There is only one reason for this video denunciating the views of Oprah Winfrey and that is the United States 2008 Presidential Election.
Oprah's views about spirituality haven't changed.
I believe the fear is that the hardcore Christian views of the Republican's fear the Oprah endorsement. Funny enough, tonight I was studying for a semiotics exam in Paris...and I could not help but shake my head in dismay at the coding envolved in this video.
The video is constructed like that of a cult. It's like the scientology videos.
Democracy is great. True democracy gives all people a voice. It gives people an opinion. Political Science says that politicans usually go to the center of public opionion b/c that's where all the votes are. The political process..in and of itself...cannot allow politicians to speak freely and openly.
However, I think that it is quite the pity of free-speech for someone like Oprah to be used in this way. At the end of the day, I hope that people learn to make their own choice. Oprah is right about this: (in my words) educatio is everything.
Don't just read my blog. Don't just read anything. Read lots of things. You're not too busy. Your life depends on these desicions.
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Monday, April 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
who's gonna sit in the oval office?
I must say i'm a little amused to read articles bemoaning Bill's quest for another trip in the White House via the election of Hilary. What's different between that and G DUB following his father? Clearly there's nothing in the US Constitution that places restrictions on running based on the presidency of relatives. Sure this influences the element of elitocracy that exists in American politics but its constitutionally allowable.
We should stop talking about Woman Presidents and Black Presidents and talk more about QUALIFIED candidates. What candidates will represent the Republic and all it's inhabitants? Who will repair the image of the nation and Americans to foreign states? Who will tell the truth about Iraq. Who will put Americans back on the agenda ahead of American politicians pork barrel buffets?
Who can bring about another record peace-time era during economic growth? Who can help stablize the economy? Who can do a job well enough to avoid the debauchery of Michael Moore?
The problem with finding good politicians is in the design of the beast. A certain amount of politicking is necessary to win. A theory of political science says that politicians must find what will make the largest contingency happy enough to vote for them; not to convince the population at large of what they REALLY want/need, steer them in that direction and somehow manage to capture their vote. The dreamers and passionates want the candidates to go out on a limb of truth, of courage. But scientifically speaking, that's unlikely to get them elected.
We should stop talking about Woman Presidents and Black Presidents and talk more about QUALIFIED candidates. What candidates will represent the Republic and all it's inhabitants? Who will repair the image of the nation and Americans to foreign states? Who will tell the truth about Iraq. Who will put Americans back on the agenda ahead of American politicians pork barrel buffets?
Who can bring about another record peace-time era during economic growth? Who can help stablize the economy? Who can do a job well enough to avoid the debauchery of Michael Moore?
The problem with finding good politicians is in the design of the beast. A certain amount of politicking is necessary to win. A theory of political science says that politicians must find what will make the largest contingency happy enough to vote for them; not to convince the population at large of what they REALLY want/need, steer them in that direction and somehow manage to capture their vote. The dreamers and passionates want the candidates to go out on a limb of truth, of courage. But scientifically speaking, that's unlikely to get them elected.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
anti american
I'm a Canadian living in Paris. I'm frustrated to share with you that I occassionally experience anti-americanism. I have even been accused of lying about my nationality.
For example, on Sunday I was walking along Rue Mouffetard. I was a NIKE posterboard...but I was out getting exercise and in the land of Liberté why should this be a problem? New digital camera in hand I was trying to get some pics to send to friends living vicariously though my abroad experience.
A Frenchman rammed into the back of my leg with his Velo (bike) and started to chastise me for walking along the middle of the narrow road. I quipped that the road is closed on weekends for pedestrians and I, like everyone, had the right to walk along the road. There was plenty of room for him to pass. He began berating me for being American and shouting about how he detests Americans. So what....he saw the sporty attire and camera and chose me as his target? Believe me, he is NOT the typical Frenchman. He's just an asshole. But I was shocked that he accused me of lying about being Canadian. Surprised he pushed me again. Surprised, as a woman, that he was surprised when I rightfully pushed him back.
Whether I am American, Canadian or North American is not the point. I was doing nothing wrong.
If anything I can tell you that my experience abroad has made me think a lot about the duty of citizens. There are many people around the world who chastise Americans abroad because of their discontentment with the American government.
Living in the US during 9/11 I became very curious about politics. I chose to complete my degree with a minors in political science and philosophy and a heavy emphasis on law. I berate the US Supreme Court for their judicial activism. I berate the government of such a strong country for allowing education to be so expensive many are ignornat of their own country's foreign policies. You see, it's not that Americans are ignorant or oblivious. Their own education system fails them. I took on a heavy burden of student loan debt because I wanted to be educated. Not everyone sees the possibilities. Not everyone has the opportunity to do what I did.
Nevertheless, freedom of speech and liberty to do not seem to entitle one to push me in the street because of their hatred of another country's policies. Talk about predjudice. I took on great studies, posed many questions... I learned to study the Constitution. I leared to write legal briefs. I learned to think philosophically. I learned to be open to different arguments against my beliefs and gut feelings.
And that said. I worked tooth and nail to move to France. This was a personal choice. For a long time, I studied the language, the culture, the ins and outs of daily living. And I made a choice to fork out a huge amount of savings to pay the tuition to complete a Masters degree in France. I plan on staying here.
To push a woman in the street because of preconceived notions is proof that a 40 something man is still in his infancy. Had I been more proficient in my language skills I would have told him that my grandfather spent 4 years in France during WWII away from a newly wedded wife to fight for freedom on the continent of Europe. My birthfather's ancestry is French. Since childhood I have wanted to live here.
I guess he is nothing but living proof that ignorance exists in all lands. And the only way to counter that ignorance is to build tolerance .... through education. And perhaps the occassional trip the doctor for a psych eval isn't out of the question for some.
But finally, when I recant such stories, in French, to my French friends.....they are embarassed and angered AND unsupportive of such irrational behaviors of their own countrymen.
Just as I am still embarassed and angered over the Canadian who attempted to charge me after Christmas for my invitation.
So remember.....the moral of the story: regardless of race, national origin, religion...etc....there are assholes and ignorant people everywhere. Do not you yourself generalize.
bisous!
K
For example, on Sunday I was walking along Rue Mouffetard. I was a NIKE posterboard...but I was out getting exercise and in the land of Liberté why should this be a problem? New digital camera in hand I was trying to get some pics to send to friends living vicariously though my abroad experience.
A Frenchman rammed into the back of my leg with his Velo (bike) and started to chastise me for walking along the middle of the narrow road. I quipped that the road is closed on weekends for pedestrians and I, like everyone, had the right to walk along the road. There was plenty of room for him to pass. He began berating me for being American and shouting about how he detests Americans. So what....he saw the sporty attire and camera and chose me as his target? Believe me, he is NOT the typical Frenchman. He's just an asshole. But I was shocked that he accused me of lying about being Canadian. Surprised he pushed me again. Surprised, as a woman, that he was surprised when I rightfully pushed him back.
Whether I am American, Canadian or North American is not the point. I was doing nothing wrong.
If anything I can tell you that my experience abroad has made me think a lot about the duty of citizens. There are many people around the world who chastise Americans abroad because of their discontentment with the American government.
Living in the US during 9/11 I became very curious about politics. I chose to complete my degree with a minors in political science and philosophy and a heavy emphasis on law. I berate the US Supreme Court for their judicial activism. I berate the government of such a strong country for allowing education to be so expensive many are ignornat of their own country's foreign policies. You see, it's not that Americans are ignorant or oblivious. Their own education system fails them. I took on a heavy burden of student loan debt because I wanted to be educated. Not everyone sees the possibilities. Not everyone has the opportunity to do what I did.
Nevertheless, freedom of speech and liberty to do not seem to entitle one to push me in the street because of their hatred of another country's policies. Talk about predjudice. I took on great studies, posed many questions... I learned to study the Constitution. I leared to write legal briefs. I learned to think philosophically. I learned to be open to different arguments against my beliefs and gut feelings.
And that said. I worked tooth and nail to move to France. This was a personal choice. For a long time, I studied the language, the culture, the ins and outs of daily living. And I made a choice to fork out a huge amount of savings to pay the tuition to complete a Masters degree in France. I plan on staying here.
To push a woman in the street because of preconceived notions is proof that a 40 something man is still in his infancy. Had I been more proficient in my language skills I would have told him that my grandfather spent 4 years in France during WWII away from a newly wedded wife to fight for freedom on the continent of Europe. My birthfather's ancestry is French. Since childhood I have wanted to live here.
I guess he is nothing but living proof that ignorance exists in all lands. And the only way to counter that ignorance is to build tolerance .... through education. And perhaps the occassional trip the doctor for a psych eval isn't out of the question for some.
But finally, when I recant such stories, in French, to my French friends.....they are embarassed and angered AND unsupportive of such irrational behaviors of their own countrymen.
Just as I am still embarassed and angered over the Canadian who attempted to charge me after Christmas for my invitation.
So remember.....the moral of the story: regardless of race, national origin, religion...etc....there are assholes and ignorant people everywhere. Do not you yourself generalize.
bisous!
K
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