Greetings.
Today I write on a topic that will not surprise any Midwesterners: People in Wisconsin like to drink! A LOT!
This will come as not surprise to anyone who has spent any time any where near Wisconsin. The drinking age was 18 until recent memory and there are many breweries all over the state. It is enmeshed in the culture as much as cheese and the Packers.
But is this obsession a good thing? In a New York Times article published recently the journalist acknowledged a strong German tradition that penetrates Wisconsin's history. This connection is later written off as a being a bit unbelievable since most German immigrants came in the 1800's and are fully assimilated. Besides, I am hard pressed to think of a culture, besides those associated with the Muslim faith, that don't claim "heavy drinking" as a "cultural trait". From the Irish to Greeks to Germans to French and Italian. Drinking has also been part of every culture since biblical times. It isn't going away.
On the ot ... more »
Posted: November 17, 2008 4:08 pm | 0 comments
Tags: drinking, nytimes.com, wisconsin
The bail out has been rejected, and subsequently the market has slumped more than 500 points.
Can we all just focus and pass something? Also, can we scrap this "main street" and "wall street" analogy? It's annoying. And stupid. People on main street are not financial experts so I do't really want them dictating the countries future. Think they will change their tune when they realize their 401k has tanked in the past month?
Also, stop talking about CEO's. This was inevitable. Sure, greed may have expedited the process of this happening, but I doubt that CEO's alone caused this crisis. Who was buying houses that they couldn't afford with adjustable rate mortgages? Probably not CEO's.
Anyway. At this present moment we should be focused on how to get this mess fixed. So lets do the economy and "main street" a solid and get this passed.
Here's to hoping the economy doesn't fail!
KS
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/30/business/30bailout.html?hp
Posted: September 29, 2008 3:34 pm | 0 comments
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Here with a report from my viewing of the first debate.
First of all, I enjoyed the "opinions" on the bailout even though technically no one really knows anything about it yet. And neither wants to cut any of their programs or at least admit that they will have to cut any of their programs.
I have to say, McCain is clearly the foreign policy and economic expert in the room. Obama will not, if elected, be able to put forth all of his programs. At the same time McCain is clearly not a Bushy and should not be equated as such. While his voting record may say otherwise it is safe to say that he is a "traditional" republican. This combination works in McCain's favor.
When it comes to Foreign Policy, I think that McCain seems to be better at connecting with the audience. While I am an ardent Obama supporter, I felt more of a connection with McCain. Obama comes off as a kid compared to the elder statesman McCain. McCain clearly knows what he is talking about. Like with Iraq. McCain talked ... more »
Posted: September 26, 2008 10:29 pm | 0 comments
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It is the unavoidable truth that the American economy hath hittith the fan in the past week. Since a week ago monday what seemed to be a more minor disturbance, one which is bound to happen from time to time has spiraled out of control.
Today the bail out plan was scrutinized on capital hill. Congressmen nit picked over who was to blame and how many oversights should be included.
What people don't seem to get is that this is a huge deal. this is the biggest economic deal, I would dare say, ever. And while I do not like the idea of a socialized economy, I really hate the idea of a us $ with no worth and the stock market completely crashing. We need to get this passed. Congress doesn't have time to sit and argue who's fault this is or to advocate for CEO caps. They might be an ok idea, but can it wait til once the economy is back from the brink of disaster?
Finally, the election is still hanging in the balance while all this drama is going on. I love Obama's social programs. Will it m ... more »
Posted: September 23, 2008 3:57 pm | 0 comments
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So this is the offical post where I say that I am re committing to my blog and changing the format a bit. While I will still post the longer posts, they will be more humorous and popular culture focused. Additionally, I will post smaller length posts where I will comment on news events.
I think this will only be noticed/effect my father AKA my best reader...
carry on.
ks
Posted: September 22, 2008 3:09 pm | 0 comments
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First of all I wish to apologize for the length of time in between posts. I have several pieces in the works that I am currently editing. However tonight, after watching her speech at the Democratic National Convention, I feel impassioned to write about Hillary Clinton.
I know many people have many differing and passionate opinions about Hillary. These opinions range from the creditable to the ridiculous. Analysts pick at her pant suits, her cleavage, her spouse’s indiscretions, and, although not directly, her gender.
As a woman, it is my ardent wish to be able to point to a woman, or even better- women, and say, “I can do it. She did it.” That is why I voted for Hillary in my primary election. I want to believe that a woman is capable of being elected president, not just running for the office. I want to raise a daughter in a time where that feat has already been accomplished. I want to be paid equally. I want to be treated equally. I want to have high expectations of my talen ... more »
Posted: August 27, 2008 12:14 am | 0 comments
Tags: DNC, Hillary Clinton, politics
Written for AST 313. Hope you enjoy this...
Sometimes the most important history lessons are hidden by teachers, school system, and history books. It being Black History Month, what better time is there to explore the hidden history of the Black struggle for literacy in the United States? While African Americans have been through many struggles in this country, none has been more taxing than the struggle for literacy. It is a history which has been internalized by those that fought for it. From slavery through the Civil War and beyond, literacy has had a unique meaning for Black Americans. A meaning perfectly summed up by Fredrick Douglass, one of the great literate men of the 19th century, when he discovered and first understood the importance of literacy. He spoke these words, “I understood the pathway from slavery to freedom” (Douglass, Narrative of the life of Fredrick Douglass, 34), and they have been repeated many times over by others that toiled for the right to read and hav ... more »
Posted: February 27, 2008 11:08 pm | 0 comments
Tags: african american, history, literacy, opinion
First of all I would like to apologize for the lack of posting for the past few weeks. I got back from thanksgiving and then it was finals and then it was break and then classes started and I have felt uninspired. I’m sure you all understand. Anyways, let’s get on with it.
I read this article a few weeks ago about how the teachings of Sigmund Freud are taught in universities, but not in psychology classrooms. Humanities class, popular culture, and modern literature openly discuss Freud’s theories but psychology departments distance themselves from psychoanalysis. Apparently psychologists find him to be, “sexist, fraudulent, unscientific, and just plain wrong”. While “fraudulent” might be pushing it, ‘unscientific” is just fine by me.
I was first introduced to Mr. Freud my senior year of high school. Of course this introduction did not take place in a psychology class, but in an English class titled “Literature and Psychology”. Ms. Birdwell introduced our class to ... more »
Posted: February 10, 2008 5:25 pm | 0 comments
Tags: freud, New York Times, psychology, Science
There has been some discussion over the past few months about political trophy wives in the media, specifically Fred Thompson’s wife, Jeri Thompson, and I can’t help but add my two cents to this debate.
Jeri Thompson hails from Naperville, Illinois, not far from Wilmette. She went to DePauw University in Indiana and spent about ten years living “in sin” with a boyfriend and not doing anything particularly “career oriented”. In the late 90’s she met divorced senator Fred Thompson and they started to date. At this time Jeri was working on a website about Tennessee politics and her relationship with Fred catered nicely to this venture. He is 64 and she is 40. They were married in 2002 and he is now running for the presidency.
First and foremost I would like to state that I absolutely hate when people bash large age gap couples. Are they happy? Is it what they want? Good! Go mind your own business! How does her being younger affect anyone other than her and her significant ... more »
Posted: November 12, 2007 10:01 pm | 1 comment
Tags: age, Fred Thompson, Hillary Clinton, Jeri Thompson, politics, relationships, trophy wives
Hey everyone! Make sure that you check out senate next Wednesday, November 14th! We will have a panel titled “Got Inclusion?” It should be a great panel about inclusion at Simmons.
It will be in C-103 at 3:30 pm! Be there!
Posted: November 10, 2007 11:39 am | 0 comments
Tags: inclusion, SGA, Simmons
