Boom Boom Pow!

If you didn't know, that's a Black Eyed Peas' song - it's quite catchy, but annoying.

The "Boom Boom Pow" idea is referring to the terrorists' attempted attack to hijack another U.S. plane this past holiday weekend. I'm not going to talk about the details, as you can go and read the articles (and I don't want to bore you), but it's all just really annoying. Now the holiday travelers have to deal with more security lines and waiting. I've got to admit, I do think that President Obama is a bit at fault, as biased as I may be. Honestly, the whole idea of not fighting and simply maintaining peace by having discussions and talks is idiotic to say the least. War is necessary. Armies are necessary. Fighting is necessary, when all else fails. These terrorists won't get the message until we give them a piece of their own medicine and more. The only way to shut them down is to take them out, as barbaric as that sounds. Let's stop pretending to be nice and just do what needs to be done - which is not having any more useless meetings.

Terrorists. want. to. kill. us. NOT make. peace.
Just saying.

By the way, this New Year's - stay safe! Watch out for those crazy drunk drivers and partygoers!

Happy Holidays

photo cred: mookayaya

Happy Holidays, readers!

I hope you all got a chance to relax, recuperate, re-energize, eat food, and enjoy some good quality time with your friends&family!

I'll have another blog post up soon - probably tomorrow. Until then, eat fruit, eat cake, and enjoy these last few days of 2009.

Stay safe,

Ashtyn


P.S. Here's an amusing picture of my sisters and myself!

Slavery is Not Dead

I was scanning links on Drudge Report and came by a shorty article about 225,000 children being forced into slavery in Haiti because of the extreme impoverished circumstances. It disgusts me that children, particularly in third world countries, are being forced into a variety of slavery - from labor to sex slave-trading.

I remember at school for the past couple of years, we have fund-raised for organizations that help children, especially young girls, rise out of poverty and being freed from slavery. There are so many perverted people involved in the illegal sex-slave-trade of children. It makes me want to gag just thinking about situations like this - parents having to sell their own children into slavery, knowing that these little kids will become sex slaves. The fact that these situations have become so dire and drastic that families are forced to resort to these measures is also depressing.

On a side note, President Obama has openly stated that he will remain in Washington D.C. until the Health Care Bill is passed. He claims that he cannot leave the Senate while in the midst of a such a big transition. Well, thank you President Obama, for acting like a President - that is what you are, right? I wouldn't be surprised if you would have left early to go to Hawaii to spend the holidays there in a $4000/night resort; you would never spend that much money on a vacation home though, right? Right. We expect you to stay in D.C. until these critical matters regarding the Health Care Bill are dealt with, Mr. president. Don't think that you're doing something noble; these kinds of actions come with the territory of being the President of the United States.

Just saying.

Happy Holidays

Three more days until Christmas! For those of you who don't celebrate Christmas, I'm sorry if I offend you.
"
Actually, I'm not. I wouldn't be offended if someone said "Happy Hannukah" or "Happy Kwanzaa." It's kind of annoying that stores are discouraged from saying "Merry Christmas" or anything like that because it offends people who aren't Christian (or anyone who just doesn't celebrate Christmas). I have many atheist and agnostic friends who say "Merry Christmas!" though they don't necessarily believe in God or anything of the sort. People these days just make a big deal out of nothing. Just like the issue with the Pledge of Allegiance and how there is the phrase "one nation, under God" - thus, people are offended because they're not Christian/God-believers. I remember in elementary school, every morning, we'd all look at the flag, put our right hands over our hearts, and repeat the Pledge of Allegiance. Now, my 5-year-old sister will probably not learn it unless my family teaches it to her at home, just because someone made a mountain out of a molehill (I love the phrase).

Next thing you know, we're going to have to reprint all the one dollar bills because they say "In God We Trust." Bah! Hopefully, it won't come to that. Honestly, people just need to get over themselves. If it bothers you, ignore it; move on with your lives. Don't ruin the holidays for everyone else. Even several holiday songs include the phrase "Merry Christmas" or the lyrics pertain to God/Christ, etc. If a person doesn't like these songs, they only have to switch the FM radio station to another channel.

Anyways, if you ever see me during the holiday season, you can bet I'm going to wish you a Merry Christmas!

Copenhagen. Change.

Those two words both start with C!
Quite observant, no?

The leaders at the meeting in Copenhagen have decided upon many changes to fight global warming. Yet Sarah Palin disagrees that these changes will do much good.

I must say I concur. Global warming is a factor in our lives and will affect future generations even more than it affects us now. We should do the little things like conserving energy, carpooling, conserving water, recycling, etc., but there's only so much we can do. To have such large international meetings to discuss this matter and then initiate policies in the world isn't going to do much good if the people themselves don't want to change. Like a certain old man tells me, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink." The government can push us to conserve more or plant more trees, but unless we get 100% participation, global warming won't go away. Perhaps we should continue focusing on how we will deal with the potential climate change effects when those consequences come into play in the future. We know, deep inside, that these consequences could happen. If we do start to see even more earthquakes, hurricanes, storms, etc., then how will we deal with that? Maybe we should have detailed emergency plans for every state, every city. I don't know, but I don't really see the great benefits of having meetings and talking about what we will do, then forcing the people to abide by the new policies. There are always loopholes. But more importantly, somehow the people need to be more motivated to change!

Personally, I don't think the world's going to end or that global warming is going to kill us all. You can show me as much evidence and scientific research as you want, but I'm adamant to stick to my opinion.

Don't worry, I recycle, if that makes you feel better. =]

Bumper Stickers

Click on the picture to zoom in!


These days, bumper stickers just say the darnest things.

Today, I was walking through the parking lot and came across a car with these bumper stickers. I honestly laughed out loud. Sigh, what's wrong with this picture? Literally.

"Fight the rich, not the war?" Are they implying that it's the rich people who started the war in Iraq and all other wars in general? My dear fellow, whomever you may be, you are quite incorrect. War is not terrorism. War is a drastic solution to rid ourselves of terrorism. I won't launch into my terrorism rant like I did about a month or so ago in regards to Rick Steves' lecture at my school again.

Oh, and person with the bumper stickers (and all those who agree with these bumper stickers) - We will leave Iraq when we are ready to leave Iraq, i.e. when we're sure it won't lapse back into chaos. Kay. Thanks. Bye.

On a side note, 9 days 'til Christmas!
Hannukah has already begun, I presume, so that's exciting too!
All in all, we should all be excited for whatever holiday we celebrate!
If you don't celebrate a holiday during this time, it's still okay to buy yourself a present =D.

Updates!

Well hello my loyal readers!
Yes, it is the dread finals week. At least this is my last History and French final ever (since those are A.P. classes - no second semester finals for those classes because of A.P. Exams - and I don't have finals Senior year)!

On the blogging side of things, I have decided that I will try to incorporate pictures into my blog from car bumper stickers, posters, protests, etc. that I find extremely amusing! Exciting, no?

Gay

Have you ever heard someone use the word "gay" as an insult?
It's like using the word "retarded" as an insult, no?
It's wrong. Whether you like gays or not, don't use the word as a substitution for stupid, weird, lame, etc.
I'm Asian. I'd hate it if someone said, "God! Don't be such an Asian!" Well, excuse me. What is that supposed to mean? That the person being called an "Asian" is so cool? Why yes, Asians are cool, thank you very much. Ha. Ha. Ha. <---Joke.

In all seriousness, really let's all get past the whole using random words as insults.

But what bothers me is that people make such a big deal about the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans.) community. For example, in Houston, the newly elected mayor, Annise Parker, is lesbian. Everyone is excited for her accomplishment; it is a step forward for the LGBT community. Really, that's great. But if the LGBT community wishes to be accepted by society, to be looked on as equals in matters such as marriage. They don't want to stand out, they want to be part of everything. They don't necessarily want to change themselves to have others tolerate them, but they don't want to be seen as some kind of population with leprosy. They are human beings, just like us; they're not aliens - really, they aren't. So, yes, let's all stop hating on gay people! HOWEVER. If they want to be accepted by everyone as an equal, they need to stop making such a big deal that they ARE gay. Yes, we understand, you are homosexual. We are happy for you, must you shove it in our faces constantly? People who are running for office, who are homosexual, usually win the support of pro-gay activists. No offense, but if I was a voter, I wouldn't want to vote for someone running for office who divides voters into different groups: pro- gays and anti-gays. These people in governmental positions should encourage people to vote not based on sexuality, but on what they stand for, what policies they advocate, what they will do in office! I know it's hard, but the LGBT community can't get anywhere by continuously dividing the entire human population into anti-gays and pro-gays.

We're all people, right?

Republicans are Scary People

Didn't you know? Republicans are crazy! Absurd! Why would anyone want to tell people the truth?! How absurd. We obviously are a country that likes to keep the public in the dark and not up-to-date with ongoing situations in the government. Right?

Haha, WRONG. President Obama, the GOP is not scaring American citizens. You are. Well, no, how wrong of me to target my criticism at only President Obama, well no. He is the symbol of the executive branch of our government, so I will direct my ideas towards him personally (not that he's even reading this blog). But I digress. Honestly, the only reason American citizens might be frightened is that they don't want to face the truth. The cold, harsh truth that we are already losing millions and millions of dollars from the stimulus bill (by the way, where are all the "infrastructure" jobs that were supposed to be made?) and quite frankly, maybe we shouldn't keep spending money that we don't really have. It's quite simple, really. When you don't have money, you shouldn't spend it, especially when the president before you already spent millions of dollars, also. It's quite smart to save money...perhaps in a giant piggy bank, President Obama? Just kidding, my sarcasm goes too far.

President Obama seeks support from not only the Democratic party, but also the Republican party. Of course, the president should try to gain support from all people of the legislative branch, since he stands for all Americans, not just Democrats. However, by saying that the GOP must stop frightening people...he's not going to win that much support from the GOP, themselves, now is he - I'm just saying.

Tut Tut Tut

How can anybody be expected to adhere to good morals if people who are looked upon as role models are so corrupt, themselves? Who are we to look to if these celebrities, athletes, even politicians have done so much wrong? From former President Bill Clinton to Tiger Woods, where will the corruption end?

Tiger Woods. Multi-millionaire. Super-talented golfer. Wife. Children. Monetarily successful. Never had a scandal...until now.

It's so unfortunate that Tiger Woods is also another stereotypical famous person who commits adultery. Not that the media helps at all with its constant propaganda and badgering, but Woods knew that anything he did would eventually be out in the public eye. He always had such a clean slate, the ideal role model! I quite liked Tiger Woods and his amazing putts on the golf course. But now I can't help but feel crushed myself, as if he had personally made me feel bad. If people such as Tiger Woods, who appeared to be spotless and moral, can commit such immoral deeds, then what about the rest of us?

In today's society, celebrities are quite often set upon pedestals as the leading examples for the rest of us "common folk." Well, they are nothing more than humans, just like us. But being in the spotlight constantly, they should realize the repercussions of their actions. They know that many people, children and adults alike look up to them for guidance. People do what they see being done.

So, celebrities, politicians, you famous people. Get your acts together! Stop cheating on your wives and husbands, stop using steroids, what are you trying to prove?

Marching One by One Hurrah. Hurrah.

As you all know, President Obama publicly announced last night at his speech at the prestigious military academy, Westpoint, that he will be dispatching 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan to finally end that war! Yes! (Mock enthusiasm here). Finally, after months of waiting, he has decided to make a firm move. I wonder what all those protesters outside the mall near my house will be saying this weekend. Not once have I seen them protest the war in direct relation to Obama; they've only attacked the fact that we're still at war, not the person who's responsible for not keeping to his promise to pull all the troops out in Iraq - i.e. Obama. I laugh at his incompetence. No, I'm kidding, I'm not that informed about these matters so I'm sure he's trying his best? But maybe his best could be even better...So world, let's all wake up. War isn't something we want, but sometimes it's necessary to establish peace. All those people who say that there are other ways to handle these situations are wrong, to be quite frank. If there is a terrorist group who wants to exterminate you and your countryfolk, I don't think they'd want to sit at a table and talk about it. They probably just want to kill you, or get lots of money from you, no? So, yes, war is costly not only financially and resource-wise, but life-wise too; I realize that many people are sacrificing themselves for this cause. However, they know what they were getting themselves into when they signed up to be in the army. They are ready and willing to give their lives for the greater good, and if they are voluntarily doing so, I think we should support them and commend them for their courage! We shouldn't downgrade their efforts by saying that this war is useless and we should just bring everyone home. They obviously won't be able to come home soon quite yet, so for the time being, we should just support them and continue to send our good wishes to them!

On a sidenote, I was scanning Drudge Report, and there was a picture that caught my attention - a Westpoint cadet reading a book called "Kill Bin Laden." I find this image so amusing. Just saying. Have you seen it? Click here.