Category: general news

Stuff having to do with the news in general.

If You Don’t Have Anything Nice to Say, Don’t Say Anything At All.

yrreskrap1 Comment

For the first time in a very long time, I was shocked and shaken to the very core. I was ashamed to know that I share the world with such narrow minded people and I was reminded of the ignorance and blind arrogance that plagues and clings to our society like a heavy, dirty rag.

A few days ago, my friend shared a YouTube video with me. It was a video of a blonde girl, Alexandra Wallace, from UCLA, singling out a group of people, stereotyping all Asians. Let me tell you, it was nothing short of disgusting. Click here to watch the video.

In her rant, she complained about the burdens of having Asians in the dorms on the weekend. Their family members come on the weekends to cook for them and she claimed that their parents were not letting them grow independent. Apparently, having parents who care for their children enough to come and cook homemade food for them is a huge nuisance for her. At this point, Alexandra left me thinking “Why does it matter to you?”

It only snowballed from that point.

Rolling her eyes, Alexandra continued to rant about Asians in the library. Apparently while poor Alex was studying her political science, Asians were always on the phone. She raised a mocking hand to her face and opened her flagrant mouth: “OHHH CHING CHONG BING BONG TING TONG.”She heartlessly disclaimed the severity of the earthquake in Japan and proudly mounted herself on a rocky pedestal of fool’s gold when she called herself “the polite, American girl.” She publicly and very ironically announced that Asians needed to learn “American manners.” Sadly, this queen bee, this high and mighty girl who studies political science has forgotten that America, a salad bowl of cultures, was founded on its immigrants. “American manners” is in part Asian manners as well as manners of Hispanics, Africans, Germans, Italians, and more.

What shocked me the most was the her complete dismissal of the disaster that has shocked Japan. In her few short words, she had repudiated the heartbreak and worry that the earthquake brought onto many. My friend, Minako Otake, could not sleep all night when she heard of the news because she was worried for her family at home. She was tense, waiting for the call to hear the comforting voice of her mom and dad telling her that they were okay and to know that they weren’t a part of the thousands that were reported to be injured or dead. My boyfriend’s family lives in Japan. As Alexandra called it, “the tsunami thing” is a very good excuse to answer a phone call in the library.

The motives for her video were racist, debasing, and facile. I am sure that Asian families aren’t the only “hoards” of people that come to visit on the weekends. I am sure that Asians aren’t the only ones in the library that are using their phones and I am sure that she has probably realized the magnitude of her words. In these 2 minutes and 52 seconds, Alexandra Wallace of UCLA proved her sheer ignorance.

I am Korean American and proud of it. I know that when I get into college, wherever that may be, my family will come visit me on the weekends too and bring me food and maybe do my laundry. It is not because I am Asian. It is because I know my family will try to make my first year of college as comfortable as it can be. I know that I will probably be one of the many people from different ethnicities that might use their phones in the library. I know that my language might sound like a harsh din of rushing vowels and clanging consonants to the foreign, prejudiced ear but it is most definitely not something to be mocked or ashamed of.

In a world where people strive to be different and find beauty in the rarity of things, it is remarkable and eye opening when I find someone so narrow minded and audacious as she. To label a group of people because of their roots is wrong. What kind of world would we live in if we were all one generic race, one generic language, and one generic look? Hopefully, Alexandra Wallace (and many others) will come to terms with the many cultures that constitute our diverse home that we call America. Until then, I hope, at the very least, the magnitude of her words and their ramifications has taught her that if she doesn’t have anything nice to say, she shouldn’t say anything at all.

Weekends?

venturatrekerLeave a comment

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So for almost every teenager, the weekend is a time of rest and recuperation from the stress of school.

But my weekends never seem to end with me feeling refreshed and ready for school.  I’m always so busy on the weekends hanging out with friends and going out.  The reason my weekends always feel so jam-packed is because of the time commitment OVS attempts to put on their day students.

Now, understand that I have successfully circumvented the rules and actually get out of school earlier, AND don’t have to play a sport or fitness.  But for the other Day students that are forced to be around at OVS for agonizing hours on end, they have absolutely no time. When I played soccer, some nights I would not get home until seven o’clock!  So the reason why I believe that weekends leave OVS students more tired then refreshed is simply because of the long hours put onto the students.

Moammar Gadhafi: Enemy, Dictator… Friend?

sennymcflyLeave a comment

“He gave us life. I am ready to die for him. He is a father, a brother and a friend to whom you can confide. You have no idea how humble he is.” (Fatia, 27).

When you think of the name Moammar Gadhafi, you don’t necessarily think “humble”. Well, supposedly, while the rest of the world sees this pernicious dictator as a threat to the safety and overall freedom of Libya, the women of his growing army see him as the father they never had.

The girls, or women rather, are recruited by Gadhafi himself and enrolled in a three year training “school” where they are transformed from proper, virtuous, daddy’s girls into highly trained, bazooka blasting, high heel-wearing, ninja warrior, Gadhafi girls.

These young women are literally made into modern day Charlie’s Angels. “Trained killers” is what Lauren Frayer, contributor to AOL News calls them and that is positively what they are. Throughout their training they are educated in martial arts and rocket launching and are unconditionally devoted to their Libyan leader. Women who will literally [like Jesus] die for him. I mean really willing to die. For example, as Gadhafi was being shot at, one of them jumped in front of him and took the bullets and died! That, my friends, is loyalty.

“Revolutionary nuns” is what they call them. Yes, “nuns”. And whatever ideas you can draw out of that…it’s true. I won’t go on any further.

So, could this be the work of Gadhafi’s “Casanova” prowess, or does Lybia’s fearless leader actually have some fraction of a soft side?

That 84 percent.

smackyjackjack2 Comments

With the human population nearing 7 billion, I think it is a time we examine ourselves very closely.

One thing that I find very interesting is the fact that 84% of all people on this planet, are, in one form or another, religious. The superstition of Gods and other such things has been one trait that we have not been able to shake.

33% of all humans are Christian. That makes the Vatican one of the most powerful organizations in the world. The Catholic Church is so powerful that it has become it’s own country.  I am completely dumbfounded by what humans have allowed to happen. Religion is responsible of worst atrocities ever committed, yet people still follow it blindly.

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Life as a Teenager

vabenissimoLeave a comment

Just a year ago when I was striving to survive my junior year, comtemplating about my life was considered as an act of luxury.

Now that I have gotten so much time to kill, I brood over making right “choices.”

How much should I allow my parents, friends, and other mentors to interfere with my decision-making?

How do I know if I tried my best?

And, am I on the right track?

Since I have to put an end to my teen phase soon, I ponder, ponder, and ponder once again about EVERYTHING. I am pretty sure some seniors experience the same.

All my dilemmas sprout from this single fact; I soon will not be considered as a child, but as an adult.

My life as a teen was fabulous. My immaturity and childish ignorance had been the best excuses for my mistakes. But, the thought that these excuses will no longer be valid terrifies me.

On the bright side, my mind-processing skills have improved vastly over the time. As I look back, the questions that I had during my middle and high school years sound so inane, except for a few that I still struggle to answer.

Hopefully, I will find a balance soon between this sense of ambiguity and assurance.

Until then, my migraine will probably to linger. Urgh.

A Double Standard

venturatrekerLeave a comment

BREAKING NEWS: A family in Texas was massacred in their sleep. A bomb hits bus #74 outside D.C. convention center injuring dozens and killing at least one. More than  50 rockets and missiles continue falling in Fairfax, Virginia.

If this were what you read in the newspaper today, you would panic.  You would demand those responsible be brought to swift justice. And when the “bad guys” are killed and airplanes are flying bombing runs, you will say it is deserved and right.

Now what if I told you all these things happened in Israel?  Your response most likely would be along the lines of “it doesn’t concern me, its not my problem.”

But when Israel responds with airplanes and tanks, the world cries out injustice.  How can a world that claims to be democratic and fair hold Israel to a double standard.  the world calls Israel’s actions unjust.  The true injustice is that a world that condemns terrorism and the killing of innocence will so quickly jump to the defense of those they have vowed to stop.  Since the creation of the State, Israel has fought for recognition. Israel is recognized by the United Nations, therefore giving it equal standing and rights in the World Court. Yet still Israel is held to a double standard.

Microsoft Takes an Advantage of Japan’s Misery

vabenissimoLeave a comment

A tsunami swallowed the East Coast of Japan. Radiation penetrated through construction, livestock, plants, and the citizens. Earthquake of the magnitude 9.0 shook the cities with absolute terror.

And, what did Microsoft do?

The company slyly attempted to take an advantage of this ongoing adversity.

It tweeted, “How you can #SupportJapan – http://binged.it/fEh7iT. For every retweet, @bing will give $1 to Japan quake victims, up to $100K.”

Business Smart, but Ruthless.

In the midst of such suffering, Microsoft wanted to be the parasite of the suffering victims.

Discredited by a huge crowd for its vicious attempt to market Bing, the Microsoft retweeted, “We apologize the tweet was negatively perceived. Intent was to provide an easy way for people to help Japan. We have donated $100K.”

A round of applause for Microsoft’s generous offer, Please.

Let me rephrase — I did not mean “generous,”but “Heartless.”

Click here to view the article.

Irony In Drug Case Against Paris Hilton and Bruno Mars

Paloma SpencerLeave a comment
Paris Hilton promoting her cell-phone video ga...
Image via Wikipedia

 

Irony could never be sweeter.

If you are not up-to-date with the latest TMZ headlines, I would like to take this time to inform you of the recent case in which Bruno Mars and Paris Hilton are being persecuted for the possession of Coke. And no, I am not talking about the old fashioned, forever popular soda pop, but rather an extremely illegal drug substance.

However, the Las Vegas deputy district attorney who is currently attempting to charge these two acclaimed figures of fame has recently been caught with his own possession of illegal substances. And it just so happened that it was cocaine.

The Clark County Deputy District Attorney David Schubert was spotted being released from the Clark County Detention Center earlier today.

“Way to blow it!”

FOX Still Has Hope for Charlie Sheen TV Hit

Paloma Spencer1 Comment
Charlie Sheen in March 2009
Image via Wikipedia

 

I honestly don’t think we can hear any more about the current Charlie Sheen fiasco.

Personally, I love the show “Two And A Half Men” in which Sheen is displayed as a humorous middle aged bachelor. And must admit that the cancellation of this beloved show did make me somewhat annoyed.

However, despite Sheen’s recent public outbursts which have called psychologists into question, the FOX Network is still very much interested in possible projects for Sheen.

TMZ has confirmed that Sheen was spotted holding a secret meeting with the top executives at the FOX network.  Charlie reportedly sat down with President of Alternative Entertainment for FOX, Mike Darnell last Thursday. Throughout the meeting, the discussion was filled with brainstorming but apparently no idea has been confirmed. However, a possible late night talk show was introduced into the conversation.

I guess audiences will just have to wait and see what Sheen does next.

Let’s just hope it’s not another public outburst!

Our resolve is clear. The people of Libya must be protected

dmilesburton1 Comment


“A long war.” That is what Libyan Dictator Moammar Gadhafi has promised the Allied Forces and the rebel groups opposing him.

On Saturday, March 19th, 2011, U.S. and British warships and submarines launched what is to be the first stage of a large scale assault on Gadhafi’s forces. 112 missiles were fired on various targets near the coast, followed by an aerial assault on the opposition’s air force.

In the eyes of the rebels, the help is a god-send. While only a few days before their resistance seemed to be failing against Gadhafi’s superior technology and military, many have found a new fire inside their hearts.

“I feel like in two days max we will destroy Gadhafi,” said Ezzeldin Helwani, a member of the rebellion’s forces.

While the rebels rejoice and rally even more support, Gadhafi remains firm in his vow to fight on. He has opened up military weapons depots to all of his supporters, including civilians.

While many Libyans have joined with the rebels to fight Gadhafi, he still retains a powerful base of supporters. One woman told a reporter, “He is our father, and we will be with him to the last drop of blood.”

“We cannot stand idly by when a tyrant tells his people there will be no mercy,” said President Obama. “Our consensus was strong, and our resolve is clear. The people of Libya must be protected.”

Protection is what America and its allies are offering, but with Gadhafi refusing to back down, it may indeed come down to the last drop of blood.

Let’s hope not.