Current mood:
handsome
Current mood:
weird
Current mood:
indescribable
You can take this quiz over on the USA Today's website (yes that's a hyperlink). It gives you a series of questions and compares your answers to those of the presidential candidates to show you who are most inline with. Below are my answers and justifications. After taking the quiz (and scaling the issues for importance which you can do at the end) my top candidates came out (not at all surprisingly) to be 1. Dennis Kucinich, 2. Mike Gravel, and 3. Ron Paul. Cheers
Question 1: Should the United States have invaded Iraq and deposed Saddam Hussain
My answer: No, the US never should have gone in.
Why: I favour isolationist tendencies and am particularly opposed to offensive war – especially if I feel the war is unjust, and the Iraq was is as unjust as it gets.
Question 2: What should happen to the US troop levels in Iraq?
My answer: Withdraw most US troops as rapidly as possible, beginning immediately.
Why: My real answer is more extreme – I want to see all foreign troops withdrawn completely and immediately. I want no foreign troops left in the region and want to see no permanent bases left there. I believe that the war is both illegal and immoral. I also believe that US militarism and neo-colonial attitudes are the reason that the rest of the world is so hostile to theUS. If the US genuinely wanted peaceful relations with the Middle Eastthen they'd leave the region alone – the Middle East doesn't hate the West because it's Western, but because Western nations try to force their values upon Middle Eastern nations. I find this topic fascinating , if you're interested read Clash of Civilisations and the Remaking of World Order by Samuel Huntington – he predicts everything going on in the world now back in the mid 1990s.
Question 3: Should the US government continue to fund the Iraq war?
My answer: No, because the US presence in Iraq is encouraging terrorists.
Why: Again, my real answer is a bit more extreme – because I feel that the war is both illegal (because it does not represent the will of the people and was originally justified on information that was both incorrect and intentionally misleading) and unjust/immoral. Although I do completely agree that it encourages terrorists.
Question 4: What should the federal government's emphasis be in dealing with illegal immigration?
My Answer: Establish a new programme for temporary migrant workers, also known as guest workers.
Why: This is a bit more convoluted… I'm an amateur historian – I actually enjoy reading history books. Because of this, events that have happened in the past often have a big influence on my beliefs of the present. Therefore, the reason I have very open policies towards immigration (especially towards Mexican and South American immigration) is because in the historical context I think it helps rectify the misdeeds of the US (and for that matter the Spanish and Portuguese) in reference to these regions (eg: The Monroe Doctrine, Manifest Destiny, genocide of Native Americans, stealing Texas, California etc. from Mexico, etc. etc.)
Question 5: What should happen to the illegal immigrants already in theUS?
My answer: Allow illegal immigrants to stay in the US and provide a path to citizenship that includes paying fines, learning English and meeting other conditions.
Why: See above. Some people seem to think it's week, but I've always thought the, "I'm not a Native American. Are you?" argument for open immigration policies was compelling. I should note though that I don't completely agree with the answer in the quiz; I don't think they should pay fines.
Question 6: What's the best way the federal government can get more people covered by health insurance?
My answer: By establishing a national health insurance programme.
Why: The US is the ONLY first world nation that doesn't have some form of socialised healthcare. Part of my desire to move to Europe, I'll admit, is because of this issue. The US already spends twice as much per capita as either Canada Britain on heath care. It certainly could afford it. Furthermore, the arguments about how socialised heath care systems are busted (especially in reference to Canada) is silly (and I've only every heard Americans use them – every Canadian I've ever met loves their health care system); statistics don't lie – life expectancies, susceptibility to disease etc. are all worse in the US. The US desperately needs national socialised health care that focuses on preventative medicine. The reason the US doesn't have it is because of deliberate stubbornness and antagonism (see the metric system) and greed on the part of politicians and big business (because a socialised system, if done properly, would necessarily require the dismantling of health insurance companies). Unfortunately, the prognosis is grim and I don't think socialised healthcare will ever come to the US. or
Question 7: What should be the federal government's priority in reducing health care costs?
My answer: Move to a single-payer, government-backed insurance system.
Why: See above. Also I think the "capitilisation" of healthcare argument is a joke, intended to maintain the profitability of the insurance and pharmaceutical industries, and not based on empirical evidence. I feel that the point of government is to maintain and provide social stability (only), and health is certainly an issue of social stability.
Question 8: What should the government do about same-sex couples that want to get married?
My answer: It should be allowed and treated the same as marriage between a man and a woman.
Why: This question is fun! So my argument is this. Fact – according to the social contract that binds all US citizens there is separation of church and state. This means both freedom of religion and freedom from religion. Therefore, religion, under no circumstances may enter statuary deliberation and religious arguments are moot. To me, the concept of "marriage" is religious. Since religions are under no obligation provide equal rights to its adherents they are certainly free to define marriage as "Man + Woman". But because marriage is religious I oppose it as a legal classification. Therefore, I oppose both heterosexual marriage and homosexual marriage in a legal context. However, I understand the need of a marriage-like concept of legal classification – certainly there are issues of children, money, property, etc. But both heterosexual and homosexuals face these issues and need clarification upon them, so I favour the concept of "Cohabitational Contracts" (I made this word up!). Since it's void of any religious undertones there are no reasons to make divisions and definitions specific of gender (or number too for that matter). … That being said… I understand that my argument is purely academic, semantic, not at all pragmatic, and would never happen… so being in favour of gay marriage is the second best thing.
Question 9: What would be the best way to improve the federal income tax system?
My answer: Scrap the entire system and start over.
Why: I'll admit – this topic is the one I'm far and away the least knowledgeable of. Viva la Revolucion? Not exactly, but I've certainly got sympathies for it. I wish I could specify that I don't want my taxes going to military spending, but citizens ear-marking their own taxes is unrealistic. My feelings towards taxation are this – rich people should pay a whole lot more, poor people should pay a whole lot less. Therefore, I'd oppose any regressive tax.
Question 10: What would be the best way for the federal government to deal with global warming?
My answer: set mandatory caps on carbon emissions.
Why: I should note that I also agree with the answers, "Create a "cap-and-trade" system…", "Set a tax on fuels based on the amount of carbon emissions…", and "Invest in alternative energy sources." The environment is a big deal – and frankly if you decide to have children you have a moral and biological obligation to ensure that it doesn't turn into a piece of shit. Also have you ever heard of the Holocene extinction? No! Go back and read that link. I like the Kyoto treaty, and believe that this is one of those instances where the Free Market could actually work to make a positive change. Of course there also needs to be caps, regulations, harsh penalties, social change and alternate fuels (actually there already are, LED and solar technology has come very far, but because the patents are owned by Japanese companies and not GE the US government acts as though they don't exist), so "persuade" companies to compete, but I'd definitely like to see them compete over being environmentally friendly.
Question 11: In terms of experience, which of the following matters most to you in a presidential candidate?
My answer: Has served as governor or mayor.
Why: I actually don't care about experience one way or they other. As long as they're sincere, honest, not compelled by special interest groups, progressive, have no agenda, not an ideologue, and seem to care I think they're qualified. This is why I like Ron Paul so much – not because I agree with what he says, but because fits those qualities; a candidate's character can certainly overstep ideology. I chose governor/mayor for no other reason than because I like Bill Clinton.
Current mood:
accomplished
Marie,
Sorry it's taken me so long to send an email to you. I've been really busy and haven't had time to sit down and write a proper email. So lets see, where to start…
Sicily – "Bomb" is the 'official' designation, but more than once I was like, "… what the hell is going on here?" Have you heard the entire story? Mental. Firstly, no problems leaving Newport News, no traffic, no delays, no problems getting to Rome. But inRome… first they bumped us, putting us on permanent stand-by, because we were there only 15 minutes early and not 45. I should note though that we did try to confirm the flight earlier that day, but they don't take confirmations. Later we found out that they were overbooking all flights to Catania by 8 seats. What made things worse was that they had no sympathy for us and seemed to suggest that is was out fault that we missed the flight; they all out refused to comp us any food nor hotel nor would they confirm us for any flight. We were there – hovering on insanity for 12 hours. Finally, we got on a flight. However I should note that they didn't want to give us the tickets and made a big deal about us making sure we were the last people to board (we weren't though – we were the first). To add injury to insult when we arrived in Catania there were no bags – not a single one. In fact, we wouldn't even get out bags for another 4 days (luckily I had an extra couple pair of boxers and t-shirts). Dinner in Catania may have been the best food I had the entire time I was there – I had grilled fish and squash noodles.
The next day, Dad and I had a wild adventure, compounding to the wild adventure we were already on. We went back the airport to pick up our car. Unfortunately, there was no car – they had already rented it. We were stuck and we had to have a car (you can't get around in Sicily without one). So to think about what to do we went back to Catania to find everyone. Oddly enough we found them after only a block of walking (it was the only luck we would have that day). We all walked around for a bit – went to a fish market, looked at some statues with no heads – when we decided that we had to go demand a car. The plan was for Dad and I to go get the car and everyone else to take a bus to Taormina (which is pronounced "tower meena" and not "terra meena"!!!) Well we were walking around when I found a sign that said "Auto Rental Train Station" so we went over there Dad looked for 1 minute and decided that there was nothing there. I said, "we haven't even looked around." So I went on my own way… a minute later I found the car rental place. We now had a car, but unfortunately the rest were on there way in a bus so we would have to somehow find them. We drove to Taormina, and not to 'Terramina' which doesn't exist. I have to say it was a nice drive and very refreshing. Finally we get there and meet up with Professore who showed us to the apartment at the very top of the mountain in a town called Castelmola (and not "castle loma").
I should explain the geography of Taormina/Castelmola. Castelmola is a Norman castle converted into a couple of restaurants and apartments at the top of a very steep and tortuous mountain withTaormina being a beach town at the bottom. Driving was a bit scary – but not once you got used to it. Honestly I really liked driving inSicily – there was something organic and synergistic about it. You may be swerving, driving in other lanes, on sidewalks – narrowly missing pedestrians and other cars – but you pay attention the whole time and all the other cars and pedestrians are very reactive and almost polite.
Back to the adventure. So Dad and I go down from out apartment to Taormina proper, which is really one really long boulevard with tons of shops and restaurants. Very cool though – something out of a videogame. And tried to find everyone. We went to the bus stop but they weren't there. So we walked around the city some more – got dinner. Then we went back to the bus stop again… but still they weren't there. I decided to stay and wait around whilst Dad drove back to Catania to pick up Betty Jean and them. I ended up waiting 6 hours and never saw anyone… Dad was supposed to be back at 11, but wasn't. At 11:30 I decide to walk alllllllll the way up the mountain to the apartment (I had a key to it). It was pitch black – I was in a country, noted for violence, where I didn't speak a word of the language – I was walking up a mountain filled with cliffs below – I never felt like I was doing something more dangerous in my life. I got to what I would later find out was the very end – only to hear dogs barking and turn back. It took me 45 minutes to walk up, but only 30 to walk down.
I got back to the bus stop – blackened feet and extremely tired. It was after midnight. I was in a bus stop – knew no one, knew where no one was – was at a complete loss. I decided to wait for one more hour and then go get a hotel. I should also mention that I was carrying 2400 euro in cash. At the end of the hour I got up and walkout out to go find a hotel. I walked down the street, but the only thing I could find was 4 star hotels and I wasn't interested in paying 400 euro for one night. I was exacerbated. I decided to comb the bus stop one more time, and then screw it, I was going to just go get the room. As I was making my final sweep, about to step out of the exit I hear, "Hey Paul!" and saw, Dad, as weary as I standing 20 feet away. I never appreciated hugging the man more in my life. He had just arrived and had seen Betty Jean and Jerry and Melinda, Jason and Brian not 10 minutes earlier – Melinda and co. were at a bar inTaormina. So we walked around and finally found them, had a couple of beers, and then began the last leg of our adventure.
The others had a hotel in Taormina. But Dad and I had our apartment up the hill. But again it was dark and we weren't really sure how to get there. So we went the way we though we were supposed go –but we couldn't find it. Oh yeah and I forgot to mention that we still hadn't heard from nor seen Mom and them – we had no idea where they were. Really what we were supposed to do was take the right of a forked dirt road, not left – how obvious! I wanted to drive until we found the place – Dad wanted to pull over to the side of the road and sleep. We compromised – drove a bit further up the mountain – but stopped when we found out that it was definitely the wrong way (it was actually Castelmola proper where we ended up – but we didn't know that at the time) and stopped and slept in a parking lot.
7am – the sun is up and I'm ready to drive and find the place. The logical thing to do is go back to where we thought the place was and take the right lane (this is where the dogs were earlier and why I didn't walk that way to begin with)… Found the apartment on the first try. When we got there Mom opened the door – I stumbled into my bed and slept until 6pm. And so ended the first 3 days inSicily.
Current mood:
flirty
I've always liked this word and all its other language varients. Anyway it has nothing to do with this post - well maybe indirectly anyway. These are the next 4 books I'm going to read:
1. The Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson - it's a survey of Norse religion right as it was being replaced by Christianity.
2. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov - I've always wondered, is it pronounced NAH'bokov or NaBAH'kov; I've heard both. I personally use the former.
3. The Germania (or in Latin: De Origine et situ Germanorum) by Tacitus. It was written in the first century and I believe is the first "history book" concerning Germanic peoples.
4. The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien by J.R.R. Tolkien - I can't believe that I've never gotten around to reading this before. Anyway, the version I bought is a UK 1st, booyah!
If anyone has any recommendations I'd love to hear them. I'm on a Nordic culture kick right now - but after I finish these I think I'll probably go back to reading about English history. Actually I'd love to read some books on Viking invasions or on WW2 from the perspective of Britain and/or France.
So I have a mental puzzle that I've been trying to figure out for some time. So the thing is I really really want to go to postgraduate school in Britain. Why? Why else – culture, history, beer, women and socialised health-care. This has been one of my long-term goals for quite a while now – but I've never been able to figure out how exactly I should go about doing it. "Use the internet," Everyone tells me – but the thing is I'm really terrible with using the internet. See I'm rather "old-fashioned" in a lot of ways – meaning when it comes to learning I'm absolutely archaic – I like to get information from books and I prefer personal correspondence to obtain information. In an ideal scenario I would just call someone and say, "Hello my name is so and so and these are my qualifications and this is what I'm interested in doing. Could you please give me information on how I may go about doing this." But in the internet age – everything is a bloody FAQ or message board or an endless string of Google searches. Like I said it's really that I'm just terrible at using the internet. And what makes it even more frustrating is that every time I do find some bit of information on "International Students" it's obviously intended for students who do not speak English instinctively. Of course I speak English! It's the only language I can use without first doing arduous mental translations (for the record I also know a bit of Mandarin and Latin). I'm frustrated.
So again, I really want to go to postgraduate school inBritain. I have Bachelor's degrees in Fine Arts and Biology. In May I'll graduate with a Master's degree in Biology. I have very good grades. I'm interested in doing either Law, History or staying in Biology (I'm actually thinking I'd like Environmental Law – and yes I'm quite aware that my academic interests seem flippant and all-over-the-place – but really I just like to learn about things). So if anyone actually reads this and knows anything at all – well I'd be mighty obliged.
To the greatest and best God
U.J.DRI.D. [title unknown] Joseph Antonio Miano
A nobleman born in the city of Santa Lucia
Where he received much praise as a general in the service of the queen
Here this regal man on Fortian soil [ie in Forza D'Agro] wed in the year 1745
Life however [FVNCTOQ = unknown, about dying]: in the year 1757 when he was thirty six years old.
Not without the shedding of many tears this monumental man was laid to rest
Joseph will be adorned with Celebrity , Valour , Splendour , Blessings , Law , and Honour.
He will be covered with sturdy marble.
Known to all in Catania, Messina, and Palermo
The light born of the city, in death he has [the love of] Fortia D'Agro
Hello
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Thank you for your feedback,Story Idea (stolen partially from the story of Ragnarok)
The world is exceedingly prosperous, but civilisation is on the decline and the people are under the yoke of increasingly powerful governments.
The sun (female) is destroyed/killed/[sacrificed(?)] and goes to the underworld
The [son of the chief deity(?)] must revive her by [travelling to the underworld(?)]
As a result of her death the world falls into darkness and there is pestilence, famine, and bloody war – social order collapses and there is neither friend nor foe.
The price of breaking taboo (bringing the sun from the dead) is the annihilation of the current world and the beginning of a new one (this is not a result of the bloody war – but rather one of it's outcomes).
While simultaneously waging war the current powers try to suppress the resurrection of the sun and maintain the current order.
This all occurs in a mythological past – but the results are still the same in the modern context of the story.
Annually females are sacrificed – and the world is riddled with war and terror and darkness – but in equilibrium
A particular female is killed and a particular male tries to bring her back from the dead
The fighting intensifies and sides are taken
The female is brought back to life and the sun renewed but at a great price – the earth is destroyed and reborn [the earth is 'reset'?] – very few survive, but life continues.
Grey Morality – I've tried to develop a quandary with two possible outcomes: 1. The being who are alive, many of whom are innocent of corruption, remain alive – but at the price that society remains stagnant and perilous, 2. Destroy everything and start over from scratch. The moral question I propose is which is better, or maybe, which is less worse?
