State of the Union

Tonight, the twenty-seventh of January, President Obama gave the State of the Union address.  It lasted nearly two hours and he addressed many topics that are near and dear to almost all Americans, some that affected me possibly more than others.

• College tuition costs.
• Don't Ask, Don't Tell
• Clean energy

College tuition is a pain.  Even after Florida Bright Futures (which is a fantastic system allowing me to go to school for thousands less than most people around the nation), I'm still left with nearly a thousand dollars of tuition to pay for, on top of housing, books and spending money for food and laundry.  It's been nearly 4 months that I've been without part-time work, and before that I was without part-time work while at school for my entire college career.  Tallahassee is the hardest city to find work in in the state of Florida.  "In this economy, a high school diploma no longer guarantees a good job."

Don't Ask, Don't Tell is a policy started by the American Military to keep gay and lesbian people from fighting side-by-side with straight men in our armed forces.  This policy was started under the Clinton administration back in the 1990's and it states that gay men and women can serve, but they must prove to be celibate, which is nearly impossible. “I will work with Congress and the military to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are.” 


Clean energy is something that President Obama has said that he'd fight tooth and nail for.  Nuclear power is currently used on many Naval aircraft carriers and submarines.  Why can't we harness this clean and safe energy to be used on land to power a grid for much longer and much more efficiently than we currently do with natural gas?  Solar energy is already used in many homes in Florida to heat swimming pools, why can't we harness the energy of "The Sunshine State" to power our homes and vehicles?   “…to create more of these clean energy jobs, we need more production, more efficiency, and more incentives.”




President Obama, you're not on the campaign trail anymore, stop trying to fight for your party to keep the supermajority in the Senate.  Focus on what's going on in Washington and get things done that really need to get done.

A Month-long Hiatus

Sorry that I took a hiatus, y'all.  Finals came up, and then winter break commotion with the family.  But I'm glad to say that I'm back now, and starting a new semester.  I'm beginning my major (communications) courses at FSU and my minor (journalism) courses down at FAMU. This semester is panning out to be a great one so far.  The first day of class was at FAMU and the first assignment was to obtain a death certificate (which is public record).  This was a very interesting assignment.  The next class I had to produce an autopsy report.  That was even more hectic, but I eventually found one on the internet which was ok'd by the teacher.

Overall, this semester is looking up.  I'm in the process of geting involved with the radio station down at FAMU; hopefully I'll be able to DJ down there soon.  I'm a "mentor" for the news department at V89, so I'm excited for that. 

I'll leave you with this.  I'm really glad to be back to writing, and I can't wait for this semester to produce some epic blog posts.  ¡Ciao!

Pearl Harbor

"December 7th, 1941.  A date which will live in infamy. The United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The United States was at peace with that Nation."  Franklin Delano Roosevelt spoke these words to a joint session of Congress on December 8th, 1941.  He asked Congress to accept this unprovoked attack as a declaration of war.  Congress overwhelmingly supported this motion, as they gave him nearly a full minute of a standing ovation. This commenced what is now known as World War II.  This came a mere twenty-three years after The War to End All Wars.  This is only for US involvement, for England and the other allies had been fighting German forces for years. 

How far have we come in the last 68 years?  The United States and Japan couldn't survive without each other.  The United States and Germany are closer than ever before.  As many veterans, patriots and surviving civilians have said, "If it weren't for the US joining the war, we'd all be speaking German."  So today, if you see a veteran, or a current soldier, thank them..

Let's Talk About Sex.

Sex is a wonderful thing (or so I've been told).  Sexuality, however, is confusing as Hell.  I've dated women, I've dated men, and enjoyed both.  I've been told that I'm gay, I've been told I'm straight, I've been told I'm bisexual.  Since when am I supposed to listen to what other people tell me what I am.  Why can't I just be Pingüino?  Why can't I just date who I want to date, not who other people tell me who I'd be good with?  I am me. That's all I'll ever be.  Everyone has to label, or group, or something that other people identify them as.  Why can't we just all get along with each other without grouping, or stereotyping, or generalizing?  I don't understand why that's so difficult...  Sexuality is something that is fluid.  It's not something that can be repressed as human beings are just all around sexual beings.  Phases? Cycles? Sure, if that's how you want to think about it. We all analyze everything differently.  To some people, sexuality is set in stone: "I'm gay and that's the way it is," or, "I don't date men."  Well, to me it's not that simple.  Sex is biological. Sex is emotional.  Sex is diabolical.  Sex can bring two people together, and it can push people apart.  Yet sex is essential. It is the beginning of life in some cases.  Sex can lead to death in other cases (mothers dying in childbirth).  So why can't people let other enjoy themselves in the way they want to. Labels shouldn't matter.  If you're gay, straight, republican, democrat, white, black or purple, JUST BE YOU.  Don't let anyone else tell you how to live your life.

Veteran's Day

Veteran's Day is a time for reflection and more importantly, a day to recognize and give thanks to those who have put their lives on the line.  So many people have paid the ultimate sacrifice for this great country of ours.  And for other countries around the world.  I am deeply grateful and will never be able to adequately describe my gratitude to those who humbly wear the uniform of this great land. 

The United States Army.

 

 The United States Navy

  

The United States Marine Corps

  

The United States Coast Guard

 

The United States Air Force

Every single person is, and forever will be, in debt to these great American heroes.  These people put their lives on the line every single day and night, for what? For our freedom, that's what; so that we have the ability to drink our Starbucks, and drive our Chevrolet's, and eat our McDonald's.  They volunteer years of their lives to the service of America, and there is no way anyone can ever thank them enough.  If you're a veteran, be proud of it.  If you're in active duty, wear the uniform proudly.  If you're thinking about enlisting, talk it out with your parents, loved ones, recruiters, etc.


The Marine Corps' birthday was a few days ago; the tenth of November, 1775.  The Army's birthday is known best as "Flag Day," or the fourteenth of July, 1775.  The Navy's birthday was the thirteenth of October, 1775 (which oddly enough, WAS a Friday).  The Coast Guard's birthday was the fourth of August, 1790.  The Air Force's birthday was the eighteenth of September, 1947.


To me, there is nothing more honorable in the world, than to give a couple years of your life, if not your entire life, to serve in the United States Military.  

This we'll defend.   - US Army Motto

Non sibi sed patriae.   - US Navy Motto

Semper Fidelis.   - US Marine Corps Motto

Semper Paratus.   - US Coast Guard Motto

Above All.   - US Air Force Motto