bohemia
i feel like such a slacker. [side note: anytime i ever hear the word 'slacker,' i automatically move into singing benny's line in 'rent,' about slackers, and then move into 'bohemia, bohemia.' isn't that weird?]
the summer semester is almost over. i have less than 2 weeks to finish. in fact, in exactly 2 weeks, i’ll get grades. and, they’re gonna be kickin’. this could be the first time ever in my life that i’d make dean’s list. and if it goes well, the way i’m thinking it will, i’ll be on president’s list. can i cut that out and put it on my wall forever? i think it would definitely deserve a frame. too bad that i waited so long to become studious… i wouldn’t have to work so hard on everything else to get into grad school.
washington, washington, you’re always on my mind… i’m coming to visit at the end of the month of august. i can’t wait.
my brain is fried from the week. and it hasn’t started. is it bad that as a 25 year old, i want to go to bed right now? at 8:30 p.m.? it gets more and more alluring the longer i sit at my computer. seriously…
because i have been a slacker from the month-long delay in post-age on here…
the date with the pilot was the worst thing ever. just information for all who wonder: don’t go out with a guy who is 10 years older, and seeming opposing views as your own. chances are, you’ll end up on a date where he forces natty-light on you, making you watch ‘lost in space’ reruns while he talks about his ex-girlfriend… but that’s only after he asks your political sidings, and proceeds to claim that he voted for bush because he was in the military.
i had a blast with the doctor. 
he’s a sweetheart. i’ll leave it there, as to hope to not jinx it more than i probably already have.
an apparent obsession with the red
Did you know that CNN did a news story about W’s health and his annual check-up? If at all possible, I’d like to get a urine sample as well as a drug test. The next thing you know, we’ll know every single time he goes to the bathroom. There are some things I just don’t want to know.
Whatever happened to the days of MTV, when MTV actually stood for Music Television, and not obsession with reality shows. The Birmingham News has reported that the Hoover City School system is allowing MTV to record/create a series about the football team. Who knew that if a team could win several state championships, they’d be set for the spotlight on MTV. Ahh, the good ‘ol days when TV was what it advertised.
I’ve been listening to the ‘Share the Well’ CD from Caedmon’s Call the past few days… it’s been getting my social justice wheel churning in my mind. I read a great article today about it too… I just wish I had so much more time to give.
In wonderful news, the GOPs of Alabama are seeming anti-Moore. This is always a good thing… Riley is better than anything we’ve got coming it appears.
Just to end on a good note… Dr. Suess Political Cartoons, as shared with me by a friend. Enjoy…
disillusion
Here’s a really deep and provoking thought, from a point of view not usually explored:
The Best President We Never Had.
Tonight, as I sat watching “Dead Man Walking,” I couldn’t help but only be reminded of how our country has completely depleted its social concern. It’s explored in the article above, in the media and in our respective societies. In Alabama, it’s overwhelming at times…
Color me socialist in thought, but the situation needs major attention. The executive office/capitalism has mutated into our own extremist policies of domination via military power, economy and intimidation. At what point will it end? With a new president in 2008? A new party system? Or will the end even be a choice… will it be in the form of our own demise? Our own selfishness?
I’ve become completely disillusioned with the path of our society. I know that I am walking a possibly completely separate path, with faith-based social justice intentions and a tendency to always lean a little left in order to benefit humanity, but seriously… How can anyone NOT see the wrong in all of it? As long as governments (namely our own) keep suggesting that their way is the only way, no progress can be made, especially if that government isn’t willing to consider the people involved instead of the profit.
politics just seem to always seep in…
i'm so glad this song is playing when i started the entry. drew, you're wonderful. heath, you're amazing. you boys are just some of my favorites.
not that anyone really cares, but, iraq is screwed. i made my feelings known in a separate world, but decided to share them. they're in a cut so that you can so choose to ignore it if you want. it's long… and probably a little opinionated. but, feel free to comment with any thoughts about it…
<lj-cut text="the iraq debate">In an historical note for anyone in my own generation or before: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/28/international/28cnd-ira.html?ex=1280203200&en=7a0719b5ff9dea7b&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss">the IRA plans to disarm and look to peaceful negotiations with Great Britain</a>. I won't know what to do now with my GB news, now that the IRA has decided to be a peaceful army. Of course, what is their purpose after disarmament? I mean, they ARE an army. And, this is only the Provisional IRA, not the other small sects. Prime Minister Tony Blair has declared that it is a great day in Britain's journey… as long as they're willing to stick to it, of course.
The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq">Iraqi</a> situation completely boggles my mind. Comparative politically speaking, the country really is screwed, when viewed alongside countries like the U.S., China and Japan. Even the consociational Swiss have a better chance. But, the question that all political scientists are really pondering is… can the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy">democracy</a> survive with an <a href="http://www.iraqieconomy.org/home">economy</a> in shambles? Or is a democracy required to enhance the economy?
In my [little] research, history has proven that the government has only destroyed the country's economy… going back to before the Iran-Iraq War of course. Before the War, the country was incredibly wealthy [not that they're not now... they just haven't resourced it as of late] and lived like kings. If the destruction of political greed didn't get the best of Iraq in the late 1980s, then the Kuwaiti invasion <a href="http://pilger.carlton.com/iraq/impact">sanctions</a> imposed by the U.N. in the 90s sure helped them kick the bucket. Of course, the intent was to punish Iraq and make them realize their incorrect ideology. Instead, it completely destroyed their economy and deteriorated the human quality of life. Before the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil-for-food">Oil-for-Food program</a> was established, Iraq was seeing almost 4,500 children under the age of 5 die each month from January to July 1995… count it up, that's more than 31,000 children dying of malnourishment and infection. Part of the sanctions banned medical supplies into the countries. Even with some of the most brilliant minded physicians in the world, Iraqi doctors' hands were tied because of the lack of resources.
Fast forward to post-Gulf War, and the release of sanctions. The country has increased its imports and is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Still, they're not even producing 75% of their previous output. With the lack of imports [money to buy consumer goods because of previous devastation], people are still in dire need and completely below the poverty line. Statistics at this point place Iraq at a GDP per capita of around $3,500… considerably low, ranking it as 60th in the world. Not only that, Hussein, being an Arab uniter at heart, ruled with Arab socialism, involving the government in social structures, infrastructure and regulation. With the incredible depression already faced by the Iraqis, even the workings of a wealthy Ba'ath party couldn't resuscitate the economy.
Enter the U.S. and the second Bush administration. After the invasion [or liberation], any existing industrial economy aside from oil is completely annihilated. Textiles, chemicals and the agriculture sectors are now almost deplenished. Oil is now the only source for the economy… but people are too afraid to risk the purchase because of the instability of the nation. GDP per capita has plummeted to <a href="http://www.opec.org/aboutus/member%20countries/iraq.htm">less than $800</a>. The CPA [Coalition Provisional Authority] set up by the U.S. was as corrupt as the likes of Hussein's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ba%27ath_Party">Ba'ath regime</a>, <a href="http://www.iraqrevenuewatch.org/reports/092404.pdf">giving away millions of dollars</a> to foreign contractors when the work was ready and able in Iraq. Money is still unaccounted for as a result. Finally, an interim government is set up. But, people [see: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunni">Sunnis</a>] don't vote because they think the government isn't really going to work, or that it is a sham. When it is learned this is the real thing, and the U.S. "hands over control," they want to take an active part. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shi%27ites">Shi'ites</a> add 15 places for Sunnis to the Constitutional Committee to have representative support. After the assassination of one of the Sunnis added, the remaining Sunnis walk out and refuse to speak. The situation is growing more and more ominous. Each day another member of the government is assassinated. U.S. troops are only pushing democracy because they are ready to go home, and the U.S. government is forcing democracy because we want an two-fold ally: for oil and for a base to take out Iran.
The government there, and the people in existence may want democracy, but it can't take place until an economy can be established. Here is why…
1. History seems to repeat itself… from former dictatorships to U.S. provisional governments, the economy has suffered because the government can't handle the issue. Without the intervention, it would be able to grow as a free market.
2. Free market economies that grow encourage people to become more involved, in both the economy and the government.
3. The government can't function without incoming money [i.e. taxes, whatever]. If there is no money, the debt grows larger, which only hurts the economy more.
4. State-run economies only persuade the private sector to follow the trends of the government. It already happened before with Hussein, it can happen with the freest of leaders.
5. Morality tells you to take care of people's needs before you tell them how to do anything. If the people are starving, they're gonna look for ways to put food in their mouths, not vote for this guy or that guy.
These are, of course, just the opinions that I have to put out there. I could be wrong… and I hope that I am. I'm rooting for Iraq to come out and hopefully return to the prosperous life it once had, with people enjoying life, not fighting for it each day under extreme inhumane conditions. In my hope though, the U.S. is not involved, and the Iraqis decide for themselves how they want to set up shop.</lj-cut>
you should know that barack obama has been named the 2nd hottest person on capitol hill… the hottest guy award is solely his according to the hill's <a href="http://thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/Features/CapitalLiving/072705.html">50 most beautiful people on the hill</a>. some of these i wonder about… some of these are a little scary.
political videos make me laugh. here's for you to see is one that either shows the incredible declassification of the office or pure moronic form… here's <a href="http://onegoodmove.org/1gm/1gmarchive/002261.html#002261">president bush flipping off the press</a>. who knows if it's truly unedited or whatnot, and who cares. it's absolutely hilarious. because, let's face it… sometimes you just want to tell the media to get out of your face and go to hell, right?
speaking of media and how they like to make you look like a fool at times, our own senator, jeff sessions could have possibly auditioned for an oompa loompa with <a href="http://www.wonkette.com/politics//the-littlest-senator-114736.php">this photo</a>.
the world could be coming to an end, though… <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/07/29/frist.stem.cells.ap/index.html?section=cnn_topstories">bill frist says that he believes that stem cell research is beneficial</a>. while i completely agree with him, his party doesn't exactly see it the way that he does. is it me or does the party system just get more and more interesting every day? i keep waiting for a debacle in the likes of the days of whigish endings, radical republicans and democrat trans-sectional differences. i may just have to settle for it in history.
here's to a weekend where i'm not really required to do anything… especially not tonight or tomorrow. it shall be a great day, i have declared.
in a shallow hole
Now, after the long exhaustive review of why Iraq needs an economy before a democracy, I submit a slight deviation, a shallow one, you might say…
The 50 Most Beautiful People on the Hill
Here’s a spoiler… Barack so made the Top 10.
in the news and on my mind
In an historical note for anyone in my own generation or before: the IRA plans to disarm and look to peaceful negotiations with Great Britain. I won’t know what to do now with my GB news, now that the IRA has decided to be a peaceful army. Of course, what is their purpose after disarmament? I mean, they ARE an army. And, this is only the Provisional IRA, not the other small sects. Prime Minister Tony Blair has declared that it is a great day in Britain’s journey… as long as they’re willing to stick to it, of course.
The Iraqi situation completely boggles my mind. Comparative politically speaking, the country really is screwed, when viewed alongside countries like the U.S., China and Japan. Even the consociational Swiss have a better chance. But, the question that all political scientists are really pondering is… can the democracy survive with an economy in shambles? Or is a democracy required to enhance the economy?
In my [little] research, history has proven that the government has only destroyed the country’s economy… going back to before the Iran-Iraq War of course. Before the War, the country was incredibly wealthy [not that they're not now... they just haven't resourced it as of late] and lived like kings. If the destruction of political greed didn’t get the best of Iraq in the late 1980s, then the Kuwaiti invasion sanctions imposed by the U.N. in the 90s sure helped them kick the bucket. Of course, the intent was to punish Iraq and make them realize their incorrect ideology. Instead, it completely destroyed their economy and deteriorated the human quality of life. Before the Oil-for-Food program was established, Iraq was seeing almost 4,500 children under the age of 5 die each month from January to July 1995… count it up, that’s more than 31,000 children dying of malnourishment and infection. Part of the sanctions banned medical supplies into the countries. Even with some of the most brilliant minded physicians in the world, Iraqi doctors’ hands were tied because of the lack of resources.
Fast forward to post-Gulf War, and the release of sanctions. The country has increased its imports and is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Still, they’re not even producing 75% of their previous output. With the lack of imports [money to buy consumer goods because of previous devastation], people are still in dire need and completely below the poverty line. Statistics at this point place Iraq at a GDP per capita of around $3,500… considerably low, ranking it as 60th in the world. Not only that, Hussein, being an Arab uniter at heart, ruled with Arab socialism, involving the government in social structures, infrastructure and regulation. With the incredible depression already faced by the Iraqis, even the workings of a wealthy Ba’ath party couldn’t resuscitate the economy.
Enter the U.S. and the second Bush administration. After the invasion [or liberation], any existing industrial economy aside from oil is completely annihilated. Textiles, chemicals and the agriculture sectors are now almost deplenished. Oil is now the only source for the economy… but people are too afraid to risk the purchase because of the instability of the nation. GDP per capita has plummeted to less than $800. The CPA [Coalition Provisional Authority] set up by the U.S. was as corrupt as the likes of Hussein’s Ba’ath regime, giving away millions of dollars to foreign contractors when the work was ready and able in Iraq. Money is still unaccounted for as a result. Finally, an interim government is set up. But, people [see: Sunnis] don’t vote because they think the government isn’t really going to work, or that it is a sham. When it is learned this is the real thing, and the U.S. “hands over control,” they want to take an active part. The Shi’ites add 15 places for Sunnis to the Constitutional Committee to have representative support. After the assassination of one of the Sunnis added, the remaining Sunnis walk out and refuse to speak. The situation is growing more and more ominous. Each day another member of the government is assassinated. U.S. troops are only pushing democracy because they are ready to go home, and the U.S. government is forcing democracy because we want an two-fold ally: for oil and for a base to take out Iran.
The government there, and the people in existence may want democracy, but it can’t take place until an economy can be established. Here is why…
1. History seems to repeat itself… from former dictatorships to U.S. provisional governments, the economy has suffered because the government can’t handle the issue. Without the intervention, it would be able to grow as a free market.
2. Free market economies that grow encourage people to become more involved, in both the economy and the government.
3. The government can’t function without incoming money [i.e. taxes, whatever]. If there is no money, the debt grows larger, which only hurts the economy more.
4. State-run economies only persuade the private sector to follow the trends of the government. It already happened before with Hussein, it can happen with the freest of leaders.
5. Morality tells you to take care of people’s needs before you tell them how to do anything. If the people are starving, they’re gonna look for ways to put food in their mouths, not vote for this guy or that guy.
These are, of course, just the opinions that I have to put out there. I could be wrong… and I hope that I am. I’m rooting for Iraq to come out and hopefully return to the prosperous life it once had, with people enjoying life, not fighting for it each day under extreme inhumane conditions. In my hope though, the U.S. is not involved, and the Iraqis decide for themselves how they want to set up shop.
global warming
The Top 10 of How Bush Will Deal With Global Warming
Also, President Bush flipped off the press. You’ve got to either love the sense of humor or the idiocy.
i have such a huge crush.
holy crap… i'm jealous.
<img src="http://www.dcist.com/attachments/dcist_martin/tp1.JPG">
<a href="http://www.dcist.com/archives/2005/07/28/tom_petty_at_merriweather.php">the story behind it…</a>
of all days i wish i was in washington.
and… <a href="http://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/top_ten/archive/ls_topten_archive2005/ls_topten_archive_20050725.shtml">The Top 10 of How Bush Will Deal With Global Warming</a> as seen on letterman.
i’ve got such a huge crush.
first of all, wow… it’s been a month!
on to other business now.
holy crap… i’m jealous.
the story behind it…
of all days i wish i was in washington.
airline, shmairline
i hate trying to find flights that aren't more than $400. it's ridiculous. the other night, i found a flight on delta round trip to reagan from birmingham for $170, and i've kept trying to find something since… nothing. i can't even find the same flight.
so, here's a cry out to all you people out there who are probably much more brilliant when it comes to flight shopping. what are the tricks to get around? was the low flight a glitch, or is there some sort of pattern that these flights usually follow? who's your favorite outfit to check for flights?
