Ralph Nader has set up an exploratory committee to evaluate whether he should run for the White House or not. Predictably, this announcement has already been greeted with far too many complaints that he "spoiled" the election and is the sole reason we have George Bush as our president. Ralph Nader is one of my three modern American political heroes (the other two being Russ Feingold and Dennis Kucinich), so obviously I'm going to support him.
Ralph Nader is not the reason George Bush is our president. Al Gore didn't take the Florida recount far enough, and he quit too soon. Ralph Nader had nothing to do with it. The Electoral College system is the reason Al Gore isn't our president.
31 January 2008
30 January 2008
Haiti's Hunger
From National Geographic:
"Charlene, 16 with a month-old son, has come to rely on a traditional Haitian remedy for hunger pangs: cookies made of dried yellow dirt from the country's central plateau...
...in places such as Cite Soleil, the oceanside slum where Charlene shares a two-room house with her baby, five siblings, and two unemployed parents, cookies made of dirt, salt and vegetable shortening have become a regular meal."
Why?
"Food prices around the world have spiked because of higher oil prices, needed for fertilizer, irrigation, and transportation. Prices for basic ingredients such as corn and wheat are also up sharply, and the increasing global demand for biofuels is pressuring food markets as well."
As people and politicians continue to urge the production of fuels like ethanol, people like Charlene continue to suffer. Why do we need to create a fuel which will ultimately lead to more suffering around the world when we already have options that will lead to better outcomes, such as hydrogen or electricity?
"Charlene, 16 with a month-old son, has come to rely on a traditional Haitian remedy for hunger pangs: cookies made of dried yellow dirt from the country's central plateau...
...in places such as Cite Soleil, the oceanside slum where Charlene shares a two-room house with her baby, five siblings, and two unemployed parents, cookies made of dirt, salt and vegetable shortening have become a regular meal."
Why?
"Food prices around the world have spiked because of higher oil prices, needed for fertilizer, irrigation, and transportation. Prices for basic ingredients such as corn and wheat are also up sharply, and the increasing global demand for biofuels is pressuring food markets as well."
As people and politicians continue to urge the production of fuels like ethanol, people like Charlene continue to suffer. Why do we need to create a fuel which will ultimately lead to more suffering around the world when we already have options that will lead to better outcomes, such as hydrogen or electricity?
27 January 2008
Caucuses vs. Primaries
Presidential caucuses and primaries both have a number of advantages over one another. However, primaries are, I think, a much better way to choose a party’s candidate for president.
Although one can argue that caucuses could be better due to the natural filtering out of inactive citizens (people that are not concerned with politics at a deep level probably wouldn’t take the time to attend a caucus), there are major problems with this system. For example, it’s hard for people to attend. People of certain professions may not be able to take out the time for caucuses. Another negative is that people can be persuaded by a candidate’s suave representative, rather than the issue at hand. Also, caucuses might not represent the true feelings of the people in the state. This sort of goes back to the “filtering out” of some citizens that don’t want to take the time to attend a caucus; even if they don’t go, their vote should still count. However, since there is no voting system, this isn’t possible.
Primaries allow all citizens to elect the candidate for their party with the freedom to vote when it’s convenient for them. Also, more people generally vote in primaries, meaning that the results are much closer to what the people really want. The biggest reason a primary is the best choice is that it gets us closer to a pure democracy. Although it’s impossible that America will ever be anything but a representative democracy due to size, having some form of that ideal democracy makes people feel involved.
Because a primary is more truly representative of what people want in their candidates, it is a better system than a caucus, where less people attend and decide for everyone.
Although one can argue that caucuses could be better due to the natural filtering out of inactive citizens (people that are not concerned with politics at a deep level probably wouldn’t take the time to attend a caucus), there are major problems with this system. For example, it’s hard for people to attend. People of certain professions may not be able to take out the time for caucuses. Another negative is that people can be persuaded by a candidate’s suave representative, rather than the issue at hand. Also, caucuses might not represent the true feelings of the people in the state. This sort of goes back to the “filtering out” of some citizens that don’t want to take the time to attend a caucus; even if they don’t go, their vote should still count. However, since there is no voting system, this isn’t possible.
Primaries allow all citizens to elect the candidate for their party with the freedom to vote when it’s convenient for them. Also, more people generally vote in primaries, meaning that the results are much closer to what the people really want. The biggest reason a primary is the best choice is that it gets us closer to a pure democracy. Although it’s impossible that America will ever be anything but a representative democracy due to size, having some form of that ideal democracy makes people feel involved.
Because a primary is more truly representative of what people want in their candidates, it is a better system than a caucus, where less people attend and decide for everyone.
Mahabharata
This is a piece from the Mahabharata, in which a father is answering his son's question about leading a virtuous life, and his son's reply:
Father
First, learn the Vedas, son, by living as a Vedic student. Then you should desire sons to purify your forefathers, establish the sacred fires, and offer sacrifices. Thereafter, you may enter the forest and seek to become an ascetic.
Son
When the world is thus afflicted and surrounded on all sides, when spears rain down, why do you pretend to speak like a wise man?
Father
How is the world afflicted? And by whom is it surrounded? What are the spears that rain down? Why, you seem bent on frightening me!
Son
The world is afflicted by death. It is surrounded by old age. These days and nights rain down. Why can't you understand?
When I know that death never rests, how can I wait, when I am caught in a net?
When life is shortened with each passing night, who can enjoy pleasures, when we are like fish in a shoal?
This very day do what's good. Let not this moment pass you by, for surely death may strike you even before your duties are done.
Tomorrow's task perform today. Evening's work finish before noon, for death does not wait to ask whether your duties are done.
For who knows whom death's legions may seize today? Practice good from your youth, for uncertain is life's erratic path.
Those who do good enjoy fame in this life and happiness hereafter. Foolish indeed are those who toil for the sake of son and wife, providing for their welfare by means proper and foul.
Such a man, full of desire and attached to sons and cattle, death carries away, as flood waters would a tiger sound asleep.
Death will carry away a man obsessed with amassing wealth, his desires still unfulfilled, as a tiger would a domestic beast.
"This I've done. This I must do. And that I have yet to complete." A man who is thus consumed by desires and pleasures, death will bring under its sway.
Death carries away a man who is attached to his field, shop, or house, even before he reaps the fruits of the works he has done, fruits to which he is so attached.
When death, old age, disease, and misery of all sorts cling to the body, why do you stand as if you were in great shape?
Death and old age accompany an embodied soul from his very birth so as to destroy him. The two embrace all these beings, both the mobile and the immobile.
The delight one finds in living in a village is truly the house of death, while the wilderness is the dwelling place of the gods - so the Vedas teach.
The delight one finds in living in a village is the rope that binds. The virtuous cut it and depart, while evil-doers are unable to cut it.
Those who do not cause injury to living beings in thought, word, or deed, are themselves not oppressed by acts that harm their life or wealth.
Without truth one can never check the advancing troops of death. Never abandon truth, for immortality abides in truth.
I do not injure, I seek the truth, I am free of love and hate, I remain the same in pleasure and pain, and I am safe - so I laugh at death like an immortal.
In the self alone and by the self I am born, on the self I stand, and, though childless, in the self alone I come into being; I will not be saved by a child of mine.
________________________________________________
The M ahabharata is an Indian Sanskrit text from around the 5th century BCE. I'm currently taking Eastern Religious Traditions in school, and we were assigned this text. I found it beautiful, and decided to share it here. Our professor is also reading the Ramayana to us, which I would recommend to anyone who's interested in Indian/Hindu tradition.
Father
First, learn the Vedas, son, by living as a Vedic student. Then you should desire sons to purify your forefathers, establish the sacred fires, and offer sacrifices. Thereafter, you may enter the forest and seek to become an ascetic.
Son
When the world is thus afflicted and surrounded on all sides, when spears rain down, why do you pretend to speak like a wise man?
Father
How is the world afflicted? And by whom is it surrounded? What are the spears that rain down? Why, you seem bent on frightening me!
Son
The world is afflicted by death. It is surrounded by old age. These days and nights rain down. Why can't you understand?
When I know that death never rests, how can I wait, when I am caught in a net?
When life is shortened with each passing night, who can enjoy pleasures, when we are like fish in a shoal?
This very day do what's good. Let not this moment pass you by, for surely death may strike you even before your duties are done.
Tomorrow's task perform today. Evening's work finish before noon, for death does not wait to ask whether your duties are done.
For who knows whom death's legions may seize today? Practice good from your youth, for uncertain is life's erratic path.
Those who do good enjoy fame in this life and happiness hereafter. Foolish indeed are those who toil for the sake of son and wife, providing for their welfare by means proper and foul.
Such a man, full of desire and attached to sons and cattle, death carries away, as flood waters would a tiger sound asleep.
Death will carry away a man obsessed with amassing wealth, his desires still unfulfilled, as a tiger would a domestic beast.
"This I've done. This I must do. And that I have yet to complete." A man who is thus consumed by desires and pleasures, death will bring under its sway.
Death carries away a man who is attached to his field, shop, or house, even before he reaps the fruits of the works he has done, fruits to which he is so attached.
When death, old age, disease, and misery of all sorts cling to the body, why do you stand as if you were in great shape?
Death and old age accompany an embodied soul from his very birth so as to destroy him. The two embrace all these beings, both the mobile and the immobile.
The delight one finds in living in a village is truly the house of death, while the wilderness is the dwelling place of the gods - so the Vedas teach.
The delight one finds in living in a village is the rope that binds. The virtuous cut it and depart, while evil-doers are unable to cut it.
Those who do not cause injury to living beings in thought, word, or deed, are themselves not oppressed by acts that harm their life or wealth.
Without truth one can never check the advancing troops of death. Never abandon truth, for immortality abides in truth.
I do not injure, I seek the truth, I am free of love and hate, I remain the same in pleasure and pain, and I am safe - so I laugh at death like an immortal.
In the self alone and by the self I am born, on the self I stand, and, though childless, in the self alone I come into being; I will not be saved by a child of mine.
________________________________________________
The M ahabharata is an Indian Sanskrit text from around the 5th century BCE. I'm currently taking Eastern Religious Traditions in school, and we were assigned this text. I found it beautiful, and decided to share it here. Our professor is also reading the Ramayana to us, which I would recommend to anyone who's interested in Indian/Hindu tradition.
China Steps Up Control in Tibet
According to Radio Free Asia:
"The Chinese authorities believe that monasteries are the chief centers of Tibetan culture responsible for maintaining Tibetan identity. Therefore they are cracking down on the monasteries," a source in Tibet said in a recent interview.According to RFA, this seems to be in response to both this years' Olympic games and to the Dalai Lama receiving the US Congressional Gold Medal last year.
Novice monks are no longer admitted to replace monks who have died, and monks rarely appear on the streets in many Tibetan cities, sources say, and this trend has become more visible and pronounced over recent months.
25 January 2008
The Best of the Presidential Candidates Leaves the Race
Dennis Kucinich, undoubtedly the best of all the democratic nominees for president, has decided to leave the race after not being able to raise funds that could match those of his opponents and not performing well with voters. It's depressing that, being one of the few candidates that could of really made America great (plus cleaning up the mess from the Bush administration) wasn't able to reach out to Americans. I hope he'll make the attempt again in the future. America needs someone with Kucinich's courage and integrity.
22 January 2008
Why China Should Not Hold the Olympic Games
Here are a few pieces of the Olympic charter:
1. Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.
4. The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practising sport, without discimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. The organization, administration and management of sport must be controlled by independent sports organizations.
5. Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement.
6. Belonging to the Olympic Movement requires compliance with the Olympic Charter and recognition by the IOC.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said that granting the 2008 Olympics to Beijing would improve human rights in China. However, it seems it would make much more sense to reward China for making improvements... if they had. Because China is allowed to host the Olympics, there's no guarantee that they will improve the human rights situation afterwards. It's like telling a child that if they clean their room you'll give them a new toy, only you've already given them that toy. What makes the child want to clean their room now?
1. Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.
4. The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practising sport, without discimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. The organization, administration and management of sport must be controlled by independent sports organizations.
5. Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement.
6. Belonging to the Olympic Movement requires compliance with the Olympic Charter and recognition by the IOC.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said that granting the 2008 Olympics to Beijing would improve human rights in China. However, it seems it would make much more sense to reward China for making improvements... if they had. Because China is allowed to host the Olympics, there's no guarantee that they will improve the human rights situation afterwards. It's like telling a child that if they clean their room you'll give them a new toy, only you've already given them that toy. What makes the child want to clean their room now?
21 January 2008
A Woman's Right to Choose
There are many people in America who are fighting to take away a woman's right to choose whether or not she wants to have a child, and the implications of such laws, when passed, would have a lot of negative repercussions. For example, when abortions are banned, the rate of women getting hurt (or worse) as a result of back-alley abortions increases.
Women deserve the basic right of making decisions about their own bodies and what they want to do. Taking such a right away shows that our society still isn't at the point were women are equal to men; where women are allowed to make their own decisions.
Take this day to write your legislators to let them know that women deserve the right of choice.
15 January 2008
Would a $2500 car be a good thing?
The Tata Nano is a $2,500 car made by an Indian manufacturer. According to this National Geographic video, the manufacters claim that it will get 50mpg and meets safety standards (although I don't know if safety standards in India are the same as in the U.S.). Although the concept of such a cheap vehicle sounds great to many, there is a lot of opposition. People worry that, because it's such a cheap car, there will be many more on the road, causing congestion and pollution.
I'm right down the middle in my opinion of the Tata Nano. On the one hand, I understand the problem with there being more cars on the road and thus there being more pollution. On the other hand, however, I'm a poor college student. A $2,500 car sounds amazing to me. Plus it looks cool.
What do you think?
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/01/080110-car-video-ap.html
I'm right down the middle in my opinion of the Tata Nano. On the one hand, I understand the problem with there being more cars on the road and thus there being more pollution. On the other hand, however, I'm a poor college student. A $2,500 car sounds amazing to me. Plus it looks cool.
What do you think?
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/01/080110-car-video-ap.html
Back from break
It's been a long break. I didn't have an Internet connection at home, so I came back and was a little overwhelmed by the number of e-mails and blog posts I had waiting for me. I'm still not finished sorting through everything, but it's better than it was.
This semester is only two days in, but it's already turning out to be amazing. Last semester was great, but the first-semester-of-college confusion and settling in is over. I've already got group meetings on my agenda and I'm really looking forward to getting more involved. I'm also enthusiastic about my classes: English 102, Music Appreciation, International Organizations, Turning Points in European History, Eastern Religious Traditions, and Comparative Cultural Systems. My professors (from what I can tell - I've only had one class period with each of them so far) seem great.
It's still unbelievable to me how much I've changed since last August when I entered this period of my life. I've become dedicated to learning and hardwork, which is a vast difference from my attitude in high school; I'm more willing to step up and do things that are new and foreign to me despite a still-lingering feeling of anxiety that I felt so much when I was younger; my interests and preferences in things as diverse as music and food have changed (still vegan though!); and I just flat-out feel smarter. I've learned how to manage my time better and I've learned how to present myself both in writing and in person more effectively than I used to. I'm very much looking forward to the further changes that the next few years will bring me.
Although I'll always be a political science major, I'm considering double majoring in computer science with a minor in international relations. I'm not completely sure what I want to do as a career after college, but I'm very interested in all three of those, and it would give me a wider base on which to pursue a career.
I'm going to attempt to post everyday, but with college getting a little more busy than last semester don't be surprised if it's once every other day or so. I'm not going to give up this blog because it provides me with an outlet for expressing myself and working out ideas, but I doubt that I'll be able to use it as much as I would like. Thank you to all my subscribers. Your interest is much appreciated.
namaste
This semester is only two days in, but it's already turning out to be amazing. Last semester was great, but the first-semester-of-college confusion and settling in is over. I've already got group meetings on my agenda and I'm really looking forward to getting more involved. I'm also enthusiastic about my classes: English 102, Music Appreciation, International Organizations, Turning Points in European History, Eastern Religious Traditions, and Comparative Cultural Systems. My professors (from what I can tell - I've only had one class period with each of them so far) seem great.
It's still unbelievable to me how much I've changed since last August when I entered this period of my life. I've become dedicated to learning and hardwork, which is a vast difference from my attitude in high school; I'm more willing to step up and do things that are new and foreign to me despite a still-lingering feeling of anxiety that I felt so much when I was younger; my interests and preferences in things as diverse as music and food have changed (still vegan though!); and I just flat-out feel smarter. I've learned how to manage my time better and I've learned how to present myself both in writing and in person more effectively than I used to. I'm very much looking forward to the further changes that the next few years will bring me.
Although I'll always be a political science major, I'm considering double majoring in computer science with a minor in international relations. I'm not completely sure what I want to do as a career after college, but I'm very interested in all three of those, and it would give me a wider base on which to pursue a career.
I'm going to attempt to post everyday, but with college getting a little more busy than last semester don't be surprised if it's once every other day or so. I'm not going to give up this blog because it provides me with an outlet for expressing myself and working out ideas, but I doubt that I'll be able to use it as much as I would like. Thank you to all my subscribers. Your interest is much appreciated.
namaste
11 December 2007
Ron Paul
AlterNet's Joshua Holland has a piece about Ron Paul and his supporters that's worth a read. I'm not a Paul supporter, and instead of explaining to you why, here's a piece from the article that really explains everything:
Paul's proposed a number of court-stripping measures, shutting the courthouse door to discrimination suits based on sexual discrimination; he's tried to prohibit the government from mandating a minimum wage; he's tried to repeal the Davis-Bacon Act, which guarantees that workers on federal projects be paid a prevailing wage, and the Copeland Act, which bars kick-backs on federal projects; he has proposed freezing Social Security benefit levels and making the program fully optional, which would effectively destroy it; he has opposed measures that promote more voter participation; he would repeal key parts of American anti-trust law, gutting it; he's tried to deauthorize most federal agencies' regulatory powers; he's tried to eliminate all affirmative action programs; he's proposed altering the 14th Amendment to prohibit the children of immigrants from gaining citizenship; he's proposed eliminating or gutting a variety of environmental legislation; he's tried to kill the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty and submitted legislation that would pull the United States out of the United Nations 12 different times; he has tried to eradicate the Department of Education, offered legislation to end federal involvement in educating kids; and he has proposed, at various times, the abolition of most taxes on wealth as well as income and the establishment of a flat tax. All of this is legislation that he not only supported, but proposed or co-sponsored.
09 December 2007
07 December 2007
China warning Italy about Dalai Lama
China has issued a warning to Italy about the Dalai Lama's future visit. This shouldn't shock anyone since they throw a hissy-fit every time someone meets with him. I love it when world leaders meet with him anyway, but hate that they don't publicly stand up to China.
05 December 2007
Candidate: Donald K. Allen
Donald K. Allen is a little-known independent candidate in the run for the 2008 presidency. A veterinarian who's been involved with the military, he has a lot of strong views about this country and how he plans to improve it. His ideal America: "My vision of America is a Christian nation with English as the national language, strong in defending our beliefs and steadfast in our moral convictions."He also feels that not being a politician will allow him to speak more clearly to the American people. "Perhaps not being a politician is a good thing today."
Government/Military
Allen wants to reform Congress. He says there needs to be term limits to "instill new growth" in both the House and Senate, and riders (what he calls "earmarks") need to be made illegal. He also promotes a Presidential line-item veto. National referendums on issues that matter to everyone is also in his plans. Overall, he plans to take away some of the power that Congress has accumulated.
He supports the FairTax system (no federal income tax - higher sales taxes) since he believes there are too many people who work under the table.
"Everyone should go through some form of compulsory national service in his or her life." He wants to give everyone the chance to experience something akin to military/national service. One aspect of this could be reestablishing the New Deal program, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
As for war, "...we should give our generals free hand (short of nukes) to do whatever it takes to totally subdue the enemy and its whole populace." He says that, in order to win a war, there needs to be "total unconditional surrender of the entire population or face total destruction," as in the cases of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Holding the entire population responsible is something he believes in strongly, as you'll soon see with his attitude towards the Middle East.
Iraq conflict/Middle East
Allen believes that bringing the troops home will lead to us fighting the same war in Americca, and that "proposing [bringing them home] is only a ploy to appeal to some of our ill-informed voters." George Bush inspires him because of his "determination to 'stay the course' and his strong faith in God." He also feels that there is no reason to think this is a war on oil. After all, how would it be so if it gas prices were still above $3 a gallon?
According to Allen, radical Islamists are the biggest threat to America. He also blames all of Islam: "Roughly 98 percent of Muslims claim that theirs is a peaceful religion, and that the radical 2 percent are murderous villains. What, then, prevents the 98 percent from eliminating that 2 percent themselves? Is it passive acceptance of the radicals, or unspoken support of their actions?" He believes that Islam is doomed to violence.
He shows little sympathy to Muslims who are not terrorists. "...as President I would guarantee to the Muslim world that if any of their faith were responsible for the detonation of a nuclear device in this country, they could immediately expect a similar fate for two significant cities." Also, he suggests using "pig fat as a lubricant on all US military bullets."
Immigration/Mexico
Mexico is helping illegal immigration. Allen wants to finish the massive fence on the border. He feels that our economy rests on the back of cheap immigrant workers doing the "dirty" jobs here in America, but that all immigrants need to be documented and tracked at all times.
One interesting bit that Allen proposed is to pay unhappy American citizens $25,000 to "leave and never return." He put emphasis on the "never return" part, which leads me to believe that he means not even being able to come back to see loved ones. According to Allen, it would "probably save billions in future support for these malcontents." However, due to Mexico's help of illegal immigration, Americans leaving would not be able to relocate to Mexico or Central America.
Social issues/Civil liberties/Rights/Freedoms/Environment
Believes that racial profiling is necessary to protect America. "...keep your eyes wide open for young Middle Eastern men and women. What is really wrong with that?" He doesn't say whether this applies to all people of Middle Eastern origin or to foreigners visiting the USA.
Donald Allen is against the separation of church and state, and believes organizations like the ACLU is akin to the communists in the east and that they are trying to "obliterate any reference to God." Because America was founded on Christian principles, we should go back to that. All that we're protected against in the Constitution is the freedom to practice our own religions and protection from the government declaring a state religion, not the abolition of Christianity.
Claims that there aren't any real infringements on civil rights because unless someone is doing something wrong it's not a big deal.
Personally believes abortion to be "one of the most horrible things mankind does to itself." Believes that many women are irresponsible and abortion is being used as a form of birth control, although he understands that there are cases of rape or health where abortion might be necessary. Also believes that if a woman seeks a second abortion, "she is in serious need of sex education and responsibility, maybe even psychological intervention. I can understand one 'accident,' but the second is pure stupidity."
His plan for healthcare involves a "loser pays" system in which the loser of a lawsuit would pay the costs of both sides, making people unwilling to sue doctors/hospitals. People also need to learn to take care of minor illnesses themselves at home. He would also require pharmaceutical companies to charge Americans the same price as they do people in other countries, and would try to establish "one world price."
War on Drugs: All elected officials, teachers, doctors, and health care workers should have drug testing. Sellers would face very harsh sentencing and the names of buyers would be published. "Our drug users should move to Holland."
Allen feels that minorities should stay out of the picture so as not to give the majority a "culture shock," at least in the case of sexuality. "I much preferred the days when [homosexuality] wasn't constantly thrown in your face."
He would ask teachers what they think can be done to improve our educational system. He's also concocted a program which would allow anyone entrance to college. This system would consist of students initially paying tuition, and at the end of the semester they would be reimbursed until the graduated.
Repeatedly makes a case against liberals and the liberal media. "Much of our news media has become a political arm of the opposition party, and it only publicizes that which serves their agenda to discredit the reigning administration." He blames the liberal media for making "other nations view us as 'heavy-handed' and arbitrary."
He also plans to ban puppy mills because the conditions are terrible, but says nothing about the conditions of animals in factory farming.
He's a proponent of independence from foreign oil, and would be willing to offer a $1 billion prize to whomever could make that happen. "They cycles of global colling and warming occur without our approval, and virtually nothing can be done to change or alter these trends." However, he thinks something can be done to diminish pollution levels.
______________________________________________________________
Electability (on a scale of 0-5): 0. I can't see a single way this man will be elected.
My Analysis: I couldn't get past the prejudice surrounding the Middle East and racial profiling. Also, his view that some women use abortion as birth control is demeaning to all women. I had a few questions to ask him, but since there wasn't an email contact on his site, I'll post them here:
1. You say that it's ok for racial profiling for "young Middle Eastern men and women" because otherwise it's a waste of time and money and that it wouldn't take away their civil liberties because they aren't American citizens. What about American citizens who are of Middle Eastern origin? Wouldn't they be hurt by such a policy?
2. You're against puppy mills because of the treatment of the dogs, but how do you feel about animal agriculture (factory farming)? One can argue that these animals are kept in much worse conditions than dogs in puppy mills, with many animals kept in close spaces to one another for example.
3. You say that all Muslims are accountable for actions of any of their members. Does this also apply to Christians that blow up abortion clinics? Should we bomb two of their churches?
Further Information:
Official campaign site
Previous profile:
Steve Adams
Internet Freedom
The last year or so has seen the internet becoming far more privatized, and user's freedoms are being taken away. This is a video from FreeSpeech.org.
04 December 2007
Republicans trying to trick people...again
The Republican party is starting to become a joke, although it's a scary joke. The things they're doing to gain power is getting frighting. Below is a video from CBS News discussing how California Republicans are trying to reform the way the state's electoral college votes are given out, meaning that even if a democrat wins the popular vote republicans would still get some electoral college votes. You don't have to look deeply into this to see through it - if they were serious about reforming election, they wouldn't working only in California. After all, it's not the only state that votes Democrat. The difference is in its size and number of electoral college votes. And using sick kids to con people into signing their petition is just low.
02 December 2007
01 December 2007
The other side of global warming
Even though most people now agree that global warming is more than likely our fault, it's always good to have basic knowledge about skeptic's views. It's the only way to effectively debate something.
Unfortunately, some articles making the argument against humanity's involvement in global warming resort to bashing liberals and hippies. Thankfully, however, HowStuffWorks has a fantastic article that explains in very basic terms what climate change skeptics believe. It's not very long (don't be discouraged by the four pages), and I highly recommend it.
Are Climate Skeptics Right?
Anytime I mention climate change skeptics, I always find myself saying the same thing. And this time's no different. I love differing opinions, they create an opportunity to really understand something and investigate it. But I fear that the people trying to convince people that global warming is either not real or not caused by humans are almost working against the environment in a way. If global warming isn't real or there's nothing we can do about it, what's going to drive people to change their habits. If, in 20 years, global warming is proved wrong (which I doubt), what's so bad about having invested in clean technology? Our overall lives will still be better. Whether or not you think global warming is real, you still need to be concerned about pollution and the state of the environment.
Unfortunately, some articles making the argument against humanity's involvement in global warming resort to bashing liberals and hippies. Thankfully, however, HowStuffWorks has a fantastic article that explains in very basic terms what climate change skeptics believe. It's not very long (don't be discouraged by the four pages), and I highly recommend it.
Are Climate Skeptics Right?
Anytime I mention climate change skeptics, I always find myself saying the same thing. And this time's no different. I love differing opinions, they create an opportunity to really understand something and investigate it. But I fear that the people trying to convince people that global warming is either not real or not caused by humans are almost working against the environment in a way. If global warming isn't real or there's nothing we can do about it, what's going to drive people to change their habits. If, in 20 years, global warming is proved wrong (which I doubt), what's so bad about having invested in clean technology? Our overall lives will still be better. Whether or not you think global warming is real, you still need to be concerned about pollution and the state of the environment.
Prepping kids for drugs
Every once in awhile there's a product put on selves that boggle minds and make us wonder who on earth came up with such an idea. That's how I feel about new Ice Breakers Pacs mints that look like drugs.
I actually think it's hilarious, but what company would try to sell this to consumers. I mean, they'd have to realize that parents aren't' going to be too happy with their kids using something that so much resembles cocaine.
thanks, Neatorama
I actually think it's hilarious, but what company would try to sell this to consumers. I mean, they'd have to realize that parents aren't' going to be too happy with their kids using something that so much resembles cocaine.thanks, Neatorama
30 November 2007
Joseph McCarthy
For today, a little history lesson. This was actually an assignment for my Turning Points in American History class.
Joe McCarthy was the Republican Senator from Wisconsin for ten years starting in 1947. He started out as a lawyer, but he wasn’t very successful. Originally a Democrat and a supporter of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal programs, he switched to the Republican Party in order to run in an election to become a Circuit Court Judge. He won due to his extremely dirty campaigning, including making accusations that his opponent, Edgar Werner, was senile and had been guilty of financial corruption.
During WWII, McCarthy joined the Marines and used this as a tool in his run for Senate upon his return. He claimed that he had been in thirty-two missions for the Marines, which was a lie. His habits hadn’t changed much since his campaign for circuit court judge. This campaign was just as dirty, but resulted in something much worse. Robert La Follette was accused of war profiteering, and even though it wasn’t true, McCarthy won the election and La Follette ended up committing suicide.
Right from the start McCarthy started to show his ruthlessness. He called for the drafting of striking miners, and said that if they did not agree to go they should be court-martialed and shot. At first McCarthy wasn’t having too much success; people had started to realize he had been lying to them. He consulted a Catholic priest named Edmund Walsh about strategies to help him keep his seat in the Senate, and Walsh suggested going after “communist subversives working in the Democratic administration.”
By setting up a system of information trading with reporter Jack Anderson, McCarthy obtained a list of 205 people he claimed were communists, including some he accused of trading secrets with the Russians. He argued in the Senate that these people were “loyalty risks.”
People were terrified of being accused of communist ties by Joseph McCarthy. People stopped accusing him of lying because he had shown that he could end their careers. The American people were being swept up in his tales of communist spies within the American government. Most people were scared of a communist invasion of the United States because of the Cold War. These accusations and anti-communism became known as “McCarthyism.”
He started to almost make a career out of ruining people’s lives. After accusing Harry Truman of being soft on communism, it was easier for Dwight Eisenhower to win the presidency. When McCarthy accused Johns Hopkins University professor Owen Lattimore of being a Russian spy (which was never proved), Lattimore moved to Europe.
The best example of how harsh McCarthy could be was his treatment of reporter Drew Pearson. Pearson has long been opposed to McCarthy, and wrote an article accusing McCarthy and Louis Budenz (who had been a witness to Lattimore’s suspected communism) of lying. McCarthy decided to retaliate, and said that Pearson was “the voice of international Communism.” Pearson’s radio sponsor pulled out and twelve newspapers cancelled contracts with him, which practically ended his career.
It was inevitable that McCarthy would go too far. After accusing the Secretary of the Army, President Eisenhower became angry. The Army passed revealing information to anti-McCarthy journalists, and the public learned of his true identity. All the power he had accumulated melted away, and in 1957 he died due to an illness related to excessive alcohol consumption.
Help the environment: don't eat meat
Kathy Freston has an article on AlterNet about switching to a vegetarian diet to help fight global warming. This isn't the first article AlterNet's had on the subject, and I'm happy that people are starting to realize that eating meat is detrimental to the environment. And even though I'll always promote a vegan diet (not just for the earth either - but for the animals!), you don't have to stop eating meat altogether to help the environment. You can just eat less meat.
Eating Vegetarian is Taking Global Warming Personally
Eating Vegetarian is Taking Global Warming Personally
29 November 2007
Thousands of injuries not counted by Pentagon
At least 20,000 U.S. troops who were not classified as wounded during combat in Iraq and Afghanistan have been found with signs of brain injuries...
The data... show that about five times as many troops sustained brain trauma as the 4,471 officially listed by the Pentagon through Sept. 30. These cases also are not reflected in the Pentagon's official tally of wounded, which stands at 30,327.
20,000 troops not being listed as injuries from the war in Iraq is huge. The number of injuries and deaths is already too high, but this just shows that US leadership doesn't want us to know what the real number is. Their thinking is that if everything is going fine, we'll want to stay there; it's not working, but that's what they think.
From USAToday
Books not laptops
One Laptop per Child is a campaign to "provide children around the world with new opportunities to explore, experiment and express themselves" by distributing $100 laptops to kids in developing countries. The plan is to get people to buy laptops to send to places where education is lacking. When I first heard about this project, I thought it was interesting, but then I started thinking. Why go through all the trouble to give these kids laptops? After all, all of us know about computer problems. But what happens if the laptops break? They won't last forever.
Although there are advantages such as learning to use a computer in an increasingly digital world, it seems to me that books would be a better gift. They last longer, they're portable, probably more durable, and still offer education to kids that badly need it.
Although there are advantages such as learning to use a computer in an increasingly digital world, it seems to me that books would be a better gift. They last longer, they're portable, probably more durable, and still offer education to kids that badly need it.
28 November 2007
The media's roll in the presidency
All Things Democrat has a great post on how the media is essentially choosing the president for us. It's a little long but it's a great read.
Are the Media Choosing the Next President?
They're right on the point. They are choosing our next president. A lot of Americans trust the media to give them the truth, and they don't think that maybe they should get a second opinion.
Are the Media Choosing the Next President?
They're right on the point. They are choosing our next president. A lot of Americans trust the media to give them the truth, and they don't think that maybe they should get a second opinion.
What else would you expect?
UnHolyWars has a post about how "Afghanistan is fast slipping back into the hands of the Taliban."
That's what happens when you start a second war in the middle of the first one. Afghanistan has been left behind in the dust of Iraqi oil shipments.
Senior British and U.S. military commanders privately admit that the situation in the country is becoming from bad to worse.
That's what happens when you start a second war in the middle of the first one. Afghanistan has been left behind in the dust of Iraqi oil shipments.
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