I am entirely horrified.
"A North Korean court convicted two American journalists [Euna Lee and Laura Ling] of illegal entry and hostile acts and ordered each to prison terms of 12 years, the North's state media reported Monday, further aggravating its hostile relationship with the U.S."(link to article)
Negotiating with a country led by a dictator fixated on amassing nuclear power is dangerous, but at this point it may be the only option. I wish this was an issue that could be resolved at The Hague, but it seems unlikely that North Korea would relent to an outside power "interfering" in its affairs.
My heart goes out to these brave women and their families.
Update: Here is one way you can help: Petition to free Euna and Laura
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Entirely Unrelated
Two random topics to post about. One will be a rant. Beware.
How stupid is Dawn Ostroff? Why in the world is there another vampire series coming to air? What is the CW’s obsession with remaking TV shows that are better off left in the past while their impact on pop culture and the television landscape can still be appreciated? Ok, I’ll get to the point. Basically, when CW’s fall lineup was revealed, one show that I had been greatly looking towards – Body Politic (with Logan Echols (Jason Dohring))!!) – was not on the list. This show, also starring FNL’s Minka Kelly, Gabrielle Union, and Jay Hernandez, revolved around young staffers and reporters on the Hill. While not quite the West Wing, it had the potential to add a bit of drama, a bit of politics and Jason Dohring to CW’s scheduling.First Veronica Mars, then Aliens in America, then Privileged and now this. Can we get a smart-show-friendly network?
Topic #2: Suz and I and my friend Kim, went to the Blind Pilot concert tonight. Now, despite my lack of musical prowess and education, BP is a band that makes me believe that I can actually pick up and play an instrument. Their beautiful harmonies and gorgeous lyrics are something that Suz and I have obsessed about for many a night. But, this post isn’t quite about them. It’s actually about the opening band – Local Natives. After their song Airplanes, my obsession for their music was officially established. The fun that they were having rocking out on stage was contagious – and the innovative ways with which they built the beats and created the percussion (drumming on the rims and the sides of the drums, strumming the violins) continued to heighten my appreciation for them. Go listen.Friday, May 29, 2009
One Month without Disposable Plastic: My Stand Against Plastic Soup
Plastic is a miraculous invention that has saved lives, improved quality of life, reduced cost, and increased convenience. Everything from our cars to the threads in our clothes consist of plastic. It has become so embedded in daily life that the average American now consumes approximately 63 lb. of plastic per year! This Utopian romance betwixt our daily rituals and plastic products may seem perfect at a glance, however, it is wreaking havoc upon the environment and human health. To start, let's state the obvious. No discussion of plastic is complete without a nod to Bisphenol A (BPA). Unless you live under a rock the size of Mount Rushmore, you are probably aware of BPA, the constituent of hard plastics known to increase cancer risk and cause developmental problems in children. No need to beat that dead horse. The main issue I would like to harp on can be summed up in two words-- "plastic soup."
Plastic soup? Humans add to this constantly thickening stew daily, and the container of choice is the biggest cauldron on the planet, the Pacific Ocean. The once pristine waters of that endless blue abyss are now swimming with plastic! The pieces range in size from whole soda bottles to microscopic fragments. Select a drop at random from the ocean, and chances are, it'll contain plastic. Those plastic lids at Starbucks, that plastic grocery bag, the packaging that came with that new light bulb--Though we might be finished with them, their journey is just beginning. Countless times a day, we throw these items in garbage bins and completely forget their existence. We don't think about them while they sit in landfills. We don't wonder how they're doing as they break down into thousands of tiny pieces over the years. We don't even send a "good luck" card when they move from their home in landfills to set up shop in the world's oceans. Most people don't even realize that, thanks to rain, erosion, and wind, tons of plastic enter waterways every year.
Imagine tons and tons of plastic entering the oceans and NEVER fully breaking down. Fish, sea turtles, and other poor creatures ingest it, breathe it, leech its toxins into their flesh. Their stomachs and lungs are full of it. Their numbers are decreasing as their ability to survive and reproduce is impaired by the plastic soup they are forced to inhabit. Take the sad, cursed Albatross for example. Albatross parents feed plastic twine, plastic pellets, and polyethylene bags to their helpless young until their stomachs become so full of indigestible material that there is no room for actual food. As a result, thousands die of starvation before they ever take their first flight. Many fish species fair little better, and in this case, we reap what we sow. Much of the fish consumed by humans were raised in this toxic environment. If mercury weren't bad enough, imagine eating a fish with the chemical constituents of a soda bottle in its flesh.
Now, many good folks out there will probably respond to this by saying "I'm not the problem. I recycle." There are few things in the world as wholesome as recycling. The mere sight of a kind soul placing a plastic bottle in a recycling bin warms my heart like snowflakes on Christmas, but let's face the facts-- it would have been far better if that plastic bottle hadn't been used in the first place. The process of making the bottle alone probably leaked plastic into the environment. Also, not everything that goes into a recycling bin is recycled. In fact, the majority of plastic grocery bags that are placed in recycling bins are never recycled because of contamination. In addition, much of the plastic we use is not easily recycled, so we just throw it away. Ketchup packets, coffee stirrers, plastic wrap, and millions of other items end up in the garbage every day, and even the best recyclers couldn't prevent it.
What's the solution?! Is there a magical easy button like on the Staples commercial that can make this problem go away? Yes and no. The solution is obvious. Cut or cease the consumption of disposable plastic. Unfortunately, obvious does not always equate to simple. As members of the developed world, our lives revolve around disposable plastic. Divorcing it is far easier said than done. Can it even be done or are we destined to drown in this vat of plastic soup?! I'm willing to find out! For one month, I will attempt to live my life without disposable plastic. I will not buy anything in wrappers. I will not use plastic wrap. I will not use a single water or soda bottle. I will not use a single grocery bag. In doing this, I hope to inspire you to take steps to reduce your plastic consumption, and I will be providing lots of pointers on how to accomplish this daring feat. Stay tuned and wish me luck!
Plastic soup? Humans add to this constantly thickening stew daily, and the container of choice is the biggest cauldron on the planet, the Pacific Ocean. The once pristine waters of that endless blue abyss are now swimming with plastic! The pieces range in size from whole soda bottles to microscopic fragments. Select a drop at random from the ocean, and chances are, it'll contain plastic. Those plastic lids at Starbucks, that plastic grocery bag, the packaging that came with that new light bulb--Though we might be finished with them, their journey is just beginning. Countless times a day, we throw these items in garbage bins and completely forget their existence. We don't think about them while they sit in landfills. We don't wonder how they're doing as they break down into thousands of tiny pieces over the years. We don't even send a "good luck" card when they move from their home in landfills to set up shop in the world's oceans. Most people don't even realize that, thanks to rain, erosion, and wind, tons of plastic enter waterways every year.
Imagine tons and tons of plastic entering the oceans and NEVER fully breaking down. Fish, sea turtles, and other poor creatures ingest it, breathe it, leech its toxins into their flesh. Their stomachs and lungs are full of it. Their numbers are decreasing as their ability to survive and reproduce is impaired by the plastic soup they are forced to inhabit. Take the sad, cursed Albatross for example. Albatross parents feed plastic twine, plastic pellets, and polyethylene bags to their helpless young until their stomachs become so full of indigestible material that there is no room for actual food. As a result, thousands die of starvation before they ever take their first flight. Many fish species fair little better, and in this case, we reap what we sow. Much of the fish consumed by humans were raised in this toxic environment. If mercury weren't bad enough, imagine eating a fish with the chemical constituents of a soda bottle in its flesh.
Now, many good folks out there will probably respond to this by saying "I'm not the problem. I recycle." There are few things in the world as wholesome as recycling. The mere sight of a kind soul placing a plastic bottle in a recycling bin warms my heart like snowflakes on Christmas, but let's face the facts-- it would have been far better if that plastic bottle hadn't been used in the first place. The process of making the bottle alone probably leaked plastic into the environment. Also, not everything that goes into a recycling bin is recycled. In fact, the majority of plastic grocery bags that are placed in recycling bins are never recycled because of contamination. In addition, much of the plastic we use is not easily recycled, so we just throw it away. Ketchup packets, coffee stirrers, plastic wrap, and millions of other items end up in the garbage every day, and even the best recyclers couldn't prevent it.
What's the solution?! Is there a magical easy button like on the Staples commercial that can make this problem go away? Yes and no. The solution is obvious. Cut or cease the consumption of disposable plastic. Unfortunately, obvious does not always equate to simple. As members of the developed world, our lives revolve around disposable plastic. Divorcing it is far easier said than done. Can it even be done or are we destined to drown in this vat of plastic soup?! I'm willing to find out! For one month, I will attempt to live my life without disposable plastic. I will not buy anything in wrappers. I will not use plastic wrap. I will not use a single water or soda bottle. I will not use a single grocery bag. In doing this, I hope to inspire you to take steps to reduce your plastic consumption, and I will be providing lots of pointers on how to accomplish this daring feat. Stay tuned and wish me luck!
Monday, May 4, 2009
The Median Voter on Civil Rights and Equality
According to the Hoteling-Downs model of spatial/political competition, in their quest to gain the greatest number of seats, political parties will align their party platforms to the views of the median voters. They base this theory on the assumption that each voter will vote for the candidate of party that is closest to his or her political position. Thus, to maximize their votes the candidates' and political parties' position of most utility would be that of the median voter’s.
While this theory has some merit, it has time and again been proven wrong. However, it is interesting to note that this model does play out in national races with respect to certain, highly volatile issues. The recently released Quinnipiac University Poll gave some intriguing insights into the views of the median American voter. A poll of 2,041 nationwide registered voters showed that 38% would support and 55% would oppose a state-imposed law permitting same-sex marriage. These numbers were almost reversed with 58% supporting a law allowing civil unions and 38% opposing. In a separate question, when faced with a number of choices, 33% supported same-sex marriage, 26% supported civil unions and 34% opposed any legal recognition. However, the most striking response came to the question that asked if preventing marriage for same-sex couples counted as discrimination. To this 45% responded affirmatively and 51% responded in a negative manner.
According to the latest data, almost half of America supports some form of legal recognition for same-sex couples. As such, we should see more and more politicians coming out in favor of gay rights and at the very least, civil unions. As the median voter opinion increases further in support of same-sex marriage and civil unions, as it has been the past few years, it is my hope that Congress will soon have a majority in the House and Senate that supports the legalization of civil unions and same-sex marriages. While this issue is still one delegated to the states, a majority on the Hill could result in legislation that repeals Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and other such discriminatory measures.
It is our hope that the voices of the people will reach those who have the power, both at the state and the national level, and that equality for all American citizens does not remain a dream.
Sources:
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Food or Sex-- Must we Choose?
“It’s like if you are sick, you go to a doctor, not some amateur.”
- Mohammed Hussein Jafaari, a senior cleric commenting on the difference of Koranic interpretation between the madrasa-educated scholars v. women, in general.
Last month, Hamid Karzai, president of Afghanistan, signed a bill into law that effectively legalized marital rape. The three main statutes are as follows: a) a man may deny his wife food for refusing sex, b) women must obtain their husbands permission in order to work or go to school, and c) denies women the right to use makeup or dress in any way that is contrary to her husband’s desires. Mr. Karzai's main motivation in legalizing this bill was to appease the Muslim Shiite clergy since this law only applies in Shiite dominated regions. Many proponents state that this law is much more lenient than the restrictions imposed by the predominantly Sunni Taliban; however, the Taliban are no longer in power. Comparing laws created under a democratically elected government to those created under the authoritarian rule of the tyrannical regime is hardly justified: any comparison that highlights a similarity between the two is simply intolerable.
While this law apparently reflects the written words of the Koran; no cleric interviewed could point out the religious underpinnings. Like many laws in Middle Eastern countries, it instead codifies traditional practices as religious decrees, subjugating one voting demographic and effectively creating second class citizens. Women are already denied various social services like education and health-care (the male literacy rate is almost four times higher at 42%). By restricting the freedoms of even a small segment of the population under the guise of religion, Mr. Karzai is allowing for a dangerous precedent to once again take shape.
Even scarier than the establishment of such a precedence is the support the law has with the male population. When some three-hundred young women tried to peacefully walk to the Parliament in protest of the law, they were met by a mob of almost a thousand men who tried to prevent them from reaching their destination. They were aided in this matter by the Afghan police who kept the two groups separate through the use of force and physical barriers. The passage of this law highlights the inherent reason for the existence of separate legislative and executive branches and the failure in Afghanistan of the checks and balances so carefully crafted into the new constitution. Karzai, by neglecting his ability to veto, he has effectively legalized the tyranny of the female minority by the male majority.
Due to the international outcry, the law is currently under review by Mr. Karzai’s government. However, by initially bowing to the wishes of the clergy, Mr. Karzai has lessened the power that the executive post should hold, both in perception and practice. It is reminiscent of Pakistan’s current imposition of Islamic law in the Swat region to restore peace to the Taliban stronghold leading to numerous women’s rights violations. By allowing fundamental extremists to rule the region, they have left women without the support of a government that will fight for their rights. While Afghanistan is not at this point yet, the religious clerics who lead the madrasas – known for being breeding grounds for terrorist activity - are extremely active within the new government and are a compelling force in leading male public opinion. In such an atmosphere, it is absolutely imperative that the position of the executive not be lessened; Mr. Karzai must command his strength and hold his own in the face of adversity to support every one of his constituents.
Sources:
- Dexter Filkins’ Article: Afghan Women Protest New Law on Home Life
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