Tuesday, October 14, 2008
I voted absentee today.
If only there were a ballot initiative to get rid of the electoral college for good.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
I'm voting Republican because...
...cognitive dissonance is such a wonderful feeling, isn't it?
...my values are not the same as yours; in fact, they are superior.
...my responsibility is to my own interests only, and not my fellow Americans.
...the poor, sick, and disabled deserve neither my tax money nor my valuable attention.
...a guy whose middle name is "Hussein" has to be one of them evil Muslims who hate our freedom.
...waving flags, chanting "USA!", and singing patriotic songs demonstrates our superior patriotism.
...the war in Iraq must be won at any and all cost; to pull out now would be to surrender to the forces of evil!
...you're on your own, so shut up and quit expecting me to help you because it's not MY problem you are lazy and keep getting sick.
The Republican Party is a cult. Just like Scientology.
Obama/Biden '08/'12!
...my values are not the same as yours; in fact, they are superior.
...my responsibility is to my own interests only, and not my fellow Americans.
...the poor, sick, and disabled deserve neither my tax money nor my valuable attention.
...a guy whose middle name is "Hussein" has to be one of them evil Muslims who hate our freedom.
...waving flags, chanting "USA!", and singing patriotic songs demonstrates our superior patriotism.
...the war in Iraq must be won at any and all cost; to pull out now would be to surrender to the forces of evil!
...you're on your own, so shut up and quit expecting me to help you because it's not MY problem you are lazy and keep getting sick.
The Republican Party is a cult. Just like Scientology.
Obama/Biden '08/'12!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
The moral depravity of the Republican Party is horrifying...how can so many Americans allow themselves to be fooled so many times that this country has become a laughingstock of the entire world? The string-pullers in the GOP are playing us for idiots, and it's worked because many of us REFUSE to think for ourselves or to think critically about our future.
We're better than this. McCain/Palin is Bush/Cheney III, plain and simple. They are different individuals, yes, and it's true that they may have bucked the Party line occasionally in the past. It doesn't make them, however, true "mavericks" like they claim. The evidence for the similarity between the two pairs is out there to be examined, and it's easy to find--if you're willing to look. The fact that Sarah Palin has more media exposure than Obama should have no bearing on whether she deserves your vote. The fact that she is a woman and that Obama did not choose Hillary Clinton as his running-mate should have no bearing on whether she deserves your vote. The election of the President of the United States is not American Idol--it's infinitely more than some superficial popularity contest, and it's exceedingly dangerous to treat what could be the most important election in our lifetimes as such.
For those who want to sit out: it's your choice, certainly, whether or not you want to vote. You may think that your one vote won't matter, but millions of people think this way. Millions of votes can make a world of difference in an election like the coming Presidential election, which is bound to be close (and shouldn't even be remotely close). The outcome of the election will affect you one way or another, and your vote is an investment into your future. Don't let the past discourage you.
Cynicism hurts everyone, though it's a natural fallout from 8 bleak years of Bush/Cheney. The U.S. can't afford any more cynicism from its voters--cynicism gets people elected who will perpetuate that cynicism through their heinous acts. It's a vicious cycle. It's defeatist. Our country and the world can no longer afford for anyone to be apathetic and self-defeating.
Why take the easy route and just refuse to vote? Why take the easy route and just believe everything you're told without a sliver of doubt? Why take the easy route and vote just for your own self-interest? Would you do something so willingly even if it would result in harm to yourself, your family, your friends, your neighbors, your community, and indeed everyone else on the planet?
Haven't people--shouldn't people come to your aid when you're down and can't get back up? Without each other, we can accomplish but little. Are we not our brothers' and sisters' keepers?
Heed Obama's message of hope and brother/sisterhood, and elect him the President. A strong nation is a nation unified.
We're better than this. McCain/Palin is Bush/Cheney III, plain and simple. They are different individuals, yes, and it's true that they may have bucked the Party line occasionally in the past. It doesn't make them, however, true "mavericks" like they claim. The evidence for the similarity between the two pairs is out there to be examined, and it's easy to find--if you're willing to look. The fact that Sarah Palin has more media exposure than Obama should have no bearing on whether she deserves your vote. The fact that she is a woman and that Obama did not choose Hillary Clinton as his running-mate should have no bearing on whether she deserves your vote. The election of the President of the United States is not American Idol--it's infinitely more than some superficial popularity contest, and it's exceedingly dangerous to treat what could be the most important election in our lifetimes as such.
For those who want to sit out: it's your choice, certainly, whether or not you want to vote. You may think that your one vote won't matter, but millions of people think this way. Millions of votes can make a world of difference in an election like the coming Presidential election, which is bound to be close (and shouldn't even be remotely close). The outcome of the election will affect you one way or another, and your vote is an investment into your future. Don't let the past discourage you.
Cynicism hurts everyone, though it's a natural fallout from 8 bleak years of Bush/Cheney. The U.S. can't afford any more cynicism from its voters--cynicism gets people elected who will perpetuate that cynicism through their heinous acts. It's a vicious cycle. It's defeatist. Our country and the world can no longer afford for anyone to be apathetic and self-defeating.
Why take the easy route and just refuse to vote? Why take the easy route and just believe everything you're told without a sliver of doubt? Why take the easy route and vote just for your own self-interest? Would you do something so willingly even if it would result in harm to yourself, your family, your friends, your neighbors, your community, and indeed everyone else on the planet?
Haven't people--shouldn't people come to your aid when you're down and can't get back up? Without each other, we can accomplish but little. Are we not our brothers' and sisters' keepers?
Heed Obama's message of hope and brother/sisterhood, and elect him the President. A strong nation is a nation unified.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
The tale of US Open 2008...
So there they were, in this fabled tournament of champions: the heavenly (yet earthly) King against the talented Court Jester*, and the valiant (though depleted) Knight** against the brilliant (but yet-unproven) Tactician***.
The King humbled the Court Jester, and the Tactician outsmarted the Knight.
Finally, the King met the Tactician in an epic duel.
Except it wasn't epic. The King's grace and power were too much for the Tactician, who fell in three straight sets despite a brave fight.
So the King continues his reign for one more year--his fifth--on the courts of Flushing Meadows. It had been a grueling year for him, having lost epic, bloody duels with the tenacious Knight at the courts of Wimbledon and Roland Garros after having survived a crippling disease which left him weaker. There were--and still are--those who doubted the King's ability and wanted to see him fall in defeat. But as he has proven in his latest victory, he is healed and ready to lead the Kingdom of Tennis once again with the talent and genius only he possesses.
May King Roger reign forevermore, in tennis and in our hearts!
----
I had way too much fun with that. Wasn't Roger amazing? He's BAAAACK!
----
*Novak Djokovic, known as the Joker. "Court" jester seems appropriate, right?
**Rafa Nadal. "Knight" seems to fit him pretty well. Grounded, unpretentious, tough, and athletic.
***Andy Murray. Roger himself called Andy a tactician...who am I to doubt his words?
The King humbled the Court Jester, and the Tactician outsmarted the Knight.
Finally, the King met the Tactician in an epic duel.
Except it wasn't epic. The King's grace and power were too much for the Tactician, who fell in three straight sets despite a brave fight.
So the King continues his reign for one more year--his fifth--on the courts of Flushing Meadows. It had been a grueling year for him, having lost epic, bloody duels with the tenacious Knight at the courts of Wimbledon and Roland Garros after having survived a crippling disease which left him weaker. There were--and still are--those who doubted the King's ability and wanted to see him fall in defeat. But as he has proven in his latest victory, he is healed and ready to lead the Kingdom of Tennis once again with the talent and genius only he possesses.
May King Roger reign forevermore, in tennis and in our hearts!
----
I had way too much fun with that. Wasn't Roger amazing? He's BAAAACK!
----
*Novak Djokovic, known as the Joker. "Court" jester seems appropriate, right?
**Rafa Nadal. "Knight" seems to fit him pretty well. Grounded, unpretentious, tough, and athletic.
***Andy Murray. Roger himself called Andy a tactician...who am I to doubt his words?
Monday, September 8, 2008
Okay, so...
Obama/Biden '08 wasn't exactly the "dream ticket" I (and no doubt many others) were hoping for back in primary season. It was Clinton/Obama '08, and it would have been a landslide.
It would have been the most historic major party ticket by lightyears, with the first serious female presidential candidate and the first serious black vice presidential candidate on the same Democratic ticket. People were so inspired by Hillary that many switched parties to vote for her or ignored their party affiliations to vote for her. People were so inspired by Obama that his speeches sent chills down their spines and made many cry. Imagine the sheer magnitude of the effect that ticket would have had on the American voters in November.
The reality now is that Hillary is NOT on the ticket, and a fair number of Hillary supporters are disillusioned or even angry. Women feel as if she had been shafted, and Palin's nomination is drawing some away. It's not that Biden is a poor VP choice; that's far from the truth. He appeals to the working-class whites and has more years of foreign policy experience than Palin has been in politics (correct me if I'm wrong).
We can't keep dreaming about what could have been and forgetting about the urgent fight happening now. The fact is, Obama/Biden is the necessary choice. Former Hillary supporters who say they are switching tickets are making a fatal mistake by choosing McCain/Palin solely on the basis of there being a woman on the ticket; these two, if elected, will enact policies which will shaft all women and bring further ruin to the U.S. economy and reputation. Making a rash decision based on raw, bitter emotional wounds will bring much larger, more devastating wounds in the long term, so it's essential that we give up the hurt and disappointment like Hillary and Bill implore us to do and fight for our common future.
It would have been the most historic major party ticket by lightyears, with the first serious female presidential candidate and the first serious black vice presidential candidate on the same Democratic ticket. People were so inspired by Hillary that many switched parties to vote for her or ignored their party affiliations to vote for her. People were so inspired by Obama that his speeches sent chills down their spines and made many cry. Imagine the sheer magnitude of the effect that ticket would have had on the American voters in November.
The reality now is that Hillary is NOT on the ticket, and a fair number of Hillary supporters are disillusioned or even angry. Women feel as if she had been shafted, and Palin's nomination is drawing some away. It's not that Biden is a poor VP choice; that's far from the truth. He appeals to the working-class whites and has more years of foreign policy experience than Palin has been in politics (correct me if I'm wrong).
We can't keep dreaming about what could have been and forgetting about the urgent fight happening now. The fact is, Obama/Biden is the necessary choice. Former Hillary supporters who say they are switching tickets are making a fatal mistake by choosing McCain/Palin solely on the basis of there being a woman on the ticket; these two, if elected, will enact policies which will shaft all women and bring further ruin to the U.S. economy and reputation. Making a rash decision based on raw, bitter emotional wounds will bring much larger, more devastating wounds in the long term, so it's essential that we give up the hurt and disappointment like Hillary and Bill implore us to do and fight for our common future.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Historical significance
So Senator Barack Obama has officially become the Democratic Party's nominee for the 2008 presidential election. There is so much historical significance in the dates of the convention and in the candidates (Hillary and Obama) themselves.
Obama:
Aug. 26, 1929: With the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, women won the right to vote in the U.S. In 2008, Hillary was close to becoming the first female presidential candidate of a major political party, putting those 18 million cracks in that glass ceiling.
Aug. 27: LBJ's 100th birthday. He fought for and helped pass legislation on such issues as civil rights, healthcare for all Americans, improved education, restraint in foreign policy, and environmental conservation. All of these issues are still relevant today. He also increased American involvement in what was to become an unpopular war (Vietnam); there's the highly unpopular Iraq War II today which most Americans want the next president to end.
Aug. 28, 1963: MLK Jr. gave his historic "I Have a Dream" speech on the National Mall. Obama will give his acceptance speech today, 45 years later; his nomination is seen by some as the culmination of the efforts of so many leaders of the Civil Rights movement, including King. Obama himself had worked as a community organizer in south Chicago, where many poor African-American families reside.
Aug. 29: 3rd anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's landfall in New Orleans. Many attribute the dearth of federal aid by the Bush Administration to the fact that the most greatly affected were low-income blacks.
----
Also, Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday is in February of 2009, just a few weeks after the inauguration of the next president. If Obama wins, the significance of that will be incredible. Both are/were tall, lanky men from Illinois, hardened by difficult circumstances in childhood, and both are/were hardworking and intelligent. Lincoln helped free the slaves, and no doubt because of that, Obama is able to run for the nation's highest office today.
----
Bill's right. History is on Obama's side. What a year 2008 has been!
Obama:
- He will be the first black President in the history of the United States if he wins in November.
- His age and inexperience have been points of debate, but he will have a chance to reassure voters later today in his acceptance speech.
- The most recent polls have shown him and McCain in an incredibly tight race.
- He chose Biden no doubt to appeal to the voters who voted for Hillary, among whom many are blue-collar whites.
- He was the first Catholic president.
- Voters were wary of his age and inexperience, but he reassured them in his acceptance speech.
- The Kennedy/Johnson ticket won by a hair.
- The choice of LBJ as VP was intended to appeal to southern whites as well.
Aug. 26, 1929: With the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, women won the right to vote in the U.S. In 2008, Hillary was close to becoming the first female presidential candidate of a major political party, putting those 18 million cracks in that glass ceiling.
Aug. 27: LBJ's 100th birthday. He fought for and helped pass legislation on such issues as civil rights, healthcare for all Americans, improved education, restraint in foreign policy, and environmental conservation. All of these issues are still relevant today. He also increased American involvement in what was to become an unpopular war (Vietnam); there's the highly unpopular Iraq War II today which most Americans want the next president to end.
Aug. 28, 1963: MLK Jr. gave his historic "I Have a Dream" speech on the National Mall. Obama will give his acceptance speech today, 45 years later; his nomination is seen by some as the culmination of the efforts of so many leaders of the Civil Rights movement, including King. Obama himself had worked as a community organizer in south Chicago, where many poor African-American families reside.
Aug. 29: 3rd anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's landfall in New Orleans. Many attribute the dearth of federal aid by the Bush Administration to the fact that the most greatly affected were low-income blacks.
----
Also, Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday is in February of 2009, just a few weeks after the inauguration of the next president. If Obama wins, the significance of that will be incredible. Both are/were tall, lanky men from Illinois, hardened by difficult circumstances in childhood, and both are/were hardworking and intelligent. Lincoln helped free the slaves, and no doubt because of that, Obama is able to run for the nation's highest office today.
----
Bill's right. History is on Obama's side. What a year 2008 has been!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Whaddya mean the Olympics have just ended? What are we going to watch on TV from now on?
That aside, what an amazing two weeks and two days it's been. It's a bittersweet feeling knowing that the Olympics that China has spent decades campaigning for and seven years preparing for are finally over after 16 days. Awe-inspiring events like these always seem to end too soon, but it's just that fleeting quality which leaves strong impressions in people's memory.
It's London's turn now. Let's see them top Beijing 2008.
That aside, what an amazing two weeks and two days it's been. It's a bittersweet feeling knowing that the Olympics that China has spent decades campaigning for and seven years preparing for are finally over after 16 days. Awe-inspiring events like these always seem to end too soon, but it's just that fleeting quality which leaves strong impressions in people's memory.
It's London's turn now. Let's see them top Beijing 2008.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
I am so sick of celebrity-bashing. That it amuses and gratifies so many people disgusts me. They are treated by the public like zoo animals; we point and laugh at their antics while safely behind reinforced glass windows and metal bars. Or, it could be that they are parading across a giant stage, doing their acts for our amusement, and we are the ultimate judges of their performances; unfortunately, their acts include moments of their personal lives we have absolutely no business in.
We shamelessly ridicule celebs like Britney, Lindsay, and Paris for shits and giggles instead of paying serious attention to the real dangers of underage drinking, drunk driving, and drug abuse. We lambasted Britney's poor parenting skills while so many relatively unknown people are abusing, kidnapping, raping, grossly neglecting, and murdering their children. Luckily, the Caylee Anthony story has gotten plenty of national attention, but the vast majority of the rest of the cases similar to hers are given little attention. Instead, people prefer to read the latest posts on their favorite sleazy celebrity gossip blogs or watch yet another E! News story about some celebrity's latest trip-ups and drama. 'Cause come on...real news is bor-ing, right?
We may argue that the news is being forced down our throats by the media. That is right, but we also have superpowers called "changing the channel" or "not reading tabloids". We don't have to pay attention, but we're choosing to. That's what's fueling the unhealthy celebrity obsession. By buying more magazines, tuning in to more TV programs, and bringing more traffic to celebrity gossip blogs, we are indirectly encouraging more of their destructive behavior and ignoring far more urgent concerns.
So a paparazzi took a shot of Britney's girl parts. Members of the general public have come to the conclusion that she wanted us to see that picture to bring more attention to herself. Britney's not 100% mentally stable, but I doubt she would want that kind of picture being shown all over the Internet and on TV. Instead, it is because some photographer wanted to take the most sensational shot to sell to mags for $$$. She may have brought it upon herself by being so (in-)famous, but that doesn't mean that there's a free-for-all for her dignity. Let the woman retain all of it that she has left and leave her alone.
The only celebrities I know of who seem to genuinely want to draw attention to themselves are P. Diddy and Paris Hilton. There are probably others. Call me stupid or call me naive, but cynicism is not how I roll.
We shamelessly ridicule celebs like Britney, Lindsay, and Paris for shits and giggles instead of paying serious attention to the real dangers of underage drinking, drunk driving, and drug abuse. We lambasted Britney's poor parenting skills while so many relatively unknown people are abusing, kidnapping, raping, grossly neglecting, and murdering their children. Luckily, the Caylee Anthony story has gotten plenty of national attention, but the vast majority of the rest of the cases similar to hers are given little attention. Instead, people prefer to read the latest posts on their favorite sleazy celebrity gossip blogs or watch yet another E! News story about some celebrity's latest trip-ups and drama. 'Cause come on...real news is bor-ing, right?
We may argue that the news is being forced down our throats by the media. That is right, but we also have superpowers called "changing the channel" or "not reading tabloids". We don't have to pay attention, but we're choosing to. That's what's fueling the unhealthy celebrity obsession. By buying more magazines, tuning in to more TV programs, and bringing more traffic to celebrity gossip blogs, we are indirectly encouraging more of their destructive behavior and ignoring far more urgent concerns.
So a paparazzi took a shot of Britney's girl parts. Members of the general public have come to the conclusion that she wanted us to see that picture to bring more attention to herself. Britney's not 100% mentally stable, but I doubt she would want that kind of picture being shown all over the Internet and on TV. Instead, it is because some photographer wanted to take the most sensational shot to sell to mags for $$$. She may have brought it upon herself by being so (in-)famous, but that doesn't mean that there's a free-for-all for her dignity. Let the woman retain all of it that she has left and leave her alone.
The only celebrities I know of who seem to genuinely want to draw attention to themselves are P. Diddy and Paris Hilton. There are probably others. Call me stupid or call me naive, but cynicism is not how I roll.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Bitter much? The Aussies are upset because Phelps defeated their home team in every event, so once his 12,000 calorie-a-day diet was revealed, they weren't shying away from making crude comments and insults.
They're just like the Americans when they lose--they whine, complain, find scapegoats, and throw hissy fits like spoiled children...which isn't far from the truth. No wonder they can't fathom going through China's athletic or academic programs--it'd require too much effort in addition to assuming responsibility and blame for one's own actions. They'll blame it on the oppressive Communist regime, of course.
Phelps practices in the pool every single day for several hours, swimming for a few dozen kilometers. If I am not mistaken, a swimmer of his caliber isn't exactly going to do a leisurely swim in the community pool as his daily practice. He most likely does other forms of exercise, such as weightlifting, to increase muscle strength. He is obviously not a "lardass"...and calling him by that shows incredible immaturity.
Assume that Aussie swimmers have the same rigorous training regimen as Phelps and eat the same amount of calories every day as he does--it can't be that different. Would you call them lardasses, then, or is that reserved for the Americans (because we obviously are all fat tubs of lard)? He's not an attention whore because he doesn't try to draw attention to himself, but because his accomplishments draw others' attention to him. He's not an egotistical maniac, and even if he were, his actions would back up his claims.
Come on, you people are not children. Show some restraint and maturity, especially on the Internet. Phelps isn't going to be hurt by your invectives because he knows things you don't and never will.
They're just like the Americans when they lose--they whine, complain, find scapegoats, and throw hissy fits like spoiled children...which isn't far from the truth. No wonder they can't fathom going through China's athletic or academic programs--it'd require too much effort in addition to assuming responsibility and blame for one's own actions. They'll blame it on the oppressive Communist regime, of course.
Phelps practices in the pool every single day for several hours, swimming for a few dozen kilometers. If I am not mistaken, a swimmer of his caliber isn't exactly going to do a leisurely swim in the community pool as his daily practice. He most likely does other forms of exercise, such as weightlifting, to increase muscle strength. He is obviously not a "lardass"...and calling him by that shows incredible immaturity.
Assume that Aussie swimmers have the same rigorous training regimen as Phelps and eat the same amount of calories every day as he does--it can't be that different. Would you call them lardasses, then, or is that reserved for the Americans (because we obviously are all fat tubs of lard)? He's not an attention whore because he doesn't try to draw attention to himself, but because his accomplishments draw others' attention to him. He's not an egotistical maniac, and even if he were, his actions would back up his claims.
Come on, you people are not children. Show some restraint and maturity, especially on the Internet. Phelps isn't going to be hurt by your invectives because he knows things you don't and never will.
It's great to be a Jamaican or a Spaniard these days, isn't it?
The Jamaicans took all the medals in the women's 100m dash final and Bolt smashed the world record for the men's event with room to spare.
Spain has won the Euro Cup, the Tour de France, and Wimbledon this year.
Now Nadal is in his first day as world #1, and undoubtedly in great spirits...but being the modest, unpretentious guy he is, he won't let it get to his head. I like how he downplays his success and always shows deference to Federer (though not to the extent that he would be willing to give up his dignity, of course) even though he has proven time and again that as least as far as their rivalry is concerned, he is the superior of the two. That's the attitude of a champion.
I'm hoping for more epic Nadal vs. Federer showdowns in the future because it's always a thrill to watch them play each other, especially when the stakes are high (even though I'm sometimes too chicken to watch). I still want to see FedEx beat Sampras' record, even if he never quite reaches the heights of the past 5 years. All he needs is to practice more often, perhaps bulk up a little, and reduce the no. of commitments to anything other than tennis.
Am I the only tennis fan on earth who likes both of them equally?
----
Poor Liu Xiang...to miss the marquee event because of an injury has to make him feel absolutely awful. So many millions of fans were counting on his reaching the medal stand to make China proud.
The Jamaicans took all the medals in the women's 100m dash final and Bolt smashed the world record for the men's event with room to spare.
Spain has won the Euro Cup, the Tour de France, and Wimbledon this year.
Now Nadal is in his first day as world #1, and undoubtedly in great spirits...but being the modest, unpretentious guy he is, he won't let it get to his head. I like how he downplays his success and always shows deference to Federer (though not to the extent that he would be willing to give up his dignity, of course) even though he has proven time and again that as least as far as their rivalry is concerned, he is the superior of the two. That's the attitude of a champion.
I'm hoping for more epic Nadal vs. Federer showdowns in the future because it's always a thrill to watch them play each other, especially when the stakes are high (even though I'm sometimes too chicken to watch). I still want to see FedEx beat Sampras' record, even if he never quite reaches the heights of the past 5 years. All he needs is to practice more often, perhaps bulk up a little, and reduce the no. of commitments to anything other than tennis.
Am I the only tennis fan on earth who likes both of them equally?
----
Poor Liu Xiang...to miss the marquee event because of an injury has to make him feel absolutely awful. So many millions of fans were counting on his reaching the medal stand to make China proud.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Usain Bolt is just nuts. 9.69 seconds to smash the world record, and he took some kind of leisurely stroll in the last 20m; he even looked around to see how far ahead he was! I can't imagine how much faster his time would have been had he actually focused through the entire race. He's just like that kid in class who fools around and never pays attention, yet aces every test and makes everyone dumbfounded.
The guy makes the 100m dash seem like child's play while the other guys seemed to struggle. Most exciting 9.69 seconds ever! Here's hoping the doping test results come back negative.
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The U.S. crushed Spain in basketball. Serves the Spaniards right for that stupid ad.
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Federer may not be no. 1 for much longer, but at least he's got something to smile about after a tough year. He won gold in the men's doubles tournament, and you could see his happiness pouring out when the two men hugged each other and jumped up and down like kids. They played around, with Fed pretending to massage his doubles partner on the court. It's so nice to know that he's finally got the Olympic gold he's always wanted--ironically, during the year in which he lost his no.1 ranking and his near-invincibility on the court. It'll be tough for him to beat Sampras' record now...
The guy makes the 100m dash seem like child's play while the other guys seemed to struggle. Most exciting 9.69 seconds ever! Here's hoping the doping test results come back negative.
----
The U.S. crushed Spain in basketball. Serves the Spaniards right for that stupid ad.
----
Federer may not be no. 1 for much longer, but at least he's got something to smile about after a tough year. He won gold in the men's doubles tournament, and you could see his happiness pouring out when the two men hugged each other and jumped up and down like kids. They played around, with Fed pretending to massage his doubles partner on the court. It's so nice to know that he's finally got the Olympic gold he's always wanted--ironically, during the year in which he lost his no.1 ranking and his near-invincibility on the court. It'll be tough for him to beat Sampras' record now...
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Li Na defeats Venus Williams!
It's been an amazing couple of months for Chinese tennis--first Zheng Jie in the semis at Wimbledon (a first for China), and now this! She will be a national hero in China if she wins gold, and this win will certainly boost her confidence.
On a sadder note...WTF is up with Federer? What happened to that indomitable "Emperor of Tennis" whose strokes were like works of art? He still needs to break Sampras' record of Grand Slam victories, and I'm confident that he won't let himself become irrelevant in his sport until he has done so. I for one am not quite ready for him to slip from the #1 spot he's held for these past 4.5 years. It's like he's been #1 for so long that the association is forever cemented into our minds.
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Ok, so China got thumped by the US in basketball, but at least they've proven that they can't be taken for granted.
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Phelps is still superhuman.
It's been an amazing couple of months for Chinese tennis--first Zheng Jie in the semis at Wimbledon (a first for China), and now this! She will be a national hero in China if she wins gold, and this win will certainly boost her confidence.
On a sadder note...WTF is up with Federer? What happened to that indomitable "Emperor of Tennis" whose strokes were like works of art? He still needs to break Sampras' record of Grand Slam victories, and I'm confident that he won't let himself become irrelevant in his sport until he has done so. I for one am not quite ready for him to slip from the #1 spot he's held for these past 4.5 years. It's like he's been #1 for so long that the association is forever cemented into our minds.
----
Ok, so China got thumped by the US in basketball, but at least they've proven that they can't be taken for granted.
----
Phelps is still superhuman.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Angelina and Brad are not self-important and attention-seeking celebrities because their doctor addressed the media on the condition of their babies. Would you let all the often ugly lies and rumors spread across the world without feeling the need to set the record straight? Sure, a normal couple wouldn't ask their doctor to give a "press conference" updating the world on the condition of their pregnancy, but when it comes to the most famous couple in the world (which by default makes them highly 'abnormal', in a sense), unwanted attention follows them everywhere. They didn't want to do things in this fashion, as so many commenters in the blogosphere have suggested, but by the public's lust for information and the media's lust for viewership/readership and money, the J-P camp had few other options.
And for some to suggest that Angie/Brad deserve the lack of privacy for being celebrities in the first place, that's the most ridiculous bullshit I have ever heard. Are these critics justifying their own secret pleasure at viewing scandalous, salacious, and sensational celebrity news? One thing's for sure, though: nothing justifies this appalling media circus surrounding the twins' birth--not money, curiosity, nor even their parents' celebrity.
To certain people (you know who you are): We don't care if you don't care a whit about the J-P's. Just don't come to us telling us we're all rotten people for following all the news about them. Among us there are actually plenty of people who actually do care about their lovely family and don't buy into all that bullcrap the tabloids puke out every day. Unlike you.
And for some to suggest that Angie/Brad deserve the lack of privacy for being celebrities in the first place, that's the most ridiculous bullshit I have ever heard. Are these critics justifying their own secret pleasure at viewing scandalous, salacious, and sensational celebrity news? One thing's for sure, though: nothing justifies this appalling media circus surrounding the twins' birth--not money, curiosity, nor even their parents' celebrity.
To certain people (you know who you are): We don't care if you don't care a whit about the J-P's. Just don't come to us telling us we're all rotten people for following all the news about them. Among us there are actually plenty of people who actually do care about their lovely family and don't buy into all that bullcrap the tabloids puke out every day. Unlike you.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Chinese and the earthquake
Chinese TV showed a profile of a woman--probably in her late 20s to early 30s. She worked in the relief and recovery effort for 3 days straight in a desolate, mountainous area, without rest, despite having lost her parents and child (possibly her only child) to the earthquake. On national TV, she stood straight, keeping her composure thanks to all of her training as an officer, despite all she'd gone through and the fact that she nearly fainted on stage. This is courage and resilience at its finest.
Chinese from all over the world have donated their money, blood, and compassion to the relief effort. Even my grandmother donated some money, even though it wasn't much. We have, and so did the Chinese community here in Aramco. The incredible solidarity shown by all the Chinese of the world is an amazing example to follow. The people who were in China before, during and after the quake--regardless of race, ethnicity, or nationality--could testify to the strength of that solidarity and the resilience of the Chinese people. We're not a force to mess around with.
This Chinese administration has done a wonderful job so far, and not just in responding to this disaster. Among those affected were some of the poorest in China, and many of them were members of minority ethnic groups. Compare the reaction of the Chinese gov't. and military with the puny effort by the U.S. gov't. after Katrina. It's beyond compare, really--the Chinese simply did a much better job. There will be people who say that this is just for show because the Chinese gov't. wants to improve China's image for the Olympic Games, and that the gov't. would never have responded this well if it hadn't been for the upcoming Games. It's too bad that there will always be critics. I rest comfortably at night, knowing that these people didn't, don't, and won't even try to understand anything about China.
Chinese from all over the world have donated their money, blood, and compassion to the relief effort. Even my grandmother donated some money, even though it wasn't much. We have, and so did the Chinese community here in Aramco. The incredible solidarity shown by all the Chinese of the world is an amazing example to follow. The people who were in China before, during and after the quake--regardless of race, ethnicity, or nationality--could testify to the strength of that solidarity and the resilience of the Chinese people. We're not a force to mess around with.
This Chinese administration has done a wonderful job so far, and not just in responding to this disaster. Among those affected were some of the poorest in China, and many of them were members of minority ethnic groups. Compare the reaction of the Chinese gov't. and military with the puny effort by the U.S. gov't. after Katrina. It's beyond compare, really--the Chinese simply did a much better job. There will be people who say that this is just for show because the Chinese gov't. wants to improve China's image for the Olympic Games, and that the gov't. would never have responded this well if it hadn't been for the upcoming Games. It's too bad that there will always be critics. I rest comfortably at night, knowing that these people didn't, don't, and won't even try to understand anything about China.
Friday, April 18, 2008
I'm boycotting YOU, CNN.
Two very good articles:
http://www.cctv.com/english/20080418/103173.shtml
http://www.cctv.com/program/chinatoday/20080417/107718.shtml
I hadn't been on CNN.com in weeks. I'm glad I hadn't, because apparently things got rather nasty in there with the hatred of China. Jack Cafferty called the Chinese "goons and thugs". O RLY. Then what are the Tibetans who set fire to Chinese businesses then? Freedom fighters? Apparently, CNN also cropped a picture of the demonstrations in Tibet, putting the focus of the picture squarely on the Chinese military trying to control the group of rogues who were committing an act of organized violence instead of the Tibetans themselves and the destruction they had caused. CNN prides itself on being fair and accurate. Well, cropping pictures sounds awfully like something the Chinese government would do--diverting attention from the truth. The Chinese media used--gasp!--the WHOLE PICTURE. With the FIRES and everything. What does CNN have to gain from all this?
I am so sick of all this BS nonsense about China being evil. It's turning into an all-out hate-on-China fest. Sooner or later, the "discussion" is going to turn into this:
"The Chinese all work in sweatshops for pennies a day."
"They gamble, drink, smoke, and spit everywhere."
"The Chinese people are bucktoothed, dirty scumbags who eat cats and dogs."
"They shit and piss into holes in the ground, and can't see out of their slits for eyes."
"They want to poison our children with their toys and make nothing but junk [thank you Mr. Cafferty]."
"They're taking over our businesses, schools, and communities with their dirty Communist ways!"
There are already people out there accusing China of genocide and "occupying" Macau, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Who knows what kind of arguments they'll come up with next.
I don't know the extent to which CCTV is controlled by the government. What I do know is that after reading about all these people needlessly bashing China, I'm relieved to know that people will stick up for it still. Stick up for the people, their happiness and pride. Stick up for China's future. No more of this hate and ignorance.
http://www.cctv.com/english/20080418/103173.shtml
http://www.cctv.com/program/chinatoday/20080417/107718.shtml
I hadn't been on CNN.com in weeks. I'm glad I hadn't, because apparently things got rather nasty in there with the hatred of China. Jack Cafferty called the Chinese "goons and thugs". O RLY. Then what are the Tibetans who set fire to Chinese businesses then? Freedom fighters? Apparently, CNN also cropped a picture of the demonstrations in Tibet, putting the focus of the picture squarely on the Chinese military trying to control the group of rogues who were committing an act of organized violence instead of the Tibetans themselves and the destruction they had caused. CNN prides itself on being fair and accurate. Well, cropping pictures sounds awfully like something the Chinese government would do--diverting attention from the truth. The Chinese media used--gasp!--the WHOLE PICTURE. With the FIRES and everything. What does CNN have to gain from all this?
I am so sick of all this BS nonsense about China being evil. It's turning into an all-out hate-on-China fest. Sooner or later, the "discussion" is going to turn into this:
"The Chinese all work in sweatshops for pennies a day."
"They gamble, drink, smoke, and spit everywhere."
"The Chinese people are bucktoothed, dirty scumbags who eat cats and dogs."
"They shit and piss into holes in the ground, and can't see out of their slits for eyes."
"They want to poison our children with their toys and make nothing but junk [thank you Mr. Cafferty]."
"They're taking over our businesses, schools, and communities with their dirty Communist ways!"
There are already people out there accusing China of genocide and "occupying" Macau, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Who knows what kind of arguments they'll come up with next.
I don't know the extent to which CCTV is controlled by the government. What I do know is that after reading about all these people needlessly bashing China, I'm relieved to know that people will stick up for it still. Stick up for the people, their happiness and pride. Stick up for China's future. No more of this hate and ignorance.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Some commenters on the Internet should leave their computers.
To the wonderful examples of humankind that are some of the People.com commenters:
- Get a life. You surely have better things to do with your time than to sneak around on entertainment websites just so you can post insulting comments about a public figure you happen to hate.
- Do you know Hillary/any random celebrity whom you dislike beyond what's presented in public? Didn't think so. Before you make any snap judgments about or heave personal insults at anyone, learn something about him/her. Before she went into politics, Hillary worked her ass off on behalf of women and children while working at all-male prestigious law firms. Bill was a Rhodes Scholar who had a less-than-ideal family situation, but still managed to stay on his feet and succeed. Did you bother to learn all that before you touched your keyboard?
- They are human beings, like you (though I have my doubts about you). Don't think for a second that they don't go through the same crap in their lives as we do. They worry about finances, pay taxes, raise children...just like you.
- Even the people we despise may say something or do something which would ultimately benefit us. Assuming that nothing good can come out of your enemies is doing yourself a disfavor.
- You try being constantly under national and international scrutiny. Chances are you won't like it, but if you're like Ann Coulter, you'd feel right at home basking in the glow of attention (even if it's almost 100% negative).
- Did you graduate from one of the top business/law schools in the country? Did you persevere at your work until you reached a position of prestige at your law firm/company? Did you publicly advocate unpopular positions or little-known issues? Did you run or help to run a country? Didn't think so. So don't assume you understand.
- You can't deny that Chelsea Clinton and Cate Edwards turned out to be fine, intelligent, well-adjusted, successful young women, no matter how evil you perceive their parents to be. Their parents must have done something right--how shocking!
Olympics
Due to the recent crackdown of the Chinese government on Tibetan protesters, a question was posted on CNN.com asking readers their opinions on a possible boycott of the Olympic Games in 2008. While some readers thought the boycott was a terrible idea and that politics shouldn't be mixed with sports, many arrogant, self-righteous assholes essentially proclaimed America and its allies as the beacons of morality by supporting a boycott. Boycotting the Games is exceedingly stupid, arrogant, and foolish; it is vastly unfair to athletes and to the Chinese people.
The crackdown today, the history of political and social oppression, and corruption aren't the only reasons why Americans and their allies take such a stance against the Chinese government. I have heard people mention, among all things, female infanticide as meriting a boycott of the Games. It seems as if people are more than happy to slough through all the positives that China has produced and select only the events which would help paint China as evil. Female infanticide is definitely a practice horrible beyond belief, but China's not the only country which has this, nor is it the only country which has a history of terrible oppression of females. Parts of Korea, Japan, and so many Third-World countries practice female infanticide or female circumcision, but the West turns a blind eye to them because they aren't communist or socialist dictatorships (or have nothing to offer). No one would blink an eye if India hosted the Games, yet it's hard to find a country where female infanticide in rural areas is more commonplace.
Do these commenters even know what actual Chinese think? Do they have Chinese friends or family, or even coworkers? My guess is that most do not. Most of the Chinese I know dislike the Chinese government, and have personally experienced much of the oppression and suffering which came with modernization, yet they had never, ever in any way shown that they hated their mother country. We all love China with all our strength and want only what's best for the people, whom we consider ourselves to be among, still. We may have come to America to achieve a better life for our families, but that does not indicate that we ever wanted to leave China behind forever. We just hate the way the government is run, and desire change as much as non-Chinese do. These changes take time, and some significant changes have already occurred. If China's given the chance to really show itself off like it plans to later this year, the Chinese people will be better off for it. The people of China have a genuine enthusiasm for the Games, which is their chance to make all their countrymen inside and outside proud. It's only fair that we be given that chance. Boycotting the Games would amount to essentially destroying the spirit of the Chinese people, and that could only lead to negative consequences for everyone.
Do the commenters know much of anything about China, its history, its culture, or its people? We value family above all else. Chinese holidays, for the Chinese, are bigger affairs than Christmas, Easter, or Thanksgiving. During the Spring Festival, people take their precious two-week holidays from work and school to drive, fly, or ride trains (often for days) to their homes to be with their parents, siblings, and extended families for huge celebrations. The Chinese adore their children just as much as Americans do, and the attitudes of the more traditional families toward filial piety have softened, but children are still taught to respect their parents and elders as children should. The language and much of the culture have survived with few changes for millenia, and Chinese had invented some of the technologies we now take for granted.
The entire world is against China, it seems. The Democrats in Congress (it almost makes me want to change parties) want Bush to boycott the opening ceremony. The French and English have interrupted the Olympic torch relay, and now this tradition has been canceled. The few Tibetans who began burning the businesses of Han Chinese (thus ruining the livelihoods of innocent people) had chosen the perfect time to stage those protests, and now the entire Western world is on their side, blindly guided by their holier-than-thou attitudes of moral superiority. Even people who have no knowledge of Chinese history or people are coming to Tibet's defense, making baseless claims using information from biased media reports. Some of those people have also claimed that the Chinese are "occupying" not only Tibet, but Macau, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, all which have been Chinese territory for centuries before the Western powers took over or the Communists took charge. Just ask any person who's grown up in China or has done extensive research into Chinese history...but of course, they're lying because the Communists made false claims on everything. I am an ignoramus because I obviously didn't watch all the American news reports.
Well, the Communist Party of China certainly didn't fabricate the experience I had when I was visiting relatives in 2001. When the IOC announced that China would be hosting the Olympics in 2008, my entire family was ecstatic, cheering and hugging. The Chinese people are absolutely enthralled by the opportunity to finally host the Olympic Games, but if the world boycotts the Games, there will be over a billion dispirited Chinese people. And dispirited citizens certainly won't help China to change its ways and become more open. What those Westerners believe they're achieving by boycotting the Olympic Games will not be what actually happens. Why must they be so damn cocky about it?
What about Western imperialism and the terrible consequences that wrought on Africa and Asia? Slavery? Are those not moral transgressions or examples of human rights travesties? How is it not hypocritical to condemn China's oppressive policies when the very countries who are threatening to boycott the Olympic Games had once committed even worse crimes against human beings in the past? All these are hidden under the covers when it comes to China's, Russia's, or Cuba's human rights travesties. It's time to step off the moral high ground, you fools. The fall from your high horse will be more painful than you think. Communist China's human rights violations will not somehow justify your country's own wrongdoings or undo them.
I know I know: "it wasn't our idea". The human rights violations in China weren't my idea (and nor were they my parents', our friends', or our families'). We know it's not your intention to condemn the entire Chinese population (though if that were your intention, shame on you), but by supporting a boycott of the Olympics, you're effectively insulting all Chinese people.
You know what? We don't want you in China anyway.
I swear, sometimes I feel like we're on par with the Jews based on how each of these groups were unfairly treated throughout history. China was carved, sliced into pieces by Japan and Western powers during the later Qing dynasty. They took so many of our national treasures, poisoned our people with opium, declared war on China in the name of expanding their empires. The Communist Party formed indirectly as a reaction to foreign imperialism. Now we're the criminals. How is this justifiable or fair?
The crackdown today, the history of political and social oppression, and corruption aren't the only reasons why Americans and their allies take such a stance against the Chinese government. I have heard people mention, among all things, female infanticide as meriting a boycott of the Games. It seems as if people are more than happy to slough through all the positives that China has produced and select only the events which would help paint China as evil. Female infanticide is definitely a practice horrible beyond belief, but China's not the only country which has this, nor is it the only country which has a history of terrible oppression of females. Parts of Korea, Japan, and so many Third-World countries practice female infanticide or female circumcision, but the West turns a blind eye to them because they aren't communist or socialist dictatorships (or have nothing to offer). No one would blink an eye if India hosted the Games, yet it's hard to find a country where female infanticide in rural areas is more commonplace.
Do these commenters even know what actual Chinese think? Do they have Chinese friends or family, or even coworkers? My guess is that most do not. Most of the Chinese I know dislike the Chinese government, and have personally experienced much of the oppression and suffering which came with modernization, yet they had never, ever in any way shown that they hated their mother country. We all love China with all our strength and want only what's best for the people, whom we consider ourselves to be among, still. We may have come to America to achieve a better life for our families, but that does not indicate that we ever wanted to leave China behind forever. We just hate the way the government is run, and desire change as much as non-Chinese do. These changes take time, and some significant changes have already occurred. If China's given the chance to really show itself off like it plans to later this year, the Chinese people will be better off for it. The people of China have a genuine enthusiasm for the Games, which is their chance to make all their countrymen inside and outside proud. It's only fair that we be given that chance. Boycotting the Games would amount to essentially destroying the spirit of the Chinese people, and that could only lead to negative consequences for everyone.
Do the commenters know much of anything about China, its history, its culture, or its people? We value family above all else. Chinese holidays, for the Chinese, are bigger affairs than Christmas, Easter, or Thanksgiving. During the Spring Festival, people take their precious two-week holidays from work and school to drive, fly, or ride trains (often for days) to their homes to be with their parents, siblings, and extended families for huge celebrations. The Chinese adore their children just as much as Americans do, and the attitudes of the more traditional families toward filial piety have softened, but children are still taught to respect their parents and elders as children should. The language and much of the culture have survived with few changes for millenia, and Chinese had invented some of the technologies we now take for granted.
The entire world is against China, it seems. The Democrats in Congress (it almost makes me want to change parties) want Bush to boycott the opening ceremony. The French and English have interrupted the Olympic torch relay, and now this tradition has been canceled. The few Tibetans who began burning the businesses of Han Chinese (thus ruining the livelihoods of innocent people) had chosen the perfect time to stage those protests, and now the entire Western world is on their side, blindly guided by their holier-than-thou attitudes of moral superiority. Even people who have no knowledge of Chinese history or people are coming to Tibet's defense, making baseless claims using information from biased media reports. Some of those people have also claimed that the Chinese are "occupying" not only Tibet, but Macau, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, all which have been Chinese territory for centuries before the Western powers took over or the Communists took charge. Just ask any person who's grown up in China or has done extensive research into Chinese history...but of course, they're lying because the Communists made false claims on everything. I am an ignoramus because I obviously didn't watch all the American news reports.
Well, the Communist Party of China certainly didn't fabricate the experience I had when I was visiting relatives in 2001. When the IOC announced that China would be hosting the Olympics in 2008, my entire family was ecstatic, cheering and hugging. The Chinese people are absolutely enthralled by the opportunity to finally host the Olympic Games, but if the world boycotts the Games, there will be over a billion dispirited Chinese people. And dispirited citizens certainly won't help China to change its ways and become more open. What those Westerners believe they're achieving by boycotting the Olympic Games will not be what actually happens. Why must they be so damn cocky about it?
What about Western imperialism and the terrible consequences that wrought on Africa and Asia? Slavery? Are those not moral transgressions or examples of human rights travesties? How is it not hypocritical to condemn China's oppressive policies when the very countries who are threatening to boycott the Olympic Games had once committed even worse crimes against human beings in the past? All these are hidden under the covers when it comes to China's, Russia's, or Cuba's human rights travesties. It's time to step off the moral high ground, you fools. The fall from your high horse will be more painful than you think. Communist China's human rights violations will not somehow justify your country's own wrongdoings or undo them.
I know I know: "it wasn't our idea". The human rights violations in China weren't my idea (and nor were they my parents', our friends', or our families'). We know it's not your intention to condemn the entire Chinese population (though if that were your intention, shame on you), but by supporting a boycott of the Olympics, you're effectively insulting all Chinese people.
You know what? We don't want you in China anyway.
I swear, sometimes I feel like we're on par with the Jews based on how each of these groups were unfairly treated throughout history. China was carved, sliced into pieces by Japan and Western powers during the later Qing dynasty. They took so many of our national treasures, poisoned our people with opium, declared war on China in the name of expanding their empires. The Communist Party formed indirectly as a reaction to foreign imperialism. Now we're the criminals. How is this justifiable or fair?
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Everyone complains about parking...
...me being one of them. Now I don't like to complain (at least publicly or even just to friends), but this has been an ongoing source or frustration for me as well as almost everyone who owns a car on campus. Driving around for 20 minutes searching for a place to park where I would not get ticketed wastes gas, and that gas isn't cheap (and I could go on forever). It's even been suggested that we park on the grass if we can't find a single open space, since parking in a handicapped space would result in a far heftier fine ($20 vs. $250). Oh, and some people park their scooters or mopeds in spaces designated for cars--one per space, even. Extremely insulting, especially considering how much we pay for decals.
Students paid $110 for the privilege to park on campus this academic year, and we are subjected to a game reminiscent of "musical chairs" or "searching for a job" every time we take our cars out for a drive. If I weren't graduating this semester, I would have to face competition from an enormous 2008-2009 freshman class. They're letting more freshmen in than ever before, yet they build over old parking lots?
My Business Chinese instructor must park at the mall several miles away and take the bus to campus, so this problem is not restricted to students. Most students, anyway. In Fraternity Row, there must be a pretty low ratio of students to parking spaces compared to the rest of campus because that parking lot is enormous. Despite that, there is no way hell I would park in Frat Row. A parking lot of roughly the same size, which isn't far from where I live, is nearly always full.
The parking lots surrounding my residence are are not 24/7, so that means after a certain time anyone could park in them and avoid tickets as long as they move before 7:30am the next day. Something's being done to change that, but the changes probably would not occur before I leave for good.
The Administration doesn't seem to take this seriously, but they each have their reserved parking spaces, so how would they understand?
Students paid $110 for the privilege to park on campus this academic year, and we are subjected to a game reminiscent of "musical chairs" or "searching for a job" every time we take our cars out for a drive. If I weren't graduating this semester, I would have to face competition from an enormous 2008-2009 freshman class. They're letting more freshmen in than ever before, yet they build over old parking lots?
My Business Chinese instructor must park at the mall several miles away and take the bus to campus, so this problem is not restricted to students. Most students, anyway. In Fraternity Row, there must be a pretty low ratio of students to parking spaces compared to the rest of campus because that parking lot is enormous. Despite that, there is no way hell I would park in Frat Row. A parking lot of roughly the same size, which isn't far from where I live, is nearly always full.
The parking lots surrounding my residence are are not 24/7, so that means after a certain time anyone could park in them and avoid tickets as long as they move before 7:30am the next day. Something's being done to change that, but the changes probably would not occur before I leave for good.
The Administration doesn't seem to take this seriously, but they each have their reserved parking spaces, so how would they understand?
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