Politically Aware?

The number of people that believe that they are aware of what's going on in the world when they really have no idea astounds me. I am no exception- I read various news websites daily and try to keep up, but obviously it is impossible to get a real handle on absolutely everything.

Unlike myself, though, many are truly ignorant. Understanding what's going on in your area, your state, or your country alone simply cannot be considered being sophisticated nor aware of the current political climate. This tendency of many people has become increasingly apparent as of late due in part to the economic crisis (which, oddly enough, is global. Who knew?), but more largely due to the overwhelming amount of press coverage given to the election process and our new President.

Right now there are conflicts going on in the world that most Americans are simply unaware of. What's more, they don't even care. Beyond that, the ones that they do know about they have ridiculous misconceptions of. The Israeli/Hamas conflict is a prime example as most people have heard of it. Many assume that aggressive and unbalanced retaliations by the Israelis are totally unwarranted and are injuring far too many innocents. While some of this may be true, one cannot simply ignore the longstanding conflict and tension in the region that has led to this point. I know a fair amount about this subject. How many people that you know do? How about a percentage? I'd venture to say it's low. And that's one of the most talked about conflicts in the world.

What, then, of the economic climate of various nations across the globe and its effect upon many nations? The coalition government in Iceland just dissolved today. The crisis we find ourselves in is indeed important for us to address here in the US. However, we tend to blow our issues out of proportion. Just because we can't keep the standard of living that we were previously used to, clearly the world is about to end and we've elected MABUS as our President. Right. How about the countries that have been hit so hard that they're having trouble keeping afloat- having trouble feeding the hungry mouths of all of their children? Personally, I hardly know enough of the topic to even begin discussing it.

The point is, I am at least aware and interested in the broader global implications of many of these issues. Just because I live in America doesn't give me the right to ignore things that are important to everyone. All too often people forget that this modern era that we live in is NOT one of various powerful nations controlling themselves independantly and autonomously. Earth's population is so intertwined economically, socially, and infrastructurally that for any of the components to crumble could well begin a landslide. For an easy example, one needs not look further than the manufacturing industry in America. We hardly do it. We rely on other nations to do it.

I'm tired of people pretending that they are aware of what's going on politically just because they've listened to one man speak. Go find out what's really going on.

No man's land?

Increasingly in America the disparity between the fit and the unfit is growing. Everyone knows this, I won't pretend that you're so dim-witted as to lack the perceptive skills necessary to look about you and make simple determinations. Thus, let us move past this.

Gyms. Fitness centers. Hilarious. I think one would be hard pressed to find someplace where there is a more clearly defined dichotomy. There are the already in shape ape-like people who can lift twice their body-weight on every exercise, and then there are the ridiculously out of shape people who are trying to make that crucial change in their lives.

That's fine, I'm not here to judge people.

Where is everyone else? Where are the moderately in shape people? Do they have to sit on their bums until they reach the ridiculously out of shape state before they decide to take care of themselves? Is a little preventative action really that difficult to take? Surely not.

What, then, of the people that are seemingly beyond the point of immediate results? Perhaps the rarest of visitors to the physical watering hole is the obese person- despite the fact that they would see the greatest results of any practitioner for the least effort, they put forth none.

I will judge peoples inability to take a forward approach to their well being. Man up.

Having said that, gyms are crowded as is. Maybe the infrastructure wouldn't hold up under the burden of these extra visitors.

Nevermind. Stay home. Cheez whiz is your friend.

iHate iApple

Had to get this out of the way early.

Unfortunately they came up with a clever way of putting the letter i in front of any noun or verb and making it sound right.

Three Hours of Change

Over a year and a half. That's a long time full of promising change. Then came the election, it was said to be change that we could believe in. Some believed, others just believed that the United States would fall. Personally, I toed the line. I neither believed nor disbelieved, but I cast my ballot nonetheless.

Two and a half months. I've been waiting to see this change for almost a quarter of a year. I've been waiting on some sort of announcement about change that would actually help us out, to fix some of the errors that have been made. A few things were announced. Apparently we're going to close Gitmo and let all of the terrorists loose into the world so that they can plot to blow us up. I dunno, that's the kind of change I don't really want to believe in. Whatever.

Inauguration day (that's today). Changes: Dick Cheney is in a wheelchair, two senators have randomly collapsed, and good ole' Dubbya is off to Texas. Fantastic. The only changes that have occurred in my life since Obama took office have been dismal and disheartening. Firstly, during his oath of office, I discovered that Barack Obama is, in fact, a terrorist. His middle name is Hussein! WTF?! Surely this has connection with him wanting to close Gitmo. During his speech he told me that he was going to cut funding to institutions that we value highly and that ensure our standard of living. Is he trying to drive us into the third world? Two senators are down already, how many will it take before we stop this madman? Just a few minutes ago I had to sign a paper the mail man handed me just so my roomie could get his damn book.

I can't believe in this change. Not now. Not when I know the truth about terrorists.

The persian guy from 300 put it best, I think.

THIS

IS

MADNESS