TV and Video Games are NOT the Problem…

First off, I would like to apologize for my absence. I was busy with school, graduating, and thusly moving back home. But now that I am fully adjusted and have time to continue my rantings, I shall do that. With that said, let the rantings begin.

Not too long ago, President Obama attended a Town Hall meeting in my neck of the woods, Green Bay, Wisconsin. This particular Town Hall meeting was to discuss Health Care, and for about the entirety of it, he did address that issue, even during the Q&A segment. However, there was one particular question which deviated from this topic. A teacher from the UP (the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, for those of you who are not familiar with the term) asked a question about the state of the education system in America. His question primarily focused on how to fix a broken system and how to utilize the successes to do so. President Obama thanked him for the question and began to explain to the individual that no, the entire system is not broken and that only segments of it are. Part of President Obama’s reasoning did acknowledge that teaching to a test is not the proper way to teach the youth of America, and that there are school systems in America that are almost unsavable (mostly applying to inner city school districts, most of which have other society ad economic problems). However, President Obama also gave two other reasons that children in India and China (yes, those are the exact countries that he stated) are better off educationally and are not necessarily smarter, but more adept than American students because they (the Indian and Chinese children) do not play as many video games as American children, nor do they watch as my television.

Here’s my beef with your statement Mr. President. Growing up I watched a lot of television, and I played a lot of video games. In fact, I still do. I do not believe there is anything wrong with television or video games. And, despite the fact that I watched a lot of television and played a lot of video games, i was able to successfully graduate from High School with a 3.0+ GPA, go on to college for 5 years and graduate with a 3.0+ GPA and two degrees, as well as go to Graduate School and get my Master’s Degree. I did all of this while watching a lot of television and playing a lot of video games. Video Games and television are not to blame for the idiocy and lack of development of some of America’s youth. There are far more other circumstances, issues, events, stimuli, etc. that play a far greater role in the development, or lack thereof, in a child’s social, emotional, and educational development.

Now, before I get some angry or condescending remarks about how I am stating that tv and video games have no role to play what-so-ever, let me state that is not true. It is possible that excessive tv watching and video game playing can hamper a child’s development. But is that really the fault of video games and tv? Absolutely not. That is a parental problem, but that goes back to another stimuli that can affect a child’s development. I’m not claiming that video games or tv are a godsend either, I’m just stating that such a blanket and gross generalization by the President, such as the one he made, is not true and inherently stupid for someone of his credentials and power to make. Contrary to popular belief, video games and tv are not the Devil. In fact, video games especially, have become a tool to enhance our society. Through video games we have been able to train a new generation of doctors who can execute pinpoint precision surgeries. Doctors have also been able to utilize video games to enhance the dexterity of their hands, as well as use video games to help rehabilitate injured patients. If those examples don’t convince you, here’s another one. The military has been using video games, especially flight simulators, to help train pilots and soldiers. There are also reports (some I have heard from word-of-mouth) that the military is looking for individuals who have a high caliber of gaming capability for such programs as controlling their UAVs (Unmanned Air Vehicles) that help eliminate the risk of casualty to other soldiers.

So before you make another statement about how bad television and video games are for our educational system and society, Mr. President, perhaps you should think of the benefits that those two industries have had on our society. And perhaps you should think of how to continue to utilize those industries and capabilities for the betterment of society and education. Isn’t progress what we all really want? Here’s progress in front of us, let’s roll with it instead of chastize it.

Fair and Balanced My Eye…

I don’t know how many of you that browse my blog are Republican, watch Fox News, and or a fan of Conservative talk-show host Bill O’Reilly, and frankly, its not that big of a deal if you are. I’m liberal, you’re conservative, who cares. As much as I willing to give some individuals, such as Bill O’Reilly, the benefit of the doubt, sometimes I just can’t.  For those of you who don’t know, the rapper Eminem has come out with a new video. Bill O’Reilly has taken it upon himself to attack Eminem because he (Eminem) makes light of the Republican Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin.

For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about here is the video that I am talking about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smSB7e2RTzI

Now that you have watched the video, let me ask you this. If Bill O’Reilly and his guest, Tammy Bruce, are so concerned with feminism and the degradation of women, as they so appear to be, then why is it that Sarah Palin is the only woman that they are talking about? Why is that they are not outraged at the degradation of Britney Spears, Ellen Degeneres, Kim Kardashian, and so on and so forth? What makes Sarah Palin so special that she can’t be the topic of a spoof music video, yet the other women represented in the video can? Let me think about that for a second…nothing. Absolutely nothing makes her more special than the other women. While she may be the Governor of Alaska and the other women may only be celebrities or at best women in their 15 minutes of fame, that doesn’t mean that they are no less offended or important than Sarah Palin.

The hypocrisy and utter stupidity by Bill O’Reilly is astounding. Here is a man who is attacking a rapper, calling him vile and nothing; as well as attacking liberal media in their “hypocrisy” for not bashing Eminem because Sarah Palin is conservative. O’Reilly stated that the Liberal media says nothing when a conservative woman gets attacked, but they go off when a liberal woman gets attacked. Yet in his rant with Tammy Bruce, neither of them say anything about the other women in the video. According to that, it is easy to see that O’Reilly and Bruce harbor and exhibit the same hypocrisy that they are condemning. Along with that hypocrisy, who is Bill O’Reilly to call someone nothing and vile? This is the same individual who scolds people because they don’t share his opinion. God forbid if you get on his bad side.

Bill O’Reilly is nothing but a pompous, conservative, biased, hypocrite. I used to enjoy watching his show when I was younger, because I found it entertaining, but now that I am more aware and I can understand his rants, I can’t stand him. Debate is healthy, but what O’Reilly does is spew out verbal and biased diarrhea. I have nothinng personal against O’Reilly, Palin, or Bruce because I don’t know any of them personally, and while it may be interesting to meet them once, I can’t say that its something on my to-do list. And please, don’t think that this is a endorsement or an effort to defend the liberal media, they are just as bad. At times, Keith Olbermann is an idiot and should’ve stayed at ESPN.

All I’m saying is that if you are goingn to argue a point make sure that you aren’t doing what you are arguing against, or just don’t say anything at all. Bill O’Reilly should take that to heart.

For those of you who haven’t seen the Eminem video, here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIkzQYns61Q

What we do has consequences

Over the past few years much has been made of the growing climate crisis, with global warming being the most known aspect of the climate crisis. While there has been no scientific proof showing that humans are the main cause or sole cause of this climate crisis, it shouldn’t strike anyone as a surprise that yes, we are indeed, the main cause. That is not to say that there are not naturally occurring causes and phenomena that are contributing as well.

The point that I am trying to make is that we need to sit down and think about what it is that we are doing to the Earth. We only have one Earth. It is up to us as people, a singular human race and species, to take care of this majestic and astounding planet of ours. We should take into account just how vastly our world has changed since our technological revolutions and sense of enlightenment. We have utilized and exploited what the Earth has given us. We have dug, drilled, cut down, blown up, and any other method possible to extract the valuable and limited resources that this world has provided us.

And, while these resources have provided us with the opportunities and means to provide comfort, luxury, basic necessities, and the means to live our lives as we see fit, that doesn’t mean that we should neglect what has been given to us. For centuries, before our technological revolution, mankind lived as one with nature. Humans used what they needed, and they used all that was given to them.

The Native Americans of the Great Plains were nomadic in nature following the Buffalo herds. When on hunts, the Native Americans would kill only what they needed to survive. They used all parts of the Buffalo, whether it was for food, clothing, tools, or any other means. They used it all, but only what they needed. Tribes that still exist in the rain forests of the Amazon and Africa use nature as a means to survival. The rain forests are their means of survival. Without the rain forests, they will have to choose to adapt themselves into a world in which they know nothing, or they will die.

While I don’t want to be the messenger of doom, it has to be said that what we do to our world has an effect on everyone and everything else. Our insanely gluttonous nature in extracting the non-renewable resources, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, is creating a world that is becoming increasingly difficult to live in and protect. Now, apocalyptic scenes, such as in the move “The Day After Tomorrow”, will most likely not happen. But that doesn’t mean consequences won’t be apparent. It is already beginning. The Earth’s temperature is steadily increasing, oceans and seas are rising or receding (depending on location), deserts are expanding, forests are shrinking, animal and plant species we have never seen (and some we have) are becoming extinct, and the Ozone layer is being depleted.

We need to take this time to save our world. Do whatever you can, even if it isn’t much. Every little bit counts. Get energy efficient appliances, windows and lightbulbs. Limit your consumption of electricity. Carpool if you can, or take public transportation. And for crying-out-loud, recycle. These are simple steps that we can do to save our planet. If you want to be more active, write a letter to your local Congressman, Senator, or other political representative. Ask them to do something, see if they can put pressure on your government to induce change.

For now, this is our only planet. We have to take care of it as much as we can. I encourage all of you to participate in Earth Hour this Saturday, March 28th @ 8:30pm local time. For one hour turn off all of your appliances, electronics, and anything else that consumes electricity. That one hour may not make a difference, and then again, it might. But like I said, every little bit helps.

Some people out they may want to continue driving gas guzzling automobiles and live their lives as they currently are, and that’s ok. There isn’t anything I can do to make them do otherwise. All I can do is hope that they take a moment to think about what they are doing, and maybe just change one thing here or there. Just be environmentally conscious, that’s all I ask

For more informaton about Earth Hour, please visit http://www.earthhour.org/home/ .

Does your child look like a whore?

Usually I try to come up with a coherent and intelligent argument for some idea that I write about, however, this isn’t one of those instances. This is one of those instances when I’m just going to rant. And what is the topic for this rant you are asking…child pageants and the people who force, err, ask their little ones if they want to participate.

I have a very simple statement, and series of questions, to make to all of you nut jobs, err, parental figures. What the hell is wrong with you? Were you not loved enough as a child? Did you not fulfill your dreams and hopes when you were young that you have to force your children to live out your dreams?

What you people do is sick and wrong. You exploit your children in an unhealthy manner. You can’t tell me that little girls, the age of 6, like to be yelled at that they are to fat, that they don’t look slutty, err, old enough. Do they actually like to be paraded around in clothing that adults wouldn’t even wear.

I know that there may be some children out there that, perhaps, like the pageants. But do they like them for the same reasons that you parents do? Do they find it fun meeting other children their age, like they should, or do they find it fun when the lose because the girl next to her looked more like a hooker than she did?

Children are meant to be children. Running around playing, having fun with other children. They are meant to experience life on their own terms. They are meant to get into trouble, get dirty, and be punished. They aren’t supposed to be living out their parent’s fantasies. And they especially aren’t supposed to be exploited.

Its the exploitation of children that is the most disgusting thing of it all. Its the exploitatation of children and the bastardly parenting that leads to cases like Jon Benet Ramsey, a case which has never been solved. Why are we so obsessed with making our children these projections of ourselves? Parents have the responsiblity and obligation to guide a child in their growth and development, not concretely define their development.

I’m going to get this out of the way, because I’m sure some people are wondering. No….I do not have any children. No, I have never been a parent, nor and uncle or legal guardian. So while I may not have first hand experience of raising children, I do have two things on which I can draw from. I have common knowledge, and I have fantastic parents. My parents provided a foundation for which I was able to define myself. I was never forced to do anything that I didn’t want to do…unless it was eating my vegetables. I wasn’t forced to do sports, band, etc. I chose to do those things and they supported me. Not me supporting my parent’s ambitions.

I just want this blogrant to be a wake-up call and food for thought for anyone who reads it. While this has been a very judgemental posting, and I am rather annoyed and perturbed, I do acknowledge the fact that everyone has the right to live their lives anyway they choose. I may not agree with it, but there isn’t much I can do about it. What’s done is done. If I can just reach some people and have them think about they do, then I’ve done what I’ve come to do.

With that said…gl hf mb (Good Luck, Have Fun, Make Babies).

Puff, Puff, Pass…

Recently I was watching a program on MSNBC about the drug problem in the United States. While I was only able to see the last 20 minutes (or so) of the program, the little that I did see has further entrenched, into me, a belief that I’ve had for quite some time. That belief….the legalization and commercialization, by the government, of narcotics. Yes, I realize that some of you are going bonkers, saying that I’m off my rocker, and that I promote drug use. And my answer is this…no, I don’t promote drug use.  Just let me explain.

While I do not use, nor have ever used any type of narcotic, I do know individuals who have.  Does that make me think less of them, perhaps for a split second, but then I realize that they are only humans, and maybe they are just more adventurous than I am, which typically is the case. But that is  besides the point. The point of this blogssay is to look at an alternative to the surrent system, in regards to drug use that we have in this country.

Over the past 30 years, and especially within the last few weeks, the war on drugs has been a staple of American politics. It has waged on in the courtrooms, the coatrooms of Congress, family rooms, and of course the streets. We’ve tried diplomacy, education, and violence to root out this problem, and yet it persists. There is, however, one staple of American society that we haven’t tried: commercialization.

Why is it that we don’t try this? Isn’t what we are doing now, reminiscent of the 1920′s and early 1930′s in regards to the prohibition of alcohol? For nearly 15 years, the government fought the establishment of alcohol because it was deemed that alcohol was dangerous to society, much to the same extent that narcotics are today. But the “war” on alcohol failed. What did it get us? It got us gangster wars, speakeasies, and a whole new generation of indviduals wanting to drink because it was illegal. Isn’t that the same thing that is going on today?

Alcohol is an addictive drug, yet it is legal. Nicotine, found in cigarettes and other products, is an addictive drug. Caffeine is an addictive drug/substance. Even though all of these drugs/substances are addictive, they are all legal, yet narcotics are not legal. Because narcotics are not legal, they have sparked an incredibly lucrative and dangerous black market underworld that seriously undermines the saftey and stability of our society.

Gangs from LA to NY to Miami and everywhere in between finance their activities based off of drug sales; drugs that they buy from drug cartels in Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. These cartels then do whatever they want because illegal narcotics are so lucrative that they are able to buy government officials. Who is going to stand up to a cartel if the government won’t?

So wouldn’t it make sense to take the cartels head on and beat them at their own game? Doesn’t it make more sense to find a peaceful solution to a problem, rather than attacking it with violence?

Here’s what I propose. The US government, or any other government, step in and try something new.

Step 1: Create a division under the direction of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) or the USDA (United States  Department of Agriculture) to oversee the production and danger of narcotics.

Step 2: Create a division within the Commerce Department to oversee the sales and distribution of narcotics produced.

Step 3: Make it so that the narcotics produced are both cheap and less dangerous (less addictive) than what would be found on the streets.

Step 4: Start off with the least dangerous drug(s) (i.e. Marijuana).

Step 5: Legalize a narcotic after it has been produced

Step 6: Assure the public that nothing is going to happen to them. The drug(s) are legal after all.

Now, what are possible potential benefits of this  proposal: decrease in crime, decrease in the prison population, and perhaps a better appearance in the global world (other nations may be willing to follow suit, or at least applaud efforts to try and curb the problem).

There are undoubtedly going to be critics and those that say its blasphemy and goes against morality, yadda-yadda-yadda. I’m not claiming that this is “the” solution. I’m claiming that this may be a “possible” avenue in which a solution may be found. There are always going to be people who abuse the system. People abuse alcohol all of the time, yet that has not prompted us to revert back to the era of Prohibition.

We need to keep an open mind about possibilities of change. And yes, I know that sounds very much like our new slogan, but isn’t true. Things need to change in this country. We spend billions upon billions of dollars fighting a war that we will never be able to win, and a problem that we are most likely are making worse. Insanity is trying to get a different result by doing the same exact thing. So if we keep getting the same result, as we are, by utilizing the same tactics, as we are, shouldn’t we maybe try something new to get a different result. At least that way we can say we learned something.

I’ve done it…

After much thought, and a little pressure from others, I’ve finally decided to join the ranks of the millions of people out there that blog. I would go into more details about myself, but honestly, I don’t want this blog to be like that. I want this blog to be a venue where intelligent and articulate thought can be expressed, no matter a person’s background.

With that said, the topics that I will address may contain material that may be offensive to others, and frankly, I don’t care. If you don’t like it, don’t read it and/or respond to it. I will express my thoughts in a manner I see fit. I encourage those of you who will choose to read and/or participate in the dialogue to also speak your mind. However, keep in mind that ignorant, bigotted, racist, and otherwise offensive posts will be deleted by me or any other means available. There is a difference between saying something in an intelligent and articulate manner and just being an asshole.

With all of that said, enjoy.