Dirty Politics

In 2007, Louisiana Republican Senator, David Vitter, admitted to having committed a "sin". His phone number was found in the list for a Washington prostitution ring. He was able to win re-election in his state by playing of a strong anti-Obama sentiment that took hold of many in the state. Now, his opponent for this year, Charlie Melancon, is going to release the above campaign ad about Vitter's forgotten crime. In the ad, his "constituents" testified and said that he should be punished because he broke the law. They criticize him for writing the laws and then breaking them. The ad itself is really long (for a campaign ad) and it almost seems a bit desperate on behalf of Melancon. I' am all for exposing politicians because it is hypocritical that they condemn certain actions and then they themselves do them. Vitter played of being a huge family man during his campaigns and look at him: a prostitute solicitor and according to the ad, a fast solicitor ( he wasn't there more than 15 minutes). 
Any who, i thought this ad was a prime example of several of the subjects we have been talking about in class. Just goes to show how careful politicians have to be. We just have to see how this affects voters. What do you guys think about this?

There he goes again...

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Ahmadinejad made a U.N speech criticizing the United States, yet again. However, this time he hit a very delicate issue. Ahmadinejad dared to blame the Untied States government for the attacks on 9/11. Now, many of us have heard of these crazy conspiracy theories about the government orchestrating the attacks. In the speech, he said most of the world including American believed this theory. He said they did it to reverse the declining economy and to save the Zionist regime of Israel. During the speech, United States and some European officials walked out. As they should, no one should have kept listening to his nonsense. Finally, he said the attacks were also used as an excuse to go into Afghanistan and Iraq. 

Oh man, this guy is just stupid. There are no other words to explain his speech. I guess by printing his story people are giving him what he wanted: attention. I really don't think the world believes the U.S government orchestrated the attacks. I mean the world already thinks he's a quack and then he goes around making these speeches...please! Osama Bin Laden orchestrated the attacks. Period.

The article also made a strong point that there is a lot of polarization going on in the world today. Right now, the world seems to be divided and it is a lot "US vs. THEM" going on. While that may be true, how can governments be expected to collaborate together when some quack is blaming the death of 3,000 people on their own government. 

Apology to Muslims

Two days ago, New York Times columnist posted an apology letter in the day's paper to Muslims. It pretty much covered my point of view on the matter. I don't want to keep adding to the Mosque issue because at this point it has become a moot point. Everyone seems to just be talking about the unfairness to the country if the Mosque is built. However, many people seem to forget the millions of American Muslims that are affected by all of this. In many cases, the feelings of opposition have even turned into bigotry. I loved this "Apology Letter" by Kristof. If only the media could use its power to educate the public of their unfairness to others instead of adding fuel to the fire. The article, posted below, is really good and worth reading. He talks about a situation that happened in Maine with the Portland Herald, which posted a story showing Muslims praying together to mark the end of Ramadan which was printed on 9/11....this apparently enraged people and the next day the editor did a front page apology to the public....why? For showing Muslims as humans? For praying? Last time I checked praying was good. Sure, sure people can argue that, "It's not the story, but the day it was printed." However, at this point I don't think it would have mattered the day or the time it was printed due to the unfortunate state of the country's opinion of Islam.

Finally, he also talks about the good he had seen of Muslims through his career. He makes a good point that the sad part of all of this is that good people are being discriminated against because of the actions of a few radicals. All religions have radicals and extremists.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/19/opinion/19kristof.html?src=me&ref=general

Lady Gaga not taken seriously anymore....

As we all know, Lady Gaga is outrageous. I should point out that I am a Gaga fan so no one think I'm bashing her. As the reporters are discussing in the video, Lady Gaga has been making some strong opinions lately about "Don't ask, Don't tell". We even mentioned in class her tweet to Harry Reid. At the VMA's, she was trying to make the point of standing up for our rights and standing up for what we believe in, otherwise we will all be worth as much as a piece of meat. I think these reporters are kinda right about her outrageous behavior getting in the way of her opinion. No one will really listen to what she is saying when all the media can focus is on her meat dress or "what will Gaga do next". Is her behavior getting in the way of people taking her seriously. Obviously, she can influence young people and get her word out there, but will the media report her views or criticize the outfit the is wearing? Are her outfits really getting old? Sooner or later, many people will start looking at her as just an act and doing things just for the sake of getting attention. If one is trying to make a point, this is not the reputation one seeks. What do you guys think?

Mexican Flag off limits...?

We have all seen editorial cartoons and the strong messages that many depict. This cartoon was drawn by cartoonist Daryl Cagle. Obviously, he did it to depict the horrible murders and killings going on in Mexico as part of the drug war. Sure enough he is getting some heat from across the border since the Mexican flag is sacred and off limits of any alteration or mockery. Many people are saying that there are other ways to graphically protest the situation in the country.

As a Mexican-American, I am not particularly offended by this depiction. It irks me a little to see the flag that way, but only because its true. I was just down there this weekend (I survived, Thank God) and people are scared. People go out into the street and you can see obvious tension. People are always locked in their houses for fear of robbery or kidnap and everyone knows someone that has been kidnapped, stopped, or killed by Los Zetas or the drug cartels. I think Daryl Craig was doing his job and obviously he did do it as part of an American newspaper. We have freedom of speech over here and that includes any comments or drawings of flags. I don't think the Mexican people should be mad. I know the flag is sacred to them, but editorial cartoons are powerful ways to make statements. This is a statement of fear and should rally people to demand more action from their government. Already people in Mexico are speaking of having a moment of silence during the famous El Grito (to ring in the bicentennial in a few days) as protest.

Even Daryl Craig said, "Another popular argument is that the “sacred” Mexican flag is just like the Prophet Muhammad, and no cartoonist should dare to draw the Mexican flag just as they wouldn’t dare to draw Muhammad. I generally respect religious beliefs and I shy away from religion bashing in my cartoons, but I don’t grant the same respect to governments. It is the role of editorial cartoonists to criticize governments and nations, and to use the symbols of nations in our cartoons". I couldn't have said it any better myself.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/09/03/mexico.flag.flap/index.html?npt=NP1

http://themoderatevoice.com/85153/my-mexican-flag-cartoon-and-angry-readers-guest-voice/