Every time I turn on the news now it seems that there is another story about the Olympics and protests along the Olympic torch run. Protests along the torch's path have occurred in several countries. With the latest turmoil in Tibet the human rights violations in China have come to the forefront. Now, more and more people are calling for a boycott of the Olympics being held in Beijing this summer.
I can understand both sides of the argument. Those who want to boycott the games cite China human rights violations in Tibet, sell of weapons in Sudan, buying oil from Sudan and backing of oppressive military forces in Burma. A boycott would send a strong message to China. But would it really work in the long run to force China to change? Probably not. We would be embarrassing a nation of a billion people and shame would not likely force the government to change. Plus we would be punishing our own athletes who have been working their whole lives to get to this point. Perhaps the American administration has taken the right stance by trying to use diplomacy to settle this issue.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/131751
http://www.newsweek.com/id/131761
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Politics
I will be the first to admit that I am not a big fan of politics. I find the democratic system of government interesting but I am not fond of the political parties and elections coming up. The arguing, name calling and meaningless banter drives me crazy. And now election season is back. Except this time it feels like it has been going on for months and the end is still months away.
For the first time it seems like the primaries in my state will actually matter. Every before this one the primaries in NC are so late in the year that the candidate is usually decided and the candidates don’t really spend a lot of time here campaigning. Bu this year things are different. The television and radio adds are everywhere, especially the Obama adds. I kind of like the feeling that my state actually matters in this years primaries. It is too bad that I don’t really like any of the candidates though. It just seems like the candidates are the same every time even though they promise change. Of course I will still vote in this years election, but I can’t help but feel like nothing is really going to change no matter who wins.
For the first time it seems like the primaries in my state will actually matter. Every before this one the primaries in NC are so late in the year that the candidate is usually decided and the candidates don’t really spend a lot of time here campaigning. Bu this year things are different. The television and radio adds are everywhere, especially the Obama adds. I kind of like the feeling that my state actually matters in this years primaries. It is too bad that I don’t really like any of the candidates though. It just seems like the candidates are the same every time even though they promise change. Of course I will still vote in this years election, but I can’t help but feel like nothing is really going to change no matter who wins.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
The DMV
I have now turned 25 years old. And lucky me, my license expired this year on my birthday. I knew it was going to expire yet I kept putting it off until the last minute. And so, there I was on my birthday sitting in the DMV. I was eighth in line and only one officer was working. And I had class in 90 minutes. But luck was with me and the line moved quickly, that is until the girl two spots in front of me stepped up. She clearly did not want to be there and already had an attitude. When she got up there the officer asked what she was applying for and the girl told her. When the officer told her what documents the girl needed the girl literally started yelling at her in front of everyone. This continued for about five minutes before the girl finally turned around and stomped her way out the door.
Story over right? Not quite. I finally get up to the desk and start the process of renewing my license when the girl and her mother come back. As I am sitting there in the chair doing the vision test (and realizing I need new glasses) the mother starts screaming at the officer while looming over me from behind. I am literally have to slide down in the seat so the woman is not leaning on me. By this time another officer has arrived and he is staring at the girl and the mother with no clue about what is going on. I wanted to be anywhere but there. Finally the mother gets angry and leaves, slamming the door and waking the baby of a woman waiting in line. Teh baby starts wailing. By that point I am flying through the traffic signs test and trying my best to get out of there. Finally I get my license and practically run out of the office.
Just think, in five years I get to repeat this lovely experience. Or maybe this was karma coming back on for when I worked in the License plate DMV for five years.
Story over right? Not quite. I finally get up to the desk and start the process of renewing my license when the girl and her mother come back. As I am sitting there in the chair doing the vision test (and realizing I need new glasses) the mother starts screaming at the officer while looming over me from behind. I am literally have to slide down in the seat so the woman is not leaning on me. By this time another officer has arrived and he is staring at the girl and the mother with no clue about what is going on. I wanted to be anywhere but there. Finally the mother gets angry and leaves, slamming the door and waking the baby of a woman waiting in line. Teh baby starts wailing. By that point I am flying through the traffic signs test and trying my best to get out of there. Finally I get my license and practically run out of the office.
Just think, in five years I get to repeat this lovely experience. Or maybe this was karma coming back on for when I worked in the License plate DMV for five years.
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