A Mordern Sacrificial Virgin

What’s with Miley Cyrus? Ok, we all remember the Britney Spears drama, yes? Why on earth are we creating another Britney train wreck? What on earth is wrong with us?! There has to be something wrong with a society that is so hung up on seeking out a pretty young girl, casting her in the role of cute but hyper virginial maiden, only to wait with baited breath for the moment that she will be cast as the fallen angel lured by the temptation of sex. It’s sick, that’s what it is. Are we stuck in a vortex of Victorian restrictions, are we turned on by the thought of the forbidden virgin? Lets be realistic, teenagers are going to want to have sex, duh. Their bodies have matured and their emotions are in flux, so it’s just damn wrong to castigate this Miley whateveryacallher, just because we, for some damn odd reason, seem to think any hint of sexuality in teenagers is mortifying. Ya know what? I think society needs to grow up, really. Since when is Disney the moral dictator of America? Disney makes cartoons for God’s sakes, not laws. Miley, if you want to wear a blanket covering you, go for it. The point is you WERE covered up. If Disney and the other tight laced critics had their way, you’d be wearing clothes up to your ears and down to your ankles. Express yourself, don’t be ashamed to explore the art of being a teenager. Poor Britney should have taught you that lesson… read the quotes below. During the shoot by Annie Liebovitz, everyone, including Miley’s parents, thought the photos were appropriate. What happened to change all that? Or should I say who has a stick shoved up their (fill in the blank.)

“I took part in a photo shoot that was supposed to be ‘artistic’ and now, seeing the photographs and reading the story, I feel so embarrassed,” she tells ET. “I never intended for any of this to happen and I apologize to my fans who I care so deeply about.” Miley Cyrus

“Miley’s parents and/or minders were on the set all day. Since the photo was taken digitally, they saw it on the shoot and everyone thought it was a beautiful and natural portrait of Miley. In fact, when BRUCE HANDY interviewed Miley, he asked her about the photo and she was very cheerful about it and thought it was perfectly fine.”

What a Hunk of Junk

Surfing around the Net I came across these images of the Earth and all the junk that is orbiting the planet. I am shocked, I never, ever dreamt that this much rubbish was circling our Earth. How on Earth (pardon the pun) do they manage to launch any more satellites without them colliding with the old ones…and why has no one bothered to clean them up? Surely leaving them up there cannot be good?

“Some of the items orbiting are useful satellites. However, of the 6,000 satellites launched since the 60s, it is estimated only 800 are operational. The rest float uselessly in orbit, accompanied by thousands of items of debris from collisions and explosions.”

Anyone concerned????

Academic Politics

The 2008 Presidential race is a time of turbulance and for some, indecision. More now than ever, the youth vote could be imperitive to the success of the next president. But how do you keep in touch with the youth of today? TV, radio, Internet? According to a recent study by Gordon Hewitt of Hamilton College (an active Democrat) and Mack Mariani of Xavier University (who has worked for Republicans) young voters might be swayed to vote a certain way thanks to the influence of their college professors. Is this plausable? I don’t think so.

After debating if this is true, the study comes to a ’sort of’ conclusion, stating that students are probably not influenced by professors as to who to vote for, republican or democrat, and to be honest, the study also neglects to cover other reasons which are more likely to influence the youth vote, such as media and family indoctrination. The research concludes, ”It could be the faculty in general take their profession seriously, and that even though they identify themselves as politically liberal, they’re very professionally oriented and their pedagogy does not reflect these biases,” Hewitt said. Or, maybe faculty ”are in the classroom trying to indoctrinate with their views, and the students don’t take the bait.”

I’m sorry, but I can’t imagine any professor I know being so unprofessional that they would try and force their political views on their students. Political pressure is far more likely to come from the media, peers, family, religious teachings and romantic involvements – where is the research in these departments? Teachers have enough to deal with in a political climate that does not promote and encourage academic growth, never mind being viewed as political recruiters. They’re professors – not professional politicians, and while some may have passion for politics, the majority concentrate on spending their energy where it counts: teaching the students.

Giddy Up

 

As English nationalism dictates, I am well aware of the religious event that dominates the Spring season. No, I’m not talking about Anglicized Easter ceremonies – indeed, it is something that unites the United Kingdom like little else does (apart from soccer). I’m talking about The Grand National - the most notorious and televised horse race in the whole world (or so we like to think).

The Grand National in a 4.4 mile long steeple chase held in Aintree, Liverpool every year in the beginning of April. Around March the whispering of which horses are going to appear in the race start, and I get the flutterings of maybe, just maybe this year I’ll actually pick the winner. As tradition goes in my family, everyone waits for me to select my horse first – because then the rest of them (the punks) avoid that horse like the plague. Ah well, maybe this year I’ll get it right and then I can rub my family’s faces in it! Yeah, optimism is good.

 I just have to note that once I started my annual search for the National entrees, I came across several articles giving all the recent years results about which horses succeeded and which came up short. I found a common theme in several of the articles, all of which carry the same pride in their tone – PRIDE people, proud to be English! And what’s the one thing the English always want to do? Beat the French. It’s petty, it’s silly and it’s entirely pointless, but the love-hate continues after centuries of conflict. Now the battlefield is a race track. Below is a quote that was printed in one article – after describing the Grand National, the author apparently thought it pertinent to point out that the most important fact was this:

“It’s interesting to note that no French horse has won the Grand National for almost 100 years”

And really, isn’t that all that counts? Lord, can you imagine English horror if at Aintree this year a French horse succeeds…hmm, unpatriotic thoughts abound here, I’m actually contemplating backing a French horse this year – if it wins my family will disown me. Interesting isn’t it how politics are now played out in sporting events. The World Cup for soccer is notorious for duking out political grievances, and the Olympics is just like having another world war every four years. At least the only thing that seems to get injured using sports as a weapon, is pride. Pride is fickle and I guess we all could do with a little less of it sometimes.

Forbidden Bush Video

Bush part deux. Once again, I’m not intending to do Bush Bashing, I just discovered this fascinating video on YouTube.com, documenting a Bush interview. What is disturbing is that this video is outlawed and cannot be played on American TV Channels. Watch it and see, it’s really interesting as a character study of the President - Bush repeatedly (and rudely) tells the Irish woman to be quiet because he is speaking and lets his megalomania cut loose.

Irish Interview (it’s long but REALLY worth watching!)

 

The Bush Era

Love him or hate him, President Bush has provided the whole world with a level of political entertainment that has never been witnessed before. In America his approval rate is below 30%, in Europe ‘Bush’ is a swear word, and in Iraq…lets not go there. With all of the focus on the upcoming election, it is the new presidential nominees that have been dominating the media, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t celebrate the…phenomenal presence that is President George W. Bush. Ladies and gentlemen, there’s just over 300 days left. Enjoy the countdown.

 The Best of Bush Times

 Bush In Europe – Project Romeo

The Bad Times

(For Bush supporters, no offense is intended, these point of views are merely different people’s opinions.)

I’m an Alien, I’m a Leagal Alien

With the final elections for the American Presidential nominee just around the corner, the potential candidates are being barraged with a tsunami of attacks, focusing on everything from their stances on the economy to the never ending War in Iraq. As an English observer, I find myself drifting in and out of these debates, mostly watching for curiosity’s sake, trying to grasp just what it is that America values as a nation.

For me, immigration is always the hotspot. I’ve been in this country for four years now and the way immigration works over here has always confused me. For a start, it is beyond me why America still has a national Green Card Lottery. Why? In a country who’s sides are already splitting and contentious with diversity, why would America need to promote further diversity with an influx of different nationalities? I understand the melting pot theory, that all races and ethnicity’s are blended into one to create an American identity, but what I find most amusing is that when I ask someone who they are they will respond “I am Irish-English” “I am German-Italian” “I am African American”. With all of these subcategories that seem to come to mind, individualism with one’s birth culture seems to dominate over nationality. It’s so very interesting. Back in Europe, nationality comes before anything else. For example, my Nana is Scottish, my Dad’s family is Spanish – but I was born and raised in England, therefore I am nothing but English. A man born in France could have both English parents, but to his dying breath, he would be nothing but French. This leads me to believe that perhaps Americans associate with their cultural roots more than the average European.

Back to immigration. Wandering around the Internet, I discovered that I am not eligible for the Green Card Lottery, even if I wanted to live in America permanently (which I don’t, I love this country but I miss England too much!) Here are the stipulations which would exclude me from being part of the Lottery:

USA Greencard Registration Requirements

To participate in the Green Card Lottery, you must satisfy TWO requirements.

* FIRST : you must be a native of a qualified country. Persons of all countries of the world are eligible to participate in the Green Card Lottery except for people from the following countries:

You are not eligible for the lottery if you are born in one of the following countries:

- Canada China (mainland, except Hong Kong, SAR, and Taiwan)
- Colombia
- Dominican Republic
- El Salvador
- Great Britain (and its dependent territories, except Northern Ireland)
- Haiti
- India
- Jamaica
- Mexico
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Russia
- South Korea
- Vietnam

HOWEVER, you may still qualify to participate in the Lottery even if you were born in one of the countries listed above. If your spouse was born in an eligible country, then you can claim your spouse’s country of birth.
OR if one of your parents was born in an eligible country you may be able to claim your parent’s country of birth.

* SECOND :
you must have a high school education or the successful completion of 12 years of elementary and secondary school education.
OR you must have 2 years of work experience in an occupation requiring 2 years or more of training or experience.

The first one bumps me out – boo hoo. Still for kicks, I took a Citizenship quiz and I scored 100%. I must admit, they weren’t the hardest of questions.

Super What?

Just when I think I have American politics down and how to elect a President figured out, another wrench is thrown into the works. Super-delegates. What the hell are super-delegates? I wandered around Rowan university campus, cursing my naivety thinking that the nominees for the presidential election are decided by caucuses and primaries, in which the average joe votes for their fav contender, but oh no, it can’t be that simple, can it? Nope. The average American vote only accounts for roughly 60% of the final vote, 40% belongs to the super-delegates. And who are these mysterious beings, people who have nearly the same amount of power as the rest of the nation put together? Well, I don’t rightly know. I read MSNBC’s explanation about super-delegates, and it left me uncomfortable to think less than 1000 people have 40% control over who is nominated for the democratic party. In as much, those Super-delegates are kingmakers, they can make or break this election. Lord, that is scary. Still, fun to watch (since I’m not American.)

The Stupidity of BBC News

Mr. Obama and his wife

I can’t stand it. Oh my goodness, what is wrong with the British press? All right, so England is small and hardly anything goes on there, but really, this time they’ve taken the cake on stupidity. With all the political hype here in America, England is trying (for the first time ever) to actually comprehend the American politcal system. In doing so, of course there has been stories about Clinton and McCain, but the one that is killing me with shame is one written by the BBC News. It’s about Obama, and hey, so far the Brits love him – to the point that they searched the whole of England for anyone else called Obama. And they found someone. It just happened to be a guy originally from Guinea called Fernando Obama. This would be all fine and blah blah, but the idiot that put this story together picked a man who is umemployed and had no idea who Barack Obama was – only that they shared a name. How idiotic was the reporter to produce a story that compares these two men? One is from Geuina and jobless, the other is a successful politcal man who may be the next President of the United States. This story is called ‘Never mind Barack, here’s Britain’s Mr Obama’ and people, please go and read this, because if I had to vote for either one, I’m going for the Yankee each and every time. This is a highlighted quote from Fernando Obama about Barack:  

I love him. Every time I see him I feel something in my skin.

Fernando Obama on Barack Obama

Interesting…or pathetic? You tell me. Please, someone tell me that this is as ridiculous as it seems? The shame…oh, the shame. They even have a bloomin’ profile of these two Obama’s. Fernando’s hero is Jerry Springer…(having coniptions here.) Take a look and compare the two.

ONE MR OBAMA…

Born: Malubo, Equatorial Guinea, 22 December 1959

Career: restaurant staff, market trader, biscuit factory worker, now seeking work

Married: 1995 to Purificacio Tuku

Family: One son – Michael, 20.

View on Iraq war: backed attacks based on US and UK intelligence at the time

Hero: Jerry Springer

And finally, the one note worthy…

…AND THE OTHER MR OBAMA

Born: Honolulu, Hawaii, 4 August 1961

Career: Community organiser, university lecturer, civil rights lawyer, senator, seeking election as US president

Married: Michelle Robinson in 1992

Family: daughters Malia Ann and Natasha

View on Iraq war: opposed it from the outset

Hero: Abraham Lincoln

Just Some Facts

So far I’ve had several friends and even a couple of my professors try and explain to me what goes on in the American election and how things are done. I still don’t understand. I’ve come to the conclusion that either people are crap at explaining or I am very, very slow. Be that as it may, here are some critical dates in the run up to the election and I thought I’d share them with you (how kind I am). Oh and check MSNBC out, it helps answer some questions you might have about the whole process of getting yourself an American President. I now officially know more about American politics than British. My mother would be so ashamed…

Critical Dates (for you, not me. I get to sing God Save the Queen instead…jealousy going on here…)

A day-by-day guide to American politics

JANUARY 2008 29 Florida primary 30 Republican debate, Reagan Library, Simi Valley, California 31 Democratic debate, Los Angeles, CA FEBRUARY 2008 1-3 Maine GOP caucus 5 SUPER TUESDAY Primaries: AL, AZ, AR, CA, CT, DE, GA, IL, MA, MO, NJ, NY, OK, TN, UT Caucuses: AK, CO, ID (Dem), KS (Dem), MN, MT (GOP), NM (Dem), ND, WV (GOP 2/3 selected) 9 Louisiana primary Kansas Republican primary Nebraska Democratic caucuses Washington caucuses 10 Maine Democratic caucus 12 Maryland, Virginia and D.C. primaries 19 Hawaii Democratic caucus Washington primary Wisconsin primary MARCH 2008 4 Ohio primary Rhode Island primary Texas primary Vermont primary 8 Wyoming Democratic caucuses 11 Mississippi primary APRIL 2008 22 Pennsylvania primary MAY 2008 6 Indiana and North Carolina primaries 13 Nebraska primary West Virginia Democratic primary West Virginia Republican primary (1/3 selected) 20 Kentucky and Oregon primaries 27 Idaho Republican caucus JUNE 2008 3 Montana Democratic primary New Mexico Republican caucus South Dakota primary AUGUST 2008 25-28 Democratic National Convention in Denver SEPTEMBER 2008 1-4 Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul 26 Presidential debate in Oxford, Miss. OCTOBER 2008 2 Vice Presidential debate in St. Louis, Mo. 7 Presidential debate in Nashville, Tenn. 15 Presidential debate in Hempstead, N.Y. NOVEMBER 2008 4 Election Day

© 2008 MSNBC.com