Currently, the KONY 2012 video is going viral across social media networks - Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, you name it. It's essentially an emotional video with some nice cinematography that obviously stirs the general population. GREAT! People need to know about the social injustices of the world.
But, people are gathering arms to get rid of Kony by the end of 2012, determined to donate money to Invisible Children and join the cause. Hm. Let's take a step back; really think about what we're getting ourselves into here. Honestly, people before this video probably didn't even know who Kony was. That's the great thing about social media these days - it's so useful to spread awareness! But, let's take another step back.
Who is Invisible Children? What do they do? Where does the money go? What have they done in the past? What do they really stand for? Nobody seems to be asking themselves this question. I firmly believe that everyone is entitled to believe whatever they want to believe in, but let's just make sure we always take a look at the big picture first. It's better to question all then to blindly accept what others tell us. I think that's a huge problem with today's culture - our generation. Everyone wants to SAVE THE WORLD, but nobody's really thinking on their own. They just jump on the bandwagon, reblog that tumblr post, repost that Facebook status, etc. etc.
Now, is every NGO perfect? No. Is every IGO perfect? No. Nobody is perfect, but knowing the faultiness of your own logic is a good thing. You don't want to be the one who just follows a trend of reblogging a video about KONY 2012 without having any real idea about what's actually going on.
Check out THIS site, for more criticisms of KONY.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
It's Just a Game
Why are people so obsessed with sports? More importantly, why does the majority of a state suddenly unify at something like the Superbowl, to cheer on their team?
Just things to think about as you read about/watch Gisele's freaking out over the fact that her husband didn't win the Superbowl - obviously because of his failing teammates. Obviously.
Just things to think about as you read about/watch Gisele's freaking out over the fact that her husband didn't win the Superbowl - obviously because of his failing teammates. Obviously.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Ching Chong Ling Long Ting Tong
I live in the Bay Area, so I don't see as much of a racial divide between Asians and other cultures because there are so many Asians here, as opposed to some other areas such as the East Coast.
UCLA is a pretty Asian-heavy populated school. So, why do I see videos like THIS?
UCLA is a pretty Asian-heavy populated school. So, why do I see videos like THIS?
I'm pretty sure that Asians aren't the only ones who talk on their phones in the library. I've seen obnoxious people from all races. Why does she have to hate like that? FYI, you don't know when you're about to have an epiphany. An epiphany is defined as SUDDEN, which means it's UNEXPECTED.
Ching Chong Ling Long Ting Tong, everyone.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Being Ninja
The state of Wisconsin is in an uproar after the Senate passed the Anti-Union Bill, restricting collective bargaining rights of public union workers. It's a big hullabaloo because people are upset that the Republican legislators could be so clandestine about an important bill and "outmaneuver" the missing Democrats, as NPR puts it. I have to say that taking out the economic components of the bill that required the presence of the Democrats-in-hiding was pretty sneaky - clever or wrong, I can't really say because my knowledge of the law is next to zero.
What I do know is this: the Democrats are just "butt-hurt" (upset) that even though they tried to run away and hide in Illinois to think of a counter plan, the Republicans still managed to pass this bill. But what I also realize is that the Republicans always say they want to turn back to the old traditional way of politics and do everything clean-cut and put all politics out in the open for the public to see. So, why be secretive? Why make a sketchy move that the public so obviously disapproves of?
We can't be hypocritical, folks. But oh Democratic senators of Wisconsin...what else did you think was going to happen when you ran away and hid? Come out, come out, wherever you are.
What I do know is this: the Democrats are just "butt-hurt" (upset) that even though they tried to run away and hide in Illinois to think of a counter plan, the Republicans still managed to pass this bill. But what I also realize is that the Republicans always say they want to turn back to the old traditional way of politics and do everything clean-cut and put all politics out in the open for the public to see. So, why be secretive? Why make a sketchy move that the public so obviously disapproves of?
We can't be hypocritical, folks. But oh Democratic senators of Wisconsin...what else did you think was going to happen when you ran away and hid? Come out, come out, wherever you are.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Pooper Paper
So, I was visiting a local stationery store and as soon as I walk in, I see a giant display advertising "PooPooPaper". I start to read the labels and I soon discover it's made out of REAL, GENUINE ELEPHANT POO. Fantastic.
Let's take a couple of steps back now and really think about what I just said. There is paper made out of an animal's feces being sold in an actual store for profit. I'm all for supporting the environment and minimizing the effects of the human race and pollution by recycling and re-using stainless steel water bottles, but I draw the line. I used to have this notebook made completely out of recycled paper and bananas - it was kind of cool; it was not edible though, just saying. I just don't understand the point of making paper made out of poop. Is someone trying to make a statement? Because I'm not getting it.
Click HERE to find out more about PooPoo Paper.
Let's take a couple of steps back now and really think about what I just said. There is paper made out of an animal's feces being sold in an actual store for profit. I'm all for supporting the environment and minimizing the effects of the human race and pollution by recycling and re-using stainless steel water bottles, but I draw the line. I used to have this notebook made completely out of recycled paper and bananas - it was kind of cool; it was not edible though, just saying. I just don't understand the point of making paper made out of poop. Is someone trying to make a statement? Because I'm not getting it.
Click HERE to find out more about PooPoo Paper.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
I Have the Right
The protests and picketing at the funeral of Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder were absurd. You don't just march on down to funerals and hold up signs that say "God hates you!" and "Fags Doom Nations!". You can be anti-homosexual all you want - be a homophobic. But, don't go imposing your beliefs on other people and ruining sacred moments of others.
I'm not surprised that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that these picketers had the right to do so due to the First Amendment, but I'm surprised it was such a landslide of a vote. Also, as a side note, props to Elena Kagan (colloquial language, yes) for voting for what she believed was legally correct, though she may have been more personally offended - that is what makes a great justice. Anyways, back to the subject, so where do we draw the line? People are always saying that they have the RIGHT to do certain things. But, when you put things in perspective, you have to ask yourself, "To what extent will I exercise this right?" During a sacred, precious moment which is PRIVATE, there should be no protesting. It's wrong. You can't use language like that, either. This is just like the '50s when people were calling African-Americans the N* word - it's just really not acceptable at all. Intolerant people infuriate me.
But, when I think about it, the verdict is well-supported and I have to say I ultimately agree. They didn't march all over the casket and start yelling at the funeral attendees. They were 1,000 feet away and took the necessary steps to have a public protest. So, in that, they really can do whatever they want. Common sense-wise...SHOULD you do something like that? No.
Not at all.
I feel like that's similar to having a Jewish Holocaust victim being buried in a ceremony, and having a bunch of Neo-Nazis protesting 1,000 feet away. It's just weird and wrong. What happened to God loving every single person, just the way they were? And forgiveness?
I'm not surprised that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that these picketers had the right to do so due to the First Amendment, but I'm surprised it was such a landslide of a vote. Also, as a side note, props to Elena Kagan (colloquial language, yes) for voting for what she believed was legally correct, though she may have been more personally offended - that is what makes a great justice. Anyways, back to the subject, so where do we draw the line? People are always saying that they have the RIGHT to do certain things. But, when you put things in perspective, you have to ask yourself, "To what extent will I exercise this right?" During a sacred, precious moment which is PRIVATE, there should be no protesting. It's wrong. You can't use language like that, either. This is just like the '50s when people were calling African-Americans the N* word - it's just really not acceptable at all. Intolerant people infuriate me.
But, when I think about it, the verdict is well-supported and I have to say I ultimately agree. They didn't march all over the casket and start yelling at the funeral attendees. They were 1,000 feet away and took the necessary steps to have a public protest. So, in that, they really can do whatever they want. Common sense-wise...SHOULD you do something like that? No.
Not at all.
I feel like that's similar to having a Jewish Holocaust victim being buried in a ceremony, and having a bunch of Neo-Nazis protesting 1,000 feet away. It's just weird and wrong. What happened to God loving every single person, just the way they were? And forgiveness?
Friday, February 25, 2011
Time to Intervene
Now that all Americans have reportedly been evacuated from Libya and the U.S. Embassy has been shut down in Tripoli, I'm glad that President Obama and his administration have proposed economic sanctions. Freezing the assets of Gaddafi is something I also agree with, obviously. I think it's interesting that in the 21st century, the fastest, and often times the simplest, way is to "attack" financially. Although Gaddafi has a reported amount of billions and billions of dollars, he's trapped in a corner, no?
He's doing everything he can to cling to his power, though the people have spoken. I feel like this is an accelerated version of the American Revolution inspiring the French Revolution. But I hope the Libyan Revolution is 10x more successful with positive long-term effects, than the French's in the 19th century. Anyways, it is like a good domino effect, where the corrupt and dogmatic regimes across the globe will slowly fall one by one. But how will the UN, the world, and the United States react? How much influence does the UN Security Council actually have, and how fast can they act? But of course, we have to think of the humanitarian aid that must be sent to Libya and protecting the foreigners in Libya who must be escorted safely out of the country.
My brain starts to hurt when I start to think about all the things that must be considered before taking any action, politically. I just hope the United States plays it smart and doesn't start something we can't finish and simply works with the international community as a whole to solve this crisis.
He's doing everything he can to cling to his power, though the people have spoken. I feel like this is an accelerated version of the American Revolution inspiring the French Revolution. But I hope the Libyan Revolution is 10x more successful with positive long-term effects, than the French's in the 19th century. Anyways, it is like a good domino effect, where the corrupt and dogmatic regimes across the globe will slowly fall one by one. But how will the UN, the world, and the United States react? How much influence does the UN Security Council actually have, and how fast can they act? But of course, we have to think of the humanitarian aid that must be sent to Libya and protecting the foreigners in Libya who must be escorted safely out of the country.
My brain starts to hurt when I start to think about all the things that must be considered before taking any action, politically. I just hope the United States plays it smart and doesn't start something we can't finish and simply works with the international community as a whole to solve this crisis.
