends today are Jews, and of course, I know plenty of agnostics and atheists, and for a religion class credit, I attended a Jehovah's Witness' Kingdom Hall meeting.

All this experience aside, I have had very little contact with and have very little understanding of other faiths and religions, but I do know that many, many other religions incorporate these aspects into their religious practices.

But what experience I do have seems to, in light of this conversation, be light years more than your average LDS. Why is this I wonder?

I can understand a parent's desire to not introduce their child(ren) to faiths outside of the one practiced at home, because they do not want outside influences eroding the groundwork of belief they are trying to lay.

But this does not explain LDS college student's naiveté.

Extrapolating all this to a broader view:

How are we as a nation ever going to be able to reach out to nations whose ideals, morals, values, and world views may differ from our own, and work with them with honor, trust, and respect in the face of such blatant and willing ignorance?

This is one ship I'd rather not go down with

2008-05-31T17:33:00.003-06:00

This will be my second presidential election, and may I just mention that I am a very unhappy voter. Not once has my vote nor my voice mattered.

I am now struggling with a choice: Do I hold my nose as they say, and vote for someone I truly believe with no reservations what-so-ever is a mistake for this country, do I cross party lines and vote for experience at the cost of social advancement, or do I sit this one out and pray like crazy for a better choice in 4 years?

Or do I start a donation fund to myself so I can move to Canada?

I really can't justify not voting - after all, I'm always the one to tell non-voters "when things don't go your way, you don't have the right to bitch about it cause you didn't vote." But if I do vote, I will be voting against what I know to be my self interests, my economic interests, and my county's interests.

How can I just "hold me nose" and vote in the face of all that?

I Have Returned

2008-05-30T08:28:00.002-06:00

Last week I returned to the East Coast to visit my college and watch friends graduating this year. It was a wonderful trip! Things on the old campus have changed a little in the past year, but mostly they are exactly the same.

I took out friends and former professors, played D&D until 2AM, learned how to play Halo on the X-box, and learned that I like Malibu Rum.

But now I have returned to a steady internet connection:

Let the Blogging Commence!

Cyberbully Mom Gets Jail Time

2008-05-16T08:05:00.003-06:00

Two teenage girls are best friends. Then, they are enemies. Mom creates a MySpace account and assumes a fake identity as Josh Evans. She flirts and sends sexually suggestive messages to daughter's former friend. Then "Josh" tells the girl "the world would be better off without you."

Girl commits suicide.

I am happy to see that at last, this woman is getting her just desserts.

2000 Chad's

2008-05-13T21:25:00.004-06:00

I'm not typically one for TV dramas. There's something about being so hooked to a show that you tune in and tune out once a week for almost 2 hours.

(Just because I loved Hero's, Chuck, Life, and Bionic Woman does not make me a hypocrite. That was love, not addiction. See Grey's Anatomy viewers for description of TV Show Addict.)

But I'm so tempted to watch the new show "Recount," airing on HBO, based on the 2000 presidential "election."

What could be better than a fictionalized version of real events, real people, and real screw ups that led to an all to real disastrous 8 years?

Rare Acts of Unscripted Kindness

2008-05-13T09:09:00.007-06:00

(Hat Tip) to my mom for e-mailing me this article.

I used to play softball, and have played several other sports. In my time playing and watching sports, I have never seen such genuine and compassionate displays of sportsmanship as these two girls show.

To me, "sportsmanship" has always been a vague term. Beyond playing fairly, treating each other and the other team with respect, and recognizing the other teams win or your loss with honesty (not, "they only won because our star player was injured"), sportsmanship has never really looked like anything to me. It's not like there are a lot of good examples out there.

Now it does. This is what sportsmanship looks like. It is too bad more of these unscripted acts aren't seen in all sports - from pewee football to professional arenas.

Reality Check

2008-05-08T20:09:00.003-06:00

Look, I know she isn't going to win.

I knew it from day one. I am not saying this now hoping to "save face" for picking the looser. I held out hope that maybe, just maybe, the American psyche was up to the task. I was wrong.

I do not think it was a matter of gender or race that lost the campaign (although both played a part). I do not think that the media's choosing a favorite so early on lost the race (though it played a large part).

Hillary lost the race on her own. She could have taken the high road in arguments; she could have pointed out the clear favoritism of moderators and the media; and she could have done less reacting to comments and more constructive criticism of ALL candidates.

"But what can you expect from a women" some may say. "They're emotional, reactionary, and soft."

I ask, what else was she supposed to do? If she didn't argue back, she was uninformed and hesitant to show a backbone. If she did argue back (which she did), she was seen as "trying to have more balls than a man."

If she hadn't pointed out the unashamed favoritism of debate moderators and public media, the (less informed and aware) general public would have ignored it. But she did, and she was said to be whining and seeking sympathy "because she couldn't take the heat."

If she had spent more time doing what she does best, and putting her "best foot forward," instead of constantly reiterating the same arguments, and responding to the same attacks, and had leveled her attacks at both Democratic and Republican runners...

But what could she do? She's asked the same questions and every potential insult was relayed and a reaction asked for.

I'm not saying she's perfect - by no means. But she is better than this campaign has made her and has shown her to be.

I'll just try not to gloat too much when Obama makes Presidency and is miserable at it.

Really. I'll try.

Lies, Lies, and More Lies!

2008-04-29T17:34:00.005-06:00

By now, you all know that I do not like Barak Obama. I think he is conceited, an elitist, a blind idealist, and thoroughly unfit to lead this country in her present state.

However, when this whole business concerning his relationship with his now former Pastor Jeremiah Wright started, I gave him free pass. After all, you can't control what one man says, nor should you be judged by what another man says - only by your deeds (or lack there of).

Yet, while reading the article Obama Says Hes Outraged by Ex-Pastors Comments written by Jeff Zelleny, I found myself asking some questions and flat out disbelieving some of his statements, made in response to Pastor Wright's recent commentary.

“I find these comments appalling. It contradicts everything that I’m about and who I am.”

Really? Yet prior to running for Presidency you sat front and center in this man's congregation, listened to his sermons, called him friend, was married by him in his church, and had your daughters baptized by him. Or do you mean to say Pastor Wright only just started being a raving anti-American, conspiracy-touting lunatic when you started running for office?

"...the comments by Mr. Obama were considerably stronger than any previous remarks he has made about Mr. Wright. Yesterday, he dismissed the remarks, but also criticized his opponents and the media for spending too much time dwelling on his former pastor."

Funny how you want to cover up and put behind you your nefarious connections in the past (think Tony Rezko and Weather Underground), but you are more than willing to talk about everyone else's (past votes, past comments, past connections, past, past past.). What's the matter? Afraid of a little perspective?

“Anybody who knows me and anybody who knows what I’m about knows that I’m about trying to bridge gaps and I see the commonality in all people.”

But therein lies the problem Obama - we don't know you. We know the mask you show us, but no one really feels like they know you.

Oh, and Barak: check a mirror. You gotta a little brown spot on your nose...

Caught in the Middle: Tibet and China

2008-04-29T16:35:00.005-06:00

“When we have a billion people, you said we were destroying the planet.
When we tried limiting our numbers, you said it is human rights abuse,
When we were poor, you thought we were dogs.
When we loan you cash, you blame us for your debts.
When we build our industries, you called us polluters.
When we sell you goods, you blame us for global warming.”

I honestly don't know what to think about this situation (Chinese Students Fight View of Home).

Part of me understands where the Chinese are coming from - this is a territory of their's (that they "rightfully" conquered) and they have no desire to give it up. Although I know there is more to it than this (far more!), what nation wants to make itself smaller by relinquishing land?

Only reason why America, Spain, France and other colonial powers gave back power to the nations they "rightfully" conquered was that it was taking more energy and manpower to subdue the masses who fought for freedom.

But I can also see it from the Tibetan perspective. As I am sure slave ancestors of mine said, "Damnit, we just want to be free. We want what is ours to be ours!"

Freedom is a powerful desire. Tibetans everywhere have been swallowing their anger and frustration, burying their resentment and forcing a smile while forced to live off the forcibly given or mindfully neglected goodwill of the Chinese government.

However, I find the Chinese student's perspectives of American media, well, hilarious.

“We thought Western media is very objective,” said Chou Wu, a 28-year-old working on his doctorate in material science, “and what it turned out is that Western media is even more biased than Chinese media. They’re no better, and even more, they’re against us.”

Why would you think that of American media, when Americans don't even believe that (objectivity) about their own media outlets?!

I am angered that "the more strident Chinese students seem to replicate the authoritarian framework of their homeland, photographing demonstration participants and sometimes drowning out dissent" and that Tibetan students fear for their lives and their families lives back home should they participate in, as is their right, a peaceful protest, or even wish to speak out in classes.

I still do not know where I fall on this issue. But the actions (coming to me from biased Western media outlets) of Chinese citizens in the US and of their government is fast pushing me to support Tibet in it's quest for freedom.

Rhetorical Stumbles

2008-04-14T19:48:00.003-06:00

I think NY Times op-ed columnist William Kristol said it best when he wrote in his article The Mask Slips,

"And what are the grounds for his supercilious disdain? If he were a war hero, if he had a career of remarkable civic achievement or public service — then he could perhaps be excused an unattractive but in a sense understandable hauteur. But what has Barack Obama accomplished that entitles him to look down on his fellow Americans?"

What has he done indeed.

Parental Brainwashing: Legal in America

2008-04-12T09:51:00.005-06:00

The NY Times recently posted an article on delegates - and parents in general - being brainwashed by their children.

Ok, so maybe brainwashed is a little harsh. Everyone has the right to choose for himself what political candidate s/he wishes to support. If the reasons they support said candidate are because they vote the party line, or because they identify with one over another, or because their children and grandchildren have brow beat them (some with bribes, others with guilt, and more others with a persistence more determined than GW's belief that his War on Terror was/is a good thing) into giving up their right as Thinking Citizens, who are we to complain?

I just find it rather ironic that the one candidate with the least amount of experience and political "know how" has the majority of the support of America's youngest and least "life seasoned" voters.

Blog Reconstruction 2

2008-04-02T15:32:00.003-06:00

For all 5 of you who read my stuff - Welcome again!

As you can tell, I've been doing some changes. On the left, there are now links to other blogs of mine. The goal in this was to separate my private blogging (my life and creative stuff) from the "important blogging" (politics, news articles, etc.).

In the blogging workshop that I mentioned before, the facilitator said that a blog should have a set and clear purpose. Readers want consistancy. Clearly, a mish-mash of personal and "important" is not set or clear.

I have also added a more indepth "about me" and a FAQ link.

I am still working on the color schemes for both, so these will often change. I'm sorry. I'm picky and not so much a fan of the limited choices I'm offered. I may have to learn HTML so I can make some changes (yikes!).

Anyway, for those 5 of you reading - any ideas, comments, or suggestions you have about my changes or changes you would like to see would be greatly appreciated!

Either way, I think I'm back. It's been killing me not to blog...

Blog Reconstruction

2008-03-15T16:45:00.002-06:00

Greetings readers -

This blog of mine will be undergoing some reconstruction. I took a blogging workshop and learned a few things that I intent to apply to mine. I hope to make my purpose more refined and my subject matter more reader accessible/friendly.

If you have any suggestions or comments, please, let me know! I am still fairly new to this blogging thing and really hope to make mine work.

~DvntWriter

Why are People Taking Up the Gun?

2008-03-03T16:44:00.009-07:00

This post asks readers a question:

With Columbine, the DC gas station/highway shooter, VA Tech and other college shootings, mall shootings, holiday shootings, and today's shooting (3.3.08 Wendy's Shooting), what do you see as the reason people - from teenage high schoolers to 50+ adults - are taking up the gun as their means of "getting even" and relieving their pain?

Please, I am really looking for reasons here - besides this being a sign the world is coming to an end...

Essay on the 2008 Presidential Candidates

2008-01-21T21:09:00.001-07:00

A few weeks ago a friend of mine and I traded "my candidate won NH," "barely," "if you call winning by x amount barely," "yeah well my candidate won ID" jabs over IM. Our adult version of the children's "uh-huh, nuh-uh" argument ended when he asked me to explain my reasons for supporting Hillary Clinton over his choice, Barack Obama.

I told him I'd have to get back to him. It wasn't that I didn't know, wasn't sure, or was dodging the question, but rather because 1) It would have been too long and drawn out for a conversation over computer, and 2) Although I had my reasons and sort of knew what they were, I didn't feel they were very well grounded. I wanted a chance to sit and think about the question and to give it the proper thoughtful response it deserved, instead of jumping in whole-hog not having my reasons and convictions lined up and tethering me.

That being said, I'm going to talk about three reasons why -- at this point in time -- I support Hillary Clinton for Presidency. I will be honest with you -- I don't know much about the other runners. I have heard a lot of good things about Edwards and some of the other candidates, but since I get my information from past experiences and the news (New York Times mostly), and Obama and Clinton are all you ever hear about, they are the ones I'm most familiar with. Does this make me a bad voter? Probably. Am I an under-informed voter? No doubt. Knowing this will I shoulder my civic duty and research the other candidates? You find me the time and yes, I will.

Moving on. As you can't help but be aware, the slogan of this presidential campaign is "change." Change from old-style politics. Change from old-style thinking. Change from old-style policies, procedures, and practices. Change. As far as I'm concerned, if your name isn't Bush or Cheney, and you aren't in some way related to either one, that in and of itself is change.

But, and I think rightly so, people wonder if going from a Bush, Clinton, Bush and back to another Clinton would be a good thing for this country. After all, it begins to sound a little like a dynasty when you say it out loud. However, given the fact that I won't vote republican, and given the choices I am being offered (Clinton, Edwards, Gravel, Kucinich , and Obama), I feel she is the best choice for the job -- despite her last name.

There is the 35 years experience she has under her belt. Yes, eight of those years were spent in the White House, but (quoting a friend of mine), "she was the most politically active First Lady besides perhaps Eleanor Roosevelt." While other First Ladies have spent their time picking out the china, hosting Easter egg hunts on the front lawn, and providing a lovely backdrop for their husbands during press conferences, she was out there fighting for women, and children -- no matter what country you lived in, no matter your economic status, etc. Poor, homeless, foster care kid, out of a job? She fought for you. For me, when people talk about change and Clinton being a part of the "politics as usual" crowd, I don't see that. Despite the fact we are all sick and damned tired of hearing about the precedent having a woman (or Black man) in office will set, the fact remains, her being a woman is what sets her apart -- it is what will provide the change from "business as usual."

Think about it. How often do we read magazine articles, scientific and social research that tells us men and women approach the same situations differently? Remember all the "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" books and articles? Although I think that is played up, there is some factual basis. Given any situation, men and women will respond differently. To me, the greatest change Americans can give themselves is someone who doesn't have the Straight Protestant Well Educated Middle/Upper Class White Male Perspective. You want change? Put a woman in charge for once (or, a Black man).

Another reason I support her is that, yes, like half of all registered democrat women who aren't lesbians, I love Bill Clinton. Yes he cheated. Yes he lied. Then again, who wouldn't when charged with adultery? Any man, hell any woman -- and I don't care where you are from -- would lie about that if they thought they wouldn't be caught. After all, the fact that someone caught you and is tossing out this accusation means 1) You need to clean up your act and 2) You (hopefully) learned your lesson. Given that, and a desire to protect your family, their (and your own) reputation from over eager, vicious, sound-bite driven media outlets, I ask you again: Who wouldn't lie?

Why do I love Bill? He brought the United States out of a deficit (or more so than presidents before him). He made relations with African Americans one of his priorities. He did what he could, at the time, with the options available to him to improve military opportunities for gays and lesbians. He stood for the poor and under-privileged. Health care and education were important to him. In short, I trust him. And yes, by extension, I trust Hillary. Is that so wrong?

However, my trust for Hillary Clinton is not only derived from her husband. What I am about to say may sound strange and contrived to some, but to me, with my educational background, is as fundamental as steroids in baseball is American. Although I have only a BA in English under my belt, I consider myself a rhetorician. For those of you unfamiliar with the term rhetoric, rhetoric is - when broken down to it purest elements -- the study of persuasion. How does person X persuade person Y (or group Y) to think, feel, and act in a certain way. The cynics translation: Rhetoric = Manipulation. How does person X manipulate person Y (or group Y) to think, feel, and act in a certain way.

My study of the methods of persuasion has led me to become extremely wary of those who would use my emotions against me. Remember Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech? His speech wasn't as powerful and provoking as it was because he was logical and reasonable (although he was), but because he grabbed a hold of his audiences emotions, and through their emotions, led them to a new way of thinking, led them to want to share in his dream for the future, led them to follow him with more certainty and conviction than mere logic and reason could ever have done. Dr. King was the master of emotional appeals.

When I first heard of Obama, I heard of him in respect to his phenomenal speech giving abilities. One article I read quoted a woman as saying she cried when she heard him speak. As a rhetorician, I was interested. Although I am not a connoisseur of speeches, a generally known fact is that today’s political speeches (or any speech for that matter) do not rival those of previous generations. To hear of someone who was actually able to connect with his audience so fully as to engage not only their minds, but their emotions too? I had to know more.

And when I listened, I cringed. Yes, no doubt, Barack Obama is a wonderful speech giver. And that is what leads me to not trust him. Why trust King but not Barack? After all, Dr. King "manipulated" the emotions of his audience. However, when Dr. King spoke out for a greater good, he spoke of things he knew about, things he was directly involved in changing, things that, if the nation put its mind to, could be resolved. When I listen to Barack's talk of "change, dreams, unity" etc., I don't see a man who can follow through. I see a man who I have no doubt will try his damnedest, but I also see a man wrapped up in his dream; a man so wrapped up that he has lost sight of reality.

I agree. America needs change. But there needs to be responsible change. I agree. America needs to remember the dream she once had for the future and for her children. But that dream must be realized in the limits of reality. I agree. America needs greater unity among her people and political persuasions. But that unity must not be gained at the price of loosing our willingness to stand up and fight for our individual beliefs -- even if those beliefs result in partisan separation.

In comparison to Obama's smooth talking feel good speeches, Clinton is direct and factual. She doesn't try and finagle my emotions -- she tells me the facts, she tells me her plans, and leaves it to me to make the choice. Part of the problem with this approach is that it turns people off. They feel she isn't emotionally invested, that she is distant and cold. But to me, it is a breath of fresh air. Instead of trying to manipulate (persuade) me to side with her, she trusts that I will make an informed choice based on the information provided to me. I like that. I trust that. A candidate that trust me to make a choice.

Finally, my third reason for supporting Hillary Clinton is that she has plans. We here in America have had eight years to figure out new plans and new ways of doing the things this current administration has managed to muck up. When I watched the NH debate, I watched and listened closely -- I wanted to know where the candidates stood on issues and what their plans for the future were. When Barack was asked about his plans for foreign policy, the environment, health care, education, etc., for some he had a plan; for others he had an idea of a plan; and for others still, he had nothing but pretty speeches.

When Hillary was asked about all of those same issues, she responded with detailed plans. So detailed in fact, some wanted to tune her out because they weren't ready to handle it. As I see it, day one of the new presidency, I don't want someone who is still figuring things out, coming up with ideas, and designing new plans. I want someone who has a clue. I want someone who has more than an idea, but a ready plan of action. That plan of action my change, other ideas will be presented, discussed, and perhaps meshed with the original, but the fact is: we weren't starting from ground zero. Some serious thought had already gone into the future. Talk about change, dreams, and unity are all well and good, but in the end, I want someone who has already has a plan.

In conclusion, I want to state that, despite all the qualities I admire in Hillary Clinton, I do not by any means think she is perfect. She is, first and foremost, a politician. She has been investigated for wrong doing several times for different things. During debates she has and Obama have traded "political tidbit" jabs since the beginning. She's taken, as Edwards is so fond of pointing out, money from various groups who would like her to if not turn a blind eye to their practices, at least not set out to actively stop them. But a friend of mine said something I liked and think applies to all the candidates -- no matter how clean they try and come off. He said he knew "there was no way politicians like Obama, Hillary, Edwards, etc. get to where they are without having a few skeletons in their closets."

I also want to reiterate that I have not totally set my hat on Hillary Clinton (although the NY Times just endorsed her as their Democratic candidate -- McCain as the Republican). However, if given the choice between Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Barack, I will with no hesitation vote for Hillary. She has the experience in foreign and domestic policy we need, she is a definite change from "politics as usual" by her difference in outlook, and I trust her because she trusts me to make a competent decision without involving my emotions. And yes, because I think Bill Clinton will make a wonderful First Husband.

Note: I have great respect for the First Ladies who came before Mrs. Clinton despite whatever tone my comments may have suggested. Many of the women who held that esteemed position used their position to help others and to shed light on matters dear to their and their husbands hearts.

Note 2: Someone asked me why I stated in the beginning why I won't vote Republican. I won't because I do not agree with their politics or policies. I'm a Democrat only because the Independents can't make a convincing push in our (flawed) two-party system.

***
Although this essay was my personal reflection on the two leading democratic candidates, some research into their political and speech history was involved. My information was gathered from the following sites:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillary_Clinton
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clinton
http://www.barackobama.com/2007/11/07/remarks_of_senator_barack_obam_31.php

And if any mistake or incorrect information is detailed, please inform me via comments. Thank you.

* After posting this the NY Times Editorial Board decided to back Hillary Clinton. You can read their reasons here: NY Times Article

The Privatization of Marriage

2007-11-27T16:18:00.001-07:00

This New York Times article said pretty much all the things I have been saying since I first became aware of the gay marriage "issue" (whenever it was Hawaii sparked it those many years ago). In case however you haven't read the article, let me summarize:

* Way back when (1215 and before) Christianity defined the validity of marriage as NOT ONLY those people who had married in the church, but also those who said they had exchanged vows (even if it had been on a hay stack). Those marriages not performed in a church (aka illicit marriages) were still accepted and those people were granted THE SAME rights, privileges, and responsibilities as those who married in the church.

* "Not until the [16TH CENTURY] did European states begin to require that marriages be performed under legal auspices. In part, this was an attempt to prevent unions between young adults whose parents opposed their match (NY Times)." Poor Romeo and Juliet...

* "The American colonies officially required marriages to be registered, but until the mid-19th century, state supreme courts routinely ruled that public cohabitation was [SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE] of a valid marriage (NY Times)." Back then, living together before marriage didn't have the same (possible) negative repercussions as they do now.

* "In the mid-20th century, governments began to get out of the business of deciding which couples were “fit” to marry. Courts invalidated laws against interracial marriage, struck down other barriers and even extended marriage rights to prisoners (NY Times)."

The question then becomes, what was the purpose of having one's marriage validated by the STATE?

* Distribution of survivor benefits
* Provision of health insurance and pension benefits
* Inheritance and medical information sharing

The article goes more into how these (and other) reasons for validating ones marriage with the state was reasonable in say the 1950s (when divorce, single mothers, and teen parents were rare), but what I want to focus on is the three "rights" I listed above. Rights granted only to those whose marriage is recognized by the state. I know this is probably a topic beaten to death. The arguments are probably used to death. And you are probably sick to death of hearing and reading about the Gay Marriage "Issue." If you are, tough. It's my blog. If you don't want to read it, don't. No skin off my nose.

But for those of you who continue...yay :-).

I was listening to NPR a few months ago (when it was still warm), and they did a segment on this woman (a mechanic) who had been involved with another woman (police officer for over 20 years) for over 15 years. NOTE: Because I don't recall their names, I shall have to refer to them by their professions. The unfortunate thing about their marriage (if they, if anyone, can stand someone else that long, their relationship deserves to be called a marriage) is that it was cut short. The police woman died of throat cancer. Her partner stayed with her, cared for her, worked all day, stayed up all night, fed her, bathed her, took her to hospital appointments, and when it was time, was with her when she died. They had built a house together, but it was the officers money that really made that home, and all creature comforts possible. I'm not saying she was a "sugar-momma," hell no. But her job paid better than her partners. What was so upsetting about this was that, because their relationship was not VALIDATED or RECOGNIZED by the state, her pension could not be passed on to her partner. Up to her dying day she fought the state where they lived, participated in county meetings, petitioned her elected officials, and even allowed a documentary to be made of their trials - both legal and medical.

Honestly, I don't recall the outcome. I think it was positive. But what of those who situations don't turn out as well or remotely close? The mechanic wouldn't have been able to keep the house she and her partner built on her income. Mortgages, loans, bills, etc. are things couples take care of AS A COUPLE. To suddenly find yourself saddled with creditors alone and strapped for cash... "A woman married to a man for just nine months gets Social Security survivor’s benefits when he dies. But a woman living for 19 years with a man to whom she isn’t married is left without government support, even if her presence helped him hold down a full-time job and pay Social Security taxes. A newly married wife or husband can take leave from work to care for a spouse, or sue for a partner’s wrongful death. But unmarried couples typically cannot, no matter how long they have pooled their resources and how faithfully they have kept their commitments (NY Times)."

I'm sure those of you who have taken a detailed look at my profile maybe wondering, what is a self-professed devout Orthodox Christian who calls herself a LUPO doing supporting gay marriage? My answer is this: although I do not want this for myself (okay, I'm lying, I do. But I also have this unholy fear of damnation. That kind of out weights my fear of dying alone and lonely), that doesn't mean I can't look beyond myself and my faith to see what is fair and just for others. And just to be clear on something: no, my faith does not sanction non-heterosexual marriages. They do not persecute the individual (I should know), but instead take a very compassionate view/stance/and action. I know, only my word on this matter. What I am getting at is basic fairness. If one group is allowed a privilege and must take the responsibilities for that privilege, all should be able to have that privilege and take on the responsibilities that comes with it. When group A is granted things group B isn't, it isn't only group B that suffers, but those attached to group B - the children, families, friends, etc.

Okay. Enough ranting for now. It's taken most of my time at work to write this. I should do something for work now... :-)

The Pervasiveness of Portable Music Players

2007-11-23T16:19:00.000-07:00

The other day I was walking to work from the bus station where I get off. It's about a ten minute walk. Along the way, I pass several hotels, eateries, shops, the Trax line stations (what the rest of the world calls metro or subway stations), etc. City stuff. Before it got cold, you would see business types, college students, the homeless (you always see them), mom's, dad's, kids, and teens skipping class. It was nice to walk along, seeing the sights, smiling at strangers and gazing in windows. Smelling fresh pizza or steaming curry or a multitude of other hot dishes as you strolled in front of shops was always a treat o the nose.

But lately I've noticed a change. I walk down those same streets, and no one smiles at one another. People at the Trax stations are quiet, except for the person with a cell phone glued to their ear (I admit, sometimes that person is me). People in check out stands are distant and unresponsive to the checkout clerks. Children follow their parents listlessly, college students clutch their backpacks and stare blankly ahead, the business types are no longer glancing up from a hand-full of papers to smile. Instead they stride through the streets oblivious to every one around them.

People these days are perpetually preoccupied, caught up in their own little world. But it's not stress, it's not overwhelming work loads, bills, family, or even a really bad case of the blues. It's portable music devices. (Note: Because I'm pretty much only familiar with i-pods, they are going to be the only brand named. They are by far not the only ones.)

They are every where, pervading every aspect of our lives. Driving to the store? Listen to your i-pod. Paying the clerk for your groceries or gas? Listen to your i-pod. Sitting at your desk, in the office, surrounded by your coworkers? Listen to your i-pod! What ever you do, where ever you go, plug-in, tune-out, listen to your i-pod. Really, that should be the slogan for these things.

My problem isn't with the devices themselves. When I was in college I loved having mine. I could go to the library and read, using mine to tune out the distracting background noise while at the same time, keeping me awake. It was nice to tune out my various room mates (and their God-forsaken TVs). Now that I am home, I find the place I wish to use my i-pod the most is on the bus commute to and from work (while I enjoy being around people, that doesn't mean I want to listen to conversations in Spanish, one-sided arguments with boyfriends, or the bus-driver making inconsequential conversation with whomever happens to sit near them).

What my problem is, is how these devices are used. I have seem people use them as they drive, which I find this very disturbing. Yes, turning up the car stereo can drown out the sounds around you, but not nearly as much (or effectively) as head-phones plugged directly into your ears. Those head-phones drown out the guy yelling at you as you drive into the cross walk in front of him, the fire or ambulance sirens coming from a block away, the beeping as you switch lanes, and more. The pedestrian whose attention is focused on the music pouring into his head isn't paying attention to the driver who is speeding up to the crosswalk the woman trying to make the turn in front of you. And I can't begin to explain how rude I find it when someone comes up to you to pay for something and refuses to unplug for that brief moment. I have seen librarians, checkout clerks, and restaurant servers ignored, their friends (though sometimes required) greeting - "Hi, how are you today" - or offer of assistance gone unanswered. All because that someone is plugged in, oblivious to the world around them.

And I say all this from experience. I have been that person in the car, trying to get over, signaling for what seems like ages, only to have the car right on my back bumper ignore me. And when they pass me, and I look over to glare, they are plugged in, oblivious. I have been at the street corner, seeing by the timer that I don't have time to cross, only to watch the business person stride into the street, belatedly realizing they shouldn't cross (I've also been the driver freaked out because I think they are going to cross in front of my oncoming car). I've been the desk jockey, trying to ask the person in front of me if they need any help, only to be ignored because they can't hear me. I've been the person sitting with a client trying to explain something to someone with head-phones securely in place, wondering if they could really hear me, or if they were even listening to me.

I find it rude. I find it obtrusive. I find it annoying. But most of all, I find it disheartening. What happened to simple human interaction? When did our music become more important than smiling at the door man guarding the hotel, or the woman in the seat next to us on the train, or the bus driver who says hello? When did our music become more important than saying thank you and have a nice day to the clerk or server who took care of us? When did our music become more important than being aware of the world around us and those sharing our moment of existence?

When did our music become more important than other people?

First Blog

2007-11-09T00:46:00.000-07:00

Well, I suppose that technically this isn't my first blog. When I had a MySpace account I practically lived there, blogging about my life, friends, and crazy fucked up romantic run-ins as if people really cared. But then I realized that all I was doing was substituting my real, leather bound, red, engraved journal that I paid good money for...for some online forum in which only my friends could comment on my life. As if their comments gave me some vindication for the actions I made (or didn't). So I moved on to bigger and better things. Like Warbook on Facebook. And now, this blog. A real blog. Guess we'll see how it goes. :-)

FAQs

1984-01-01T13:00:00.002-07:00

1. What am I reading?
A. You are reading my random thoughts on nearly everything. I have ideas, opinions, quandaries, and ideals. My friends (nearly) all agree with me – I need a wider audience to share my wisdom with.

2. Who are you and why should we care?
A. Read the about me. And I don’t care if you don’t care. If you don’t care, why should I care that you don’t care? If you don’t care, don’t read. I don’t care. And if you happen to care – well great! Keep reading and leave a comment (I love comments).

3. How do I contact you?
A. Best bet is to leave a comment. If you want to ask me something more personal, leave a comment and let me know. We can arrange something.

4. Is your work copyrighted/can I use your work?
A. Is my work copyrighted? No. Do I want you just dropping and stealing my writing and pictures? Not so much. Ask first, we'll go from there.

5. Do you have a comments policy?
A. I currently do not moderate comments, but I reserve the right to delete comments at my discretion. To best ensure your comment is posted/not deleted, follow these suggestions:

· Be respectful: You have your opinions, I have mine, and other readers have theirs. Deal with it.

· Be concise: If your comment is longer than my post, edit it.

· Comments should be made in regard to an individual entry: No random tangents please. Lets stay focused and on topic.

6. You didn’t answer my question about (insert question). Why?
A. That’s because this is a work in progress. Leave a comment here and I will address it when I have the opportunity.

About Me

1984-01-01T12:00:00.001-07:00

I’m a struggling writer, a writing coach (that’s my job), a pyromaniac (minus the maniac), I play Dungeons & Dragons, and think Star Trek and the Federation is what the U.S. could one day grow up to be. I have a cat, her name is Sasha. She hides her crack where I can’t find it. I read for fun and my favorite genres are fantasy, memoir, and rhetorical and social theory. I love sappy romances, political intrigue, and plot-less action movies. I am quirklyalone (Google it) and a quirky(Equal Opportunity)flirt (meaning I flirt with men and women equally).