I've recently discovered that I may be biased towards Spain. The fact of the matter is, it seems that "Spanish" is so integrated into American life that we often forget about Spain. Students take breaks to "Spanish" destinations - Mexico, the islands - but how many of us really take the time to sit and admire SPAIN itself. Even in NYC, restaurants that cater to "Spanish" tastes are really serving more traditionally "Mexican" or "Latin" flavors.
Perhaps we should all take time out to enjoy Spain in all of its European elegance for a change. I shall strive to do as much.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Academics vs. Politics
I was amused to see politics go so far as to suggest that just because Morehouse has obtained its first white valedictorian (it's a traditionally African-American institution) that this foreshadows Barack Obama becoming the first "black" president.
Joshua Packwood, an African-American studies major, and the student to crack the minority barrier at his school of choice, rose to his academically-celebrated post through hard work and rightfully-earned (one presumes) grades at his university.
In politics, however earned his place may be, Obama's fate is still, technically, in the hands of a "popularity contest." So whereas America might be on the verge of another monumental step in history, I cringe to think of politicians using the well-earned status of Joshua Packwood to their own advantage.
May Barack Obama stand upon his own merits as Packwood has his.
Joshua Packwood, an African-American studies major, and the student to crack the minority barrier at his school of choice, rose to his academically-celebrated post through hard work and rightfully-earned (one presumes) grades at his university.
In politics, however earned his place may be, Obama's fate is still, technically, in the hands of a "popularity contest." So whereas America might be on the verge of another monumental step in history, I cringe to think of politicians using the well-earned status of Joshua Packwood to their own advantage.
May Barack Obama stand upon his own merits as Packwood has his.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Rush Limbaugh: A Brilliant Man
Rush Limbaugh, the neo-conservative genius, is a brilliant man.
His latest stroke of brilliancy: by urging voters to vote for Obama as a "weakest link" opponent, he is turning those scared and gullible throngs into the polls and of course votes for Hillary.
This is fantastic, because, as Rush obviously knows, Hillary would be considered the weakest link. In a general election match-up of Hillary vs. McCain, McCain would easily be able to draw that liberal vote from line-strandling Democrats and undecided independents who just have reasons to plain hate Hillary.
Which also proves the genius of the Republican party - in a year when Republicanism is straddling a fine acceptance line itself, who better to serve the party than someone who is considered liberal by it's traditional conservative standards.
And the Republicans yet again take the White House in '08 due to the incompetance of the Democratic party. Genius I say, genius.
His latest stroke of brilliancy: by urging voters to vote for Obama as a "weakest link" opponent, he is turning those scared and gullible throngs into the polls and of course votes for Hillary.
This is fantastic, because, as Rush obviously knows, Hillary would be considered the weakest link. In a general election match-up of Hillary vs. McCain, McCain would easily be able to draw that liberal vote from line-strandling Democrats and undecided independents who just have reasons to plain hate Hillary.
Which also proves the genius of the Republican party - in a year when Republicanism is straddling a fine acceptance line itself, who better to serve the party than someone who is considered liberal by it's traditional conservative standards.
And the Republicans yet again take the White House in '08 due to the incompetance of the Democratic party. Genius I say, genius.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Ono to Stein: You're 'Expelled'!
Turns out a little known documentary I hadn't heard of until this morning is causing quite a rucus. The documentary, which didn't fare that bad in the box office, stars Ben Stein and touts the idea of intelligent design over Darwinism.
Yoko Ono is beefed because the documentary also features John Lennon's "Imagine" and she's not okay with that. No, it has nothing to do with the message of intelligent design attached to the movie that bothers her. She's just irked that millions of bloggers think she's a sell-out because the song was used in, gasp, a mass-media outlet.
Oh, the power of the blogosphere.
Yoko Ono is beefed because the documentary also features John Lennon's "Imagine" and she's not okay with that. No, it has nothing to do with the message of intelligent design attached to the movie that bothers her. She's just irked that millions of bloggers think she's a sell-out because the song was used in, gasp, a mass-media outlet.
Oh, the power of the blogosphere.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
'Anonymous Coward' Truly Second Rate
In an ironic twist, a hacker that stole the data of 6 million Chileans has been discovered by police as 'Anonymous Coward'. In my opinion, the only thing more telling than the fact that he stole the data of 6 million CHILEANS (as compared to say, 6 million tech-savvy Russians) is the fact than even his handle declares his second-rateness.
Furthermore, he stole mostly addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers - information of which most is already a matter of public record to any phone book/Myspace savvy thirteen-year-old out there.
The entire matter makes me raise an eyebrow towards the real seriousness of the threat.
Furthermore, he stole mostly addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers - information of which most is already a matter of public record to any phone book/Myspace savvy thirteen-year-old out there.
The entire matter makes me raise an eyebrow towards the real seriousness of the threat.
Monday, May 12, 2008
A Perfect Fit
This may seem like a no-brainer, but finally doctor's are pushing for medical tools and equipment (think metal plates, pace makers) that are actually sized to fit those into which they are implanted. You would think that this would be a natural thought, but apparently a doctor didn't realize the importance of such standards until a metal plate was lodged improperly into a little boy's skull.
The one factor that prevents such things from being in place already? Well, despite incentive programs already offered by the government to firms that think "kid-friendly" in their designs, most businesses do not consider the demographic as worth enough business profits.
This is when consumerism has really hit a low.
The one factor that prevents such things from being in place already? Well, despite incentive programs already offered by the government to firms that think "kid-friendly" in their designs, most businesses do not consider the demographic as worth enough business profits.
This is when consumerism has really hit a low.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Rebirth of Hitler Elite
With Israel turning 60, a lesser though somewhat related topic hits the radar of academic circles. There has been a German resurgence of desire to republish Hitler's Mein Keimpf, in the original German.
Why is this such a big deal? For starters, the republication of his work has been strictly prohibited since the conclusion of World War II, and those copies already in circulation have remained highly regulated. Despite this, estimates say that there are still about 10 million copies of the book in circulation.
To prevent a resurgence of the ideals of Hitler, especially in the hands of right-wingers, many historians feel the need to annotate any newly published versions when the copyright expires in 2015. The last thing the world needs is someone crazy enough to read through the 700-page zinger and get the urge to start another mass genocide on the Aryan front.
Yet, somehow, I feel a free-speech/censorship case waiting to hit courts worldwide. Someone out there is sure to fight this.
Why is this such a big deal? For starters, the republication of his work has been strictly prohibited since the conclusion of World War II, and those copies already in circulation have remained highly regulated. Despite this, estimates say that there are still about 10 million copies of the book in circulation.
To prevent a resurgence of the ideals of Hitler, especially in the hands of right-wingers, many historians feel the need to annotate any newly published versions when the copyright expires in 2015. The last thing the world needs is someone crazy enough to read through the 700-page zinger and get the urge to start another mass genocide on the Aryan front.
Yet, somehow, I feel a free-speech/censorship case waiting to hit courts worldwide. Someone out there is sure to fight this.
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