We are all not that different. Sometimes I forget that. And then I meet someone from half way around the world whose life is different in so many ways from the life I have lived so far and the experiences I have had but in the end we are all human and our experiences as humans are eerily similar.
A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to meet two Rwandan Reggae musicians at a friends house. They grew up at a time where their country was in the midst of genocide and I can only imagine the horrors they have seen countless times.
But then you realize that despite the differences in the paths our lives have taken we have the same feelings and struggle with similar things every day.
The conversation that lead me to start thinking about how even worlds away our humanity links us was about dating and the trials involving members of the opposite sex and it was amazing how our observations and insights about being young and single were almost exactly the same.
This human link is what we need to remember in this increasingly globalized world. The genocide in Darfur is can not be brushed off because it is a world away and we should not forget he millions of starving people because they are not in our immediate world. Half way around the world everyone experiences pain, and hunger and joy in the same way.
Remembering that we are all human will hopefully make us all more sensitive to all of our Fellow humans.
Showing posts with label Roundtable. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Roundtable. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Democracy
Democracy is defined as a: government by the people; especially : rule of the majority b: a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections.
As an American I feel like sometimes I take it for granted that I live in a country governed by the principles of democracy, but the second I begin to consider what life is like where a portion of the population is left out of government or where predatory governments reign I realize that democracy should never be taken for granted.
This morning I read this article in the current of Foreign Affairs Magazine discussing the shaky states that many democracies around the world are in. It explains that the world should momentarily stop focusing on cultivating more democracies around the world and instead ensure that the troubled democracies in places such as Russia, Venezuela and Nigeria are given the support needed to survive and thrive.
Reading the article lead me to think about how easily my ability to be represented in my government could be taken away given the proper circumstances and how frightening it would be to live in a country that is governed by opportunistic leaders who favor themselves and their friends and neglect the people who they supposedly represent.
Typically when I see an injustice or want to understand a situation better I become a proactive researcher and activist to find out what I can do to change a situation. But I now feel helpless. How do I spread an idea around the world and help to extol the virtues of democracies to ensure that others around the world can enjoy the same ability to live under a government that works for its citizens?
Hopefully an idea comes to me soon.
As an American I feel like sometimes I take it for granted that I live in a country governed by the principles of democracy, but the second I begin to consider what life is like where a portion of the population is left out of government or where predatory governments reign I realize that democracy should never be taken for granted.
This morning I read this article in the current of Foreign Affairs Magazine discussing the shaky states that many democracies around the world are in. It explains that the world should momentarily stop focusing on cultivating more democracies around the world and instead ensure that the troubled democracies in places such as Russia, Venezuela and Nigeria are given the support needed to survive and thrive.
Reading the article lead me to think about how easily my ability to be represented in my government could be taken away given the proper circumstances and how frightening it would be to live in a country that is governed by opportunistic leaders who favor themselves and their friends and neglect the people who they supposedly represent.
Typically when I see an injustice or want to understand a situation better I become a proactive researcher and activist to find out what I can do to change a situation. But I now feel helpless. How do I spread an idea around the world and help to extol the virtues of democracies to ensure that others around the world can enjoy the same ability to live under a government that works for its citizens?
Hopefully an idea comes to me soon.
Monday, March 24, 2008
O these scandalous politicians
Elliott Spitzer paid for sex. We have heard this story over and over again. I had to boycott the news off during the avalanche of sex scandals last spring and summer. I was absolutely disgusted with the endless stories of pedophilia, rape and solicitation that seemed to plague the Republican Party.
Actually my first reaction to Governor Spitzer’s story was “at least he was having sex with a adult”. Then I started thinking about it. Prostitution is illegal. I may not agree with it being illegal, but it is.
Public officials take an oath to uphold the law. Although I sympathize with sex starved men I cannot condone breaking the pledge that these people took when they were elected. America should not let our elected officials get away with breaking their pledge to us.
But then again, at least he had sex with a consenting adult.
Actually my first reaction to Governor Spitzer’s story was “at least he was having sex with a adult”. Then I started thinking about it. Prostitution is illegal. I may not agree with it being illegal, but it is.
Public officials take an oath to uphold the law. Although I sympathize with sex starved men I cannot condone breaking the pledge that these people took when they were elected. America should not let our elected officials get away with breaking their pledge to us.
But then again, at least he had sex with a consenting adult.
Private v. Public
For the Lenten season my friend Vanessa and I decided that we wanted to volunteer at the Los Angeles Mission. The Mission is a homeless shelter and soup kitchen that also has a program that allows formerly homeless men to get back on their feet. They are given physical, spiritual and mental guidance so they can re-enter society as functioning adults. When volunteering at the mission I worked right along the men in the program to feed the many men who were just at the mission for the night.
It has been about six weeks since I began volunteering and I have found that it is something that I enjoy and look forward to every weekend. It has also reinforced my belief and any true Republicans belief that private establishments and businesses can and will do everything better than the government. I have seen first hand that the LA Mission’s program successfully graduates an overwhelming number of the participants and successfully keeps these graduates off the streets.
Rehabilitating formerly homeless men is a very personal and intimate job and by nature the United States government possesses neither of these qualities. When there is evidence that private institutions can provide these services more efficiently and with better quality then the government it is only logical that the government should step back and just provide monetary support to the places that provide these services the best.
It is also important that the fortunate among us donate out time and talent to places like the LA Mission. Volunteers are critical to the effectiveness of charity organizations but volunteering also allows volunteers to grow and become more aware of the world around them.
Click here for the LA Missions Webiste
It has been about six weeks since I began volunteering and I have found that it is something that I enjoy and look forward to every weekend. It has also reinforced my belief and any true Republicans belief that private establishments and businesses can and will do everything better than the government. I have seen first hand that the LA Mission’s program successfully graduates an overwhelming number of the participants and successfully keeps these graduates off the streets.
Rehabilitating formerly homeless men is a very personal and intimate job and by nature the United States government possesses neither of these qualities. When there is evidence that private institutions can provide these services more efficiently and with better quality then the government it is only logical that the government should step back and just provide monetary support to the places that provide these services the best.
It is also important that the fortunate among us donate out time and talent to places like the LA Mission. Volunteers are critical to the effectiveness of charity organizations but volunteering also allows volunteers to grow and become more aware of the world around them.
Click here for the LA Missions Webiste
Saturday, March 8, 2008
The Heiress
The breaking news of the past few weeks is that voters are falling for Clinton. They find her charismatic, intelligent, and a candidate that they would love to vote for. The only problem is that casting a ballot for her will have to wait because the Clinton voters are impressed by is Chelsea, not her mother, who is currently in the race for the Democratic nomination.
Chelsea, with her fathers charisma and her mothers impressive no-nonsense intelligence is a combination of two of the most common and influential political archetypes. She is well poised to be the heiress to the Clinton political dynasty.
In the past Chelsea Clinton has been hidden from the world. Her teenage years spent in the White House were fiercely protected from the prying eyes of the media. Now well into her twenties she has only broken her no interview once despite being a current fixture on her mother’s campaign.
She has become one of her mothers most valued surrogates, even more so than her father former President Bill Clinton, who has a tendency to cause trouble for his wife. Initially her presence on the campaign trail was received with skepticism, but she has continued to win voters over with her self confidence and easy going attitude.
A few weeks ago the New York Magazine wrote a piece on the daughter of the Clinton’s and pondered her potential future in politics. The article draws a interesting parallel because in a few months she will be the same age that her father was the first time he entered into the political arena. Her role in her mother’s campaign is sparking the interest of politicos throughout the United States and helping to fuel this debate.
Because she appears to have the perfect combination of her mothers mind and fathers likeable personality she is easily classified as the best of both worlds. These personal qualities are what are needed to be a successful politician especially at the federal level.
Chelsea almost appears to have been raised for a future in politics. With no embarrassing college moments such as those as of the Bush twins she is not only a natural but also well prepared for a seamless entrance into politics.
Taking into consideration the fact that I personally may not agree with her politics, as a young professional woman I am still able appreciate that Chelsea is a strong women who can prove to the world that she is more than a pretty face or an object of adoration. Her success is admirable and despite her political ideology I will hope the best for her.
Not only is she a personal role model, Chelsea Clinton should be a role model for all young women who have political ambitions. Despite all of the stereotypes that women have broken and the numerous achievements females have made there are still a number of biases for women in politics. Hillary Clinton is the perfect example.
Hillary is seen as hard and emotionless and despite all of her efforts to appear feminine and soft she cannot seem to get it right. The larger problem is that she has been criticized for this.
I can only hope that Chelsea is the next generation of women who are able to embody mental sharpness and an easy going likeability that men never seem to have an issue with. Her performance on the campaign trail seems to be an indicator that politics comes naturally to her and now the only question left to answer is whether she will inevitably follow in the footsteps of her parents and become a politician herself.
For the sake of my generation of women who have found the balance between masculinity and femininity and intelligence and likeability I hope that she does choose to enter politics, or at least the public arena. She would be the perfect individual to help pave the road for women who would like to have it all.
Chelsea, with her fathers charisma and her mothers impressive no-nonsense intelligence is a combination of two of the most common and influential political archetypes. She is well poised to be the heiress to the Clinton political dynasty.
In the past Chelsea Clinton has been hidden from the world. Her teenage years spent in the White House were fiercely protected from the prying eyes of the media. Now well into her twenties she has only broken her no interview once despite being a current fixture on her mother’s campaign.
She has become one of her mothers most valued surrogates, even more so than her father former President Bill Clinton, who has a tendency to cause trouble for his wife. Initially her presence on the campaign trail was received with skepticism, but she has continued to win voters over with her self confidence and easy going attitude.
A few weeks ago the New York Magazine wrote a piece on the daughter of the Clinton’s and pondered her potential future in politics. The article draws a interesting parallel because in a few months she will be the same age that her father was the first time he entered into the political arena. Her role in her mother’s campaign is sparking the interest of politicos throughout the United States and helping to fuel this debate.
Because she appears to have the perfect combination of her mothers mind and fathers likeable personality she is easily classified as the best of both worlds. These personal qualities are what are needed to be a successful politician especially at the federal level.
Chelsea almost appears to have been raised for a future in politics. With no embarrassing college moments such as those as of the Bush twins she is not only a natural but also well prepared for a seamless entrance into politics.
Taking into consideration the fact that I personally may not agree with her politics, as a young professional woman I am still able appreciate that Chelsea is a strong women who can prove to the world that she is more than a pretty face or an object of adoration. Her success is admirable and despite her political ideology I will hope the best for her.
Not only is she a personal role model, Chelsea Clinton should be a role model for all young women who have political ambitions. Despite all of the stereotypes that women have broken and the numerous achievements females have made there are still a number of biases for women in politics. Hillary Clinton is the perfect example.
Hillary is seen as hard and emotionless and despite all of her efforts to appear feminine and soft she cannot seem to get it right. The larger problem is that she has been criticized for this.
I can only hope that Chelsea is the next generation of women who are able to embody mental sharpness and an easy going likeability that men never seem to have an issue with. Her performance on the campaign trail seems to be an indicator that politics comes naturally to her and now the only question left to answer is whether she will inevitably follow in the footsteps of her parents and become a politician herself.
For the sake of my generation of women who have found the balance between masculinity and femininity and intelligence and likeability I hope that she does choose to enter politics, or at least the public arena. She would be the perfect individual to help pave the road for women who would like to have it all.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Which Stain will the Democrats Erase?
“A friend of mine, a black man, said to me, ‘My ancestors came to this country in chains; I’m voting for Barack.’ I told him, ‘Well, my sisters came here in chains and on their periods; I’m voting for Hillary.’ ”
The above quote in the New York Times is useful to help us understand the struggle that Democrats are going through right now. One one hand voters want to nominate Hillary to prove that Americans are not mysoginistic and on the other they want to nominate Obama to prove that Americans are not racist. Both types of discrimination are clearly horrendous and it would be wonderful if in 2008 the United States could have either a female or black president.
The only problem is that as much as I find discrimination disgusting I still understand that to be sucessful in the general election the Democratic candidate will be best served by having time to stockpile money, rest and start campaigning against the Republican nominee.
For the sake of the Democratic Party Obama and Clinton need to be locked in a room and flip a coin to see who will be the nominee. If they can set aside their egos America may be lucky enough to prove to the world that we are neither mysoginistic nor racist with a woman/minority POTUS and VPOTUS team.
The above quote in the New York Times is useful to help us understand the struggle that Democrats are going through right now. One one hand voters want to nominate Hillary to prove that Americans are not mysoginistic and on the other they want to nominate Obama to prove that Americans are not racist. Both types of discrimination are clearly horrendous and it would be wonderful if in 2008 the United States could have either a female or black president.
The only problem is that as much as I find discrimination disgusting I still understand that to be sucessful in the general election the Democratic candidate will be best served by having time to stockpile money, rest and start campaigning against the Republican nominee.
For the sake of the Democratic Party Obama and Clinton need to be locked in a room and flip a coin to see who will be the nominee. If they can set aside their egos America may be lucky enough to prove to the world that we are neither mysoginistic nor racist with a woman/minority POTUS and VPOTUS team.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Clinton's Inner Bitch??
Since Hillary Clinton entered the presidential race people have been discussing what it takes for a woman to be accepted as leader of the free world. In Maureen Dowd's latest column in the NY Times she criticizes Hillary for being to soft and complaining to much. But the same week an SNL skit Tina Fey comments on Hillary's "bitchy-ness"
These two commentaries on Hillary Clinton and her character are very different and it raises the question, "Who is Hillary Clinton?"
On one hand she is hard and emotionless, but there have also been numerous instances where she shows her softer side, shedding tears and hosting intimate town hall meetings. She does not seem to know who she is and neither does the media.
Personally, I think Tina Fey is correct when she implies that there is nothing wrong with a woman who is a bitch because bitches get things accomplished. Isn't that what America and the world needs...A person who can get things done? I do not care if Hillary Clinton likes to cook, or cries often, or has a sensitive overly feminine side. I would be much more willing to support Hillary the bitch, if only she can learn to fully embrace it herself.
These two commentaries on Hillary Clinton and her character are very different and it raises the question, "Who is Hillary Clinton?"
On one hand she is hard and emotionless, but there have also been numerous instances where she shows her softer side, shedding tears and hosting intimate town hall meetings. She does not seem to know who she is and neither does the media.
Personally, I think Tina Fey is correct when she implies that there is nothing wrong with a woman who is a bitch because bitches get things accomplished. Isn't that what America and the world needs...A person who can get things done? I do not care if Hillary Clinton likes to cook, or cries often, or has a sensitive overly feminine side. I would be much more willing to support Hillary the bitch, if only she can learn to fully embrace it herself.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
A "not so" Straight Talk Express
In 2000 John McCain's "Straight Talk Express" was received well by voters and the Senators tendency for bucking party lines and marching to the beat of his own drum worked for his maverick persona. http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/02/17/mccain.bus/
Bush clearly brought the straight talk express to a halt. Then, McCain decided to resurrect the bus for the 2008 campaign but left out the straight talk.
As a former McCain supporter in 2000 I admired him for following his instincts and principals weather I agreed with him or not, but in the frenzy of this election season I have only caught glimpses of the former "Maverick" at work. John McCain has effectively broken my heart by becoming a vote courting machine like the rest of the candidates. In the last eight years his advisers must have told him that to be elected he would need to play by party rules and make sure that the base Republicans were happy.
Over last summer his alienation of his former self contributed to the near death of his campaign. The country watched as he went almost bankrupt and lost a few key advisers. He came back to win New Hampshire and seems to be getting back to speaking his mind and remembering his guiding principals.
I can only hope as I search for a politician who exhibits backbone that the coming months will bring back the Straight Talk Express in full force.
Bush clearly brought the straight talk express to a halt. Then, McCain decided to resurrect the bus for the 2008 campaign but left out the straight talk.
As a former McCain supporter in 2000 I admired him for following his instincts and principals weather I agreed with him or not, but in the frenzy of this election season I have only caught glimpses of the former "Maverick" at work. John McCain has effectively broken my heart by becoming a vote courting machine like the rest of the candidates. In the last eight years his advisers must have told him that to be elected he would need to play by party rules and make sure that the base Republicans were happy.
Over last summer his alienation of his former self contributed to the near death of his campaign. The country watched as he went almost bankrupt and lost a few key advisers. He came back to win New Hampshire and seems to be getting back to speaking his mind and remembering his guiding principals.
I can only hope as I search for a politician who exhibits backbone that the coming months will bring back the Straight Talk Express in full force.
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