Monday, September 24, 2007

It's Been Awhile

I know it has been awhile, but I have been studying for midterms and doing work…I know for once right…I have actually been without internet at my house for unknown reasons meaning that I only get 5-10 minutes here and there at cafes and what not. A few things to mention before I go into another commentary, I went to a PSG – Bordeaux soccer game last night and was amazed to see that the stands were not full. Regardless the spirit was still there and in some cases a little ridiculous. I can see why they don’t sell alcohol at the games. People had flares and what not at the game and police were in full out riot gear with shields something that was not there when Scotland was in town. Secondly, I am going to Istanbul, Turkey in October and have booked my tickets. It was one of those spur of the moment decisions for my one week off break because tickets were cheap so I took them. I am looking forward to not having the Euro meaning that the exchange rate will be favorable and for once I won’t be ashamed of the dollar which recently has a set a new low of 1.4130 – 1 to the Euro.

We can thank the current administration for that in that the national deficit has exploded over the last few years which can be attributed to Iraq and terrible money management and spending. I have not been following the polls but I think that the US’s current situation is similar to what New York City was like before Rudy. Obviously it’s on more of a grander scale, but maybe he could use some of his sly tactics to turn our economy around so that we don’t hit another recession that will send our nation down a road of becoming not the only superpower in the world. Looks like he has a slight lead in the Republican polls, but then again nobody really knows who is leading. Typical…probably because the polls are bull-shit anyway and whoever pays the polling people more money gets to have their name first thus making everyone feel like the nation supports that candidate and then they vote according to that rather than think about the choices themselves…because there is no time to bother themselves with things as important as the national election which determines the course of our nation’s history which could have a direct effect on your life especially if you or your kids have to go off to war. Which to me would not be so bad, but I know others my age would never think of picking up a gun to defend our country.

Although many could argue that Iraq doesn’t really put our national sovereignty in question but then again look at the military today, it’s really made up of people who have their hearts and sense of duty in the right place, but I feel the services are lacking certain needed professions and extremely educated people. Also, I am sure if you looked at the financial makeup of the military I am sure it would be hard to find many people who were from well-of families. How many of the senators or other public servant’s sons and daughters are in the military? I know that I am paralleling Michael Moore which to me is very scary but I understand his point which is exaggerated but we send off people to war who are tied to the military for financial reasons and not idealist and moral reasons of wanting to protect our values and people. It’s not only the mentality of people my age that bothers me but also the citizens of our country who let the government treat veterans like freakshows when they come back. You would think that people who put their lives in harms way so that we can sit in Starbucks and waste away our life would get the best treatment possible not only during their required medical treatment but after. I guess war in our country is so controversial that soldiers just get shoved under the carpet. Hate the War not the soldiers and please realize that they are people too and have to get on with their lives bearing the sacrifice and the least we can do is acknowledge it let alone do something to help them out.

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