My last week in Hong Kong was marked by a variety of adventures. Most notably, I picked up my two custom tailored suits (:-)!) and wore one to the Nutcracker which we saw on the 19th. It was beautiful! Afterward we went out to some bars. Some people in our group visited a Russian Ice Bar which had big fur coats that you wore when you were inside because it was so cold! Over the weekend on Saturday we had a "free day" because nobody had any money left so we visited some free temples and saw the botanical gardens. On Sunday Danny, Sara D., and I visited Disneyland Hong Kong. It was sooo much fun! It was the perfect end to a month stay in HK, and even though it was expensive I am so glad that I did it.
The last week was also spent going to horse races on Wednesday and a final trip to a favorite Sushi bar I found. By the end of my time in HK I was truly starting to feel like I knew my way around the city fairly well (at least parts of it) and had seen everything that I wanted to really see (even though there was plenty more I could have seen!). This was the first place that I truly felt at home and was very sad to leave. I didn't particularly care for my time in India (except seeing my cousins in Delhi!) and although I enjoyed Cairo a lot I was ready to leave -- but I was not ready to leave HK...
After a quick flight to Shanghai, we experienced our first (relatively) cold weather (about 45 degrees here, compared to 70s and 80s in HK). After a trip to a market I picked up a knock off North Face jacket and gloves for about US $20. I also bought a perfectly authentic Adrian Peterson jersey for about US $35! Crazy! Last night we had a special Christmas Eve dinner and service, and this morning exchanged Secret Santa gifts. Tonight we are taking an overnight train to Xi'an, and then will be in Beijing for New Years, and Seoul on Jan 2nd! They are keeping us busy over the holidays which is nice because it keeps my mind off family.
Missing all of you very much, and wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! God Bless, and take care everyone!
- CM
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Birthday Wishes
Also a shout out to my sister Shannon -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY! YEA FOR TURNING 19!
And also to Amy -- 21! You're legal!!!! Congrats on having the last birthday of your life that actually means something!! ((Until you're 55 and get an AARP card!))
And also to Amy -- 21! You're legal!!!! Congrats on having the last birthday of your life that actually means something!! ((Until you're 55 and get an AARP card!))
Temples, Temples, Temples, and Hong Kong Hospitality
It has been an eventful week. We visited numerous Buddhist temples and saw a wide vareity of architecture, designs, and painting. Many also had beautiful Chinese gardens (gardens here are considered art themselves, allowing one to get more in touch with nature - this stems from a Daoist influence). We were in an unfamiliar part of town called Tsuen Wan, and were confused how to get from temple to temple, or "Temple-Hopping" as we have dubbed it. But no worries, the only hard part was finding someone who spoke English and then they were MORE than willing to help us - one guy even offered to drive us to the next temple himself! It was very refreshing and really felt nice. Hong Kong is starting to feel like home, similar to how I felt in Cairo after three weeks - it's a bummer that as soon as I begin to feel comfortable in a new city it's time to move. But I'm also glad because I'm seeing so many new and unique places!
We also visited the nearby Lamma Island and went for a beautiful hike, though no where near as strenuous as Lantau Peak (943 m, second tallest in HK) which we did last weekend. I also have two custom tailored suits which I'm estatic about, including my name in gold stitching on the inside!! (They are very inexpensive here!) Kind of ridiculous. Since that was my Christmas present, Thanks Mom and Dad!! I have also been going through some of the night markets and finding cool souveniers to bring home.
Before I leave I want to go to a seafood bazaar and see a temple with 10,000 Buddhas! We are also going to the Nutcracker on Friday night which I'm really excited for.
That's all for now. Take care and God Bless!
- CM
We also visited the nearby Lamma Island and went for a beautiful hike, though no where near as strenuous as Lantau Peak (943 m, second tallest in HK) which we did last weekend. I also have two custom tailored suits which I'm estatic about, including my name in gold stitching on the inside!! (They are very inexpensive here!) Kind of ridiculous. Since that was my Christmas present, Thanks Mom and Dad!! I have also been going through some of the night markets and finding cool souveniers to bring home.
Before I leave I want to go to a seafood bazaar and see a temple with 10,000 Buddhas! We are also going to the Nutcracker on Friday night which I'm really excited for.
That's all for now. Take care and God Bless!
- CM
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Big Buddah
Just a quick update on my latest adventures:
This past weekend on Saturday we (Marija, Hayley, and I) visited the Tai O Fishing Village which was really fun; there were many houses built on stilts and we tried some dried shrimp and other fish - all very nasty and I feel no need to ever try it again :-). Yesterday (Sunday) a bunch of us climbed the second tallest peak in Hong Kong which overlooked the South China Sea to the East, and the Hong Kong airport to the West. The views were absolutely magnificent! We also saw the largest Buddah in the world (ginormous).
This week I plan on visiting the Space Museum, Victoria's peak, various markets, and some temples. And then Macau on Saturday! So excited. I cannot believe we are leaving two weeks from today -- I refuse to acknowledge this fact!
With two months left I am thinking more and more about home and friends and family. I am missing everyone so much, but also know that after a week at home I will want to be right back here so I am trying desperately to keep everything in perspective. Pray for me. Take care and God Bless.
- CM
This past weekend on Saturday we (Marija, Hayley, and I) visited the Tai O Fishing Village which was really fun; there were many houses built on stilts and we tried some dried shrimp and other fish - all very nasty and I feel no need to ever try it again :-). Yesterday (Sunday) a bunch of us climbed the second tallest peak in Hong Kong which overlooked the South China Sea to the East, and the Hong Kong airport to the West. The views were absolutely magnificent! We also saw the largest Buddah in the world (ginormous).
This week I plan on visiting the Space Museum, Victoria's peak, various markets, and some temples. And then Macau on Saturday! So excited. I cannot believe we are leaving two weeks from today -- I refuse to acknowledge this fact!
With two months left I am thinking more and more about home and friends and family. I am missing everyone so much, but also know that after a week at home I will want to be right back here so I am trying desperately to keep everything in perspective. Pray for me. Take care and God Bless.
- CM
Monday, December 1, 2008
Mong Kok and Prince Edward
So much has happened in the past week and getting settled. Our course in the "Arts of China" is fully underway - today was a detailed lecture of Jade, tomorrow is Bronze... Not going to lie - this is not really my cup of tea. However, there is a sociology class in South Korea we are taking next which I am very excited for.
This past weekend was very, very busy. On Saturday we traveled by subway to "Ocean Park" which is a zoo/aquarium/amusement park with roller coasters (including one with three inversions). After that we met up with Jessica and Matt (Jessica is Gavin's - a guy on the trip - sister's friend from Global '04 when she did it) and they showed us around downtown Hong Kong. We began by traveling along the longest strand of continuous escaltors and moving walkwaks in the world, my estimate was at least one mile long...unfortunately, we then had to walk all the way back down which the group failed to mention to me. Afterwards, we ate at this really good family style chinese restaurant and then visited Temple Street, a very popular night time market. It was a 14 hour very long, VERY LONG, day -- but so much fun.
Sunday Hayley and I traveled downtown again to visit the "Jade Market" and "Jade Street"; the market is full of hawkers selling cheap (and fake) jade, which makes for cool souveiners. However, I did by a beautiful piece from "Jade Street" with vendors who guarentee authenticity (which the price does as well). Afterwards we visited the Hong Kong Science Museum (small compared Minnesota's in St. Paul) but still very cool. Museums are free on Wednesdays, so I think we will wait to visit the History and Heritage Museums until next week. Tomorrow our class is taking a "field trip" of sorts to the Hong Kong Art Museum. After the museum, we went to a GREAT sushi bar and I tried jelly fish and anago for the first time (I missed on the squid and octopus as I've already tried those and know I don't like them). I learned that althought I dislike cooked tuna, I love raw tuna. We also had salmon, shrimp, and california rolls. Afterwards we visited the fish market and both bought tiny turtles (HK $10 about US$1 - so cheap) for our rooms...we figure we'll give them away to somebody in three weeks when we leave. We named them "Mong Kok" and "Prince Edward" because those are the subway stops the fish market is located between.
With class for only two hours a day it allows us to have a lot of time to goof off and go visit sites around the town. I'm very excited to visit a popular traditional villiage on one of the nearby islands, as well as take a day trip to Macau, which is a Portuguese colony located very close to Hong Kong. Hong Kong also has beautiful hiking I'm looking forward to taking advantage of.
- CM
This past weekend was very, very busy. On Saturday we traveled by subway to "Ocean Park" which is a zoo/aquarium/amusement park with roller coasters (including one with three inversions). After that we met up with Jessica and Matt (Jessica is Gavin's - a guy on the trip - sister's friend from Global '04 when she did it) and they showed us around downtown Hong Kong. We began by traveling along the longest strand of continuous escaltors and moving walkwaks in the world, my estimate was at least one mile long...unfortunately, we then had to walk all the way back down which the group failed to mention to me. Afterwards, we ate at this really good family style chinese restaurant and then visited Temple Street, a very popular night time market. It was a 14 hour very long, VERY LONG, day -- but so much fun.
Sunday Hayley and I traveled downtown again to visit the "Jade Market" and "Jade Street"; the market is full of hawkers selling cheap (and fake) jade, which makes for cool souveiners. However, I did by a beautiful piece from "Jade Street" with vendors who guarentee authenticity (which the price does as well). Afterwards we visited the Hong Kong Science Museum (small compared Minnesota's in St. Paul) but still very cool. Museums are free on Wednesdays, so I think we will wait to visit the History and Heritage Museums until next week. Tomorrow our class is taking a "field trip" of sorts to the Hong Kong Art Museum. After the museum, we went to a GREAT sushi bar and I tried jelly fish and anago for the first time (I missed on the squid and octopus as I've already tried those and know I don't like them). I learned that althought I dislike cooked tuna, I love raw tuna. We also had salmon, shrimp, and california rolls. Afterwards we visited the fish market and both bought tiny turtles (HK $10 about US$1 - so cheap) for our rooms...we figure we'll give them away to somebody in three weeks when we leave. We named them "Mong Kok" and "Prince Edward" because those are the subway stops the fish market is located between.
With class for only two hours a day it allows us to have a lot of time to goof off and go visit sites around the town. I'm very excited to visit a popular traditional villiage on one of the nearby islands, as well as take a day trip to Macau, which is a Portuguese colony located very close to Hong Kong. Hong Kong also has beautiful hiking I'm looking forward to taking advantage of.
- CM
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Good-Bye Thailand, Hello Hong Kong!
Last night we checked into "Horizon Suites" which is aparment style housing, and I'm rooming with two other guys. One I get along with great, the other dated Hayley for two years -- the drama shall prove to be very exciting I shall say! After arriving last night about 19:00, we went to a shopping mall and bought lots of food and groceries since we have a small kitchen and a few appliances. Then I Hayley and I went out to dinner at this small restaurant. I mention this for two unique reasons - one, the restaurant was open until 2:00 in the morning which we thought was cool and thus closed the place down; and two, the waitress was really nice and picked us out two great traditional and popular chinese dishes. Let me say, chinese food here is NOT american-chinese food, and I don't know what I'll do when we come home and there is no chinese-chinese food to be eaten! haha. Anyways, tomorrow we tour the Chinese University where we will be studying "Arts of China" for the next month.
Now let me regress... On November 11th we flew from Bangalore to New Delhi, and I was able to meet up with Morgan, Alexis, and Robyn! Ahhhh! So much fun was had! Hayley and I spent the evening/night with them at a restaurant and then a roof top for tea. It was good to catch up, swap stories, and share adventures. We left Delhi at 1:00 in the morning on November 14th, and landed in Bangkok, Thailand at about 7:00 in the morning.
The first two days in Bangkok were spent touring and seeing the city - loved it! Thailand has been my favorite country so far I think, and we were only there for one week! ((I'm sure I will love HK just as much.)) The following day Hayley, Lianna, Chris and I left for Koh Chang (an island about a 40 mintues plane ride southeast of Bangkok) for our fall break for a week - the entire group split off and did whatever they wanted... We had bungalows which were right against the water overlooking the beautiful Sea of Thailand (as we liked to call it) which faced west -- providing some of the most gorgeous sunsets I've ever seen. ((All this for about US $20 a person per night -- we've learned things are very cheap in many parts of the world; just not Europe!)) We spent a week there together at an Island resort including elephant trekking! By far one of the COOLEST expierences of my life. We were able to ride on the elephants head! And also get in the water and swim with the elephants. It was so amazing! I've decided I love Pai Tai, a traditional Thai dish served with everything from chicken to pork to seafood. And after a week on the island, we came back to Bangkok for a fun night at an exciting market place. Pictures to follow -- I hope!
Side notes: I got all my classes that I wanted so I was VERY excited about that (props to Papa Schantz for being my proxy and doing my registering). Also, I exciting thing for the past week was inducing Malaria in myself (took too many Malarone, the anti-Malaria medicine which works by giving you a little bit of the disease to act as an anti-body to help fight off an infection...) Anyways, I was bed ridden for two days in Bangkok with a 102 degree fever and all the works that go along with it....but I must say Thai clinics are amazing and give very good - albeit sketchy - medicine. I was ok for a couple days, then decided to go into remission half way through vacation and puked instead of being able to go diving :-( not cool... But, I am alive and well, all better for the wears and tears and feeling 100% so have no worries!
I miss you all very much, I am very excited for the last two months of this big adventure but also excited to return home and see everyone. Lots of love and good thoughts in your directions from the other side of the world!
CM
PS. HK is 14 hours ahead of CST.
Now let me regress... On November 11th we flew from Bangalore to New Delhi, and I was able to meet up with Morgan, Alexis, and Robyn! Ahhhh! So much fun was had! Hayley and I spent the evening/night with them at a restaurant and then a roof top for tea. It was good to catch up, swap stories, and share adventures. We left Delhi at 1:00 in the morning on November 14th, and landed in Bangkok, Thailand at about 7:00 in the morning.
The first two days in Bangkok were spent touring and seeing the city - loved it! Thailand has been my favorite country so far I think, and we were only there for one week! ((I'm sure I will love HK just as much.)) The following day Hayley, Lianna, Chris and I left for Koh Chang (an island about a 40 mintues plane ride southeast of Bangkok) for our fall break for a week - the entire group split off and did whatever they wanted... We had bungalows which were right against the water overlooking the beautiful Sea of Thailand (as we liked to call it) which faced west -- providing some of the most gorgeous sunsets I've ever seen. ((All this for about US $20 a person per night -- we've learned things are very cheap in many parts of the world; just not Europe!)) We spent a week there together at an Island resort including elephant trekking! By far one of the COOLEST expierences of my life. We were able to ride on the elephants head! And also get in the water and swim with the elephants. It was so amazing! I've decided I love Pai Tai, a traditional Thai dish served with everything from chicken to pork to seafood. And after a week on the island, we came back to Bangkok for a fun night at an exciting market place. Pictures to follow -- I hope!
Side notes: I got all my classes that I wanted so I was VERY excited about that (props to Papa Schantz for being my proxy and doing my registering). Also, I exciting thing for the past week was inducing Malaria in myself (took too many Malarone, the anti-Malaria medicine which works by giving you a little bit of the disease to act as an anti-body to help fight off an infection...) Anyways, I was bed ridden for two days in Bangkok with a 102 degree fever and all the works that go along with it....but I must say Thai clinics are amazing and give very good - albeit sketchy - medicine. I was ok for a couple days, then decided to go into remission half way through vacation and puked instead of being able to go diving :-( not cool... But, I am alive and well, all better for the wears and tears and feeling 100% so have no worries!
I miss you all very much, I am very excited for the last two months of this big adventure but also excited to return home and see everyone. Lots of love and good thoughts in your directions from the other side of the world!
CM
PS. HK is 14 hours ahead of CST.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Religions in India
So here I am in India taking a class on the "Religions of India", and obviously we are hearing many conflicting view points and facts, etc. when it comes to Hinduism or Jainism or Sikhism. And I was thinking, I should be more understanding because how could I ever hope to explain Christianity to a bunch of foreigners in a two hour lecture!? Not to mentio nall the sects of Christianity that exist today. So I thought I'd compile a list (in no particular order):
- Lutheran (ELCA)
- Lutheran (Missouri Synod)
- Southern Baptist
- American Baptist
- Protestant
- CatholicEvangelical
- Greek Orthodox
- Roman Orthodox
- Unitarian
- Universalist
- Anglican
- Memonite
- Anabaptist
- Non-denominational
- Follower of Jesus (Red-Letter Christian)
- Fundamentalists
- Presbyterian
- Quaker
- Mormom (LDS)
- Methodist
- Episcapalian
- Secularist
Yea...exactly my point...
- CM
- Lutheran (ELCA)
- Lutheran (Missouri Synod)
- Southern Baptist
- American Baptist
- Protestant
- CatholicEvangelical
- Greek Orthodox
- Roman Orthodox
- Unitarian
- Universalist
- Anglican
- Memonite
- Anabaptist
- Non-denominational
- Follower of Jesus (Red-Letter Christian)
- Fundamentalists
- Presbyterian
- Quaker
- Mormom (LDS)
- Methodist
- Episcapalian
- Secularist
Yea...exactly my point...
- CM
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Mysore, India
As far as the latest in India goes, we just returned from a two day trip to Mysor which is about five hours north of Bangalore. We saw an amazingly beautiful palace built about two hundred years ago for some dude in the 24th dynasty of something -- couldn't really understand the guides broken English... But the point is, the palace was sweet! We also went to a bird sanctuary, and as we were getting into the boats to go check it out the guides were like, "Don't put your fingers in the water there are crocadiles!" And we were like, ok whatever...I hope we see one?? haha probably not. Well, not only did we see one crocodile, we saw...I don't know to be honest I stopped counting - maybe 15-20?!? Ranging in size from 4 - 12 feet long, we got CLOSE. Scary close. And then I saw one of the coolest things I've ever seen in my entire life. There was a bird in the water minding its own business, and out of nowhere this croc starts cruising towards - going maybe 30 - 40 mph just sneakin up on this bird and then BAM! snatches it and drags it under!! -- I'm talking Planet Earth quality footage here from maybe 30 or 40 feet away -- I mean, this was ridiculous!! I still haven't gotten over it. Soooo cool. Anyways, it made a ten hour bus ride to and from Mysor (which was itself pretty boring) totally worth while.
Exams are on Monday so we will start preparing "intensely" for those as well.
- CM
Exams are on Monday so we will start preparing "intensely" for those as well.
- CM
Looking Back on Cairo.
First, I want to share some thoughts on Cairo and Egyptian culture that I never got around to posting (both positive and negative, and some ironies); and also I want to list a few things that when I arrived in Cairo thought were CRAZY! and by the time I left took them for granted (similar to what my cousin Alexis did in a previous blog post a few months ago)...
- the most obvious is crossing the streets (there are no stop lights/stop signs and very little if any actual driving laws)...to cross, you just step out into traffic and hope the taxis stop on time (no joke); also, it helps to keep walking because then cars will aim to miss you...it's quite ridiculous and took some getting used to
- a culture devoted to prayer, where Islam is not just a religion but a way of life
- Koran in the door of a lingerie store
- walking down the street seeing women from being completly covered and veiled to much more contemporary outfits with bright colors, jeans and head scarves
- cell phones in the desert on camal rides
- having to go through metal detectors at every tourist site which our useless (they always go off and the guards just wave you through)
- guards with AK-47s who are usually sleeping
- people always reading their Koran
- corruption and poor work ethic (the tourist police would often give "tours" in which they would point to a red painting and say this is red, etc, - NOT exageratting - and then demand a tip for their "services")
- people won't help you without asking for a tip (difference between business friendships and genuine friendships are quite different, as I met some very nice and amicable people in Egypt)
- restoratio nwork to monuments (using technology)
- American restaurants (McD's, Pizza Hut, KFC, Chili's)
- CM
- the most obvious is crossing the streets (there are no stop lights/stop signs and very little if any actual driving laws)...to cross, you just step out into traffic and hope the taxis stop on time (no joke); also, it helps to keep walking because then cars will aim to miss you...it's quite ridiculous and took some getting used to
- a culture devoted to prayer, where Islam is not just a religion but a way of life
- Koran in the door of a lingerie store
- walking down the street seeing women from being completly covered and veiled to much more contemporary outfits with bright colors, jeans and head scarves
- cell phones in the desert on camal rides
- having to go through metal detectors at every tourist site which our useless (they always go off and the guards just wave you through)
- guards with AK-47s who are usually sleeping
- people always reading their Koran
- corruption and poor work ethic (the tourist police would often give "tours" in which they would point to a red painting and say this is red, etc, - NOT exageratting - and then demand a tip for their "services")
- people won't help you without asking for a tip (difference between business friendships and genuine friendships are quite different, as I met some very nice and amicable people in Egypt)
- restoratio nwork to monuments (using technology)
- American restaurants (McD's, Pizza Hut, KFC, Chili's)
- CM
President Elect Barack Obama
I never thought I would hear the words. We woke up at about four o'clock this morning to start watching election coverage from our hotel room in Mysor, India. I must say, I am still in complete disbelief. This is truly a moment in history. A day that we will tell our kids about. Sixty years ago black couldn't go to the same school as whites, drink out of the same drinking fountains, sit in the same seats on a bus, or eat in the same restaurants...and today we have elected an African-American to be the leader of the most powerful country in the World. I just want to scream and cry and scream some more. I feel the fruit of my efforts over the past two years culminating in this one great moment. I cannot begin to fathom how much better our country will be in the future, and what this holds for my life as I enter my third decade of existance.
The mood here in India is positive - basically everyone suppots Obama; which is ironic because McCain would most likely be the better President in regards to India because of his positions on out-sourcing and free-market capitalism. Regardless, I am very excited and cannot wait for what the future holds. I think I will now move my American flag pin from the inside of my backpack to the outside. Finally, I can say that I am PROUD to be an AMERICAN.
- CM
The mood here in India is positive - basically everyone suppots Obama; which is ironic because McCain would most likely be the better President in regards to India because of his positions on out-sourcing and free-market capitalism. Regardless, I am very excited and cannot wait for what the future holds. I think I will now move my American flag pin from the inside of my backpack to the outside. Finally, I can say that I am PROUD to be an AMERICAN.
- CM
Sunday, October 26, 2008
New Side of India.
Recently we visited "SECON" in Whitefield, which gave me a COMPLETELY different perspective on India and its culture. For the first time we visited an IT firm which outsources work from the US to digitalize satelite imagery. We ended up being able to sit down with the founder/owner/CEO and ask questions. He started the company by himself in the late '80s and has since built it into a multi-million dollar coperation on the cutting edge of satelite imagery. We toured the entire complex consisting of multiple buildings.
We hear all the time of India's IT sector and how it will surpass the US in the next decade, but to actually see it was VERY cool. This was the same place where Michael Friedman got the idea for the title of his book "The World is Flat," which we all had to read in preparation for this trip.
SECON also has invented "LIDAR" (Light Detection and Radar) which is like SONAR. Planes fly over an area and then use LIDAR to "map" it, and then this company can digitalize it. This is very important for engineering and construction. An example of its use would be to survey land to see where a highway or mall could be built (much more efficient than sending a crew of land surveyors out).
Other than this things have been very relaxed. Today we took a day trip to MG Road (the MAIN shopping district) to do some shopping and see the sights. We ended up taking about an hour rickshaw ride back... Let me explain, a rickshaw is a tiny little taxi, able to sit about two of me comfortably. However, on this ride, Sam and Jensen were with me and Hayley had to sit on my lap for an hour haha. Needless to say, I only needed to have this "cultural expierence" once.
Next weekend we are taking an excursion to Mysor (I have no idea where it is or what we are seeing there). I am still loving the Indian food, and finding less spicy as time goes on... I'm not excited for bland rice in China, but perhaps by stereotypes are incorrect.
We are once again beginning to work on our scrapbooks, papers, and studying for the final (shoot me). On top of this I'm writing my "Academic Letter" home to the St. Olaf Community on the seventh of November, so stay tuned for that.
Still crossing my fingers to hook up with my cousins in New Delhi, and now it looks as if I might actually meet up with Phil Zeller (close friend from high school) in Bejing which would be sweet!
As always, good thoughts and lots of love in your multiple directions!
- CM
We hear all the time of India's IT sector and how it will surpass the US in the next decade, but to actually see it was VERY cool. This was the same place where Michael Friedman got the idea for the title of his book "The World is Flat," which we all had to read in preparation for this trip.
SECON also has invented "LIDAR" (Light Detection and Radar) which is like SONAR. Planes fly over an area and then use LIDAR to "map" it, and then this company can digitalize it. This is very important for engineering and construction. An example of its use would be to survey land to see where a highway or mall could be built (much more efficient than sending a crew of land surveyors out).
Other than this things have been very relaxed. Today we took a day trip to MG Road (the MAIN shopping district) to do some shopping and see the sights. We ended up taking about an hour rickshaw ride back... Let me explain, a rickshaw is a tiny little taxi, able to sit about two of me comfortably. However, on this ride, Sam and Jensen were with me and Hayley had to sit on my lap for an hour haha. Needless to say, I only needed to have this "cultural expierence" once.
Next weekend we are taking an excursion to Mysor (I have no idea where it is or what we are seeing there). I am still loving the Indian food, and finding less spicy as time goes on... I'm not excited for bland rice in China, but perhaps by stereotypes are incorrect.
We are once again beginning to work on our scrapbooks, papers, and studying for the final (shoot me). On top of this I'm writing my "Academic Letter" home to the St. Olaf Community on the seventh of November, so stay tuned for that.
Still crossing my fingers to hook up with my cousins in New Delhi, and now it looks as if I might actually meet up with Phil Zeller (close friend from high school) in Bejing which would be sweet!
As always, good thoughts and lots of love in your multiple directions!
- CM
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Failing on Pictures (again)
Hayley and me on the Great Pyramid (literally).
Jensen and me on camels in front of the Pyramids.
Great quote (kudos to K Bu):
"For a time here in this place, a comparatively brief intermission between leaving your father's home and starting on your own, you will be free to discover who you are, and what way you are going and who's going with you...and it is, I think, better to paddle around and explore than to just drift, for if the privileged generation of young Americans do not learn to influence the revolutions of our time at home and abroad, the world is going to be in even worse trouble than it is."
- James Reston
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Unbearable Poverty
My time at the ECC has been very rewarding. I love the idea of an "ecumenical dialouge" which allows people of different faiths and backgrounds to come together and discuss them openly with tolerance and without being derogatory towards others. It is beautiful here and I was very excited to return "home" after a weekend in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry - two towns about eight hours away from Whitefield on the east coast of India. The hotels were nasty - bed stains, bugs, and air conditioners that shot out ice cubes and dripped on you.
Walking along the streets in those two cities was truly heartbreaking. It was not uncommon to see children and grown men alike deficating in the streets, or urinating on the sides of the road. The streets were rampant with raw sewage, and the smell of feces was everywhere. I really do not know what to do with these images and am sure I will be processing them for a long time to come...
I continue struggling with this notion that how can I have so much when so many others have so little; and why me? Why have I been so blessed? I don't understand… I have struggled a lot with my faith these past few weeks but am content to say right now I just consider myself a Follower of Jesus and am excited to see where this path leads me.
Walking along the streets in those two cities was truly heartbreaking. It was not uncommon to see children and grown men alike deficating in the streets, or urinating on the sides of the road. The streets were rampant with raw sewage, and the smell of feces was everywhere. I really do not know what to do with these images and am sure I will be processing them for a long time to come...
I continue struggling with this notion that how can I have so much when so many others have so little; and why me? Why have I been so blessed? I don't understand… I have struggled a lot with my faith these past few weeks but am content to say right now I just consider myself a Follower of Jesus and am excited to see where this path leads me.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Indians drive on the wrong side of the road.
We left Cairo at 3:40 in the morning on October 8th...that was fun. After that we were in Mumbai (Bombay) for five days and now have arrived at the Ecumenical Christian Center in Bangaluru (Bangalore) where we will be until November 11. Mumbai was very cool. We saw where Ghandi had lived and also a number of museums and temples. My first impressions of India were that of vibrant colors and even more traffic than Cairo - it is ridiculous. I don't think I'll ever complain about traffic again back home. There are usually five or six lanes of traffic on a three lane street - I would not want to drive here. Our facilities at the ECC are fabulous. There's no A/C but it's been relatively cool and low (80%) humidity. The rooms have fans and mosquito nets. It rains off and on all day. We have singles which are very nice but the doors lock from the outside so pranks have been numerous and I don't see them coming to a close anytime soon haha. The people are just as friendly as in Cairo and possibly even more so. The bus doesn't have A/C either so we just open up the windows - it's manageable. I've learned to carry around a hanky everywhere I go.
I don't have many profound things to say yet, but I am excited to explore this new country. We are staying in a suberb of Bangalore called Whitefield, and the ECC is about a five minute bike ride outside of that. Everything is ridiculously inexpensive, and they eat with their hands in the nicest of restaurant. Did I mention they have a morning and afternoon and evening scheduled tea and snack time? How can I not love a country with set times for snack! I feel quite at home...
Internet unfortunately is quite sketchy and very sporadic so that will be frustrating. I miss all of you so much and I know I'm going to hit the wall in India and want to come home, but I also know as soon as I come home I'm going to want to be back here so I'm trying to keep it in perspective.
Well it's getting dark and i have to bike home - sketch! haha. I'll write more soon.
- CM
I don't have many profound things to say yet, but I am excited to explore this new country. We are staying in a suberb of Bangalore called Whitefield, and the ECC is about a five minute bike ride outside of that. Everything is ridiculously inexpensive, and they eat with their hands in the nicest of restaurant. Did I mention they have a morning and afternoon and evening scheduled tea and snack time? How can I not love a country with set times for snack! I feel quite at home...
Internet unfortunately is quite sketchy and very sporadic so that will be frustrating. I miss all of you so much and I know I'm going to hit the wall in India and want to come home, but I also know as soon as I come home I'm going to want to be back here so I'm trying to keep it in perspective.
Well it's getting dark and i have to bike home - sketch! haha. I'll write more soon.
- CM
Monday, October 6, 2008
Clarification.
Came across this today and couldn't resist posting it...
I'm a little confused. Let me see if I have this straight:
* If you grow up in Hawaii , raised by your grandparents, you're "exotic, different."
* Grow up in Alaska eating moose burgers, a quintessential American story.
* If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.
* Name your kids Willow , Trig and Track, you're a maverick.
* Graduate from Harvard law School and you are unstable.
* Attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're well grounded.
* If you spend 3 years as a brilliant community organizer, become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works, and Veteran's Affairs committees, you don't have any real leadership experience.
* If your total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people, then you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking executive.
* If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising 2 beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real Christian.
* If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian.
* If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.
* If , while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no other option in sex education in your state's school system while your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant , you're very responsible.
* If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent America 's.
* If you're husband is nicknamed "First Dude", with at least one DWI conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until age 25 and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable.
I'm a little confused. Let me see if I have this straight:
* If you grow up in Hawaii , raised by your grandparents, you're "exotic, different."
* Grow up in Alaska eating moose burgers, a quintessential American story.
* If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.
* Name your kids Willow , Trig and Track, you're a maverick.
* Graduate from Harvard law School and you are unstable.
* Attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're well grounded.
* If you spend 3 years as a brilliant community organizer, become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works, and Veteran's Affairs committees, you don't have any real leadership experience.
* If your total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people, then you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking executive.
* If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising 2 beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real Christian.
* If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian.
* If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.
* If , while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no other option in sex education in your state's school system while your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant , you're very responsible.
* If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent America 's.
* If you're husband is nicknamed "First Dude", with at least one DWI conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until age 25 and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
How the Other Half Lives.
I am going to keep this kind of short because I'm paying for the internet right now and I can post again tomorrow at the AUC for free. But anyways, we just returned from Alexandria today. Last week we were in Luxor and Aswan and saw numerous (and by numerous I mean way too many) temples, tombs, catacombs, underground passageways, sand, desert, and sun. The first 93 hieroglyphic paintings were really pretty cool, the next 813 (true number) started to blend together. The heat was unbearable (about 120) but made Cairo feel very comfortable when we returned home. Yes, home. Cairo is finally starting to feel like home and carry that sense of familiarity. Too bad we are leaving in two days for India...
But seriously, it all was very amazing to see. The train ride there and back was to say the least quite unpleasant. I learned that train food makes me sick (no more detail necessary) and I do not sleep comfortable on a bed that is 5 1/2 feet long. It did suck that I had to be sick for the entire week, but at least the hotel had a pool. While in Aswan I bought prayer beads which I am very excited. I paid way to much for them but am telling myself they "really are made out of Alabaster" and thus worth the arm and leg (and maybe other leg) I paid for them.
Alamein and Alexandria was very nice as well. We stayed at a 5 star resort in Alamein, and a hotel right on the beach in Alexandria - I mean, right on the beach. Gorgeous views of the Mediterranean. In the States these rooms would EASILY have cost a $1,000 (US) per night. I have no idea how we afforded them except to say, it's Egypt, and (even though it's 90 degrees) not summer and not the peak season. It was interesting seeing how the other half lived compared to three weeks in Cairo. At breakfast we heard a cell phone ringing and thought nothing of it until we turned around and realized it belonged to a 10-year-old boy - I think we know what demographic our hotel was serving.
Our first test/final is in two days and I have a presentation tomorrow so that's what I should be working out - but let's be serious. Class isn't until 10:30 tomorrow morning so I'll probably go watch a movie and then get up at seven tomorrow - you know that's how I do.
Hope everyone is doing well, I promise I will post more pictures ASAP and try to get an album up on Facebook. Keep the complaints coming for lack of pictures and perhaps I'll feel an increased sense of motivation, but most likely not. Take care; as always much love and good thoughts in your directions.
CM
But seriously, it all was very amazing to see. The train ride there and back was to say the least quite unpleasant. I learned that train food makes me sick (no more detail necessary) and I do not sleep comfortable on a bed that is 5 1/2 feet long. It did suck that I had to be sick for the entire week, but at least the hotel had a pool. While in Aswan I bought prayer beads which I am very excited. I paid way to much for them but am telling myself they "really are made out of Alabaster" and thus worth the arm and leg (and maybe other leg) I paid for them.
Alamein and Alexandria was very nice as well. We stayed at a 5 star resort in Alamein, and a hotel right on the beach in Alexandria - I mean, right on the beach. Gorgeous views of the Mediterranean. In the States these rooms would EASILY have cost a $1,000 (US) per night. I have no idea how we afforded them except to say, it's Egypt, and (even though it's 90 degrees) not summer and not the peak season. It was interesting seeing how the other half lived compared to three weeks in Cairo. At breakfast we heard a cell phone ringing and thought nothing of it until we turned around and realized it belonged to a 10-year-old boy - I think we know what demographic our hotel was serving.
Our first test/final is in two days and I have a presentation tomorrow so that's what I should be working out - but let's be serious. Class isn't until 10:30 tomorrow morning so I'll probably go watch a movie and then get up at seven tomorrow - you know that's how I do.
Hope everyone is doing well, I promise I will post more pictures ASAP and try to get an album up on Facebook. Keep the complaints coming for lack of pictures and perhaps I'll feel an increased sense of motivation, but most likely not. Take care; as always much love and good thoughts in your directions.
CM
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Rubbing Noses with the Sphinx. (Thanks Danny)
We visited the Pyramids and the Sphinx two days ago - wow. It has left be speechless and continually imagining how on Earth humans could have built such magnificent creations. They are very close to the city, which many people don't realize because well taken photographs place them well out in the middle of the desert, but it was only about a 30 min bus ride from our hotel. We also road on camels across the desert in front of the pyramids for only about six dollars! Although I feel for such a once in a lifetime oppurtunity I would have paid 20 dollars anyways... We also got to go inside the Great Pyramid which was just an amazing expierence. Just to imagine that people have been in that room for 4500 years; and more so how much history the world expierenced while the room was sitting undisturbed until discovered in modern history.
Tomorrow we head down to Luxor and Aswan for a week - which will make Cairo seem cold. Yuck! Although I will say my body is adjusting quite nicely and I can honestly say the 85 degree nights are getting rather cool - how sad! Down south is supposedly in the realms of teh 120s and 130s compared to the "pleasant" 100s we have in Cairo. After that we travel north to Lower Egypt to see Alexandria for a couple days and then off to India.
Last night we broke the fast (called Iftar) with some new friends we'd met at a Shesha bar across the way. It was a feast! And so delicious! I will try and put some pictures up on my blog soon. And on a final note, I have finally discovered a meat that I do not prefer - "mutton neck".
CM
Tomorrow we head down to Luxor and Aswan for a week - which will make Cairo seem cold. Yuck! Although I will say my body is adjusting quite nicely and I can honestly say the 85 degree nights are getting rather cool - how sad! Down south is supposedly in the realms of teh 120s and 130s compared to the "pleasant" 100s we have in Cairo. After that we travel north to Lower Egypt to see Alexandria for a couple days and then off to India.
Last night we broke the fast (called Iftar) with some new friends we'd met at a Shesha bar across the way. It was a feast! And so delicious! I will try and put some pictures up on my blog soon. And on a final note, I have finally discovered a meat that I do not prefer - "mutton neck".
CM
Thursday, September 18, 2008
A New Mindset.
After the first week of Global was definitely a vacation, we are now settling into a more academic atmosphere. Mainly our mornings consist of bus or walking tours and sightseeing to various mosques, parts of Cairo, and the AUC campus located in the suburbs. Lectures follow in the afternoons usually lasting two to four hours, on topics ranging from Ancient Egyptian History to Modern Political Theory of Egypt to Art. For the most part the lectures are very entertaining and everyday I learn something entirely new; and almost all the professors are exceptionally good at lectures so it's not a chore to try and follow their organization.
Cairo is amazing and has so drastically changed so many of my values and beliefs and outlooks on life. People here are so welcoming and hospitable; I am going to cry when I come back to the States and see Arabs and Muslims portrayed in our propagandist media as killers and devils - I look forward to being able to educate Americans on how nice these people are. Many have invited us in for Eftar and tea when we are just walking by on the streets! Everywhere we go Egyptians are saying "Welcome to Egypt" - and not shopkeepers trying to sell us something, but REAL people on the streets! Like you'd ever get that in America? HA!
Like the Bible and Torah the Koran has a set of commandments including "Thou shall not kill" and tells its readers to abstain from drinking and smoking. People here are way more religious than the States, and it is not uncommon to see many people reading their Koran on the streets, subway, or at a Shesha bar. We have been going to a Shesha (Hooka) bar on the roof of this building almost every night now and are becoming good friends with the owners (Ismail and Ali). We are going to try and do Eftar (the breaking of the fast during Ramadan) with them soon. Talking with them has enlightened me (and many others on the trip) in ways we never expected to be touched. We have discussed politics, economics, government, religion, and what it means to be alive. It has just further reinstated my view on life that we need to take full advantage of every opportunity God presents us with and live every day to the fullest. A popular saying here is "el-Sha Allah" which means "If God Wills." How appropriate...
Talking further with Ismail and Ali we have gained deep insight into Egyptian culture and way of life. Ali's idea to deal with Jurusalem is to make it a holy city, like the Vatican, and give it to the UN. Then all - Palestinians, Israelites, Jews, Muslims, Christians, etc. - people can use it and there would be no wars needed to be fought over it...how insightful. I continue to be impressed and surprised at how literally everyone can separate American Policy (which they hate) from Americans (who they love). I believe I will continue to find this in the coming months, as it was also true in Geneva and Paris. These people despise Islamic Extremists just as much as we do, and want peace just as much as we do. At the end of the day, whether Muslim, Jew, or Christian, we truly are all the same...
Tomorrow we leave for the Pyramids and the Sphinx, and on Monday we depart for Luxor and Aswan; I am so excited!
CM
Cairo is amazing and has so drastically changed so many of my values and beliefs and outlooks on life. People here are so welcoming and hospitable; I am going to cry when I come back to the States and see Arabs and Muslims portrayed in our propagandist media as killers and devils - I look forward to being able to educate Americans on how nice these people are. Many have invited us in for Eftar and tea when we are just walking by on the streets! Everywhere we go Egyptians are saying "Welcome to Egypt" - and not shopkeepers trying to sell us something, but REAL people on the streets! Like you'd ever get that in America? HA!
Like the Bible and Torah the Koran has a set of commandments including "Thou shall not kill" and tells its readers to abstain from drinking and smoking. People here are way more religious than the States, and it is not uncommon to see many people reading their Koran on the streets, subway, or at a Shesha bar. We have been going to a Shesha (Hooka) bar on the roof of this building almost every night now and are becoming good friends with the owners (Ismail and Ali). We are going to try and do Eftar (the breaking of the fast during Ramadan) with them soon. Talking with them has enlightened me (and many others on the trip) in ways we never expected to be touched. We have discussed politics, economics, government, religion, and what it means to be alive. It has just further reinstated my view on life that we need to take full advantage of every opportunity God presents us with and live every day to the fullest. A popular saying here is "el-Sha Allah" which means "If God Wills." How appropriate...
Talking further with Ismail and Ali we have gained deep insight into Egyptian culture and way of life. Ali's idea to deal with Jurusalem is to make it a holy city, like the Vatican, and give it to the UN. Then all - Palestinians, Israelites, Jews, Muslims, Christians, etc. - people can use it and there would be no wars needed to be fought over it...how insightful. I continue to be impressed and surprised at how literally everyone can separate American Policy (which they hate) from Americans (who they love). I believe I will continue to find this in the coming months, as it was also true in Geneva and Paris. These people despise Islamic Extremists just as much as we do, and want peace just as much as we do. At the end of the day, whether Muslim, Jew, or Christian, we truly are all the same...
Tomorrow we leave for the Pyramids and the Sphinx, and on Monday we depart for Luxor and Aswan; I am so excited!
CM
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Cairo...where the most dangerous event is crossing the street.
We landed in Cairo at about 18:00 two nights ago. Yesterday was spent getting familarized with the American University in Cairo (AUC from here on out) and then a nap in the afternoon during the hottest parts of the day. It's only about 95 to 100 degrees here right now - yes, ONLY - a cold front is moving through. It will be 120 - 130 when we visit Luxor and Aswan, but luckily it is a dry heat (30 - 40% humidity) so I am managing. Our classrooms and hotel rooms have A/C so that is a blessing. At night its only 85 or 90 so we can go out and look at shops, etc. Last night Rachel and I walked to the Nile River (only about 20 minutes away) and just tried to take it all in. We are in Egypt! How incredible. It really hasn't set in yet, but since we are here for awhile and able to finally unpack our suitcases I'm hoping that I will be able to appreciate it all. I'm just trying to take advantage and live everyday to the fullest. It's been such a shock coming here and everyone speaking Arab and many of them being Muslims. In our media we hear all the time how these people are the anti-christ and are terrorists and want to kill us, but there are very nice people. George Bush is the devel - that's really all they know and are told. It is unfathomable to them how we could have elected him a second time, and our Professor (who's been here for 30 years) told us he's never met an Egyptian who was pro-American policy, and it's been on an even steeper decline in the past half decade. This is also attributed to America's pro-Israli policy over the past decade, which obviously will not please a single Egyptian because of all the history of the West Bank. It will surely be an interesting culture to absorb.
Frankly it's a little ridiculous that you at home be worried about us being victims of a terrorist attack - we have an armed guard with us on the bus at all times, and to get into all the hotels here and the AUC you must pass through metal detectors and show ID's...with at least five policeman outside of all the entrances. Really, I'm much more scared of crossing the street here. It is quite a spectacle to watch. NOBODY obeys any traffic laws/signs/stopsigns; you just step into the middle of the street and play frogger. Ironically, it's more safe if you just keep walking because they aim to miss you, and they aim where you would be one second ago, so if you stop and you're still there when they get there then there's a problem! Basically, I've looked death in the eyes about 7 times now just crossing the street!
We've also started a male bible study. I've been struggling a lot with my faith lately and I think this will be a good oppurtunity for me to explore my relationship with God further and more indepthly. There are two religion majors on the trip as well as Biology majors so there have been some excellent philisophical and theological discussions. I am learning to respect other people's opinions and have a more open mind to why somebody would be pro-life or think homosexuality is a sin. In no way do I agree with either point of view, but at least, as Danny put it, "I am beginning to see the value in respecting someone's opinon, but I don't yet have to respect their opinion." haha. This will be very hard for me, but I think it's time I learn to respect other people for their opinions and beliefs even if I completely and 100% disagree with them. No guarentees I won't come back a red-letter christian, but I promise I will come back pro-choice and pro-gay rights...don't worry, I won't allow them to brain wash me that much!
Today is a free day, so we are all working on our papers. Lectures start more formally soon - not excited. Up to this point I've been on a ten day vacation, and now need to switch into a mindset that I am studying abroad. We'll see how that goes...
CM
Frankly it's a little ridiculous that you at home be worried about us being victims of a terrorist attack - we have an armed guard with us on the bus at all times, and to get into all the hotels here and the AUC you must pass through metal detectors and show ID's...with at least five policeman outside of all the entrances. Really, I'm much more scared of crossing the street here. It is quite a spectacle to watch. NOBODY obeys any traffic laws/signs/stopsigns; you just step into the middle of the street and play frogger. Ironically, it's more safe if you just keep walking because they aim to miss you, and they aim where you would be one second ago, so if you stop and you're still there when they get there then there's a problem! Basically, I've looked death in the eyes about 7 times now just crossing the street!
We've also started a male bible study. I've been struggling a lot with my faith lately and I think this will be a good oppurtunity for me to explore my relationship with God further and more indepthly. There are two religion majors on the trip as well as Biology majors so there have been some excellent philisophical and theological discussions. I am learning to respect other people's opinions and have a more open mind to why somebody would be pro-life or think homosexuality is a sin. In no way do I agree with either point of view, but at least, as Danny put it, "I am beginning to see the value in respecting someone's opinon, but I don't yet have to respect their opinion." haha. This will be very hard for me, but I think it's time I learn to respect other people for their opinions and beliefs even if I completely and 100% disagree with them. No guarentees I won't come back a red-letter christian, but I promise I will come back pro-choice and pro-gay rights...don't worry, I won't allow them to brain wash me that much!
Today is a free day, so we are all working on our papers. Lectures start more formally soon - not excited. Up to this point I've been on a ten day vacation, and now need to switch into a mindset that I am studying abroad. We'll see how that goes...
CM
Monday, September 8, 2008
Paris Pictures
Eiffel Tower.
Notre Dome at Night.
Sacre Cour
Hayley and myself.
Dana at Versailles.
View from Hotel balcony.
Sacrilegious Fun
Last night after dinner Bret and myself went on a date and decided to go to the Notre Dome plaza and just hang out for awhile with a bottle of wine. It was good to get to know him better - you truly can't read a book by its cover. At about 11:30 we decided to go to the Eiffel Tower, but half way there the metro stopped running and we had to walk the rest and didn't get there until just after midnight. After more wine and good conversation we started our return home at about one o'clock in the morning along the banks of the Seine River with the Eiffel Tower at our backs. Had it not been for the 1.5 hour walk home, I think I would have really enjoyed the night!
Today was much more leisurely, with a boat ride along the Seine in the evening, followed by another dinner date with the other Chris on the trip. I am so enjoying being able to meet new people that I would otherwise not have ever met in my life. It is truly amazing what path God puts us on and why. We have been having many, many in depth and great and interesting discussion on theology and religion. So many people on this trip are so knowledgeable and have so many various opinions that its been sweet sitting down and talking to various members of the group about it.
After dinner with Chris, we met up with some people at Notre Dome and Chris played guitar, Brita played violin, and I sang improv. It was so much fun, we have named our band "Sacrilegious Fun" with a self-titled album and hit single. Hopefully we can put some of this stuff on You Tube, it's actually quite hilarious.
Tomorrow we leave for Cairo in the morning. Not only am I not ready to say good-bye to Paris, but I know once we enter Cairo the true culture shock begins and I'm not sure that I'm quite ready for it. Also, that means school actually begins. So far it's been a two week vacation and it's tough to believe that I am studying abroad. However, I am fully confident this will change with my time in Cairo.
Today was much more leisurely, with a boat ride along the Seine in the evening, followed by another dinner date with the other Chris on the trip. I am so enjoying being able to meet new people that I would otherwise not have ever met in my life. It is truly amazing what path God puts us on and why. We have been having many, many in depth and great and interesting discussion on theology and religion. So many people on this trip are so knowledgeable and have so many various opinions that its been sweet sitting down and talking to various members of the group about it.
After dinner with Chris, we met up with some people at Notre Dome and Chris played guitar, Brita played violin, and I sang improv. It was so much fun, we have named our band "Sacrilegious Fun" with a self-titled album and hit single. Hopefully we can put some of this stuff on You Tube, it's actually quite hilarious.
Tomorrow we leave for Cairo in the morning. Not only am I not ready to say good-bye to Paris, but I know once we enter Cairo the true culture shock begins and I'm not sure that I'm quite ready for it. Also, that means school actually begins. So far it's been a two week vacation and it's tough to believe that I am studying abroad. However, I am fully confident this will change with my time in Cairo.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Paris
After spending the first 20 minutes of the flight to Paris discussing how long the flight was, we realized we were already descending and the flight was only 30 minutes. They divided us into small groups to tour the city in the morning by ourselves, and then we were free to wonder in the afternoon. This worked out really well because I was able to meet people I wouldn't have otherwise hung out with. The first day we were here we saw the Arc de Defense, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dome, Eiffel Tower, and the Pantheon. In the evening we found this restaurant called (in English) The Fondue Refuge which is by far the sweetest restaurant I've ever been to in my life. For 15 euro we got all the meat and cheese fondue you could eat, plus a bottomless "baby-bottle" full of the most disgusting wine you have ever tasted. The place probably legitimately sat 12 people, and yet they had crammed nearly 50 of us in there. The waiter was great, and the experience unforgettable. From there one of the guys on the trip and I met two French girls and went to a Pub with them, before having to leave way to soon to catch the metro home (we were a 40 minute metro ride away from home, so I can only imagine how long of a walk it would have been).
Yesterday was spent touring in the morning (we went to Versailles) - wow! And then in the afternoon/evening/night we went to the Sacre Coeur which is an amazingly beautiful church on top of a hill overlooking the city of Paris. The city at night was so gorgeous. We ate dinner at a small cafe (very french, took us about 2.5 hours to eat; and that was fast by standards here) which was perfect. Then we met up with people and sat on the stairs leading up to the church (about 200 of them) overlooking Paris. It was fascinating because the world was represented there -- we heard french, english, italian, german, russain, spanish, chinese and others we didn't recognize. There were people with an amp playing mostly American music as well but it was like Eric Clapton and such so very cool.
This morning I went to mass at the Notre Dome (it was all in french but still a cool experience) and then climbed to the top -- way cool and well worth the 4.80 euro! I'm taking a 30 min break now before I head to the Museum D'Orsay and the Louvre this afternoon. Tonight we are going to dinner as a group (I don't know where though).
I am truly loving Paris...the city is so big it's hard to get bored because there is a ridiculous amount to see. I am so exhausted and yet I don't want to sleep because I want to see as much as I can! It's expensive, but the memories are worth it.
Yesterday was spent touring in the morning (we went to Versailles) - wow! And then in the afternoon/evening/night we went to the Sacre Coeur which is an amazingly beautiful church on top of a hill overlooking the city of Paris. The city at night was so gorgeous. We ate dinner at a small cafe (very french, took us about 2.5 hours to eat; and that was fast by standards here) which was perfect. Then we met up with people and sat on the stairs leading up to the church (about 200 of them) overlooking Paris. It was fascinating because the world was represented there -- we heard french, english, italian, german, russain, spanish, chinese and others we didn't recognize. There were people with an amp playing mostly American music as well but it was like Eric Clapton and such so very cool.
This morning I went to mass at the Notre Dome (it was all in french but still a cool experience) and then climbed to the top -- way cool and well worth the 4.80 euro! I'm taking a 30 min break now before I head to the Museum D'Orsay and the Louvre this afternoon. Tonight we are going to dinner as a group (I don't know where though).
I am truly loving Paris...the city is so big it's hard to get bored because there is a ridiculous amount to see. I am so exhausted and yet I don't want to sleep because I want to see as much as I can! It's expensive, but the memories are worth it.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Geneva - Pictures
Jet D'Eau on Lac Leman.
Dana and myself in front of our "Conference Center" where we stayed in Geneva.
Woman on bench on top of Mt. Seleve overlooking Geneva.
Geneva
Saturday morning dad made me some of his delicious omelets and I was on my way to the airport. After saying good bye to my parents (with minimal tears - congrats mom) I was on my way. Our flight across the pond was met with slight turbulence but nothing very exciting. A full flight, but plenty of room in the overhead compartments for my large bag. Landing at 7:45 in the morning we took a bus and walking tour of "Old Geneva" (in Geneva) and learned about the history of the city. Our first evening we walked to Lac Leman (Lake Geneva) and went swimming with the Alps in the background. Not many Swiss were in the water - but us Minnesota kids thought the 60 degree water was quite comfortable. The next two days were spent exploring the city, trying new wines and cheeses, and appreciating the tens of thousands (literally) of roses planted throughout the city. Geneva claims itself to be the "greenest" city in Europe, if not the World - there are numerous public parks and trees all around the city. The best part was a waterfall that shoots 142m (425 ft) into the air - I have some sweet pictures but I can't get them up here. The second half of our stay was spent touring the UN, World Trade Organization, International Telecommunications Union, and the World Health Organization. And just as soon as we had arrived, we were already off to Paris...
Friday, August 29, 2008
Where are you going? The World.
So, in less than 36 hours I will begin my great adventure of the world. Honestly, I'm scared and I'm not so sure what I've gotten myself into. I've been saying good-bye to people over the past couple days, that has sucked. Right now I'm just telling myself I'll be home my Christmas because then I don't have to think about not being able to see everyone at that time. The worst part is having to sit and pack for five months, knowing that you have a 44 lbs. weight limit and everything you see before you is the only stuff you'll have to wear along the way. I was going to get another pair of jeans before I left. Oh well. I am very bad at packing for five months. But at least all the important things (passport, birth certificate, baby powder) are taken care of. If only I could eliminate another pair of shoes, but I really don't foresee that occurring...
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Here's How the IOC Can Really Get to the Bottom of this Gymnastic Scandal
Absolutely hilarious article by Jim Caple on ESPN.com today regarding the eligibility of they Chinese gymnasts:
BEIJING -- So, the International Olympic Committee wants the International Gymnastics Federation to investigate the ages of Chinese gymnasts to put the matter to rest once and for all.
I'm not sure what it hopes to find because the Chinese government assures us its gymnasts were all of qualifying age -- despite many documents to the contrary, plus the fact that one was seen competing with her umbilical cord still attached. And the Chinese government would never lie, would it? Just as our presidents never tell a fib.
The IOC can save a lot of time, effort and money by taking a far simpler, more conclusive and, quite frankly, obvious approach to this issue. If it wants to know whether an athlete is cheating, simply check the passports. If they say "U.S. citizen," then the athletes are above suspicion. If they say anything else, they are guilty. (Well, maybe not the Canadians, who aren't suspicious because they're not winning anything.)
Hasn't the IOC been paying attention to American Olympic coverage over the decades? Our Olympians are always clean. It's the other athletes who cheat like foreign accountants in offshore tax havens.
Those Chinese swimmers who medaled in the women's 200-meter butterfly? They clearly juiced because there is no way a relatively unknown team could medal and shave such time off previous world records. Only an American who has been on the cover of Time magazine, such as 41-year-old hero Dara Torres, could do that without raising suspicions. I mean, c'mon! Our success in the pool wasn't a surprise. Everyone expected our swimmers to win tons of medals, and they did, even though they had to overcome all the people who said they couldn't do it.
And those newfangled speedsuits had nothing to do with their world-record times, either, so you can just forget about that right now.
Which brings me to all those nations who keep stocking their teams with ringers. Becky Hammon competing for Russia even though she doesn't speak the language? Milorad Cavic swimming for Serbia even though he grew up in Anaheim (I didn't realize Disneyland had been part of the former Yugoslavia)? Appalling. America would never fast-track athletes for citizenship, unless perhaps they were from Africa and had awesome qualifying times.
These countries are merely trying to surpass our gold-medal total, which is foolhardy. The Chinese even regularly update their "Olympics-leading" gold tally on chalk and message boards throughout the city. That's just sad, and a terrible twisting of the true Olympic spirit.
The Olympics aren't about which country wins the most gold medals; they're about which country wins the most medals, period. And America holds a solid lead there. Besides, the "official" gold tally neglects all the multiple golds we've won on relay teams and in other team sports. This just isn't fair. How can you not count all gold medals that are handed out to an entire team? By the time you include all our gold medals -- eight for each men's swimming relay team because the athletes in the qualifying heats get them, as well -- I bet we'll have a commanding lead there.
But I do hope the IOC gets to the bottom of this age controversy because it is damaging the credibility of gymnastics, which is otherwise utterly beyond reproach and never subject to the manipulation of biased or petty judges. That, of course, is due to the straightforward and easily understood scoring system that is such a hit with viewers.
Something, after all, must be done to prevent immature, underage girls from being thrown into an intense, pressure-packed international competition they are far too young to handle emotionally. Forcing a young girl to compete like that would be like entering a 6-year-old in a beauty contest, or a fifth grader in a national spelling bee, or expecting an 11-year-old boy to compete in a worldwide baseball tournament on national TV. Americans just don't believe in placing that kind of pressure on children.
By the way, be sure to tune into the Little League World Series this weekend on ESPN. I just hope those foreign kids with the beards and mustaches are really 12.
BEIJING -- So, the International Olympic Committee wants the International Gymnastics Federation to investigate the ages of Chinese gymnasts to put the matter to rest once and for all.
I'm not sure what it hopes to find because the Chinese government assures us its gymnasts were all of qualifying age -- despite many documents to the contrary, plus the fact that one was seen competing with her umbilical cord still attached. And the Chinese government would never lie, would it? Just as our presidents never tell a fib.
The IOC can save a lot of time, effort and money by taking a far simpler, more conclusive and, quite frankly, obvious approach to this issue. If it wants to know whether an athlete is cheating, simply check the passports. If they say "U.S. citizen," then the athletes are above suspicion. If they say anything else, they are guilty. (Well, maybe not the Canadians, who aren't suspicious because they're not winning anything.)
Hasn't the IOC been paying attention to American Olympic coverage over the decades? Our Olympians are always clean. It's the other athletes who cheat like foreign accountants in offshore tax havens.
Those Chinese swimmers who medaled in the women's 200-meter butterfly? They clearly juiced because there is no way a relatively unknown team could medal and shave such time off previous world records. Only an American who has been on the cover of Time magazine, such as 41-year-old hero Dara Torres, could do that without raising suspicions. I mean, c'mon! Our success in the pool wasn't a surprise. Everyone expected our swimmers to win tons of medals, and they did, even though they had to overcome all the people who said they couldn't do it.
And those newfangled speedsuits had nothing to do with their world-record times, either, so you can just forget about that right now.
Which brings me to all those nations who keep stocking their teams with ringers. Becky Hammon competing for Russia even though she doesn't speak the language? Milorad Cavic swimming for Serbia even though he grew up in Anaheim (I didn't realize Disneyland had been part of the former Yugoslavia)? Appalling. America would never fast-track athletes for citizenship, unless perhaps they were from Africa and had awesome qualifying times.
These countries are merely trying to surpass our gold-medal total, which is foolhardy. The Chinese even regularly update their "Olympics-leading" gold tally on chalk and message boards throughout the city. That's just sad, and a terrible twisting of the true Olympic spirit.
The Olympics aren't about which country wins the most gold medals; they're about which country wins the most medals, period. And America holds a solid lead there. Besides, the "official" gold tally neglects all the multiple golds we've won on relay teams and in other team sports. This just isn't fair. How can you not count all gold medals that are handed out to an entire team? By the time you include all our gold medals -- eight for each men's swimming relay team because the athletes in the qualifying heats get them, as well -- I bet we'll have a commanding lead there.
But I do hope the IOC gets to the bottom of this age controversy because it is damaging the credibility of gymnastics, which is otherwise utterly beyond reproach and never subject to the manipulation of biased or petty judges. That, of course, is due to the straightforward and easily understood scoring system that is such a hit with viewers.
Something, after all, must be done to prevent immature, underage girls from being thrown into an intense, pressure-packed international competition they are far too young to handle emotionally. Forcing a young girl to compete like that would be like entering a 6-year-old in a beauty contest, or a fifth grader in a national spelling bee, or expecting an 11-year-old boy to compete in a worldwide baseball tournament on national TV. Americans just don't believe in placing that kind of pressure on children.
By the way, be sure to tune into the Little League World Series this weekend on ESPN. I just hope those foreign kids with the beards and mustaches are really 12.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
If You Have Nothing to Hide, Why Worry?
This is a great article in response to such a questions regarding The Patriot Act by Stewart N. Thorpe of Citizen Press Revolution:
This is a follow up on my Patriot Act – Details Inside. So, why should you care about the growing invasion of your privacy? If you don’t have anything to hide, why worry, right?
A "federal terrorist offense" is distinguished by "the intent to influence or affect the conduct of government by intimidation or coercion, or to retaliate against government conduct," explains Rep. Patsy Mink (D-Hawaii). "This broad, unclear definition may include groups such as Greenpeace, along with the terrorists." This category also includes People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which "could be investigated as a terrorist group because one of its members hits the secretary of agriculture with a pie," says Laura W. Murphy, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Washington office.
In other words, protesting against government conduct could result in you being investigated by the federal government.
In the weeks after 9/11, student demonstrators, civil libertarians, global justice workers, and peace and animal rights activists had all been labeled as terrorist sympathizers. It has become an offense to have intent to influence the conduct of our government by intimidation, coercion, or retaliation, no matter how nonviolent it might be. It is not the duty of the public anymore, apparently, to attempt to influence the conduct of its government.
It is nothing new in our history to have our federal investigators targeting and harassing political dissidents. And McCarthyism is a prime example of what happens when a self-righteous moral ground against Evil itself (Communism) is used as justification. Now with the self-righteous justification and abuse of the 9/11 excuse, the government is acutely astute to target groups who raise a critical voice or protest against the actions of the government. President Bush has drastically cut and wants to cut more funding to public broadcasting programs, for instance. This is America, after all, dissent and freedom of speech are actions which sympathize with communism err, terrorism – and we all know that they hate us for our freedoms. If you think George Orwell’s 1984 doubletalk couldn’t happen in real life before, we now have more than ample proof today that it is happening and is happening more often.
Nowadays, if you question government policies, especially regarding the “war” on terrorism or the Iraq war and occupation, you are accused of being unpatriotic, soft against terrorism, or even to “hate America”.
We even have a case where fifteen-year-old West Virginia sophomore Katie Sierra was suspended from her high school for wearing a T-shirt that read, "When I saw the dead and dying Afghani children on TV, I felt a newly recovered sense of national security. God Bless America."
A rapist in Hamilton County, Ohio was sentenced for 15 years in prison after beating and raping a 57-year-old woman. A Californian environmental activist was sentenced for 22 years and 8 months after burning three SUVS at a car dealership where he also took precautions to ensure that no lives would be harmed. Our government is upping offenses with a political intent or intent to influence conduct of our government (including the free markets) and laying our heavy-laden punishments against what is otherwise known as civil disobedience, even nonviolent civil disobedience.
It goes more than just being investigated and being spied upon (that usually comes first). There was a group of prominent intellectuals, including Edward Said of Columbia University and philosopher Anatole Anton of San Francisco State University, who signed a letter stating that they had been threatened for criticizing U.S. foreign policy. Following up this letter, the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, a right-wing academic group founded by Lynne Cheney (yes, the Vice President’s wife), released a report accusing 40 college professors of not showing “enough patriotism” since Sept. 11. Patriotism nowadays no longer means exercising your freedom of speech and acting upon the spirit of democracy that drove the American revolutionaries to criticize and protest against King George. These are now symptoms of being “Anti-American” and even terrorist sympathizers.
In the words of the White House press secretary herself, Ari Fleisher:
"People have to watch what they say and what they do."
Welcome to King George W. Bush's America.
This is a follow up on my Patriot Act – Details Inside. So, why should you care about the growing invasion of your privacy? If you don’t have anything to hide, why worry, right?
A "federal terrorist offense" is distinguished by "the intent to influence or affect the conduct of government by intimidation or coercion, or to retaliate against government conduct," explains Rep. Patsy Mink (D-Hawaii). "This broad, unclear definition may include groups such as Greenpeace, along with the terrorists." This category also includes People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which "could be investigated as a terrorist group because one of its members hits the secretary of agriculture with a pie," says Laura W. Murphy, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Washington office.
In other words, protesting against government conduct could result in you being investigated by the federal government.
In the weeks after 9/11, student demonstrators, civil libertarians, global justice workers, and peace and animal rights activists had all been labeled as terrorist sympathizers. It has become an offense to have intent to influence the conduct of our government by intimidation, coercion, or retaliation, no matter how nonviolent it might be. It is not the duty of the public anymore, apparently, to attempt to influence the conduct of its government.
It is nothing new in our history to have our federal investigators targeting and harassing political dissidents. And McCarthyism is a prime example of what happens when a self-righteous moral ground against Evil itself (Communism) is used as justification. Now with the self-righteous justification and abuse of the 9/11 excuse, the government is acutely astute to target groups who raise a critical voice or protest against the actions of the government. President Bush has drastically cut and wants to cut more funding to public broadcasting programs, for instance. This is America, after all, dissent and freedom of speech are actions which sympathize with communism err, terrorism – and we all know that they hate us for our freedoms. If you think George Orwell’s 1984 doubletalk couldn’t happen in real life before, we now have more than ample proof today that it is happening and is happening more often.
Nowadays, if you question government policies, especially regarding the “war” on terrorism or the Iraq war and occupation, you are accused of being unpatriotic, soft against terrorism, or even to “hate America”.
We even have a case where fifteen-year-old West Virginia sophomore Katie Sierra was suspended from her high school for wearing a T-shirt that read, "When I saw the dead and dying Afghani children on TV, I felt a newly recovered sense of national security. God Bless America."
A rapist in Hamilton County, Ohio was sentenced for 15 years in prison after beating and raping a 57-year-old woman. A Californian environmental activist was sentenced for 22 years and 8 months after burning three SUVS at a car dealership where he also took precautions to ensure that no lives would be harmed. Our government is upping offenses with a political intent or intent to influence conduct of our government (including the free markets) and laying our heavy-laden punishments against what is otherwise known as civil disobedience, even nonviolent civil disobedience.
It goes more than just being investigated and being spied upon (that usually comes first). There was a group of prominent intellectuals, including Edward Said of Columbia University and philosopher Anatole Anton of San Francisco State University, who signed a letter stating that they had been threatened for criticizing U.S. foreign policy. Following up this letter, the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, a right-wing academic group founded by Lynne Cheney (yes, the Vice President’s wife), released a report accusing 40 college professors of not showing “enough patriotism” since Sept. 11. Patriotism nowadays no longer means exercising your freedom of speech and acting upon the spirit of democracy that drove the American revolutionaries to criticize and protest against King George. These are now symptoms of being “Anti-American” and even terrorist sympathizers.
In the words of the White House press secretary herself, Ari Fleisher:
"People have to watch what they say and what they do."
Welcome to King George W. Bush's America.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
3 Facts That Could Change This Election
Stumbled across this today...so true, so true (especially #3 - God I've been saying this for years about Republicans and Democrats -- how is it possible that so many people are so ignorant to this fact?!?!)
Here are 3 Stunning facts that could not only change the outcome of this election, but with regard to the first two points, they could change the results of every election for years to come *if* we make enough people aware of them.
I want to keep this as simple and short as possible, so that the people who need to read this actually do. And again, I encourage you to share this information with as many people as you can, either by recommending and commenting on this thread, by emailing these points out and or by posting a link to this thread on the appropriate websites.
1)-Over 70% of our National Debt was created by just 3 Republican presidents.
Go ahead, get out your calculator and add up debt by president/party. Apparently the party that claims fiscally responsibility thinks it's ok to borrow massive amounts of money from foreign countries like China. Consider that we spend hundreds of billions of dollars in interest payments on this debt each year. That means more and more of your hard earned money is going to make interest only payments on what is basically a Giant National Credit Card. Not to mention the fact our debt/deficits are largely behind the weakness of our dollar, which in turns makes gas more expensive and creates other serious problems.
If you want to learn more about the National Debt, check out these links:
http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock /
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20...
http://zfacts.com/p/447.html (A running clock with the cost of the war)
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/business...
2)-According to new research from Larry Bartels out of Princeton, real middle class wage growth is double when a Democrat is president compared to when a Republican is president.
"...Even more remarkable, the real incomes of working-poor families...grew six times as fast when Democrats held the White House. Only the incomes of affluent families were relatively impervious to partisan politics, growing robustly under Democrats and Republicans alike...": http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/magazine/27wwln-ideal...
Here is a short summary of this research: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008...
And here is a good, short audio interview with Larry Bartels: http://youngturks.wmod.llnwd.net/a591/o1/4-25-08Bartels...
3)-90% of Americans would pay less taxes under Obama's proposed tax plan compared to McCain's.
This is according to the non-partisan Tax Policy Institute as reported by CNN: http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/11/news/economy/candidates...
People making under $112,000 a year in individual (not household) income would pay less taxes under Obama's plan.
By contrast, John McCain's tax cuts mostly benefit the top 10% of Americans. Under McCain's plan, people making over 2.9 million dollars in individual annual income would get almost a million dollar tax break.
Conclusion: Countless millions of Americans vote Republican because they believe they'll pay less taxes and that they'll have their money spent more responsibly. As you can see, those beliefs are directly contradicted by the facts. Of course we can choose to ignore the facts and instead focus on which candidate is wearing a flag pin (you ever notice that Hillary and McCain don't wear them? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi5nbZvS9cg ) but I think we're a smarter country than that.
PS---If you're not sure how to respond to those laughably bad, factually inaccurate anti-Obama smear emails and or you want more information on John McCain, here is a nice resource guide of articles, videos and commentary: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
Here are 3 Stunning facts that could not only change the outcome of this election, but with regard to the first two points, they could change the results of every election for years to come *if* we make enough people aware of them.
I want to keep this as simple and short as possible, so that the people who need to read this actually do. And again, I encourage you to share this information with as many people as you can, either by recommending and commenting on this thread, by emailing these points out and or by posting a link to this thread on the appropriate websites.
1)-Over 70% of our National Debt was created by just 3 Republican presidents.
Go ahead, get out your calculator and add up debt by president/party. Apparently the party that claims fiscally responsibility thinks it's ok to borrow massive amounts of money from foreign countries like China. Consider that we spend hundreds of billions of dollars in interest payments on this debt each year. That means more and more of your hard earned money is going to make interest only payments on what is basically a Giant National Credit Card. Not to mention the fact our debt/deficits are largely behind the weakness of our dollar, which in turns makes gas more expensive and creates other serious problems.
If you want to learn more about the National Debt, check out these links:
http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock /
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20...
http://zfacts.com/p/447.html (A running clock with the cost of the war)
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/business...
2)-According to new research from Larry Bartels out of Princeton, real middle class wage growth is double when a Democrat is president compared to when a Republican is president.
"...Even more remarkable, the real incomes of working-poor families...grew six times as fast when Democrats held the White House. Only the incomes of affluent families were relatively impervious to partisan politics, growing robustly under Democrats and Republicans alike...": http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/magazine/27wwln-ideal...
Here is a short summary of this research: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008...
And here is a good, short audio interview with Larry Bartels: http://youngturks.wmod.llnwd.net/a591/o1/4-25-08Bartels...
3)-90% of Americans would pay less taxes under Obama's proposed tax plan compared to McCain's.
This is according to the non-partisan Tax Policy Institute as reported by CNN: http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/11/news/economy/candidates...
People making under $112,000 a year in individual (not household) income would pay less taxes under Obama's plan.
By contrast, John McCain's tax cuts mostly benefit the top 10% of Americans. Under McCain's plan, people making over 2.9 million dollars in individual annual income would get almost a million dollar tax break.
Conclusion: Countless millions of Americans vote Republican because they believe they'll pay less taxes and that they'll have their money spent more responsibly. As you can see, those beliefs are directly contradicted by the facts. Of course we can choose to ignore the facts and instead focus on which candidate is wearing a flag pin (you ever notice that Hillary and McCain don't wear them? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi5nbZvS9cg ) but I think we're a smarter country than that.
PS---If you're not sure how to respond to those laughably bad, factually inaccurate anti-Obama smear emails and or you want more information on John McCain, here is a nice resource guide of articles, videos and commentary: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
oh the memories...the good ole days.
Clinton announces record payment on national debt
By John King/CNN
May 1, 2000
Web posted at: 5:13 p.m. EDT (2113 GMT)
WASHINGTON (CNN) - President Bill Clinton said Monday that the United States would pay off $216 billion in debt this year, bringing to $355 billion the amount of the nation's debt paid down in the three years since the government balanced the budget and began running surpluses.
Clinton debt
In a written statement, Clinton said the $216 billion payment represented the largest debt paydown in American history, and he said that the federal government's long-term debt is now $2.4 trillion lower than projected to be when he first took office.
However, the U.S. government still has a long way to go before it pays down the entire national debt, which now stands at $5.7 trillion.
"We should take advantage of this historic opportunity to use the benefits of debt reduction to extend the life of Social Security and Medicare and pay off the entire national debt by 2013 for the first time since Andrew Jackson was president," Clinton said.
Clinton has asked Congress to dedicate the interest savings from paying down the national debt to the Social Security Trust Fund, which will add 54 years to its life, according to White House estimates.
Clinton also used the announcement to take issue with Republican tax cut plans, noting that "the debt quadrupled in the twelve years before I came into office," a reference to his Republican predecessors, Ronald Reagan and George Bush.
"We should not jeopardize the longest economic expansion in history with risky tax cuts that threaten our fiscal discipline," said Clinton, who credited his administration's 1993 and 1997 budgets as well "tough choices in each and every year" for the debt turnaround.
"As a result, interest rates are lower, leading to stronger investment and growth while saving money for American families," he said.
By John King/CNN
May 1, 2000
Web posted at: 5:13 p.m. EDT (2113 GMT)
WASHINGTON (CNN) - President Bill Clinton said Monday that the United States would pay off $216 billion in debt this year, bringing to $355 billion the amount of the nation's debt paid down in the three years since the government balanced the budget and began running surpluses.
Clinton debt
In a written statement, Clinton said the $216 billion payment represented the largest debt paydown in American history, and he said that the federal government's long-term debt is now $2.4 trillion lower than projected to be when he first took office.
However, the U.S. government still has a long way to go before it pays down the entire national debt, which now stands at $5.7 trillion.
"We should take advantage of this historic opportunity to use the benefits of debt reduction to extend the life of Social Security and Medicare and pay off the entire national debt by 2013 for the first time since Andrew Jackson was president," Clinton said.
Clinton has asked Congress to dedicate the interest savings from paying down the national debt to the Social Security Trust Fund, which will add 54 years to its life, according to White House estimates.
Clinton also used the announcement to take issue with Republican tax cut plans, noting that "the debt quadrupled in the twelve years before I came into office," a reference to his Republican predecessors, Ronald Reagan and George Bush.
"We should not jeopardize the longest economic expansion in history with risky tax cuts that threaten our fiscal discipline," said Clinton, who credited his administration's 1993 and 1997 budgets as well "tough choices in each and every year" for the debt turnaround.
"As a result, interest rates are lower, leading to stronger investment and growth while saving money for American families," he said.
Friday, August 15, 2008
letter to my representatives in congress.
Today I sent a letter to both my senators (Klobuchar and Coleman for Minnesota) and representative (John Kline for the 2nd district) and asked them to commit to making America's energy 100% clean within ten years. Here is my letter -- I ask you to write your representatives as well!! Together, WE CAN SOLVE OUR ENERGY CRISIS!!!!
Senator _______ -
I would like you to commit to making our energy 100% clean within ten years. We cannot continue relying on oil as our main form of energy, and we cannot open ANWR or allow oil companies to drill off our shores, without drilling in the lands they already have leased to them. With our oil consumption expected to increase 140% by 2020, offshore drilling is not the answer. Furthermore, offshore drilling will not affect current gas prices because new rigs will not come online for at least 7 - 15 years. Even if we see a short term relief at the pump, this is in no way a long term answer to our problems and simply and band-aid solution. Instead of wasting money on something that will not help for a decade with only minimal positive impacts, we must invest NOW in a long term solution.
No, sir/ma’am - the answer is alternative energy. We need to invest more resources in technology so that processes such as the "Mcgyan Process" (invented at our own Augsburg) can continue to be invented right here in Minnesota and the United States. We also need to invest our resources in wind, solar, natural gas, and geothermal energy, in tar sands and shale oil and in technology for clean coal emissions. Moreover, a company called "Zap Inc." based in California ALREADY has developed the technology to engineer electric cars, but don't have a manufacturing in America and don't have enough money to build one. Technology for electric cars already exists! Now we just need to invest in it so we have the opportunity to mass produce them in the US.
In the race to the moon, President Kennedy said we choose to do it not because it is easy, but because it is hard. We need to renew that passion for innovation and technological growth in America that we enjoyed in the 1960s. We need to return America to its rightful place as a front runner in technology on the world stage - and not for a war.
To think that we are spending ten billion dollars a month on the Iraqi Conflict, instead of at home. People ask why are economy is doing so bad -- what a stupid question. I think it's quite obvious. We are not energy independent, and we are throwing away billions of dollars every month on a war that cannot be won, instead of investing it in the future of America.
This is why, Senator ________, I ask you to make a commitment to make America's energy 100% clean in ten years. Together, we can solve it!
Respectfully,
Chris Morgan
St. Olaf College
Senator _______ -
I would like you to commit to making our energy 100% clean within ten years. We cannot continue relying on oil as our main form of energy, and we cannot open ANWR or allow oil companies to drill off our shores, without drilling in the lands they already have leased to them. With our oil consumption expected to increase 140% by 2020, offshore drilling is not the answer. Furthermore, offshore drilling will not affect current gas prices because new rigs will not come online for at least 7 - 15 years. Even if we see a short term relief at the pump, this is in no way a long term answer to our problems and simply and band-aid solution. Instead of wasting money on something that will not help for a decade with only minimal positive impacts, we must invest NOW in a long term solution.
No, sir/ma’am - the answer is alternative energy. We need to invest more resources in technology so that processes such as the "Mcgyan Process" (invented at our own Augsburg) can continue to be invented right here in Minnesota and the United States. We also need to invest our resources in wind, solar, natural gas, and geothermal energy, in tar sands and shale oil and in technology for clean coal emissions. Moreover, a company called "Zap Inc." based in California ALREADY has developed the technology to engineer electric cars, but don't have a manufacturing in America and don't have enough money to build one. Technology for electric cars already exists! Now we just need to invest in it so we have the opportunity to mass produce them in the US.
In the race to the moon, President Kennedy said we choose to do it not because it is easy, but because it is hard. We need to renew that passion for innovation and technological growth in America that we enjoyed in the 1960s. We need to return America to its rightful place as a front runner in technology on the world stage - and not for a war.
To think that we are spending ten billion dollars a month on the Iraqi Conflict, instead of at home. People ask why are economy is doing so bad -- what a stupid question. I think it's quite obvious. We are not energy independent, and we are throwing away billions of dollars every month on a war that cannot be won, instead of investing it in the future of America.
This is why, Senator ________, I ask you to make a commitment to make America's energy 100% clean in ten years. Together, we can solve it!
Respectfully,
Chris Morgan
St. Olaf College
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Lou Dobbs
For those of you who don't know, Lou Dobbs is a host on CNN and has his own show. Everyday on his website he poses a question for people to poll on but it's always very one-sided and his word choice when he presents the question always influences the voters' opinion. Anyways, here's todays:
Do you believe President Bush has been given enough credit for the 23% decline in the price of oil since he lifted the executive order banning offshore drilling?
Yes 49% 1726
No 51% 1806
Total Votes: 3532
This is not a scientific poll
I just about shit a brick when I read this. I mean, are you FUCKING kidding me?!?! Bush's lifting of the executive order on banning offshore drilling has absolutely nothing to do with the price of oil going down. First off, all he did was lift his part of the ban - Congress still needs to lift their ban. In other words, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING has changed in terms of how much oil the US can drill and where they are doing the drilling.
Oil prices rapidly decreased because of simple, basic supply and demand economics. It hit four dollars a gallon (or more) after steadily increasing and Americans said enough is enough and demand rapidly decreased, which increased supply, and drove down prices at the pump. Lou Dobbs is incredibly ignorant if he honestly believes that anything Bush did affected the drop in oil prices.
The only thing Bush has done in his two terms in office is raise gas prices from 1.50 a gallon to over $4 a gallon. You want to know why this country's economy is going down the shitters? It's because we are spending $10 billion EVERY MONTH on the Iraqi conflict. I don't care what your views are on this war, but just think about that for a moment. TEN BILLION DOLLARS A MONTH. I ask you to think for just 10 seconds on everything we could be spending ten billion dollars a month on right now (including, although I am extremely opposed to it, building more off shore oil rigs).
Think about it...
Do you believe President Bush has been given enough credit for the 23% decline in the price of oil since he lifted the executive order banning offshore drilling?
Yes 49% 1726
No 51% 1806
Total Votes: 3532
This is not a scientific poll
I just about shit a brick when I read this. I mean, are you FUCKING kidding me?!?! Bush's lifting of the executive order on banning offshore drilling has absolutely nothing to do with the price of oil going down. First off, all he did was lift his part of the ban - Congress still needs to lift their ban. In other words, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING has changed in terms of how much oil the US can drill and where they are doing the drilling.
Oil prices rapidly decreased because of simple, basic supply and demand economics. It hit four dollars a gallon (or more) after steadily increasing and Americans said enough is enough and demand rapidly decreased, which increased supply, and drove down prices at the pump. Lou Dobbs is incredibly ignorant if he honestly believes that anything Bush did affected the drop in oil prices.
The only thing Bush has done in his two terms in office is raise gas prices from 1.50 a gallon to over $4 a gallon. You want to know why this country's economy is going down the shitters? It's because we are spending $10 billion EVERY MONTH on the Iraqi conflict. I don't care what your views are on this war, but just think about that for a moment. TEN BILLION DOLLARS A MONTH. I ask you to think for just 10 seconds on everything we could be spending ten billion dollars a month on right now (including, although I am extremely opposed to it, building more off shore oil rigs).
Think about it...
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Why I Support Obama
He brings hope to a hopeless country; he brings ideas that will work - we cannot drill our way out of this. He understands that offshore drilling is a short term solution, and once those rigs are online are consumption will only increase and we will not have solved anything. He understands that oil will not necessarily cause a decrease in domestic gas prices, and that we will be much better off in the long run by investing in renewable energy. I am tired of McCain's lies - every time the news is on he's quoted as saying that he knows a lot about economics, only to say the next day that he doesn't know very much about economics. He cares only about what he thinks America needs and not how we are viewed in the world (specifically in Iraq and how the Iraqi PM supports a time line for withdraw). Obama can restore the respect of the world for this country. I am tired of McCain's lies. He smashes Obama for not visiting troops in Germany, when he himself did not visit the troops when he visited Europe in March; and the Pentagon, the night before the schedule visit, asked Obama not to because of politics - and yet the mudslinging campaign of McCain continues to spread lies. Oh, and let's not forget that three days ago McCain referred to the Putin as the German President...what an idiot. We have a monkey in office right now, we don't need another one.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
McCain slams Obama for the same thing he did in March.
The curious thing about John McCain's dishonorable attack on Barack Obama is that McCain himself visited Europe in March, but didn't visit the wounded troops in Landstuhl, Germany.
So if McCain wanted to visit the troops, it would have been trivial to arrange -- no seismic event needed. But it's clear McCain didn't want to visit them, and as a result, it should be fair to ask McCain why he now feels entitled to attack Barack Obama.
It's pretty ridiculous for McCain to be making this absurd, hypocritical attack on Barack Obama. They've both visited wounded troops in the past. And as commanders-in-chief, they would both work for the best interests of the nation, even if they would take it in different directions.McCain is desperate now, in full-fledged panic mode. If this is how he'd handle a crisis as president, it's all the more important that Barack Obama win this election.
There is an important difference between McCain's Europe trip and Barack Obama's -- McCain's was official business, and therefore taxpayer-funded. Obama's was political, and therefore campaign-funded. During the portion of Obama's trip that was official -- the portion in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait -- Barack Obama did visit wounded troops, and he did so with no fanfare.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
american oil being exported.
The other day, while surfing the internet, on one of my news websites I saw the horrible news that there was an oil spill at the mouth of the Mississippi River. I then heard a small report on NPR explaining a bit more of the details... Now, forgive me for possibly getting some of the facts wrong, as I didn't have a notepad to write on while I was driving home and listening to the radio. The ship has spilled 419,000 gallons of fuel oil. (now here are the facts I heard, but can't seem to find confirmation of in some of the online news reports). They mentioned that the ship had just picked up the oil from a local distributor and was headed to some country, when it got hit by a tugboat.
Then it hit me...
Wait... did he just say that the ship was headed for another country?
We are currently in an Oil crisis here at home (USA).
There are talks of offshore drilling.
There are talks of drilling in the Alaskan wildlife refuge area.
If we need oil so bad... WHY are we exporting it then to other nations?
I googled it this morning, and according to this chart, the USA is the 16th ranked nation for exporting oil! (check it out)
So can someone explain this to me?
This news item just appeared on reddit.com tonight that goes to answering this question! I'm glad other people are paying attention to this.
Short answer if you don't want to read the whole article (which is short).
Large multi-national firms like Exxon-Mobil are not US property. They sell to the world and their allegiance is to corporate profits.
Great resource for oil production/exports/imports.
Then it hit me...
Wait... did he just say that the ship was headed for another country?
We are currently in an Oil crisis here at home (USA).
There are talks of offshore drilling.
There are talks of drilling in the Alaskan wildlife refuge area.
If we need oil so bad... WHY are we exporting it then to other nations?
I googled it this morning, and according to this chart, the USA is the 16th ranked nation for exporting oil! (check it out)
So can someone explain this to me?
This news item just appeared on reddit.com tonight that goes to answering this question! I'm glad other people are paying attention to this.
Short answer if you don't want to read the whole article (which is short).
Large multi-national firms like Exxon-Mobil are not US property. They sell to the world and their allegiance is to corporate profits.
Great resource for oil production/exports/imports.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
"Iraq is Safe." -- John McCain
Contrary to the beliefs of the Republican party's presumptive nominee for president the state of Iraq is not safe. He claimed two days ago that he could walk through the streets and be safe - and he could. However, he failed to mention the escort by US troops including tanks, humvees, and a company of soldiers. Amazingly, according to the US Dept of State travel warnings, as of June 13, 2008 Iraq was described as "extremely dangerous" and "unsafe for all Americans." Amazing what absurd comments can come out of such an ignorant man.
Monday, July 21, 2008
this video will change your life.
"The Zeitgeist."
This movie will change your life and the way you view life, and will probably make you sick to your stomach as well. This movie is about two hours long and is divided into three parts as follows:
"Part 1: The Greatest Story Ever Told"
Looks at (more like tries to disprove) modern religion; very interesting from a scientific/historical point of view but not relevant to the rest of the video
"Part 2: All the Worlds a Stage"
0.40:00 - Looks at the 9.11 Conspiracy
"Part 3: Don't Mind the Men Behind the Curtain"
1.14:30 - Looks at the banking system in America's history and how we've been manipulated/fooled by the American government
McCain's Real Views on Veterans.
Much has been said on McCain's part of how he would be a better Commander-in-Chief and how he supports Veterans and thinks they need to be treated better. Mr. McCain says Barack can't speak on veterans issues because he served the military and Barack did not. Although I have utmost respect for McCain's service to our country and for all of our military men and women, my two-cents is that serving in jungle warfare almost 40 years ago would provide no advantage to conducting desert warfare. And in response to McCain's criticism that Obama has not been to Iraq or Afghanistan and thus cannot talk with authority on the situation is absolutely absurd -- I don't need to be in the middle of the ocean to learn about fish, now do I? But I'm off topic, back to the reason for this post...
The truth is John McCain has repeatedly voted against supporting veterans:
McCain Voted Against $19 Billion for Military Hospitals. In February 2006, McCain voted against an amendment that would have provided for at least $19 billion for military health facilities, paid for by eliminating tax cuts for the wealthiest earners.
*Senate Amendment 2735, Amendment failed.
McCain Voted Against Legislation to Provide $2.8 Billion For Medical Care for Veterans. McCain voted against a 2006 Democratic amendment that would have provided $2.8 billion to increase veterans’ medical care.
*Senate Amendment 149, Amendment failed.
McCain Voted Against Establishing $1 Billion Trust Fund to Provide Improvements to Military and Veterans’ Health Facilities. McCain voted against an Amendment to establish a $1 billion trust fund to provide improvements to health facilities that treat veterans and military personnel to lapse on December 31, 2006.
*Senate Amendment 2735
McCain voted Against Adding $1.5 billion to Veterans’ Medical Services in 2007 Budget by Closing Corporate Tax Loopholes. McCain voted against an Amendment offered by Democrats to increase medical services funding to veterans by $1.5 billion in 2007.
*Senate Amendment 3007
McCain Voted Against Mandatory Funding of $6.9 Billion in 2007 Budget and $104 Billion Over Five Years for Veterans' Health Care.
McCain voted against a Democratic amendment to provide a mandatory stream of funding of $6.9 billion in Fiscal Year 2007 and $104 billion over five years for veterans' health care.
Senate Amendment 3141
September 2007: McCain voted against the Webb amendment calling for adequate troop rest between deployments.
And those are just the ones I could find in the past 15 minutes. John McCain is two faced; do we really want another George Bush in office for another four years? It's time we stand up for a CHANGE, and stand up for America becoming respected throughout the world again. Going to war with Iran (a most imminent possibility with McCain in office) will in no way help are standing in the world, yet in fact will make infinitely times worse.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Are You A Patriot?
It was a courageous act for those who signed the Declaration of Independence to stand up to the tyranny of King George in defense of their "unalienable rights." Yet still they stood up, knowing that human rights are just too important to give up.
They were patriots. They stood up for what they knew was best for the people.
My question for you in 2008 is, do you have that same courage - the courage to be a patriot and do right by our country? And what are you going to do for our country to make it live up to its ideals?
What does patriotism mean to you? Most of us will say that a patriot is someone who wants the best for your country. And most of you who read this strongly agree that patriotism is not about merely wearing an American flag lapel pin or sticking a 'Support the Troops' magnet on your car or attending your community's Fourth of July festivities.
Because patriotism is about so much more than what you want, believe, or say. It’s about what you do.
Being patriotic means you serve your country in some capacity. My utmost gratitude goes to all of you who have worn the uniform of this nation in the armed services. Likewise, I thank those of you who have served as firefighters, police officers, and the like. If military and police/fire service is not your calling, have you considered running for office? What about the Peace Corps or Americorps? Take Barack Obama's advice and find some way to serve our country.
Being patriotic means you do right by every citizen of this nation, because you understand that America is nothing without its people. While millions of Americans are celebrating this Fourth of July at a barbecue with family and friends, millions more are spending the holiday without food, family, or friends - be it in Iraq or in the streets and slums of this country. Have you helped out at your local soup kitchen? Have you given away some of your old clothes that you won't use again? Have you sent something through AnySoldier.com?
Being patriotic means you work to give this nation dedicated leaders at all levels. Leaders who themselves are patriots dedicated to setting our nation on the right course and are even willing to put their reputation on the line for our country. I'm getting very involved in this campaign season here in Michigan to help ensure that Barack Obama will lead our nation next Independence Day. I do so out of a conviction that Obama offers by far the best chance for restoring integrity and honor to the White House.
Being patriotic means you hold our leaders accountable. Have you called your lawmakers and asked them to oppose telecom immunity in FISA? Have you shared with them your thoughts on election reform, the environment, or our crumbling infrastructure?
And of course, being a patriot is about so much more than what I mention here.
Bush is trying to ruin our republic, but don't forget this is OUR country.
As we celebrate the 232nd birthday of this nation, let us do so with that same commitment that guided our founders in 1776. There are more than 300,000,000 of us Americans, and we won't all agree on what exactly is best for our country. But unless each of us does our part for our country, how can we expect our America to last another 232 years?
lunch with aunt ann
so today i had lunch with my aunt ann from san diego, CA...she was visiting old friends in des moines, IA, and since i'm in ames, IA for the summer they were kind enough to make the quick 30 minute drive to come up and see me. we went to this small indian restaurant in a part of the city equivalent to the U of M's "dinkytown." it was so much fun...absolutely ridiculous. her two friends, sarah and ester, kept commenting that it was a rare chance i had three women take me to lunch -- and how true! i never knew three "50+ year old women" (their words, not mine) could be such company. we discussed everything from school to work to politics to food to family <-- it really doesn't get any better than sitting down to good food with good company.
they also all grew up with dad, and told me stories of when he was 20...of course myself being 20 now this made them feel even older haha. and ester and sarah both shared stories of what my aunt was up to in high school and college - i wouldn't expect any less :-). it really makes you appreciate family even more...
they also all grew up with dad, and told me stories of when he was 20...of course myself being 20 now this made them feel even older haha. and ester and sarah both shared stories of what my aunt was up to in high school and college - i wouldn't expect any less :-). it really makes you appreciate family even more...
Friday, July 18, 2008
My Review of Buck Metro Knife
Designed to look cool attached to your key chain, this little knife has several handy uses.
a minimalists best friend.
By olefootball77 from Apple Valley, MN and Datil, NM on 7/18/2008
Pros: Durable, Comfortable Grip, Light, Attach to caribeener, Sharp Blade, Smooth Locking Mechanism
Best Uses: Backpacking
Describe Yourself: Professional Guide
For the minimalist who goes beyond cutting their tooth brush in half and just uses their finger, the bottom line is you will not find a lighter more durable knife of similar size and price. I would easily pay twenty or twenty-five dollars for this, the fact that it's only $13 is a steal. Comfortable grip, never had to sharpen in 2+ years of constant use, and my favorite part is that I can attach it to a caribeener and put it right on my pack/belt loop. Great for opening water purification tablets which are individually wrapped. If every half or quarter of an ounce matters to you (like me) this is the knife for you.
(legalese)
My Review of Chaco Z/2 Unaweep Sandals - Men's
Sporting a lightweight design and high-performance outsoles, Chaco Z/2 toe-thong sandals set a high standard of comfort.
Not Worth the Hype
By olefootball77 from Apple Valley, MN and Datil, NM on 7/18/2008
Sizing: Feels full size too small
Width: Feels too narrow
Pros: Durable, Breathes Well
Cons: Not Enough Support
Best Uses: Casual Wear, At The Beach
Describe Yourself: Professional Guide
I personally felt that they were a little too narrow, so if you have wide feet like myself keep that in mind. I prefer KEENS for the added toe protection, and other sandals for when it gets so wet out. If it's pouring rain the two straps don't hold your foot in as well as three or four.
(legalese)
My Review of MSR SweetWater Purifier System
This system combines the proven filtration of the micro-filter with the chlorine-based SweetWater Purifier Solution for safe, clean water worldwide.
Small but Fast
By olefootball77 from Apple Valley, MN; Datil, NM on 7/18/2008
Pros: Lightweight, Tasty Water, Easy to clean, Good filtration
Best Uses: Canoeing, Backpacking
Describe Yourself: Professional Guide
This pump is great. I've had it for the best five years or so and use it constantly every summer, and have only had to replace the filter once. As long as you clean it out every trip with the provided brush, there is no reason a filter can't last ten years with normal use (I definitely consider my use much higher than normal). I also added about five to seven feet of tubing on the intake end which let's me get deeper into the water (in the Boundary Waters) which means colder water and less work for filter (longer life). I can pump about 1 liter a minute (it really doesn't get any better than that).
(legalese)
Thursday, July 17, 2008
too smart to be republican.
this is an e-mail i wrote to amy about my thoughts on mccain and the war in Iraq. i needed to vent, and didn't really wanna edit it all to make it more general...
so i was thinking today how ironic it is that you are a feminist and religious (hahah, sorry, i need to stop my uncontrollable laughter cuz you're a feminist) and also a republican. i mean, many republicans are pro-life. a pro-life feminist? seems a little weird, you know? also, i've often wondered how (generally speaking) republicans being more conservative are usually more religious. yet jesus preaches peace and "turning the other cheek"...not to mention one of the commandments is thou shall not kill. in fact, through out the old testament, killing is only percieved as just when God is the one ordering the killings. now, i think we can both agree that God did not go to Bush and tell him to invade Iraq and kill over a million innocent civilians, as well as kill more Americans than al quaeda did on 9/11.
i used to think people who think this war is not about oil were just ignorant and a little silly, but now i think they are fucking stupid and i am embaressed to call them my fellow americans. how can you support a party who uprooted innocent lives and societies just so we could secure oil? and in case you werent watching the news, Iraq didn't attack us, WMDs were never discovered, and Bin Laden is till on the loose in Afghanistan. not to mention, we defeated hitler and the nazi regeime and won WWII in less time than we've been in Iraq -- amazing, no?
i find it ironic also that mccain says we can "win" in iraq. i'm curious what his definition of "success" is. is it having all the iraqies love us? because that will never fucking happen, much less the whole world looking up to us like they did in the late '90s with the innovation technology boom. is it when there are no more infidels and religious fanatical attacks on the us troops? cuz that wont happen either - we dont even have peace in the US! no, i believe success in iraq comes from when we stop playing world police and go back to being a leader, not a conquerer. i wish arrogant slobs like mccain would realize that not everybody wants a democracy, and that a democracy is not always the right answer. great, we freed a people from a horrible ruler, but why the fuck are we still there? we have no right to occupy that country. we need to withdraw, and let the iraqi security forces do their job. that will be success.
then invade afghanistan and fuck bin laden up. in terms of iran, your candidate doesnt want to negoiate at all with their leaders, he just wants to go in and blow some shit up. it worked in iraq, and everyone loves us for it -- so why not try again, right?
i will concede that the recent surge in iraq has been successful in lowering deaths of american troops, however, we will never win the iraq war in mccains sense of the war. we should never have been there in the first place. we need to once again be a leader in this world in terms of innovation and technology, not a dictatorship establishing our rules and systems of belief on other countries.
you come back from Africa saying how said it is that all these children live in horrible conditions and have been oppressed their whole lives, when thats exactly what we are doing to the iraqi people. i think thats a little hypricritical on your part...
wow. and i haven't even talked yet about FUCKING RIDICULOUS it would be to allow off shore drilling yet... i mean, does mccain really think that will bring down gas prices? those drills wont be online for at least 15 years (ones in alaska perhaps 7-9 years). by 2020 our consumption of oil will increase 145% if it countinues growing at a rate now (and that will only increase). sounds like a band-aid to me. we need to invest in alternative energy. shale oil and gas, tar sands, biofuels, clean coal, solar, wind, water energy -- your candidate is a fucking idiot when he comes to that shit. we cannot drill are way out of this. period.
and his thoughts on nuclear? are u fucking kidding me? he wants 45 new plants? well, we already have 39 which are fifty years old (a very old age for a nuclear reactor) and need to be taken offline and rebuilt. so really, it'll be like adding six.
if mccain is president, i might move to canada after undergrad school.
now, please...i want you to defend yourself. because, a girl with the brains and brawns that you have is wayyy wayyy wayyy to fucking smart to be republican. what gives?
so i was thinking today how ironic it is that you are a feminist and religious (hahah, sorry, i need to stop my uncontrollable laughter cuz you're a feminist) and also a republican. i mean, many republicans are pro-life. a pro-life feminist? seems a little weird, you know? also, i've often wondered how (generally speaking) republicans being more conservative are usually more religious. yet jesus preaches peace and "turning the other cheek"...not to mention one of the commandments is thou shall not kill. in fact, through out the old testament, killing is only percieved as just when God is the one ordering the killings. now, i think we can both agree that God did not go to Bush and tell him to invade Iraq and kill over a million innocent civilians, as well as kill more Americans than al quaeda did on 9/11.
i used to think people who think this war is not about oil were just ignorant and a little silly, but now i think they are fucking stupid and i am embaressed to call them my fellow americans. how can you support a party who uprooted innocent lives and societies just so we could secure oil? and in case you werent watching the news, Iraq didn't attack us, WMDs were never discovered, and Bin Laden is till on the loose in Afghanistan. not to mention, we defeated hitler and the nazi regeime and won WWII in less time than we've been in Iraq -- amazing, no?
i find it ironic also that mccain says we can "win" in iraq. i'm curious what his definition of "success" is. is it having all the iraqies love us? because that will never fucking happen, much less the whole world looking up to us like they did in the late '90s with the innovation technology boom. is it when there are no more infidels and religious fanatical attacks on the us troops? cuz that wont happen either - we dont even have peace in the US! no, i believe success in iraq comes from when we stop playing world police and go back to being a leader, not a conquerer. i wish arrogant slobs like mccain would realize that not everybody wants a democracy, and that a democracy is not always the right answer. great, we freed a people from a horrible ruler, but why the fuck are we still there? we have no right to occupy that country. we need to withdraw, and let the iraqi security forces do their job. that will be success.
then invade afghanistan and fuck bin laden up. in terms of iran, your candidate doesnt want to negoiate at all with their leaders, he just wants to go in and blow some shit up. it worked in iraq, and everyone loves us for it -- so why not try again, right?
i will concede that the recent surge in iraq has been successful in lowering deaths of american troops, however, we will never win the iraq war in mccains sense of the war. we should never have been there in the first place. we need to once again be a leader in this world in terms of innovation and technology, not a dictatorship establishing our rules and systems of belief on other countries.
you come back from Africa saying how said it is that all these children live in horrible conditions and have been oppressed their whole lives, when thats exactly what we are doing to the iraqi people. i think thats a little hypricritical on your part...
wow. and i haven't even talked yet about FUCKING RIDICULOUS it would be to allow off shore drilling yet... i mean, does mccain really think that will bring down gas prices? those drills wont be online for at least 15 years (ones in alaska perhaps 7-9 years). by 2020 our consumption of oil will increase 145% if it countinues growing at a rate now (and that will only increase). sounds like a band-aid to me. we need to invest in alternative energy. shale oil and gas, tar sands, biofuels, clean coal, solar, wind, water energy -- your candidate is a fucking idiot when he comes to that shit. we cannot drill are way out of this. period.
and his thoughts on nuclear? are u fucking kidding me? he wants 45 new plants? well, we already have 39 which are fifty years old (a very old age for a nuclear reactor) and need to be taken offline and rebuilt. so really, it'll be like adding six.
if mccain is president, i might move to canada after undergrad school.
now, please...i want you to defend yourself. because, a girl with the brains and brawns that you have is wayyy wayyy wayyy to fucking smart to be republican. what gives?
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