Monday, November 20, 2006

NPR and its podcasts

I've been listening to NPR podcasts, don't get too excited... they've been the more light-hearted ones. Includes Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me (recorded in front of a live audience in Chicago, no less); and NPR: Sunday Puzzle. This week's 'Wait Wait' featured Harry Shearer (Wikipedia link here), a man who has done Spinal Tap, a lot of Christopher Guest films which I love, and a bunch of voices on the Simpsons including Ned Flanders and Burns. You never really look up about people, or know what kind of humor they possess - but it's nice to see that such celebrities (or more artistic types they have on the show) are really truly comedic and are sociable with the radio hosts. Apparently the show now has a quiz on its NPR website. You can also see the show live in Chicago-something I'll have to do later in life.

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Reinstate the Draft?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061119/ap_on_go_co/military_draft

Does a military draft make you nervous? Apparently 7 out of 10 Americans oppose such a reinstatement of the draft, but the representative putting it into the spotlight brings up a good point. That perhaps people feel far from the war because they don't have sons and daughters fighting, and if they did, then they might hesitate before becoming involved in such a deep manner. It's intriguing, and Rangel (a democrat no less) would include females and males ages 18-42, although he previously proposed a measure covering from 18-26. A lot of countries do have a standing drafted army, but what does it serve to do? People could work in airports, hospitals and the like, but the rest? Are they wasting their time in such a standing army?

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Pelosi makes history as female speaker

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061116/ap_on_go_co/congress_leaders_55

The first woman house speaker, and a democratic majority. Good news for America, I say.

Oh... and if you care, soon I'll post something about my reading week trip, or at least an email to some. Or perhaps pictures up on my picasa web album... soon, I promise.

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

America, and the vote

Unmarried women targeted in election

Besides my telling whoever reads to vote... which they should be doing anyway if they are of the legal age, the article just goes to show how many females don't do it. I remember voting for the president in the 2004 election, even though the outcome wasn't as nice as I'd hoped. Guess next time I should skip the rallies... or perhaps I should try harder. Maybe when I get back to HMC I'll have to join the league of women voters or whatever it is in order to sign more people up. I think it's one of the things I'm opinionated about (voting=good thing) that's not controversial at all. Most people agree, and not voting is just ridiculous.

A excerpt from the article:

"In 2004 they were 22 percent of the electorate yet there were still 20 million unmarried women who did not vote," she said. "If they voted in higher numbers ... they could literally help determine the agenda in this country."

Unmarried women tend to lean Democratic, political experts said.
----------------------------------------------------------------

This article just makes me more interested in the matter. The lecturer in my British history class defined Federalism and referenced America. Yes, we are federalist, or at least that's a part of the government. America's democracy is interesting -- especially in the way it's all done, especially in comparison with other countries. And in response to the excerpt -- they'd determine the agenda because everyone should get a voice. There are 52% females compared with males who are registered to vote. Another fact. Enough rambling.

Back to history research paper writing...

Flatmates + Monopoly

Mark, Marco, Simay, and Ben play Monopoly
Oh yes. We play monopoly.