Two-party system: Black & white? Or red & blue?

In American politics, it is common knowledge that we have two main political parties: Democrats and Republicans. It's been this way for decades, but why are there only two major parties?

1. There really is a lot of consensus on broad issues in the U.S.

• Capitalism and the idea of a free market
  
• Freedom of the press
  
• National security (we should have it)

2. History

• There were two factions when the Constitution was ratified, and it's just never been done differently

3. Our electoral system

• We have single-member districts where the winner takes all
  
• This is different than proportional representation, where seats are awarded based on voting percentage
  
• First-past-the-post voting system: The winner is the one with the most votes, even if it's not necessarily the majority

This kid is brilliant.

Letter to the Editor

Dear editor:

Next Thursday, April 8, people across the country will go barefoot for the day, or even just part of the day, to show they're participating in One Day Without Shoes. This event, promoted by TOMS Shoes and its founder, Blake Mycoskie, encourages people to experience what it's like for children around the world who can't afford a pair of shoes.

It's a simple act in which anyone can participate, but because it’s uncommon to see people without shoes, it provides a reason to explain TOMS's mission to those who don't understand why you're going barefoot. By enlightening one person, perhaps he will be inspired to purchase a pair of his shoes – and that means one more pair donated to a child who would otherwise go without them.

Many people are still worried about the economy and where their money is going, and this is a simple way to help make a difference. It also should serve as a reminder to people that, amidst all of the arguing and conflict in Washington D.C., there are issues elsewhere that deserve attention and solutions. So perhaps we should all be a little more appreciative of what we do have instead of just complaining.

Passions.... What are mine again?

People are passionate about many things -- art, music, literature, religion. To be passionate means to have strong feelings about or a strong belief in something, but to be perfectly honest, I'm rather apathetic about a lot.

It's just always been difficult for me to feel strongly about most things. I played soccer for 14 years, and I loved it and was good at it. But when I gave it up because I moved for my final year of high school, I wasn't bothered. I didn't miss it, and that's the longest I've ever been "attached" to something. I don't have the ear for music or an eye for art, so there's no passion from me for either of those. I enjoy both, undoubtedly. I just don't play an instrument or paint in my spare time. And I'm agnostic, so I don't really have a firm believe in a religion -- though I do passionately believe no one should force his religion upon others.

That's all I can figure my passions are: ideals. What I believe in, I believe passionately. I may not be the most vocal about it, but I don't think that diminishes the value of my passion any. I just don't want to be in people's faces about my beliefs because I don't like it when people try to force things upon me. I'll listen, and I'll discuss, but I have recently had to accept that at the end of the day, it very well may be that my opinion and your opinion starkly contrast. But that's okay.

Not everyone will have the same opinions, but these are the things in which I most passionately believe:

Peace. One day, I sincerely hope that people will understand war is not necessary. We were born with voices and rational thought; let's use them. Killing doesn't solve anything. It just hurts people and continues the problem.

Equality. I hate that discrimination is still evident in a society that claims to be so developed and modern. Equality may be guarenteed by law, but I don't think anyone could rightly say it's been eliminated in practice. I know everyone stereotypes, and there are more people who are racist than will ever admit to it, so we need to work harder to live up to the claims we make and ideal we maintain as a nation.

Choice. This has become something I've started feeling more passionately about recently. Everyone needs to have choices and should not be afraid to make a choice for himself or herself that hurts no one else. While I do not believe in proselytizing democracy, I do think that there are natural rights everyone is born with that one should be allowed to express no matter where in the world he is.

Everyone means well. Maybe I'm just naive. Maybe I'm overly optimistic. Actually, it probably is naivety. This one is complicated, because I also think people are selfish, just selfish with what should usually be good intentions. I don't think people originally set out to hurt each other. What initial reason is there to do so? But humans are emotionally creatures, and things get misconstrued. Of course, psychopaths are the exception here.

Religion should be personal. It irks me to no end when people try and force their beliefs upon me, especially when it's down in a way that involves telling me I'm going to hell. It's my business, between God and me, and I don't need the opinion of anyone else. There would be so much less fighting if people kept religion in their personal lives (then we could work on peace!!). It should also stay out of government so that everyone is afforded the same rights. (See my opinion on gay marriage.)

Oh, and I'm passionate about pizza, too. Cheese pizza. I love it.

Influences of Confucianism

Many people will take the topic of political thought and relate it to something that has affected the Western world. While I am not a proponent of the "Us vs. Them" concept, for the purposes of this blog I do want to focus on Eastern political thought, which spawned a different type of government because it is a different type of society.

In the West, as a general statement, society generally places the importance of the individual over the group. But in many Asian societies, blending in is expected, and people work to reach goals of the group. One reason for this is the role Confucianism played in the lives of those who established cohesive government centuries ago.

Confucianism is, first of all, not a religion. It is a philosophy and a way of establishing the relationship between the individual and society.

In China, believing in Confucianism is similar to believing in democracy in America. Confucius promoted five main relationships:

1. Ruler to Subject
2. Father to Son
3. Husband to Wife
4. Elder Brother to Younger Brother
5. Friend to Friend

The first two relate to politics, the second simply in that in many societies, especially the ones with strong Chinese influence, the emperor or other leader is akin to the father of the society, which is like the children.

There are three core features to Confucianism: Preserving order, hierarchy in social spheres, and correct conduct. The hierarchy especially, which places the emperor in a position unequal to the everyday citizen, is the root of the way people act today. They are expected to respect, be loyal to, and obey superiors, which is why they do not often question government (the Chinese revere Mao, for example, and the Japanese used to see their emperor as divine) the way we often do as a result of European Enlightenment philosophers.

Music Review: Girls Rock

I was originally very excited to listen to this CD. I love girls rock, so I half-expected to be familiar with some of the featured bands. And I was, with a couple. Overall though, I'd have to say I was disappointed in the lack of variety the CD provided because I felt the vast majority of the songs sounded like they came from the same, mediocre band.

The stand-out track of the CD was "Girl Anachronism." I love, love, love the Dresden Dolls. Amanda Palmer is a fabulous, artsy individual, and she has the coolest eyebrows (or lack thereof) I've ever seen. Since stumbling upon them in my first year of high school, "Girl Anachronism" has always been my favorite song, so I was thrilled to see it on this CD. The Dresden Dolls have a really unique sound that mixes cabaret-style with punk; the lyrics are brash, as she'll write exactly what she wants, so this track differed from every other. It's gritty, it's real, the piano playing is frantic, and the lyrics are insane. I highly recommend the group.

The track to which I would give the lowest rating is "Fairytale In the Supermarket" by The Raincoats because I'm not entirely sure what they were playing to make this sound, but in the background was a shrill, wailing noise that I just could not get over. Not to mention the fact that I could barely hear the singer over the band. I just did not like it at all.

I would have to say the biggest disappointment song was "Hot Topic" by Le Tigre, but this was mostly because I was expecting so much more, given that Kathleen Hanna fronted this band. It's not a bad song for when I'm in a chill mood, I just wouldn't say it's anything to dance to. It definitely wasn't what I expected, which was more energy. I expected that from almost all of these songs, but they failed to provide it.

Of course, the "girls rock" I'm used to includes Paramore, Hey Monday, Flyleaf, Nightwish, and The Dresden Dolls, to name a few, and they are products of recent years. The overall sound of this CD will be an acquired taste for me.

The track list, for those interested, is as follows:

1. The Patti Smith Group, "Dancing Barefoot"
2. Le Tigre, "Hot Topic"
3. Sonic Youth, "Bull In the Heather"
4. Sleater-Kinney, "One More Hour"
5. The Breeders, "Cannonball"
6. The Geraldine Fibbers, "California Tuffy"
7. Metric, "Succexy"
8. Yo La Tengo, "Moby Octopad"
9. The Dresden Dolls, "Girl Anachronism"
10. Throwing Muses, "Freeloader"
11. Liz Phair, "6'1""
12. The Raincoats, "Fairytale In the Supermarket"
13. Elastica, "Waking Up"
14. Kate Bush, "Running Up That Hill"
15. The Kelley Deal 6000, "Confidence Girl"
16. Ladytron, "Playgirl"
17. Ruby, "Bud"
18. Supreme Beings of Leisure, "Ain't Got Nothin'"
19. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, "Black Tongue"
20. Boss Hog, "Green Shirt"
21. that dog, "Retreat From the Sun"

Spring Break

Every spring semester, it is my sole goal to make it to spring break. If I can make it that far, I know I can get through the few remaining weeks and then escape into a 3-month summer vacation.

Today, I have reached that goal, and it is a weight off my shoulders. Literally. I don't have to carry a backpack for about 10 days.

But of course there's no such thing as being able to relax, even when time off is given to do so. It seems to me that the purpose of spring break is just to provide time to catch up or complete the larger projects given prior to its arrival. Without fail, I have at least one research paper to complete over every break I've had in college -- something I would, without the arrival of spring break, not be able to accomplish.

It always baffles me that so many people can escape to the beach for a week-long alcoholic party. Not that I can legally drink anyway, but I would just never have the time.

Why do they never have things to do?? Or do they just not care as much and will put fun before their schoolwork?

Whichever it is, I wish I had the opportunity just once to not do anything because I want to. I want the chance to sit and not worry about anything going on. I suppose I could develop a stronger work ethic and make time prior to spring break to complete my work (to be fair, everything I have to do was assigned in January), but it's just hard to work without a more immediate deadline. That's just journalism though.

It's okay. Sacrificing relaxation is the price that has to be paid when you're a perfectionist. One day, I'll get a break.

"Princess Mononoke" Review

Hiyao Miyazaki is without a doubt one of Japan's most internationally renowned filmmakers. His repertoire includes pieces like Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away, Japan's two top-grossing films, and, to round out the top three, Princess Mononoke.

Set in Japan's Muromachi period, Princess Mononoke is a combination of an adventure, a love story, and a tale of morals. The movie opens with Prince Ashitaka, the main protagonist, fighting a cursed demon, which transfers its curse to him. He leaves his village in order to meet his curse, instead of waiting for it to kill him, and eventually finds himself in Irontown. This town is right next to a great forest filled with animal gods, among them the shishigami and a small pack of wolves who have taken a human girl, San, as their own. Irontown and the animals are greatly at odds with each other, and it is up to Ashitaka to try and bring them together while finding a cure for his curse. Along the way, he of course falls in love with San, who is herself conflicted between the animals among whom she was raised and the human that she is.

Now, I have seen more than a couple of Miyazaki's films, and I have to say Princess Mononoke has been my favorite by far, mostly due to the plot. The majority of my favorite anime is such because of historical and/or fantastical elements. To me, this movie came across as a combination of the shows The Twelve Kingdoms and Wolf's Rain, and I loved it.

However, as is often the case, the dubbing in Princess Mononoke began to irritate me quickly. Sure, it goes with the mouth movements and such, but the dialouge often sounds awkward because things are not expressed the English speakers typically speak. The Japanese language has concepts that Americans have no words for, and we speak differently to each other regarding things like formality and titles, so often, the beauty of that is lost in translation. I understand it's not practical to learn an entire foreign language to watch a film, but I will nine times out of 10 recommend watching it in its native language with subtitles so the film sounds the way it's meant to sound.

This movie has such profound messages in it that I'm sure were much more effective pre-translation. There are also times when what the characters say, and the way they say it, just sound ridiculous in English. Flaws aside, it's beautifully drawn and the story is unique.

Geography

Americans, for some reason, have developed a worldwide reputation for not being very aware of the world around them -- probably because many people really don't know things. According to David Rutherford, "Young Americans just don't seem to have much interest in the world outside of the U.S."


From a British blogger.

A survey published in 2006 showed very discouraging results:

Despite nearly constant news coverage since the war there began in 2003, 63 percent of Americans aged 18 to 24 failed to correctly locate [Iraq] on a map of the Middle East. Seventy percent could not find Iran or Israel.

Nine in ten couldn't find Afghanistan on a map of Asia.

And 54 percent were unaware that Sudan is a country in Africa.

Remember the December 2004 tsunami and the widespread images of devastation in Indonesia?

Three-quarters of respondents failed to find that country on a map. And three-quarters were unaware that a majority of Indonesia's population is Muslim, making it the largest Muslim country in the world.

Half could not find New York State on a map of the United States.

A third of the respondents could not find Louisiana, and 48 percent couldn't locate Mississippi on a map of the United States, even though Hurricane Katrina put these southeastern states in the spotlight in 2005.

Fewer than three in ten think it's absolutely necessary to know where countries in the news are located. Only 14 percent believe speaking another language fluently is a necessary skill.

In 2002, a survey questioned the same age group was questioned in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Sweden, and Great Britain. The U.S. did worse than every country except Mexico. It is essential that students and people in general become geographically aware in a world that becomes more and more globalized every day. So, why don't many Americans have a solid grasp on geography?






Obviously, if you're from South it's because we don't have maps.
And if you represent the 6-year-old demographic, it's because to some people, the United States and Asia look similar, or.... you're stupid.

Oh, Georgia.

The University System of Georgia has proposed an additional $300 million cut to next year's budget, we all know this by now. The thing is, it was announced less than a week ago, and already, I'm just tired of hearing about it. There is only so much one can know at this point when the final decision won't come until April, so I'm just tired of having people complain in my face(book) all the time.

This is mostly because I assume the fire will die down, and I'm just waiting for it. Sure, students are outraged about it now, but I assume it's because it came as such a shock to everyone, and that's fair. I doubt, though, that everyone cares as much deep down as they do right now. There was outrage when it happened, and there are Facebook groups galore, but what is anyone who "says" he cares really doing? Not too much, as can be seen in the real world.

Of course it's a shame that people are going to lose their jobs, our university will no longer be able to market its "small feel" with core classes of 200 students, and programs will suffer at the merciless hands of legislators. But if you want to see results, go out and do something. Please, get off of Facebook.

What would be really moving, in my opinion, is if all the schools affected by this inordinate demand from the state went on strike until some other way to make up this money was found. Education should not have to pay the price for someone else's mismanagement of funds. In fact, education would hopefully prevent that from happening too often.

If you read The George-Anne, this probably sounds something like the editorial from 4 March. Well-spotted; I helped write it. Really, be proactive or don't complain.