So why Bob Barr?

Last night's events and the resulting blog made me realize that perhaps I have not done a good enough explanation as to why I have chosen to support Bob Barr. First of all, like I mentioned last night, although I know Barr will not win, I do not believe my vote is wasted. A truly wasted vote is one that is not cast at all or one cast for something you don't believe in or someone you don't support. My vote is not a wasted vote.

Now on to the issues:

First, the economic crisis we currently find ourselves in. Both Obama and McCain supported the bailout of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Bob Barr did and does not support such bailouts (see my upcoming blog on capitalism...). Many people (at least according to polls I have seen) are not in support of this bail out. As Barr puts it, "There ain't a dimes worth of difference between John McCain and Barack Obama" on this bail out issue. And the way I see it, that is the truth.

Next we have the Patriot Act and the protection of American citizens' right to privacy. Since Barr has left congress he has been "working to take the U.S.A. Patriot act, drive a stake through its heart, shoot it, burn it, cut off its head, burn it again, and scatter its ashes to the four corners of the world." Many people who oppose Barr are quick to point out that he voted for the Patriot Act while in Congress and that his reversal just proves that hindsight is 20/20. People change. Bob Barr used to be a Republican too... He has seen the error of his ways and has changed. Since he realized he was wrong he has worked to correct it. It would be one thing if he voted for the Patriot Act and continues supporting it, but he has not continued in its support. He has been trying to right his wrong.

Another issue that is important to me is eminent domain. Libertarians have a perfect stance on this issue in my opinion. As Barr says, "allowing governments, at any level, to confiscate property without a compelling justification represents a serious attack on fundamental liberty." Barr does not see any reason for government to take a person's land away from them unless it is in an overwhelming public interest - and even then only if a truly fair market value is paid for the land.

These are only a few issues, but he has many good points on other issues too. If you have the will and time, check out www.bobbarr2008.com and look into him and his stances. And once again I am not trying to push my views on anyone, just trying to share information. I respect all people and the opinions they posses.

Election 2008

Tonight I was called an idiot because I do not support Barack Obama. I do recognize that everyone has a right to his or her own opinion, but these opinions can put to better use if they were expressed intelligently (i.e. calling someone an idiot is no way to persuade a person's opinion towards your own). I am fine with people supporting Barack Obama as long as they know why they are and can defend that stance.

In tonight's instance though, I was told that Obama is the best candidate this country has ever seen and that if he was not black and his name was not Barack Hussein Obama that the whole entire country would be behind him. So not only was I called an idiot, I was also basically called a racist. Even though I was never supporting Obama, this particular supporter's remarks sealed the deal.

Furthermore, I was told that voting for a third party is a wasted vote. This is a common excuse for people to vote for one of the major parties (Dems and Reps). However, the way I see it, a vote for something you believe in is never a wasted vote. You shouldn't have to support someone because they are from one of the parties in power when you don't agree with him or her. Votes have been cast for many dictators by people that didn't support the dictator but had no choice. We do have a choice! We have an obligation to be true to ourselves!

I believe in the Constitution of this country. I believe in the Bill of Rights. And in that document is a right to expression. Voting is a form of expression. Don't I have the right to choose who I vote for? I shouldn't have to vote for one of the major party tickets because they are the only ones that will win. Why vote for the lesser of two evils when you can vote for someone and something you believe in?

As Bob Barr says, "Obama and McCain are creatures of the status quo." Shouldn't the status quo be questioned? As George Carlin said, "The status quo sucks" and I tend to agree with him.

Go out and vote for who you believe in! I don't care who it is, as long as you know why you support them! And remember what Plato said: "One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors."

Poli Sci Puppet Pals Present The Puzzling Metallic Tapping Noise...

Last week was the annual Political Science Forum at Colorado State University Pueblo. One morning some of us involved in the planning and execution of the Forum came up with an idea to show our appreciation for our professors in our department... This was the result:

After the Forum we presented the professors with their puppets. Surprisingly they liked the movies and their puppets...

Holiday Hugo: Happy St. Patty's and Easter too!

So, it may seem that Holiday Hugo has been behing in wishing you joy on the various holidays which his name implies he would be wishing you happy holidays... But have no fear, because Holiday Hugo is ready to play catch up!

Happy Easter!!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Holiday Hugo: Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Okay, so you remember a couple blogs ago when I introduced you to "my little green friend" Hugo? And you remeber how I said there would be different hats for different holidays (thus "Holiday Hugo")? Well guess what? Its Valentine's Day!!! And Holiday Hugo wants to wish you all an amazing Valentine's Day and share his festive hat with you!!!

Happy Valentine's Day from Holiday Hugo and Tommy!!!

Movie Review: Across The Universe

As most of you know (and if you didn't you do now) I love The Beatles. As such, I have long wanted to see Across the Universe. If you haven't heard of it, I'm not surprised. It had a very limited release and it was never in a local theatre (much to my dismay). The movie has a soundtrack (yeah its a musical...) composed entirely of Beatles songs. So I happened across the movie on Bluray the other day at Best Buy (which is not a good place for me to visit while I'm on a budget...) and bought it. I hadn't had a chance to watch it yet, but I had some extra time today. Here is what I thought of it:

The music was great! I was worried that it would change my feelings towards certain Beatles songs, but it didn't it all. The overall feel of the movie is fairly surreal. There are scenes that I definitely would call psychedelic and I would guess are the result of drugs (or at least made to have that effect). The acting wasn't surperb, but where do you really find surperb acting anymore? The actors were amazing singers though (assuming that they actually sung for themselves). The character, Sadie, had a singer style that reminded me of Janis Joplin, which was amazing. The story was very emotional, but hard to follow at moments. It does, however, all make sense eventually. The plot could have been slightly better developed but overall it was very successful.

At this time I would also like to introduce my rating system for the quality of books, movies, and whatever else I decide to review. Two blogs ago, I introduced you to my little green friend, Hugo. Well each review will be based on how many "Hugoes" I give it. The scale will be out of six (Six being the highest rating).

Across the Universe Rating: Four Hugoes

Dismantling Terrorism

I recently returned from the 2008 Academy Assembly at the Air Force Academy. The purpose of the event is to produce national policy reccommendations on a certain topic to the U.S. Government from undergraduate college students. This year's topic was "Dismantling Terrorism".

It was an amazing experience and one that I truly will never forget. The reccommendations that ended up in the final report weren't all I thought they should have been, but I was inspired by the whole event. I will be producing (in a while... way too overloaded right now) a longer blog that will go more in depth on what have put together on the subject.

The whole thing was also very controversal. Below you will find the link to the New York Times article published as a result of the the Assembly. Shortly there after, Steven Emerson, who was our banquet speaker wrote in article in response. It is also linked below. It was definitely an amazing experience and something I will definitely never forget.

Read the New York Times Article.

Read Steven Emerson's Reponse.

Check back for more on Dismantling Terrorism.

Let Me Introduce you to my Little Green Friend...

I recently had the opportunity to decorate my first apartment. This was quite the duanting task, however I beleive that it turned out well... Even though it is and probably always will be a work in progress... But anyway, I was lucky enough to have a like-minded (and by that I probably mean insane) aunt to help with this decorating. This is were Holiday Hugo, My Little Green Friend comes into play. We do have some theories on Hugo's original purpose in life was, but now he has moved past such ignoble purposes and has risen to a truly worthy calling. He is know a decoration in my apartment! And that's not the best part... For certain holidays, Hugo will have special hats to celebrate. As each one comes up I will post them here for your enjoyment, but for now Let Me Introduce you to my Little Green Friend, Hugo:

Humor: The Warning You Never Hear

All of us have heard of the dangers of texting while driving. I of course think that this activity is horribly dangerous and really would like to avoid doing it... But unfortunately my will power isn't strong enough to prevent me from such reckless behavior and sometimes I find myself texting while driving a car. But that is not the warning I am here to share with you today. Instead I would like to share with you the dangers of texting while driving a shopping cart...

The other day I was in Wal-Mart late at night (which is really the only time I ever go to Wal-Mart... good thing they're open 24 hours...) intently looking for certain items in various places throughout the store. Then I started getting text messages. Other then waste time by stopping to reply I made the decision to text while moving with the cart. Bad choice... Through the remainder of my visit I crashed into several end cap displays knocking merchandise onto the floor and eventually crashed into a couple little kids... That wasn't good at all. At that point I realized that people needed to know the dangers of texting while driving a shopping cart. Don't do it and don't let your friends do it!!! Enough said.

P.S. – I am having difficulty typing at the moment due to a slight injury to my thumb that required much waiting at the emergency room only to just end up going somewhere else… But that is a different story for a different time… Probably when I can type better…

Welcome to my Blog!

Those of you who have been following my blogs for a while now, know that part of my most recent New Year's Resolution was to blog more... So I decided on upgrading from MySpace blogs, so here I am on Google's version of a blog site... I'm sure this will be easier to use and will more directly fit my needs. So I encourage you to stop by often or even subscribe and comment on my blogs! I'm going to post a couple of my favorite older ones here too... Thanks!