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2 . 2 9 . 0 4 Leap year, some people born today are of legal drinking age, but in the single digits in age. Had a semi-productive weekend, got a lot of work done putting some of my midterms that are coming up in about a week or so into perspective. Went to hula practice today at the red gym, saw a few familiar faces, some new. There is a Punahou 2003 grad, I thought it was interesting how she seemed to have some level of similarities in reasons for coming to Wisconsin. Turns out Aunty Aleina and Uncle John are moving up north in about a month or so. Puts things into a swim, I always associated Madison with the two of them. The Hawaii club will be missing them, I'm sure. I had a chance to go to a lecture on Hawaiian ghost stories, hosted by David Furomoto, it turns out that he knew Glen Grant personally. rumor has it is that there is a scholarship that is going to be started in his honor. I am not much of the donation type, mainly because I don't really have any money to donate to any cause. however this would be something that I would definitely contribute to. Meanwhile, random links: the United States, according to someone's racist aunt, some curious reports about a world fugitive. 2 . 2 7 . 0 4 March is coming up around the corner, and I have no real plans for spring break. Probably be working on any of the handful of papers that I have due in May. I've been getting a little antsy about graduating, realizing that this semester's classes are all that stand in the way of a real job in the real world. Then again, I hope to be a student in one form or another so that might put a spin on perspective. File confirmations are coming in from the various law schools that I've applied to, should be hearing some decisions mid-march, maybe april. Thinking that I might have to hold off on my housing situation a bit longer, although it might not be a bad idea to get something down pat earlier than later. Meanwhile Kuchinich came in 2nd place for the Hawaii Democratic Caucus. He quadrupled his delegates this past Tuesday. Something tells me to look out for a surprise or major twist to hit us all this election season, especially in August and October 2004. I have a weird feeling that something is gonna break out that will tip the scale of public opinion one way or the other. People are fucking sheep. 2 . 2 4 . 0 4 So now Nader is in the race, as an independent. Dems are pissed, the GOP is silently smiling. Almost everyone I talk to seems to think that Nader won't make much of a difference this time around. However rumor has it that the Greens might try to pick him up as their candidate again. Things are definitely getting interesting. However I think the Democrats should really stop whining so much, it really gives the impression that they're not sure of their chances in november. Almost like making excuses before a failure. Honestly I don't buy the idea that Nader cost the election in 2000. No candidate is entitled to any one person's vote, every single one has to be earned through the candidate's platform. one good point to this is that nobody talks about Pat Buchanan taking either party's votes, and any kind of an affect that his running might have had on the outcome. I've been especially entertained by people who voted Nader in 2000 freaking out now of a repeat. I saw Nader go on Hardball with Chris Matthews last night, he stayed toe to toe with the rapid fire sucession of questions, and he gave very good answers in response. There is a similarity between him and Dean that I observed, maybe a reason for the surge of support for both candidates. He also brought up a good point about candidates as a work in progress - they are shaped and driven by their supporters. Call me fatalistic, but honestly if Bush wins fair and square this time around, then Democrats are just going to have to accept that their party doesn't appeal to the majority of Americans. While it really seems like the average American doesn't really pay attention to politics, it is time that people realize how to read between the lines. There are some blatant attempts to divide and conquer that are coming up everywhere. Came accross some funny ads on legalized psychotropics: beer, coffee, and nintendo. Also the price of a parking space in London, and street names 2 . 2 2 . 0 4 Interesting week in politics. Dean is officially out of the race now, although he gave an interesting concession speech talking about taking his network of supporters to another level, continuing on with affecting change within the democratic party. He also urged his supporters to back the democratic nominee, and not to go for a third party candidate. It was a fitting closing to an exciting campaign, one that I think inspired Dean supporters to look forward to November. And the amount of energy and exposure that he brought to the Democratic primaries is something to be applauded. I get the sense that people are proud to be Democrats now. There is a sense of identity and drive. I was most impressed with Dean's tone and demeanor in his speech. I really got a sense that his campaign was driven by his supporters, and then it never really was about him as an individual as it was the people that worked behind the scenes. Something that I can definitely say is different than the remaining two candidates. I think that one's humble roots and working class background can only take you so far. If you've got millions of dollars in the bank now, either through your own hard work, or because you married old money, I think you should tone down the "poor me" bootstraps shtick. One thing about Dean that I found interesting is that he never tried to play this card. He never downplayed his economic stability as a Doctor. Come to think of it, I think his problem is that he was too honest for the American people. This also applies to people who used to work in food service and demand others to overtip when they go out. I used to work as an underpaid file clerk, but you don't hear me harping on enduring the countless paper cuts and printer toner exposure. In recognizing that I'm currently on my way to a Master's level job with the federal government, I recognize that to a certain extent I forfeit a right to complain about my own economic hardship. I wonder why those who are off to a cushy career in academia don't seem to see the irony in their self-rightousness statements. This weekend I met an Anti-dean individual, whom struck me as stand-offish and extremely divisive to say the least. Seemed that it was necessary to tell me that Dean's campaign was worthless to the Democratic primary, and did nothing but hurt the Dems chances in November. It seems that some people are too concerned with defining a "true" liberal, or a "true" progressive as opposed to winning the presidency. Apparently this person is stuck on media-infused definitions and appearances, (hence the support for Edwards) and needs to read the "Age of Propaganda". Or maybe just get their head out of their ass and not feel so guilty for voting for Nader in 2000. If this person was a spokesperson for the democratic frontrunner, I wouldn't be surprised if every Dean and Clark supporter went off and did a write-in vote instead of Kerry. There is something about stupid, self-proclaimed liberals that really bugs me. So you went to a small liberal arts college, and spent a semester studying abroad. So you've realized that Wisconsin's tradition of liberal and progressive politics is not absolute, and perhaps overhyped. Big fucking deal, drop out of school, and go back to waiting tables in your home state if you hate Madison that much. And so what if you're dating an Asian American (or any person of color for the matter), it doesn't give you free reign to preach to other people about how racist they are compared to you. Obviously your liberal education and study abroad experience didn't teach you a damn thing on the complex nature of race relations in America. I wonder if academia is the last safe haven for the conforming non-conformists. I'm sure this one dickhead I met as an undergrad is probably working on an Lit degree or something right now. Or waiting tables and bitching about the tips. I wonder if he has gotten his ass kicked recently. Oh yeah, and now that I think about it, seriously moving to Canada is not an option for me, no matter how bad things might get. It speaks a level of irony about liberals/activists who claim that they want a sense of community and tolerance, and diversity, but aren't willing to stay in the course in their own country. I may have a different experience being from Hawaii, but I still consider myself an American. I don't think you should turn your back on your country just because you can't get along with other people. Besides, things are not that bad. not yet. And in the mix, Nader is in for 2004. The plot thickens..... 2 . 1 6 . 0 4 Dean had a rally at the Orpheum today. It was interesting to note how packed the auditorium was, granted that Madison is a minority of the population of the greater state of Wisconsin, I would argue that his campaign is anything but dead here. Another thing worth noting is that an online poll of 132,000+ last night tuning into the debates online had Dean as getting 47% of the vote. I wonder if its a glitch? Or that maybe just that the polls and the media are miscommunicating something to the American people. Hung out with Liz today over coffee about macroeconomics, globalization and trade, areas that I am not too familiar with, although I have tried to give them some degree of thought and analysis. Honestly I find it hard to be optimistic about globalization as being for the overall benefit of the world in its current state. It is because the very terms and process that the changes in the world economies that are coming about are based on the lowest common denominator, profit-driven, dollar-democracy. meanwhile the greatest american export seems to be the popular culture trends and consumer lifestyle that we live and die by, often unknowingly. The reality of things is that the American way of life is not sustainable - there is limit to how much damage we can do to the environment and ourselves to maintain our self-prescribed standard of living. It brought to mind the numerous conversations I have had with people on the sense of place and identity that is tied to the land. I went as far as to call myself a psuedo-native in that I identify with the value of culture and identity in our definition of being human. I would hate to think of America as being recalled in history as being wasteful, arrogant, destructive, and totally detached to any sense of origin, any sense of roots. Which of course reminds me of home, and how globalizatoin has in many ways effected Hawaii more than any other state in the US. Tourism in its simple form is ugly, voyueristic, colonial. However I'm not for the preservation of tradition or culture in the strictest sense, rather that I value the opportunity of exchange of cultures and dialogue between peoples. Something that is difficult if not impossible with the current state of mass consumer culture and the sense of place that is promoted through its values and credo. Working on the PA job still, have a bunch of other hearings coming up quick that will be keeping me busy. Surprised really, how much information is and is not out there on the WWW. It goes to show the benefits and faults of the information revolution - not quite yet complete. 2 . 1 5 . 0 4 The Wisconsin Democratic Debates just finished an hour ago, and I have to say that I am pretty proud to have lived in this state for the past 6 years. Good questions were fielded, minimal media BS and at this later time in the race, the candidates were more honest about their positions on the issues. Since the crappy NH debate, I have to say that the quality of the questions fielded to the candidates have been pretty good, if not getting better. I blame the sponsor of NH almost entirely. Sharpton and Kuchinich provided for some of the most interesting points brought out. Speaking from positions that nobody expects to prevail, both of them have been very effective at setting the tone and building excitement on issues that the frontrunner is too chickenshit to mention. When asked, both flat out admited that they thought that Bush was a liar when it came to the reasons for going to war in Iraq. Something that I think a lot of Americans have been thinking lately, but are too afraid to state bluntly, let along on nationally televised debate. Sharpton brought up a very good point about how a person's background does not dictate everything about their philosophies, morals, or values. Something that we need to remember on people who are quick to credit their humble beginnings, but in reality they are short to sell themselves out to greed and cronyism. This brings out a lot of issues I have with people who promote an image of leadership, an image of success, an image of right and wrong. While I shy away from preaching on morals and ethics per se, I do hold high a value for the truth. Especially in politics. A word about the current shape of the Dean Campaign, I have been reading so many reports in the media about how his run is just about done, how he has no shot, that his aides are mutinying, and the he has no money left. Same with how earlier this month I noticed that even after Iowa and NH being Dean defeats, he still was leading in overall delegates. As for money, as of today Dean is still the most sucessful money raisers of all the democrats. Also worth noting is the the current frontrunner Kerry is the highest in total loans - something that we might note. or at the very least something to say that money is the end all in politics once again. I like it how Edwards mentioned that the nomination is anything but decided as of now. there are still 35 more states to hold primaries before the nomination is determined. I also like what the gentleman from Milwaukee had to say to Kerry at the end of the article. Apparently the Democrats have not learned why so many democrats voted for Bush in 2000: without the voice the constituants, any political party runs the risk of being irrelevant and obsolete. An organization should never take for granted the people that they claim to represent. At least not while we still can call ourselves a democracy. 2 . 1 2 . 0 4 It seems that as a student you're always busy working on something, distracted by something else. Aside from the normal classes, and the ordinary run of the mill assignments, theres work and work and then work. Right now I'm working on the PA joball weekend, the first of the taskforce hearings are going on throughout the state starting about a week from now. Not the best of times being that the Hallmark holiday is around the corner and I'm feeling a bit conflicted. Not feeling the best in that department right now. Nothing major really, but not ideal. It never is ideal though, so hey. Dean came and spoke at the Union today, still plugging away at the race to the Dems nomination. His campaign has surely changed in tone and momentum over the past couple weeks. Its both amazing and disturbing to how much power the media has in terms of influence. I really liked what he said today, it was a more honest speech, not as much canned, more to the point about the state of American democracy today. There was a tone that the movement that he sparked over the past year is in danger of losing what it set off to fight for in the first place. change. I recall the definitions of a progressive that I heard recently. One that in many ways I can definitely identify with. Progressives see the role of government as protecting the common citizen through social programs. In essence they are fiscal conservatives who fight against huge deficit spending first on the principles that one should never spend more then one has. Although they recognize the economic theories of Keynes, they don't think that it is an excuse to borrow so recklessly and unabashed. It is because they recognize the need for certain government programs that are essential to society, the very programs that are cut in times of fiscal crisis. This strives them to seek out "clean" government, or at least as clean as we can get it nowadays. The arguement that lobbyist money is a form of free speech is very weak, since the campaign finance reform that is currently being discussed sets no limits to the amounts of money that can be donated, just that it requires full disclosure of who is providing the money. While not adherant to keeping the status quo, they do not seek out radical changes in policy either. Not trying to save the world in a day per say, but to try hard to serve the common good in the meantime. It looks like I'm off to DC in May. Fitting since I'll probably be registering as an independent come November. 2 . 8 . 0 4 Working on a budget to figure out how much I'd need to survive in DC. honestly, depending on how you look at it, things aren't too bad. But of course its all a matter of creature comforts and flexibility. Just like any big city, the standard of living and lifestyle depends a lot on disposable income. Went to see Kites on Ice today, saw a big fugu flying, as well as a cat, several octopi and various creature flyers. Also say a huge black koi. Got a kick out of the kids sliding around on the patches of exposed ice. also caught a bit of the wind coming off of the lake as well. 2 . 3 . 0 4 Feb is here, with a nice blanket of snow to follow the bitter cold temps that Madison has been getting in recent weeks. I've gotten back into a busy schedule of things, starting up with my PA job again on the taskforce initative, my La Follette classes are picking up. Still receiving the occaisional confirmation on my applications what not, have to request copies of my most recent transcripts as well. Superbowl was fun, much better game than a lot of people expected it to me. Went to Damon's to watch it with Tristan and Khampahian, after a pretty tough defensive 1st quarter the game got more and more interesting. The Patriots won their second title in 3 years, Pop must be pretty happy right now. I remember when they used to suck. really suck. I'm a Red Sox/Celtics/Patriots fan by default really, growing up I used to watch just about every game that the three teams played, no matter how bad they were. Its interesting, being that no matter where I go, I'll probably have trouble adopting new sports teams. Right now I'm thinking about relocating to DC, don't see myself every becoming a Ravens or Skins fan. Of course after being in Madison for a collective 6 years, I've become a bit of a closet Packer Fan. There was a bit of half-time contraversy involved with Janet Jackson's mammalary gland popping out, honestly I don't see what the big deal is really. The bigger shock was the double-standard that CBS has when it comes to censorship. |