Breath of fresh air...

I just saw a clip posted on a friend's facebook status of a former Hopkins High Schooler, Chris La Tondresse, on Fox News discussing a possible new direction for evangelical youth today.  (Chris and I happened to be in 2 choirs together in the good old days, and I will vouch for him that he is a very nice guy.) While I am a very liberal, proudly democrat and not a fan of the current stereotypical evangelical philosophy and political dynamic, I was blown away by Chris's explanation of why he voted for Barack Obama this year instead of voting republican as he had before. As I said  before, Chris is a truly great person, and while we don't see eye to eye on all things, I greatly respect and appreciate his current stance on the focus of his religion, which he articulated beautifully in the clip below:

Chris La Tondresse on Fox News

Frighteningly accurate....

I swore this wouldn't become a political blog, but this is too good not to post.  Feel free to stop reading at any time if your opinions don't match with mine.  Here is an excerpt from Gov. Palin's interview with Katie Couric the other night:

Katie Couric: Why isn't it better, Gov. Palin, to spend $700 billion helping middle-class families who are struggling with health care, housing, gas and groceries; allow them to spend more and put more money into the economy instead of helping these big financial institutions that played a role in creating this mess?

Gov. Sarah Palin: That's why I say I, like every American I'm speaking with, we're ill about this position that we have been put in where it is the taxpayers looking to bail out. But ultimately, what the bailout does is help those who are concerned about the health-care reform that is needed to help shore up our economy, helping the -- it's got to be all about job creation, too, shoring up our economy and putting it back on the right track. So health-care reform and reducing taxes and reining in spending has got to accompany tax reductions and tax relief for Americans. And trade, we've got to see trade as opportunity, not as a competitive, scary thing. But one in five jobs being created in the trade sector today, we've got to look at that as more opportunity. All those things under the umbrella of job creation. This bailout is a part of that.

And HERE is a link to Tina Fey's (and SNLs) interpretation of the same interview.  She could have taken it word for word.  It's sick!! How could this woman possibly become our next president! Please vote responsibly!!!

R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Find out what it means to me!

This week, I feel that I have encountered more than my share of disrespect.  

There seems to be some people in my program who think that if the professor doesn't condone to their every wish, it gives them the right to be outright rude, which is a terrible representation of our class as a whole as well as down right embarrassing.  Grow up ladies.  This is a higher level of learning and your high school antics aren't going to pass.  Maybe if you'd stop complaining, you'd learn something.

Also, while watching the debates last night, which I must say were pretty darn boring, I noticed that John McCain had QUITE the condescending tone to the very respectful Barack Obama.  I personally think it's just tacky.  And so did some writers at Time.Com who came up with this grading system for the debates.  I whole heartedly agree.

Fearing the future...

I promise this will not become a political blog because there are plenty of those around, and I know I have family and friends who read my blog who are not of the same political mindset I am.  This is fine, and this is their right.  And if you are afraid after that intro about what is to come in this blog, I suggest you stop reading now.  I'm not here to offend, but to voice my fears.

In recent weeks, I have been watching the news of Sarah Palin's VP run, and I am honestly frightened.  I am frightened that this person, who could easily become the president of the United States is in denial about what is really happening in this world (global warming, evolution, multiculturalism).  Conservative is one thing.  Closed-minded is another.  Scientists have proven that global warming is occurring.  Deny all you want that evolution has happened because that's not what the bible says, but again, science has all the proof we need.  And the most atrocious I think is her supposed desire to rejoin church and state.  We are a multicultural, multiethnic, multireligious country. We provide many opportunities for many people living in more oppressive conditions.  DO NOT ALLOW SOMEONE TO TAKE THIS AWAY. Whether you do or don't believe another person's religion, another person's cultural views, or another person's political views, please at least allow them to have them.  If not, that is taking away everything that America is based on, and that would be a complacent end to the land of the free and the home of the brave.  

Of course I am happy that a woman is in the running to become vice president.  But I hope that my female peers don't only base their decision on her gender, because she may be female, but she is also a human who is not in touch with what this country is and what it stands for. 

Eve Ensler summarizes most of my fears in this article.  Read if you want a more articulate version of this message.

Oh dear...

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was at Columbia today while Scott was there and made this intelligent comment. Scott didn't see him speak but said security was UNREAL and he had a hard time getting OFF campus. There were lots and lots of protesters (Israeli groups, etc). Scott says they should protest Columbia's president for not having any liberal speakers in quite a while...Good article by New York Times.