Steve Jackson

I found Mr. Jackson to be very insightful in his talk about truth. The fact that many people can experience the same event and have vastly different stories to tell is an interesting phenomenon. I can definitely see where the truth can be an issue in non-fiction writing.

PS: If you haven't seen Rashomon, you really should. It's a perfect example of the truth being told from many different points of view.

Reservoir of Images

I believe that we are all aware of the reservoir of images that each of us carry. It is how we form our ideas of what is 'default' and how things are 'supposed' to be. Some of these images are normal and help us form useful judgments. If I'm looking for a house, for example, and I notice that the one I'm touring is rotting from the inside out, the image I'm taking in does not coincide with what a house 'should be' according to my reservoir of images, so I don't buy the house. In this sense, the collection of images I carry around can be an invaluable asset to functioning in society. However, these images, especially ones that are fabricated by the media, can also be detrimental. These are the images that tell us what it 'is' to be male or female. According to many sources, to be male is to be muscular, tall, heroic, and unafraid. To be female is to be sexy, thin, fashionable and passive. While these traits may fit some, they certainly do not fit the everyone and because we compare everyone with images from our reservoirs, we are quicker to judge others and ourselves due to unrealistic expectations.

So I guess what I'm really trying to say here is that it's important to know which images in our collection are realistic and which are fabricated by authorities that do not directly govern our lives or our thoughts.

Are books dangerous?

I suppose it depends on who you are and how you look at the world. If you're coming from a standpoint that books inform and educate their readers and you find that fact disturbing or wrong, then I suppose you would think that books are dangerous. Also, there are no real restrictions on what can be written in a book, unlike newspapers and magazines. Without any censorship, some may find that the language or ideas that are presented in certain books is unsuitable for young children or other groups of people.

From my perspective, I think books are essential to the preservation of human history as well as to the betterment of the mind and soul. Books can be more powerful than any other medium. They can stir emotions, educate the masses, and draw us into unforgettable stories. I can't imagine a life without books and I'm not sure how I would unwind at night if I didn't have access to them.

EXTRA CREDIT NOTICE!

I attended the talk by CWU alums in which they discussed their post-collegiate career paths.

Magazines

The New Republic -

Pointyhead Pinnipeds by Britt Peterson

This little article touches on a New York Times article that suggests that some animals are more "worth saving" than others. Peterson notes that the Walrus depends on the icecaps for its yearly routine and the species would be devastated by the effects of global warming, just as the Polar Bear would be. Unfortunately, people seem to care a little more about the saving the Polar Bear than its less cute-and-cuddly arctic neighbor, the Walrus.

Mother Jones Magazine-

The HIV Morning-After Pill by Justine Sharrock

This article talks about the injection PEP that, if given immediately after infection, can negate the effects of HIV. Health care providers say that in order for the treatment to be effective, the possible infection of HIV needs to be treated like a gunshot wound - as soon as humanly possible. The vast majority of the people in need of the injection don't even know it exists because it has received very little advertising in any medium. Many health facilities do not even offer the PEP shot, which has many people who need the drug outraged.

Song

Well, I felt a little silly after bringing a song to class that had virtually nothing to do with politics...but that's really not the kind of music I listen to. My song was "I Want a Day" by the Living End, and even though it isn't at all political, it speaks to me and I listen to it when I'm frustrated with how busy I am all the time. One of the lines is: "I want a day when I don't have to get up. Sometimes I'm sick of being in a rut." If I could have one thing right now, it would be a day where I have nothing to do. No obligations, no responsibilities, no homework, no work, no nothing. You may be wondering to yourself right about now, "What about the weekends?" Well, let me clarify something: even on the weekends, I have a list of stuff to do. I have hours of homework and studying to do, and when I'm not actually doing homework or studying, I think/worry about homework and studying. I don't have a day off, ever. And when I'm feeling really down about everything that I have to do, "I Want a Day" is one of the songs I listen to that keeps me on my feet. Music has always had a powerful impact on my life, even the obnoxious stuff that I listen to.

Just for easy reference, here are the lyrics:

I Want a Day by The Living End

10:50, 3 minutes till
Till 11, I don't want the alarm again
9:30, 3 minutes till
On the way to work, not smiling

I know time to go and punch my card in
Today, just another day at 11
Gotta help, so much to tidy up
Too much too soon!

I want a day when I don't have to get up
Sometimes I'm sick of being in a rut
I want a day where I don't have to go to work
This low life job makes me feel like a jerk

So dirty, burnt fingers to the bone
Not fair to be left to the job all alone
No help no, no credit for
Making sure this evil machine doesn't stop

I know time to go and punch my card in
Today, just another day at 11
Gotta help, so much to tidy up
Too much too soon!

Am I gonna spend
Every day of my life living this way
NO WAY!

I want a day when I don't have to get up
Sometimes I'm sick of being in a rut
I want a day where I don't have to go to work
This low life job makes me feel like a jerk

I want a day when I don't have to get up
Sometimes I'm sick of being in a rut
I want a day where I don't have to go to work
this low life job makes me feel like a jerk

NYT Editorial

For as long as there have been laws, it seems that there have been a select few exempt from following them. Celebrities and the Government seem to be at the top of that little list. In the case of the torture sessions approved and supported by the highest members of the government, including the President and most of his cabinet, I am not as disturbed by the fact that we are torturing people than I am with the fact that the government feels that it is beyond the laws that it made itself. This may sound cynical, but I'm sure that every country tortures their P.O.W.s, so I don't think that's the main issue here. The part that bothers me is the hypocrisy. These people are put into office, whatever office that may be, to run this country and to provide a sound framework of laws that govern it. How can we be expected to bow down to laws that the government itself does not follow? I don't condone anarchy in any way shape or form mind you, I just can't stand the deceit, the lies and the double standards that are being used by the people that represent us, the citizens of America, to the rest of the world. I would love more than anything if our politicians would give us a reason to trust them, but I haven't seen any evidence so far.

Pope Visit

I'd heard a long time ago that people were coming out against sexually abusive Catholic priests, but after the headlines faded back into the middle of the newspaper or out of sight on news websites, I sort of forgot about it. I thought that they'd done something about it and that's why I hadn't heard anything recently. Not so, apparently. After reading the NYtimes, I realized that this problem is just as bad now as it was back when it first received media attention. I learned that this visit to the U.S. by the pope is the first since the sexual abuse scandal broke out, which was why he spent much of his visit offering up his empathy and sadness toward the events. As sad as he was, it seems that upon his departure, no new ground had been made to remedy the issue with the abusive priests. Abuse victims were saddened and outraged that the pope, the highest religious authority on earth, did not offer up a plan to help them and prevent future injustices.

I'm neither Catholic, nor all that religious, so excuse me if I offend anyone. It sounds to me as if the church as a whole would rather turn a blind eye to the thousands of sexual abuse victims than take the steps to a.) acknowledge that there is, in fact, a serious problem and b.) to fix the problem and help the victims. Religion and God are supposed to be there to help people through troubling times, when there's no where else to turn to, right? So what I don't understand (as an outsider looking in) is why they're ignoring such an outcry of innocent people for help. It's ridiculous. Maybe that's just how they roll as a religion, I don't pretend to know. It just seems strange that they're ignoring their basic principles as an organized religion. Lame.

Event piece: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/04/us/04pope.html?ref=nationalspecial2
Contextual piece: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/16/nyregion/16strike.html?ref=nationalspecial2
Predictive piece: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/29/us/29beliefs.html?ref=nationalspecial2

Professor Wangari Maathai

Wangari Maathai is famous for starting the Green Belt Movement, a women's organization that plants new trees in order to both preserve the environment and improve quality of life. She has worked hard for environmental issues, human rights and democracy on an international scale and she won the Nobel Prize in 2004 "for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace" (Nobel Prize.org).

Info comes from Nobel Prize.org and greenbeltmovement.org

The Pope...a Nazi??

Okay, no, Pope Benedict is not a Nazi. He grew up in a town that was right in the middle of the whole Nazi Germany thing just a few miles away from Hitler. A lot of people around him in his town resisted, but his family stayed quiet. And, like all young men at the time, he joined Hitler youth. This didn't just happen to him, tons and tons of people went through the exact same thing...only they didn't go on to be pope, so it's not really that important in their lives.

Magazine Ad Response

Both of my ads were a little boring, so I'll just talk about the ads as a collective whole.

Argh, it really bothers me how sexed up and cracked out the women in ads look. I'm sick of seeing rail-thin women everywhere and I'm sick of feeling that my own self-esteem (which I worked hard to develop) isn't valid. I'm from a mostly German gene pool: I've got big bones, wide hips and a generally bigger build than a lot of the women I know, and I really don't mind being this way. Unfortunately, the women in magazines seem like they're trying to say that I shouldn't be okay with who I am and I think that's sort of sick. This sort of thing triggers eating disorders in even very young girls and I think it sends very harmful messages.

Women, big and small alike, can be beautiful and I don't understand why the media can't sell that idea just as well as they can anything else.

Movie Reflection

All the President's Men made me think about getting in touch with history a little more. It's never been my strong point, but everything that's ever happened is important in some way or another. It's sad that a lot of people in my generation don't know the details of Watergate.

It also made me realize the power of journalism. I think that unless you're a part of the medium of journalism that it tends to be taken for granted by the masses. Journalism is an incredibly powerful thing and I think people who are in its eye (in a negative sense) should shudder at the possibilities of what it can do. After all, if two men can take expose the unforgivable scandals of a president and get him canned, the power of journalism has no limits.

Briefing Sheet # 4: Books and Magazine Articles

1.) Time Magazine: In Selma, McCain Praises Civil Rights Marchers

John McCain visited several poverty-stricken communities that he feels the other candidates have ignored. He recollected a 1965 Civil Rights march and commended the marchers for their bravery as he kicked off his tour. The crowd he spoke to in Selma was mostly white despite the fact that the city is 70% black. When asked about it, McCain acknowledged the fact that he does not have much of an African American following but will try nonetheless to encourage votes wherever he goes.

2.) Time Magazine: Time, Delegate Math Working Against Clinton

It's not looking good for Hillary Clinton. Formerly the front runner in the Democratic race for nomination, she has now fallen significantly behind Barack Obama in the number of delegates that support her. It seems as though time is running out, but Clinton is refusing to back down.

3.) Time Magazine: Obama and Clinton Woo the Coal Vote

In an interesting balancing act, both candidates have managed to emphasize the importance of Global Warming while still appealing to makers and distributors of coal. In states where the coal industry still remains strong and provides thousands of people with jobs as in the Virginias and Kentucky, it is vastly important for Obama and Clinton to sway the coal mining population. They are turning to the term "clean coal" which has many environmentalists screaming "oxymoron."

4.) Time Magazine: Obama is Flush, Clinton in Debt.

Because of Barack Obama's superior fund-raising, he is now ahead of Hillary Clinton by around 30 million dollars as of the beginning of April. Even John McCain is ahead of Clinton by a solid million dollars. Although Obama has been a heavier spender, even in the states that he lost super delegates in, he still is better off monetarily than debt-striken Clinton, who still has loans to pay off.

5.) Time Magazine: Clinton Headed for Keystone State Win

Despite the fact that Clinton has fallen significantly behind Obama in both funding and delegates, the numbers coming from the pollsters indicate that over half of the democratic voters are on Hillary's side. Interestingly enough, 20% of voters say that if their desired democratic candidate does not win nomination that they will be voting for McCain instead.

6.) U.S. News and World Report: Jewish Voters Still Have Questions About Obama

The Jewish community has been skeptical about Obama for many reasons, only a few of which being his relationship with Rev. Jeremiah Wright and his support of Israel. It is for this reason that the Jewish community questioned the reasons behind Obama's only recent denouncement of former president Jimmy Carter's visit to Hamas leaders in Egypt during this last week. They wonder why Obama didn't criticize the matter just after it happened. Obama continues to struggle for Jewish votes.

7.) U.S. News and World Report: Many Women Don't Feel Obligated to Vote for Clinton

While many assume that women are for Hillary Clinton, recent polls tell us that that isn't necessarily true. Only 22% of a group of women polled say they feel obligated to vote for Clinton because she is a woman but 17% of that original 22% say that it was only a small part of their decision. So far, Obama has won more female voters than Hillary Clinton in many of their head-to-head contests.

8.) Book: The Real McCain: Why Conservatives Don't Trust Him and Why Independents Shouldn't by Cliff Schecter

Author Cliff Schecter critically examines the way John McCain is perceived in the media and how he is in reality. Using a variety of different sources, Schecter humorously illustrates McCain's flop-flopping, his temper and the way McCain apparently says or does anything to gain voters. This book is available on Amazon.com for just over $10.

9.) U.S. News and World Report: Clinton Sticks to Criticizing Bush in Speech to Members of the Press

Instead of attacking Obama or McCain, Clinton set her sights on President Bush. She managed to point out many of Bush's shortcomings over the life of his administration before taking several unscripted questions about various parts of her agenda.

10.) U.S. News and World Report: Candidates Speak About Their Religious Beliefs

Unlike past democratic presidential hopefuls like John Kerry and Al Gore, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have chosen to speak out about their own personal religious beliefs in light of the Pope's visit. Obama says that he turns to religion when all else is going badly and Clinton professes to have felt the presence of God all her life. These religious talks, though, fairly subtle, will reassure religious voters.

Briefing Sheet #3: Online Sources

1. Yahoo!News

Obama: Clinton using GOP Playbook

Barack Obama accused Hillary Clinton of dishing out criticism that seemed to be a leaf out of the GOP's playbook. Even in the face of such criticism, he is confident that he will win out over Clinton and McCain. In the same speech, he touched on issues in the news media and also stated his belief that we are already in a recession.

2. U.S. News and World Report

The Candidates and the Issues: Married Women vs. Unmarried Women

Pollsters found out that economic issues are important among both groups of women. However, unmarried women don't feel like their needs are being acknowledged, such as pay equity, higher minimum wage and family leave. Married women on the whole were shown as not as interested in voting as their unmarried counterparts. Luckily the unmarried female population is expected to close that voting gap.

3. MSNBC. com

Hillary Announces Anti-Crime Agenda

Senator Clinton, should she be elected, plans to put 100,000 new police officers on American streets in order to put a stop to the rising crime rate. This is expected to cut murder rates in half and she wants to create programs for crime-prone youth. She also plans to take initiative in gun control.

4. MSNBC.com

McCain: It's a Recession

McCain agrees with many economists in that America is indeed in a recession. He says that the American people are "hurting." In the same talk, he also discussed the matter of confidential news sources remaining confidential.

5. MSNBC.com

Biden Attacks McCain on Foreign policy

Joe Biden, a bank customer, is positive that there is no difference between the current Bush administration and the possible McCain administration in regards to the war in Iraq. He believes that there will be no change whatsoever in the way the war is being handled should McCain inherit Bush's legacy. He warns that we will only be hurting ourselves and everyone involved should we stay in Iraq.

6. Yahoo!News

Pa. Voters Divided Over Obama Remarks

When trying to gain support among the blue collar citizens of Pennsylvania, Obama said that many of the lower class "cling to guns or religion" during the so-called recession, much to the dismay of many Pennsylvanian Democrats who took offense. This remark kicked off another volley of insults between the two Democratic candidates and many of the Democrats now feel conflicted over Obama's less than tactful word choice.

7. U.S. News and World Report

Huckabee Back on the Campaign Trail

Although he's dropped out of the presidential race, Mike Huckabee is now back in the eye of the media for contributing to fellow conservatives in the House and the Senate. He has launched a website, www.huckpac.com in order to support conservatism and those that are running for president under its umbrella.

8. U.S. News

Look for the Media to Attack McCain Tax Plan

Online columnist and blogger, James Pethokoukis, says to watch out for future attacks by the media towards McCain's tax plan due to the fact that it will most likely worsen the budget deficit. One of the biggest complaints is that under McCain's plan, wealthier people will benefit more from a larger exemption even though they don't necessarily need it.

9. Al Jazeera (English website)

Obama warns China over currency

Barack Obama warns China that if he is elected president, he will restrict access to the U.S. markets if Beijing continues to manipulate "the value of its currency." Hillary Clinton agrees and both candidates are willing to deal firmly with China in order to create a more positive economic situation.

10. MSNBC

Clinton would fix husband's NAFTA mistakes

Senator Clinton acknowledged the fact that her husband made several mistakes in regards to the North American Free Trade Agreement and that she plans to fix them. Such fixes would address the issues concerning job losses and the possible retraction of trade with Canada and Mexico.

Briefing Sheet #2

1. Clinton Campaign Regroups After Shakeup at Top

Hillary Clinton replaced her chief strategist, Mark Penn, with Howard Wolfson on Sunday. He resigned after his apology for discussing a bilateral trade treaty between the Colombian government and the U.S. that Senator Clinton opposes. Clinton’s campaign is still going strong despite the setback.

2. Red Eyeing Ticket? That’s News to McCain

There have been speculations that Condoleeza Rice may end up being John McCain’s running mate. McCain has said that if this were true, he had not noticed her interest in the position. However, despite rumors, Ms. Rice has said that she is not interested in being the Vice President.

3. McCain Brushes Back Criticism of Iraq Stance

The major issues being discussed in the presidential race have switched from the economy to the war in Iraq due to an outburst of violence recently. McCain still supports a lengthy stay in Iraq, saying that the new Iraqi government is making progress.

4. McCain Raises $15 Million in March

As the title implies, John McCain raised 15 million dollars in fundraising last month, helping him bring up the rear behind his rivals. Obama has raised 40 million and Hillary has raised 20 million, but these numbers don’t seem to be effecting the McCain team, who believe that they are going to start seeing their efforts pay off soon in the form of fundraising.

5. No Endorsement From Montana Superdelegate

Montana Superdelegate Margarett Campbell let it slip that she would be backing Barack Obama before it was appropriate. In a contested primary, there is a neutrality rule that states that the Superdelegates cannot side with anyone for the time being. Campbell had a lot of backpedaling to do to make up for her mistake.

6. Hearings Rife With Political Overtones

The three presidential hopefuls all questioned General David H. Petraeus about recent incidents in the Iraq war while still managing to slip in a little hostility towards each other. Senator Clinton expressed her exasperation with the Iraq war while McCain simply said that he was disappointed with the way things were being handled. Obama, who appeared Tuesday afternoon to question the general was not quoted with his opinion, but it probably bares some resemblance to Senator Clinton’s view.

7. McCain Gets an Apology

Senator Jay Rockefeller, who remarked earlier that even though John McCain was a fighter pilot the experience would not have given him any idea of the human issues or the toll on the ground, apologized today. He admitted that he had very poor word choice. Even Barack Obama demanded that Rockefeller apologize to McCain out of Obama’s respect for McCain and due to the fact that Rockefeller is backing Obama in his race for the presidency.

8. New Obama Ad Makes Pitch to Women Voters

Usually we hear about Senator Clinton rallying for the votes of women, but this time Barack Obama is going after the female voters in a new ad featuring his wife, his grandmother and his half-sister. Rather than using his trademark speeches about monumental changes, he employs a different approach, making himself look more familiar and familial.

9. Young Obama Backers Twist Parents’ Arms

With his largest audience being in the under-30 range, young Barack Obama supporters have been pestering their parents with a barrage of e-mails, videos, quotes, etc. to try and win them over to Obama. So far, their wheedling strategy is working and there hasn’t been a time in recent memory when the opinions of the young have influenced those of the old this heavily.

10. For McCain, Little Talk of a Controversial Endorsement

John McCain has won the endorsement of Reverend John C. Hagee, but everyone has stopped talking about it all together since then. Hagee and McCain have shown some differing religious views, especially over Catholics and Jews. McCain’s campaign hoped to reign in support in the evangelical community by gaining Hagee’s endorsement, but both parties have been avoiding talk of their collaboration.

Article Summary

China's Leader Orders Police To Ensure Olympic Security

(Five sources cited within the article.)

Hu Jintao, the Chinese President has placed the Olympics on the top of his nation's security forces' priority list under the fear that China's international reputation hangs in the balance. They fear that the demonstrating Tibetans could have negative effects on the success of China's hosting the international event this year.

Reflective Questions

1. Prime Rate- the interest rate that banks charge their most credit worthy customers.
Why it's news: ?

2. Tibet- A country in Asia that shares a boarder with China, India, Nepal and Bhutan.
Why it's news: The Dalai Lama and the communist government of China have been disagreeing since China seized Tibet with military action in 1951. Also, Tibetan Buddhist monks and the Chinese police have been clashing violently as of late in the longest protest since the 80's.

3. Colombia Trade Agreement - An agreement made by President Bush in 2006 with Colombia that will supposedly create export opportunities for American farmers and ranchers. Colombia would benefit by gaining new economic opportunity.
Why it's news: Now that Bush is pushing the agreement through, Democrats denounce his actions, saying that the Colombians have not done enough to stop the violence there, protect labor activists and demobilize paramilitary organizations.

4. Iraqi military, militia, U.S. military -- who's who in the Green Zone? - The Green zone is in Baghdad and is referred to as the "ultimate gated community" for its heavily guarded boarders. It is a place where U.S. occupation authorities work and live.
Why it's news: The Iraqi militia bombed the Green Zone last month, which killed 400 people. The U.S. military is defending it along with the Iraqi military

5. Benedict XVI - The current Pope.
Why he's news: He's visiting the United States in several places wherein he evoked the saintliness of John Paul, his predecessor, and met with Jewish leaders.

Diversity Wheel Reflection

While I was filling the Diversity Wheel out, I realized that some of the things that are vastly important to a lot of people don't weigh very heavily on my view of the world. Things like Cultural Heritage and Religion don't matter as much to me as they might someone else. I don't have a very strong cultural heritage and my religious views are sort of nebulous in that I don't really attend church and I'm not entirely loyal to the church I was baptized in as a middle schooler. I'm always open to new ideas in the religious realm.
The most important things to me were Education and Intellect. I'm really serious about school, it's more important than my job (which relates in no way to what I want to do later in life, by the way...) I concentrate on getting the best grades I can possibly get, which end up usually in the A to B range. I get a lot of validation from my GPA. I also really identify myself as a Writer and an Artist, Writing and Art being my major and minor.
This whole thing makes sense to me now because usually when I make opinions, I try to see things from varying points of view from various sources before making up my own mind. This process seems to tap into the fact that I'm open to new things (ala my shifting religious views) and that I value education within myself. I like to feel completely educated about something before I commit to defending an opinion of my own, which can take a long time to develop.

Ye Olde Briefing Sheet # 1

So here goes my first stab at a Briefing Sheet. My stories this week come from NPR (the radio station...) so I don't really have much of a title for each one. I have put the dates, though, if that helps.

1.) March 27th
Barack Obama's progress in the election has not been hindered by Jeremiah Wright's offensive anti-America remarks. Many people believed (and feared) that Wright's offensive sermons would make him completely unelectable. However, the statistics reveal that nothing has changed for the presidential hopeful despite his pastor's beliefs.

2.) March 27th
The housing and financial crisis has been a subject of much talk lately. John McCain believes that the investors were over zealous and that simply letting them deal with the consequences of their own actions will solve the problem. Clinton believes the crisis has to do with our current presidential leadership (which will, of course, be solved once she's president...) and Obama went back in time to Alexander Hamilton to show the tension between free markets and the government.

3.) March 27th
Although Senator John McCain supports staying in the war with Iraq, he does not agree with many of President Bush's current policies. He very much wants to regain the collaborative efforts of our foreign allies. He resents the fact that we did not take our foreign friends' ideas into account before going to war without them. He believes that the U.S. cannot lead by power alone.

4.) March 28th
Democratic party leaders call to calm the relentless fighting between Senators Obama and Clinton. They fear that such bickering could hurt or even divide the party. Howard Dean urges everyone to be calm as we near July 1st.

5.) March 29th
Both Democratic candidates are continuing to work with strategists in order to knock the other down while still appealing to the people. Tad Devine speculates that the push and shove between Obama and Clinton could potentially pull the Democratic party apart. He notes that the two are similar enough ideologically that the party may be able to mend itself post-election.

6.) March 30th
New shorthand terms for both Obama and Clinton supporters have been conceived recently: Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks Democrats. Because the two candidates are selling roughly the same ideas and solutions in different packages, they have been compared to the coffee at Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks. The humorous nicknames imply the question, "Whose product (coffee/leadership) is better?
**Note: In case anyone was wondering, Obama is Starbucks and Hillary is Dunkin Donuts...

7.)March 31st
Clinton and Obama were in Pennsylvania trying to rally votes today but the real focus is on the 794 super delegates that may ultimately decide which of the two gets the nomination for the Democrats. Super delegate Senator Amy Klobuchar sided with Obama over Clinton, giving Obama one more step above Clinton. Klobuchar's pledge came as a surprise because she had decided to remain neutral quite some time ago.

8.) March 31st
More bickering and fighting have taken place between the two Democratic nominees in order to win delegates in Texas. Shoving matches, booing and crying were only some of the dramatic displays supporters put on at the conventions there.

9.) April 1st
Senator Clinton, in hopes of bringing the Democratic party as a whole closer together, challenged Barack Obama to a bowling match in Pennsylvania today. She said boldly "Winner takes all" but, considering the date, she meant it only as an April Fool's joke. In all seriousness, Clinton admitted after the challenge was made that there were some things she disagreed with during the Clinton Administration behind the scenes.
**Note: I guess Obama rolled a few truly spectacular gutter balls during the bowl-off...har har.

10.) April 1st (I found this ridiculous, but it was news, so here you go.)
The NFL decided to start broadcasting their season opener 19 minutes early so that John McCain's acceptance speech at the Republican Convention and the football game would not overlap. This is so football fans who are also McCain supporters can watch both without feeling as though they are missing out on something.


So there you go. I hope that's what was wanted... :)

Culture

It's sort of interesting to read about our culture because for a long time, I sort of wondered if we even had one. I'm so far removed from any of my 'ethnic roots' (i.e. German and English) that I don't identify with either of them and my family doesn't have any German or English traditions to speak of. There are so many groups of people that have such strong, blatant cultures that it's easy to see what ties them together as a people. America, however, is an enormous assortment of different people from all over the world, so it's difficult to tack down what our culture is, collectively speaking. But I digress...

Culture, I think, is everything a society does. What they produce, what they consume, what they wear, how they speak, who they worship, what they believe, etc. Much of the time I think we regard culture as fine art, classic literature and generally immortal things that are staples within that society. But it goes much further than that.

In America, our culture seems to be defined by consumption and fueled by the media which spoon feeds us information on what's happening, what we ought to be buying and how we ought to behave. We want things now, we want it fast and we want as much of it as humanly possible. It's the American dream, isn't it? People come from every square inch of the world to be a part of it. And when all this is shrink-wrapped and presented to the world, it shows them our values, as pitiful as they are: We want stuff, lots of it, and if you've got stuff we want, we'll find a way to get it. Our consumer culture has sort of pushed more important things like family values, health and respecting our own environment onto the back burner. We're very individualist here in the U.S. and there are ups and downs to that. Regardless, individuality (which can turn into selfishness sometimes) is one of the main attributes of our culture as well.

All said and done, I can't help but admire cultures around the world that don't exist simply for individual gain. Money and possessions are what drives us here in America, but as my Grand-dad once said regarding worldly possessions: "You can't take it with you."

How goes it?

Hi, I'm Carrie and welcome to my blog. I'm a Writing Specialization major and a Studio Art minor. I'm conflicted about politics, so we'll see how this whole thing pans out.

Please try and enjoy your stay... o_0

~Carrie