Liberal Lauren

John Edwards: Running for President on the Internet

2007-04-23T22:09:00.000-07:00

Lauren Bull

4-24-07

In order to run a successful presidential campaign, a candidate has to do two things: raise a lot of money and reach a lot of people. In the past, many candidates have done this through radio and television advertisements, town hall meetings, debates, etc. Before the election, candidates will travel throughout the country for a whole year or more to meet with voters and spread their political message. Candidates have to adapt to the voters and a changing society. With all the technology and online media advances our society has made, it makes sense that a candidate would embrace these tools. John Edwards, a Democratic candidate for president, has done just that. He has set an example and started a trend in the current race. Edwards utilizes participatory media to reach voters and to communicate his campaign goals. The candidate takes many risks with his online campaign and has to face challenges because of that. But John Edwards believes in the power of the Internet to create change and this is why he does it (Edwards). He asserts that our country will never change until the American people decide internally they want change (Edwards). He believes this will be done through blogs, streaming video, town-hall meetings, and engaging people through multiple methods (Edwards). John Edwards understands the potential of online communications and uses a variety of participatory media tools to reach Americans, despite the multiple risks these tools bring to the campaign.

John Edwards is currently on 23 social networks, including Facebook, YouTube, and Flickr (Vargas). Edwards’s Facebook profile cites his interests as fighting poverty and raising the minimum wage, and his favorite song as Bruce Springsteen’s “The River” (John Edwards). Users are allowed to write on his “wall,” a type of message board, and comment or ask questions. The most recent posters asked the candidate to come play basketball with them and scolded him for his recent “$400 haircut” (John Edwards). Facebook allows Edwards to have an image with young people, especially college students. It provides an opportunity for students to relate to the candidate. By listing his favorite music, television shows, etc. he shows that he is a normal person like the rest of us. He does not just live and breathe politics every moment. Facebook is just one example of Edwards’s use of online technology. Online strategists say he has taken the internet presence one step further and explored the unknown possibilities and also the potential pitfalls (Vargas). John Edwards even announced his bid for the presidency on YouTube (Balz). Voters could watch his announcement seconds after it happened and access it easily. They did not have to wait for the local news or the newspaper article. Edwards had no prepared text and spoke from talking points that had no “guaranteed applause lines” and very few “perfect sound-bites” (Balz). He also did something completely untraditional. He took questions from reporters and voters (Balz). Candidates rarely allow for questions or comments right away because they do not want to skew their message at all or allow others to change the meaning of what was said (Balz).

Why is John Edwards heading to the Internet to reach voters? Joe Trippi, a political consultant and former manager of Howard Dean’s online campaign, explains, “When the industrial revolution came, candidates learned real fast that they had to go stand at the factory gate. Why? Because at 5 o’clock when that whistle blew, that’s where the workers would be. You’re campaigning where the community is” (Pickler). Many more Americans, especially young people, are spending a lot of their leisure time online. They also use the Internet to find their information and research political issues. As mentioned, Edwards is also visible on other social networks such as MySpace, De.icio.us, 43 Things, etc. (Pickler). The candidate is seeking out potential voters where he knows they are already active. Mathew Gross, Edwards’s Online Communications Senior Advisor, says that this works because the voters “don’t have to search for information about you. They’ve already seen you on YouTube or MySpace. They’ve found you through their preferred medium” (Pickler).

An example of John Edwards trying new methods on the Internet and taking chances is his use of Second Life. The online community is a simulated town where users have avatars and can communicate and function as they would in a physical society. Edwards is the first presidential candidate to set up a campaign headquarters in Second Life (O’Hear). The headquarters are run by volunteer Jerimme Richir, whose avatar goes by the name “Jose Rote” (O’Hear). Richir explains that Second Life is important to campaigns because it gives potential voters like soldiers in Iraq, disenfranchised citizens in Puerto Rico, business people abroad, rural families, etc. an ability to participate on the same footing (O’Hear). Americans who may not have other forms of access to hearing a candidate speak or seeing a candidate now have the ability to become politically involved in a virtual community. Richir also explains that Second Life is influential because its users are unique and are first adopters of this technology (O’Hear). They are technology-savvy and may be more likely to be politically active. The headquarters resemble an old-fashioned campaign in a new setting (Pickler). The boardwalk features billboards that describe issues like the Iraq war and health care (Pickler). Users can also get free “Edwards for President” t-shirts (Pickler). The candidate is reaching out to the users and attempting to involve them in his campaign. By participating in Second Life, Edwards is showing that he is not afraid to try new methods and is willing to reach Americans in whatever ways he can find.

Using participatory media is a new trend and comes with challenges. John Edwards has already faced a few obstacles as a result of his online technology efforts. His Second Life headquarters were vandalized on February 26 by a group of Republican users wearing “Bush ‘08” tags (Beyerstein). The group put up Marxist/Leninist posters, threw feces, and photoshopped a picture of Edwards in blackface (Beyerstein). This is proof that using online technology opens up new challenges because it gives control to the users. The candidates can contribute information and interact in these communities, but they have no control. They cannot stop these users from vandalizing the headquarters. By participating in such communities as Second Life, Edwards makes his campaign much more vulnerable.

The candidate has also faced problems with his blogging efforts. The campaign hired two liberal feminist bloggers, Amanda Marcotte and Melissa McEwan, to write for the blog on his website (Broder). People became outraged when they researched the bloggers and found they had written what was perceived as offensive material on their previous perosnal blogs (Broder). Users were angry and many called for Edwards to fire the bloggers (Broder). When employing writers to provide commentary on the campaign and communicate with users, it is inevitable these bloggers will have some type of a history with writing and revealing their personal opinions. Edwards opted not to fire the bloggers, but did express his own distaste with their past blog writings and admitted he was equally offended (Broder). The more a candidate makes a prominent presence in the online community, the more at risk they are for negative attention and reactions. John Edwards and other candidates will encounter similar problems to this blogging incident because they are attempting to integrate the passionate, provocative, and freewheeling political discourse that is abundant on the Internet into a more strict and controlled form of traditional campaigning (Broder). A similar example is a video made on YouTube by a user. The video featured John Edwards having his hair done to the tune of "I Feel Pretty" (RogerrmJet). Someone took the same medium Edwards uses to promote his message and used it to make fun of the candidate and publicly embarrass him.

Edwards encountered another problem after the announcement that his wife’s, cancer had returned. The official campaign website invited users to send a sympathy note to Elizabeth Edwards (Akers). After users sent their messages, they were then presented with a solicitation for a campaign donation (Akers). The e-mail addresses used to send the sympathy notes were then also used to e-mail donation solicitations (Akers). Users were angry they were asked for money in that context and made it known by voicing their outrage and condemning the solicitations. Consequently, Edwards has enjoyed a large increase in donations since the disclosure of Elizabeth Edwards’s cancer (Akers). Whether the solicitations after the sympathy notes have anything to do with it is difficult to determine. But this problem is a reminder that the bottom line here is that this is a presidential candidate who wants to win the presidency of the United States. He needs votes and he needs money. Edwards is using all the online tools available to help meet that need.

While other presidential candidates are also online and using similar participatory tools, Edwards has shown he is a leader in this area. Out of all the candidates, he has the most dynamic web presence (Vargas). Perhaps one of the most attractive aspects of his online efforts is that it seems like he is making an honest attempt to relate to us and to come to us where we are. Edwards recognizes the role MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, etc. play in many Americans’ lives. His use of these tools reflect a respect for participatory media and the way it allows more Americans to participate in our democracy. Ruby Sinreich, an online consultant, explains that

What you have to remember is that signing up for these social networking sites is free, and it shows that he’s open to new ideas and open to the openness of the Internet. Look, voters are swayed by the people they know. That’s not new. That’s not about technology. But what we have now is a new technology that is all about building relationships (Vargas).

By using these online tools, Edwards opens himself and his campaign to the possibility of relationships with voters. Whether it is writing on a voter’s Facebook wall or becoming his or her MySpace friend, the candidate is showing that you are just as important as the next voter. Every vote and every opinion counts in this model and Edwards wants to hear from all his potential voters. The true test will be in the primary season and whether John Edwards’s online campaigning made a difference. Regardless of the results, John Edwards’s use of participatory media has changed the campaign landscape and will set the example for future elections.

Works Cited

Akers, Mary Ann. "Edwards Provides Lesson in E-Campaigning 101." Washington Post 4 Apr. 2007. 22 Apr. 2007 .

Balz, Dan. "Edwards Turns to Non-Traditional Campaign Model." Washington Post 28 Dec. 2006. 19 Apr. 2007
.

Beyerstein, Lindsay. "John Edwards' "Second Life" Headquarters Defaced." AlterNet 2 Mar. 2007. 18 Apr. 2007 .

Broder, John M., and Sarah Wheaton. "Edwards Learns Campaign Blogs Can Cut 2 Ways." The New York Times 9 Feb. 2007. 18 Apr. 2007
.

Edwards, John. Interview with Robert Scoble. Scoble Show. 17 Apr. 2007
.

"John Edwards." Facebook. 23 Apr. 2007 .

O'Hear, Steve. "John Edwards' Campaign Enters Second Life." The Social Web I ZDNet.Com. 14 Feb. 2007. 19 Apr. 2007 .

Pickler, Nedra. "Candidates Seek Votes in Cyberspace." Washington Post 19 Apr. 2007. 22 Apr. 2007 .

Rogerrmjet. "John Edwards Feeling Pretty." YouTube. 23 Apr. 2007 .

Vargas, Jose Antonio. "Grass Roots Planted in Cyberspace." Washington Post 30 Mar. 2007. 17 Apr. 2007 .

Choice Words

2007-03-14T08:46:00.000-07:00

I'm now writing for Choice USA's new blog "Choice Words." I'm part of a blog team with 4 other awesome women. Check it out!

No Boundaries

2007-01-12T11:41:00.000-08:00

So you heard about what Oprah is doing right? She built a school a school for underprivileged girls in South Africa. She built millions of her own dollars into this. These girls are getting opportunities they never would have had if not for Oprah. She has completely changed their lives. These girls will become things they never thought were possible. Hopefully, it will create leaders who can go out and contribute to society in the same ways Oprah. But I did not write this post to talk about how great this is. (Even though it is pretty great).

I've heard a lot of criticism about what she's doing. Well, I take that back. The criticism isn't targeted toward what she is doing, but more to who she is doing it for. A lot of people are angry she put this kind of money and care into South African children. Why not American children? So many American children live in poverty and need education. Why didn't she do it for Americans? Well here's what I have to say to these people.

Shut up. please. I really get frustrated when I hear things like that. When celebrities adopt from another country, people say "Why didn't she adopt an American baby? There's so many Americans who need homes." And yes, this is true. There are many American children who need homes. But if you're going to go by that argument, why did you choose to have your own children instead of adopting? If you're that concerned, why don't you give one of these children a home?

To me, a child is a child. I don't care what country they happened to be born in. An orphan is an orphan. An American child doesn't need a home any more than a Russian child does, and vice-versa. If you are able to adopt any child, then that is amazing. I don't care where they were born. The fact that you are giving a child a home is good enough.

The same applies to what Oprah is doing. Who cares where she is doing it? These young girls needed her help. And she is giving it. Because of her, the world will have hundreds of educated and grateful women. And for that, we will all be better off.

As Gandhi said, "There is no limit to extending our service to our neighbors across state-made frontiers. God never made those frontiers."

Surge/Escalation

2007-01-10T11:45:00.000-08:00

Well I'm sure everyone has heard by now that Bush is making a speech tonight at 9 to introduce his new plan for Iraq.

The Democrats are calling it "troop escalation" and are against it.
Bush is calling it a "surge" and insist it's the only solution.

Honestly, I'm sick and tired of these ridiculous buzz words and catchphrases. Surge/escalation, whatever you want to call it. Let's call it what it really is. 20,000 more Americans will be called to go over to Iraq. For some it may be the first time. For many it will not be. 20,000 more Americans are going to be putting their lives at risk.

I know many people disagree with me on this. But here's what I think.

I'm pissed off. The American people voted in November and sent a clear message to Bush that the war is a mess and they're frustrated. Numerous Generals and Army officials have said we need to start withdrawing troops. The bipartisan Iraq study group agreed. I feel like the only person who agrees with more troops is Senator John McCain. It just really frustrates me that many qualified, credible people are calling for a withdrawal of troops and Bush is going to send 20,000 more.

And I really don't want to hear the argument that these people signed up for the military and they knew what could happen. Many people signed up for the military to pay for their education or because they needed to support their families. And while yes, it is extremely brave and honorable to serve your country, I have a feeling that many people join the military for reasons other than that. And obviously there are people who join for that. My father is retired military and I know he didn't join because he had to. He joined because he wanted to. But all the people my age in the military did it because they didn't feel like they had a choice. And I think we owe more to these people than to ask them to risk their lives for something that was a mistake. And it was a mistake.

Yes, Saddam Hussein was an awful, evil man. But I believe there were other ways to remove him and I just think that the amount of American lives lost is unacceptable. But I'll definitely be tuning in tonight to see what Bush has to say. I'll probably throw something at my TV too. What about you?

brave or just irritating at a red light?

2006-12-29T08:47:00.000-08:00

Okay, for those of you who don't know me- I have 2 bumper stickers on my car. One says "I Love Reproductive Rights" and "Keep Your Laws Off My Body." I really like the first one and I'd just have that one on there, but it's very small and sometimes hard to read if you are traveling behind me at a safe distance. I want you to read my views from two lights behind me. I want to be HEARD.

Anyways, I don't particularly even like the "Keep Your Laws Off My Body" sticker for a multiple reasons. I think that whole language is very defensive. It's a reaction to others' actions. Keep your laws off my body. I think it misses the point. Number 1, it sounds a little elitist. I don't have to listen to your silly little laws. You stupid people and your invasive, privacy intruding laws. Number 2 let's not hate the law. The law helps us. We need to be pushing for more laws that promote reproductive health and rights. Yes, we need to fight the constant flow of state legislation that chips away at our rights. But we also need to do some of our own promoting and take proactive measures. Number 3, it's a very individualized statement. One of the biggest problems in our country right now is how many women do not have a choice. They are in desperate needs of laws that will protect their bodies. Laws that help poor women get abortions if they so wish. Laws that help women keep their babies and be able to afford them if they so wish.

Okay, now that I got that out, let me move on to the point of this post. Sometimes I feel very proud of my bumper stickers and I take joy in the delight or disgust on the faces of the cars behind me. When I see a fellow pro-choice car, I am excited and try to get him or her to notice my stickers as well. When I see an anti-choice car, I try and drive up in front of them and cancel out their message.

But sometimes, I feel uncomfortable. When I see two elderly people behind me on a Sunday morning, probably on their way home from church, I feel guilty. I can only imagine what they're saying in their cars. "Oh how obnoxious. Baby-killer. Whore. Feminazi" I mean it's probably not that bad, but you never know.

So sometimes I consider dragging myself to Home Depot, buying some Goo-Gone, and taking my stickers off. But then, last night, I was given a reason to continue.

My friend told me that one of his friends, who goes by the name of a state in the South that our President is from, saw me driving a few weeks ago. Apparently he did not have very nice things to say about my car. He couldn't believe I'd have that on my car.

And I realized that I have to leave my stickers on because we have to let people know that we are out there. We are not going anywhere. Feminists are alive and strong and you better be scared if you see me on the road. Not because I'm a Feminist, but because I'm a pretty horrible driver.

P.S. I think I'll replace the one sticker with a different one. Any ideas? I was thinking about the one that says "Pro-Child, Pro-Family, Pro-Choice." I'd like to make my own. Does anyone know how to make their own bumper sticker? Mine would say "...And Reproductive Justice For All"

Gerald Ford

2006-12-27T12:07:00.000-08:00

So I woke up this morning and learned that President Gerald Ford died. It's always sad to hear something like that, but the dude was pretty old and seemed to live a full life. And as I watched the news programs go on and on about his life, I realized I really didn't know anything about him, except that he fell a lot. How pathetic.

I'm sure many people older than me remember a lot more and know a lot more about this man. However, he was President before I was born and he's not one of those prominent leaders you learn about in U.S. history class.

But so it turns out, Mr. Ford did contribute some cool things. The news shows kept talking about how he pardoned President Nixon and that it ruined his chances of reelection. I have to say, I really respect his decision.

As many of you may know from my entries, I'm currently practicing the concept of forgiveness I decided to take up this new philosophy of "forgiveness" after reading Sister Helen Prejean's book Dead Man Walking. My view on forgiveness is that it is the only healing solution. Anytime you hold on to anger or guilt, you are only hurting yourself. While a person's actions may be horrible and they may not deserve your friendship, respect, etc. anymore, it is still in your best interest to forgive them. Think of it as selfish if you want.

Now what does this have to do with anything? My point is that the pardoning of Nixon was a really bold and smart thing to do. Yeah, he was a dishonest man who got away with a crime. But it was for the benefit of the country to MOVE ON.

Also, I feel really bad for President Ford. He's the only unelected Vice-President and President. I mean at least for people like Bush and other AWFUL presidents, they can say, "hey, at least at one point the American people trusted me and thought I would do a good job."

President Ford couldn't even do that. But I think his legacy as a "healer" makes up for that. Not a lot of leaders sacrifice their own political careers for the good of the nation.

So even though he was a Republican, I am inclined to admire him.

As the great Jimmy Carter said in his inauguration speech: "For myself and for our Nation, I want to thank my predecessor for all he has done to heal our land."

RIP

Go here!

2006-12-10T07:56:00.000-08:00

I wrote an entry for the Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom's blog. This is the youth organization for the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. Basically, it's a bunch of awesome people who believe in God AND reproductive choice.

Definitely go over there and read some of the entries. NOW. go now!

don't even want to say it...

2006-12-08T16:57:00.000-08:00

With the release of the Iraq study panel's report and the resignation of Rumsfeld, the country is definitely moving in a different direction. It's no longer the "crazy Liberals" or "peace doves" saying Iraq was a mistake. It's... everyone. Well, they may not be saying it was a mistake, but they're saying it's not working right now.

Is anyone else just so relieved to finally hear people saying this? Haven't we all been saying this for so long now? A year ago, I may have said I told you so. I would have felt smug and rubbed it in every one's faces who supported the war. Now, it's a much different feeling...

The situation in Iraq, or the civil war in Iraq, or the absolute disaster in Iraq- whatever you want to call it- is so out of control now that it is nothing less than DISGRACEFUL, PATHETIC, AND TRAGIC. I don't want to say I told you so. Back in March 2003, when we were invading Iraq, I was against it. I was only 18 and I didn't even really understand why I was against it. At that time, the only other people speaking out were celebrities and extremely liberal figures.

The minority has now become the majority. People who voted for the war are now frustrated and want to see a change. My reaction is not to say I told you so. My question for those who supported the war is this:

Why was it okay then but now it's not?

It was okay then because you thought we were winning. The lives of Iraqi civilians did not matter to you. The lives of Americans matters to you. But not 5 American lives, not 100 Americans lives, not even 1,000 American lives. It appears that Americans draw the line on war once 2,000 American lives are lost. So apparently that is what it takes.

I guess I have trouble understanding people who believe the ends justify the means. To me, every single life is valuable. Every single American/Iraq life lost is devastating.

However, I am optimistic for now. At least we're finally seeing some kind of change. I don't know how it will work out but it's a start.

Pray that it is the answer we are all searching for.

gotta love faith

2006-11-07T05:05:00.000-08:00

so i'm sure you've heard about Faith Hill's reaction to Carrie Underwood winning CMA female vocalist of the year? If you haven't seen this, you have to watch it. It's pure greatness. Personally, I think it's quite clear she was joking. But a small part of me really hopes that was a genuine reaction, because that would just make her such a bad ass. and besides, everyone should have been outraged. carrie underwood?? i don't think so.

shoot me now.

2006-11-01T08:32:00.000-08:00

why, john kerry? seriously. why? did you really have to say that right now? you couldn't have waited until next wednesday? not that i don't agree with what you said... or what you were trying to say but WHYYYYY. we are so close to throwing those republicans out on their asses. you better not have ruined this for me!

just one of a million reasons why CNN sucks

2006-10-26T19:52:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I'm watching a CNN news report on Madonna's adoption and all the "scandal" accompanying it. They're discussing how the media has basically hounded the father of the boy and completely confused him. Meanwhile, as they say this, they're heading over to Africa to talk to the father themselves. They get to his hut and knock on the door, but there's a lock. They learn next that the father has moved because the media won't leave him alone. What do they do next? They find out where he has moved to and go there. The poor guy finally gets discovered by CNN and they shove a camera in his face. He uses "their camera" to speak to Madonna directly and make sure she knows he wants her to have David.

LEAVE THIS POOR MAN ALONE. He doesn't speak English. He doesn't understand what all of these annoying reporters are asking him. He was afraid that Madonna was going to send his son back to the orphanage because of the statements he made. That is one of the saddest things I've ever heard.

god CNN sucks.

stop right now and read

2006-10-26T16:23:00.000-07:00

Did anyone else watch Oprah today? If you did, you are probably still just as scared as I am. The topic today was HIV/AIDS in America. And boy, is it in America.

AIDS is now the LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH for African-American women ages 25-34 in the United States. Not heart disease, not cancer, not automobile accidents. AIDS. This is not Africa. These are not uneducated tribal people. These are regular, normal, your neighbor down the street people- living with HIV.

They did not contract HIV from their mother during birth. They did not get it from a dirty needle while using drugs. They are not homosexual men. They got it from normal UNPROTECTED heterosexual sex.

Women are the fastest growing group. 76% of the newly diagnosed cases among American women are from heterosexual sex.

This is scary. If you're not scared- you should be. I have a feeling- that very soon, sooner than we think, HIV is going to seem a lot more real to many of us. It's no longer going to be this really sad, abstract disease that is an epidemic in Africa. It's going to be the disease that's killing your best friend or your sister.

Most people that have unprotected sex are worried they will get herpes or HPV. No one ever really thinks of HIV. I don't know anyone who's had an HIV test. This is a problem. I encourage everyone to learn as much as they can right now.

too angry for a title.

2006-10-22T20:11:00.000-07:00

so this weekend i had a bit of an encounter with a "pro-lifer" and to be quite honest it still pisses me off and makes me extremely angry. i'm not going to go into details mainly because i don't feel like it.

i just want to vent a little bit regarding the language of the ANTI-CHOICE movement. and from this moment forward, i REFUSE to refer to them as pro-life and i REFUSE to say they "value life." because they don't. and if they value life, what do i value? death? murder?

even as i'm writing this i'm still too angry to talk about this CLOSE-MINDED (BLEEPING OUT THE REST OF WHAT I WANT TO SAY BUT I'M USING CAPITAL LETTERS TO EMPHASIZE THE ANGER) i would just like to leave on this note. The National Right to HYPORCRITES (formerly the L word) supports all types of "L." oh wait... no they don't. they list abortion, euthanasia, stem cells, and cloning but funny, there's no mention of the death penalty. no mention of the government executing human beings. wouldn't that count as "L"? oh but wait, these people are monsters and not human beings, so "L" doesn't apply to them. so i have a proposition for the National Right to HYPOCRITES: if we knew if a fetus would someday be a murderer, would it then be okay to abort it? answer that please.

I knew I loved him...

2006-10-18T09:17:00.000-07:00

Tim McGraw is the perfect man. I knew I loved him.

Conversion in the future?

2006-10-11T14:47:00.000-07:00

If you've read my blog before you probably know my position on religion, especially the Catholic church. I would like to stay Catholic and would like to someday baptize my children Catholic, however I cannot and will not if the church doesn't make some DRASTIC changes. (never going to happen, so I guess that means no first communion dresses for your granddaughters mom). I can't teach my children about social justice and then take them to a church every week that preaches the opposite. But is there any church that's different?

Have any of your heard the radio ads for the United Methodist Church? They seem to be taking the "progressive" image and running with it. They're trying to appeal to people.. like me. Normal people, who aren't fanatics, but still want to have some spirituality in their life. Their new slogan is "open hearts, open minds, open doors." Well I decided to call their bluff and look at their website. I read their stance on many issues important to me... and I was... pleased. They seemed to be rational.. and nonjudgmental... and should we say it? Christian? like truly Christian? Not the Christians we've come to associate with the word today... (yuck). Read their stance on abortionHA! I love it. They basically came as close as a church can come to saying that abortion is okay... or so I thought.

The United Church of Christ is a rather new church. It's only about 50 years old. I learned about them this summer at a few of my "crazy liberal" conferences I attended. (Crazy liberal=my heaven). They seemed to be really open to social justice issues and moving America forward. Take a look at what they have to say on"baby-killing.

This is a good sign... see you CAN be Christian and pro-choice. But the question is, can you be Catholic and pro-choice? Or actually, yes you can. Let me rephrase that. Can I be Catholic and pro-chocie? I'm beginning to realize I can't...

checkkkk it outtttt

2006-10-10T21:24:00.000-07:00

If you have some free time, go check out my professional website.

I had to make this for a class and it's still definitely in the works. I'm very proud though because I designed this all by myself using HTML. Eventually I plan to move the blog completely to this site, but for now, keep hitting me up here. :)

to send or not to send

2006-10-10T21:15:00.000-07:00

So contuining the death penalty topic...

An assignment in one of the classes I'm in is to write a letter to a death row inmate. We have to find an actual inmate online and write to him or her. We're not required to actually send the letter, but we're can if we'd like.

I found a man named Jody Lee Miller who is on death row in Maryland. He's been there since 1998. I chose someone from Maryland because there were no available penpals from Virginia and I figure I could relate to someone from Maryland because it's close by. Here is the information he gave:

I am very interested in finding Penpals who are willing to share their time with someone in my position. I am a Death Row Inmate and have been on Maryland's Death Row since 1998. I am a divorced white male and I am 33 years of age. I have not had any contact with my family in a very long time so I am looking for someone who I am able to share my thoughts with. It is also a way to take me away from this daily mental torture the State puts us through. I was the Co-host for a Country music radio morning show before my arrest and also ran a farm. In my spare time I had a small business dealing in home improvements so I was always on the go and very busy. I love sports, poetry, music, and writing short stories. I am very athletic and played basketball mainly which best fit my size. I really hope I can meet anyone willing to share some of their time in letters.

When I first read this I immediately felt sympathy toward this man. He obviously longs to communicate with the outside world. Can you imagine being locked up with no family to talk to and no other way to reach the outside world but through letters?

What shocked me from readng this, was how... normal he sounded. He was a country dj? He likes writing and poetry? This doesn't sound like a murderer to me. And as soon as I remember that this man is a convicted murderer, I start to feel a little odd.

I almost feel like that by writing this letter and talking to this man, I'm betraying the victim. Mainly because by writing this man, I am helping him. Does a convicted murderer deserve that? I decided that it doesn't hurt to write to him and let him have an outlet for expressing his thoughts.

How do you guys feel about that? Is it wrong to be kind to someone who did such a thing?

I tried to find out more information regarding his case, but oddly, it was difficult to find much details. From what I gathered, he shot a community theater director. I read two different accounts, that he was collecting a debt for a loan shark and that it was a drug deal and the victim was a dealer. One account claimed the convicted was acting in self-defense because the dealer had a gun. Regardless of what happened, I still might send the letter.

I asked him all about his country music experience and if he's met any of the country music stars. You know me, always trying to get some celebrity gossip!

An Eye for An Eye?

2006-10-09T16:16:00.000-07:00

So as many of you already know, I am very opinionated when it comes to politics. I have a very clear, strong view on most issues, and I'm more than willing to tell you my views and convert you to my views... :)

However...

There is one issue I go back and forth on: the death penalty/capitol punishment/execution/whatever you want to call it.

In theory, I believe it is wrong. If someone was to ask me, "Lauren do you support the use of capitol punishment?" I would say no. Here are my reasons:

1. It is barbaric.
2. The U.S. is the only Western country that still does this.
3. Do we ever truly know the convicted is actually guilty?
4. The way it is implemented is corrupt, unfair, and racist.
*The majority of those executed are convicted for murdering white people.
It is rare for someone who murdered an African-American to be executed.
5. The majority of people executed are poor. You will rarely see a wealthy person
executed. Why? Poor people can't afford a good lawyer.
6. It is not the government's role to end a life as punishment.

So this is what my mind tells me.. my logic. But then, I think, what if someone I love was murdered? Would I feel the same? My instinct tells me that I would want that criminal to suffer and that they did not deserve to live. Let's go even further... when I think about the snipers (for those of you who live in the Metropolitan area you know what I'm talking about), I don't think they deserve to live. They taunted an entire geographic area for months. They shot humans like it was a game. Why should I respect their life? They did not respect the lives of their victims.

This is why I cannot come to a conclusive decision on this issue. I think I know what I believe, but honestly, (thankfully), I've never been in a position where this issue was real to me. I don't know what it's like to know a victim (thankfully). I don't know what it's like to have a family member or friend committ a crime and be on deathrow. I don't think I have the background or experience to give my opinion any value.

But regardless, this is what I think. Here is my philosophy on why people murder, why we seek revenge as a punishment, and what we should all strive to do:

No one is born a criminal. No one is born a murderer. Maybe some people are born with mental diseases. Maybe some people are born into horrible situations. But no one is born with that destiny. Certain factors make criminals, certain environments breed criminals.

I think the human race is inherently good. But I do think we all have an evil side. We have a side of us that is secretly pleased when that bitch from high school gets fat, when that dick guy gets arrested, when the person next to us in class gets a lower grade than us, etc.

This is really hard for a lot of us to understand or even imagine.. but just think about the way a lot of people grow up in the United States. Poverty is rampant.Education is a joke. Children grow up with parents in and out of jail. Children grow up without food on the table. They start using/selling drugs at ages that I was learning my multiplication tables. They do this because this is all they know. This is what they do to survive. They start stealing, assaulting, etc. It is not like the majority of these people just wake up one day and shoot someone. They start down paths that lead to this, and most of the time, they did not choose to go on this path.

And then of course there are people who for reasons I can never understand, give in to evil and committ heinous, disgusting crimes. It's monstrous. It's unexplainable.

Regardless of why or how someone committs murder, it is still a punishable and unaccpetable act. These people deserve consequences for their actions. I do not deny this.

But when we hear about an especially cruel crime on the news, and we want the murderer to suffer and feel the pain he or she caused someone else, we have to ask ourselves something. Are we giving into the same evil that the murderer gave into? We feel those thoughts from a dark place, a place we usually ignore. Hatred and revenge are easy. Forgiveness is the real challenge. Perhaps we can prove ourselves above the acts of the convicts, and forgive. We can grant the compassion that person lacked. They may not deserve it, but we do not deserve to let ourselves be overwhelmed by hatred and cruelty. It is in our best interest and the best interest of the human race to show love and forgiveness, to lead in example. Obviously, this is not the easiest route. But the right way usually isn't.

Crockpots and Microwaves

2006-08-30T11:04:00.000-07:00

Alright so the current education system in the United States is fucked up and most of us already know that. But perhaps the most fucked up part of it is sexual education, or lack there of. Currently, the federal government will only give states money for sexual education if they teach abstinence-ONLY programs. This means that the only answer to avoiding pregnancy, AIDS, warts, herpes, etc. is abstinence. And yes, this is one of the answers. But seriously folks. Did anyone else here grow up in the United States? How many people are walking the abstinence path? That's what I thought. Now I'm not necessarily trying to outrage any readers in this post, I just want you to laugh. Here's some excerpts from health textbooks that American students are reading. And no, this is not a joke.

"Even more widespread than disease are the emotional scarring and deep wounds that come out of broken relationships. No matter how strong a condom is, it won't protect you from a broken heart." Game Plan student workbook, p.36

"The only safe sex is in a marriage relationship where a man and a woman are faithful to each other for life." Game Plan p.38

"Teenagers who are sexually active in high school will find that their schoolwork suffers." Reasonable Reasons to Wait Student Workbook, p.41

"Each time a sexually active person gives that most personal part of himself or herself away, that person can lose a sense of personal value and worth. It all comes down to self-respect." Choosing the Best PATH Teacher's Guide p. 7

"A young man's natural desire for sex is already strong due to testosterone..females are becoming conditioned to fantasize about sex as well." Sex Respect Student Workbook, p.11

"Abortion is not the best choice.. because it unfairly penalizes the baby for the bad decision the baby's parents made." Sex Respect Teacher Manual p. 7

"A guy who wants to respect girls is distracted by sexy clothes and remembers her for one thing. Is it fair that guys are turned on by their senses and women by their hearts?" Sex Respect Student Workbook p.94

and now... for my personal favorite:

"Men sexually are like microwaves and women sexually are like crockpots...a woman is stimulated more by touch and romantic words. She is far more attracted by a man's personality while a man is stimulated by sight. A man is usually less discriminating about those to whom he is physically attracted." WAIT Training Workshop Manual, p.37

oh you know.. i work with women's health.. and stuff like that.. you know activism..

2006-08-29T12:36:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else who works in a "controversial" field ever get nervous telling where they work? This summer, I realized how awkward it can be when someone asks you where you work. The worst part is if you know absolutely nothing about this person's political or religious beliefs. If I know the person pretty well, I'll be honest and straightforward. But if I'm a little unfamiliar with them and want to make a good impression.. I (shamefully) skirt around the issue. I know! It's awful and I always am regretful everytime. But when your boyfriend's grandmother asks you where you work, seriously, what are you supposed to say?

I AM A HUGE FEMINIST AND I SUPPORT REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS. YES, ABORTION THAT'S RIGHT. I SUPPORT ABORTION. I HATE BABIES. THEY SHOULD ALL DIE. I AM ALSO A BIG LESBIAN EVEN THOUGH I DATE YOUR GRANDSON. BIG HUGE BABY-HATING LIBERAL LESBIAN.

well not really... but you get my point. My actual response?

"oh, well I work in women's health and what not. Then I quickly went into detail about the work I do at that place (website maintenance/writing)."

And honestly, it shouldn't matter to me or these people what I do. But it does and you know it. Because honestly, if I have a son someday and he brings home a little bible-clutching pro-lifer, I will not like her and I will make my son break up with her. Also, just a disclaimer, Tyler's grandmother is a wonderful lady and she is just an example. And I'm not sure of her views on abortion, but I've since heard she doesn't like a certain leader of the free world.. so that's a plus!

I don't always give the bullshit answer. Sometimes I feel bold and just put it out there like the badass I normally am.

For example, the other morning I had to wait in line EARLY in the morning to register a club I'm starting on my campus. The girl in front of me in line asked me what club I was starting. Now let me just describe her. This girl was the epitome of wholesome. Glasses, friendly, mom shorts, and a thick southern accent. Oh and she'd also just gotten married. Now, I wasn't positive, but I had a strong feeling she probably wasn't feeling my liberalness. So she says, oh so what club are you starting? And I said, Students for Reproductive Justice. She seriously makes this face like she just tasted something horrible and goes, reproductive justice? And I was like yeah, you know it's pro-choice with a social justice framework. And she said oh. that's. nice.

Let's just say our conversation didn't really continue after that. Luckily on my other side was a different person to talk to. And guess what club she was starting? The Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Yep. And her faculty advisor was in line with her. Her 8 months pregnant faculty advisor. By then, my brave badassness was gone and I prayed to the Christian Athletes' God that they would not ask me what club I was starting.

But you know what. I just need to suck it up. Do you think anti-choice people are afraid to tell what they do? Nope I don't think so. I'm afraid to say this sometimes because there is a stigma and stereotype for people who work in my field. But maybe if I can represent and proudly display my liberalness (and yes, I made this word up and I like it and I will continue to use it) than I can help eliminate these stigmas and stereotypes. Maybe?

not for the faint of heart.. or my mother

2006-08-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

This is a really great article from the Village Voice that was published over a month ago. In my opinon, a lot of the problems in this country regarding abortion, contraception, HIV/AIDS, violence against women, etc. all stem from a culture uncomfortable with sex. It's a taboo subject in many households/social groups and this leads to ignorance and lack of information regarding it. There are a lot of stereotypes and double standards within sex that leads to unhealthy sexual relationships. Anyways, read this article, if anything it's very thought provoking.. to say the least.

Lusty Lady
Fucking and Feminism
Blowjobs, casual sex, and rape fantasies are under
attack
by Rachel Kramer Bussel
July 13th, 2006 4:19 PM

Ladies, be warned: Your pussies are causing the
downfall of society. If we keep posing for nude
photos, sucking cock (and enjoying it), and getting
Brazilian bikini waxes, our hard-won feminist gains
will disappear, according to the latest generation of
scolds and alarmists, writers like Ariel Levy (Female
Chauvinist Pigs), reality show rabbi Shmuley Boteach
(Hating Women: America's Hostile Campaign Against the
Fairer Sex), and Pamela Paul (Pornified). To them,
fucking freely is bungling our climb toward equality.
These well-intentioned prudes proffer a false choice:
Be the next Jenna Jameson or support Hillary for
president. There's no room for a lusty woman in office
(never mind Mary Carey's political ambitions), and
certainly no credence given to strippers or adult
performers, who they see as airheaded sluts.
We're in the middle of a culture war around sex, and
it goes beyond left vs. right. Many of the voices
quick to excoriate you for buttfucking, baring your
boobs, having a threesome, or public sapphic smooching
come from the left. Levy argues that women have to
(and want to) out-'ho ourselves to fit into our
increasingly raunchy, male-identified sexual culture.
She cites Paris Hilton as a lead "pig." That the
devil-may-care heiress wasn't chastened for her slutty
ways irks those who think women should never flaunt
their bodies-even voluntarily. Blogger Twisty of I
Blame the Patriarchy (blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com)
incited feminist ire when she wrote, "There's a reason
that deep-throating a funk-filled bratwurst makes a
person retch." Holier-than-thou pronouncements of
sexual superiority don't scream "sisterhood" to me.

There's a world of difference between being branded a
sex object and choosing to be one under certain
circumstances. Recall Tad Friend's classic 1994 "do-me
feminism" Esquire article, in which Lisa Palac said,
"Degrade me when I ask you to" (emphasis mine).
Women's true desires may not make for perfect
propaganda, but sex is justifiably complex. I may like
to get spanked until I scream, but I still deserve to
be treated as an intelligent human being. Submitting
sexually doesn't equal becoming a doormat outside the
bedroom.

Men are also unfairly judged-as brutish horndogs
selfishly out to get as much sex as they can. The
truth is, they're confused and constrained by the
"macho" role too. Recently, a man asked me whether
wanting to get fucked up the ass by a woman was
"normal." Men have plenty of desires that aren't
sanctioned by popular culture, leaving them to wonder
if any woman will embrace such kinks as men wearing
women's panties, getting tied up, or being penetrated
with a dildo. On the other hand, women often question
whether our dirtiest dreams (especially those
involving BDSM) make us unfit as future leaders.

Feminists are just like any other women, with a range
of sexual desires and practices from doggy-style to
bukkake, and it'd be a shame for us to hold back in a
misguided attempt to live up to the legacies of Susan
B. Anthony and Gloria Steinem. We can choose to be
celibate or to have someone come on our face. Having a
full range of sexual options should be a high-priority
feminist goal.

According to Boteach, "No single factor has led to the
greater debasement of women than the widespread
availability of casual sex. If a man can get a woman
without having to earn her, what incentive does he
have to try to become a gentleman?" Aside from the
obvious insult to both sexes, Boteach misses the real
point: What good is power in the boardroom if we have
to lie back and wait to get fucked? Why can't we
pursue pleasure as aggressively as we pursue
promotions?

Sara DeKeuster is one of my heroines. In 2005, in The
UWM Post, an independent student newspaper, she ran a
photo essay exploring her rape fantasies. The uproar
was instantaneous. One blogger, Kyle Duerstein, wrote
(but later deleted), "Sara DeKeuster ought be[sic]
raped today. And after that, she ought be [sic] raped
tomorrow, by someone else . . . she might be killed by
her attacker. Maybe then, she'll get it, and if not,
she'll be dead, and the world will be a less f*$!ed up
place." The Women's Resource Center claimed the spread
created a "hostile campus" and was "an active act of
harm." In response, DeKeuster evoked Cindy Sherman: "I
am not sorry for my art! It would be like saying I'm
sorry for being a woman and that I like sex (or to be
fucked rather)."

Thankfully, many of us are exploring our kinks in all
their flavors. I'm thrilled with the thriving sexually
explicit blogosphere, from Inside the Velvet Rope
(redvelvetropeburn.com) to masturbation blog Wank Log
(wanklog.blogspot.com), but feel we're only halfway
there when almost every erotic blogger is forced to
use pseudonyms for fear of exposure.

I encourage all men and women to make the sexual
choices that are right for them, regardless of what's
"cool." I can't tell you how to fuck. Instead of
looking to gurus, activists, porn stars, and how-to
books, you'd be better off looking inside, spending
some quality time with your fingers around your cock
or pressed against your clit figuring out what sets
you off. Forget about the judgments of your friends
and neighbors (who are probably just as wild in the
sack as you are).

The feminist sex wars were largely fought before I was
born, yet sadly, women continue to battle each other
over what we do in bed, as if coming up with the most
politically correct form of orgasm will automatically
solve other inequities. I believe in advancing the
cause of sexual freedom for everyone, by increasing
our knowledge and offering room for fantasy and safe,
nonjudgmental experimentation.

Sexual freedom is not the only, or the most pressing,
issue facing American women today, but it's vital to
any true feminist movement. Excoriating other women
and berating them for a host of erotic sins creates
unnecessary divisions and puts people on the
defensive. No one has the right to tell you how to
fuck.

hits the nail on the head

2006-06-05T12:41:00.000-07:00

Please read this article- the most realistic and honest summary of the current state of abortion and emergency contraception today

an open letter to dixie chicks haters

2006-06-01T09:01:00.000-07:00

Dear you stupid fool,

Did you used to love the Dixie Chicks? You belted out Wide Open Spaces and Cowboy Take Me Away? You laughed along to Goodbye Earl and cried to Travelin Soldier? But then, they had to go and ruin it didn't they? That unpatriotic traitor Natalie had to stand up on FOREIGN SOIL and **oh no** insult the LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD.

Well, I have some news for you. You are RETARDED. You obviously do not understand what the word "patriotism" means. You obviously don't understand that these same freedoms and liberty and other crap you preach about were earned by people, forgive me for saying this, just like Natalie.

"Just so you know, we're ashamed the President is from Texas."

The fact that those words could solicit such anger and hatred from you is beyond me. Now, the great thing about our country is that idiots like you are allowed to choose not to buy their CD's. You can burn them, stomp on them, yell crap about them being traitors. You are allowed to do that. In fact, it entertains me. I find great joy in making fun of you and your ignorance. But just so you know, a real patriot always questions authority.

If we always followed leaders in the past, do you know where we would be today? We would still be a colony, we would still have slaves, women wouldn't be able to vote, abortion would still be illegal (not that is practically already isn't- but that's another post), we would still be in Vietnam, etc.

Anytime a leader is sending your family, neighbors, and friends to a foreign country to DIE for a cause, it is YOUR OBLIGATION to question. You do an injustice anytime you blindly follow authority. The people overseas are dying for you. You are betraying them by not making sure they are there for the right reasons.

So you can boycott the Dixie Chicks all you want, but I know why. It's because they're smarter than you and they make you feel dumb. Too bad.

Love,
Liberal Lauren.

P.S. I think it's funny that now 72% of Americans are against the war in Iraq. How ironic. I wonder if they bought the new Dixie Chicks CD? I did, it's AWESOME. go buy it.

so frustrating.

2006-05-30T07:35:00.000-07:00

Okay, I wasn't going to post on a serious topic for awhile, but I just have to share with you something that pissed me off this morning. I'm reading news articles about abortion/adoption/contraception etc. and I came across this moronic article

If you don't have the time to read the article or don't care to, let me summarize. Basically, a high school girl in Wales won an art contest for her "anti-abortion artwork."

Pictures are stronger than words, and it is images that stay in my mind," said Connie at the maes in Ruthin yesterday. "The work I submitted for the Eisteddfod competition represents my feelings in relation to abortion. My use of red in most of the piece demonstrates my opposition to abortion. Abortion is the killing of a life, but everyone has their own point of view."

Right.. this actually is not the part that angers me. Obviously, this girl is a product of her church and has a strong opinion that goes against mine. But that's fine, and you know, congrats on winning for something that promotes close-mindedness and hatred. But moving along.. this is the part that pisses me off.

Connie's mother Gwenfyl said she agreed with her daughter's opinion on abortion. "We're Christians," she said.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And? Continue? Please? You're Christians? What does that have to do with it? You are anti-choice because you are Christian? I'm going to assume when you say you are Christian, you are the type of Christian I wrote so negatively about in my recent post. Because guess what?? You CAN believe in God and be pro-choice. Imagine!

P.S. I love how European media refers to pro-life people, as "anti-abortion." Of course American media calls them pro-life. I prefer anti-abortion much better. Maybe I should move to Wales?

another funny part of this article:

"A TEENAGER whose anti-abortion artwork was awarded a medal at the Urdd Eisteddfod revealed yesterday that she was inspired after one of her schoolfriends had an abortion"

isn't that sweet? my friend had an abortion so i decided to create artwork that makes her feel like a murderer. i wish i had friends like that!

i've got beef with the catholic church

2006-03-20T17:35:00.001-08:00

okay, so as you may know already, i am catholic. at the moment, i am what we refer to as a C & E catholic, (christmas and easter). but i wasn't always that way. growing up, we went to church every sunday. i made my first communion, confirmation, etc. i even taught confirmation classes on sunday mornings during high school- yes i got up at 8 am to teach 8th graders about God. i know, i can't believe it now either. so basically, i have a strong background in catholicism. it's family tradition and i never even considered ever converting to another religion or not baptising my kids catholic. but now, all that is thrown out the window. i was thinking today about all my problems with the church. and i realized i am fucking ANGRY with what the church i belong to represents and practices. here are my problems:

1. the church is pro-life. INSANELY pro-life. as in, memorial gardens outside my church dedicated to the "millions of unborn children." pro-life enough to give a sermon on mother's day about why abortion is so wrong.

*now, you may be saying, lauren it's a church- of course they are going to support "life." while, i do NOT agree that that is any justification, i could maybe see your point. BUT......

2. the church supports the death penalty. now i am not saying whether or not i support the death penalty. frankly, i go back and forth. i generally strive to be against it and the logical lauren is against it. but, if someone killed someone in my family id want to lynch them myself. so anyways, my problem is that the church is AGAINST abortion because it "takes a life" but they support the death penalty. now, it's not that the church's doctrine says "we support capital punishment." but, the church NEVER makes a statement or goes out of their way to be against it, say in the way it does with abortion. my church doesn't send buses of people to march against the death penalty. and to me, that is hypocritical. you can't pick and choose who you think can live and who can't.

3. you cannot get married in a catholic church if you've been divorced. the church is not as strongly anti-divorce as it used to be, or at least not as blatantly. they like to show it in sneaky ways, like not letting you marry in the church again. apparently if your husband abuses you and you dump his sorry ass and find someone worthy of you, it is your fault that you broke God's union and therefore you cannot get married in his eyes again. that's just fucked up.

4. the church believes that homosexuality is wrong. i do not. i know that some reading this might think homosexuality is wrong. it may be weird, sometimes a little gross to see, but wrong- no. i know that i am not one to decide what is right or wrong. nor do i care. it doesn't bother me in the slightest bit if two guys want to get married or even adopt children. the more the merrier.

the church i belong to is a close-minded backward-thinking hypocritical organization. i disagree with what i consider huge issues. now here's where it gets tricky.

1. i am still catholic. i was baptized catholic, my family is catholic, and i would like to carry on that tradition.

2. i believe in a lot of the stuff the church teaches: communion, penance, etc.

i do not want to leave my church or change religions. but how can i belong to something that goes against major things i believe in. the church rejects homosexuals, people who have had abortions, etc. i think this is WRONG. i do not want to continue to be catholic if catholic means judgmental and self-righteous. i want my children to be catholic, but then again i don't. i do not want to raise my children in a faith that shuts out numerous types of people. i will not tell my children to not judge and be open to everyone and then drag them to church every sunday and make them hear the opposite.

i am not attacking catholic people. i am angry with the church and the church leaders, not the majority of catholic people. because it is in my opinion that the majority of catholic people are like me. they're pro-choice, don't hate gay people, have been divorced, etc. i only wish that people like us made a difference.

senator simpson?

2006-03-17T14:25:00.000-08:00

for those of you anxiously awaiting jessica's appearance on the hill:

black pantsuit: check
conservative hairstyle: check
minimal jewelry (just pearls): check
career plummeting downward: check

where were the glasses jess?

p.s. according to news reports, ms. simpson called a press conference, made everyone wait over an hour for her to come out, and then refused to answer any questions. i guess that just means you can take the girl out of hollywood but you can't take the hollywood out of the girl.. oh come on, that was funny! get it?? like the honkey-tonk saying?? oh go check your online horoscope or something.

this is what is wrong with the world.

2006-03-16T12:09:00.000-08:00

now see that would take too long for me to write and it would probably piss off a lot of people and bore the rest of you. but here is just a small sample of what is wrong with the world, or more specifically, the news media in the good ole usa.

one of the main headlines on CNN.COM today is "Jessica Simpson turns down invitation to meet President Bush" Apparently, the folks at cnn think that this is imperative information that we must know. they didn't even put it in the entertainment section of the news website, it is under top news stories! a little background information..

jessica simpson is just the latest in celebrities to pick a token charity and release press statements about everything she does for it. now, don't get me wrong. i really do respect celebrities who give their time and money to good causes (they all should). but i just think it's funny that they want that recognition for it. like, look at me, see, i might spend millions of dollars on cars and houses and designer purses, but i also give to worthy causes. hip hip hooray. so anyways, jessica supports Operation Smile, which is an amazing charity that offers free plastic surgery to children with facial deformities. jessica is making her way to washington d.c. to "lobby Congress" about Operation Smile. let's get a definition here:

to lobby congress:

several meanings-

1. the true, innocent meaning: speak to representatives about your cause and try to convince them as to why it's important, hoping they will vote your way

2. the political meaning: receive bribes from corporations and organizations to lobby politicians. or to actually bribe the politican yourself (jack abramoff anyone?)

3. the celeb meaning: an excuse to wear a Chanel suit and your "reading glasses" while standing up in front of Congress feeling important. multiple pictures will be taken and featured in US, Star, People, and you will look a responsible, dedicated American citizen.

i am actually looking forward to seeing if jess whips out the glasses. because remember, she had laser eye surgery during season one of newlyweds, so she better not try to pull one over on us!

and yes i know i'm a little harsh and poke fun at this, but it really is more of a good thing than a bad thing. i'm glad jessica is actually doing something worthwhile with her time and hopefully good things will come of it. i for once would just like a celebrity to be charitable and philanthropic without announcing it to the world. and you know what, i bet a lot of them do, we just don't know.

DAISY DUKES TAKES ON WASHINGTON:

NOW MAYBE CONGRESS WOULD LISTEN UP? YA THINK?

I KNEW I LOVED THEM

2006-03-14T16:36:00.000-08:00

TIM AND FAITH ARE DEMOCRATS! not even just democrats mind you- LIBERALS! tim and faith have now joined the ranks of liberal country artists like the dixie chicks, emmylou harris, and... and... hmm yeah that basically sums up the liberal country crowd.

now here's the story: tim and faith have spoken out against Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. you may be thinking, so what who cares, a lot of people have. but this really is a big deal, anyone remember the dixie chicks?? a certain comment made by Natalie Maines in London regarding Bush? which by the way, i whole heartedly support the dixie chicks and their anti-Bush efforts. ah yes, i keep getting off track.

let's put it in simple terms. tim's and faith's fan base is for the most part made up of white, southern, (maybe even a little redneck) diehard Americans- you know, the ones that wave the Confederate flag from their back truck window. now before you get all offended, i am NOT making fun of this unique group of people. i after all am a huge country music fan and have spent my entire life pretending to be more country than i am. for instance, when i meet people at the beach, or somewhere far away, and I tell them I'm from Virginia.. I may lead them to believe that I am from the south. now anyone who knows where I am from or anything about northern va would laugh at this, but these naive northerners haven't a clue. but so anyways, back to the flag bearing rednecks.

for some reason, the majority of people who consider themselves God-fearing, patriot-loving, cornbread and fried chicken eating Americans align themselves with the Republican party. and they are very protective of their president and troops and everything else American. so if anyone, for example- dixie chicks, crosses the line and insults the government, they do not take it lightly. tim and faith probably just alienated a huge amount of the bible belt. i can just see the cd burnings of live like you were dying and breathe right now.

but now back to the title of this post. i knew i loved tim and faith. anyone who knows me knows I was already obsessed with the McGraw clan even before i knew we shared political beliefs (but that just makes it this much sweeter). i really respect tim and faith for speaking out, because that is what this country needs. i know that some of you probably have the opinion of, who do they think they are ranting and raving about politics- they are celebrities. they have as much of a right as we do, and i say let them do it because i put up with all the republican country songs! i may even secretly enjoy rocking out to toby keith, courtesy of the red, white, and blue... it has a good melody...

now on to more serious aspects of this post. tim and faith spoke out against the Katrina relief effort because 1) they are from the area (tim from Louisianna, faith from mississippi) 2) they both have been down there many times donating time and money 3) THE GOVERNMENT'S RELIEF EFFORT IS A JOKE.

here's what team mcgraw had to say:

Both singers have been involved with helping Tim's home state of Louisiana and Faith's native Mississippi, but they feel that little progress has been made to clean up the damage and get people back on their feet. "I do not understand how we could not have done a better job and still can't do a better job," Tim told ABC News. "It's outrageous. I went back just a couple of months ago and it hasn't changed one bit." Faith added, "It's wrong. It's embarrassing. It really gets us fired up because that is our homeland. Not a door moved, not a car moved, and people living in tents." Tim also stated his frustrations with political agendas getting in the way of accomplishments. "When you have people dying because they're black or because they're poor and white, or whatever they are, if that's a number on a political scale, then that is the most wrong thing. That erases everything that's great about our country," Tim declared.

you go!

i agree. the fact that six months later, people are still homeless on the streets, people still do not have water, and there is human waste in the streets is RIDICULOUS. we are spending BILLIONS AND BILLIONS of dollars to help the people of another country. now that is a completely different argument, that i am sure you will have the pleasure of reading at some later point, but either way, why don't we help the people of our country?

breaking up= heart break

2005-11-30T22:06:00.000-08:00

okay not all my entries are going to be funny and silly, they have to be somewhat serious sometimes.. i will follow up with a ligther topic next time i promise!

I personally believe that ending a long term relationship is one of the hardest things for a person to go through. Whether that be boyfriend/girlfriend, engagement, marrige, etc.; it fucking sucks. and it doesn't matter who does it, it hurts no matter what. and i know this from personal experience. and i also recognize what i went through in my friend's experiences. you feel like a person you loved for so long has died. and in a way they have died- because either the person you loved no longer exists and has changed, or you just don't love them anymore. and when you realize one day that you no longer love that person in that way or that it just is not going to work out, that is probably one of the worst days of your entire life. it's like your entire world you planned out has suddenly disappeared. things are not going to work out the way you imagined. you are not just letting go of a relationship, you are letting go of a routine, a friendship, a companion, a life. if this relationship occurred during years of your life where you are growing up and constantly changing, it is even harder. it is so difficult to break away from someone or something that has always been there for you, that has always been a crutch. but on a different note, there is also an exciting silver tint to this cloud. you are entering a new chapter of your life and you are so much stronger now than you ever would have been. so to all of my girlfriends who have survived heartbreak- you are amazing and strong and i love you all. and to those still going through it: the only cure is time. mike- you are and will always be one of my best friends. here is a song i listened to constantly when i was dealing with that.

tom petty "learning to fly"

Well I started out down a dirty r oad
Started out all alone
And the sun went down as I crossed the hill
The town lit up the world got still

I’m learning to fly but I ain’t got wings
Comin’ down is the hardest thing

Well the good old days may not return
And the rocks might melt, and the sea may burn

I’m learning to fly but I ain’t got wings
Comin’ down is the hardest thing

Well some say life will beat you down
Break your heart, steal your crown
So I started out for God kno ws where
But I guess I’ll know when I get there

I’m learning to fly around the clouds
But what goes up must come down

I’m learning to fly but I ain’t got wings
Comin’ down is the hardest thing
I’m learning to fly around the clouds
But what goes up must come down

I’m learning to fly
I’m learning to fly

kas- i love you!

Thank God for Girlfriends- p.s. i stole that from your profile ashleigh!

this is serious people SERIOUS

2005-10-19T15:15:00.000-07:00

ok not so much. but it requires more of your attention and participation than the other entries. this has to do with relationships- college relationships in particular.

hypothetical situation: boy meets girl. girl likes boy. boy and girl hang out. boy and girl love each other. ahh if it only it was that simple. when we were younger we all imagined that sometime around that perfect halfway mark of college we would meet the man of our dreams. we would date for the rest of school and sometime after graduation become engaged. then we'd move into our cute little house together and have cute little babies. and our marriage would be perfect and our children will be never misbehave like we did.. and growing up we all just thought when you meet THAT PERSON you know, right away he is THAT PERSON. the one who will add that last little piece of the jigsaw puzzle to your life. and you won't doubt he is THAT PERSON. buttt then we grew up. and realized not everyone gets married at 23 (THANK GOD) and not everyone marries the perfect guy. and sometimes loving a person isn't enough and sometimes being madly in love with someone doesn't mean they are THAT PERSON. still following? i guess we need to offer a definition of THAT PERSON. and yes i keep capitalizing it and i am not really sure why.

THAT PERSON= good looking, smart, funny (but not mean funny), rich (but not so rich he is an ass), around the same age as you- preferably slightly older (definitely not younger), shares every single fantasy you've ever had about your married/motherly life.

WHATTTTT.... maybe not the last one?? but maybe that's what we all imagined? like for instance, my family pet was a beagle named Cassie RIP(also my best friend's name- please do not confuse) and my current family pet is also a beagle named Sophia Bella Bull. My mother had a beagle growing up named Ivy- not really sure why. so basially, I am a beagle person. they are cute and fat and really snuggly. so of course, i always imagined my husband, one boy, one girl, and large home with a beagle. preferably female- although i am willing to compromise. and of course my husband will not care because this is what i want and he did not have a life before me that gave him different views- i mean come on people... well much to my dismay, my ex boyfriend loves pugs. LOVES THEM. and his perfect little fantasy life includes a butt ugly pug. gross. my current bf just hates beagles- asshole. so i am coming to terms with the fact that my future perfect life may not include a beagle. and it makes me sad. but you know what, it's ok. because sometimes it is fun when your life turns out different from the fantasy.

now the actual point of this post.

what if you are in love with a boy? like i mean you love this boy, your sex life is good, you have fun together, your friends like him, etc. but you just come from two totally different backgrounds? and i don't mean like he was raised in a commune in new mexico, i mean like... just different views on things.. like how to live that perfect life in the near or maybe very far future.

should you think about that? should you be thinking about marriage and whether you two are compatible for your perfect life fantasy? i mean, yeah there is validity in that argument. sometimes people just disagree on issues and those issuse can make or break a relationship. like what if you are catholic (which i am) and you want to raise your children catholic? and the boy you love isn't catholic, in fact hates catholics (very common) and does not want his little boys praising the pope (former nazi youth person)?? i mean this is a real issue. what is more important? that your kids are raised catholic- and i am not making fun of that, i mean i want mine catholic, or that the father of your kids is the man you can't live without- or do not want to live without?

and if you decide that no it is not worth having little hethans running around your house, and that you just will not marry this boy- when do you make the break? i mean, you are happy right now, and lets face it- the majority of us are not getting married right out of college (again- THANK GOD) so what is the point in ending a really great relationship? but on a different note, what is the point in continuing a relationship that you already decided has an ending?

THIS IS MY OPINION:

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVVEEEEE yeah i said it. so did john lennon. and he was a lot smarter than me so you should listen to him even if you think i'm dumb.

look i am willing to sacrifice my beagle- not sophia bella- my future beagle. duh. bc listen, if you love someone- it is worth making it work. yeah you will not agree on stuff, and maybe there is a soul mate for you out there, maybe there isn't, maybe there's 40 of them. but one thing i do know is that they are not cut from the same cookie dough you are. they won't have the same exact views as you, they won't want the same dog as you. and sometimes you may look at them and say "you are a fucking idiot and my parents raised me better than yours." and that's ok. because you love them. and one thing i am sure of is that 30 years down the road, do you want to be with that crazy motherfucker you just can't get enough of who has a confederate flag bandana from his teenage years but is too pussy to ever wear it or the boring annoying catholic who comes to church with you every sunday and sings really bad and loud in your ears during mass? and besides, catholic kids are always the worst. look at me.

any comments??? opinions??? totally disagreements???

it's a hit.

2005-10-18T22:00:00.000-07:00

tyler: you saved an issue with celeb cellulite?

that's my bf. don't you love how he commented on that and totally ignored how i said he annoyed me this week? now he probably thinks i am officially looney. oh well- i am. and now he'll probably notice my cellulite even more. DAMNIT.

Blog Virgin

2005-10-18T21:30:00.000-07:00

First blog entry- yay!

things on my mind:

titanic is the best/worst movie ever made- love it- but god i cry just as much as i did when i saw it 5 times in the theater when i was 13. i have to say though, kate winslet just gets prettier with age. don't you just love her?? i think i am going to permanently add her to my favorite actress list.

1. Renee Zelwegger- this was a tough one- constant battle for the first between Renee & Nic
2. Nicole Kidman
3. Kate Winslet

leo is so f'ing hot. i don't care what anyone says- absolutely gorgeous. no tim mcgraw tho.

i think he would have to be on my favorite actor list as well. and tim. tim was AMAZING in friday night lights- go see it.

1. Russell Crowe- so sexy
2. Jude Law- although the nanny escapades soured me a little
3. Clive Owen- i shouldn't have to explain this right?

if you don't know me, i should probably warn you i am celebrity OBSESSED. pretty much my day revolves around when i can check my gossip websites. oh and i love fridays- new issues of US Weekly, Star, People, InTouch, etc.

speaking of which- i'll now proceed to comment on the top celeb stories

NICK & JESS: DONZO. please for the love of god. is it mean that I am almost looking forward to the day they finally announce their legal separation? i guess i'm just mad at jess for going all gorgeous skinny hollywood on us. bitch.

TOMKAT: weird. creepy. ew. i'll have you know it's taken a long time for me to come out and officially denounce tom. but it's been leading up to this- first he breaks nic's heart :( then he date that horrid penelope cruz- gross and this whole scientology thing- YIKES. but i mean i will still give him this- he's an awesome actor and i don't care if you don't agree, because you are wrong. and you are also wrong if you think renee isn't good either or nicole isn't pretty- because she is (both of them). big foreheads are freakin hot people. alright totally lost my train of thought. oh yeah- great actor. a few good men?? I WANT THE TRUTH! love it. and if you haven't seen "the last samurai" go rent it. NOW. but anyways- he's such a good little actor and now he's gone and molested joey potter. cute little innocent joey potter from across the creek. good luck with your little alien baby.

jennifer aniston & vince. love it. so cute. disclaimer: also LOVE brad& ang YOU CAN LOVE BOTH PEOPLE

and i would also like to comment on a little article in one of those tabloids about celebrities who are just as self conscious as we are. i suppose we are supposed to relate to them and sympathize with carmen electra that she doesn't like her stomach? fuck off. definitely going to have to pull out that issue of national enquirer i saved with pics of celebrities' cellulite. that's also a cheerer upper.

other things i'd like to share:

i have a nice bf. he annoyed me earlier in the week but it's okay now.

i also have a nice ex bf. i annoy him a lot. but we're cool like that. he took me to nashville and showed me tim & faith's house. what a boy!

my best friends are way better than yours.

p.s. i am also going to see Elizabethtown this weekend and i don't care if it got bad reviews- they are morons! i love cameron crowe movies. JERRY MAGUIRE- oh tom what happened to you?!?! tom petty always on the soundtrack- can't miss.

also, in case the name of this blog didn't give it away.. this blog is meant to be an outlet for my personal political biews. however, when I feel the need to speak on other pertinent topics such as celebrities and my daily annoyances, I will. Because I can. Because it's my blog.