Tuesday, November 11, 2008

2008 Election Reflection

Let me start off by saying, wow, what a historical election. I can finally say that our country is becoming to be as one. We have made many strides to equality in our country throughout history; however, this one has topped them all. It is wonderful to me that history was made by electing the first black president of American. I am very proud to be a part of this inspirational moment in time and will never forget it.

One main issue that truly affected the results of 2008 election was the youth votes. Mainly, as said in the NPR broadcast, that the youth votes had made a large impact on this election because of technology. Young people are free to research online and figure out who they think will be the most suitable for presidency which gives them a chance to spread their thoughts and ideas that could influence other people. The internet also allows younger voters feel as though they are a greater part of the political process than the past elections. Having the Internet has made them feel more confident with their views on politics and more comfortable to share them. Through youtube videos, facebook, etc., the social spectrum has permitted the youth to let people hear their say in politics that has never been possible for them. SNL has also made a huge impact on the election as well. One may think that these skits are all for mockery and laughs, however they have played a role for some in the election. It may seem crazy but these skits are actually influential for the decision of many Americans who their next president elect should be. Mike Dabadie, FirstView researcher, stated that 10 percent of voters said they were influenced by the skits. These skits are great because they allow us to see how the actors impersonate their flaws and make us really think who is commodious for office.

I also found it interesting what other countries thought of our election. I did not come across any article that disapproved Obama being in office. Different countries such as Kenya, South Africa, and Zambia were filled with glee that an African-American was elected president. They say many more doors will open in Africa because of this. Also, excitement surrounding Barack Obama’s victory has swept across world, more so in the Middle East: a region where the general opinion has been that anybody would be better than George W. Bush. Now that we have a new president, we will have a fresh slate with different countries around the world. Here's a video that shows reactions of people all around the world. It astonished me how many people care about our election of US president. It's a really awesome clip.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Michael Calderone's Blog


Mike Calderone Blog
Okay, so I had to switch up my blog because Ashdown has not updated his blog for quite a bit.

1. Since Calderone blogs 498594305830 times a day, I will tell you about my favorite blog he wrote today. He just posted the clip from The Weekly Update, which is a hilarious show. The clip is of two actors mocking the debate between Obama and McCain, and McCain's response about "Joe the plumber." It was absolutely hilarious.

2. This blog was not as serious as the other blog I followed. The other blog had a whole statement about different government issues and his thoughts on that subject matter. However, this blog was straight to the point and had a video clip. He did not express his feelings about it or anything. Honestly, this is a blog that I would gravitate towards rather than a totally serious blog.

3. There is no specific issue stated in this blog. In the video two actors mock the third presidential debate. I thought it was really funny and it really depicted the debate very well. The moderator does ask how each candidate would react to the downfall in the economy and what their plain of action is. The actor who plays McCain replied about his conversation with "Joe the plumber." However, in a more serious note, I believe Obama has a better and more realistic plan. He plans to cut taxes for ordinary Americans and small businesses, create up to 5 million green jobs, plans to bring down health care costs by $2,500 per family, and commitment to enacting broad new financial market regulations to help ensure we never face this type of economic crisis again.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Pete Ashdown's Journal

Pete Ashdown's Journal

1. The blog I read was about a response to Senator Hatch's energy policy. Pete Ashdown wrote how he thinks Congressional efforts for clean, domestic, renewable energy are valued but those enahnces need to be increase enough to match the support of oil. He also says that we need more Mike Strizki's, enerygy efficient scientist, to fully complete our energy policy but our lack of makes him believe we will fail as a self efficient country.

2. This blog differed greatly from the other blogs I have been following. It is a entirely new spectrum that I thought I would never associate with. The blogs I started out with were something that I have read in magazines and classical celebrity gossip, or my favorite TV show. This blog however, was more formal and cognizant.

3. In the blog, the issue stated was not clearly stated so I had to do a little research to understand what he was talking about. I liked how Ashdown backed up his argument with facts and different ways you can approach the issue. I totally agree with his blog. I believe that science based thinkers should be the ones making decisions on what power sources we choose to develop and start navigating away from the oil based companies. They are just adding unnecessary taxes and spending way too much on developments in alternative power that the oil based companies are stepping all over. We need to budget our spending right and find a better way to be self efficient.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

The Office

The clip above is a deleted scene from the premier episode that was on last week. It was hilarious! I'm pretty much obsessed with the show. The deleted scene was so funny. I love how Micheal actually thinks he is the father of Jan's baby. Bu then agian, there's a good possibility that he is...who knows. Maybe we'll find out in the next episode!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Jamie Lynn Spears baby?

JLS baby debut

Ok, its crazy enough that a 17 year old has a baby. But now she's the cover on a magazine with her baby?!
Jamie Lynn Spears just gave birth to Maddie Briann Aldridge on June 19. And now she is featured on the cover of OK! magazine. Now I think that is a little outrageous. It mentions in the article that Maddie has already caught the "show-biz bug." However, how is that going to better her situation by putting her on the cover on a magazine? Also, I think it is setting a bad example for younger children who look up to her. It may make them think that "Hey, Jamie Lynn had a baby when she was a teenager, maybe I can too."
I totally support Jamie Lynn Spears in taking the path as a mother but just the fact that she allowed herself and her new born baby to be on a cover of a magazine to be inappropriate. She knows she had a slight mishap , why debut it to the whole nation?

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Dumbest Generation? More like, Most Progressive Generation

Our generation has received a lot of criticism that we are considered the "dumbest generation." However, I would like to beg the differ. In our generation, teenagers are experiencing and living with many technological advances. Author Mark Bauerlein claims his new book, "The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future" that we are the dumbest generation because of that reason. So what we are the most technological developed generation. I would like to say that we are the most progressive generation and the fact that we are evolving from old 20th century paper and books that makes us dumb? I will rebuke all 8 reasons why Bauerlein says that we are the dumbest generation.

1. They make excellent "Jaywalking'' targets
Bauerlein states that we are uninterested in world realities, he is making a very vague judgment there. Little does he know that we are actually involved in many world realities and experienced many of them. For instance, our generation is going to have the opportunity to have a say in the presidential election. I know that we are all interested in something important as that!

2. They don't read books -- and don't want to, either
Now that just gets me angry. Many schools throughout the country make their students have to read several books during the summertime. Also students are required to read many books throughout the school year. I know that I have read all the books I have had to read. Also, I everyone I know isn't illiterate. So what some teens don't like to read, however they still do it. Not all students use Sparknotes or Pinkmonkey to get simple summaries of books. However, aren't they still reading?

3. They can't spell
First of all, not everyone goes on AIM. Second, no one believes that the lingo we use on AIM is correct English. AIM language is used because you can type less and quicker. Its just the abbreviations of words.

4. They get ridiculed for original thought, good writing
Not many people have Myspace now. The new fad is Facebook, get it right Bauerlein. What teen wants to try and sound extremely smart when they are posting a message on someones wall? Teenagers are messaging their friends just how they would talk to them in any situation.

5. Grand Theft Auto IV, etc.
I can honestly say that I do not know anyone who plays that video game, or any video game of that sort seriously. Not everyone plays video games.

6. They don't store the information
The Internet has unlimited amounts of information, how is one supposed to save it all? Yes, it is a "miraculous source of knowledge" and students definitely value it for the information that it supplies.

7. Because their teachers don't tell them so
Bauerlein spoke too soon. How can he make such a judgement? Many teachers and families all over have rules for Internet or computer use. In my family, we can only be on the computer for an hour tops on school nights, unless it is for academic use. How could he put down the teachers and parents of our generation like that?

8. Because they're young
Yes we are young, and we have so much time to mature. Isn't Bauerlein being a little hypocritical there? He openly admitted he was stupid as a teenager, didn't he mature when he became an adult?

So what we have made many technical advances in our generation and in no way we are abusing that. I think that Bauerlein made a terrible judgment on our generation and may be just a little jealous he didn't get to grow up with such great advances. Therefore, we are not the "Dumbest Generation", we are the Most Progressive Generation, in that we have made the biggest change in technology and we are certainly proud of that!