Day: November 6, 2011

Boston Bound!

yrreskrap1 Comment

Around me, the chatter of many different people diverged into one dynamic buzz. Cash registers ring, papers being printed, suitcases being dragged. Noise engulfs me as I sit in a grey pleather chair in the Charlotte Douglas Airport.

 

I sit here, a venti Starbucks black iced tea (with two Sweet’N Lows and easy ice) and a packet of organic dried mangoes, and I can already tell the difference in the environment.

Although this is just an airport, I can feel the change in the vibe. I am on the East Coast. I am not in California. I can tell in the way people walk, talk, and gesticulate that the city I am in is absolutely different.

I guess I my awareness of all of these differences is especially heightened because this is my first voyage to Boston. As high school senior, I am applying to numerous colleges, many of which are situated in the East Coast. I am scared, nervous, excited, and curious of how different life in Boston will be.

What will the food be like? Will I stand out, strike people as different just as I do them?Who knows?

I’ll let you know how I like it soon:)

Occupy Wall Street 2.0

therightliberal1 Comment

I last wrote about the subject of Occupy Wall Street when  it was a relatively small protest in New York.

And then bang!

The protests started spreading throughout the country, with people even protesting overseas. It has turned in to quite the movement, with the media giving the protests quite the coverage (despite my complaints about their reasons).

But I still have some concerns. I agree that the top 1% needs to stop hiding and start being more responsible. That small population controls such a large percentage of the money in the country that they can control most of the goings on. And with things going so poorly with the economy, they need to stand up and explain why and give some solutions.

But the protesters have not been clear on what they are looking for. The go around marching with 1% signs but they have no specific demands.

There may be a good reason for this: they don’t (and most Americans don’t) know what the answers are, only that we are in trouble.

It is quite obvious that the general public is upset at the state of our economy. We need change. But what change do we need?

Here is what the protesters should be demanding:

Higher taxes on the wealthy. They are wealthy which means they have excess money. Why not tax them and help the country? Obviously giving the rich tax breaks have not worked because look where we are now.

Education. Our education system is quickly system towards the middle of the pack, and that’s a big problem. If we want to have a wealthy country that leads the world in most areas, we need to have the most and best educated young people. Let’s cut spending from other programs if we need to (defense spending) and use it wisely; on education.

Inaction. What has been done by the wealthy to help? To be honest I do not think it is the individual’s job to voluntarily help but the job of the government to enforce their help. Politicians in Washington have been so busy bickering over every small issue that they have forgotten that we need progress now.

I support Occupy Wall Street and I think that the people out there are doing a good job of showing the people’s frustration with the government.

That being said, I highly suggest they focus their protests and start suggesting solutions. By doing that, they could really make a huge step and make some large changes in our country.

North Korea, again?

frog3Leave a comment

The United States (in its infinite wisdom) has begun, yet again, another series of peace talks with North Korea, in a desperate attempt to end the hostile nations nuclear program.

Talks have been “positive” according to Stephen Bosworth (the top US negotiator on North Korean Matters). Bosworth believes, “We are moving in [the] [right] direction.” As we have seen in past attempts at negotiation, having positive talks with North Korea would not be saying much, nor does it give off the impression that the discussions are making progress. North Korea and its foreign policy nations have been tenuous at best.

How can anyone forget the unprovoked attack that occurred last year when the South Korean military, practicing an artillery exercise, fired into neutral waters and were  subsequently accused by North Korea of instigating war.

North Korea in response began bombarding Yeongpyeong, a small series of islands located approximately 12 kilometers from North Korea. This attack killed four South Koreans and injured 19.

It was after this atrocity that communication between North Korea and the US collapsed, turning the vicious attack into an international controversy, sparking talks discussing the possibility of attacks from North Korea against other nations.

Now once again ambassadors from the US and North Korea are once again sitting around a “table” discussing North Korea’s nuclear policy.

The fact that this situation is even occurring demonstrates the failure of the US to stop playing politics and finally act on the injustice that occurs. A country that carries a blatant disregard for international laws should have never had access to nuclear technology in the 1st place.

But perhaps our “ glorious” nation will surprise us by resolving the “Nuclear Crisis” and preventing further nuclear activity in North Korea.

Worst person #4-JaMarcus Russell

backinphillyLeave a comment

Ya, that’s right. I’m writing something about one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. Maybe you’re thinking “Hey backinphilly, what could you possibly have to say about a quarterback that isn’t even signed?” My response is that since he’s not signed, he has plenty of time to say something stupid. And like all other diva players in the NFL, he has in fact said something stupid and has taken the cake this week as being the worst person in sports.

Russell was interviewed in Sports Illustrated this month regarding his failed NFL career and instead of blaming himself for lack of dedication or bad work ethic, he blamed his sleep apnea and his coach.

What? That’s just wrong. You’re a paid professional. You were the top pick in your draft. And you don’t have enough guts to take SOME of the blame? Maybe it’s the team. Maybe Oakland wasn’t the right fit for him. Ya? I play football, and ya the Raiders are kind of a joke. But, I’d kill to play for them simply because it’s freakin’ professional football. He was paid millions of dollars and he screwed it up. Don’t blame Tom Cable and a disease that you may not even have. Take responsibility.
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Washington D.C. 2009

kirbyfullyloadedLeave a comment

Check out the links.  I promise they’re not standard Wiki pages!

My best friend (yes, the same one I mentioned in New York City 2008 who says I can’t cross a city street) and I have an ongoing debate.  East vs. West, New York or California?  San Diego or Washington D.C.?

Of course being from California, I always say West.  We have better beaches, better waves, we’re more relaxed, we have Hollywood and Disneyland.  He laughs at me, claiming they have better cities, better public transportation, better manners, New York City and the good colleges.

In California, we don’t really have seasons.  But when we do, we can have all four seasons in one day -even one afternoon.  So when I went to Washington D.C. with my school in October of 2009, it was quite a shock seeing the trees changing colors and watching the rain fall steadily every night and early morning.

We took the red-eye out of LAX, flying out at 10:45 p.m. on my first Virgin America flight (I highly recommend this airline.  It’s super awesome.)  The inside of the cabins look like this:

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