Just and Fair Voting Strategies

After seeing the documentary in Mr. Gwaltney's class this week about the 2000 election, specifically with the drama that occured in Florida at that time, it got me thinking about the many ways and outcomes that could have turned out differently if there were small changes and rules in our voting system. There were so many unjustices pulled off in certain counties of Florida that election, it was astonishing, but mostly the election was a representation of the flaws in our democratic system. Personal gain, power, strategy, and manipulation all went into play during that election, and people were willing to do illegal, unfair things to get the outcome they were hoping for.
If the government enforced a law that felons are allowed to vote or even the exclusion of complicated voting techniques like the butterfly ballet, then the outcomes of all elections would be alot more accurate of all the people in America's opinions.
I am open to other ideas to cleanse our voting system, but I think it IS obvious that our voting system does in fact need cleansing. Some of the impurities that officials have introduced into our so called "free" and "just" government are embarrasing and need to be put to an end.

Celebrity Political Influence

A couple months ago I was having a conversation with one of my volleyball coaches about musicians and their influence in the media and on the political world. Specifically, this coach was saying how she did not appreciate the Dixie Chicks and their comments about President Bush and wholeheartedly believed in the "shut up an sing" policy. Her main reasons backing this belief was noticing how influential bands can be on kids because young people absorb everything around them like a sponge, not filtering out the stuff they should make their own opinions on. Since they have no control over this absorption, in my coach's opinion, then celebrities, like Green Day or the Dixie Chicks should not voice their opinions on these issues.

Now my opinion on this is widely different. I recently went to a couple Bravery concerts and they make their political views clear when they say things like "this next song is about our f****** up political situation!". Hearing the band say this reminded me of the conversation I had with my coach and how my views haven't changed.

If I had the power and ability like any celebrity does, I would use it to its advantage. Of course I would never want to brain wash anyone and I respect other people's veiws, but I completely understand when there is something political that a celebrity is appreciative or frustrated about and acts out according to that. I also hate when people say that "musicians should just not give their opinion about anything". HELLO, all songs are written talking about their OPINION on something. It's like telling authors not to write themes and meaning into their novels. Everyone has the right in America to have the freedom of speech, and if someone has a large way of saying it (through song etc.) then I support their approach.

Ellen shocks the audience once again! =O

Today on the Ellen Show, Jenna Bush came to promote her new book at the work she has been doing with UNICEF. It has been a few years (probablly more like months) since this party monster became more low key in order to advertise this book.

There was a huge shock when Jenna decideds to call her mom and dad right there on the show! Even though Jen's done alot of crazy things, that's pretty wild if you ask me...!!! She is worried her parents will be angry since they weren't warned about the call, instead the President uses this time to look positive on television. He says cute and adorable things to his daughter about how much he loves her and the audience reacted in a unified "AWWwwwwWW". The point of this call was because Ellen didn't believe Jenna could actually reach her parents on the phone whenever she wanted, and Jenna did prove it.

Even though I question whether this was really spontaneous, it was fun having the President talk informally to Americans and on a show where a lesbian is the host. Maybe he's trying to use his daughter though, promoting her current positive situation, to overshadown his current negative situation. If that was the case I would be disapointed in him as a President and father. Although, at this point, I have been shocked too much where I am numb to most of the President's bad actions now.