How to Ace Life

It's time to stop kidding myself

2010-11-04T22:06:00.000-05:00

Given the almost two-month hiatus, I think it's safe to say that this blog has taken a backseat to everything I've been doing. It's not something that I want to do, but it's time to just admit that this blog isn't something that I can do anymore.

Lame.

I'll still be writing on my other blog, Not Standing Still's Disease.

Oh Israel

2010-09-14T10:11:00.000-05:00

So the three Gazan men killed by Israeli fire on Sunday have been found to have no link whatsoever with terrorist organizations. Amazing.

At the time, Israeli army radio described the men as "terrorists", but Gen Ayal Eisenberg now says the soldiers made a mistake.

"The civilians killed by our soldiers' fire... were not involved in any terrorist operation," he told army radio.
"Our soldiers identified a civilian who was picking up an RPG [rocket propelled grenade] and, thinking he was going to fire at them, opened fire" in his direction, he added.

....

Separately, a report published by an Israeli human rights group found that Israeli soldiers who kill Palestinians were rarely punished.
The B'Tselem report released on Tuesday said that the military investigated only 22 of 148 cases submitted by the group.
No criminal charges were brought in any of the cases, which involved the killing of 288 Palestinian civilians between 2006 and 2009, it said.

How is it that one of the most powerful nations in the world (theoretically speaking, of course) can continue to provide support - both physical and financial - to a country who seems to be able to kill others with impunity. Can you say genocide in the making?

Yikes

2010-08-22T08:52:00.001-05:00

And so it's been over a month again. I really feel like, at this point in my life, this blog just isn't going to be updated that much anymore. I start school in a week and a half, which might lead to me posting interesting things about current events/history, but for the most part I'm really focused on writing about my RA.

If you haven't already, go on over and check out my other blog, Not Standing Still's Disease.

Baseball Interview

2010-06-15T13:37:00.001-05:00

I'm just going to shamelessly plug an interview I did recently, with the Brewers #1 draft pick Dylan Covey. Head on over to the SB Nation Brewers fan blog, Brew Crew Ball, to check it out.

Neda

2010-06-08T22:03:00.003-05:00

The year anniversary of Neda's death is fast approaching. The news coming out of Iran has slowed, but there are still people fighting for their right to a fair vote, and to have their voices heard.

Andrew Sullivan at the Atlantic, whom I've mentioned before, is one of the places that is still putting out news on the state of affairs in Iran. A reader wrote in with information on a new Airborne Toxic Event song, titled "Neda." Please watch the video below.

For the band's words on this new video and song, please go to their website, with more information on how to get involved.

Jeez

2010-05-31T10:35:00.002-05:00

It's been a month again. I feel like I have little to no energy to keep updating this site regularly, but definitely will use it occasionally. Read it as often as you like I s'pose.

I'd just like to say that I'm pissed. It's now what - day 42 of the oil spill? We're trying all these things that might theoretically work, maybe... if we clap our hands and say we believe in fairies. One of my friends posted a story on facebook yesterday about the Russians using nukes to stop natural gas leaks/fires. Um, how stupid is that? The gulf coast is too close to too many people to even think about doing that.

I think one of the most disappointing things is how the BP execs are handling this situation, making statements like they want this over because they want their lives back?? What about the animals that have died and the people losing their livelihoods because of their newfound inability to fish? I'm pretty sure they'd like their lives back too.

Why didn't a control burn happen at the beginning to prevent it from getting this bad? Why is it going to take them two months to build the only 'sure fire' way to end this? It seems to me that it has to do with preserving as much money as they can and not with protecting the environment or helping the people. Businesses have entirely too much say over how they handle these disasters. The chemical dispersant they're using is making things worse for the animals and not actually breaking up. That video is chilling to watch.

The new plan is to try and build a new pipe and get the oil to the surface. This could not only allow for more leaks when joining the two pipes together, but also backfire and just increase the flow overall into the gulf.

The only sure way to avoid disasters like this is to eliminate our dependence on oil. We need to stop drilling off our coasts and start investing more heavily in alternative energy - wind, solar, biofuel, algae, etc. The investment will be well worth it when we do not have to see footage of animals covered in oil, their habitats and marshes being destroyed, or more people losing their jobs during these hard economic times.

Volf

2010-04-29T00:08:00.003-05:00

Well, I finished the Volf book, The End of Memory: Remembering Rightly in a Violent World, not too long after my last post. I've been so busy that I just have had no time to talk about it.

Volf discusses the importance of the perspectives of others. It's difficult to disseminate what the truth is in many cases, because there can be several truths (pg 46).

We have a "moral obligation" to remember the past truthfully (pg. 51). If we don't remember things correctly, we mess with our self-identity - not to mention the identity of our aggressors. The temptation is great to judge our aggressors and remember their actions as a part of who they are. While this might help us to feel better, it is not entirely fair to our aggressors. Some of them experience their own traumas, leading them to harm us. They are also potentially misremembering us - how we acted, initiated contact and 'asked for it.'

As all survivors of abuse know, memories have a life of their own (pg. 69). They can sneak up and ruin a perfect day just because a light breeze swept a certain smell to your nose. They also influence how we act towards others and react in situations. I mentioned last time that I'm usually very aware of what's happening around me. This tends to pick up when I'm in big cities or places I haven't really been before. Today, I was in Madison for an interview and parked in a garage. I avoided getting into a small elevator with a man. Walking to my car just before noon in a very well lit area, I had my keys in my hand ready to cut someone across the face - you know, just in case. I know that it's completely irrational, but still I can't stop myself.

Volf also points out the problems with inner healing: She will need to develop a sense that the wrongdoing has not closed off her horizon of future possibilities, that it does not define her identity, and that her life continues to have meaning notwithstanding the wrongdoing, possibly even party because of it." (pg. 76). That part definitely gets to be difficult. I believe that my sexual abuse defines part of who I am - not me as a whole, but my experiential self. I react to things differently because of my experiences. I would not say that I am proud of my abuse - obviously that's a stupid way to say it. It might be better to say that I try to not be ashamed of it. I hold myself back based partially in my abuse - I don't really like to be in crowds or with people I don't know.

In the end, this book helped me to learn more about the effects my memory has on the people around me, and the hidden effects it can have on me.

Healing and Memories

2010-04-03T21:55:00.003-05:00

Warning: I'm going to talk about abuse. I tried hard not to put any triggers in. Still, read with caution?

I'm writing my senior paper right now about ethical views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Right now I'm reading a book by Miroslav Volf, a Croatian Christian theologian. The subject of the book, The End of Memory: Remembering Rightly in a Violent World, is how to remember violence correctly. Volf himself was spent time being interrogated and held in the former Yugoslavian region, and so has had to learn how to deal with this subject quite personally.

I began reading this book because a professor assumed it would help with my paper. The last book he recommended didn't really help all that much so I was skeptical. However, quickly into starting the book this afternoon, I realized that this book was helping me on a much more personal level. I'm only halfway through the book right now, but I feel like it's helping.

Volf acknowledges that memories display themselves often, whether they are triggered by something or not: "The reason is obvious: to relive those experiences is painful, even in memory. When we remember the past, it is not only past; it breaks into the present and gains a new lease on life." (pg 21). For anyone who has suffered sexual abuse, this makes all the more sense. We cannot feel free if we are still living through these events. In essence, our abusers have a hold on us forever.

Volf argues that memory is "central to identity. To the extent that we sever ourselves from memories of what we have done and what has happened to us, we lose our true identity. We must hold fast to our memories along with the pain; otherwise we will not be true to ourselves. So salvation lies in memory insofar as that memory prevents us from distorting our essential selves and living a lie." (pg 24). In essence, by denying the abuse that we have endured, we lose pieces of ourselves - pieces necessary to really know and be honest with ourselves... and others.

We can't sit here and dwell on our abuse. That's completely unhealthy. It also isn't the most healthy thing to do to run around and tell everyone what you've been through. So what do we do then?

Honestly, I have no clue. It's not like there's a right answer. I guess it just has to do with what works for you. I can't remember most of my abuse. What I do remember... There's no way I can share that with anyone. It makes it really difficult to have good relationships with people, though, when you can't share things that are bothering you because they're related to the abuse. Maybe there should be a code word or phrase - I can say that instead of having to tell people what's going on with me.

Volf says that healing doesn't begin once we remember what has happened. We have to go further and integrate these memories into our story. We have to interpret what our memories mean and use them as a part of our identities (pg 27-28). I can't say I'm ready for that.

He also touches on one of the most integral points for me...

The memory of their own persecution [insert abuse type here] makes them see dangers lurking even where there are none; it leads them to exaggerate dangers that do exist and overreact with excessive violence or inappropriate preventative measures so as to ensure their own safety. Victims will often become perpetrators precisely on account of their memories [remember, this book isn't specifically geared towards sexual abuse]. It is because they remember past victimization that they feel justified in committing present violence. Or rather, it is because they remember their past victimization that they justify as rightful self-protection what to most observers looks like violence born of intolerance or even hatred. So easily does the protective shield of memory morph into a sword of violence. (pg 33)

I will never reveal what kinds of abuse I've endured, or by whom (for the most part). But this makes perfect sense. If you've been abused by a boyfriend in the past, you will react strangely to things going on in current relationships. If you were abused by a girl your age as a child, you usually aren't going to get along with other girls that well, especially your own age... And it's not because you don't try.

I am always very aware of my surroundings - who is in the area, where the exits are, what I could use to beat someone if need be. I'm focused so much on that stuff that I am not necessarily focused on being your best friend in the whole wide world. I'm so paranoid of being vulnerable that it's difficult to be in a long-term relationship without freaking out every now and then - whether or not the relationship is romantic. I try really hard not to let it show, but it's always in the back of my mind. People with whom I have a relationship hold a certain power over me, and that's something that can be scary to someone who has been abused.

So how do we really heal from all of this? I'll tell you what Volf has to say as I finish his book. In the meantime, it's not a bad book to read if you've been through abuse or know someone who has. For the latter, it might help you understand someone better.

Healthcare

2010-03-22T14:25:00.001-05:00

I'm going to go over some things that I heard last night in Obama's speech about healthcare.

"neither illness or accident"

My family has been changed terribly several times by illnesses and accidents. Did we have insurance each time? Almost without exclusion, no we did not. We cannot afford health insurance for any member of our family.

"rose above weight of our politics"

I'm not entirely sure this is true. Yes, within the Democratic Party, differences were resolved in order to bring a majority vote in favor of the bill. Still, no Republicans voted for the bill and that may come back to bite the administration in the near future.

"change comes not from the top down but from the bottom up"

Changes from the top-down often end up leading to problems, but changes from the bottom-up tend to stick around longer.

"answers the prayers of every american who has hoped deeply for something to be done about a healthcare system that works for insurance companies and not the people"

Damn straight. I've tried to look at health insurance on my own. In my last post, I discussed the outrageous fees and lack of assistance by health insurance for those with pre-existing conditions. I'm sorry that I have a chronic illness - trust me I didn't ask for it. Why do I currently have to pay more? I shouldn't, and this bill should work on that.

"every parent who knows the desperation of trying to cover a child with a chronic illness and being told no over and over again"

It was about this point in the speech when I broke down crying. I remember being so sick when I was little and dealing with all the doctors. We were lucky enough that we lived in Oregon, a state with great insurance programs. I can't imagine having to go through everything without the assistance of the government.

"it's a victory for them, it's a victory for the american people"

I hope that everyone will come to see this in the long run.

"will not fix everything that ails our healthcare system but it moves us decidedly in the right direction"

It is obviously not a quick fix. This isn't like the system backed by Mitt Romney in Massachusetts, where we can flip a switch and fix everything. It will take time and hard work, but it will be worth it in the end.

"we have a solemn responsibility to do things right"

For ourselves and future generations.

If You Think Healthcare Was A Bad Idea...

2010-03-22T10:58:00.003-05:00

You don't know my step-dad. He has diabetes and has had to have two toes amputated because of it. Now he is thousands of dollars in debt. He can't work his old job anymore because of how hard it is on his body. Months later, he is still in pain and has to elevate his feet.

You don't know my mom. She has been sick since November with what seems to be a large number of cysts in her abdomen. She is in a huge amount of pain but won't go back to the doctor because it costs too much and she can't really miss work. She works at the same place my step-dad used to work, which is very physically demanding. Her employer is too cheap to pay her well or give her benefits despite how hard she works for them - both on and off the clock.

A few years ago, I literally watched my mother die in front of me as a result of a miscarriage. We were lucky enough that they saved her life, but she never got the blood transfusion she needed or other necessary care. Why? Because she didn't have insurance. As a result, her body does not function right often and her memory has been affected.

You don't know my sister. Her life was altered drastically when she had a seizure last May. I was the only one with her and I swear she looked dead. It was the scariest thing I've ever seen. As we were getting her into the ambulance, she was trying to get out of the stretcher, screaming that we couldn't afford this. She was seventeen at the time and in a huge amount of pain, but was worried about the family financial situation more than herself. Her life was saved later when she also had to have an emergency appendectomy. We were lucky enough that she was on Badger Care because of her seizure. It's odd how things work out sometimes.

You don't know me. I lose insurance at the end of July from Carroll. To buy insurance on my own, because I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, it would cost $1600 a month and not cover anything more than routine doctor's visits - not medicines, tests, x-rays, physical therapy, etc. Medications can cost anywhere from $100 a bottle to $2500 a pill.

And you don't know the people of America. There are families who are teetering on the edge of homelessness, having to make the choice between buying food and paying the bills. They don't even have the money to think about getting insurance, let alone cover their children and themselves. The story of my family is odd, but not unique by any means.

Hilarious Video!

2010-03-11T19:30:00.002-06:00

Doctor Who?

2010-02-21T01:09:00.002-06:00

Can I just say that I'm growing more and more fond of former doctor David Tennant? He's adorable - that's all that needs to be said.

BBC America Tenth Doctor site (David Tennant)

Main BBC American Doctor Who site

SyFy Doctor Who site

Doctor Who wiki

Also, they're working on Doctor Who games. Awesome :)

I probably won't be posting a whole lot until mid-March. I have a ton of school projects coming up lately, including my senior capstone project. Blech.

Neda

2010-01-23T08:43:00.003-06:00

So much has happened since I last posted and there is so much to talk about. However, the most important thing about today is that it would've been Neda Agha-Soltan's 27th birthday.

Her story is one of the most poignant regarding the Iranian election and resulting protests. The thing that gets me is that she had not yet participated in the protests the day she was murdered. She was on her way to protest, asking for rights that so many people around the world are born with and take for granted. In both November and December, the Iranian government and its supporters desecrated her grave - twice.

Oxford has since set up a scholarship for philosophy, her field of study, in Neda's name - something the Iranian government protested.

Her fiance is speaking out now about her death and how he thinks Iranians should handle it.

According to some twitter friends in Iran, people seem to be gathering at Neda's grave, only to be stopped and surrounded by the Basij.

This young woman only wanted peace and human rights - something that myself and others continue to speak out on. Today I urge you all to honor Neda through action and thought - think about the rights you have as you go through your day, take time out to remember her and what she believed in and ultimately died for.

Are We Still Going to Say Israel's Suffering More?

2010-01-08T12:31:00.002-06:00

After this story, we better not.

So some Hamas people fired mortar rounds along the border of Gaza and Israel. I'm obviously not going to condone their use of violence, but I think given the circumstances it is understandable. You kick me out of my house and stick me in a ghetto (gasp!) and I'm probably not going to be happy. Add to that that you want to make it so my six hour school day takes a seventeen hour round trip because of all the checkpoints... or tell me I can't take my dying loved one to the hospital today... I think people don't understand the severity of the situation in Gaza and the West Bank.

Also, from the story above,

Gaza militants have fired more than 280 rockets or mortars at Israel since the end of a devastating offensive against the territory on January 18, according to the Israeli military.
Palestinian groups and human right organisations say about about 1,400 Palestinians died during the offensive. Thirteen Israelis also died in the fighting.

And that's over a thousand Palestinians for every Israeli killed. Can that be justified?

Dear Sydney

2010-01-08T12:07:00.001-06:00

I'd rather have gay parents than no parents at all. Apparently, Sydney doesn't see that the same way.

Favorite Picture of the Day

2010-01-07T14:46:00.001-06:00

(h/t The Daily Night Owl. To see the whole picture, open it in a new tab or window, or just go visit the site. Apparently I can't fix Blogger to show the whole thing)

Someone at CNN Got It

2010-01-07T10:27:00.003-06:00

I have no blue how it took this long, but some guest at CNN finally got their head of their butt and figured out what was going on with these Iranian pro-government rallies. The most recent rallies that occurred have, according to several of my twitter sources, been staged. Those who work for the government were forced to participate in these shams of rallies as a part of their jobs or face unemployment and worse.

If you want to see some heated debates, scroll down to the comments section of that CNN story.

Wow, They Finally Figured It Out

2010-01-06T12:50:00.003-06:00

USA Today has a story up today on the prevalence of children as sex offenders (h/t to Marcella Chester). According to the story, 36% of sexual offenders are children, with a whopping 93% of them being boys. Girls are often involved in these activities at younger ages.

I was five when the six year old girl we took care of began to abuse me. For the longest time, I didn't know how to handle what had happened. It occurred to me, though, that she was probably abused by someone else - most likely an adult because of things that were going on in her life. As a child, you don't know how to handle that sort of thing and lash out against other people... or you are lead to believe that this is what constitutes love, which can mess up the rest of your life.

It is hard for me to reconcile my feelings on the sex offender list with the experiences I have had. Because she was probably abused, it isn't right to put her on the sex offender list. However, this doesn't downplay the problems that the abuse has caused me in my life.

How can I feel like I have justice?

Well, I really can't. The only thing I can do is go forward and try to move on. What happened to me and other children in similar situations was not our fault and it wasn't "innocent exploration." As hard as it is, you have to try and make peace with what happened to you, learn what you can from it, and be a better person because of your experiences.

New Websites

2010-01-05T01:30:00.002-06:00

In keeping with the topic of Iran, please visit the Struggle for a Free Iran site. They have a list of people killed and detained since the beginning of the protests also.

Also, visit the Iran Daily Newspaper site. It will have a pro-government spin, no doubt, but is an interesting source of information.

If you're planning on visiting Iran (which is being discouraged for obvious reasons), check this site out. The tagline is my favorite: "Welcome to Iran, the Land of Civilized and Friendly People." This is true for the majority of the population - those not in control.

This site has anything you'd ever want to know about the Iranian flag.

Oh, and don't forget to take a look at the Iranian Constitution. Not only is it interesting to read what they have to say about other religions in their country, but it's odd to see the changes in how this constitution has been used (or not) since June. Torture is forbidden as is arresting people without a proper lawful cause. I wonder if anyone has legitimately claimed asylum in Iran.

Happy New Year

2010-01-04T14:12:00.004-06:00

It is always interesting to look back on the previous year and the changes that we have experienced. None of these changes are more important - or dangerous - than those faced by Iranian civilians. Here is just a short look at what has happened there since June.

June 13 - Re-election of M. Ahmadinejad causes riots and protests in Iran by supporters of Mousavi; people protest throughout the world in the next few days on behalf of Iranians
June 14 - Pro-Ahmadinejad supporters line the streets; some video of this and future pro-government rallies shown however are actually videos of green protests; Mousavi files a formal appeal to the government asking for a recount of the votes
June 15 - Mousavi joins the public in protest, despite warnings that this would be illegal and he could face serious consequences
June 17 - Iranian soccer players wear green wristbands and are later suspended for doing so; Ebrahim Yazdi, former foreign minister and Sec-Gen of the Freedom Movement of Iran, arrested at hospital while undergoing tests
During the above time period, the University at Tehran was attacked by government forces, causing the detainment of over 200 students and the beating of hundreds more; foreign news crews were ordered to leave the country and news began to filter out through social networking sites like YouTube, Facebook, and the newly popular Twitter; several international news agencies had their offices attacked and raided; government forces tried to shut down SMS and the internet, yet the people were still able to get word out to the world; the US State Department begins to assist the Iranian people in gaining access to shut down websites; hundreds of reformists and protesters are arrested along with several foreign news personnel; protesters taken to hospitals also have possibility of being arrested, so wounded hold up in makeshift hospitals
June 19 - The Ayatollah says that Ahmadinejad's victory is a divine sign and told protesters they would no longer be tolerated; in the face of the Ayatollah's words, protests (albeit on a smaller scale) occurred
June 20 - Neda Agha-Soltan's murder is captured on video, fueling the fire lit by green revolutionaries
June 22 - Tear gas and more force is used by the Basij to clear up protests; Ebrahim Yazdi sent back to hospital for medical procedure and later released
June 29 - a "recount" of the votes is held, with the council in charge saying the Ahmadinejad still wins
July 15 - Caspian Airlines Flight 7908 crashes in Iran, killing all on board. Some think this is a ploy by the government to distract and quiet protesters
August 5 - Ahmadinejad sworn in again, though he can hear protesters shouting "death to the dictator" outside of the Parliament
August 11 - Iranian government confirms the detainment of over 4,000 persons in connection with protests
September 18 - Quds Day; large protest held
November 4 - 13th of Aban; large protest held
December 7 - Iranian Students Day; large protest held
December 26 & 27 -Ashura-related protests held; Ashura commemorates martyrdom and gratitude to God; you can find more here and here
December 27 - Seyyed Ali Mousavi, Mousavi's nephew, is killed; his body is kept from the family for quite some time before finally being released; Mousavi anticipates his death in the next coming days
December 28 - Ebrahim Yazdi re-arrested

So far five people have been killed via trials on charges of orchestrating the revolution and exposing human rights violations.

Women have experienced a huge revolution themselves within the Green Revolution. Feminism is alive in Iran.

Let's hope that the new year brings with it a sense of peace for the citizens in Iran.

Give Hope a Chance

2009-12-31T11:08:00.002-06:00

I watched District 9 the other night. All I could think of was the apartheid situation in Israel/Palestine (for the record, Jimmy Carter, Desmond Tutu, and Nelson Mandela have all called this situation an apartheid - note that two of them actually lived under South Africa's apartheid). Sure, go ahead and call it my capstone project haunting me during the holidays. However, the conditions and discrimination faced by the aliens in the film are very reminiscent of that faced by the Palestinians in the Occupied Territories.

Since I've been dwelling on that for a few days, this news story was very unexpected. Here are some of my favorite parts regarding the young Israeli boy and Palestinian girl:

Friendship often starts with proximity, but Orel and Marya, both 8, have been thrust together in a way few elsewhere have. Their playground is a hospital corridor. He is an Israeli Jew severely wounded by a Hamas rocket. She is a Palestinian Muslim from Gaza paralyzed by an Israeli missile. Someone forgot to tell them that they are enemies.

“The wounds of our children, their pain, our pain, have connected us,” noted Angela Elizarov, Orel’s mother, one recent day as she sat on a bed in the room she shares with her son. Next door is Marya, her 6-year-old brother, Momen, and their father, Hamdi Aman. “Does it matter that he is from Gaza and I am from Beersheba, that he is an Arab and I am a Jew? It has no meaning to me. He sees my child and I see his child.”

He [Marya's father] and his children have been at Alyn Hospital, which specializes in young people with serious physical disabilities, for nearly the entire time since. The Israeli government, which brought him here for emergency help, wanted him and his children either to return to Gaza or to move to the West Bank. But attention in the Israeli news media produced a bevy of volunteers to fight on his behalf. Marya would not survive in either Gaza or the West Bank. The government has backed off, supporting Mr. Aman on minimum wage and paying for Marya to go to a bilingual Arabic-Hebrew school nearby.

But Mr. Aman has no official status and is also raising a healthy and bright son in a hospital room. He wants residency or a ticket to a Western country where his children will be safe and Marya will get the care she needs.

Volunteers who help are often religious Jews performing national service. Some ask Mr. Aman how he can live among the people whose army destroyed his family.

“I have never felt there was a difference among people — Jews, Muslims, Christians — we are all human beings,” he says. “I worked in Israel for years and so did my father. We know that it is not about what you are but who you are. And that is what I have taught my children.”

“I was raised as a complete Zionist rightist,” he said. “The Arabs, we were told, were out to kill us. But I was living in some fantasy. Here in the hospital, all my friends are Arabs.” Ms. Elizarov, Orel’s mother, noted that in places like Alyn Hospital, political tensions do not exist. Then she said, “Do we need to suffer in order to learn that there is no difference between Jews and Arabs?”

Perhaps through the suffering of others, humanity as a whole could someday come together to create a more peaceful existence for all.

Iran and Airplanes

2009-12-28T14:12:00.004-06:00

There is an awful lot going on in Iran. I'm not even going to pretend like I can do the situation justice, so for more on the what's going on, visit The Daily Dish. Andrew Sullivan and company have done a wonderful job over the weekend with analyzing the different news coming out of Iran via the citizens and social networking sites.

CNN all day has been talking about the attempted terrorist attack on Christmas. Al Qaeda has now confirmed that they are behind the 23 year-old Nigerian's plot to bring down a plane from Amsterdam to Detroit Friday. Headline News has been asking people for their opinions about the raised security at airports and some of the responses astound me. There is a lot of racism and religious intolerance regarding this event. One particular gentleman was upset that "our people" are being searched.

For the record, you never know who is going to be involved with terrorism. There are plenty of homegrown terrorists or those who support terrorists. I, for one, have no problem going through more searching if I can be confident that my plane trip will go smoothly or that my loved ones will be fine during their trips.

Dear Switzerland

2009-11-30T23:04:00.004-06:00

So, for those of you who haven't heard, Switzerland passed a ban on minarets today. Minarets are the towers attached to mosques used to call Muslims to prayer. Oddly enough, these four (yes, four in the whole country) minarets aren't even used for calling people, but for decoration and tradition. There are about 400,000 Muslims in the country, 90% of which are from Turkey or Kosovo - aka they are very liberal on their dress code and do not really wear Muslim specific clothing.

So Switzerland, I have one question for you - why you such a bigot? Why you gotta be a jerk? No real good reason? Oh. Well, you make me sad either way.

Fort Hood

2009-11-07T08:39:00.003-06:00

What has happened in Fort Hood is a terrible thing. There just aren't any words to describe it. I have friends in the military as well as family down near Fort Hood. In fact, my aunt had been to the PDX on base earlier that day.

The first question that seems to have popped up is why? Sadly, many people thought they knew the answer within seconds of hearing the suspect's name.

People who use their bigotry to decide reasons why Major Hasan committed this tragic crime are only adding to the heartache. They should be ashamed of themselves for perpetrating hate crimes on top of the hurt already done all over the country. Within virtual seconds after the suspect's name was released, those who were already talking about the possibility of terrorism had ample ammunition. This is going to be a case where Major Hasan and the bigots in the media and the news have ruined it for not only the families and loved ones of the soldiers but also the Muslim population in the military (and the entire U.S.).

Unfortunately, I fear a backlash against the Muslim population, similar to that which occurred after September 11th. I'm not the only one. We could see it in the first five minutes that the world knew the Major's name... and not just on the internet. In CNN's live coverage of the tragedy, Wolf Blitzer's Situation Room was on. Within a few moments of learning Hasan's name, Wolf Blitzer makes the comment that it is "obviously an Arab name."

Really? Wolf Blitzer, I expected better of you. Comments like that do not come from someone who is unbiased or at least fair about situations such as this. Cultural insensitivity is way beneath you... at least I thought so.

If anyone has been reading for very long, they know that I am very interested in the Middle East and studying Islam from a scholarly point of view. I am especially interested in Iran and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In fact, I am writing my senior capstone right now on Israel/Palestine. I have heard viewpoints related to Hasan's self-identification as Palestinian - that he was carrying out a terrorist attack against the U.S. as a form of revenge for what wrongs continue to be perpetrated against the Palestinian peoples. First off, the man in all likelihood did not commit this act as a terrorist, but as someone whose mental health had degraded severely. Secondly, for the Palestinians to attack the U.S. - one of Israel's greatest allies - would be counterproductive, and I would go so far as to assume that most people understand that. Unfortunately though, people are going to associate Hasan with Palestinians, which will hurt their cause greatly.

I hope that we can move forward as a nation brought together by this tragedy and not as one segregated because of bigotry and stereotypes. My heart goes out to the people who are suffering as a result of this man's actions.

Rihanna

2009-11-05T13:04:00.002-06:00

For the record, I love Rihanna.

She has opened up and talked about her incident with Chris Brown. Go check it out. Here's my favorite part:

"I am strong," Rihanna said in the interview, voice unfaltering. "This happened to me -- I didn't cause this. I didn't do it. This happened to me, and it can happen to anybody."

If you're looking for more on Chris Brown, go here. I actually do go out of my way to avoid him. I don't want him to get any money from me listening to his music.

Neda

2009-11-05T08:03:00.002-06:00

There is an interview with Neda's family on CNN right now. Here are just a few interesting parts:

The night before she was killed on the streets of Tehran, the woman the world would come to know simply as Neda had a dream. "There was a war going on," she told her mom the next morning, "and I was in the front."

More than four months after Neda's death, her mother, Hajar Rostami, described the pain her family has endured and how grateful they are to millions across the world who have hailed Neda as a martyr -- a symbol of freedom for Iran. She spoke with CNN by phone in her native Farsi from her home in Tehran a few days ago.

"As a message to everyone, I really want to thank the whole world," she said. "And I don't really know how to thank them, so I ask of you: Please find the right words for me.

"I can't tell you how much it has warmed our hearts, how much it's helped us."

Recalling that day, her mother paused in the hourlong interview. The family, she said, has gone back to the scene and retraced Neda's movements.

"She was only 26 steps from her car."

Those were 26 steps Neda never had a chance to take -- the difference between returning home to her family and becoming a symbol of a greater struggle inside Iran.

"But when I returned home, I did see the video," she said. "It was enormously painful. So painful that I've never been able to watch it again all the way through to the end.

"It was the moment of seeing her give her life, the life leaving her body. That was very painful. The look in her eyes at that moment. I wake up with that look in her eyes every morning; I go to bed with the image of that look in her eyes every evening."

It is tradition in Iran to give away personal belongings of a loved one after they die. But Neda's bed, her makeup stand, her photographs -- everything that was hers -- remains untouched.

The reason: Neda appeared in her sister's dream and told her not to part with anything.

"I am alive," Neda said.

Happy Anniversary

2009-11-04T09:16:00.003-06:00

Good morning world. Today has been, several times throughout history, a time for change... and discrimination. It's always amazing to me to see all of the good and bad things that have happened over the years, especially when we see similar events occurring.

2009:

Maine repeals same-sex marriage, becoming the 31st state to do so
Maine also votes to expand the medical marijuana law
Washington is expected to pass Referendum 71, allowing many of the benefits of opposite-sex marriage to same-sex couples
Iranian people take to the streets in remembrance of the hostage crises of 1979, chanting "Obama" in an effort to call for help and attention to the voting issues that began over the summer

2008:

President Barack Obama is elected the first African-American president of the United States of America
Michael Crichton dies at age 66
Proposition 8 is approved by California voters, overturning a previous ruling that same-sex couples would be able to marry

1999:

Aaron McKinney, who took part in slaying Matthew Shepard because he was homosexual, is sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole and promises not to appeal his conviction

1995:

Israeli PM Yitzhak Rabin is assassinated by a Jewish extremist in Tel Aviv.

1991:

Ronald Regan opens his library in Simi Valley

1980:

Regan wins the presidential race over incumbent Jimmy Carter

1979:

The Iranian hostage crises begins as as militant storm the U.S. Embassy in Tehran

1956:

Soviet troops move into Hungary in order to crush a revolt

1955:

Cy Young dies at 88

1952:

Dwight Eisenhower is elected president

1939:

The "Cash and Carry" position is taken by the U.S. in World War II, allowing support for France and Britain

1924:

Wyoming elects the first female governor, Nellie T. Ross 1922 - King Tut's tomb is discovered

1884:

Grover Cleveland is elected president

1842:

Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd are married in Springfield, Illinois

Punishment

2009-11-03T08:22:00.003-06:00

Now, I'm generally against the death penalty... but fucking assholes like this definitely get a vote from me to head to the electric chamber... especially if he ends up having an STD of some sort.

During the sentencing for 26-year-old Jeremy M. Lund, the Wood County victim-witness coordinator read a letter written by the toddler's mother and father. The parents wanted the letter read out loud in court so Lund would have to hear the damage he's caused.
"Make sure that he will never be in a place to harm another child," they wrote.
Wood County Circuit Court Judge Greg Potter sentenced Lund to 40 years in prison with credit for 287 days already served. Lund will serve an additional 20 years on extended supervision.
The sentencing was difficult for the victim's family, who filled the courtroom. Crying could be heard throughout the hearing and at one point, several family members left the courtroom, finding it too difficult to be in Lund's presence and listen to the proceedings.
In their letter, the parents wrote that their 17-month-old daughter had to go through surgery to evaluate the damage done to her.
"We love our daughter, and it rips us apart what happened to her," they wrote.
He ordered Lund to be on GPS monitoring for life, maintain absolute sobriety, maintain full and verifiable employment, undergo alcohol assessment, give a DNA sample and be tested for sexually transmitted diseases.
(h/t WI Rapids Tribune)

Prediction Time

2009-10-26T23:41:00.002-05:00

The 1960s ended up being the era of love. The early 1990s was the grunge era. What will the early 2000s be known as?

The era of irresponsible parents.

Think about it. We have seen arguments against the Jon & Kate show, only to see the family fold under the pressure of stardom and ruin their children's' lives even more (by the way Kate answered questions the other night for anyone interested).

We have also experienced murderous moms, incestual fathers, and more.

Oh, and let's not forget the balloon family.

Missing Girl

2009-10-21T06:53:00.002-05:00

A girl from Virginia Tech has gone missing after being separated from her friends shortly before a Metallica concert. Both the band and her mother are asking anyone with information or video/photos from that night to step forward and aid in her safe return.

Tyler Perry

2009-10-06T17:34:00.003-05:00

In the past, Tyler Perry has spoken about the fact that he was abused as a child, but never in detail. However, today he took part in something so therapeutic for those of us who have been abused - he spoke out about it.

He posted quite a bit about his abuse stories on the message section of his website. They aren't for the faint of heart, especially if you have experienced similar events in your life. CNN gives a less detailed summary of the different issues a young Tyler Perry faced, which may be a little easier to read for some.

I find a lot of what Tyler Perry has done with films and other media to be slightly annoying. However, reading about his past has made me respect him as a person and understand better some of the reasonings behind his actions. Anyone who has survived such hard things in their lives deserve a lot more respect than they ever really get, especially those who have been able to talk about their abuse.

Tyler Perry didn't just wake up today thinking about telling his story to the world. It generally does not - cannot - happen like that. Oprah and Perry have backed a new film - Precious - which will be in theaters. The film is about a teenage girl from Harlem who lives in a very abusive situation. Her father has gotten her pregnant for the second time and she has to deal with an abusive and ignorant mother. On top of all this, she is a freshman in high school at sixteen who has no clue how to read or write. She faces being kicked out of school and instead opts for alternative schooling, which helps to get Precious out of her home situation.

I'd like to share with you a quote from Perry's message earlier today:

If you're having a hard time getting over something in your life, maybe you can try forgiveness too. It's not easy, but it does bring forth healing. I know that there are a lot of people out there with stories far worse than mine but you, too, can make it. To those of you who have, welcome to life. I celebrate you.

He's right. It was one of the most frightening moments when I realized that the little girl who abused me must have been abused herself and was probably acting out based upon the same sorts of things I was feeling. It was so freeing to begin forgiving her for what I went through. That isn't to say that I'm not still mad at her. Forgiveness is something you have to do slowly and work really hard at. In the end though, I think - I hope - it'll be worth it.

Iran Update

2009-10-02T12:48:00.002-05:00

Two separate people who were protesting Iran's past have come out and started to talk about their experiences in captivity. This man and woman were both raped while being held. It is important to beware of the possibility of triggers when reading this article, but please do so.

Well, Crap

2009-09-28T14:56:00.003-05:00

Ahmadinejad was on Larry King Live the other night. I can't explain how hilarious it was. I had just tuned-in in time to hear King ask the Iranian President about his views on the Holocaust. King, who is a Jewish man married to a Mormon woman, had family members die in the mass genocide against Jews, gypsies, the disabled, homosexuals, and other "undesirables." During Ahmadinejad's rant about the Holocaust, King had to take three commercial breaks and tried to move onto another topic several times. I felt really bad for him, but it was humorous to watch Ahmadinejad make a fool of himself. Basically, he tried to say that Jewish people made up the Holocaust in order to get the land of Palestine back until Jewish control. One of the more interesting points that he argued was that he couldn't understand how the Israeli people, who "supposedly" (his words not mine) went through a genocide and terrorist acts being carried out upon them could turn around and treat the people of Palestine in such a similar way. Now, I'm definitely not a Holocaust denier - far from it - but this point has been brewing in my mind for a few days now. I'm not entirely sure how to explain it. It's odd to find myself being able to understand Ahmadinejad's point, maybe even creepy?

Speaking of our favorite friend, Ahmadinejad, he admitted a few days ago that Iran has a second nuclear facility. Even more than that, they tested some missiles in the past few days. Could this lead to another world war? We'll have to see I suppose. Russia's Sergei Karaganov thinks Iran's situation is one of several roadblocks on the path to world peace right now.

In slightly related news, Israel went ahead and shut down for Yom Kippur. They are very worried about what Iran has been doing over the weekend, so I can see where it would be hard to do so. Part of what happens during these shut downs is that all soldiers are relieved of their posts to be able to spend time in Temple and with their families. It's such a nice thing for these people, except that the Palestinians who have to pass through checkpoints in order to get to school, work, home, hospitals, and other places, cannot do so without men at the gates. I'm glad for the Israelis that they get to enjoy their day, but when people are dying because they cannot get past a barrier in order to get medical attention, one has to ask the question whether or not Palestinians are viewed as people at all.

As a reminder, it is a Federal crime to threaten the president. Maybe someone should've posted that on Facebook.

Apparently they're making a movie about Candy Land? Entertainment Weekly wants to know which games are next. If you're looking for ridiculous movies, Justin Timberlake is going to star as one of the developers of facebook. Interesting. (h/t that one guy I'm constantly spending time with)

Oh, and speaking of my boyfriend, we went to this awesome Civil War reenactment Sunday. Look for more details tomorrow when I'm done writing two papers and working.

WTF?

2009-09-25T10:26:00.003-05:00

Last night, here in Waukesha, Carroll University hosted Take Back the Night. For those of you who haven't heard about it, the organization, which began in the late 1970's, holds get-togethers where survivors of abuse can speak out in a safe place - some for the first time. It is generally geared towards women, but there were some men who spoke up about their abuse. It was so difficult to listen to people speak out about their abuse, especially my roommate. I hadn't really cried until she made it up there to share her story. I had thought about getting up to share my story and seeing my roommate's courage let me know it was alright to do so. I was so scared but it was so freeing to share with my classmates and other people in the community something that I've kept to myself until the last two years.

I've never gotten therapy for the things that happened to me as a child. No one in my family has. The only reason I bring up this point is because of shows like Showbiz Tonight and others who are trying to say that Mackenzie Phillips is either lying or should not have broadcast her story to the world, that she should be in therapy instead of bringing attention to what's happened to her. I feel ashamed of the fact that our society still cannot talk about this. What happened to Mackenzie wasn't any more her fault that it was mine. Most people who have been abused do not talk about what happened to them because they fear the kind of retribution that this brave woman is facing. Michelle Phillips, Mackenzie's stepmother, is making this process 110% harder for her stepdaughter than it should be.

I can't believe that, as a society, we can condemn sexual abuse and in the same breath call victims liars when we cannot verify the claims. This is a sad world we're living in and it's no surprise to me that so many of the victims of sexual abuse end up trying to commit suicide or keeping their stories to themselves forever.

Breaking News!

2009-09-16T07:53:00.001-05:00

Obama calls Kanye West a jackass! I can't imagine how much that one stings.

Also in the news, although it's a little old, Kanye West loves fish sticks!

Iran Update

2009-09-12T09:46:00.003-05:00

So it looks like Ahmadinejad is going to invite some high profile people to his place for some coffee and to talk about this nuclear thang.

Is it just me or does it seem like a bad idea to send people to go talk to him? My kidnapping senses are tingling.

GAH

2009-09-11T21:47:00.002-05:00

I feel so overwhelmed right now with school. Not only am I organizing this Palestinian Freedom Walk and working three jobs as of next week, but I am working on my capstone paper.

The topic? Israel and Palestine.

Honestly, what else did you expect me to write about?

So much homework. Gah.

You Know You're Back to School When...

2009-09-06T18:00:00.003-05:00

You're reading a novel on the history of the Balkans in the process of doing research for your senior capstone while drinking a wine cooler... and then while trying to find your best playlist, you spill said wine cooler all over your laptop and can only watch in amazement until flipping your laptop upside down to drain the alcohol off your favorite and most needed electronic device... all while listening to Jason Mraz, Dave Matthews Band, and Jack Johnson.

Mmm sticky keys.

New News

2009-09-03T11:26:00.003-05:00

Wow, there is a lot going on in the world right now.

The Iranians have accepted Ahmadinejad's nomination for health minister, Ms. Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi. Yes, the man nominated Iran's first female minister. Two others were nominated, but turned down. Could it have something to do with trying to please the feminists that came to the forefront of the movement this past summer? Probably.

A young Muslim teen ran away from her home in Ohio to a pastor in Florida after converting to Christianity. The seventeen year old girl feared for her life after her father vowed to kill her because of her conversion. The man denies really being that upset over her change in faith, though he would rather that she practice Islam.

In Britain, two boys (ten and eleven) lured two other boys (nine and ten) to a ravine and began to beat them to the extent that they would've been charged with attempted murder. The charges were dropped, but should they have been?:

The older boy had a sink dropped on his head, one had a noose put around his head and one was burned with a cigarette on his eyelids and ear.
The younger boy had a sharp stick rammed into his arm and cigarettes pushed into the wound.
He also tried to ram a stick down his own throat after he was told to "go away and kill himself" by one of his attackers.
The pair, who were both seriously injured, had bricks thrown at them and were repeatedly stamped on.
The nine-year-old managed to stagger to a nearby house to raise the alarm, covered in blood from wounds to his head and arm.
The 11-year-old boy was later discovered unconscious in the nearby wood.
The brothers have each pleaded guilty to robbing one of the boys of a mobile phone and the other of cash.
They also admitted two counts of intentionally causing a child to engage in sexual activity.
The brothers were later charged with attempted grievous bodily harm with intent and making a threat to kill in connection with a separate attack on another 11-year-old boy in Doncaster a week earlier.

Also, where are the parents in all of this?

Ninety-two year old Rochus Misch is the last living person from the Hitler bunker. He was present not too far from the room in which Hitler and Eva Braun committed suicide. It's an interesting story for sure.

You ever thought your soda tasted funky? I bet you never had anything like this.

Also, if you haven't seen the people of Walmart website, it's been in the news a lot lately in addition to being hilarious.

I Hate Talking About This Stuff

2009-08-29T18:23:00.003-05:00

But it's definitely a necessary evil. This Jaycee Lee Dugard case is clearly disturbing. At the time, I lived in the area and visited Lake Tahoe a few times because my family had a cabin up there. I was so young that I really don't remember hearing about anything. CNN is, of course, talking about this woman's breaking story. Today, this story (Victims of repeated abuse suffer complex trauma) found it's way onto the front page. Lemme break this down...

Victims of abuse suffer crazy amounts of trauma. I can't even explain to people close to me things that happened or why I tend to act weird around certain things. The slightest little thing can trigger a flashback - a color, smell, look - even a word. Maybe it is because I am someone who experienced this kind of trauma, but the headline of the story seems like a no-brainer to me. I'm not going to compare myself to Ms. Dugard, but simply analyze this article based on my experiences.

"Sexual abuse doesn't happen in silence," said Karen Duncan, a clinical therapist. "Things are said to the child before, during and after. Offenders say things in a purposeful way -- to convince the child what they're doing is OK and acceptable. The children do not know the laws. They really don't know this is something that's not supposed to happen."

Sometimes things are said, sometimes not so much. It's all dependent on the abuser, abusee, and the situation. I had no clue what was going on with me was all that wrong at first. By the time I did, it wasn't like I had any power to stop it.

In sexual assault cases, adults threaten or lie to get children under their control.
"We don't know if she was told her parents didn't want her anymore, or that if she tried to escape, they would kill her parents," said Dr. Sharon Cooper, a developmental and forensic pediatrician, who also is a consultant for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. "There are many threats to compliance in these kinds of situations."

Something I find upsetting about any articles like these is that they always fail to mention child-on-child sexual abuse. Is it because many of us who have experienced this kind of abuse try to play it off as ordinary childhood sexual exploration? Who knows. At some point, however, an adult had to be involved with a child in order to prompt said child to mimic his/her actions with another. Also, as I've discussed before, threats don't necessarily have to be said or even made by the abuser. I was scared to death that a) no one would believe me, and b) my family would be ashamed of me.

Because Dugard remained at the Garridos' compound for 18 years, she could have identified with her captives, experts said. Dugard may actually miss her captors now because they have been the center of her world for so long, forensic psychiatrist Helen Morrison told CNN.
"That was her life," Morrison said. "That's what she knew. That's the only thing she had. It's a little variant of what we call the Stockholm syndrome where you become identified with your kidnappers and in many ways, you become attached to them."

It's not uncommon to see someone fail for their abuser or be so "in-love" with their abuser that they cannot leave the situation. My childhood abuser was my best friend. Why in the world would I think that she would've done anything to hurt me? Best friends love each other right? This was just another way of showing it, like grown ups do.

The pivotal step for Dugard is to get connected with a mental health professional, Landry said. It's essential to reinforce to survivors that what happened is not their fault.

This really is one of the best things to do. However, it is also one of the hardest things anyone will ever go through in their lives. On a day-to-day basis - before I told my mom and after - I can pretend that I am just another normal girl. I've talked to a therapist at school a few times about my abuse. As hard as it was to tell my mom, the person every little girl idolizes growing up and is so close to, about what happened... Having to tell a perfect stranger and feel as though they are judging you is a whole different ballgame. Oh, and that's not even mentioning that you have to tell people roughly what happened to you and go through hell all over again. I'd rather suffer in silence personally.

On Thursday, she [formally kidnapped Elizabeth Smart] told CNN's Anderson Cooper that after the reunion she spent lots of time with her family and advised survivors to not let "this horrible event take over and consume the rest of your life. Because we only have one life and it's a beautiful world out there."
"I would just encourage her to find different passions in life and continually push forward ... [and] not to look behind, because there's a lot out there," Smart said.

Ms. Smart has some very good advice there. We cannot let ourselves be defined by the abuse we've suffered. It is a part of my life and something that I can't escape from (in the long-run anyway). People don't need to know what happened to me or even that anything happened. I know what happened, that it was wrong, and that I did nothing to deserve that.

Sometimes there are tornadoes and hurricanes. The devastation is terrible, but that doesn't mean that the sun stops shining. We have to pick up the pieces, rearrange them, and try to rebuild our lives. Sure, it's a process (it's been four years since Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and still the area is in ruins). As someone who is still in that process, I'm not quite sure that it ever ends. One can only hope.

Palestinian Freedom Walk, Milwaukee

2009-08-29T18:01:00.003-05:00

If you are interested in learning more about this awesome event that I'm planning on behalf of the American Association for Palestinian Equal Rights, or AAPER, go to the official sign-up site or to our facebook page.

Here's the quick lowdown though:

What: Silent march

When: October 10, 2009

Where: Somewhere in Milwaukee (IDK yet)

Why: Because Palestinians deserve to be equal in their own country

Who: Anyone who supports human rights!

Also, if you're not in the Milwaukee area, you can find marches near you at the AAPER website.

The Hazards of Love

2009-08-24T14:28:00.002-05:00

If you haven't heard the latest album from The Decemberists, Hazards of Love, you outta look it up. The band is from Portland, Oregon - about two hours north of where I grew up. I'm not going to say anything about the album because I don't want to give things away, except to say that this is a story album that uses some old English wording.

Go listen!

New Job

2009-08-17T18:08:00.002-05:00

So I started my new job today. Maybe it was just because I was training, but it was wonderful. It didn't get busy like Kmart gets busy which was a nice change of pace. I got to meet Bob Soerens, the owner of the joint, and he's hilarious. I keep training tomorrow, which will be nice. I catch on pretty quickly though, so I hope I don't get bored.

Boycott Marriotts With Me

2009-08-13T16:51:00.002-05:00

Read this story. They could've had a solid argument if they had come from a different angle. However, this company is blaming a woman for her own rape in front of her children. Ridiculous.

If you want to complain to the company like I did, go here.

xkcd

2009-08-13T13:02:00.002-05:00

If you don't read it, here's a great reason (click on the picture to read the whole thing - stupid formatting):

It contains truth.

Whoa There

2009-08-13T09:39:00.005-05:00

So I found this fun story off NPR's twitter page today about medical marijuana in California. California was the first state to legalize it and my home state (well, where I grew up anyway) eventually followed suit. I will be very honest here. I don't smoke pot - never even tried it. I've known enough people through the years who have tried it. As someone with a chronic pain ailment, I've looked at reasons for legalizing the drug for those of us in terrible pain. After all, it's really a lot less harmful than alcohol, which causes thousands of deaths on our roads and other places every year.

Back to the story. A federal drug agent in San Francisco thinks... Well, I'll just let you read his words:

"I think 215 was a complete sham. I think this was a hoax," says Ron Brooks, a federal drug agent in San Francisco.
"And I would encourage any citizen to do this. Stand near a dispensary and watch who goes in," Brooks said.
"And tell me how many people look sick and dying. How many people look like they are suffering from catastrophic illness, and how many kids are standing around the corner where people buy marijuana inside the dispensary — and resell it to the kids outside for a profit," he adds.

Earlier in the article, it talks about the history of legalizing the drug. It was to help those with HIV/AIDS, cancers, etc. You cannot tell by looking at people how close to death they are or how sick they are or even if they are in pain. People think that I am just lazy (which is partially true, but I do have medical reasons for a lot of what I do/don't do) and don't care to know anything about what is going on in my life. I don't look like someone who has a debilitating disease that has constantly made me want to chop off limbs. You just can't see something like that by looking at a person and it's ridiculous to think that anyone could tell that.

I can see why people might get mad at how easy it is to get pot. Hello, have you never walked down the street and been approached to buy pot? Do these people not walk around normal parts of town? Even in states where it is illegal, access to pot is not difficult to get.

Why not make pot legal and easier to monitor than continue to put drug dealers in jail for longer than pedophiles? Do we not ever learn anything from Europe? You can tax pot, you know - make some more money for the government, maybe help out people who have morals too high to do things that are illegal but might benefit from it?

Spanking in Public Schools

2009-08-11T10:40:00.003-05:00

I came across this article in the New York Times this morning about how disabled students are spanked more.

I wouldn't necessarily consider myself disabled, but I had an incident as a first grader where my teacher spanked me for no good reason. As a result of my JRA, it is harder for me to sit criss-cross-applesauce as was customary to do in our class. My teachers had been informed on what was going on with my body. Unfortunately, one of my teachers either didn't understand or didn't care.

We came in from recess one day and I was exhausted. Instead of coming in and sitting the customary way on the floor mat, I had my legs to the side of my body, which I could usually get away with in my other class if we sat on the floor. This even hurt, so I laid down on my side on the floor. A classmate tried to warn me to sit the right way, but I told her how much it hurt and that I just couldn't do it. Then the teacher came in. She was a middle-aged woman from Japan who had happily moved to the northwest in order to teach at this Japanese-immersion school. She was very upset that I was not following the rules. I tried to explain to her how painful it was to sit the normal way and how tired and achy my poor little body was. All she seemed to care about was that I was breaking the rules and then being argumentative about it. So she lifted me up by one arm and preceded to spank me in front of my classmates.

She put me down and told me to sit the right way. I was crying so hard between the embarrassment and the pain in my bottom and my knees as I bent them to match the other kids.

For kids who can't follow the rules because of physical limitations or for those who don't quite understand the directions, spanking is a terrifying experience. I was in terrible pain to begin with, but to have to go through being spanked and humiliated in front of my friends as well as having to bend my knees - the thing I was trying to avoid because of the pain - was not only annoying but ridiculous as well. Any sort of physical punishment should be outlawed in our schools. Teachers are people too - people who lose their temper or misunderstand situations. We should be able to put a certain amount of trust in them, but trusting them to physically punish our children correctly is a mistake and one that can scar someone for life.

Forget About Feminism

2009-08-11T10:27:00.002-05:00

Some Muslims are moving way past equal rights. There are a handful of Islamic punk bands popping up around the United States. Their music is charged with current events and politics.

This is awesome.

(Also, this is the 250th post!)

Healthcare

2009-08-10T19:38:00.003-05:00

I'm not following the latest on Obama's healthcare reform plans. I've just become so uninterested due to how the different news agencies and reporters/writers are handling this. I can, however, tell you why I would support nationalized health care.

I've talked several times about my Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthrits (JRA/Still's Disease) on this site and my other blog. With this as a pre-existing condition, any insurance I would be able to buy privately would require me to work 80+ hours a week and wouldn't really cover anything substantial.

I get insurance through school, yes, but it's enough to cover a visit to the school nurse... and enough to help me pay 80% of a regular doctor's visit (provided that they accept the insurance). Don't even think about dental, vision, or specialty docs like rheumatologists.

All the things going on with my sister right now would have been even more terrible had she not been able to qualify for BadgerCare. She had to have an appendectomy over the weekend. Without having the insurance, I'm sure that her appendix would've exploded and she wouldn't have been able to get help until things got dyer, if then.

And if that didn't do it for you, maybe this story will.

Sooo

2009-08-09T20:51:00.002-05:00

My sister went to the emergency room last night with appendicitis. I haven't really slept super well since. We brought her home around 3:30 or 4 o'clock this afternoon. Any time that I have slept since we got into her room around 3 this morning was because of low blood sugar and exhaustion.

So exhausted. Blech.

I Got A New Job

2009-08-06T23:30:00.001-05:00

Working at a car dealership! It'll be so nice to get out of Kmart :)

In sad news, I just heard John Hughes died :(

I Can't Wait

2009-08-04T19:02:00.002-05:00

The Time Traveler's Wife comes out in theatres on the fourteenth. I am so excited that nothing else seems to be all that important right now. For the past few hours, I sped read through the first 100 or so pages of the book (care of Google) as well as read quotes.

I think I'm kidnapping my boyfriend, who made me read the book, to go see the movie on opening weekend. It's a moral imperative.

Put Protesters On Trial You Say?

2009-08-01T12:32:00.002-05:00

Yep, that's what Iran is doing right now. News reports say they are cracking down on the opposition, but if you've been following this at all, you know this is just a continuation of the abuse of the people. Ahmadinejad is going to be sworn in again in just a few short days and it seems as though this tough approach against the people will not let up anytime soon.

*sigh*

Really?

2009-07-28T09:15:00.003-05:00

I was always told that if I didn't have anything nice to say, I best not say anything at all. Apparently a lot of Israelis want Obama to (perhaps) violate that rule and speak to them directly. Here, have some commentary on the piece:

This policy of ignoring Israel carries a price. Though Mr. Obama has succeeded in prodding Mr. Netanyahu to accept the idea of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, he has failed to induce Israel to impose a freeze on settlements. In fact, he has failed even to stir debate about the merits of one: no Israeli political figure has stood up to Mr. Netanyahu and begged him to support Mr. Obama; not even the Israeli left, desperate for a new agenda, has adopted Mr. Obama as its icon.

Ah, yes, because everyone around the world is supposed to adopt Obama as its new icon for peace and change. I forgot about that one.

In Mr. Netanyahu’s narrative, the president has fallen under the influence of top aides — in this case Rahm Emanuel and David Axelrod — whom the prime minister has called “self-hating Jews.” Meanwhile, Mr. Netanyahu is the defender of national glory in face of unfair pressure, someone who sticks to the first commandment of Israeli culture: thou shalt never be the freier (that is, the dupe).

Kudos for using the word 'dupe.' Just because someone wants to see peace in the Middle East and understands that BOTH sides have to give up some stuff (Palestine being the only side that's really given up anything to date) doesn't make them self-hating Jews. It makes them Jews who understand that what Israel and supporting countries have done the people of Palestine is terrible.

A Jerusalem Post poll of Israeli Jews last month indicated that only 6 percent of those surveyed considered the Obama administration to be pro-Israel, while 50 percent said that its policies are more pro-Palestinian than pro-Israeli. Less scientifically: Israeli rightists have — in columns, articles and public statements — taken to calling the president by his middle name, Hussein, as proof of his pro-Arab tendencies.

Shouldn't the focus be on what is pro-peace and not pro-Israel? If you want a pro-Israel political ally, you really aren't going to get one anytime soon, at least in the United States.

Fourth, as far as most Israelis are concerned, Mr. Obama has made a mistake in focusing on a settlement freeze. For starters, mainstream Israelis rarely have anything to do with the settlements; many have no idea where they are, even when they’re a half-hour’s drive from Tel Aviv.

Oh good, so then it isn't just the United States that fails to get any news whatsoever from the Palestinian side of things due to bias media and suppression? How do you not know about problems in your own holy land? Wow.

In other related news, I bought a book about the conflict the other day, thinking that it would be informative, only to find out that it is very pro-Israel. I don't really have anything wrong with that point of view (when it's not extremist) but the world cannot ignore the atrocities being perpetrated on the Palestinian people - Arabs and Christians, women and children, young and old.

This Is Why Parents Don't Get Told

2009-07-23T19:25:00.002-05:00

There are a lot of things that go through a person's mind when they've been raped or sexually assaulted. I wish I could say that these things get easier with time. To an extent, they do, but life never returns to 'normal,' whatever that is. The hesitation to tell someone about the assault can definitely grow over time.

As a child, I really didn't have a huge idea that other people weren't going through what I was experiencing. I thought that it could just be a part of life and growing up. I slowly learned that what was happening to me was not alright, not normal, and not something that should be happening. I couldn't bring myself to tell my mom until sometime in the last year or so.

I was so afraid that my mom would react like this family did, that she would be ashamed of or mad at me. I cannot even express how many times I tried to talk about what was happening, what had happened to me. I'd open my mouth to start to talk about it, but then would change the subject or conveniently 'forget' what I was saying. My mom did everything when I was younger to try and make sure that these things she went through as a young girl did not happen to my sister and me, but even all of her careful questions and explanations of good touch/bad touch couldn't overcome the feelings of being abused.

It's only really been within the last year that I've been able to talk more openly about the things that happened to me as a little girl. Even then, I still feel so vulnerable that when people ask me questions about what happened, I can't answer them. Many times, I do want to answer these questions, but the power that these abusers hold over us silence even the most talkative tongues. Other times, I can't describe things I've experienced or even remember what happened. These, of course, end up being the things that people I've spoken to about my abuse want to know about.

If anyone in your life has been sexually abused or assaulted, the most important thing to do is to be supportive and understanding. No one knows exactly what happened to me and, in all likelihood, no one will. It is not that I don't trust the people in my life enough to speak about these things, but there's a pain that exists that can't really be described, even to myself.

I Can See New Years Celebrations Changed Forever

2009-07-22T21:23:00.001-05:00

That is, if the Naked Cowboy really ends up being New York's new mayor. I didn't know he had such a good background though, so that might get interesting.

The National

2009-07-18T09:36:00.002-05:00

So I went to The National concert last night at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee. It was amazing to say the least. If you haven't heard any of their music, you should really go check out Mr. November and Secret Meeting just because they are my favorite songs. The energy that this band brought to the stage was fantastic. The only other band that I've seen get quite as much into their music as The National is Dave Matthews Band (which I haven't seen in person). Anyways, go check em out because they're friggawesome like that.

Iran Update

2009-07-09T15:03:00.002-05:00

It's been a while since I really wrote on here again.

Even though Iran isn't in the news as much right now, there is still a lot going on over there. People were marching today, despite the fact that the government has tried all it can to stop them. Tear gas, guns, and beatings still aren't enough to keep people in their homes and out of the streets. There are still plenty of people in jail and even some being rearrested. There are more videos and bloggings to be found here.

Tweets from the past hour:

In case u missed; Basij throwing stone at 0:50 mins (youtube) http://bit.ly/NaopD #iranelection

Courage & Bravery! RT: Sanchez calls chants of "death 2 the dictator" "remarkable" #iranelection

http://twitpic.com/9tahv - Today's people demonstration got to the rudeness by coup de atat forces #iranelection #gr88 #iran

Chants "Death to dictator" 18 Tir, Tehran (youtube)http://bit.ly/zDIUO #iranelection

Valiasr Sq 18 Tir Tehran protest (youtube)http://bit.ly/2FWJRg #iranelection #gr88

Compilation of videos from 18 Tir in Tehran (youtube) http://bit.ly/4cC1Lc #iranelection

Unknown location, 18 Tir (youtube)http://bit.ly/7dQrd #iranelection #gr88

More videos coming... 18 Tir, Tehranhttp://bit.ly/1Nngvx #iranelection

The attack on Amir Kabir Univ dormitories: http://tehranbureau.com/psst-column/

Video: We Are Fighting Back, Central 18,00http://bit.ly/IJScO #iranelection

Amirabad/Hejab St cars blocking street, ppl chanting (youtube) http://bit.ly/NXvrB #iranelection

From Iran: Despite being beaten, general feeling is that we WON today! #iranelection

Video: Tehran Uiversity Dorm 20.30http://bit.ly/tMQBp #iranelection

don't say we were hundreds/thousands,Even ppl scared came out #iranelection

Do not underestimate the number of protesters today just bcuz they were scattered. They were at every crossing #iranelection

Mojahedin is not much better than the religious clerics, they're fightin against gvmt 4 their own sakehttp://bit.ly/XUvVU

Reports: Hezbollah Attacked Polytechnic Dorm!#iranelection

India Decriminalizes Homosexuality

2009-07-02T11:16:00.002-05:00

And, of course, like most, the problem began with British occupation:

Homosexuality has been illegal in India since 1861, when British rulers codified a law prohibiting “carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal.” The law, known as Section 377 of India’s penal code, has long been viewed as an archaic holdover from colonialism by its detractors.

If you've been living under a rock and don't exactly know what's going on in Iran at all, you can trust the New York Times for a recap.

Who's My Favorite Person Right Now?

2009-07-02T10:08:00.001-05:00

Jeff Goldblum :)

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Jeff Goldblum Will Be Missed

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

Jeff Goldblum

Iran Update

2009-07-02T09:31:00.002-05:00

Here are pictures of the ballots. As Andrew Sullivan points out, one can see problems right away.

Texting comes back in Iran.

The Iranian government says 20 protesters were killed in all. I don't believe them, and the Guardian will end up helping to identify the lost and tortured souls. Even if it were thousands, the story behind each martyr would break my heart again. Here's one such story. The interrogation and torture techniques that the Iranian officials are using could have killed hundreds like 04-309, and we would never know. The beatings themselves are absolutely terrible and reprehensible. I can see where the pain and mental anguish would drive someone to kill themselves.

Fort Worth police raided a gay bar and got rid of all their anger, it seems. The Star-Telegram doesn't have anything about the incident. If someone is drunk, they might not get that they are doing anything inappropriate. I think homophobia has played a far bigger role in here than anyone wants to say out loud.

It's not a lot

2009-07-02T09:09:00.002-05:00

But it's a start. Wisconsin, a state with a same-sex marriage amendment, has decided to award certain domestic partnership benefits. However, only 43 of the about 200 rights will be available to same-sex couples.

Daily Show in Iran

2009-06-29T22:40:00.003-05:00

Jason Jones, hilarious correspondent on The Daily Show, was actually in Iran around the disputed election. He got some amazing footage and really seems to have taken a lot of this seriously. Go watch it if you get a chance.

Michael Jackson

2009-06-29T19:47:00.003-05:00

I'm gonna piss people off, so I'll let you know right off the bat.

I'm sorry, but if you didn't molest young boys, why would you settle with one of the boys' families? I know I wouldn't. It is also obvious to see what happened as a result of his relationship with Macaulay Culkin also.

Do I feel bad that his childhood sucked? Sure. Do I like some of his music? Of course. Do I feel bad that he's dead? No, not really.

Religious Intolerance and Other Nonsense

2009-06-29T09:16:00.003-05:00

This article I felt wasn't terrible. When I started scouring the comments, I was very insulted that all these people could be so judgmental of something they hadn't (obviously) really studied. People even went so far as to critique the author for having the name 'Melody' instead of a more 'Islamic' sounding name. Really? Wow.

These people don't really understand the burqa and it's origins either. Ugh. At least there is some intelligent conversation there.

Oh, and BYU students can watch the YouTubes now. Maybe now they can see a little more about what's going on in Iran.

Twitterers Arrested?

2009-06-29T00:04:00.003-05:00

It could be. I've found myself pouring through the tweets from my vacation and wondering about a few people. It's scary to think that people who have been feeding the world information could be being tortured, jailed, or even dead. I hope with every bit of my heart that each and every person in Iran is safe tonight. I know that it's a tall order, and probably not one that can be attained easily, but this is what I wish for.

US Support for Iran

2009-06-28T21:30:00.003-05:00

I'm back from my vacation with the boyfriend. It was amazing and so is he. I had a ton of fun and really don't want to do anything productive anytime soon. *sigh*

Jon Bon Jovi is showing it, so why isn't anyone else with some power?

Tweets:

Video from Atlanta, GA http://bit.ly/ol9y1 A young supporter in CA http://bit.ly/xzcUp #iranelection

RT Quote from BRAVE IRANIANS: If fighting for our freedom is a crime, than we are proud to be criminals. #iran #neda

RT CNN Much more protesters today as there were last days, which means revolution is ALIVE. Keep supporting #gr88 #iran #Neda

European Union Warns Iran Against Acts of Intimidation http://bit.ly/3uFsf

I can NOT find any confirmation of arrest #mousavi. Please ppl stop spreading rumors, think of what it will do to the greenrevolution #gr88

Mousavi is just like the rest of them, so arrested or not doesn't make much of a diff asfaras I'm concerned.

Journalism Rules Are Bent in News Coverage From Iran - New York Times http://bit.ly/F3CVx

RT [riveting vid]The crowd is as loud as ever. view from inside the mosque today http://bit.ly/Bsghj #iran #gr88 #neda

A blogger claims that trusted sources close to Mousavi have rejected news of his arrest: http://bit.ly/UIybY#IranElection

Neda

2009-06-24T12:43:00.002-05:00

Her family was forced out of its home after not being able to bury or be present at the burial of their sweet Neda. This is outrageous. How dare they show such disrespect after trying to pawn Neda's death off on the BBC reporters who (according to Iranian officials) want to make a documentary about Neda.

Please No

2009-06-24T10:34:00.002-05:00

There are massacres going on in Iran, much worse than before. Please, somebody, stop this. There are people who are so smart over there - who could find a cure for cancer or AIDS or help bring world peace - and they're getting killed for no good reason.

Tweets:

they pull away the dead into trucks - like factory - no human can do this - we beg Allah for save us -

Lalezar Sq is same as Baharestan - unbelevable - ppls murdered everywhere

they catch ppl with mobile - so many killed today - so many injured - Allah Akbar - they take one of us

in Baharestan we saw militia with axe choping ppl like meat - blood everywhere - like butcher - Allah Akbar

rumour they are tracking high use of phone lines to find internet users - must move from here now

phone line was cut and we lost internet - #Iranelection - getting more difficult to log into net

a cry of help, a woman from Tehran tells CNN: "This is genocide, this is a massacre, this is Hitler." #iran #neda

we must go - dont know when we can get internet - they take 1 of us, they will torture and get names - now we must move fast - #Iranelection

Videos

2009-06-24T08:54:00.003-05:00

I won't ask that anyone watch these videos, but it is important to literally see what is going on in Iran. People are so desensitized that we can listen to the news talk about serial killers while we eat our meat and potatoes. There's no way that can happen here. It really impresses me that YouTube has been such a willing partner in all of this.

Because of my sister's seizure last month, I am still so scared for her. I keep thinking about her - and everyone that I love and care about - in the same situation as these Iranian kids who are just fighting for things we take for granted everyday. I've been crying all morning. When you see what is really going on there, how can you not?

Tweets:

There are reports a young woman is shot in Baharestan. #iranelection #gr88 #neda

saw 7/8 militia beating one woman with baton on ground - she had no defense nothing - #Iranelection sure that she is dead

they were waiting for us - they all have guns and riot uniforms - it was like a mouse trap - ppl being shot like animals #Iranelection

Hezbollah attacked some people trying to gather at Tajrish Sq. #iranelection

Ghalibaf: "the people's ambiguities have to be resolved and this problem cannot be solved by using force [against ppl]" #iranelection

see many ppl with broken arms/legs/heads - blood everywhere - pepper gas like war - #Iranelection

Army Helycopters flying over Enghelab Sq. Army Vans moving toward Azadi St with heavy Machine Guns. #iranelection #iran

just in from Baharestan Sq - situation today is terrible - they beat the ppls like animals - #Iranelection RT RT RT

Families of detainees have assembled in front of the revolutionary court, surrounded by police. #iranelection

Googoosh sings 4 iran (mano az yad bordin) #iranelection plz RT so that all iranians can see this

so many ppl arrested - young & old - they take ppl away - #Iranelection - we lose our group

ppl run into alleys and militia standing there waiting - from 2 sides they attack ppl in middle of alleys #Iranelection

all shops was closed - nowhere to go - they follow ppls with helicopters - smoke and fire is everywhere #Iranelection

At least 24 journalists and bloggers have been arrested since unrest #iranelection #iran

To think that people in another country are being arrested for doing exactly what I'm doing right now... This is a travesty.

Clerics Join Protesters

2009-06-24T02:05:00.002-05:00

Yep, that's right.

Tweets:

from Iran: heard that shahrake gharb just had its strongest night of allah o akbars! #iranelection #tehran #iran #gr88 #neda

New Roger Cohen OpED @NYTimes: 'End of the Beginning' http://bit.ly/xhLs3 #iranelection #neda

Is Iran Spying on Cellphones? http://bit.ly/1r7ipo better link

Global Demonstrations all over the worldhttp://bit.ly/BN7Tv Tue Jun 23rd #iranelection #iran #neda PLZ RT

Great article by @justimage:http://tinyurl.com/krb3er says it way more elequently than I did, here: http://tinyurl.com/n994tg

After the Friday prayer with Khamenei people were chanting "Death to Baha'is" on the streets #BahaiRights #IranElection

After Rezayi took back his complaint, his site is claiming that Rafsanjani has not gone to Qom to lobby:http://bit.ly/GTsR

PLEASE RT URGENT: Silent Demo,Wed 4:30 PM at Baharestan-old Majles also at Vanak, Tajrish and Sadeghiehhttp://bit.ly/167DuD #iranelection

Your Body and You

2009-06-24T00:26:00.003-05:00

Actually, this should be titled "Israeli Activists and Iran" but either way.

It happily amazes me when people actually get it. Here are my favorite highlights from this article:

There is a minority in Israel that is willing to risk life and limb to stand up to the occupation at its core. Multiple times a week, groups of Israelis venture through checkpoints into the West Bank in order to meet with Palestinian counterparts and help them maintain the basic necessities of livelihood and hold on to what little land they still legally own. We are continually attacked by settlers and harassed by Israeli authorities, which try to restrict our efforts and often use excessive force. Despite the constant obstacles and fear of arrest, court dates and injury, we continue to fight the occupation with nonviolence...

Iran and Israel are different countries with different systems of government, histories and values. The current regime in Iran is authoritarian while in Israel we have democratic systems, at least as far as the Jewish residents are concerned. But there are also similarities: both countries’ national characters stress the bond between religion and state and are ideologically driven, such that both societies necessarily have elements of oppression and movements against that oppression....

If you feel solidarity with the struggle in Iran over elections, don’t forget that in Israel we have our own resistance, a homegrown and genuine resistance. In both countries, law-abiding citizens are looking to reform their governments’ policies out of a commitment to make their country a better place to live in.

Where did I find this cool article? Only from my new favorite blog. As someone who is actually living the hell in Palestine that those of us in America can sit comfortably in our pajamas and read about on the internet, she is a valuable resource for anyone looking into the conflicts in that region.

Yay Internet!

2009-06-23T19:13:00.002-05:00

I'm way too far behind on a lot to really post about Iran. The fact that I'm going on vacation this weekend doesn't help either.

But here, have some tweets!

iDesk"Iran's Neda: Slain woman an unlikely martyr" -http://tinyurl.com/mnx52z

Iranian republic splintering?http://bit.ly/IRCHG (via Al Jazeera) #iran #neda #gr88

“It appears that they are determined to kill us by slow death” - Inhumane prison conditions for imprisoned Bahai leadershttp://bit.ly/pk3cr

RT@LaraABC) #Iranians tired/demoralised but ironically StateTV=motivator. "Pisses everyone off so much that makes them wanna go out there"

RT frm #Iran: All the medic-staff of 4rahemir hospital were on strike and prtstng at 4bagh in Isfahan after seeing footage of #Neda

The US interfered in Iran last 55 years and look where Iran ended up. We R not children, we must save ourselves. #gr88

Almost a Week

2009-06-18T11:23:00.003-05:00

Strange to think it's only been that long.

Why people think nonviolence can work (and it can).

How Iran's problems are helping to heal wounds left over from ignorance and September 11.

What's happening to the students captured by the officials.

Tweets:

Arrested students fromTehran U dorms were beaten in the basement of the State Ministry, even thewounded

Ignore rumors that Khamenei is not attending Friday prayer. He is: http://bit.ly/49uG6Y protestors to attend wearing black.

Another rally on Saturday. Khatami & Mousavi will there.

All of the Chem professors of Sharif U resigned

Today's rally in Iran+Hashemi's children R banned FR leaving Iran

Yahoo messanger and Gtalk are filtered in Iran, Skype is working. confirmed

Only 1 cleric has congratulated Ahmadinejad: Noori-e-Hamedani

Only 11 government heads have congratulated Ahmadinejad

andersoncooperSalute the ‘bravehearts’ of Iran http://bit.ly/jlrgt

Monday crowd is estimated by Tehran's mayor, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, to be as many as three million-strong, The Guardian

Greening Google: The petition is here. You know what to do. http://tinyurl.com/kt5ebr

History of Iran

2009-06-17T23:17:00.001-05:00

My dear friend Abbey has done a write up of the history of Iran since she's been following the situation very closely over there as well. You should go check it out because it's really good, and I'm not just saying that because she's my friend.

Those Meddling Kids!

2009-06-17T22:47:00.002-05:00

Yes, you guessed it. According to Iranian officials, the United States has meddled in their affairs by asking Twitter not to shut down and by encouraging news from the area to get to the rest of the world. Nice.

This seems like a pretty trustworthy news source. It updates more than once a day right now, so keep your eye on it.

More Tweets!

Translation, Protest Slogan: Democracy is our right, we despise violence. #iranelection

There is a sub plot here that most Iranian's won't talk about, and that is the child treatment by the clerics.

Insider Videos

2009-06-17T16:20:00.002-05:00

You know how I like to share them. This one is particularly good.

Could the Russians be involved?

And more tweets which are useful. However, you need to watch for the fakes and spies.

What Else Would I Talk About?

2009-06-16T23:29:00.005-05:00

Another graphic video showing the Iranian people helping out their fellow humans in an effort to keep them out of hospitals, which are no longer safe places. People twittering about how to take care of each other in emergencies.

The Basij was stormed today and there are plenty of videos to show it.

BBC and other foreign agencies reporting on gatherings despite the ban. Man, Ahmadinejad is gonna be pissed.

Time has picked up on the issue finally.

Twitter did the update and everything is fine. Going to bed (wrote that part ten minutes ago). Have to work in the morning and probably won't be around until the evening.

Sign this petition to help the people of Iran.

Oh, and I like this picture.

Enjoy these tweets, if possible (click here for more).

#GR88! quote by an #IranElection p: "I realize now i do not fear death. I fear my daughter will not be free when i die."

CNN website is now blocked in Iran #iranelection

"The schism in Iran is not reducible to social class, ethnicity, region or generation."http://bit.ly/nsHNv #iranelection

I worry that the reason Iran is trying to evict foreign journalists is so that it can get more brutal, w/o witnesses.

Student Killings

2009-06-16T14:47:00.002-05:00

Student massacres in Tehran continue as videos and pictures keep making their way out of the blocked country. These stories are heartbreaking and gut-wrenching. How anyone can hear these problems and not want to help change something is beyond me.

Graphic video of shot Iranian "rebel"

Despite this violence, there is a lot of silence over there right now. Very disconcerting.

US Gov't Steps In

2009-06-16T14:43:00.001-05:00

Not the way maybe they should, but at least it's something.

"We highlighted to them that this was an important form of communication," said a State Department official of the conversation the department had with Twitter officials.
Any sign of U.S. involvement in the actions of Twitter or any other social networking service could be seized on by Iran as U.S. interference in the electoral process.

Death and Destruction

2009-06-16T13:41:00.001-05:00

It's a very graphic video, but people around the world need to understand what is happening in Iran to people who simply use their brains.

Go Green!

2009-06-16T13:00:00.003-05:00

BBC has gone green, so I will too.

BBC is also covering the latest rally.

Andrew Sullivan has a poem featured from the great poet Rumi for Iran.

CNN finally is covering more on Iran.

Oh, and the Ayatollah is being a douche still. Did we expect anything less?

summarize of khamenyi's speech: as your God we say the election was good and for your own sake you should accept it.

Why Do I Hate Fox News?

2009-06-16T12:48:00.002-05:00

Well, it could be that I am liberal and it is conservative. Or it could be because they're idiots.

CNN Has Something

2009-06-16T12:01:00.002-05:00

But it's not pleasant (did we expect it to be?).

Iran has banned foreign journalists from covering the rallies. Along with tearing down the people's abilities to communicate with the outside world, this seems like another ploy to try and keep the regime in power by allowing them a voice to the outside world.

They know their power is fading so they're trying with all their might to keep it.

Recount!

2009-06-16T11:42:00.001-05:00

Iranian officials have announced a recount in the election. However, I am not hopeful that the situation will change that much. Andrew Sullivan shares my opinion.

Is It Safe?

2009-06-16T11:03:00.003-05:00

There are times where we have to ask ourselves if we're ready for what's about to happen. Are we prepared for the way Iran will look in a day, week, month, even year?

Certainly, some seem to think that Obama winning the US election has had a hand in what's happened in Iran. I would not object to that statement at all.

Communications are down in Iran again, surprise surprise.

Also, if you can stomach seeing reality, you should watch this video. It's easier to understand the pictures sometimes than the words.

I realize that I'm almost exclusively citing Andrew Sullivan's Daily Dish. It seems to be the only place where Twitter and more news/analysis come together.

Fight for Your Rights

2009-06-16T01:13:00.003-05:00

I'm not entirely sure what all happened when I was at work. Anderson Cooper brought in Christiane Amanpour and talked more about Iran than I thought he would, but far less than I expected.

Gruesome pictures

CNN Fail (Con)

2009-06-15T12:34:00.003-05:00

Anderson Cooper is talking about pot tonight instead of Iran. Thanks, cousin.

The only non-failing people on CNN seem to be those with roots in the Middle East, like Fareed Zakaria and Christiane Amanpour.

If only more people were brave enough or cared enough about discussing Iranian problems. At this rate, Zakaria and Amanpour should just open their own news studio.

Tehran University

2009-06-15T12:08:00.002-05:00

Five students were killed there last night. The faculty at the University all resigned and is asking for the University President's resignation as well.

Shots were fired into the rally crowd today. There are conflicting reports as of now, but I've heard either rubber bullets or one person dead.

Eek.

CNN Fail

2009-06-15T11:15:00.004-05:00

Epic fail, in fact.

Yes, let's mention that there seems to be something violent going on in Iran, but not pay that much attention to the problem. Let's cut to Obama's press conference on health care, where he won't even touch upon this more pressing issue. Let's show Robin in the morning skydiving like an idiot without a care in the world except about her own safety.

Shouldn't we be able to expect more from our press? We have people over there who are more than willing to share their story. Someone tell them about Twitter already.

Uncool Man

2009-06-15T10:37:00.005-05:00

Israel PM is a douche.

Iranian students have to hold a rally in secret and still will fear being chased down, beaten, or worse.

If these pictures don't make you want to get involved somehow, then I don't know what will.

You can watch this site for more live tweets if you don't have a Twitter account.

Iran

2009-06-15T00:23:00.002-05:00

Twitter is being a big help with the situation. If you don't know what's going on or want to know more, please visit this site. He has done an excellent job of gathering information from all over the place.

My Twitter

List of Iranian Twitterers

Oh, and if you really don't believe that the situation is terrible or that the people in Iran aren't free, you can always trust these pictures.

I stand with the will of the people and on the side of freedom. I cannot sit by while these things continue to happen in the world. I urge anyone else reading this to find ways to get involved as well.

Edumacation

2009-06-08T21:52:00.003-05:00

Same-day returns to sports games after a young'un gets a concussion aren't a good thing apparently. Who knew?

This Connecticut School District is getting rid of their math textbooks. But wait, it's a good thing.

George Tiller was recently killed over abortions. This story looks at the sad side of being an anti-abortion protester. Really? I don't feel bad for them one bit.

One of my loans got sold to the government. Is this win?

No S#!t Sherlock

2009-06-06T13:05:00.002-05:00

According to Nancy Pelosi, China has failed to make any progression towards the issue of human rights. There can be no such thing as political reform in China unless a revolution is staged or other countries step in to help solve the problem from the bottom up. She has asked the current Chinese President to release prisoners from the Tiananmen Square incident - people who have been jailed for 20+ years. There is no way that the Party will let him get away with that, even if he wanted to do so. I feel like she could've learned a lot from the politics class I took this last semester, in which we examined the gross violation of not only human rights but environmental safety as well in China.

Oh, and Israel is trying to make up BS again. Way to be, chosen people.

Manditory Health Insurance?

2009-06-05T12:45:00.003-05:00

Don't worry, there are hardship waivers. But what will President Obama define as hardship?

This may be a bit on the selfish side, but we can take a look at my family and examine all the things that I would define as hardship.

My step-dad, back in December, had a toe amputated. Now, not only is his paycheck cut in half by his ex-wife and the remainder in half by the IRS (he's not the brightest crayon in the box), but now we have to pay off these fees. My sister's seizure has cost a lot of money so far, with the upcoming MRI and EEG sure to add to the total. My mom has too many credit cards as it is and has trouble paying the bills, to the point where she does so every other month too often. Add in that mix a crappy paying job for both of them, without proper benefits, treatment, or reimbursement of mileage, and this is a recipe for disaster.

Now, if my family doesn't quite qualify for governmental assistance in any way and we're barely scrapping by, how fair is it to demand that we get health insurance and not let us have a hardship waiver? Most of the people without insurance, I would gather, do not do so out of hatred of their family, but because of their financial situation.

An Unlikely Ally

2009-06-02T11:37:00.002-05:00

Dick Cheney? Former VP with a homosexual daughter Dick Cheney?

"I think, you know, freedom means freedom for everyone," Cheney said in a speech at the National Press Club. "I think people ought to be free to enter into any kind of union they wish, any kind of arrangement they wish."
Cheney, who has a gay daughter, said marriage has always been a state issue.
"And I think that's the way it ought to be handled today, that is, on a state-by-state basis. Different states will make different decisions. But I don't have any problem with that. I think people ought to get a shot at that," he said.

It's not a whole lot, but it's certainly overdue. If I were him, I would've spoken up on the issue a lot sooner. Then again, if I were him, I would publicly support my daughter no matter what her choices were. Good for him.

Happy 200th Post!

2009-06-01T10:58:00.002-05:00

Obama is set to give a speech in Egypt on Thursday. It should be an interesting show, since he is thought to be focusing more on the Israel/Palestine crisis than addressing the Muslim world.

The president will be walking a fine line between reassuring Israel that America will remain a guarantor of Israeli security and between sounding a warning that he is getting impatient with the slow movement toward Palestinian statehood.

Also, if this is really the deadliest battle between Palestinian Authority forces and Hamas in two years, that's really not that bad.

Teach for America

2009-05-30T22:57:00.001-05:00

It's something I'm considering as an option after college. Loan deferment is a plus. CNN has a little something to say about it right now.

One More Thing

2009-05-28T09:58:00.003-05:00

I just watched an interview from the Colbert Report on the 18th. Meghan McCain was on and I really like her, despite being extremely liberal.

Here's a CNN article about it and you can watch the interview below.

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Meghan McCain

colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

Keyboard Cat

Teenagers!

2009-05-28T09:15:00.002-05:00

They like hugs. It's weird to not be able to say "we" now.

“If somebody were to not hug someone, to never hug anybody, people might be just a little wary of them and think they are weird or peculiar,” said Gabrielle Brown, a freshman at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School in Manhattan.
Comforting as the hug may be, principals across the country have clamped down. “Touching and physical contact is very dangerous territory,” said Noreen Hajinlian, the principal of George G. White School, a junior high school in Hillsdale, N.J., who banned hugging two years ago. “It was needless hugging — they are in the hallways before they go to class. It wasn’t a greeting. It was happening all day.”
Schools that have limited hugging invoked longstanding rules against public displays of affection, meant to maintain an atmosphere of academic seriousness and prevent unwanted touching, or even groping.
But pro-hugging students say it is not a romantic or sexual gesture, simply the “hello” of their generation. “We like to get cozy,” said Katie Dea, an eighth grader at Claire Lilienthal Alternative School in San Francisco. “The high-five is, like, boring.”

Also, texting is apparently a bad thing? I wouldn't disagree so much, except that talking on the phone is worse than texting. The article does touch on the ability of texting to bring people together and blah blah blah.

The phenomenon is beginning to worry physicians and psychologists, who say it is leading to anxiety, distraction in school, falling grades, repetitive stress injury and sleep deprivation.
Dr. Martin Joffe, a pediatrician in Greenbrae, Calif., recently surveyed students at two local high schools and said he found that many were routinely sending hundreds of texts every day.
“That’s one every few minutes,” he said. “Then you hear that these kids are responding to texts late at night. That’s going to cause sleep issues in an age group that’s already plagued with sleep issues.”

I'm sorry, but I still have sleeping problems. When you're younger, it's just how most of the people are. We imbibe caffeine like we're hooked up to an IV of pure Mountain Dew or energy drinks, so what else would a parent expect? Couldn't it just be that those of us who text late at night do so when we're not able to sleep, instead of the texting being a cause?