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!)
Monday, June 14, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
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?
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?
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, May 28, 2010
The First Golfer
President Obama likes his golf. According to CNN, the president has played golf more times than former President Bush in his entire 8 years in office. That's pathetic.
The position of presidency is not one of mere celebrity status and leisure, President Obama. Please stop playing golf! People still need jobs. There is a massive oil spill off the southern coast. North Korea wants to duke it out with South Korea (potentially). Why are you playing your 18 holes at Martha's Vineyard, yet again? You are not made of money. You are using taxpayer's money to travel back and forth and waste hundreds of minutes playing a round, two rounds, three rounds of golf.
One interesting note is that President Obama likes to take his time when he plays. President Bush was noted to be quite quick in his golf games, but oh no - not Barack Obama. He takes his time sizing up the distance, finding lost balls, licking his finger and putting it to the wind to see what direction it's blowing, etc. I was kidding about the last one. It's interesting when the New York Times, not exactly the most conservative paper around, reports on Obama's love of golf. They may not mean to put him in a bad light, but it does. Oh yes. It does indeed.
The position of presidency is not one of mere celebrity status and leisure, President Obama. Please stop playing golf! People still need jobs. There is a massive oil spill off the southern coast. North Korea wants to duke it out with South Korea (potentially). Why are you playing your 18 holes at Martha's Vineyard, yet again? You are not made of money. You are using taxpayer's money to travel back and forth and waste hundreds of minutes playing a round, two rounds, three rounds of golf.
One interesting note is that President Obama likes to take his time when he plays. President Bush was noted to be quite quick in his golf games, but oh no - not Barack Obama. He takes his time sizing up the distance, finding lost balls, licking his finger and putting it to the wind to see what direction it's blowing, etc. I was kidding about the last one. It's interesting when the New York Times, not exactly the most conservative paper around, reports on Obama's love of golf. They may not mean to put him in a bad light, but it does. Oh yes. It does indeed.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Same Treatment
It's interesting to see that the American people always seem to do the same thing in a time of crisis. Point fingers at whoever is in charge.
This time, it's not President Bush who takes the heat, but President Obama. I'm referring to the Gulf oil spill. It's been going on for over a month now, and like I said before, the most we've done is put a cement block around it. President Obama claims he is open to suggestions and ideas, but he hasn't acted on any. Many agree that the United States has lost its opportunity to be the hero and save the day, but we still ought to try our best to clean up this huge mess. Literally.
This oil spill is affecting ecosystems, coastlines, fishing industries, oil prices, etc. You would think that being as advanced technologically as the world is - especially the United States - that we would have some kind of emergency back up plan to deal with potential disasters such as this. And yet. Here we are.
So, President Obama, I'm not sure I feel any sympathy for you for all the pointed fingers. President Bush had to deal with that for 8 years. Now it's your turn. Good luck with that, sir.
This time, it's not President Bush who takes the heat, but President Obama. I'm referring to the Gulf oil spill. It's been going on for over a month now, and like I said before, the most we've done is put a cement block around it. President Obama claims he is open to suggestions and ideas, but he hasn't acted on any. Many agree that the United States has lost its opportunity to be the hero and save the day, but we still ought to try our best to clean up this huge mess. Literally.
This oil spill is affecting ecosystems, coastlines, fishing industries, oil prices, etc. You would think that being as advanced technologically as the world is - especially the United States - that we would have some kind of emergency back up plan to deal with potential disasters such as this. And yet. Here we are.
So, President Obama, I'm not sure I feel any sympathy for you for all the pointed fingers. President Bush had to deal with that for 8 years. Now it's your turn. Good luck with that, sir.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Really Now
When I read about people stealing things, cheating on things, etc. I shake my head in disappointment, "tut tut" a little, and move on. But when I read articles about people stealing wheelchairs of a young, disabled child, I have to say - I get a little irked.
Pardon my language, but what kind of eejit would do something as petty as steal an 8-year-old child's wheelchair when that child is disabled and needs the oxygen tank attached to the wheelchair and all the other special attributes that was specifically designed for this child on this wheelchair. Why. Why?
Why are there people in the world who do such lame things? It's just like my questions I pose to you, reader, about issues like child molestation, child rape, murder, etc. I know I'll never have substantial answers to these questions but I still wonder.
Which gets me thinking about my school. This year, there have been a number of incidences of what one may call "immoral" actions - theft, vandalism. I must say, my school has never had an issue like this in the past 5 years I have been here, but suddenly students think it's amusing to pull pranks like this. I don't really find these pranks to be pranks - who's laughing? It frustrates me that justice isn't always served to those who have done the crime, but what can we do? Why do some demonstrate integrity and common courtesy, while others seem to be oblivious to it?
What is the world coming to...
Click HERE for more information on the wheelchair article.
Pardon my language, but what kind of eejit would do something as petty as steal an 8-year-old child's wheelchair when that child is disabled and needs the oxygen tank attached to the wheelchair and all the other special attributes that was specifically designed for this child on this wheelchair. Why. Why?
Why are there people in the world who do such lame things? It's just like my questions I pose to you, reader, about issues like child molestation, child rape, murder, etc. I know I'll never have substantial answers to these questions but I still wonder.
Which gets me thinking about my school. This year, there have been a number of incidences of what one may call "immoral" actions - theft, vandalism. I must say, my school has never had an issue like this in the past 5 years I have been here, but suddenly students think it's amusing to pull pranks like this. I don't really find these pranks to be pranks - who's laughing? It frustrates me that justice isn't always served to those who have done the crime, but what can we do? Why do some demonstrate integrity and common courtesy, while others seem to be oblivious to it?
What is the world coming to...
Click HERE for more information on the wheelchair article.
New and Fresh
In the 21st century, things such as iPads, iPhones, iPods, laptops, webcams, and vaccinations are part of what most people have come to recognize as the "norm".
In policy debate at the high school level, this year's past topic was: "The United States federal government should substantially increase social services for persons living in poverty in the United States." One of the "impacts" that was discussed during the debate was the fear of nanotechnology and bioterrorism. Those are always hot topics in policy debate, no matter what the resolution is. Though these topics and debates are essentially theoretical and purely for the benefit of education and experience, one of the greatest impacts most often discussed, in my opinion, is the outcome of a "nuclear war".
There are several articles published right now online about the new discovery of being able to control an organism with artificial genome (or DNA). To inject a synthetic DNA into a foreign organism and still have the organism function is astounding to me; I suppose I am in awe. And yet, I'm worried. These new creations and discoveries always bring about more arguments over ethics vs. science, along with worries about the future usage of these discoveries if placed in the wrong hands. How does anyone know if something is beneficial or not to human kind? At this point, I think that all discoveries, no matter how "morally sound" the initial motive might be, can be abused in some way. This new ability sparks interest because the potential use of this experiment could bring a revolution of weaponry, energy, or medicine.
How are we ever supposed to know when science should stop pushing the boundaries or limits of knowledge? Are there any limits? There are so many pieces of literature that always caution those who seek to reach too far beyond what is safe, and the outcome is death or some other dire consequence. But do these words of wisdom from literature stand true?
Click HERE for more information about the artificial genome.
In policy debate at the high school level, this year's past topic was: "The United States federal government should substantially increase social services for persons living in poverty in the United States." One of the "impacts" that was discussed during the debate was the fear of nanotechnology and bioterrorism. Those are always hot topics in policy debate, no matter what the resolution is. Though these topics and debates are essentially theoretical and purely for the benefit of education and experience, one of the greatest impacts most often discussed, in my opinion, is the outcome of a "nuclear war".
There are several articles published right now online about the new discovery of being able to control an organism with artificial genome (or DNA). To inject a synthetic DNA into a foreign organism and still have the organism function is astounding to me; I suppose I am in awe. And yet, I'm worried. These new creations and discoveries always bring about more arguments over ethics vs. science, along with worries about the future usage of these discoveries if placed in the wrong hands. How does anyone know if something is beneficial or not to human kind? At this point, I think that all discoveries, no matter how "morally sound" the initial motive might be, can be abused in some way. This new ability sparks interest because the potential use of this experiment could bring a revolution of weaponry, energy, or medicine.
How are we ever supposed to know when science should stop pushing the boundaries or limits of knowledge? Are there any limits? There are so many pieces of literature that always caution those who seek to reach too far beyond what is safe, and the outcome is death or some other dire consequence. But do these words of wisdom from literature stand true?
Click HERE for more information about the artificial genome.
