Stop Hallam Please!
What is up with Seth Hallam and his need to publish his opinions on the Merciad. Some might argue that he is excercising his right to free speech, but free speech is not an excuse to sugest massive genocide in the school newspaper. Hallam needs to stop writing such nonsence and start reading about viable (and humane) economic solutions instead . Even though he re-stated in this week's Merciad that "It is proven that abortion does stop poverty-ridden lives, regardless of how many nonsensical articles are written otherwise", he might want to go back to those articles and check on how "nonsensical" they truly are.
Even if Hallam did get his information from trustable sources, it does not mean that this hypothetical solution is presented as a realistic solution to poverty. As Junior Erich Schmalzried states, also in this weeks (10.29.08) edition, "This is a great example of a logical fallacy known as the 'is ought' fallacy. Just because something is the case doesn't mean it ought to be the case." He gives another great 'ought to' example: "consider this for an idea: exterminate everyone living below the poverty level and distribute what assets they have among the remaining population". This would indeed be the end poverty, as well as of our moralility and humaneness.
Bottom line is that Hallam needs a change of attitude. When Dr. Tobin non-challantly asked Hallam for a meeting to discuss what happened, he reluctantly agreed. But what should've been a civilized, open conversation , ended up in an accusation of censorship from Hallam. Instead of blaming Dr. Tobin for trying to suppress his right to free speech, Hallam should thank him for trying to talk, instead of punch, some sense into him.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Obamercial: Minute to Minute
7:58 – MSNBC announces Barack Obama campaign commercial coming up
8:00 – Barack begins with message of hope
8:01 – Introduction of common middle-class American family reflecting economical struggles
8:02 – TOPIC: Economics
8:03 – Obama: financial market is the result of 8 years of failed politics
8:05 – Announces tax cut for struggling families and that he will hold accountable those companies who take advantage of tax breaks and send jobs offshore
8:06 – Common American family No. 2 introduced reflecting problem of retirement and health insurance
8:09 – TOPIC: Energy independence
15 billion dollars a year invested in energy independence
5 million clean energy jobs over 3 decades
Tax credit to help afford fuel efficient cars
8:10 – Obama calls on every American to help government towards a sustainable America
8:11 – “change policy in Iraq” and brng that war to a close
8:12 - companies will look out for themselves, he is “worried about the average American”
8:13 – Family No. 3 introduced reflecting American worries of health care, insurance, and gas
8:14 – TOPIC: Education
8:14 –“Live Obama Later in Program” announcement on screen
8:15 – Obama’s family pictures shown while he mentions growing up without father and his mother’s struggle to bring him up
8:16 – Announces plans for tax credit to cover tuition
8:16 – Obama again links himself to the average American’s hardship. He talks about mother’s death and fight with cancer.
8:18 – Clips from his previous speeches with sentimental music in the background
8:18 – Obama as an average father. Images of him and daughters doing normal things: getting through Harry Potter books, calling them every night, always has time for them – portrayal of good father
8:19 – Fit is the fundamental belief “I am my brother’s keeper, I am by sisters keeper that keeps America alive”
8:20 – Various senators express positive opinions of Obama
8:21 – About Joe Biden “he’s never forgotten where he came from” and “he shares my core values and sense of where the country needs to go” –Obama
8:22 – TOPIC: Job Security
Family no. 3 introduced (third generation Ford employee’s work cut to every other week and wife laid off after 8 years with the same company)
History of “American Dream”
8:23 – TOPIC: Military
8:23 – He’ll focus on finishing fight on al Qaeda and Taliban in Middle East but never forget he’s sending sons and daughters and fathers and mothers
8:25 – “I will not be a perfect president” but promise of honesty and transparency of gov.
8:26 – Live speech begins with: “America the time for change has come”
8:26 – In 6 days…promises
8:27 – Crowd cheers at mention of Ft. Lauderdale example
8:29 – Asks America help him and go to BarackObama.com to find out where to vote, that way, “I promise you we will not just win Florida we will win this election and we will change this country and change the world”
8:30 – “Thank you, God bless America”
8:00 – Barack begins with message of hope
8:01 – Introduction of common middle-class American family reflecting economical struggles
8:02 – TOPIC: Economics
8:03 – Obama: financial market is the result of 8 years of failed politics
8:05 – Announces tax cut for struggling families and that he will hold accountable those companies who take advantage of tax breaks and send jobs offshore
8:06 – Common American family No. 2 introduced reflecting problem of retirement and health insurance
8:09 – TOPIC: Energy independence
15 billion dollars a year invested in energy independence
5 million clean energy jobs over 3 decades
Tax credit to help afford fuel efficient cars
8:10 – Obama calls on every American to help government towards a sustainable America
8:11 – “change policy in Iraq” and brng that war to a close
8:12 - companies will look out for themselves, he is “worried about the average American”
8:13 – Family No. 3 introduced reflecting American worries of health care, insurance, and gas
8:14 – TOPIC: Education
8:14 –“Live Obama Later in Program” announcement on screen
8:15 – Obama’s family pictures shown while he mentions growing up without father and his mother’s struggle to bring him up
8:16 – Announces plans for tax credit to cover tuition
8:16 – Obama again links himself to the average American’s hardship. He talks about mother’s death and fight with cancer.
8:18 – Clips from his previous speeches with sentimental music in the background
8:18 – Obama as an average father. Images of him and daughters doing normal things: getting through Harry Potter books, calling them every night, always has time for them – portrayal of good father
8:19 – Fit is the fundamental belief “I am my brother’s keeper, I am by sisters keeper that keeps America alive”
8:20 – Various senators express positive opinions of Obama
8:21 – About Joe Biden “he’s never forgotten where he came from” and “he shares my core values and sense of where the country needs to go” –Obama
8:22 – TOPIC: Job Security
Family no. 3 introduced (third generation Ford employee’s work cut to every other week and wife laid off after 8 years with the same company)
History of “American Dream”
8:23 – TOPIC: Military
8:23 – He’ll focus on finishing fight on al Qaeda and Taliban in Middle East but never forget he’s sending sons and daughters and fathers and mothers
8:25 – “I will not be a perfect president” but promise of honesty and transparency of gov.
8:26 – Live speech begins with: “America the time for change has come”
8:26 – In 6 days…promises
8:27 – Crowd cheers at mention of Ft. Lauderdale example
8:29 – Asks America help him and go to BarackObama.com to find out where to vote, that way, “I promise you we will not just win Florida we will win this election and we will change this country and change the world”
8:30 – “Thank you, God bless America”
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Out of Rehab Back to Porn
A troubled marriage, missing underwear, shaving head scandal, and crazy attack on ex-husban's car with an umbrella is some of what Britney Spears has given viewers so far. She is living proof that to make it in Hollywood talent isn't necessary. Even so, it seems that Britney attracts attention to everything she does, wether it be dancing on bars with Paris Hilton or driving with her baby on her lap. As if this weren't enough, Britney keeps on giving us more juicy scandals. The Britney Phenomenon has America watching her every step impatiently waiting to see what she'll do next.
But the wait is over America...Britney's done it again. With her new "Womanizer" video she has yet again created hysteria amongst fans and given some sleepless nights to teen parents everywhere. At the verge of being an R-rated clip, Womanizer's first image shows a naked Britney in a sort of sauna/steam room with her hands strategically covering what they can. You'd think that as a mom recently turned "responsible", she'd want to maintain that image but no, Britney has no shame. Her video presents her as a sexy half-naked wife, a seductive red-headed waitress lapdancing the whole coffee shop, a lovemaking chauffeur, oh..and how could I forget, a sassy office woman who photocopies her own ass.
Wanna watch? Offcourse you do CLICK HERE
It's official, love her or hate her, Britney's here to stay.
A troubled marriage, missing underwear, shaving head scandal, and crazy attack on ex-husban's car with an umbrella is some of what Britney Spears has given viewers so far. She is living proof that to make it in Hollywood talent isn't necessary. Even so, it seems that Britney attracts attention to everything she does, wether it be dancing on bars with Paris Hilton or driving with her baby on her lap. As if this weren't enough, Britney keeps on giving us more juicy scandals. The Britney Phenomenon has America watching her every step impatiently waiting to see what she'll do next.
But the wait is over America...Britney's done it again. With her new "Womanizer" video she has yet again created hysteria amongst fans and given some sleepless nights to teen parents everywhere. At the verge of being an R-rated clip, Womanizer's first image shows a naked Britney in a sort of sauna/steam room with her hands strategically covering what they can. You'd think that as a mom recently turned "responsible", she'd want to maintain that image but no, Britney has no shame. Her video presents her as a sexy half-naked wife, a seductive red-headed waitress lapdancing the whole coffee shop, a lovemaking chauffeur, oh..and how could I forget, a sassy office woman who photocopies her own ass.
Wanna watch? Offcourse you do CLICK HERE
It's official, love her or hate her, Britney's here to stay.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Oldies
Most people would not think of me as someone who likes punk music. I don't know why, maybe it has to do with the fact that I'm small and look 14 or something, but believe it or not, punk was a big part of my early teenage years. Bands like The Ataris, Taking Back Sunday, and Jimmy Eat World were my favorite for a while until I moved on to more "hardcore" (?) bands like Underoath, The Used, Thrice, and Silverstein. The other day, shuffling through my iPod I found my old "punk" playlists and realized how long it has been since I listened to this type of music. I realized that bands that I used to listen to are so much more commercialized than before. Fall Out Boy, The Used, and All American Rejects have become a lot more Pop than Punk. They have also been overcome by new commercial bands that are wrongly categorized under the punk genre. These bands include My Chemical Romance, Simple Plan, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and Panic at the Disco. Though I do like a few of these, or at least some of their songs, I clearly see the difference between their music and the old playlist I was referring to before. I guess what I'm getting at is that now-a-days it's hard for bands to get recognition and fame without them changing their original sound and identity. Like The Beatles who realized this and finally decided to leave their music label, I think more bands should stand up for their originality instead of giving in to commercialism.
Most people would not think of me as someone who likes punk music. I don't know why, maybe it has to do with the fact that I'm small and look 14 or something, but believe it or not, punk was a big part of my early teenage years. Bands like The Ataris, Taking Back Sunday, and Jimmy Eat World were my favorite for a while until I moved on to more "hardcore" (?) bands like Underoath, The Used, Thrice, and Silverstein. The other day, shuffling through my iPod I found my old "punk" playlists and realized how long it has been since I listened to this type of music. I realized that bands that I used to listen to are so much more commercialized than before. Fall Out Boy, The Used, and All American Rejects have become a lot more Pop than Punk. They have also been overcome by new commercial bands that are wrongly categorized under the punk genre. These bands include My Chemical Romance, Simple Plan, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and Panic at the Disco. Though I do like a few of these, or at least some of their songs, I clearly see the difference between their music and the old playlist I was referring to before. I guess what I'm getting at is that now-a-days it's hard for bands to get recognition and fame without them changing their original sound and identity. Like The Beatles who realized this and finally decided to leave their music label, I think more bands should stand up for their originality instead of giving in to commercialism.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The Nun Who Wouldn´t Stop Laughing
So on my comunity service trip to Frenchville this weekend, I met a nun who laughed at basically anything she or others would say. Sister Suzanne, I believe she was called, was a really interesting character. As she introduced herself and told us a little bit of her story, she wouldn´t stop laughing (uncontrollably ) as she remembered some events (seriously, sometimes she´d even snort). I have to admit that at first I thought she was just really dorky, like if those simple things made her laugh so much meant that she hadn´t had any more interesting experiences. But as I got to know her, I realized that Sister Suzanne was just a genuinely happy person. Her happiness was contagious and I think that all of us who went on the trip felt infected by this joy.
This made me think of how I lead my day-to-day life. I decided that I should stop being so stressed about class and other things that in the end just get me frustrated. Laughing is something I realized most of us need to do more often...just laugh out loud when you think something is funny, or great, or stupid... :)
How Laughing Can Be Good For You
So on my comunity service trip to Frenchville this weekend, I met a nun who laughed at basically anything she or others would say. Sister Suzanne, I believe she was called, was a really interesting character. As she introduced herself and told us a little bit of her story, she wouldn´t stop laughing (uncontrollably ) as she remembered some events (seriously, sometimes she´d even snort). I have to admit that at first I thought she was just really dorky, like if those simple things made her laugh so much meant that she hadn´t had any more interesting experiences. But as I got to know her, I realized that Sister Suzanne was just a genuinely happy person. Her happiness was contagious and I think that all of us who went on the trip felt infected by this joy.
This made me think of how I lead my day-to-day life. I decided that I should stop being so stressed about class and other things that in the end just get me frustrated. Laughing is something I realized most of us need to do more often...just laugh out loud when you think something is funny, or great, or stupid... :)
How Laughing Can Be Good For You
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Green Hippies, They Knew it all Along
The Hippies Were Right!
According to this webpage, the hippies had it right all along. All the green, environmentally friendly things we are doing now to stop global warming, and heal the planet..well, the hippies had thought of it first.
"...eating whole foods and avoiding chemicals and working with nature and developing the self? Came from the hippies. Alternative health? Hippies. Green cotton? Hippies. Reclaimed wood? Recycling? Humane treatment of animals? Medical pot? Alternative energy? Natural childbirth? Non-GMA seeds? It came from the granola types..."
I think this is in fact true. Though portrayed in the media of the 60s as grass smokin tree huggers, the hippies had a real concern for the well being of the planet as well as human life. They were involved in the anti-Vietnam movement, and in the civil rights movement. There was more to being a hippie than the (ab)use of drugs and being an irregular bather. They pushed for equality, respect, and peace in the planet. They lived for community and detachment of material acquisitions in search for a more meaningful spirituality. I think they genuinely wanted wars to end and humanity to come together in a sort of utopian dream where everybody gets along, and lives balanced, sustainable lives. Considering the times in which we are currently living, I don't think turning into the hippie philosophy would be such a bad idea after all.
According to this webpage, the hippies had it right all along. All the green, environmentally friendly things we are doing now to stop global warming, and heal the planet..well, the hippies had thought of it first.
"...eating whole foods and avoiding chemicals and working with nature and developing the self? Came from the hippies. Alternative health? Hippies. Green cotton? Hippies. Reclaimed wood? Recycling? Humane treatment of animals? Medical pot? Alternative energy? Natural childbirth? Non-GMA seeds? It came from the granola types..."
I think this is in fact true. Though portrayed in the media of the 60s as grass smokin tree huggers, the hippies had a real concern for the well being of the planet as well as human life. They were involved in the anti-Vietnam movement, and in the civil rights movement. There was more to being a hippie than the (ab)use of drugs and being an irregular bather. They pushed for equality, respect, and peace in the planet. They lived for community and detachment of material acquisitions in search for a more meaningful spirituality. I think they genuinely wanted wars to end and humanity to come together in a sort of utopian dream where everybody gets along, and lives balanced, sustainable lives. Considering the times in which we are currently living, I don't think turning into the hippie philosophy would be such a bad idea after all.
Monday, October 13, 2008
More Football Please
So this weekend I watched "Green Street Hooligans", a movie about rival London football (soccer) firms and how an American "yankee" (as they call him) goes into the fanatical world of European soccer leagues. The yankee, played by Elijah Wood :(, finds himself involved with the gang of West Ham United, led by actor Charlie Hunnam :), that is against Millwall. Though the movie wasn't all that great, it just got me thinking of how much I miss football! Back home, and in all Latin America really, football (or soccer for Americans) is THE sport we watch. Watching the movie and how excited the leagues got when their teams played, just made me think of home and oh how I miss it. Here, I feel like a COMPLETE STRANGER when watching either baseball, hockey, American Football, or lacrosse. I don't have the faintest clue of the rules or how to keep score, or even of the major leagues. Don't think I haven't tried though...I don't know, I guess maybe I haven't been here long enough to get that involved. I just wish that I could get that excited for any match going on around here as Latins or Europeans do for football (I refuse to call it soccer :p).Trailer
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Podcasting 101
WOW! OK I'm a little excited since I FINALLY finished my podcast. Not only that though... after looking around blogger.com for 2 hours trying to find a way to upload the final product, I FINALLY remembered Mr. Leal's presentation.
So now I'm an official registered user of podOmatic.com and it's a little cooler than I thought. Feels kinda geeky but exciting at the same time.
So here it is. CLICK TO GO TO THE FINISHED PRODUCT!
This is the description I posted on PodOMatic
This is an interview to a friend, Ana Dala, who talks about her opinion in regards to a CNN.com quote that reads: "People tend to vote for the candidate they like the most. In other words, the president wins a popularity contest."
2:17 min
So now I'm an official registered user of podOmatic.com and it's a little cooler than I thought. Feels kinda geeky but exciting at the same time.
So here it is. CLICK TO GO TO THE FINISHED PRODUCT!
This is the description I posted on PodOMatic
This is an interview to a friend, Ana Dala, who talks about her opinion in regards to a CNN.com quote that reads: "People tend to vote for the candidate they like the most. In other words, the president wins a popularity contest."
2:17 min
Monday, October 6, 2008
Why does Mercyhurst say that we got a 24 hr. Lounge if it's really not? Some of my friends came up to me last Friday, knowing that I sometimes write for the merciad, and they were asking me to write about what happened to them. They were complaining to me about the fact that they had been kicked out of the "24 hr. lounge" at around midnight on Thursday when the library closed. They had to stand outside in the cold while librarians closed up the regular library entry and made sure that no one had un-checked out books. Only after this was done they could go in through the new entry in front of 38th. My friends were really mad, as I would be. I think Mercyhurst should promote students who are studying until late in the night instead of interrupting them to make sure no one is stealing anything. They should just hire a guard or buy another one of those beeping things...hopefully sometime before winter comes and we have to stand outside in the snow and wind.
(Image gotten from Mercyhurst Webpage Article: LINK)
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