I was reading an article on CNN about a recent poll, revealing American sentiments towards the federal government - it appears that many feel their rights are being infringed upon.
Being the oh so curious person I am, I scanned the comments on this article. Reading comments on the article can be more interesting than reading the article, itself. There was one that popped out more than the others. It read, "Let's see, the Republicans started the Patriot Act, NCLB, wire tapping, spending like drunks, increasing our deficit, started two wars and have generally been incompetent while pushing 'smaller government.' Now, the Dems have to clean up the GOP mess, deal with Republican obstructionism, lies and deceit, and deal with their own spinelessness. Yep, we're screwed."
At first, I believed it was the usual ignorant comment, but as I read the entire thing I chuckled to myself. It's rather exaggerated and blunt, but sadly true. The Republican party in the 8 years of presidency of President George Bush didn't do such a hot job, as many may agree. But the Democrats now aren't just "clean[ing] up the GOP mess," they're creating their own huge messes too. They're not only making messes, but also failing miserably at fixing anything. If we have this never-ending cycle of uselessness and inefficiency, how will the United States get out of this slump?
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
The Struggle Continues
7:00 A.M.
The battle for Health Care Reform continues today for President Obama, the Democrats, and the Republicans at Blair House.
Though there are several opposing Republicans, President Obama and his Democratic supports are determined to pass this bill. According to the New York Times, "Experts generally agree that the Democrats’ legislation...still does not do enough to reduce health care costs for all Americans."
6:00 P.M.
President Obama's lack of leadership skills was quite obvious today when he made an immature jibe at Senator John McCain. Reaching a high point in his frustration at the unwillingness of most people to pass his bill, Obama told McCain that the election was over and he (McCain) should stop campaigning. In response, McCain said that he was reminded of this fact every day (so am I, Senator, so am I). If President Obama wasn't willing to defend his position, he shouldn't have started the one-on-one banter between McCain and himself. To sink to the level of making immature jibes to a fellow politician shows that President Obama is not a leader.
I hope this bill never passes, as it is written now.
The battle for Health Care Reform continues today for President Obama, the Democrats, and the Republicans at Blair House.
Though there are several opposing Republicans, President Obama and his Democratic supports are determined to pass this bill. According to the New York Times, "Experts generally agree that the Democrats’ legislation...still does not do enough to reduce health care costs for all Americans."
6:00 P.M.
President Obama's lack of leadership skills was quite obvious today when he made an immature jibe at Senator John McCain. Reaching a high point in his frustration at the unwillingness of most people to pass his bill, Obama told McCain that the election was over and he (McCain) should stop campaigning. In response, McCain said that he was reminded of this fact every day (so am I, Senator, so am I). If President Obama wasn't willing to defend his position, he shouldn't have started the one-on-one banter between McCain and himself. To sink to the level of making immature jibes to a fellow politician shows that President Obama is not a leader.
I hope this bill never passes, as it is written now.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Woah There
Senator Brown. Bipartisanship?
Please don't fail the Conservative Party.
I know that you want to create jobs to help the economy, and all the jobless people in America, etc., but really? It was such a big deal that you became the first Republican senator of Massachusetts in a long, long time. Now, you are siding with the Democrats?
I like cooperation, reconciliation, and unity. I like people who can look at situations from both sides of the fence. But, on the other hand, I don't like people who can't stay loyal to their own party. Ahem. Senator Brown. Ahem.
Another package? $15 billion this time? Where are we getting this money? Like my economics teacher says, these packages really are like shooting ourselves in the foot. The first stimulus package might have had some positive effects, but now reality has hit - where are we going to get all that money back to pay off the huge package?
Indeed. We have no idea. Now, another $15 billion? Psh, it's just another fifteen billion dollars. We'll just go borrow more money from China! No. False.
Creating these packages will only help temporarily, and when the time comes to repay all this money, we're going to be in a whole lot of cow poop.
So, Senator Brown? I hope you know what you're doing. I quite like you.
Please don't fail the Conservative Party.
I know that you want to create jobs to help the economy, and all the jobless people in America, etc., but really? It was such a big deal that you became the first Republican senator of Massachusetts in a long, long time. Now, you are siding with the Democrats?
I like cooperation, reconciliation, and unity. I like people who can look at situations from both sides of the fence. But, on the other hand, I don't like people who can't stay loyal to their own party. Ahem. Senator Brown. Ahem.
Another package? $15 billion this time? Where are we getting this money? Like my economics teacher says, these packages really are like shooting ourselves in the foot. The first stimulus package might have had some positive effects, but now reality has hit - where are we going to get all that money back to pay off the huge package?
Indeed. We have no idea. Now, another $15 billion? Psh, it's just another fifteen billion dollars. We'll just go borrow more money from China! No. False.
Creating these packages will only help temporarily, and when the time comes to repay all this money, we're going to be in a whole lot of cow poop.
So, Senator Brown? I hope you know what you're doing. I quite like you.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Awkward Turtle
Hello readers,
It's been a while, hasn't it? Don't be sad. More posts are on the way. Ha. Ha. Ha.
Anyways, tonight, I was working at a school event as a hostess. For the first time, I met a gay married couple in person. The couple will remain anonymous, of course, but I must say it was a bit awkward. As you may well know, I am a strong proponent of Proposition 8, being anti-gay marriage. I won't justify my viewpoint at this moment, but just know that I'm not homophobic. At all.
Back the point. When I saw the rings on their fingers and the way they held hands, it didn't make me feel "threatened" or "scared" or any other strange feeling some extreme Christian evangelists might feel. It was just simply...awkward. I continued to do my job by greeting the guests and chatting them up, but I really had never seen a gay married couple simply converse and just talk to me. It had me wondering the whole night...why am I against gay marriage? This couple seemed to be quite happy and content with their lifestyle and their marriage, why are people like me trying to ruin it for them?
Then I realized something. People who are against gay marriage, myself included, are not advocates of wrecking the lives or relationships of those of the LGBT community. We simply are doing exactly what they are doing - protecting what we believe in and standing up for what we think is right. Perhaps one day gay marriage will be legalized everywhere, or it might be banned everywhere, but until then, I think I know where I stand. I love my gay friends, but when it comes to gay marriage, I'm not afraid to say that I am against it.
It's been a while, hasn't it? Don't be sad. More posts are on the way. Ha. Ha. Ha.
Anyways, tonight, I was working at a school event as a hostess. For the first time, I met a gay married couple in person. The couple will remain anonymous, of course, but I must say it was a bit awkward. As you may well know, I am a strong proponent of Proposition 8, being anti-gay marriage. I won't justify my viewpoint at this moment, but just know that I'm not homophobic. At all.
Back the point. When I saw the rings on their fingers and the way they held hands, it didn't make me feel "threatened" or "scared" or any other strange feeling some extreme Christian evangelists might feel. It was just simply...awkward. I continued to do my job by greeting the guests and chatting them up, but I really had never seen a gay married couple simply converse and just talk to me. It had me wondering the whole night...why am I against gay marriage? This couple seemed to be quite happy and content with their lifestyle and their marriage, why are people like me trying to ruin it for them?
Then I realized something. People who are against gay marriage, myself included, are not advocates of wrecking the lives or relationships of those of the LGBT community. We simply are doing exactly what they are doing - protecting what we believe in and standing up for what we think is right. Perhaps one day gay marriage will be legalized everywhere, or it might be banned everywhere, but until then, I think I know where I stand. I love my gay friends, but when it comes to gay marriage, I'm not afraid to say that I am against it.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Top Dog
As I was sitting in the Vietnamese restaurant reading the New York Times on my iPhone, I read some interesting articles that got me thinking.
You probably recall the Fort Hood shooting involving Major Nidal Hasan. He suddenly decided to kill his comrades. Similar to this act of murder, several soldiers have been reported to kill and sometimes even rape Iraqi citizens that they capture or come across. When outrageous acts such as these are committed by U.S. soldiers, who is to blame?
Does one blame the soldier, himself, or does one blame the general in charge of the Platoon or etc.? Is it the lack of discipline/sense of responsibility of the soldier that sporadically urges him to go against his fellow soldiers or to kill innocent people in a foreign, war-torn country? The article I was reading claimed that many are questioning not the integrity of the soldiers, but the capability of commanding officials to train soldiers and instill necessary discipline. I, for one, think that the soldiers are to blame, not the commanding officer. If you do the crime, do the time, take the blame, don't complain. Wow, that almost rhymed.
Another interesting incident is the TSA officials requiring a four year old boy with delayed development (having been born 16 weeks prematurely) to remove his leg braces, when it was clear he could not comfortably walk, if at all, through the security check point at the airport. Yes, we are all quite paranoid about terrorists at this point in time, and looking at my other blog posts, one can make the conclusion that I'm clearly anti-terrorist and have no sympathy for them. However, if it's a handicapped child, you can go swab him and check for chemicals. There are other ways to handle the situation. You don't make the poor kid take off his only means of support and walk all by himself - he doesn't even have fully developed ankles. I can understand why the parents are so upset, I would be too if the airport officials had done this kind of thing to someone my sister's age.
We should definitely be on high alert and look out for terrorists, but let's not get so paranoid and start abusing little kids. Thanks airport people.
Another reason to hate security checks at airports, besides the ridiculously long lines and rude people who work there.
You probably recall the Fort Hood shooting involving Major Nidal Hasan. He suddenly decided to kill his comrades. Similar to this act of murder, several soldiers have been reported to kill and sometimes even rape Iraqi citizens that they capture or come across. When outrageous acts such as these are committed by U.S. soldiers, who is to blame?
Does one blame the soldier, himself, or does one blame the general in charge of the Platoon or etc.? Is it the lack of discipline/sense of responsibility of the soldier that sporadically urges him to go against his fellow soldiers or to kill innocent people in a foreign, war-torn country? The article I was reading claimed that many are questioning not the integrity of the soldiers, but the capability of commanding officials to train soldiers and instill necessary discipline. I, for one, think that the soldiers are to blame, not the commanding officer. If you do the crime, do the time, take the blame, don't complain. Wow, that almost rhymed.
Another interesting incident is the TSA officials requiring a four year old boy with delayed development (having been born 16 weeks prematurely) to remove his leg braces, when it was clear he could not comfortably walk, if at all, through the security check point at the airport. Yes, we are all quite paranoid about terrorists at this point in time, and looking at my other blog posts, one can make the conclusion that I'm clearly anti-terrorist and have no sympathy for them. However, if it's a handicapped child, you can go swab him and check for chemicals. There are other ways to handle the situation. You don't make the poor kid take off his only means of support and walk all by himself - he doesn't even have fully developed ankles. I can understand why the parents are so upset, I would be too if the airport officials had done this kind of thing to someone my sister's age.
We should definitely be on high alert and look out for terrorists, but let's not get so paranoid and start abusing little kids. Thanks airport people.
Another reason to hate security checks at airports, besides the ridiculously long lines and rude people who work there.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Hardy Har Har
It was reported that Representative Patrick Kennedy called Senator Scott Brown's candidacy a "joke" because Sen. Brown wanted to be sworn in earlier than the set date.
I think Rep. Kennedy is probably upset because of his late father's position being filled in so abruptly. But more importantly, I can guess he's also pretty irked at the fact that the new Senator is not a Democrat.
Boo hoo hoo. Thou art a grown man Rep. Kennedy! I see no reason to continue this random bashing of Senator Brown. He'a the new Senator. Gey over it.
So, when Rep. Kennedy calls the candidacy a joke, there's only one thing I can say.
It can't be a joke because I'm not laughing.
Another topic I wanted to talk about is partisan politics amongst schoolteachers. I'm not saying there are/aren't any teachers at my own school who discuss their personal political opinions in a classroom setting. In general, I wonder how many elementary, high school, or university professors try to influence their students' political viewpoints. I remember my friend was once verbally condemned by her felloe students and her teacher for openly saying that she supported Proposition 8 (banning gay marriage). I would've expected the teacher to allay the situation or not get involved, but she did quite the opposite.
Sigh. So many problems in the world.
I think Rep. Kennedy is probably upset because of his late father's position being filled in so abruptly. But more importantly, I can guess he's also pretty irked at the fact that the new Senator is not a Democrat.
Boo hoo hoo. Thou art a grown man Rep. Kennedy! I see no reason to continue this random bashing of Senator Brown. He'a the new Senator. Gey over it.
So, when Rep. Kennedy calls the candidacy a joke, there's only one thing I can say.
It can't be a joke because I'm not laughing.
Another topic I wanted to talk about is partisan politics amongst schoolteachers. I'm not saying there are/aren't any teachers at my own school who discuss their personal political opinions in a classroom setting. In general, I wonder how many elementary, high school, or university professors try to influence their students' political viewpoints. I remember my friend was once verbally condemned by her felloe students and her teacher for openly saying that she supported Proposition 8 (banning gay marriage). I would've expected the teacher to allay the situation or not get involved, but she did quite the opposite.
Sigh. So many problems in the world.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Once Again. The R-Word. Don't Use It.
President Obama's aide, White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel was reported saying, "F-ing retarded." I really don't care in what context that came up and why he said it, or how angry he was, you don't say that. As many of you might know, I'm quite the Anti-r-word fanatic, as I haven't said "retarded" in approximately 8 months now (woo!).
Earlier last year, the Huffington Post used the word "retarded" in a deragotory sense, and now President Obama's own staff is saying it? What kind of world do we live in. These public officials, these "civil servants" need to set examples for people. In the public eye, they are the most criticized and also the most looked up to. They know they will be in the limelight and they will be up for constant criticism, so why not be self-conscious and speak like a mature, considerate adult?
Now Rahm is apologizing, but if he really knew how insulting he was, he wouldn't have said it in the first place. It's bad enough that he said it once in public, but now I wonder what he says behind closed doors.
More info Here.
Why aren't more people furious?? I know I am, and if my e-Buddy from the Best Buddies Program were to find out about this, I'm sure she would be very deeply hurt.
Although President Obama didn't use the r-word, someone from his selected staff did. The staff's actions reflect President Obama and his decisions. Just as Vice President Dick Cheney was criticized for the accidental shooting of someone and the media/society hounded President Bush for selecting such an "incompetent" man for a vice president, I shall now do the same for President Obama. The people who work for him reflect President Obama, just as if your secretary made an error with the client, you yourself would appear inadequate.
So. Once again. Say it with me everyone. I will not use the word "retarded" as an insult or with any negative connotation. Ahem. Rahm Emanuel. Ahem.
Earlier last year, the Huffington Post used the word "retarded" in a deragotory sense, and now President Obama's own staff is saying it? What kind of world do we live in. These public officials, these "civil servants" need to set examples for people. In the public eye, they are the most criticized and also the most looked up to. They know they will be in the limelight and they will be up for constant criticism, so why not be self-conscious and speak like a mature, considerate adult?
Now Rahm is apologizing, but if he really knew how insulting he was, he wouldn't have said it in the first place. It's bad enough that he said it once in public, but now I wonder what he says behind closed doors.
More info Here.
Why aren't more people furious?? I know I am, and if my e-Buddy from the Best Buddies Program were to find out about this, I'm sure she would be very deeply hurt.
Although President Obama didn't use the r-word, someone from his selected staff did. The staff's actions reflect President Obama and his decisions. Just as Vice President Dick Cheney was criticized for the accidental shooting of someone and the media/society hounded President Bush for selecting such an "incompetent" man for a vice president, I shall now do the same for President Obama. The people who work for him reflect President Obama, just as if your secretary made an error with the client, you yourself would appear inadequate.
So. Once again. Say it with me everyone. I will not use the word "retarded" as an insult or with any negative connotation. Ahem. Rahm Emanuel. Ahem.
