Archive for 'Sharing Our Nation's Cap-i-tal'

living history

November 5, 2008 by the.muse, under Sharing Our Nation's Cap-i-tal, Social Quandaries, Voices of the Past.

I was going to wait until tomorrow, but I couldn't sleep with what was on my mind.

I've been a huge fan of Facebook for years. I love catching up with people from long ago, or even feeling like I know what is going on day-to-day with people because of their status. It's a wonderful tool of networking and friendship. However, during the election season, and much worse tonight, it became a tool of hatred and intolerance. Messages from Obama fans taunting McCain supporters streamed through encouraging them to leave the country if they didn't like the president-elect. McCain supporters needlessly bashed Obama voters calling them moronic and dumb for voting for him, going so far as to say that "it's called the WHITE House for a reason." (By the way, if you're REALLY gonna bash, you should make sure that your grammar is correct in those status updates…) The bashing was uncalled for and inappropriate, especially in the light of what is bigger all around us.

Seriously, no matter who was elected tonight, look at the history that has been made in this election. Massive amounts of people registered to vote. Amazing amounts of voters went out to vote for the very first time. Unprecedented early voting surpassed 2004 totals. A female was nominated for the veep position for only the second time ever, and if McCain/Palin were elected, she would have been the first female veep in history. As a result of tonight's election, Barack Obama has now been the first African-American to be elected to the presidency. And, for the first time in decades, a democrat has won with more than 50% of the popular vote.

Maybe it's me, with a background in history and a typical history geek, but how in the world can you ignore these magnificent pieces of history, regardless of what party/candidate for which you voted? This election will be an election that YOUR CHILDREN and THEIR CHILDREN will study in their history books. And, you are living right now in the moment. How can you not think that is amazing? Because to me, being a living, and breathing part of history is something you should never take lightly. Own it!

So, seriously. Take your moment in history. Accept your place in time. And stop with the ignorant bashing that only continues to divide America. It's been going on long enough. We should have reunited America in 2004, and it never happened. Now is the time. There is too much to lose. Swallow your pride, get over yourself, let's work together, and make bipartisanship a continual standard within the political sphere that becomes a mandate of the people!

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the district & handguns

June 27, 2008 by the.muse, under Political Slants, Sharing Our Nation's Cap-i-tal.

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court announced that the Second Amendment applies to Washington, D.C., concluding that residents of the district have the right to bear arms and to carry their own handguns. Tonight on The Colbert Report, Stephen Colbert's take was:

Woo! Finally, the residents of Washington, D.C. have the right to defend themselves… from each other, one can assume… This is great news for some, folks. This means CNN can bring back 'Crossfire' with actual crossfire.

Of course, it's not all fun and games everywhere. It is a little scary considering that we were always told that the courthouse planters were checked and cleaned out every month because people planted their guns and knives before going through the metal detectors and forgot exactly where they put them.

The WaPo suggests that it will only increase individual and gang violence. This is probably true… although, I must say the title, "The Thugs Win the Case," is quite offensive and harsh. Not everyone who owns or wants to own a handgun for protection is a thug. According to the Supreme Court, D.C. is accorded the same rights that every other state of the country has been given according to the Constitution by the Second Amendment. Withholding that right is unlawful, regardless of the author's opinion. And, as much as I hate to admit that it might allow more violence, the Second Amendment is still the Constitution. While I may not agree with it, it's still legal precedent. And if one state is allowed, they all should be deemed the same opportunity. Now that the handgun ban has been ruled unconstitutional, it is the district's responsibility to step up its police protection (which it should have been doing anyway) to reduce violence with handguns.

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politicization

June 25, 2008 by the.muse, under Entertaining the Masses, Political Slants, Sharing Our Nation's Cap-i-tal.

So, there are a few political moments that have been awe-inspiring lately… some funny, some serious. But, definitely things that have been making me think. 

First of all, I'm still a little upset about Tim Russert being gone. However, his son is mega-impressive. At the funeral, he pleaded for both McCain and Obama to sit together and speak. He's supposed to be on Larry King Live tomorrow night, and I'm super-stoked. I'm excited to see what he will do with his life since he has always been in the light with his father. 

Tom Brokaw is slated to host 'Meet the Press' through the election. I'm fairly OK with that decision. I wouldn't mind seeing Brian Williams in that slot in a permanent basis, but he still has a media slant, one which Russert never really had. While I love Chris Matthews, I am glad that he wasn't put in the position. He's still a little hard and edgy, and too rough at times. On "Hardball," he takes on a character too much like Bill O'Reilly, which I don't like. However, I love the Chris Matthews that shows up during election shows on MSNBC and on his regular Sunday show "The Chris Matthews Show." But, he's still not the right pick for "Meet." I am curious to see who will fill the position after November. It could completely change the show. It's a big decision… It could change my viewing habits.

One of Barack Obama's national ad's targeting specific states showed up, and it's pretty impressive.

Watching his press conferences and his campaigning, he seems stronger and stronger. I'm ready to know what his thoughts are on his veep selection. Again, I'm completely pushing an Obama/Richardson ticket. But, I will be fine with whomever he chooses.

On the other side, John McCain is killing me. He's flip-flopping on his energy policy and oil drilling. And, Stephen Colbert has jumped in to help McCain find a new buzzword for his campaign, since he's using and reusing the same phrases. Check out "Lexicon Artist."

And finally, this was too funny not to share since we're on politics. It's dated, but it's still so funny. And, since we're on the final countdown to the end of an error (1/20/2009), I figured why not provide a video clip of Frank Caliendo's Bush & Clinton impressions. Enjoy!

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russert remembered

June 17, 2008 by the.muse, under Entertaining the Masses, Political Slants, Sharing Our Nation's Cap-i-tal, Voices of the Past.

My heart was completely broken when I heard the news about Tim Russert's death. There isn't a Sunday that went by when I didn't either TiVo or watch "Meet the Press" or at least read up about it. I loved Tim Russert, and his style that he brought to journalism. He could ask a tough question and not be a jerk, and still have integrity and a smile on his face. But no one could get by on his show without the hard questions. America has lost an incredibly unbiased journalist when Tim Russert passed away. I couldn't stop crying as I watched the coverage as Tom Brokaw and the rest of the NBC and MSNBC crew covered stories about Russert's life and work.  

One of my favorite endings of "Meet the Press" was this year during the first round of the playoffs: Russert Cheers on the Caps

Here are a few great tributes written on the life of Tim Russert:
NBC's Tim Russert Dead at 58
Tim Russert: The Smile That Lit Up Journalism
Tim Russert, 58, a Fixture of NBC's Face of Politics, Dies
A Death in the Family
The Many Gifts of Tim Russert

And here is NBC's "Remembering Tim Russert Special:"
Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six

The world has a missing place… and some really big shoes to fill…

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tourists… oy.

May 19, 2008 by the.muse, under Sharing Our Nation's Cap-i-tal.

So, I know I don't live in D.C. anymore… But, I'm currently visiting "home." I'll write about my total trip when I get back to Alabama and post a roundup. But, today, I had an experience that completely rattled my cage, and I have to vent.

I love going to see many of the "tourist traps," because they are some of my favorite places, and I don't usually mind tourists. Yeah, they hold up traffic, bottleneck the Metro, and for the most part, just get in the way. However, today, I had the most fortunate opportunity to see my 20-year-old cousin, who is a member of the Honor Guard at Arlington Cemetery, perform a 21-gun salute. As I headed out toward his mission spot, the funeral that he was assisting was one of about 8 that I saw during the 3pm hour. When you enter the Arlington Cemetery, there are NUMEROUS signs that ask you to show respect and maintain silence… After all, it may be a national historic site with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the gravesite of JFK, but it is STILL a cemetery… a place where MANY people are buried, and many CONTINUE to go and pay their respects all over the lots, and many are dressed in funeral attire, as multiple funerals occur on the hour almost every hour at Arlington. Knowing this, it absolutely aggravates me to oblivion to see this punk kids and brats jumping around yelling without any respect or consideration for not only those buried there, but for those who are visiting graves outside of the tourists. Yes, you might be so cool to see the Changing of the Guard, and it is amazing to watch, but for the love, have some consideration for those mourning the loss of their sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, or other family members that just left funerals and are leaving the grounds. Quit acting like you're the only ones there and that it isn't sacred ground.

If you can't do that, I hope their ghosts haunt you the rest of your life… You deserve it. Learn how to respect a grave site. 

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hockey withdrawals

March 4, 2008 by the.muse, under Entertaining the Masses, Sharing Our Nation's Cap-i-tal.

One of the things I miss the most about Washington, D.C. is hockey. No, the Washington Capitals aren't the end-all-be-all of hockey, but they are getting better and better with time. And this year, especially closing in on the playoffs, they are making no exception. Plus, they are MY team… I root them on, no matter what.

In last night's game, Ovechkin closed in on his aim of 60 goals this season to make a new NHL record, taking 52 goals so far this season, and a hat trick in the first period, alone. The Caps took out the Bruins 10-2, at home at the Verizon Center.

It is a game that I would've loved to see in person. Thank God that Versus picks up the Caps usually… and probably only because of Alex Ovechkin. No matter… I'll take what I can get. Hockey in Alabama is limited to the television.

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history teaches us…

September 20, 2007 by the.muse, under Political Slants, Sharing Our Nation's Cap-i-tal.

So, today, as the President was giving a press conference on the new S-CHIP legislation. During the Q&A, he was asked about the progress in Iraq. Part of his response?

Part of the reason why there is not this instant democracy in Iraq is because people are still recovering from Saddam Hussein’s brutal rule. I thought an interesting comment was made when somebody said to me, I heard somebody say, where’s Mandela? Well, Mandela is dead, because Saddam Hussein killed all the Mandelas. He was a brutal tyrant that divided people up and split families, and people are recovering from this. So there’s a psychological recovery that is taking place. And it’s hard work for them. And I understand it’s hard work for them. Having said that, I’m not going the give them a pass when it comes to the central government’s reconciliation efforts.

More proof? Here’s video of the press conference:

WHAT? Mandela’s dead??? Seriously, I think the President is just starting to make things up now. I mean, come on. The WORLD knows the whereabouts of Nelson Mandela, just because he’s an international figure after his movements against Apartheid. But, how do you just say something like Mandela’s dead? I believe that it’s because he has no clue of what is going on, other than what people tell him. If you ask me, he should be hiring smarter folks to check out the news across the world… keep him updated of who exactly Saddam Hussein murdered, as far as international leaders are concerned. Bush claims to refuse to watch polls, so I’m pretty sure he doesn’t read the news. In fact, some wonder if he can read at all. Of course, he majored in history, and he makes most of us cringe at the fact that he claims history at all. We all know that he hasn’t learned anything from it: see ‘war with Iraq that his father couldn’t complete’.

This is just another reason why, as a historian, I believe that before you make any kind of presentation to anyone with any kind of knowledgeable background (i.e. the press, colleagues, a kindergarten class), that you should make sure that your facts aren’t contradictory. And, you better have comprehensive research to back up your claim. I mean, come on… if you’re a student of history, that’s drilled into your head, and it’s regurgitated just to save your hide before a professor. And, knowing that Bush has nothing to back up his statement [or actions for that matter], I’d say he’s no student of history.

When did it become such a horrible thing to say, ‘I don’t know.’ My professors say it… preachers say it… and even past presidents have said it. And I fully believe that if ‘W’ were to say that he has taken some wrong moves and didn’t know everything, his ratings wouldn’t be near as low as they are.

But, what do I know… I just study these kind of patterns of political figures. I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the really disturbing. And right now, given the actions of the president, I’m really disturbed knowing that he willingly risks lives for a personal vendetta, and just makes up statements out of the air for fear tactics.

On my presidential rankings list of best to worst, Harding may start looking better and better compared to George W. Bush.

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wonder-full

August 31, 2007 by the.muse, under Political Slants, Sharing Our Nation's Cap-i-tal.

Wow. It seems like the Bush cronies are falling like dominoes. First, Karl Rove resigns and finishes his last day today. AG Alberto Gonzalez turned in his notice and will be stepping down. And now, Tony Snow announces that his last day will be September 14.

I keep wondering if there is something about to crash in the Bush administration. The same thing happened here in Birmingham before HealthSouth former CEO Richard Scrushy was indicted… Many of the staff started seeking out jobs.

I can’t say that I’m upset… I’m thrilled that Rove is leaving, as well as the step-down of Gonzalez. However, one must wonder just how much change is going to happen in the administration. Usually this kind of stuff happens after an election, not in the last few months of the term.

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wowsers

August 21, 2007 by the.muse, under Ins-and-Outs, Sharing Our Nation's Cap-i-tal.

So, I’m still mid-vacation/research in Washington, D.C. Well, it’s almost over. I head back tomorrow via Charlotte, as I did on the way up.

Oh the stories that I will have to tell, and many of them are still trying to process themselves in my brain, but for now, I must cuddle with my pillow because I’ve got driving to do tomorrow.  So, I’ll spill all the hilarious details when I pull back into Birmingham.

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internets round-up: 08.13.07

August 14, 2007 by the.muse, under Political Slants, Sharing Our Nation's Cap-i-tal, The Salty Ham.

After a burdensome and rough re-entry to graduate school, I’ve decided on a quick little vacation to visit some friends and ‘family’ that have been dear to me through the years. I won’t be completely vacationing… I’ll be doing research for my thesis, but hey… that’s just a day job.

Before I head out, there were a few things that were pretty stinkin’ eventful this week… And to lead off with the greatest story:

Enjoy, and bon voyage… minus the boat, add a car and many miles. Cheap, cheap vacation.

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