Rock 'n Roll Reader

Global Warming

2006-07-18T12:13:00.000-07:00

I just read an article in the latest Rolling Stone that makes me want to recant a bit of the criticism against the Democratic Party that I echoed in a recent post. While it is true that Democrats have a lot to gain and learn from understanding the "Pursuit of Happiness" ideology and mentality that drives most Americans, it is also true that it those few Democrats who have had the courage to speak from their convictions should be applauded. Let us not simply reiterate The Economist's blanket criticism of Democrats as being too serious and aggreived by the state of the world; indeed it is the state of the world today that should make us all seriously aggreived. However, leaders like Al Gore have distanced themselves from the political game--he calls politics "poison" in this latest interview--and begun to make a difference by speaking out in public forums.

Al Gore's intense effort to educate the American public and tip its views on what may well be the most important issue of our lifetime is laudable; however, the mainstream American voter seems to be more concerned with the bottom line and his own pockets than any looming, vague worldwide environmental disaster. However, as Gore demonstrates in his interview with Rolling Stone, disasters such as Katrina tend to shift these concerns from long-term worries and ideological debates into flesh and blood reality. As the human costs of our environmental destruction become manifest, it should be only a matter of time till we change our policy. But the question is. . . will it already be too late?

What's wrong with the fellas?

2006-07-10T12:53:00.000-07:00

The girls are out-performing the boys in general at universities nationwide, and internationally. This trend has taken on such universal proportions that some are referring to the "boys' crisis". Why are men lagging behind... or is it just that women have caught up and taken over?

Spanish Poem

2006-07-06T09:24:00.000-07:00

I posting up a new poem I wrote in Spanish this morning. The English translation will be up soon.

El Zumbido

Si se me brota una lágrima
será adentro
mientras las luces son espinas
que se me clavan en el ojillo.

No hay nada peor que la traición por un amigo.

No me dejo convencer
por la abeja en mi oído,
ni la dulce miel que sale
de tu boca rota y ardiendo;
sólo escucho el zumbido que se me crece por adentro
retumbando en veneno, alegría, desafío

No hay nada que duela más
que la traición por un amigo.

The Ugly (and Happy) American

2006-07-05T08:56:00.000-07:00

This article from the Economist suggests that the reason Democrats are losing out in American politics may not be their stands on the contentious social issues that have been so commonly blamed for their electoral loss in 2004. Rather than their positions on abortion or gay marriage, it may simply be their inability to come to terms with a fundamental American ideology-- the pursuit of happiness -- which makes them unable to relate to the average American voter. It is this voter, the "Ugly American" who they seem to distain even as he continues to take their legs out from under them at the polls. Perhaps the Dems just need to relax and cook some sausages on the grill. If only they could do so without seeming to be uptight.

Take a look at this article. It's really quite an insightful perspective on American politics. While Al Gore and other democrats bemoan coming disasters such as global warning, these calls to confront pressing issues are less attractive to the average American than a juicy hamburger and the pursuit of happiness.

Musings

2006-06-28T11:51:00.000-07:00

Today I'm reading what may be either a genius tract against 1st world economic imperialism or a bogus conspiracy theory that is a totally fabricated. In any case, it's a prety good read so far. Confessions of an Economic Hitman by John Perkins. I'm only about thirty pages in, so I'll post a review in a while when I finish it and decide what I think about it.

Another Cool Article

2006-06-07T09:14:00.000-07:00

Hmm, this almost makes me want to read a sociology book:

http://www.gladwell.com/2006/2006_04_10_a_why.html

Gladwell Article

2006-05-23T15:26:00.000-07:00

Malcolm Gladwell is one of the better writers at the New Yorker. I enjoyed his book The Tipping Point tremendously, and I'd recommend it to anyone. It's a really good read that makes you think about the world in a completely different way.

Check out this article he wrote recently for the New Yorker. It's about the history of unfairness in Ivy League admissions:

http://www.gladwell.com/2005/2005_10_10_a_admissions.html

Welcome!

2006-05-23T15:12:00.000-07:00

Hi, just started this new blog. I'm going to put cool things on here like reviews of movies and books, so check back every once and a while for new stuff.

-Tito