Thursday, January 29, 2009

Obama's First Full Day

In the first full day in office Obama said that he would make the white house more transparent and that if he thought something should be keep from the american people for what ever reason that it would be reviewed by a someone other then himself.
I think that is really amazing.

He also made some tough statements against lobbyist and the new rules that would have to be followed by them. Like not holding a position in Washington for at least 2 years.
I feel like he is doing some great things already. But don't worry I won't let my love for him stop me from calling it like I see it. I plan on keeping an eye on him.

Editorial #1 Final Draft

Political speech deciphered:
Obama’s inaugural speech
We can all agree that when it comes to political speeches we have to learn to read between the lines. Although the day after the inauguration President Obama made the promise to make the White House and what goes on within our government more transparent, his inaugural speech still needs to be deciphered.
Lets start from the beginning and work our way through a speech that we found to be quite compelling. President Obama begins by talking about taking the oath “amidst gathering clouds and raging storms,” and then goes into the plights that face our great nation: war, economics, health care and our failing school system. What was really being said was, “I just want to say thank you for handing me such a long laundry list of things to do, and I only have four years to clean it up or I lose my job, too.” He followed this with a CYB (cover your butt) statement that these indicators of crisis are “subject to data and statistics.” Real meaning – “If you turn the paper upside down it doesn’t look so bad.”
Of course there has to be the lines about God given rights of equality, freedom and the pursuit of happiness. Does this mean that we finally have a government that supports gay rights? We don’t know. The translation for that is far too advanced for a mere college journalist. But fear not American people and UNK students alike, because those of us who are non-believers have already come to terms with the fact that we don’t get God given rights. At least we are counted among the strengths of the patchwork heritage that is America.
Moving on, President Obama also spent some time talking about how America is great because we worked hard and earned it, that we as a nation do not take shortcuts or settle for less and that our path is not one “…for those who prefer leisure over work.” Oh yeah, he did it all right; he took a stab at President Bush. For the record, Bush spent on average 63 days per year on vacation. We don’t know anyone who gets that much time off of work.
That was not the only dagger of words that hits home to the old administration either. Obama-speak, “power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please.” What it really means, “Just because we can go to war without the sanction of the UN does not mean that we should.”
We have come to a time in the history of our nation when an inaugural address has to include the dreaded T word, terror. Unfortunately there was nothing new said on the topic, but the words that are repeated need to be remembered, that the American spirit cannot be broken by terror.
We enjoy picking apart speeches and reading between the lines, but that does not change the fact that many great things were said in Obama’s inaugural speech and grand pledges were made. We believe that everything he said can be done, not because we believe in him, but because we do believe in the American people and what we can accomplish when we work together.

To help or hinder

My mother spent years telling me that the people you choose to hang out with can either elevate you to be the best person you are capable of being or it can drag you down and hinder your growth. It took me years of learning the hard way that this is true and I have burned many bridges with people that I did truly love because they dragged me down.

This is why after what happened last week I was very distraught over whether I had made the right decision in joining this group. In the first week I have been disillusioned.

I believe whole-heartedly in what this organization stands for but my heart was broken and I was left dumb founded to find out that there is a crisis going on here that I will not even pretend to understand.

I joined this group to help me better myself and to become the best person that I can be. I find time to volunteer once a week because I believe in the sprit of volunteerism. I have worked hard for my classes and the wonderful opportunities I have had, being an RA, my position on the school newspaper, the opportunity to study abroad just to name a few.

I have done everything right yet I am being punished. And when I hear that my fellow friends lie I have to question whether this is a group that will help me or is this a group that will hinder me.

Although it kills me to say this, after what I heard last week I am temped to say that if I chose to walk away, as of right now, I would not be the one in this situation that will be loosing out. I wish with all my heart that my last comment is untrue.

But wishes cannot come true if you sit around and wait for them to happen. We have to work as a group to make this situation better, not for me, but for the betterment of the whole group. For all of us - past, present, and future.

And last, once I have made a commitment come hell or high water I will see it through.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

College Dating

My campus topic is going to be dating in college.
Pros-
  • You get to see them
  • Please post comments if you know of any more pros for this topic. HELP!
Cons-
  • They just stop talking to you. Would it be that hard to just say, "I'm not interested in you" then at least you would know.
  • They bug you all the time while you're trying to get homework done.
  • It is only about the "hook up"
  • There are the "Someone broke my heart and now I'm afraid to love again" emotional cripples.
  • Simple lack of time.
  • Once again if you have any suggestions for pros or cons please post a comment.

Read between the lines

We can all agree that when it comes to political speeches we have to learn to read between the lines. Although the day after the inauguration President Obama made the promise to make the White House and what goes on within our government more transparent, his inaugural speech still needs to be deciphered.
Lets start from the beginning and work our way through a speech that I found to be quite compelling. President Obama begins by talking about taking the oath “amidst gathering clouds and raging storms,” and then goes into the plights that face our great nation, war, economics, health care, and our failing school system. What was really being said was, “I just want to say thank you for handing me such a long laundry list of things to do and I only have four years to clean it up or I loose my job, too.” He followed this with a CYB (cover your butt) statement that these indicators of crisis are “subject to data and statistics.” Real meaning – “If you turn the paper upside down it doesn’t look so bad.”
Of course there has to be the lines about God given rights of equality, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness. Does this mean that we finally have a government that supports Gay Rights? I don’t know. The translation for that is far to advance for a mere college journalist. But fear not American people and UNK students alike, because those of us that are non-believers have already come to terms with the fact that we don’t get God given rights. At least we are counted among the strengths of the patchwork heritage that is America.
Moving on, President Obama also spent some time talking about how America is great because we worked hard and earned it, that we as a nation do not take shortcuts or settle for less, and that our path is not one “…for those who prefer leisure over work.” Oh yeah, he did it all right; he took a stab at President Bush. For the record Bush spent on average 63 days per year on vacation. I don’t know anyone who gets that much time off of work.
That was not the only spear of words that hits home to the old administration either. Obama-speak, “power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please.” What it really means, “Just because we can go to war with out the sanction of the UN does not mean that we should.”
We have come to a time in the history of our nation when an inaugural address has to include the dreaded T word, terror. Unfortunately there was nothing new said on the topic but the words that are repeated need to be remembered, that the American sprite cannot be broken by terror.
I enjoy picking apart speeches and reading between the lines but that does not change the fact that many great things where said in Obama’s inaugural speech and grand pledges were made. I believe that everything he said can be done, not because I believe in him, but because I do believe in the American people and what we can accomplish when we work together.