Names

A word about the title...I've had some people ask me about it.

I ideally want to create a safe and intellectual place where people can discuss social and political issues in our world. I like the idea of agreeing and disagreeing, because it things interesting. More so, I like the idea of discussing and analyzing.

A lot of issues appear to be black and white because of the partisanship that permeates this country, but a sane person knows that our world is greyscale. Personally, I like the direction Obama is going so far because he disagrees with partisanship. I have read of many liberals who are already dissatisfied with the president elect's picks for Cabinet positions and the gripes that the Senate is not filibuster proof. I think this is how government should be: a reasonable balance of power.

But I digress.

I'd like this place to be one where we can be adversaries and friends in the most positive sense, no matter our stance or associations. Because like snowflakes...

One good turn...

Reaction to Newsweek.

Thanks to everyone who emailed me this!

More marriage

I couldn't say it better.

Thanks, Newsweek.

Economy

This news is horrible.

I went to Kohl's the other day with my friend and fellow Student Council co-advisor to purchase the rest of the items for the annual adopt-a-family service project. Needless to say there were a lot more people this year who needed help. And it's worse than you think. We had families who were asking for towels, sheets, and blankets rather than books, hair products, and toys. Anyway, the guy who was checking us out was pretty cranky, making snarky comments about how homeless people were treated better than he was. I basically ignored him, but then he told us that he was working at Kohl's because he got laid-off. He kept asking how we got the information on the needy families (the district liaison) and what experience one needed (don't know). I basically sussed out that he had a college degree, got laid off, worked at Kohl's for the holiday rush, and pumped people for job leads as he worked.

I remember a year ago when the bad economy seemed like playground rumors. Why wouldn't it? I haven't lived through anything like this before--at least as an adult. I am constantly worried that my husband will lose his job, after all he works in cabinetry. I get frustrated because he was put on salary and is making less, and they haven't given him a raise (and probably won't for awhile), but then I feel VERY guilty because there are people who would love a job. I no longer read about people this economy is effecting, I KNOW people who can't find a job, who have foreclosed on their home, who stand in line for public assistance, who don't have gifts for Christmas, and...

It isn't going to get any better any time soon, is it?

Democracy

I don't understand. If most Americans are opposed to the auto bailout, but politicians in DC are pushing to make it happen, then how are we living in a democracy?

Also, head colds make people really grumpy.

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die