Paradise Now is a movie that the world needs to see. So often Americans do not hear the voices of Palestine, because Israel is our ally; therefore, we chose to hear their story. However, we often forget that the Israeli's could be considered an occupying force. This film clearly shows how the Palestinians are a treated as a lower class and how they are the victims. In know way does this mean that I believe the Palestinians should use violence. However, I do believe that the world needs to say no to injustice.

See the follow website for some eye opening info:
http://www.ifamericansknew.org/

10,000 people participated in Portland's Peace March on the 19th. Each of those individuals were taking a stand against a three year war they believe is wrong. When I originally asked my boyfriend Joel to join me, he was reluctant. He stated that marches were not his thing. Joel explained he didn't really understand why one would participate in a march or a protest.

The day of the march, I was pretty tired and was thinking I probably wasn't going to go. However, my mind was changed after watching the news earlier in the day. Bush, in a speech that morning, reflected on the last three years of the war, which he labeled a success. Next, the commander of the troops in Iraq shared his thoughts and echoed Bush's words. He then finished by saying that the "insurgents" in Iraq were getting their munitions from Iran. I was instantly mad and knew that I needed to take a stand; especially since I don't want to see the U.S. invade yet another country.

In the end, I convinced Joel to join me. He pretty much felt the same way he had a couple days earlier, but agreed to go to support me. Joel explained that he wanted to understand why I felt marching was important.

While we were walking, I tried to explain what the march meant. I told him that this is democracy in action. We, as a combined voice, say no to what our elected government is doing. We peacefully walk together showing solidarity. So many different people of all ages, races, occupations, socioeconomic statuses and sexual orientation all with one thing to say. Even if we don't agree on anything else, we agree that this is an not justful war.

The whole event was very emotional and beautiful to me. And I think, at the end, Joel and hopefully some others, understood the importance of standing up against injustice.

To finish this post, I just want to say I have a very supportive boyfriend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I call your attention not to the women raising her arms, but to the women with the cane walking next to her. 

 

 

 

 

This is completely unbelievable. Has hell frozen over?

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/02/14/hilton_movie/

I am completely addicted to the show Lost. A friend loaned me his first season, which I have watched all the way through (in two days). I took a couple says off from work due to extreme stress and ended up sitting on my couch for the whole time. Currently I am watching the episode called the Other 48 Days. It tells the story of the passengers who were in the tail of the plane, all of whom were previously assumed dead. It gives me chills.

Lost is now my number two favorite show, just after Law and Order.

I have come to the conclusion that Mr. Bush is mentally ill. Quite frankly, I don't even understand how traditional Republicans can continue to support him. He has virtually sold out every person in this country except for the extremely rich. Additionally, he has made the government larger, the exact opposite of what the Republican party stands for. He has greatly increased spending in the budget (primarily going to Iraq) and has continued to support tax breaks. I am all for a tax break now and again, but not when it creates a huge deficit and plunges the economy into dire straights. Also I object to them when they are at the expense of schools, the environment, social services and health care. He has sold out seniors with the new Medicaid prescription bill and sold out the baby boomers by helping companies ditch their pension plans. Yet, some of them still support him. It's starting to seem somewhat like a cult, where people admire and follow him without question. Sometimes I feel like that only sane people left in the country are liberals. I wouldn't be surprised if we eventually see a government sponsored distribution of Koolaid.

Bush is a walking contradiction (also hypocrite/liar). He scared the hell out of this country by saying that Iraq had WMDs and was going to absolutely use them against us. He starts wars in two Middle Eastern countries and tells America that it's every good citizen's job to protect against terrorism. Three years later we have found that there are no WMDs and continue to be in the in the middle of two very expensive wars that started over terrorism scares. Now he's changing his story as he attempts to push through a deal to sell out six US ports to a UAE owned company. Then when America says "wait a minute, what about the terror threat", Mr. Bush says not to worry, because it's his job to protect us against terrorism and he would never let anything bad happen to Americans (9/11 or Katrina?). Is he insane? How could he support a country who has banked terrorism and who meets no human rights standards? How could he think for even a minute that it is a good idea of them to run six important America ports, including NYC? Five out of the six governors who's ports will be bought are freaking out and only one is thrilled. The sixth is none other than the affable Jeb Bush of Florida, who helped his brother cheat his way into office in the first place.

I went to the beach this weekend and starred out at the ocean. I thought for several minutes about how I am truly saddened by the current state of America politics. I don't blame the world for hating us, because we talk out of both sides of our mouth. We have become a pompous, bloated, self-important nation. I believe that our founding fathers would feel sickened and outraged if they could see what we have become and the tyranny that we currently impose around the world. Similar to the tyranny that they fought against. I love this country and the freedom that I am allowed, but how long can it last? How long are we going to be able to continue to piss of the world and still exist? How long are we going to be able to maintain our state of hypocrisy without asking for retribution? I love this country, but I hate the current government. A hundred years from now historians are going to look back at today, scratch their heads and ask WTF?