Back when this blog was still a little toddler, I mentioned in an old post the prospects of a Presidential wannabe named Barack Obama, comparing him to as "if Tiger Woods ran for office."
Over a year later, I find myself owing the man an apology. Tiger Woods may be filthy rich and a great athlete, but after putting them side by side - Tiger Woods really ain't shit standing next to Obama; Now arguably the most powerful man in the world and who I'm pleased to say is the 44th President of the United States.
While you may not agree on his foreign policy plans or his ideas on universal healthcare reform, there's no denying he brings a glitz and glamor to the Presidency that previously, for many years now, was defunct of any style.
Of course, many former presidents brought their own personal charm to the administration, and no disrespect to them - But after 8 years of living with a President (Bush), whose coolest moment was probably dodging a pair of shoes being thrown at him, Obama's beginning of a new Camelot definitely becomes a refreshing makeover.
His current status as the coolest kat on the planet was solidified during his inauguration, as Obama, the young, charismatic, community organizer from Chicago, danced with his wife in elegant fashion, all while Beyonce serenaded them with his classy song choice of "At Last."
Even in his college years, Obama was apparently still one of the coolest kids in the room.
Amidst a historical election between a black man and the walking dead, California voters may get so into the presidential race that it may be easy to forget about legislation happening back home.
Fear not however, because after weeks of anticipation and constant research, I've compiled an in-depth guide to answer any questions regarding what will appear on California's ballot. Due to complex nature and the number of controversial issues surrounding each proposition, this guide is quite dense with information, so I must apologize in advance if it appears overwhelming. A Cool Kids California Voter's Guide:
Prop 1: Something about super high-speed railways?
Prop 2: Allows chickens and other farm animals to breath, stretch, shake it, before you eat them
Prop 3: I dunno
Prop 4: Requires permission/notification before an abortion
Prop 5: Overhaul of sentencing and rehabilitation for nonviolent drug offenders
Prop 6: Mo money for the Po's
Prop 7: Something about funding green technology... could be wrong
Prop 8: A discriminatory law that takes away fundamental rights.
Prop 9-12: Not sure, lost my booklet.
Some SD Affairs:
Prop B: Opens up parts of San Diego's waterfront for development
Now I'm going to try and do this without sounding super biased, but to be honest it probably will come out that way. In anyway if your opinion contrasts mine i invite you to check me and express your opinion because all opinions are valid. I especially welcome any facts that i might be missing so feel free to remind me of that. Unless intended to maliciously attack me, which will not be well received. Let us remember people that we should try an attack the idea not the person.
Enough disclaimer bs and hand holding on to the good stuff...
The spark:
I woke up this morning and went to church and to my surprise their were multiple signs promoting voting yes on Prop 8, right in front of the doors of the Church. (Voting yes on prop 8 will in a nut shell disallow same sex couples to marry in the state of California.) While I really shouldn't be surprised about how the catholic community feels about gay marriage i was none the less bewildered by all of it. If people want to vote YES on prop 8 i feel that they are entitled to do so. However, when the church gets involved in politics my mental alert goes...WTF! Aside from the whole idea of separation of church and state, i just feel that it is a bit unfair of the church to put these signs up.
How I (emphasis on I) Feel:
Realistically not ALL catholics agree with voting yes, i being one who believes that marriage between same sex couples is all good with me. I sat through mass thinking about this, which in a lot of ways distracts me from what was even going on and what the priest was talking about. I think that for the church to assume that all of its parish believes that gay marriage is wrong is kind of condescending. As if we can't think for ourselves. As i said earlier i am not surprised that the church is in favor of prop 8, but was it so necessary to blatantly put it out there like that. I think that as a catholic i am well aware of what the church views as right and wrong. Why not put up signs of fight the war on terrorism in the name of GOD. Or better yet, abortion related images intended to remind church goers what to believe in. Ok sure Yes on Prop 8 signs aren't that bad, but you get my point. I guess it could be a lot worse, the signs could read vote McCain and Palin. Sorry i had to throw that in there, no offense if you disagree.
Reality:
The church isn't going to change anytime soon and i really don't expect this to happen either. The reality is that marriage is a patriarchal institution that has been analyzed as being oppressive to women. My honest opinion is fuck marriage it is something that is just socially constructed like race and a lot of time sexuality. However it doesn't mean that the issues surrounding marriage, race and sexuality aren't real. I feel as though the "straight" world can't even get marriage right, even heterosexual catholics fuck up marriage. i.e. divorce, domestic violence, infidelity and so on and so on. So if marriage is so sacred between a man and a women why do they keep fucking it up. Oh am i hitting some nerves, i'm sorry but it is the truth. I am not discounting marriages that do work out i am just bringing out the reality that some if not most do not. It isn't to say either that if the gay community has the right to marry they would do marriage any better. But lets stop fronting like marriage is this sacred thing and we need to protect it from "the gays" because a "breeders" we can't even protect it from ourselves.
Apology?: At first i was going to apologize for being such a debbie downer lately, but fuck that i shouldn't have to. Although i'll apologize if i hurt any feelings, but shit i can't please everyone. This could go two ways this post will either be ignored or it will spark some interesting conversation. I'm rooting for convo. Oh and before you even think about saying anything ignorant/inappropriate/straight fucked up remember to own what you say because nothings worse than someone who can't backup what they say went it really matters.
Either way you look at it love is a beautiful thing...
To: Lance, Nazer, Adonis and affiliates From: Just ray
I wasn't sure where to post this, but after reading lance's recent post I felt it made sense to put it here immediately after. I won't pretend as if I know a lot about politics, but in a lot of ways I do keep myself informed of generally whats going on. Quite honestly i don't think i have to flat out say who i will be voting come november. My background alone should give a reasonable answer to the question of "who are you voting for?" That being said, a McCain presidency truly scares me. Especially lately with all the ignorance and pure hatred that is directed towards Obama.
Truth is the stigma towards obama has always been there, news casters and political experts can argue that race has not played a factor in this election. But thats all bull shit, because it clearly has played a large factor at least in my eyes. I wont quite get into all that, but if you want to hear what i think just ask me another time.
What i really would like to get at is the fear that comes full circle all across the board. It is obvious that recent ads about Obama and Ayers clearly instilled fear into blue collar white America. Even watching the video below, where the elderly woman says she has been reading about Obama and he is "an arab" scares the shit out of me. There is kind of a dual reaction i think to all of these things. The fact that people can actually begin to believe that Obama is in fact a terrorist puts chills down my spine. It also just shows the stigma to folks of middle eastern heritage. As if the big bad "arabs" are out to get you. I know what we could do lets tell are children stories that arabs hide in your closet while you sleep and under your bed too!!!
Folks like to talk about the civil rights movement and equality between all people as if everything is all good now. As if after the 60s and 70s we all of a sudden started holding hands and singing a whole new world together. Lets be real for a second folks. Race is an issue as of today so stop acting like it isn't. I do however give McCain a bit of credit for "defending" Obama. ALthough it was just a bit to late for all of that. Fear and racism have a sort of snowball effect. Picking up every ignorant person along the way and fusing them with stupidity.
The main thing that bothers me really is the fact that everyone seems to put a lot of pressure on Obama. Obama promises change through out his speeches, however even if he were to become president the responsibility doesn't solely rely on him. We as a nation have to take action ourselves. We can't expect him and his administration to carry all the weight. We have to lighten the load and do our parts as well. For fear of getting to carried away and ranting for way to long heres a new piece from your friendly neighborhood poet- Nicotine, Fear and Solidarity
A lot of people ask Why it is that I smoke And I know That it is a bad habit That I need to kick
But personally I’m not quite ready yet,
See while I’m slowly killing Myself grit after grit
I would rather be inhaling the Nicotine Rather than drowning in the Hatred
That lingers in the air And comes and goes like the wind
And can damage your soul The way earthquakes Damage the earth Like some form of Cruel and unusual Punishment
Punishing my future children For simply being themselves
And I am greatful for every scar On my skin Because it reminds me That I am capable of feeling something
Something rather than being numb Numb to my senses Numb to the pain that motivates Me in every single solitary way
And as my heart grows heavy I hope for a better day But the truth is I’m walking towards it, but every step I take it seems even farther Away….
We fear the unknown We fear the other And it has us questioning
Lost human connection Through conversation Leave it all up to text messaging
I hate that even though My ancestors are island people I am generalized as being Chinese or Mexican
The media fuels the flame Towards chinky eyes And brown skin
While magazine covers Encourage our beautiful women To be thin
While fox news criticizes A black candidate On the basis of his name
Quick to jump the gun Point a finger And redistribute The blame
Blame the government All you want
When universally as a Whole we could care less About our health
So fuck those Who claim their Down for redistribution Of wealth
When we as a people Can hardly organize And redistribute ourselves
When shit goes down We look to the highest On the ladder
Instead of standing at the bottom Looking each other and asking What the hell really matters?
To afraid to dialogue With one another, When we need to Figure out what’s been wrong all along
Fighting a war on terror In the name of god
Muslims against prejudice all praise due to Allah
Its not that I don’t support our military troops, But even more I support our underprivileged Illitary youth
Some complain that We have hardly have classes Addressing people of color
Even though the support Is hardly their from my Sisters and my brothers
While our parents Only solution Is to pray for peace
When it seems as though It becomes so helpless That God needs to bend his knees And start fucking praying for me
I am positively Desperate for A more positive me
But were too intimidated Of our potential as a collective Afraid of what we could possibly be
We as a people need to Educate, organize and mobilize In solidarity
Fuck relying on the few When what we need Is many
Fuck mountains out of mole hills Cuz all we doin’ is digging Holes we can’t get out of Because shits too deep
Fuck dodge commercials Because a ignorant white girl Told me and my friends “Go back where you came from This is my country”
Fuck hiding behind the crosses We wear around our necks Because it wont protect us from The monsters in our sleep
I hope for the day I can stop worrying That my children Will be called, CHINKS GOOKS BITCHES HOS NIGGAS SPICKS BEANERS DIKES MONKEYS FAGGOTS As they walk down the street
Give me a call when your ready to make a REAL change Because for now leave me alone and let me smoke my cigarette in PEACE.
This was just this past Friday. It's somewhat hilarious and somewhat disturbing. Some of the press drew the conclusion that this kind of sentiment from McCain supporters is the result of the recent ads like this one, highlighting Obama's relationship with domestic terrorist Bill Ayers.
However rooted in truth the ad is, (and I have no doubt that it is indeed quite truthful) the tone of the commercial inspires fear. The kind of fear that causes that embarrassing town hall clip from last Friday.
I understand the campaign is trying to swing voters, and quick snippets that show Obama and terrorism go hand-in-hand may accomplish that. But if you run the rest of your campaign on fear, and attempt to gather the momentum of an angry mob, you might as well can these kinds of rallies and town hall functions where your supporters will make asses of themselves.
I know that a lot of McCain supporters are not like the ones in that CNN video, but at the same time, it's those kinds of people honestly scare the shit out of me.
This election is by far the most fascinating one of our young lifetimes and I was a lot more undecided than most people (hell, it took me two years to declare a major remember?). If any of you guys are still undecided or need that quick rundown of some of the bigger (and not so big) issues, I'll try to have a Candidate Dealmaker/Dealbreaker post by the end of the week.
Guys, I would just like to say Congratulations. Yesterday was the first time since the day this was born that all four of us posted something. I predicted Bukkake and you guys gave it to me...fuck that came out wrong.
I get jealous of Nazer sometimes when he talks about what he's doing in school because it's always interesting. In contrast, I know that what I'm learning is usually relatively boring and not something I want to post on the internet. I finally found something worth sharing though.
As most of you know, my major (as of now) is Informatics. Yeah yeah, I love making fun of how even I'm not even sure what it is, but without going into too much detail, it's the study of computer science, information technology (IT), and their effects on society. So I get a lot of technical stuff (a little math, and some programming and project development) as well as something of a social science education spinkled in.
One of the things we looked at briefly last quarter was the notion of Net Neutrality. The prospect of ISPs(Road Runner, Cox, etc.) having influence on where I'm surfing by speeding up or slowing down certain sites based on their business relationship (ie. how much money they're getting) is absurd.
The internet is a unique platform, and one of its greatest attributes is the fact that there are so many options for so many tasks. For searching, we get to pick Google, Yahoo!, Dogpile or one of the many other options. For blogging there's Blogger, LiveJournal, and Xanga, amongst others from an endless list. This kind of freedom should be a given for a medium that has thrived on the creativity of otherwise lesser-known individuals (like me and my three friends here, ok, more like the guy who made YouTube), and right now, a lot of companies are working towards eliminating that freedom.
The Net Neutrality issue is heating up a little bit with the looming election. McCain is skeptical on it, seemingly going back and forth, and Obama and Clinton have gone out of their way to support Net Neutrality.
My boy, BaROCK, supported neutrality in an interesting, and relevant way though. For two candidates with similar platforms, it's these kind of little things that make the difference for me.
So here it is, Obama's PODCAST and transcript on Network Neutrality.
Today marks a pivotal moment for the democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Four states, Ohio, Texas, Rhode Island, and Vermont, are holding their primaries today, and since the race is so close, every single delegate matters. Lets get started then...
A Political Booster Pack: Series 3 Democratic Doomsday: Who Will Be Victorious
BARACK OBAMA: The man with the momentum. Since Super Tuesday, Obama has won 11 straight contests, giving him the lead over Clinton. When many considered Obama out, this second wind really changed the minds of many political analysts, and made this race so much more entertaining. Something about Obama has caught the eye of young voters, and ideas of change lead his campaign. Even republican candidate John McCain has made comments against him, which allows many to assume that Obama will win the nomination. With 1,369 delegates, Obama hopes his momentum continues to stand strong.
HILLARY CLINTON: On Super Tuesday, Clinton won many of the larger states that have more delegate counts, but as the journey went on she's hit a sort of slump. She has lost 11 straight contests to Obama, but everyone should note that these losses were for the most part by small margins. Clinton has made recent remarks saying that it takes more than speeches to change America, and says that she has the experience needed to really make a difference. Clinton holds strong amongst Latino voters, so her presence in Texas is incredibly vital for her campaign. With 1,267 delegates, these four states are make or break for her, and analysts say that if Obama's momentum continues today, she will eventually lose the nomination.
No matter what candidate your rooting for, things are really going to heat up. Stay tuned to your local news stations all day for coverage on these events.
“99 Cent II Diptychon," Andreas Gursky ■ You can always rely on coolkidsroom to provide you with up-to-date info concerning fatty affairs, so in recent news:
Taco Bell is now selling their Supreme Gorditas for only 99 cents. I love Taco Bell as much as real Mexican food, although after years of eating double-deckers and Mexican pizzas, I’ve come to realize that everything on the Taco Bell menu tastes exactly the same. Sure, it might come in burrito form, or they might throw a curveball at you and shape it like an octagon, but at the end of the meal the only thing that was truly different was the appearance. Not to take away from the deal or anything, because I still fucking love it.
My inside sources also tell me that Golden Spoon is giving away free frozen yogurt on Saturday, March 1st. I don’t know why, maybe it’s their anniversary or national yogurt appreciation day, but who gives a shit. Free-99!
■ To my amazement, the girls from FYSH N CHICKS survived another lackluster week on America’s Best Dance Crew, which means at least one more week of watching KOI FISH in action. Yes, that statement was probably borderline stalker-status, but I’m just glad to know that my 50+ texts last week made a difference in the voting.
■ The REAL love of my life though, Tina Fey, hosted Saturday Night Live this past weekend as part of the first episode of SNL since the end of the Writers Strike. Given that the majority of the entertainment industry has virtually been on hiatus for the past 3 months, it's good to know that Hollywood is back in business and everyone’s favorite shows (and Tina Fey, i.e. 30 Rock,) are back in production. Unless for some reason you were a loyal fan of “BIONIC WOMAN,” which got the axe recently, you’ll have to wait for something else to appeal to your peculiar tastes.
■ I came across a list of short news one-liners in the UCSD paper, The Guardian, this morning, and in particular, I found one quite amusing. It simply read:
Thursday, Feb. 21 10:03 a.m.: Medical aid --A 19-year-old male needed medical attention after taking “several shots.”
Go Tritons!
■ With the advent of the American version of Super Smash Bros. BRAWL soon approaching, my goal for this week is to somehow get my hands on a Nintendo Wii, no matter what the cost! Since Brawl is a completely new game with a number of differences from its predecessors, I swear I’ve been having nightmares of getting owned by everyone and never, ever, winning a Smash Bros. match for the rest of my life. Without a Wii of my own, I’m doomed.
■ After several months of speculation, the political scene and the bid for the Presidency has finally narrowed down to three, solid candidates. With all the pretenders weeded out of the race, it’s safe to say that the only serious contenders left are Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and John McCain. Regardless of who wins, it will be a historic moment for either blacks, women, or the undead.
This is not so much of an endorsement for the rockstar Barack Obama, but mainly because I thought this poster just looked pretty cool. It’d probably make a nice t-shirt too.
Top-notch propaganda! While I haven’t thrown my full support for any one candidate just yet, I see the same imposing image in poster and sticker form all over campus; when I walk to class, when I buy food, when I smoke, when I take a leak, when I take a shit – So slowly but surely, I’m being effectively brainwashed by the Obama campaign.
I’m actually glad that OBEY is apparently rooting for Obama; he seems much more compatible with their style of artwork compared to the rest of the candidates. I highly doubt the same poster with Mitt Romney/Nathan Petrielli’s face on it would have the same, inspirational effect. That’d just be fucking creepy.
SUPER fucking TUESDAY was yesterday, essentially narrowing down the list of plausible nominees for both parties. My dumbass however, failed to put the spotlight in my starter kit on two Republican candidates who are currently, now front-and-center in the Presidential race. So, for all you conservatives out there…
A Political Booster Pack: Series 2 Conservative Edition! Collect them all!!
MITT ROMNEY: Supposedly, his supporters claim he is the reincarnation of former President Ronald Regan, something Republicans can feel all warm and giddy about as they wet their beds at night. An experienced businessman, Romney has led and invested in many successful companies, and also took over and saved the 2002 Winter Olympics from financial disaster. He also has a younger brother named Peter, and apparently has the ability to fly.
He was also a former governor of Massachusetts, and himself being a Mormon, that has to count for some shit for being able to run a state filled with crazy Irish Catholics. His critics, however, often point out his willingness to adapt his position on certain issues depending on what state he’s campaigning in. The current host of Def Comedy Jam, D.L. Hughley, jokingly mentioned Romney, saying “I thought the movie ‘Transformers’ was about a robot, but apparently it’s about this motherfucker here!”
JOHN MCCAIN: He is quite literally the walking dead, as this guy is fucking 70 years old already. Regardless if he can manage to live past the primaries, he is the closest thing to Rambo you’ll ever see for a Presidential candidate.
A former Navy pilot, McCain grew some balls of steel after he fought in Vietnam, where he was shot down and forced into a POW camp where he was beaten, starved, and tortured before being released after 5 fucking years. If one can imagine, that’s like being trapped forever in a Pho restaurant without ever eating the delicious PHO, and the waiters despise you because you asked for a fork. Now that’s some shit.
Once regarded as the ‘maverick’ within the party for his liberal tendencies, he is currently the front-runner for the Republican nomination and supporters argue he is the best hope for Republicans come November, whether facing Hillary or Obama.
McCain, suffering after years without eating any Pho.
fucking posers.
**In other news, the rockstar Obama is in close pursuit of the Clinton political machine, and things can get decisively nasty for Democrats as the final primaries wrap-up.
Yeah, yeah, even though the primaries aren’t taking place for several more months and the actual presidential election isn’t for another year, I felt it was a suitable time for an update on all the oh-so exciting political action so far, especially with the remaining plausible candidates narrowing down or getting weeded out.
Sadly, I do admit; I guess I consider myself a political junkie, cursed with a fascination for politics and law and all that other “crap” that probably isn’t all-too attractive for a guy my age. Still, the process, the issues, the laws, and all the other-related crap interest me.
Regardless of any sort of interest, I still believe that it’s important for even us “kids” to be socially aware, to be knowledgeable, and to be conscious about what’s going on in the world. It’s arguable though, that our little San Diego bubble is distant from the subject matter – and in a realistic perspective, we could care less.
However, to deny the enormous impact the new President will have in our daily lives, and how his (or her..) administration’s decisions will trickle down and affect us in one way or another, is simply being borderline ignorant. Or at the very least, at least know that there will soon be a new President.
While trying to be as non-subjective as possible, here’s a few of the front-runners (note: this could obviously change) that are the favorites to replace George Bush and his 8-year reign. No doubt, their faces will plague your television, the internet, and will continue to haunt you as election day draws closer.
The Democrats:
Hillary Clinton.
Obviously, if you’re not ready for a woman to hold possibly the most powerful position on Earth, or if you’re simply a male-chauvinistic pig like A.C Slater, then Hillary isn’t for you.
She is well qualified regardless, and albeit her political career is full of controversy, she is the current favorite to carry off with the Democratic nomination, although she faces a difficult uphill battle to make it to the White House. I personally wouldn’t mind seeing a woman in power, and females already hold an enormous power over guys anyhow, so nothing new… As a bonus, Hillary is basically a 2-for-1 deal, with former President Bill Clinton also by her side as the First Lady..Man..Husband.. or something. (If your memory if vague, just try and remember how happy you were growing up and how things were in the 90’s.)
Or, you could just watch this Family Guy clip for some help.
BarackObama.
Obviously, if you’re a Neo-Nazi or in the KKK, or for some reason just don’t like black people, then Obamaisn’t for you. And no, that's not Obama in the picture, but his hottie-sidekick, Obama Girl, who was featured in a popular youtube video in support of him, complete with a catchy tune.
Its important to note that while he’s identified as African-American, he is also considered not African-American at the same time. Confusing?? Look at it like this; his father is an African immigrant, his mother is white, and he didn’t exactly grow up somewhere like in Atlanta doing the A-town stomp. I think of him as if Tiger Woods ran for office. Nevertheless, he’s a likable guy, represents progression, and would fair well in international relations, especially in the Middle-East. Plus, he has hotties like Obama Girl backing him up. Good deal.
The Republicans:
Mike Huckabee.
To sum it up, this guy has been lights-out so far, becoming more and more popular with conservatives, and one of the top favorites for the Republican nomination or as a perfect running-mate for Vice-President. Opponents are desperately trying to find dirt on the guy or waiting for him to fuck-up soon. He’s charming, has personality, and actually has a sense of humor that is desperately needed.
Hell, even Chuck Norris openly endorses the guy. Now that’s cool.
“Chuck Norris doesn't breathe.. he holds air hostage.”
Rudy Giuliani.
Dubbed “America’s Mayor,” and if I’m not mistaken, Giuliani is the leading front-runner to win the Republican nomination according to the latest polls. On a strategic standpoint, Giuliani is the best hand for the Republicans to play – his moderate to liberal viewpoints, his similarities with Democrats on certain issues, and his reputable history of being mayor of New York City, would effectively split the Democratic vote, giving an edge to the Republicans if things get decisively tight.
Sadly, he is an evil Yankees fan, and an unfaithful one at best according to this clip, though he covers himself here pretty well.
There are other potential Presidential nominees for the Republicans and Democrats, respectively, which ive failed to mention, including Mitt Romney, John McCain, and John Edwards, and many others who probably won't make the cut in the long run. Oh well.
On a side note, its important to remember that while personality is an important aspect to look at, its the issues, (yeah right who really does that) and how each candidate puts their take on it, which should take precedent over everything else. (ideally) So whatever matters to you - focus on that, and cross your fingers and hope that these candidates keep their promises. (HAH!)
