Continuation from the last post...
Here's John Gorenfeld's video about Moon and his crowning as the King of America (which happened at Dirksen Senate Building in 2004):
TheKingofAmerica.com
Primitive Korean Confucian morals are taking over America, disguised as conservatism and Christianity. If this isn't the so-called Yellow Peril, I don't know what is.
Now, I fully expect to find myself, Gorenfeld, and others on the South Korean government hitlist. I'll be honored to be on the hitlist of such a barbaric enemy of democracy and individual rights.
Another fact: most American sushi restaurants are supplied by True World Foods, which is owned by Moon. No wonder most sushi restaurants in America are owned not by Japanese, but by Koreans.
Chicago Tribune
29 March 2008
28 March 2008
Bad Moon Rising
DiAnne Grieser sent me the following Daily Kos discussion. I normally refuse to hang out there anymore, but this discussion on Reverend Moon is too important to ignore. In fact, John Gorenfeld has a book about Moon's manipulation of American politics.
Daily Kos
While the comments point out that Moon is an ally of convenience at odds with both Korean traditions and American Christianity, I still believe that it is of no relevance at all. The fact remains that both the Republican Party and the South Korean neoliberal government benefit handsomely from Moon's activities.
In fact, some comments point out that Moon is not even a US citizen, and as a convicted felon, must be deported. I say it won't happen, since South Korea must agree to take him back, and it's benefiting too much from Moon's manipulation of American politics to ever do so.
If America ever wakes up, the first thing it ought to do is to make South Korea pay dearly for Moon's actions. Sanctions must be pulled out against the likes of Samsung, LG, and Hyundai, and Korean Air (which killed 270 civilians while flying a Reaganian spy mission) must be barred forever from US skies.
Daily Kos
While the comments point out that Moon is an ally of convenience at odds with both Korean traditions and American Christianity, I still believe that it is of no relevance at all. The fact remains that both the Republican Party and the South Korean neoliberal government benefit handsomely from Moon's activities.
In fact, some comments point out that Moon is not even a US citizen, and as a convicted felon, must be deported. I say it won't happen, since South Korea must agree to take him back, and it's benefiting too much from Moon's manipulation of American politics to ever do so.
If America ever wakes up, the first thing it ought to do is to make South Korea pay dearly for Moon's actions. Sanctions must be pulled out against the likes of Samsung, LG, and Hyundai, and Korean Air (which killed 270 civilians while flying a Reaganian spy mission) must be barred forever from US skies.
27 March 2008
Birthday Girl
Scratch that. Mariah Carey doesn't celebrate birthdays - she calls them anniversaries. But she's turning 38 today in any case. (Time flies - she was only 20 when "Vision of Love" hit the airwaves.)Below is a very interesting Parade interview with her that reveals quite a lot about her, and all the contradictions she carries around. She says her self-esteem never tops the charts. With her new album, E=MC2, coming up in a few weeks, I expect to see her in the news quite a bit. The lead single, "Touch My Body," is growing on me.
There is also a quiz that tests your knowledge of Mariah trivia. I got 17 questions right out of 20. I didn't know that she bought Marilyn Monroe's piano (I answered "Sir Elton John's piano" - definitely MY answer, not HERS!), though I know her well enough to be ranked in the "Hero" category (16-20 correct). After all, Mariah Carey remains one of the few entertainers I've met in person, even to this day, and I was one of her earliest fans.
Hopefully I will look forward to a concert tour as well, so that I can see Mariah right here in Southern California - something that has yet to happen, as my previous experiences were in New York, San Jose, and Las Vegas.
Parade
22 March 2008
Taiwanese elections
Following the example of South Korea, Taiwan has chosen to turn its politics to the right, both in the parliament and in the presidency, handing both to the Nationalists (KMT) - the presidential vote being today. The margin of victory was 17% for the presidential election.
The main issue was the outgoing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)'s nationalist streak, trying to carve a more independent path for Taiwan, breaking away from the past, which had been dominated by KMT and its mainland politicians for decades. DPP's pro-native politics struck the wrong nerves with Beijing, negatively affecting the cross-Strait relations and hurting Taiwan's economy, which is increasingly relying on cheap mainland labor. KMT, being more pro-mainland due to its heritage, benefited as a result.
It's ironic though, considering that KMT had driven a hardline anti-communist policy for much of its existence and past rule (to a point of helping fund the Moonies), but is willing to work more with the mainland today. It's also worth remembering that KMT's rule was hardly democratic, with many Taiwan natives suffering at their hands (or at least losing their representation, due to KMT being made up of mainlanders).
DPP was not only pro-natives, but also pro-LGBT (the most LGBT-friendly political party in East Asia, in fact) and supportive of other disadvantaged groups. It's regrettable that its message of inclusion could not stand up to the looming threat of mainland China.
I wonder what the responses are in Chinatowns across the US, but considering that mainland exiles, as opposed to Taiwan natives, make up the bulk of the Taiwan contingent in Chinatown, I expect strong support for the new KMT government. At least I hope they do not become the partisan hacks that the Korean and Vietnamese communities have become. The one thing going for Chinatown: mainland China, despite Communist Party leadership, loves capitalism, and the Taiwan contingent sees mainland China as a strategic partner and money maker, instead of a lethal enemy like Vietnam or North Korea, lessening a need for McCarthyist thinking.
BBC
The main issue was the outgoing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)'s nationalist streak, trying to carve a more independent path for Taiwan, breaking away from the past, which had been dominated by KMT and its mainland politicians for decades. DPP's pro-native politics struck the wrong nerves with Beijing, negatively affecting the cross-Strait relations and hurting Taiwan's economy, which is increasingly relying on cheap mainland labor. KMT, being more pro-mainland due to its heritage, benefited as a result.
It's ironic though, considering that KMT had driven a hardline anti-communist policy for much of its existence and past rule (to a point of helping fund the Moonies), but is willing to work more with the mainland today. It's also worth remembering that KMT's rule was hardly democratic, with many Taiwan natives suffering at their hands (or at least losing their representation, due to KMT being made up of mainlanders).
DPP was not only pro-natives, but also pro-LGBT (the most LGBT-friendly political party in East Asia, in fact) and supportive of other disadvantaged groups. It's regrettable that its message of inclusion could not stand up to the looming threat of mainland China.
I wonder what the responses are in Chinatowns across the US, but considering that mainland exiles, as opposed to Taiwan natives, make up the bulk of the Taiwan contingent in Chinatown, I expect strong support for the new KMT government. At least I hope they do not become the partisan hacks that the Korean and Vietnamese communities have become. The one thing going for Chinatown: mainland China, despite Communist Party leadership, loves capitalism, and the Taiwan contingent sees mainland China as a strategic partner and money maker, instead of a lethal enemy like Vietnam or North Korea, lessening a need for McCarthyist thinking.
BBC
20 March 2008
Democrats may gain more congressional seats
That's what the analyses and news reports say.
My House seat has a strong Republican incumbent, which the Democrats will target this time, but it won't be easy. My two Democratic Senators are not facing re-election this time.
As for the presidential race, Obama and Hillary are busy hurting each other, and McCain looks stronger with each passing day. Even this week's brilliant Obama speech on race is seen as something that will come back to hurt him later, now that it's in the clear that Obama's church pastor is a controversial figure.
AP via Yahoo! (Republican woes)
Rasmussen via Yahoo! (Obama woes)
My House seat has a strong Republican incumbent, which the Democrats will target this time, but it won't be easy. My two Democratic Senators are not facing re-election this time.
As for the presidential race, Obama and Hillary are busy hurting each other, and McCain looks stronger with each passing day. Even this week's brilliant Obama speech on race is seen as something that will come back to hurt him later, now that it's in the clear that Obama's church pastor is a controversial figure.
AP via Yahoo! (Republican woes)
Rasmussen via Yahoo! (Obama woes)
Hagel: We May Need a New Party
Chuck Hagel, the Nebraska Republican Senator who, despite agreeing with W on most other issues, has disagreed strongly on the Iraq War, writes in his new book that an independent movement, a bi-partisan presidential ticket, or even a new political party, may be what America needs right now.
This is a retiring politician who has nothing to lose by being honest; his words need to be taken seriously. He is critical of the recklessness of the neoconservatives who have hijacked his party, especially since they completely ignored the lessons from the Vietnam War, in which Hagel himself fought.
Definitely points worth pondering.
AP via Yahoo!
This is a retiring politician who has nothing to lose by being honest; his words need to be taken seriously. He is critical of the recklessness of the neoconservatives who have hijacked his party, especially since they completely ignored the lessons from the Vietnam War, in which Hagel himself fought.
Definitely points worth pondering.
AP via Yahoo!
19 March 2008
5th anniversary of the Iraq War
It's already been five years now - far longer than the honorable struggle against fascism in World War II.
And the fact remains that this was a war of personal vendettas and paybacks to powerful contractors, not about making America safer.
There have been many events to mark the anniversary and renew calls to stop the war. I haven't been able to participate, however.
When the war was about to start, Matthew Carnicelli of Human Potential Left (and also of Democracy Cell Project) wrote an open letter to W, telling him that he drop his personal obsession with Saddam, and that his attention better be focused on the real threat - Korea (North in this case), with real nukes capable of taking out a major US city. Read the letter below.
HPLeft
And the fact remains that this was a war of personal vendettas and paybacks to powerful contractors, not about making America safer.
There have been many events to mark the anniversary and renew calls to stop the war. I haven't been able to participate, however.
When the war was about to start, Matthew Carnicelli of Human Potential Left (and also of Democracy Cell Project) wrote an open letter to W, telling him that he drop his personal obsession with Saddam, and that his attention better be focused on the real threat - Korea (North in this case), with real nukes capable of taking out a major US city. Read the letter below.
HPLeft
18 March 2008
Tibetan violence
The situation over in Tibet is getting worse, as Tibetans calling for greater autonomy are clashing with Chinese authorities, and deaths are resulting.
The Chinese government now accuses the Dalai Lama of fomenting violence in order to derail the Beijing Olympics this summer. Meanwhile, the Dalai Lama is calling for nonviolence on all sides, and rightfully points out the possibility of the Chinese authorities flaring up the tensions to discredit him.
The International Olympic Committee is committed to having Beijing host the Olympics, even as Beijing worsens its human rights record in order to establish strict order for the event. The EU is considering boycotting the opening ceremony, while the US is enthusiastic about the Games, to a point where W himself will attend.
In the wake of the '89 Tian An Men Square massacre, China should not have been awarded the Olympics without concrete proof of real human rights improvements. But then, the IOC is proving itself to be a joke, based on its previous conduct in '80 Moscow and '88 Seoul. The Seoul games had also been awarded in the wake of a major massacre of pro-democracy activists; the military junta in South Korea blamed the Communists, an outright lie accepted at face value by both the Reagan Administration and the IOC.
I certainly won't be watching any telecasts of the Beijing games, and am glad that I didn't buy any "Beijing 2008" merchandise during my 2002 Beijing visit.
AP via Yahoo!
The Chinese government now accuses the Dalai Lama of fomenting violence in order to derail the Beijing Olympics this summer. Meanwhile, the Dalai Lama is calling for nonviolence on all sides, and rightfully points out the possibility of the Chinese authorities flaring up the tensions to discredit him.
The International Olympic Committee is committed to having Beijing host the Olympics, even as Beijing worsens its human rights record in order to establish strict order for the event. The EU is considering boycotting the opening ceremony, while the US is enthusiastic about the Games, to a point where W himself will attend.
In the wake of the '89 Tian An Men Square massacre, China should not have been awarded the Olympics without concrete proof of real human rights improvements. But then, the IOC is proving itself to be a joke, based on its previous conduct in '80 Moscow and '88 Seoul. The Seoul games had also been awarded in the wake of a major massacre of pro-democracy activists; the military junta in South Korea blamed the Communists, an outright lie accepted at face value by both the Reagan Administration and the IOC.
I certainly won't be watching any telecasts of the Beijing games, and am glad that I didn't buy any "Beijing 2008" merchandise during my 2002 Beijing visit.
AP via Yahoo!
17 March 2008
Elton and Hillary: One Night Only
Next month, shortly before I am due to see him in Orange County, Sir Elton John is doing a solo show at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, as a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton.
I guess it's better than a fundraiser for John McCain, but not by much. Given that Hillary's attacks on Obama have gone to a point where she considers McCain to be a better presidential material than Obama (another example of Democrats eating their own, after Zell Miller and Joe Lieberman), Elton's high-profile support will polarize the Democrats even further. Besides, the last time I checked, despite a residence in Atlanta, Elton was still British, with primary residence in London. He shouldn't be politicking in the US.
I am disappointed, to say the least.
Going to war
I am fairly well entrenched in the peace movement by now, knowing many key CodePink activists and attending a good number of their functions. And I certainly appreciate and support their activism to end the impossible-to-justify wars going on.
However, I must remember that while opposing wars of imperialistic expansion and personal greed is a very noble and patriotic cause, opposing defense against a real threat is cowardly. Iraq is definitely in the former camp, having never posed a credible threat, and Afghanistan looked like the latter in the wake of 9/11, but has become the former as well, as there are no efforts to rout the real enemy, the Taliban and al-Qaeda. (In fact, I am suspecting that they are purposely kept alive, to "justify" staying in Iraq longer.) So many resources are squandered on these "efforts" that the US is no longer able to effectively mount a defense against real threats and/or meet its domestic needs.
In fact, I am increasingly fed up, the more I learn about the real threats, which show up not in the form of weapons of mass destruction, but in the form of media manipulation and partisan politicking right inside the US borders. In fact, I consider sending the likes of Rupert Murdoch or Sun Myung Moon to the US to be acts of war, if the government of the home country actively and knowingly engaged in the decision. At least in the case of Australia, Murdoch seems to have acted as a private citizen, powerful and greedy as he may have been. But in Moon's case, the South Korean government had a vested interest in manipulating US politics and turning the American public opinion to the right, to avoid the fate of South Vietnam and to blunt the leftist criticism of its human rights record. It is a well-known fact that South Korea's president and prime minister were actively involved in strengthening Moon and sending him to the US in the 1970s. And the efforts have been devastatingly successful, to a point where Reagan and Bush Sr. both openly declared Moon to be a valuable ally - not bad for a convicted tax evader.
In fact, the conduct of Moon, South Korea, and the Korean-American community, acting in blatantly partisan manner and helping the likes of W destroy the foundations of American democracy (while still calling it "defending freedom") easily adds up to an act of war. They have even asked for the wholesale extermination of law-abiding Americans, notably LGBTs. Thanks to them, America is no longer America; Moon openly declared that the free-flowing American spirit must be stopped. The recently "negotiated" free trade agreement between the two countries (without the knowledge and approval of the American people) and the return of the fascist party to power in South Korea are only the icings on the cake. Again, manipulating a trusted alliance relationship for partisan and selfish gains, at the expense of the basic underlying principles of the US, amounts to an act of war.
Unfortunately, the Republicans are too busy putting their party before their country, to ever put up a resistance against the South Korean menace (or protect the US Constitution, period). And the Democrats are too politically correct, wishing for those Korean-American votes that will never come to fruition. (And most Democrats are just too dumb to realize the damage done to their own party by South Korea.) But the ineptitude of both major parties does not take away the fact that South Korea is a menace that must be dealt with - even more so than even "rogue states" like North Korea and Iran, and certainly more so than other influential allies such as Israel and Saudi Arabia. The Israeli lobby surely is strong and feared by both parties, but it did not attack the bedrock principles of the US nor turn blatantly partisan.
I've stated on other blogs that a war against South Korea is the one war that is more than justifiable. And given the wholesale brainwashing of the American public thanks to Moon's efforts, I stand by that statement. It's too bad that the Moonies have helped America sink into the Iraqi quagmire, so that it will never be able to strike the Moonies themselves as is. Besides, Americans look at Samsung cell phones and Hyundai cars, and think that such a technologically advanced country as South Korea can't be such a barbaric enemy of American principles and ideals. WRONG!
If John McCain is the man of honor that he claims to be, and will stand up to South Korea in defense of American freedoms, he will have my full support. Unfortunately, the McCain I know puts party before country, does not believe in the US Constitution, and stands to benefit handsomely from the Korean influence.
Lastly, I myself may stand to lose a lot if the war against South Korea goes ahead, since I still know people in Seoul. But the fact is that they too tried to destroy American values, and voted for the fascists; they need to pay too, and I won't hesitate to make them pay. And I am willing to lose personally, in order for the America I live in to become the America it ought to be.
However, I must remember that while opposing wars of imperialistic expansion and personal greed is a very noble and patriotic cause, opposing defense against a real threat is cowardly. Iraq is definitely in the former camp, having never posed a credible threat, and Afghanistan looked like the latter in the wake of 9/11, but has become the former as well, as there are no efforts to rout the real enemy, the Taliban and al-Qaeda. (In fact, I am suspecting that they are purposely kept alive, to "justify" staying in Iraq longer.) So many resources are squandered on these "efforts" that the US is no longer able to effectively mount a defense against real threats and/or meet its domestic needs.
In fact, I am increasingly fed up, the more I learn about the real threats, which show up not in the form of weapons of mass destruction, but in the form of media manipulation and partisan politicking right inside the US borders. In fact, I consider sending the likes of Rupert Murdoch or Sun Myung Moon to the US to be acts of war, if the government of the home country actively and knowingly engaged in the decision. At least in the case of Australia, Murdoch seems to have acted as a private citizen, powerful and greedy as he may have been. But in Moon's case, the South Korean government had a vested interest in manipulating US politics and turning the American public opinion to the right, to avoid the fate of South Vietnam and to blunt the leftist criticism of its human rights record. It is a well-known fact that South Korea's president and prime minister were actively involved in strengthening Moon and sending him to the US in the 1970s. And the efforts have been devastatingly successful, to a point where Reagan and Bush Sr. both openly declared Moon to be a valuable ally - not bad for a convicted tax evader.
In fact, the conduct of Moon, South Korea, and the Korean-American community, acting in blatantly partisan manner and helping the likes of W destroy the foundations of American democracy (while still calling it "defending freedom") easily adds up to an act of war. They have even asked for the wholesale extermination of law-abiding Americans, notably LGBTs. Thanks to them, America is no longer America; Moon openly declared that the free-flowing American spirit must be stopped. The recently "negotiated" free trade agreement between the two countries (without the knowledge and approval of the American people) and the return of the fascist party to power in South Korea are only the icings on the cake. Again, manipulating a trusted alliance relationship for partisan and selfish gains, at the expense of the basic underlying principles of the US, amounts to an act of war.
Unfortunately, the Republicans are too busy putting their party before their country, to ever put up a resistance against the South Korean menace (or protect the US Constitution, period). And the Democrats are too politically correct, wishing for those Korean-American votes that will never come to fruition. (And most Democrats are just too dumb to realize the damage done to their own party by South Korea.) But the ineptitude of both major parties does not take away the fact that South Korea is a menace that must be dealt with - even more so than even "rogue states" like North Korea and Iran, and certainly more so than other influential allies such as Israel and Saudi Arabia. The Israeli lobby surely is strong and feared by both parties, but it did not attack the bedrock principles of the US nor turn blatantly partisan.
I've stated on other blogs that a war against South Korea is the one war that is more than justifiable. And given the wholesale brainwashing of the American public thanks to Moon's efforts, I stand by that statement. It's too bad that the Moonies have helped America sink into the Iraqi quagmire, so that it will never be able to strike the Moonies themselves as is. Besides, Americans look at Samsung cell phones and Hyundai cars, and think that such a technologically advanced country as South Korea can't be such a barbaric enemy of American principles and ideals. WRONG!
If John McCain is the man of honor that he claims to be, and will stand up to South Korea in defense of American freedoms, he will have my full support. Unfortunately, the McCain I know puts party before country, does not believe in the US Constitution, and stands to benefit handsomely from the Korean influence.
Lastly, I myself may stand to lose a lot if the war against South Korea goes ahead, since I still know people in Seoul. But the fact is that they too tried to destroy American values, and voted for the fascists; they need to pay too, and I won't hesitate to make them pay. And I am willing to lose personally, in order for the America I live in to become the America it ought to be.
15 March 2008
Ralph Nader
Recent polls say that Republican John McCain is leading the matchup against both Democratic candidates, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, and the lead is due to Ralph Nader siphoning about 6% of the votes away from the Democratic side.
Nader has a reputation as a consumer advocate, but his real background includes all the things he has campaigned against. He's busted unions, deceived people, and played the stock market for his selfish ends. And he still has yet to apologize for tipping the close 2000 presidential election to W in at least two states, including crucial Florida, therefore hurting the very progressive causes he claimed to stand for.
Nader needs to be flushed out of American politics, and sent to a welcoming Communist country where he belongs. Read more below.
RealChange.org
Nader has a reputation as a consumer advocate, but his real background includes all the things he has campaigned against. He's busted unions, deceived people, and played the stock market for his selfish ends. And he still has yet to apologize for tipping the close 2000 presidential election to W in at least two states, including crucial Florida, therefore hurting the very progressive causes he claimed to stand for.
Nader needs to be flushed out of American politics, and sent to a welcoming Communist country where he belongs. Read more below.
RealChange.org
12 March 2008
Eliot Spitzer
The once-popular governor of New York State, Democrat Eliot Spitzer, has been implicated in a prostitution scandal, and has been forced to resign today.
Spitzer was known as Mr. Clean, due to his aggressive prosecution of corrupt politicians and businessmen during his tenure as the state Attorney General. He also was very tough on prostitution, so he got caught by his own laws and apparatus. People are giving him very little sympathy, as a result.
I see one thing though: the Republicans have been very upfront about threatening impeachment and going after the wrongdoings of Spitzer. They immediately pounced on this, and directed their media propaganda outlets to cover Spitzer heavily (not to mention covering the relief of Wall Street neoliberal fascists, who once were Spitzer's targets). Contrast this with the Democrats, who have known of W's perversion of the US Constitution, but have put the impeachment "off the table," and are helping pass his police state legislations.
This tells me the state of the nation, which boils down to only one political party mattering at all - the Republicans, the party that considers me worse than a terrorist. Between this, and the ever-uglier fight between Hillary and Obama, I am preparing to stay home this November, since McCain is rigged to win anyway.
BBC
Spitzer was known as Mr. Clean, due to his aggressive prosecution of corrupt politicians and businessmen during his tenure as the state Attorney General. He also was very tough on prostitution, so he got caught by his own laws and apparatus. People are giving him very little sympathy, as a result.
I see one thing though: the Republicans have been very upfront about threatening impeachment and going after the wrongdoings of Spitzer. They immediately pounced on this, and directed their media propaganda outlets to cover Spitzer heavily (not to mention covering the relief of Wall Street neoliberal fascists, who once were Spitzer's targets). Contrast this with the Democrats, who have known of W's perversion of the US Constitution, but have put the impeachment "off the table," and are helping pass his police state legislations.
This tells me the state of the nation, which boils down to only one political party mattering at all - the Republicans, the party that considers me worse than a terrorist. Between this, and the ever-uglier fight between Hillary and Obama, I am preparing to stay home this November, since McCain is rigged to win anyway.
BBC
10 March 2008
College spring breaks
(Photo: me next to a canal in Bruges, Belgium, on March 16, 1998.)For me, March is a special month.
Back in college, mid-March was when I had my spring breaks. In my four years in college, I stayed put in New York City only once. I came back to California once, and the other two were spent in Europe. And it's those European spring breaks that have meant so much to me.
Today, as it turns out, is the 12th anniversary of my first arrival in London (or anywhere in Europe). Being able to mingle with a New York-based student group for most of the trip, but also to explore London on my own toward the end, was simply priceless.
And ten years ago was my final spring break - one that took me not only back to London, but on to Brussels and Paris, my first visits to both. Brussels and Bruges were underrated cities that nevertheless showed off many different charms, and Paris, the city I always wanted to visit since childhood, lived up to my lofty expectations. I still remember strolling the Versailles grounds and rushing through the Louvre like it happened just yesterday, even though it's been ten (!) years now. The trip ended nicely in London, as I sped in my rental car toward Stonehenge.
This second trip was extremely special, since in developing the theme of self-discovery that I had initiated during my first London trip, I made the trip under my newfound female identity - the first time I traveled overseas as Rachel. As I look at the photos from that trip, I see myself in the then-popular wrap skirts and other dressy fashions, and my facial expressions betray the frustrations I had with the religious extremists back in New York. But the important thing is that I made this trip at all, and still managed to have a good time.
I've never had another trip anywhere near that memorable since then. My third European trip, to Amsterdam and Cologne in 1999, was a disaster, and my fourth and final one, back to the now-familiar stomping grounds in London and Paris in 2003, was just to "prove" that I could still eke out a decent time in Europe, not to make new valuable memories. And now, I find myself with decent bank account balances (a luxury I didn't have when I made all those trips), but the lack of free time and the unfavorable exchange rates conspire against me. Another special European trip can't come soon enough. Until then, I will have to sit on the old memories.
03 March 2008
More on the Pew Religion Survey
I discussed this recently. Even though America is predominantly Christian, Protestants are set to become a minority, and 44% of Americans have changed to a different (or no) religion since childhood.
Below is a continuing discussion of religion, and also political beliefs (given religion's heavy role in American politics), and how they may change over one's lifetime, by fellow blogger DiAnne Grieser at Democracy Cell Project.
Democracy Cell Project
Below is a continuing discussion of religion, and also political beliefs (given religion's heavy role in American politics), and how they may change over one's lifetime, by fellow blogger DiAnne Grieser at Democracy Cell Project.
Democracy Cell Project
Miley Cyrus - the next Britney Spears?
In the teenage world, Britney Spears was the hottest star of 1999 and the few years thereafter. Today, Miley Cyrus, daughter of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, is the hottest.
Both entered the entertainment world thanks to the connections of their parents - and the Disney entertainment empire, always hungry to keep those childhood customers even into their teenage years. Britney was a Mouseketeer, and Miley is Hannah Montana. Both sing very catchy, sugary songs that have a very short shelf life - Miley sings "See You Again" which is the top hit today at teen-oriented radio stations.
And here is where these factors get troubling, as these teenage stars get pulled from different demands and directions. Britney and Miley both present very sexy images, because, well, sex sells - to girls who want to look attractive, and to boys who want attractive girls. Yet, the social conservatism of their southern families demand that they sign virginity pledges - a routine that was propagated during the years after Bill Clinton's sex scandal, by the ascendant Religious Right and its consumer groups ever casting a cloud over Disney and similar corporations. Of course, everyone knows that Britney Spears couldn't keep her pledge, sleeping with fellow Mouseketeer Justin Timberlake - and even Jessica Simpson, the squeaky clean daughter of a Baptist minister, couldn't. Miley will be under tremendous pressure to lose, or keep, her virginity.
And this pressure has proven to be devastating to Britney. Miley will be lucky to do any better. Fame and fortune at a young age is never an easy thing to manage. And by the time Miley starts to be forgotten, another teeny bopper idol will come along, for the new generation of teens. Then the cycle starts again.
And to think about it, all of this is just too pathetic anyway, destroying the stars involved, sending the wrong messages to the young fans, and more. Can't the entertainment industry do better than this? Disney's own Hilary Duff was a better example of raising a teen star, IMO.
Here's an MSN Movies article dealing with Miley and Britney.
Both entered the entertainment world thanks to the connections of their parents - and the Disney entertainment empire, always hungry to keep those childhood customers even into their teenage years. Britney was a Mouseketeer, and Miley is Hannah Montana. Both sing very catchy, sugary songs that have a very short shelf life - Miley sings "See You Again" which is the top hit today at teen-oriented radio stations.
And here is where these factors get troubling, as these teenage stars get pulled from different demands and directions. Britney and Miley both present very sexy images, because, well, sex sells - to girls who want to look attractive, and to boys who want attractive girls. Yet, the social conservatism of their southern families demand that they sign virginity pledges - a routine that was propagated during the years after Bill Clinton's sex scandal, by the ascendant Religious Right and its consumer groups ever casting a cloud over Disney and similar corporations. Of course, everyone knows that Britney Spears couldn't keep her pledge, sleeping with fellow Mouseketeer Justin Timberlake - and even Jessica Simpson, the squeaky clean daughter of a Baptist minister, couldn't. Miley will be under tremendous pressure to lose, or keep, her virginity.
And this pressure has proven to be devastating to Britney. Miley will be lucky to do any better. Fame and fortune at a young age is never an easy thing to manage. And by the time Miley starts to be forgotten, another teeny bopper idol will come along, for the new generation of teens. Then the cycle starts again.
And to think about it, all of this is just too pathetic anyway, destroying the stars involved, sending the wrong messages to the young fans, and more. Can't the entertainment industry do better than this? Disney's own Hilary Duff was a better example of raising a teen star, IMO.
Here's an MSN Movies article dealing with Miley and Britney.
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