College Decisions and Swine Flu

I seriously can't believe this day has come.

I'm a senior, I'm graduating, I'm going to college!

Walking into Loyola High for summer school when I was about seven inches shorter, and four years younger, I could never conceive really the idea of leaving.  Loyola has been the home to some of the greatest and most worthwhile memories I have ever experienced.  I've met great friends, had great teachers, and done so many different, new, and exciting things that would have never been accomplished elsewhere.  

So Fordham here I come, Loyola its been great. 

The Anticipation is Over

This 2008 election has been both groundbreaking and historic.  I am excited to have participated in Barack Obama's campaign, and I truly hope that the best candidate will win tonight, which of course, is without a doubt Obama.  

Tuned into CNN right now, the first polls have closed and we will soon know the outcome of these first states' numbers.  

Obama 08'

Prop 8

Religious conservatives are at it again.  This time they want to eliminate rights and the sanctity of a marriage that isn't between a man and women.  

First of all, why do we constantly have to beat down these homosexual couples.  I think it is clearly understood by now, in the twenty-first century, that being gay is not a choice, it is a phenomenon that has been brewing in worldly cultures for generations.  People are born gay or straight, and how can we vote on an issue that strips these couples of their marriage rights, and eliminates their sacred bond with each other.  Homosexual couples, like heterosexual couples, intend to live a caring and thoughtful life with their partners, and for this reason alone it is wrong to lessen their bond compared to a heterosexual bond.

Second, I doubt these religious fanatics actually know what they are doing when they vote yes on Prop 8.  By voting yes to prop 8 you are either demonstrating that God is an inferior creator or you are putting down God's creation.  Since it is clearly proven by now that being gay is not a choice, God must have created these people to be gay in the first place.  So, by denying gay people the right to have a state sanctified marriage, you are denying God's intended creation the wants and desires that were given to them by the creator himself.  

Third, I know must people have seen the commercials on television showing the little girl walk up to her mother explaining that she learned about homosexuality in school.  This commercial is utterly false.  Sure, homosexuality will be taught in school, but it will not be taught to 2nd graders like the add suggests.  The bill is targeted more to Junior High School students, who sometimes do not have a clear enough grasp of homosexuality which leads to discrimination and homophobia among homosexual couples.  We have all heard little 6th graders call each other, "gay" or "fagget," and all this name calling usually stems for an ignorance to the subject. Why not explain to these kids what its all about, and educate them, instead of having the issue of homosexuality covered up like some Amish civilization.  

Education is key to the growth of any prosperous and socially-acceptable country, and I believe voting NO on Prop 8 will only bring America closer to this goal.  Let's all see the good in voting no, and band together and stop these fanatics from discriminating against anymore people.  

Stuck in a Hard Place

Stuck.

The lives of most American senior teenagers is at a crossroads between the intersection of high school and the world beyond.  What exactly awaits for these selected few college bound seniors, is unknown.  Although colleges can be chosen, majors can be picked, and career plans laid out, the future remains to be uncertain, and seemingly out of reach.  No matter how hard you try to organize yourself for the leap from conventional high school, into the "great beyond" that is college, you will always be victim to the works of fate and unexpected circumstances. 

Here, I find myself stuck.  Stuck, wanting to make the leap, but unsure all the while. 

"What do I want to do with my life?" 

"What do I want to study?"

"Where do I want to be?"

Questions that can not be answered in the present, and only, in the future.  

Low Expectations

Okay, okay, okay.  

I can't believe anyone in their right mind would be praising Palin, after her horrible performance at the Vice-Presidential debate a couple of nights ago.  Some critics, especially Rollins, were proclaiming that Palin had exceeded all expectations, and some.

Let's just get something straight, what were these expectations?  I mean, personally, I guess you could say that Palin was successful because she was able to at least contend with Biden, but what was up with her actual speech?  

"Good Ol' McCain," "Na ah!" "Mine-e-sota," I'm sorry.  Are you trying to run for Vice-President or trying to host some hokie talk show.  I don't understand how anyone could see these "common" words appealing to an individual who is running for Vice-President of the United States.  Sure, she sounded like she was just, "one of the gals," but I mean come on.  Biden was brilliant.  He spoke eloquently, intently, and intelligently.  He is a model for a Vice-Presidential candidate, and possibly an actual Presidential candidate.  Palin on the other hand, well, I wouldn't trust her with my own affairs.

Here's a scary thought.  McCain goes down, heart-attack.  Who do we give the reigns of the White House to?  Sarah Palin.  

In that instance, I'm moving to Canada.  Possibly France.  I will certainly not be around to see America "drill baby drill!" 

Let It Be Known

Since President Bush has taken office, I can't think of one solid, good thing has happened.  And now in light of these horrible economic times and the stock market in a state of disaray, I can't help but feel the Republicans are responsible.

For 8 years we have been at the mercy of President Bush.  We have seen Al Gore win the national election, only to loose to the electoral college, or really loose to the mysterious ballots of Florida, that we all know had not been tampered with.  We have witnessed the attempts of John Kerry in '04, only to loose the national election this time, which led to the next four miserable years of yet another presidential term of George W.   

Finally, the Democratic party has nominated and individual with enough charisma and sheer political talent to raise America back to a point of prosperity seen during the Clinton administration.  To think that we had impeached Bill Clinton for receiving a "lil something something" while in the Whitehouse, yet we have let George Bush turn America into a laughing stock among more "civilized" nations such as France, the Netherlands, and England, (just to name a few).  

So please Barack Obama, lead America back, before the Chinese tanks role in.  

Ron Paul: America's Candidate

Let's be honest.  

Ron Paul never had a shot from the get-go, but his campaign was one that should be looked at more closely and respected.  

Sure, Ron's Libertarian philosophies of zero government intervention is a little farfetched, especially in times where loan agencies are falling like flies, but the man was the only candidate, who took the issues that mattered most to Americans and clearly addressed them throughly and honestly.  Mr. Paul was not afraid to speak the truth, exclaim the real problems that wrong with America, and give solutions, that arguably would have worked.  

As far as Ron Paul's economic principles, most Americans would not agree, but looking at his social philosophies and ideals, it hits a mark with most American voters.  Unlike most of his Republican counterparts, Paul actually seems to give a nudge to the "little guy" every once and a while, that big business, corporate conservatives would never think of.  In my opinion, his social principles are more Democratic than Republican, but it is arguable. 

With Ron Paul now seemingly a distant member of a couple of months ago, America will miss out on Laizze Faire, the legalization of Marijuana, and forthright honesty.  

I'm with you Ron.