Let the Games Begin

Supreme Court Nominee Elena Kagan's hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee began today -as broadcasted by several television news stations across the United States. I happened to tune in for 30 minutes, and it was actually pretty exciting.

Every day, we are witnesses to history in the making - though we probably don't think of it that way. Someone in 50 years will look back and say, "Hm. I wonder what happened on this day in 2010?" We will all silently, though anonymously, be remembered throughout time. Witnessing something like a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing with what could be possibly the fourth female Supreme Court Justice in the history of the United States is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Elena Kagan, with her superb legal qualifications, could very well be a Supreme Court Justice. Someone who will defend the constitution, interpret the laws, fight for the rights of the people...or so we hope, ay? I've never seen one of these hearings before, and I was a bit surprised to see how blunt everyone is. In the opening statements, both Republican and Democrat senators openly gave their opinion respectfully and politely, but also honestly. I think I will always remember Senator Jeff Sessions' (AL) words: "It's not a coronation, but a confirmation process." Sometimes, I wonder if the Republican party is going to ask many difficult questions and continue to emphasize her lack of irreplaceable "judicial experience", as they say, to ensure she is a qualified, good fit for the position of a Supreme Court Justice or if people are concerned with the addition of yet another Democrat Justice on the court.

As Elena Kagan will be questioned and essentially grilled in the coming days, I hope she stays strong. I wish her all the best, and will keep you all posted on my opinions on the hearing.

Plus One for Kagan

Well, Elena Kagan has earned herself a point in my book (not that it means anything to earn a point in my book, but who cares).

Of course, I was skeptical of the Democrat nominee for the Supreme Court, Elena Kagan. Was it biased of me to be immediately unsupportive of someone, simply due to the fact that he/she was a registered Democrat? Yes. But I'm seventeen, what can I say.

When I read that Elena Kagan has consistently demonstrated anti-pornography sentiments, I said to myself, "Plus ONE for Elena Kagan!" Socially, I think that pornography is destructive; no, I may not believe it to be a "social evil", but I do think that it adds anything positive to society. A lot of people may argue that you cannot simply dismiss pornography or the pornography industry, simply because our ethical beliefs lead us to believe that it is wrong. After all, this is the United States of America, where we all have our right to free speech and yada yada yada. I hate it when people constantly use the argument that because we are American citizens, we have the RIGHT to do whatever we want. It's an INFRINGEMENT upon our rights if we can't do this, or can't do that. I'm quite defensive about my rights as a U.S. citizen, but I don't think that I would use my rights as a fallback argument of some sorts.

Bottom line: This round goes to Elena Kagan! Crack your whip of justice.

Second Chances

Do you believe in second chances? A lot of my peers constantly say, "That person deserves a second chance." What does that mean, exactly? I've heard people say that such people as former dictator Saddam Hussein or Adolf Hitler all deserved second chances to repay their debt to society, as some would call it. Death was an unfair punishment for Hussein and Hitler should have been reassured that he would have another chance to be a member of society. Is this a "humane" side of society coming into play, or what?

It's hard to think that I would feel safe knowing Adolf Hitler was walking the streets in my country, or Osama Bin Laden, or some other terrorist figure such as these. But I must admit I do like the idea of social justice and giving chances to people to start their lives again - only to a certain extent, though. As always, one can't simply draw the line when it comes to moral/ethical beliefs.

When I read about people such as Jack Abramoff working at a pizza shop after being released from prison - I can only think that this demotion alone in society is punishment enough. Then again, when I think about people like child molesters and child rapists who are allowed to walk free among us after being released from prison, I shudder. I could be that next victim, no? So, how do officials, judges, or the government, decide what infractions of the law are more severe than other?

When it comes to that critical point for a judge to make a sentence, does one go by the book, verbatim to every last word of the law, or does one's own ethical beliefs come into question, too?

It seems like there's never an easy answer for anything these days.

Old Flames Never Die

Old flames never die. Or so it seems in politics - old issues are always resurrected.
Proposition 8 would be one of those hot topics that still has a lot of fuel burning, as I read an article in the Los Angeles Times concerning the Proposition 8 trial in California. I have to admit that a lot of what the anti-Prop 8 people are saying makes sense. On one hand, some people worry about how gay marriage will affect the home and society because "proper" marriages are what makes society stable, providing a safe environment for children to grow up in. And yet, District Judge Walker makes a good point: “But the state doesn’t withhold marriage from people who cannot have children.” So how does the argument work out now?


Another topic that I'm thinking about is abortion, once again. Of course I've been avid in my support of pro-life, defending the lives of unborn children who don't necessarily have that voice yet. But when I think about it again...If I were irresponsible enough to get myself into a situation where I needed to make a choice between having a child now and becoming a teenage mother OR having an abortion and living the life I want? I have to say that honestly - it's a pretty tough decision. Yet, I wouldn't want anyone to take that right to actually decide away from me. I don't think it's right for people to kill what I believe to be unborn, real babies, being a female, I also don't like the idea of that right to decide disappearing.


I guess it's all a part of being 17. I don't know exactly where I stand yet on everything.

Things on My Mind

1) YAY FOR MEG WHITMAN'S FIRST VICTORY!

2) The oil spill. Someone needs to go put a plug in it. Literally. But we all know that the aftermath of this broken oil well will take years and years to be cleaned up.

3) Watching the show Whale Wars, a trivia question asked the TV audience by how much the ice in Antarctica expands at the beginning of the winter - the answer was by 40,000 square miles. If the ice is ever-expanding, then why is the melting ice that much of a large problem; isn't the net gain/loss zero? I'm confused.

4) I realize that I'll be able to vote in the next presidential election - 2012!

5) I wonder what will truly happen to North Korea and South Korea. Many younger generations (late teens to young adults) of South Korea are completely against the current state of things. They resent the separation of the two Koreas and the intervention of the United States. In fact, there are often strikes, etc. featured on Korean satellite television where these young people are striking the presence of American military and personnel in South Korea. Instead, they insist that the two Koreas must be reunited!!!

What are they thinking. I'm not so sure they know what they'd be getting into if North Korea took over South Korea. I know I wouldn't be able to visit my relatives anymore, that's for sure. And yet, it still surprises me that North Korea, as isolationist and secluded as it is from the rest of the world (the international community), has a soccer team participating in the FIFA World Cup.

Go USA! (And Korea!)

Smack Talk

Lately, I've been hearing a lot of advertisements for people who are running for local government positions. A major government office that people are noticing is the position of Governor of California. Right now, Meg Whitman (former CEO of eBay) and Steven Poizner are two quite prominent people running for this very position. Even though I can't vote, it still bothers me that in the advertisements there is always so much "smack talk".

I'm not saying that Whitman and Poizner are the only ones - politicians are infamous for the advertisement battles on the television and the radio. Why has our politics been reduced to this? Hmm. I realize we're all human beings and this is also a competition of sorts, but really. Is it really coming down to a "my horse is bigger than yours" type of deal?

Even though I'd like to say that people always vote purely on what each candidate stands for and all the changes he/she could bring, etc., I know it's not true. At the end of the day, each voter will vote for the person who is the most attractive politically/socially - someone we can all relate to.

It's kind of sad, isn't it?

The Status Quo

Lately, I've been thinking.

Why are the things the way they are? People always want change - like the grass will be greener on that other side. But will it really be greener? Someone today asked me, "Why not just get rid of the electoral college? Let's have popular vote." And to be really honest, I can't even fully answer that question. Why is there always a huge discrepancy between the "elite", the middle class, and the low-income class? To this day, the very same tensions still exist here in the United States - the struggle to gain financial stability and wealth in the superficial manner existing since colonial times.

Every argument, every subject that is called into question usually has to do about change. What's the best way to improve something or create something to improve a lifestyle. These are the challenges our generations face today in the 21st century. But how do we ever determine what's really best for the people, or our country? Nothing will ever benefit everyone, will it? There will be people who lose some, and people who win some. It's a never ending cycle. And yet, people still persist to create that utopia - to make the world a better place. I suppose it's really admirable that we, as a species, never give up.

Maybe we are a "key stone" species. Ha ha. Ha ha. That would be a Biology joke, seeing that I just took a Biology final yesterday.