role models- reflection #3

For my final post, I have decided to grace the Internet with an inspiring list of my top three role models (not in any order.) I have chosen to exclude family members, although they are certainly role models in many ways.

1. Hillary Clinton
Although I'm not sure that I agree with her politics 100%, I deeply admire and respect the current Secretary of State. In retrospect, I think it was very telling that I chose to "be" Hillary Clinton for our third-grade wax museum. Although I knew nothing about her at the time, I think that little 8 year old me respected the fact that a woman had made such a name for herself in the male-dominated arena of politics. Clinton has successfully managed to create an identity unique of her husband's, and has proved to be an adept Secretary of State; subtle yet powerful. The Obama Administration's foreign policy has been one of its high points in my opinion, and I think that Hillary Clinton has played a vital role in that. Her intellect and drive are qualities I wish to emulate.

2. Dr. Paul Farmer
As one of the co-founders of Partners in Health, Dr. Paul Farmer has worked in some of the poorest parts of Haiti, Cuba, and the Soviet Union to address these countries' broken health care systems. I first read about Dr. Farmer in Tracy Kidder's Mountains Beyond Mountains. From then on, I was captivated by his passion for providing health care to the world's poorest, as well as his critically honest relationship with the medical community. I have since read (or at least attempted to read) some of Farmer's books that he's written himself, like The Pathology of Power: Health, Human Rights, and the New War on the Poor. Dr. Farmer believes that it's a combiniation of cultural and economic factors that contribute to the dire state of many health care systems in developing countries, and he hopes to make this known to the medical community and beyond. Reading about his work has inspired me to pursue global public health as a possible major, and to focus whatever career I choose on changing the institutions that oppress the world's poor.

3. Lady Gaga
I love Lady Gaga. I, like almost everyone else in the world, thought she was crazy and strange until I watched her interview on 60 Minutes. I have since realized that she is a genius- she uses her bizarre public persona to distract from her private life, and in doing so is able to experiment with what she calls "the sociology of fame." Beyond that, I think that her music and her activism are very inspiring, and I'm glad that she uses her celebrity to bring attention to people who may feel alienated in our society. Her album, Born This Way, is also outstanding. Haters keep hating but I love Gaga.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ7BQuoRmbs&feature=relmfu

senior year: an overview- reflection #2

I have had a very interesting senior year thus far. I have felt kind of unproductive this year as a whole, but I have enjoyed having little work and space to prepare myself for next year. At the end of last year, I felt like I was ready to leave, which I probably was. However, this year I have had a lot less work (or maybe I've just done less work) and that has given me the ability to really think about what's important to me and what my goals are for the future. High school has been difficult at times, but on the whole I've had lots of fun and have enjoyed discovering where my interests lie and what I'm passionate about. I'm a little nervous about next year, but I feel that things are falling into place and I think I will be happy. I don't know what the future holds, but I feel very clear minded and I have a vision of what I want for myself in the years to come. Or, in the words of Justin Vernon, I can see for miles, miles, miles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWcyIpul8OE

thunderstorm thoughts- reflection #1

It is thunder storming outside, and thunderstorms remind me of the things I like about summer. Here's a list:

-my undying devotion to the pool
-time to read for leisure; I can't wait to read Nelson Mandela's Conversations With Myself, along with all the other books on my reading list
-DC day trips- see previous post regarding Ai Weiwei's two (!) exhibits
-cookouts/cooking in general
-my birthday! (August 15th)
-evenings on the deck
-slow mornings, coffee included
-having the ability to play '90s music really loud in my empty house
-and of course, thunderstorms

This list could be never ending but I think I'll stop for now before I give up on school forever and fail my finals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6jiGa9dEPs

empowering

The article I read, which was featured on the ONE blog, explains how the U.S.-funded AIDSRelief program has worked with Rwanda's Ministry of Health in addressing HIV/AIDS in the country. The article discusses how the focus of the program has shifted from emergency relief to building an infrastructure and helping the Rwandan government institute preventetive and stable care. Three things the program has focused on have been how the funds granted can be used most efficiently, the implementation of high-quality HIV/AIDS care, and community involvement in the health care system.

I really liked this article because it illustrates what can happen when funds are appropriated and utilized correctly. HIV is no longer a death sentence, as the article says, but programs like these need to be implemented so that patients can receive the care that they need. HIV/AIDS and global public health are topics that highly interest me, and I like reading about ways in which people are addressing these pressing issues. Though we are facing a budget deficit in our country, I think that we should continue our humanitarian efforts. We don't spend nearly as high of a percentage of GDP on humanitarian aid as some other countries, and yet we still have a huge effect. I think that the U.S.'s national identity as a country with integrity will only continue if we continue to help others, and this article was an inspiring story of how our aid half a world away can make a huge difference in the lives of people.

{via ONE blog}

tinkering

This article discusses parents who try to encourage their children to build, create, and experiment with everything from Legos to sticks as an alternative to watching TV, playing video games, etc. The author of the article also emphasizes the growth of this philosophy by bringing up the magazine MAKE, which originally appealed to creative adults but is now popular among teens as well. The author argues that his type of play, labeled "tinkering" is important to development and can lead to more resourceful, innovative adults. The two teenagers mentioned in the article whose parents supported tinkering and discouraged the use of electronics are both very successful- one has an engineering scholarship and will be attending the University of Pittsburgh, and one is a Thiel fellow.

I thought that this article was very interesting. I, myself, did not "tinker" as a child, but my parents greatly discouraged TV-watching, video games, etc. and I think that I am more creative because of it. I think that kids today often spend too much time with electronics, and I do think that it has an effect on their development. I also thought that the connection the author made between tinkering as a child and being innovative and bright later in life was interesting. Coincidentally, I have been reading a lot about the Thiel fellowship lately because I have a friend who won one of the fellowships. Peter Thiel was on 60 Minutes explaining his program, which has faced much criticism, on Sunday.

{via The Wall Street Journal}

Thiel Fellowship Website

a front row seat

This article, an op-ed by Frank Bruni, discusses the role of wives in politics. According to Bruni, there has been some buzz about First Lady Michelle Obama entering into politics as a senator for Illinois. This is unlikely seeing as she seems to be focused on her campaign against obesity and, says Bruni, "she's repulsed.. by Washington." This article uses this possibility to discuss wives' involvement in politics. Often, first ladies, whether wives of governors or wives of presidential candidates, do not choose to pursue political careers of their own. The author of the article argues that perhaps women in such positions should involve themselves in policymaking of some sort.

I thought that this article was thought-provoking. It is true that wives are rarely a part of the policymaking process, despite the fact that sons and daughters often use their blood relations to their advantage. I'm not sure how plausible it would be for wives to have completely independent political careers, though, and I think that the author of this article neglects the fact that often first ladies have important behind-the-scenes roles in their husbands' campaigns. I do think that first ladies should start to make more substantive efforts, though. I commend Michelle Obama for her efforts against childhood obesity, but I think it would be even better for a first lady to take on big challenges, like getting people to vote or working for women's rights. Overall, women are gravely underrepresented in the realm of politics, at great cost to society.

{via The New York Times}

according to what?

The article I read was about Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei and his two new exhibits in D.C. "Fragments" is on display at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, and "Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads," a collection of statues, is on display in the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden. The article reviews the merits of the exhibits, but also touches upon Weiwei's life as a prominent Chinese activist. Last year, he was detained by the Chinese government and is still forbidden from leaving the country. The official charges were of "tax evasion," though it is widely assumed that he has been punished simply for speaking out against the Communist party and its policies. Many of his works allude to the social problems Weiwei has witnessed in China. The two exhibits are a prelude of sorts to a retrospective of the artist that will be at the Hirshhorn this fall entitled "Ai Weiwei: According to What?"

I really enjoyed this article because I enjoy visiting D.C. and had not known that Ai Weiwei had two exhibits showing there. The Sackler Gallery is right next to my favorite garden and the Hirschhorn is my favorite art museum, so I will definetely be checking out his exhibits. I also really like Ai Weiwei as an artist and am familiar with his previous works, so I enjoyed reading the reviewer's interpretation of his pieces. It was also interesting to read about how Ai Weiwei has been a target of the Chinese government in light of what we've learned this year.

{via The Washington Post}

ce #6

Russia has announced that it will support a U.N. resolution advocating a response drafted by Kofi Annan to end the conflict in Syria.

Russia's announcement comes after it has supported the Assad regime in Syria, and, along with China, has resisted placing sanctions on the country. Civil strife has been going on in Syria ever since last spring. However, the rebels in this country are poorly organized and have been heavily suppressed by the Assad regime- over 8,000 deaths are estimated, though the numbers could well be higher.

The announcement illustrates Russia's important role in global politics, which is interesting considering the significant domestic problems Russia and the Putin regime face. Perhaps Putin is involving his country in international situations in an effort to distract from domestic pressures, which have been great in recent months surrounding parliamentary and presidential elections allegedly ridden with corruption.

Furthermore, Russia's support of a humanitarian cause such as the one in Syria is interesting due to Russia's shaky stance on civil liberties. Many Russians have been jailed as a result of political dissent, and ethnic conflicts (ie Chechnya) have been handled with the use of excessive violence and force on the part of the Russian regime.

{via Time}

ce #5

In Moscow, more protests are taking place in response to Putin's presidential election win. Putin won 64 percent of the vote, and now has the chance to stay in power for another 12 years, if he's elected for two six-year terms. Putin has already been in power for twelve years; serving as president from 2000-2008 and prime minister from 2008-present. Up to 20,000 protesters marched on Saturday in Moscow to demonstrate their discontent with Putin's tight, long-standing grip on power. Though these elections were viewed as more fair than the December parliamentary elections, which drew more than 100,000 protesters, allegations of fraud remain.

The protests illustrate Russian citizens' struggle to voice their dissent while living in a not-quite-liberal democracy. Many arrests and detentions were made surrounding the protests, demonstrating the lack of true political freedom in Russia. Though their is a civic culture, it has trouble sustaining itself because dissent is highly monitored and often persecuted.

Russia's attempts at democracy have been marred by Russia's long history of a ruler-subject power structure. Unfortunately, with the re-election of Putin, this trend is continuing and Russia's hopes for a true democracy are dampened.

{via The Washington Post}

ce #4

The upcoming March 2 parliamentary elections in Iran are expected to have a low turnout from the middle class, two years after anti-government protests by middle class Iranians following an election were quelled by the government.

This article highlights the middle class's discontent that surfaced in the 2009 protests and is still present in Iran today. Though protests on such a large scale are unlikely, it's not probable that this cohort of voters will participate in the elections. This political apathy is harmful to Iran's legitimacy- as we've discussed in class, legitimacy comes from the eyes of the citizens, and is then reinforced by the international community. The censored, state-run nature of political culture in Iran is disgruntling the pragmatic middle class, and a drop in support from its citizens is arguably the last thing Iran needs right now.

The disparity between reality and the ever-optimistic reality as described by the state government as explained in the article illustrates the Iranian regime's domestic issues. Though Iran has continued to boast of its nuclear capabilities and stand in defiance against more and more oil sanctions in the past few weeks, it clearly has domestic struggles that it will need to take care of before it can become involved in global politics in a meaningful way. The unhappiness of the middle class also serves to further emphasize what many critics of Iran's recent actions have posited: that the Iranian government's tight hold on power is slipping, and that what we hear from Iranian leaders is often bluster meant to distract us from the reality of the conditions in the country.

{via The Washington Post}

ce #3

Many claims came out of Iran this week, including threats to cut off oil sales to the European Union as well as boasts about Iran's supposed advances in nuclear technology.

These threats and comments come as Iran is facing scrutiny by the international community regarding its nuclear program, and tensions over oil trade is mounting. The situation in the Strait of Hormuz has only heightened such tensions.

The comments made by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other Iranian officials and institutions have been viewed by the U.S. as bluster. Many American officials see the claims and threats as empty attempts by the Iranian leadership to assert authority and strength amidst increasingly tight Western social and economic sanctions- meaning that the West's policies are being viewed as effective.

Our relations with Iran will certainly continue to be uncertain until we determine an effective way to achieve our diplomatic goals while still retaining access to Iran's oil. Iran's nuclear capabilities are a frightening thought, but how big of a threat they actually are and how much Iran wants us to think they are remains to be seen.

{via The Washington Post}

ce #2

Yshe Rigsal, a monk, and his brother were shot and killed by Chinese security forces this past Thursday as a result of their protests against Chinese rule in Tibet. Self-immolations have steadily continued throughout the past three years, as tensions between China and Tibet cease to be resolved.

Tibet's political status has long been debated. It is currently ruled by the People's Republic of China, but dissident groups want Tibetan autonomy for the region. It has also been alleged that human rights abuses by the Chinese against the Tibetan people have taken place. The independence movement is currently led by Free Tibet, a group based in London.

The continuing tensions between Tibet and China illustrate some of the major domestic problems China faces. Despite its surging economy, China will not be able to reach its full potential without settling matters within its borders. Furthermore, the self-immolations and deaths of Tibetans are severely underreported in Western media, highlighting a deficiency in the way we understand the rest of the world.

{via The New York Times}

ce #1

The ruling party in Mexico, the National Action Party (PAN), has chosen Josefina Vazquez Mota to be its candidate in Mexico's July 1 elections. Current President Felipe Calderon is ending his sixth year in office, and will be unable to run again as per Mexican law.

Mexican politics have historically been dominated by three parties: the more conservative National Action Party, the center-left Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), and the Party of the Democratic Revolution. The Party of the Democratic Revolution has selected Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador as its candidate; he lost the election in 2006 by a narrow margin. The current frontrunner in the race is the PRI's Enrique Pena Nieto.

Mexico has been plagued by drug wars throughout President Calderon's term in office; this could cause significant problems for Josefina Vazquez Mota. However, the excitement of potentially having a female president may excite voters and overrule these other issues. Though females have run for president in the past, Vazquez Mota's candidacy marks the first time one of the three major parties have nominated a woman.

{via Time}

romney tebowing

This cartoon, illustrated by Rick McKee, depicts Mitt Romney in a suit getting down into the prayer position Denver Bronco Tim Tebow has become so famous for. Two Denver fans look on and remark that "Romney will do anything to win over the Christian right." This cartoon references the trend that Tebow has sparked across the nation and applies it to Mitt Romney's attempt at the GOP nomination. Though Mitt Romney is currently a frontrunner in the Republican race, sketpics have questioned his ability to unite the party and gain enough support to defeat President Obama in November. Tebow's prayer stance is used to illustrate how Mitt Romney is trying to prove such critics wrong. The cartoonist's point-of-view is that of a somewhat critical observer; he, like the public, is watching the Republican primaries play out and perhaps questions Mitt Romney's authenticity as he attempts to gain the support of many different right-leaning groups.

these are the days

So far, senior year has been a blur. Now that I'm finally done with my college applications, I hope that I'll be able to slow down and enjoy the last few months I have left. The beginning of the year felt very rushed and pressure-filled; with the end of first semester nearing closer, hopefully I will be able to slow down the pace. Though I am certainly looking forward to this summer as well as next year, it is important for me not get too caught up in the future. During second semester, I hope to give myself time to do things that I really enjoy- I have not done a good job of that during the first two quarters.

{https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlCS-qf7yaM}

the morning after

This cartoon, illustrated by Clay Bennett, depicts a distraught looking woman looking at a note apparently left by her "one-night stand," the GOP. In using a common cultural reference (the morning after) as a metaphor for the GOP's treatment of Iowa, the cartoonist satirizes the nature of the presidential primaries. The cartoonist seems to be echoing the sentiment that the Republican party and the media spend so much time fixated on certain states with early primaries and caucuses, and yet in the big scheme of things it's artificial and means virtually nothing.

the gop nomination

As I've been saying all along, I think that Mitt Romney will get the GOP nomination. Despite Rick Santorum's strong showing in the Iowa caucus and Newt Gingrich's relative popularity, Romney is the sole candidate left who has a chance of reaching the "middle" voters. As other candidates and personalities have come and gone, Mitt Romney has continued to make money and campaign at a steady rate. Though he has yet to truly win over the American population, he seems to be the most logical choice for the GOP nomination. And he'll certainly win Virginia if the only two people on the ballot are Mitt Romney and Ron Paul...