Madonna Gives Shares her Politics in Latest Tour (8/23/08)
Opening her “Sticky & Sweet” concert in Cardiff, UK, Madonna begins her worldwide tour in support of her latest album, Hard Candy. Not unusual to the pop star, or her concerts, Madonna enters the political scape during her two hour performance and presents those in audience with a montage. Madonna’s last tour, Confessions Live, correlated images of world destruction with that of George W. Bush, to the song Sorry, where lyrics “Please don’t say your sorry. I’ve heard it all before, and I can’t take it anymore” rang through the stadium.
The lastest montage presents the audience with images of Senator McCain intermixed with pictures of Hitler, whereas she continues the montage and presents images of Obama intermixed with those of Ghandi, John Lennon and Al Gore. Both presidential candidates have spoken out against this display, saying it has no place in the political process. Lest they forget, Madonna has always called herself an artist, a dancer with something to say. Her performance is not a political rally, but a theatrical piece of images and music set to display her feelings, emotions and ideas. Her move certainly was not a paid political message, as attendees have paid hundreds of dollars to see her display her thoughts and ideas. However, like every American, she has the right to go in public and present her political thoughts in a closed, private space amongst willing guests. It simply comes down to the fact that Republicans have never appreciated that Hollywood typically sways left and Democrats have to be reluctant to accept Hollywood endorsements, as to avoid any cheapening of their politics.
Russia’s Throws its Weight Around in Attempt to Stay on World Stage (8/16/08)
The dynamics of the world political scape have been on full display this week. China is hosting the Olympics in Beijing as it tries to convince the everyone that it has finally arrived in the 21st century and is ready to be taken seriously as a full fledged world power. Meanwhile, its northern neighbor, Russia seems to be watching Beijing move into its former place on the world stage, left vacant following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. As a result, this past week saw Russia’s military move into Georgia in a violent attack against a sovereign nation. Yes, it is a bit reminiscent of George W. Bush and Iraq. However, Russia’s move into Georgia, an American ally and EU hopeful, appears to be a clear signal to the West by Russia that it still has a military that can mobilize.
Like a middle child trying to gain attention from its older and younger siblings, the former USSR wants to be relevant in the modern world. The United States struggles to maintain its strength, as China quickly tries to follow on America’s heels. Where is Russia in this post-Cold War world? It is starting trouble with its small democratic neighbor, Georgia, almost to say, “See guys! We still can do it.”
Eastern European nations, aka the former the Soviet Block, have been freed from the Iron Curtain and are quickly aligning themselves with their Western European neighbors rather than their former dictating power, Russia. Russia feels threatened. In the past week, Poland has signed a missile protection agreement with the United States. Ukraine is working to limit Russian naval movements in the Black Sea. The Czech Republic fears its sovereignty is threatened by Russian movements.
Russia’s sudden quest for attention is merely a fallen power trying to stay relevant. Craving attention, it’s picking on the small kids on the playground. Its loss in the Cold War and its struggling democratic government need a morale boost. The Kremlin is picking fights to display its importance on the world stage. This time around, though, it does not seem like Checkpoint Charlie is going to have a tough time keeping Russia in its place.
(Photo: Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin, Germany. Provided by The Ryan Thomas Collection. All rights reserved.)
Wal-Mart Machine Accused of Pushing Republican Propaganda onto Employees
The Wal-Mart machine will stop at nothing to further its agenda of world domination through unfair practices against employees and world citizens, at that. The latest act commited by this company involves its push, and some stay intimidation, of Republican propaganda onto its employees. It is no secret that this institution sways, or rather is the epitome of the Right. Wal-Mart is asking managers to oppose bills in Congress that would allow workers to unionize. The company fears with Democratic candidate, Barack Obama, likely to take the office of President, the bill will pass through a Democratic Congress and be signed into law next year by the new President. This threatens the companies ability to continue its oppression against workers. Additionally, it is one more reason to avoid shopping at the massive box store.
Its national dominance is best portrayed through the graphic below. Should you want to see the progression of Wal-Mart dominance within the nation, go to http://projects.flowingdata.com/walmart/. Be warned it is a scary animation.
Wal Mart Locations as of 2007
Republican Indicted For Accepting Gifts… Anyone surprised? (7/29/08)
Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, the nation’s longest serving Senator, was indicted today on felony charges of accepting gifts and concealing their receipt. Seven felony charges. Seven. Gifts received include $250k of renovations to his home. Like all good Republicans, Senator Stevens professes that he is innocent. This, however, serves as another example of a corrupt GOP and the need for change in local and federal politics.
The GOP cannot be trusted. Those that preach the most are continually being caught in the GOP and its a long time coming. After wasting tax dollars and public time on the clock in their impreachment trials of President Clinton, the GOP must now stand up to real charges. Seven felony charges from the Justice Department for these gifts could lead to a filibuster proof, Democratic controlled Senate after the elections in Fall. Conspiracy theorists are probably coming up with anti-Democrat reasons for all these GOP revelations of fraud. GOP supporters will claim it is Democratic payback. It is not payback, it is years of power falling between their fingers as the GOP finally loses grasp of Washington, one airport bathroom stall and one extra favor at a time.
Obama Enroute to Europe (7/22/08)
Europe is experiencing what some news venues have deemed “Obamamania” as Senator Barack Obama’s tour of the continent is set to begin. Obama’s first stop will be Berlin, Germany where presidents including JFK and Clinton both made famous speeches. Reports show overwhelming German support for the candidate over his rival, John McCain. 
A German physician stated, “Americans need a change, and what’s good for America is good for the whole world.” Obama is this change. If anyone can understand the harm of a horrific leader who made bad choices on behalf of the country, it is the Germans. Europeans realize that Obama is the change that needs to happen in this country and Europeans always know whats good before Americans do. Fashion, food, TV and good music all start in Europe, and their overwhelming support for Obama should tell Americans that this is the choice candidate.
Obama’s stance on global warming, foreign diplomacy in Iran and withdrawal plans for Iraq are in line with general sentiment in Europe. With a trans-Atlantic front on these issues, positive change can happen in the future. The bull-headed administration currently in office has stalled progress on an international level. Europeans want to and are ready to join Americans in a quest to help solve modern issues plaguing the world. In the German capitol, Obama will reinforce his vow to begin a new chapter in American leadership, invoking suching principles that led to the Marshall Plan following WWII. Obama stated that a 21st Century Marshall Plan “can be our best investment in increasing the common security of the entire world.”
Obama can and will reunite Americans with our European counterparts, and begin a new frontier in international relations.
(Picture: Capital Building, Berlin, Germany.)
McCain’s Big Mouth (7/13/08)
In his run to be the future President of the United States, John McCain commented on the rise of US cigarette exports to Iran in the past eight years, despite the continued growth of tension between the two nations. McCain joked, “Maybe it’s a way of killing them.” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini responded:
“McCain’s crude remark on the indiscriminate killing of the Iranian nation not only testifies to his disturbed state of mind, but also to his warmongering approach to foreign policy.”
There are many policies and ideals to disagree with Iran on, but the “warmongering” idea of McCain is one that can be agreed upon. As nations attempt to work with Iran on their nuclear development and as Israel and Iranian demonstrations of military might continue, making “jokes” about killing Iranian through Western exports, and killing Iranians in general is not only insensitive, it is irresponsible.
Does this nation really want a man who such a lip about him in charge of foreign policy, with the power to deploy military might around the world? Can this country trust a man who jokes about killing those in a foreign nation, friend or foe? In a time when someone’s words can be transmitted at rapid pace through modern technology, the United States cannot afford to have a man with such poor self censorship at the reigns of diplomatic relations. The question now is what other American export can be considered a McCain WMD… McDonalds killing with obesity. Do all of us a favor Senator McCain, take a seat, drink a beer, smoke a cig and let Obama do what needs to be done for America’s future.
Italian Transportation Ministry Discrimination Case Against Gays (7/13/08)
An Italian man recently won a court case against the Ministry of Transportation for discrimination based on his sexual orientation. Danilo Giuffrida had disclosed his homosexuality during a medical examination for military service. The information was exchanged to the transportation ministry. The ministry told Giuffrida that he needed to take a driving test again or risk having his licencse spended because of his “sexual identity disturbance.” Upon passing his driving test, his license renewal was good for one year, rather than the standard ten years, again, because of his homosexuality. The Sicilian court awarded Giuffrida 100,000 euros based on the infringement of his constitutional rights. The court also ruled that homosexuality cannot be considered a “mental illness” as the transportation ministry stated.
Presidential Nominees Chime in on Patriotism this Independence Day (7/3/08)
Yahoo’s homepage headlines must really be the unbiased news provider. Fox News should take some notes. Below are the tope headlines found on Yahoo’s homepage (7/3) and both Obama and McCain released ideas about what patriotism is. Barack Obama is a very smart man!
www.StopAIDSProject.com
Are you HIV Negative, positive or iffy? Most of us have been unsure at some point. www.areyouiffy.org
Holding onto Tradition…Again (6/18/08)
Senator McCain and Obama are already exchanging arguments against each other without either party officially naming the official candidate for President in each group. McCain stated yesterday that Obama has a naive, 9/10 mentality when it comes to protecting America against terrorism. Yes, the world is different and continues to be a different place due to the events of 9/11, but using this mundane topic and choice of words displays McCain’s lack of originality. The official election season hasn’t begun and McCain is already throwing the terrorism card. Really? Terrorism, already?
Terrorism is still a threat and Republicans continue to use fear to gain popularity and votes, but with the vast amount of domestic issues to be dealt with, talking about terrorism so early in the game is dull and reminiscent of the same traditional game Republicans played in the 2004 elections. Thankfully, Obama pointed to this in his response to McCain’s pathetic attempt at a hit against the Democratic candidate,
“These are the same guys who helped to engineer the distraction of the war in Iraq at a time when we could have pinned down the people who actually committed 9/11…This is the same kind of fear-mongering that got us into Iraq … and it’s exactly that failed foreign policy I want to reverse.”
Thank you, Mr. Obama. Thank you for responding in such a way that you attack McCain’s unoriginal scheme and traditional idea of fear-mongering, as you put it, without actually needing to say, “I will protect the American people from terrorism.” Thank you for understanding that we know you will do what you can to protect the country and you will do so with non-traditional means, like speaking with Bush’s Axis of Evil. Continue fighting the good fight for change! OBAMA ’08!
Obama Fights Political Smears Millennium Style (6/12/2008)
Senator (and soon to be President) Obama has launched a website to fight off political and personal smears against him and his wife during the Presidential election this year. The new site, in addition to a factual page on his campaign site, will report incorrect information reported by opposing forces and provide correct information in rebuttal.
This is why I am confident that Obama will win the 2008 Presidential election. He is using modern and up-to-date techniques to fight the good fight. Using mechanisms relevant to young adults, rather than geriatrics, is exactly what needs to be done to reinvigorate this dying nation! The world is passing us by and politicians are using old means to fight new battles.
Senator Obama, by simple use of a specific webpage to fight political smears, is displaying his willingness and ability to bring this nation back to the forefront of world politics. The greatness of this country can be realized again, if we adapt to the world around us rather than sticking to tradition and the status quo.
Visit Senator Obama’s new site at www.fightthesmears.com and spread the word!
How Stimulating!
After months of anticipation, the Internal Revenue Service has deposited my economic stimulus check. My hard earned money rightfully returned to me so I can spend it somewhere in a dwindling economy. I am using the money in the most Reagonomic way possible. Reagon continually pitched the trickle down effect of his economic policy in the 80s. Well, get a load of my take on the trickle down effect in a post NAFTA world…
As the unofficial start to summer comes upon us with Memorial Day, I am heading to Mexico for a grand holiday vacation. Where is my economic stimulus check going? To Mexico to lie in the sand and drink margaritas!
Such irony that if the Republicans had this money in their federal budget, they’d build a huge fence along our Mexican border. Wait…that’s in the works. Well, they’d make it bigger and stronger. I am smarter than that. The Feds are giving me money to spend, so why not spend it IN Mexico to help provide economic stimulus in our neighbor’s land. I’ll give that economy a little kick and that will keep one more family in Mexico, rather than splitting them up and forcing a member to fight through the desert and the super Republican border fence! That’s what I call economic stimulus.
However, always one for equality, I am flying an American airline so there will be some of that stimulus check used within the USeconomy. I’m stimulating the ever so flacid aviation sector! How stimulating!
What are you going to stimulate?
April 22nd, 2008 is Earth Day
As a product of the infamous age of Captain Planet, things like reducing, reusing and recycling have been important to me. When I was about 10 years old, I watched an episode of Captain Planet that discussed the destruction of rainforests to raise cattle, producing bountiful beef products for all. I stopped eating beef as my effort to save the rainforest! I was going to change the world by not eating a hamburger or a steak. Little did my young mind know that beef at the local supermarket was most likely coming from Texasand not the precious rainforests of South America.
Years passed and it finally hit me that the shoes I loved wearing, along with its matching belt and bracelet, were all leather; therefore, made of cow. I still do not eat beef, but I love my leather shoes. I love my leather belts and I’m not giving up my leather watchbands or bracelets.
The moral of the story is that we live in a world of modern convenience. We also live in a world that is dying because of it. When living day to day life, tweaking some random habits to help fight global warming and reducing your carbon footprint can be easy and you don’t have to give up EVERYTHING.
1) Instead of drying all of your laundry, dry only your towels and sheets. Air dry your clothes.
2) If you have to drive a car, focus on fuel efficiency. If you want a big car, but have no use for a big car in reality, be like the Europeans and select a small car.
3) Walk a mile or two instead of driving. Yes, you get excercise, but more importantly you become more engaged in the environment you live in; the sites, the sounds, the smells.
Engage yourself.
*All pictures provided by The Ryan Thomas Collection, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.
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