American Pie

It is ironic to have read my colleagues post about our candidates and the route they are taking to boast themselves up by putting their fellow competitors down. Everyday I watch how these grown men and women get on national television and put down their competition instead of spending that time they have to tell us, the ones who will be evaluating them, what is so good about themselves.

The only thing that I can say by watching these commercials about these particular candidates are that they are like children. Competeing of off the "he said", "she said", high school drama that was supposed to be over with years ago. What we see during the commericals can effect every little bit of their chances of winning the position that they are going for. If I am flipping on the television and all I remember about you is how you talked so bad about your competition in front of the entire country, I am definately going for the underdog. It would be nice to hear what that person would be able to do for me, to benefit my life. I could care less about how your competition cheated on his/her spouse or partied in Hawaii instead of creating commercials to do exactly what your doing now.

My United States Government

Growing up, I never paid much attention or took the initiative to have the government and politics play any kind of important role in my life. Honestly, I never could really get a tight grasp on the terms and flow of how our government works. I still have yet to get a good understanding ont he concept of it all. There are a few milestones and inquiries I have always obtained from past government classes, newsletters, or documentaries on televeision. Such as, why are there so many Americans so quick to discourage and put down our Politcial Leaders who are only trying to better our communities and our lives. If we go against them, what good will that do? There has also always been that peripheral vision of corruption. We may not be able to see it so clearly, but we difinately know it is there. It is a society of competition and control. A race as to who will be able to enforce the rules, and create the rules.
Unfortunately, the United States government will undoubtedly always be a majoy role in all of our lives, it will decide how much money our students will be able to recieve for college, how much we pay for taxes, and the interest rates applied! It is up to us to make that difference we are searching for. At this time, there are those out there that are giving up on the government and deciding not to participate in functions and political gatherings that may make that change we are seeking. In the end, it all seems to come back to us and the decisions we are making in our every day lives.

Vindicated...Again?

Since the September 11th attack Americans all across the country have wanted nothing but change and closure fromt he appalling event that effected millions of lives. On November 13,2010 the Washington Post Headlined: "Opposition to United states trial likely to keep mastermind of 9/11 attacks in detention." After reading,John Hinderaker posts "Vindicated Again" with the decisions and actions that were taken from our former leader Bush, that did very little to satisfy our need of closure with his "solution" of detention rather then execution, the ultimate punishment. Hinderaker acknowledges the action against Khalid Sheik Mohammed, (the proclaimed master-mind of the 9/11 attack) that many wish to happen eventually; the ceasing of existance for the one that has devestated coutless numbers of relationships and friendships that no longer exist. The author is attracting those that have went throught the sorrow and agony, and also the ones who had to watch such a disasterous even happen in American history, and living with the fear that it may happen again. This post is directed towards those seeking the vengeance from losing their child, or spouse, or parent. Hinderaker is simply giving us an eye on how our government is handling the life of the individual who gave us one of the most memorable days of our lives.

Don't Wait Till It's Too Late

After the shooting that occured at our neighbor UT campus Tuesday morning, the entire city of Austin was shocked by the experience it had just encountered and were eager to speak out and express their thoughts on the events. One person in particular who elaborated on their views of the situation was Thomas G. Palaima, a professor at the University of Texas who had personally experienced the tragedy. In his article posted in the Austin American Statesman, Professor Palaima expressed his feelings toward our government and it's very lenient gun laws which allowed such events as this, to happen. Palaima reached out to multiple groups with his article. He reached out to the parents who were concerned about their children's lives, to reassure them there are things that can be done to prevent tragedies such as one like this from happening again. Palaima also reached out to the students who could not believe this had actually happened on their beloved campus, to teach them ways to know how to prevent. It was also a message to the community who watched with wide eyes in anticipation the outcome of this tragedy, but most importantly, Palaima's article reached out to our national government to remind them of how certain laws that benefit others, can turn to a catastrophe in no time. For it to be as easy as it was for someone to buy such a dangerous weapon is leading into nothing but contreversy. If it was done before, and it is continuing to happen, with no change in the laws, indeed, it will happen again. I have no other views but to agree with Professor Palaima on the criticism of our gun laws as of today. We have to start the change that will gravitate towards our national government. If we continue to let it be so easy to obtain a weapon such as the student did on that Tuesday morning, our world is nothing but corrupt. The United States has to make that change to protect our citizens, and in this case, our future.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

         On Friday, September 10, 2010 CNN informed the world on an incredible improvement to our history. That Thursday, September 9th, a federal court in Riverside, California ruled the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy-which limits gay men and lesbians from serving openly, unconstitutional. "It was demonstrated that the dont ask, don't tell act violates the fifth and first amenments,"- Virginia Phillips.
        The act discriminates based on the content of the speech being regulated and distinguishes between speech regarding sexual orientation and inevitably, family relation and daily activities. Gay and lesbian troops and veterans have hailed the announcment of the Pentagon and White House signaling their intention to end the don't ask, don't tell policy, with congressional approval. This is a prodigious step in United States history and should be recognized by others so that they as well can view through their own views and thoughts the changes in our history that are occuring. This includes the sight of segregation and discrimination fading more into the forgotton than it already has. these are the moments that were considered the future, the days that people thought would never come.