I was watching the Dali lama receive the Congressional Gold Medal in the rotunda earlier today and while I probably should had feeling toward what an amazing international achievement this is, I was feeling something else.
I noticed old Doubya was having a lot of fun.
Viewer could easily notice the overflow of jokes coming out of the president’s mouth. He would crack one with Pelosi and then throw a couple at the Lama. I mean does the Lama even speak English well, enough to understand a joke from the Texan.
It is great to see the President is having a good time and don’t get me wrong I love the enthusiasm, but this is a prime example of the lack of pressure facing this administration. The is not much left to lose for Bush, even the Republican Primary field doesn’t need their incumbent president. As a matter of fact they hate him.
If you listen to the debates you hear how they would distances themselves away from the White House. There is certainly an lure of “anti-Bush” floating around the capital
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Sunday, October 14, 2007
How about a little more for Darfur
It is kinda starting to piss me off that the presidential hopefuls are not even talking about Darfur.
Can you image if some ran for the Oval Office in the 1930’s and 1940’s without mentioning the Holocaust.
Both side try to distance themselves from the current President by saying Iraq was a bad idea. You wanna change the subject on Iraq send it to Darfur. Maybe it is because the Holocaust involved Jews and we had them in our country, but a genocide is a genocide.
I’m not saying it should be the biggest issue or the topic of a debate, but throw it a bone. If we are going to be the world’s policemen we should stop going after the shoplifters and go catch the murders.
Can you image if some ran for the Oval Office in the 1930’s and 1940’s without mentioning the Holocaust.
Both side try to distance themselves from the current President by saying Iraq was a bad idea. You wanna change the subject on Iraq send it to Darfur. Maybe it is because the Holocaust involved Jews and we had them in our country, but a genocide is a genocide.
I’m not saying it should be the biggest issue or the topic of a debate, but throw it a bone. If we are going to be the world’s policemen we should stop going after the shoplifters and go catch the murders.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Afforable College: An Oxymoron
Does Congress care about the price of a college tuition?
The question seems easy if you boil it down to a simple set of facts: Legislators care about the votes needed to get them elected. The votes belong to the constituents. Their constituents care about the price of college. However, a recent act has people wondering where the line was broken.
Congress passed the "Make College Affordable Act," but we don't pay them to make cool names.
We focus on private lenders that utilize corrupt methods, but sometimes we tend to miss the true picture of those lenders who get away with murder because they have no competition.
There are few bad remarks that can be made about a bill that saves college students money; the legislators who passed it did so on our dollar, so the public has a right to question.
Opponents of the bill are claiming that it was somewhat of a conspiracy so that the liberal Congress could meet a conservative president halfway.
Some conservatives are saying that Bush sold out that portion of the party so that he will not have to listen to the Democrats complain about Iraq.
With liberals known to spend heavily on education reform and with such a troubled current administration, I would say that it is a little bit of both. The government had to throw someone a bone, and we are lucky they choose college students.
The main part of this bill is the increase in the Federal Pell Grant from $4,310 to $5,400.The Pell Grant is a scholarship given by the government. It is based on the level of financial aid needed by the individual student and, fortunately, does not need to be paid back. The increase can hardly keep up with inflation. Inflation will occur over a five-year period, so it will be at its highest when the current freshmen graduate.
The problem with the Pell Grant increase is that it does not fix the problem now. As noted, the grant will increase as the inflation also rises.
College will always cost more, and if you're really worried about the cost of your college experience, then you shouldn't even think about having to pay for your kids' college experience.
The best part of this bill is probably that the government cut interest loans in half from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent. When current Fairfield students graduate, they will be paying a significantly lower rate. Cutting the interest rate on loans can become a huge help, but you have to wonder what the loan companies are going to do in response now the that government is the key player of the loan world. That's going to mean a lot of free trips down Amelia Island.
Who would logically have more money, a company dealing with college students or a government that is funding a war in Iraq? Naturally, loan companies' finances can't compete with those of the national government.In addition to that, the government has imposed a cut on interest rates from private lenders.
In a noble effort to try and help their constituents, dipping their hand into the lending business can have a negative effect if the lenders go out of business. Then you're paying the full load for your kids.
The question seems easy if you boil it down to a simple set of facts: Legislators care about the votes needed to get them elected. The votes belong to the constituents. Their constituents care about the price of college. However, a recent act has people wondering where the line was broken.
Congress passed the "Make College Affordable Act," but we don't pay them to make cool names.
We focus on private lenders that utilize corrupt methods, but sometimes we tend to miss the true picture of those lenders who get away with murder because they have no competition.
There are few bad remarks that can be made about a bill that saves college students money; the legislators who passed it did so on our dollar, so the public has a right to question.
Opponents of the bill are claiming that it was somewhat of a conspiracy so that the liberal Congress could meet a conservative president halfway.
Some conservatives are saying that Bush sold out that portion of the party so that he will not have to listen to the Democrats complain about Iraq.
With liberals known to spend heavily on education reform and with such a troubled current administration, I would say that it is a little bit of both. The government had to throw someone a bone, and we are lucky they choose college students.
The main part of this bill is the increase in the Federal Pell Grant from $4,310 to $5,400.The Pell Grant is a scholarship given by the government. It is based on the level of financial aid needed by the individual student and, fortunately, does not need to be paid back. The increase can hardly keep up with inflation. Inflation will occur over a five-year period, so it will be at its highest when the current freshmen graduate.
The problem with the Pell Grant increase is that it does not fix the problem now. As noted, the grant will increase as the inflation also rises.
College will always cost more, and if you're really worried about the cost of your college experience, then you shouldn't even think about having to pay for your kids' college experience.
The best part of this bill is probably that the government cut interest loans in half from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent. When current Fairfield students graduate, they will be paying a significantly lower rate. Cutting the interest rate on loans can become a huge help, but you have to wonder what the loan companies are going to do in response now the that government is the key player of the loan world. That's going to mean a lot of free trips down Amelia Island.
Who would logically have more money, a company dealing with college students or a government that is funding a war in Iraq? Naturally, loan companies' finances can't compete with those of the national government.In addition to that, the government has imposed a cut on interest rates from private lenders.
In a noble effort to try and help their constituents, dipping their hand into the lending business can have a negative effect if the lenders go out of business. Then you're paying the full load for your kids.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
A horse to put your money on
Fred Thompson.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Thompson
The name just sounds presidential. I’m not saying he is going to win cause I would lose some respect for that and I’m definitely not saying I will vote for him, although at this point I just might.
But, if you thought about thee positive and not the negatives of the Thompson campaign you would come up with a surprising view of the former Senator from Tennessee and investigator of the Clinton impeachment.
Some people I talked to even went as far as to say how can he be president he is an actor. You have got to be kidding me. I mean I know we didn’t live through the Reagan years, but if you have ever studied American history you can say (in a bipartisan voice) that the that actor did a pretty damn good job. (As a conservative I would give Clinton the same respect).
Anyone with the guts to announce on the tonight show, automatic gets my respect. But incase your not sold lets go to the facts.
Fact:
He smokes cigars
He is from the south.
He has a hot wife (35 years his junior).
I’m sold how about you?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Thompson
The name just sounds presidential. I’m not saying he is going to win cause I would lose some respect for that and I’m definitely not saying I will vote for him, although at this point I just might.
But, if you thought about thee positive and not the negatives of the Thompson campaign you would come up with a surprising view of the former Senator from Tennessee and investigator of the Clinton impeachment.
Some people I talked to even went as far as to say how can he be president he is an actor. You have got to be kidding me. I mean I know we didn’t live through the Reagan years, but if you have ever studied American history you can say (in a bipartisan voice) that the that actor did a pretty damn good job. (As a conservative I would give Clinton the same respect).
Anyone with the guts to announce on the tonight show, automatic gets my respect. But incase your not sold lets go to the facts.
Fact:
He smokes cigars
He is from the south.
He has a hot wife (35 years his junior).
I’m sold how about you?
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
More than GWB
While browsing online for works of some fellow journalist, an ad popped up on my screen. It read something like:
“Do you like George W. Bush, Yes (click here) No (click here)”
Now I’m not sure what the ad was for, and nor do I care; but I does resemble the common misconceptions of the general America collegiate public.
The common view of politics held by the average college student is probably their opinion of the President or some “ideological belief” that might sound like bullshit but makes perfect sense to them.
I’m not sure if people don’t realize the plethora of personalities that go into the construction of our government or they are just too apathetic to learn about Alberto Gonzales.
In seven grade social studies we learned about the Presidents cabinet. Now that we are in college can we name one of the 15 cabinet members?
As I dig through the Al Greenspan autobiography I have discovered just how important the positions of Fed Chair or Supreme Court Justice or Chair of the Joint Chiefs, really are.
It’s pretty clear that the Bush administration is going grab headlines for being funny, cause that’s what they are good at. But let’s not forget about the other couple thousand people who really run the government.
“Do you like George W. Bush, Yes (click here) No (click here)”
Now I’m not sure what the ad was for, and nor do I care; but I does resemble the common misconceptions of the general America collegiate public.
The common view of politics held by the average college student is probably their opinion of the President or some “ideological belief” that might sound like bullshit but makes perfect sense to them.
I’m not sure if people don’t realize the plethora of personalities that go into the construction of our government or they are just too apathetic to learn about Alberto Gonzales.
In seven grade social studies we learned about the Presidents cabinet. Now that we are in college can we name one of the 15 cabinet members?
As I dig through the Al Greenspan autobiography I have discovered just how important the positions of Fed Chair or Supreme Court Justice or Chair of the Joint Chiefs, really are.
It’s pretty clear that the Bush administration is going grab headlines for being funny, cause that’s what they are good at. But let’s not forget about the other couple thousand people who really run the government.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
When Iran comes to the Big Apple
The week has been full of clutter.
President of Iran spoke at Columbia University. His speech rode about an hour and a half in length, and went into depth on a variety of issues.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad then went to the United Nations to announce that he would not agree to UN Sanctions on nuclear testing. Iran then released a peace activist, who had been held hostage for 4 years.
Just the fact that the President of Iran was on U.S. soil is a tremendous step toward peace in the Middle East. If Iran can go from being our wack job neighbor to our brothers in arms that would change the whole outlook on America’s role in the Middle East.
Ahmadinejad can go from a snob to winning a Noble Prize Peace. I know that he declined the sanctions from the UN, but hey lets not ask to much of this guy. He is doing the best he can.
President of Iran spoke at Columbia University. His speech rode about an hour and a half in length, and went into depth on a variety of issues.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad then went to the United Nations to announce that he would not agree to UN Sanctions on nuclear testing. Iran then released a peace activist, who had been held hostage for 4 years.
Just the fact that the President of Iran was on U.S. soil is a tremendous step toward peace in the Middle East. If Iran can go from being our wack job neighbor to our brothers in arms that would change the whole outlook on America’s role in the Middle East.
Ahmadinejad can go from a snob to winning a Noble Prize Peace. I know that he declined the sanctions from the UN, but hey lets not ask to much of this guy. He is doing the best he can.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Too Little, Too Late
Article By Joe Carretta
http://media.www.fairfieldmirror.com/media/storage/paper148/news/2007/09/13/News/Loan-Lender.Agreements.Under.Scrutiny-2963617.shtml?reffeature=recentlycommentedstoriestab
Column by Christopher Haliskoe
http://media.www.fairfieldmirror.com/media/storage/paper148/news/2007/09/13/Commentary/Fairfields.Own.Financial.Aid.Fiasco-2963438.shtml?reffeature=recentlycommentedstoriestab
Now, the school speaks.
In a response, perhaps on behalf of the University, Judith Dobai, the schools VP for Enrollment has spoken in online post and a letter to the editor.
While I respect Dobai’s response to the fullest, and appreciate her clearing of the subject matter, I am forced to ask some further questions.
One.
If the acceptance of the discounted software had no wrong doing and was a legitimate attempt to save money, why was the software returned? You don’t return something unless there is a problem.
Two.
Why was there not a press release on this? The University has a press room for a reason. They have had about four weeks now to tell their side of the investigation conducted by the AG.
In closing this blog I want to state in a clear manner, that I am only asking questions and in no way saying the school is wrong. For all we know the AG could have done this process for political reason or the College Board could be just as “unethical.” I also wanted to take this time to state my happiness for the school’s signing of the new code.
Many schools have been caught in this loan scandal, so I don’t think it’s even Fairfield fault as much as it is the College Board. Fairfield should say everything they can and not be afraid of the College Board. If we do, we might be able to catch the culprit who has been ruining a system meant to help families with one of the most valued purchases in their life…a college education.
http://media.www.fairfieldmirror.com/media/storage/paper148/news/2007/09/13/News/Loan-Lender.Agreements.Under.Scrutiny-2963617.shtml?reffeature=recentlycommentedstoriestab
Column by Christopher Haliskoe
http://media.www.fairfieldmirror.com/media/storage/paper148/news/2007/09/13/Commentary/Fairfields.Own.Financial.Aid.Fiasco-2963438.shtml?reffeature=recentlycommentedstoriestab
Now, the school speaks.
In a response, perhaps on behalf of the University, Judith Dobai, the schools VP for Enrollment has spoken in online post and a letter to the editor.
While I respect Dobai’s response to the fullest, and appreciate her clearing of the subject matter, I am forced to ask some further questions.
One.
If the acceptance of the discounted software had no wrong doing and was a legitimate attempt to save money, why was the software returned? You don’t return something unless there is a problem.
Two.
Why was there not a press release on this? The University has a press room for a reason. They have had about four weeks now to tell their side of the investigation conducted by the AG.
In closing this blog I want to state in a clear manner, that I am only asking questions and in no way saying the school is wrong. For all we know the AG could have done this process for political reason or the College Board could be just as “unethical.” I also wanted to take this time to state my happiness for the school’s signing of the new code.
Many schools have been caught in this loan scandal, so I don’t think it’s even Fairfield fault as much as it is the College Board. Fairfield should say everything they can and not be afraid of the College Board. If we do, we might be able to catch the culprit who has been ruining a system meant to help families with one of the most valued purchases in their life…a college education.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Bush's Call to the Bullpen
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/18/washington/18attorney.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Michael B. Muskasey.
Yea I can live with that. I mean I was a huge Alberto Gonzales fan, and still feel that he was in the wrong place (White House) at the wrong time (Bush Administration).
But that is neither here nor there. Muskasey brings a strong security presence to the justice department, but will he get confirmed.
Some Senate Dem’s are not smiling.
Senator Patrick Leahy wants “the material needed to question the former AG on wiretapping and torturing” according to an NYT article.
Even Senator Chuck Schumer is carrying his beef with the Bush administration into a questioning process of a fellow New York. That said Schumer and Mukasey are boys and that will go a long way in the end, since Chucky may be more powerful then George (his friends definitely are).
If confirmed Muskasey will control the justice department for less then a year and a half. I could control the justice department for a year and a half if given directions and not those Bobby Kennedy directions either.
Michael B. Muskasey.
Yea I can live with that. I mean I was a huge Alberto Gonzales fan, and still feel that he was in the wrong place (White House) at the wrong time (Bush Administration).
But that is neither here nor there. Muskasey brings a strong security presence to the justice department, but will he get confirmed.
Some Senate Dem’s are not smiling.
Senator Patrick Leahy wants “the material needed to question the former AG on wiretapping and torturing” according to an NYT article.
Even Senator Chuck Schumer is carrying his beef with the Bush administration into a questioning process of a fellow New York. That said Schumer and Mukasey are boys and that will go a long way in the end, since Chucky may be more powerful then George (his friends definitely are).
If confirmed Muskasey will control the justice department for less then a year and a half. I could control the justice department for a year and a half if given directions and not those Bobby Kennedy directions either.
Monday, September 17, 2007
OJ with lots of Pulp
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/09/17/oj.simpson/index.html
OJ. OJ. OJ.
It’s not that OJ can’t stay out of trouble; it’s that trouble seems to find OJ.
But then again he was charged with robbery, assault, burglary and conspiracy. Did Simpson play for Bengals and not tell anyone?
Ironically, I saw that his book was coming out at the time he was arrested. The book was titled “If I Did It,” (say that and keep a straight face) and will probably attract a different audience then Alan Greenspan’s autobiography.
Oj, is a Heisman Trophy winner. When the award is presented they say that the recipient will be recognized as that for the rest of his life. Did someone say Ricky Williams?
OJ. OJ. OJ.
It’s not that OJ can’t stay out of trouble; it’s that trouble seems to find OJ.
But then again he was charged with robbery, assault, burglary and conspiracy. Did Simpson play for Bengals and not tell anyone?
Ironically, I saw that his book was coming out at the time he was arrested. The book was titled “If I Did It,” (say that and keep a straight face) and will probably attract a different audience then Alan Greenspan’s autobiography.
Oj, is a Heisman Trophy winner. When the award is presented they say that the recipient will be recognized as that for the rest of his life. Did someone say Ricky Williams?
Saturday, September 15, 2007
20,000 Heroes
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/09/15/Bush.radio.ap/index.html
President Bush announced Thursday night that he would begin the process of withdrawing troops. Bush also claimed that troops would switch from leading ops to supporting Iraqi operations. Defense Secretary Gates stated that cutting the troops to 100,000 is also a possibility.
Bush has pushed himself so far off the pyramid of political excellence that he was and further more will be met with political opposition.
Democrats are starting to argue that this is not enough and not nearly a fast enough rate. Jack Reed, Senator from Rhode Island, stated that Bush’s plan “failed to provide either a plan to successfully end the war in Iraq or a convincing rationale to continue it.”
http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-09-14-voa3.cfm
But Senate Democrats failed to look at the bigger picture. This is a win for the country no matter how you slice it. Troops are coming home, Iraq is learning how to walk and a president has begun to compromise.
Some may argue President Bush has compromised too much. Like this blogger from the conservative website Redstate.com
http://www.redstate.com/blogs/horaceox/2007/sep/14/the_problem_with_bushs_announcement
The Democrats think Bush is not doing enough and the Repbulicans are thinking he is doing too much. The administration set out to
send troops in
give Iraq troops the resource to succeed
get troops out alive
The president should not get scolded for sticking to the game plan.
Give the guy a break, he has a country to run.
President Bush announced Thursday night that he would begin the process of withdrawing troops. Bush also claimed that troops would switch from leading ops to supporting Iraqi operations. Defense Secretary Gates stated that cutting the troops to 100,000 is also a possibility.
Bush has pushed himself so far off the pyramid of political excellence that he was and further more will be met with political opposition.
Democrats are starting to argue that this is not enough and not nearly a fast enough rate. Jack Reed, Senator from Rhode Island, stated that Bush’s plan “failed to provide either a plan to successfully end the war in Iraq or a convincing rationale to continue it.”
http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-09-14-voa3.cfm
But Senate Democrats failed to look at the bigger picture. This is a win for the country no matter how you slice it. Troops are coming home, Iraq is learning how to walk and a president has begun to compromise.
Some may argue President Bush has compromised too much. Like this blogger from the conservative website Redstate.com
http://www.redstate.com/blogs/horaceox/2007/sep/14/the_problem_with_bushs_announcement
The Democrats think Bush is not doing enough and the Repbulicans are thinking he is doing too much. The administration set out to
send troops in
give Iraq troops the resource to succeed
get troops out alive
The president should not get scolded for sticking to the game plan.
Give the guy a break, he has a country to run.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Happy Mother's Day
So my Mother’s Day blog is a day late…what are you going to about it?
I always thought M-Day was some made up holiday created by the consumer culture that we live in, and to some extent in was as I drowned a “heavy penny” on two pots of flowers for the old lady.
But in all serious Mother Day was a nice time to thank Mom for all she has done, by sitting on my uncle’s backyard deck, eating chicken wings, playing bocce, and listing to the Yankees on the radio. Our Americanized culture has led us down such an interesting path of our pastimes.
I had a good three days back highlighted by the incredible amount of pointless errands I ran. Seems like the more I do the more the to-do-list grows. I helped everyone move out of Campion Hall over the course of the week only to find myself the alone when I moved out late Friday afternoon. This work has to result in cash soon, as is the way capitalism works.
It’s good to be back, it’s good to be with my mom.
Happy Mothers Day.
P.S. Mets won 5-4 on a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the 9th.
I always thought M-Day was some made up holiday created by the consumer culture that we live in, and to some extent in was as I drowned a “heavy penny” on two pots of flowers for the old lady.
But in all serious Mother Day was a nice time to thank Mom for all she has done, by sitting on my uncle’s backyard deck, eating chicken wings, playing bocce, and listing to the Yankees on the radio. Our Americanized culture has led us down such an interesting path of our pastimes.
I had a good three days back highlighted by the incredible amount of pointless errands I ran. Seems like the more I do the more the to-do-list grows. I helped everyone move out of Campion Hall over the course of the week only to find myself the alone when I moved out late Friday afternoon. This work has to result in cash soon, as is the way capitalism works.
It’s good to be back, it’s good to be with my mom.
Happy Mothers Day.
P.S. Mets won 5-4 on a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the 9th.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
In-class writing assignments
Like a 500-pound man running the last leg of a marathon, is how I would describe my finishing of this semester.
Fighting a cold and a lost cell phone, I made my way to the library quit a bit this weekend. I have calculated that my five finals will be an averaging of 20% of my total grade. Some count more then others.
But what really grinds my gears, are the in-class writing finals (Math and Politics).
When am I ever going to need to write long hand on a piece of paper?
Now, I know that we should be able to think quickly and react to a situation in an intelligent way, but if in-class writing is the means to accomplish that then our society is screwed.
As I write this blog, in a quick and intellectual style of prose, Microsoft has my back. I have spell check at my disposal. I am able to move sentences around. If I wanted to change a word all I have to do is highlight it, a type a new one.
The reason why in-class writing has hanged on during the course of time probably has to do with our teachers learning that way.
A column in the print edition of the Mirror this week suggested that term papers are dead. Well you know what I think we should bury the in-class writing assignment right next to it.
Fighting a cold and a lost cell phone, I made my way to the library quit a bit this weekend. I have calculated that my five finals will be an averaging of 20% of my total grade. Some count more then others.
But what really grinds my gears, are the in-class writing finals (Math and Politics).
When am I ever going to need to write long hand on a piece of paper?
Now, I know that we should be able to think quickly and react to a situation in an intelligent way, but if in-class writing is the means to accomplish that then our society is screwed.
As I write this blog, in a quick and intellectual style of prose, Microsoft has my back. I have spell check at my disposal. I am able to move sentences around. If I wanted to change a word all I have to do is highlight it, a type a new one.
The reason why in-class writing has hanged on during the course of time probably has to do with our teachers learning that way.
A column in the print edition of the Mirror this week suggested that term papers are dead. Well you know what I think we should bury the in-class writing assignment right next to it.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Finals vs Fun
It’s been a little while since I posted a blog, so time to get back on the horse.
Speaking about horses, the Kentucky Derby was today (you loved that transition).
Between the Derby and tonight’s big fight, I have no idea how I can concentrate on my finals. Getting near the end, combine with not having classes as cause me to “live life to the fullest.”
The summer is soon. For the first time in my life I am upset to leave school. Don’t get me wrong I am looking forward the summer, meeting up with friends and going camping. Leaving a world that has so been enjoyable, yet productive, is not easy.
Friday is going to be a tough day
Speaking about horses, the Kentucky Derby was today (you loved that transition).
Between the Derby and tonight’s big fight, I have no idea how I can concentrate on my finals. Getting near the end, combine with not having classes as cause me to “live life to the fullest.”
The summer is soon. For the first time in my life I am upset to leave school. Don’t get me wrong I am looking forward the summer, meeting up with friends and going camping. Leaving a world that has so been enjoyable, yet productive, is not easy.
Friday is going to be a tough day
Friday, May 4, 2007
Stall Scribes
(This went into the print edition of the Mirror on 4/19, but I felt my blog readers would enjoy it as well.)
Many things grab our attention on campus.
Some of these things are talked about often, but others are not.
The other day when I was taking a bathroom break in the library and I happened to read the inside of the stall door.
"Wanna play toilet tennis? Look left," it read.
I thought to myself, "I never played toilet tennis."
Being the curious scholar that the Jesuits taught me to be, I looked left. With my chin on my left shoulder I read, "Look right." My head rotated on my neck toward the right only to be greeted by, "Look left." As I continued to follow the directions presented on both sides of the stall, I realized that I was now playing toilet tennis.
But some of the stalls' messages were not all fun and games.
One stall read, "I made the mistake of believing in someone for 3 years, Freshmen don't get a girlfriend until your senior year or upon graduation." Ouch. Good words of advice from a thoughtful guy.
What a great place to post relationship advice. Maybe we should meet with our advisers on the crapper.
Another situation came to my attention while I was sitting on the porcelain pool of my beloved Campion Hall fourth floor.
This time there was only one saying and it was located to my left:"Don't look here the real joke is between your legs." Now, it does not amaze me that some guy would be as immature as to think about what is in between the toilet occupant's legs.
What really has me scratching my head is, why would some go through the trouble to write about that?The method of 'stall scribing' features some clutch product placement.
Stall scribes are putting their stuff in the high traffic areas. Thanks Sodexho.
One of the loudest stalls on campus is Canisus' second floor men's room. This one stall includes: "If penis touches toliet, wash, disenfects and seek porn stardom immediately."
Another stall includes its own shorted version of the Ten Commandments:
1. Poop shall stink
2. You Shall Clog the Toilet
3. You Shall Make Grunting Noises
4. You Shall Wipe
5. You Shall Couresty Flush
Some of the scribes educated the public on alternative names for feces, calling them poop, lump fish and unleashing the demon.
Despite its mischievous upbringing, stall scribing brings up an interesting question: is graffiti OK if it's creative? The word graffiti simply means to write and has as many positive aspects as it does negative ones. If people enjoy graffiti, they will make it legitimate by dressing it up with a word like "mural."
Administrators will tell you that graffiti is damaging school property, but if it is intellectual (i.e. not "the joke in between your legs"), maybe it should be given a fair chance.We live in a world moving further away from our parents' world than ever before. The days of magazines are over.
Perhaps this is what FUSA Senator Nazar Kamenchenko '10 had in mind when his constituents said they need entertainment in the bathrooms.
Can you image a culture in which people go to the bathroom to get their news?
It's not that far off from the old days of bringing the paper to the can. No matter how much you read the stalls, just make sure you read The Mirror a little bit more.
I look forward to seeing what interesting observations these stall scribes will make as they continue to enlighten my day. I hope you will join me.
Many things grab our attention on campus.
Some of these things are talked about often, but others are not.
The other day when I was taking a bathroom break in the library and I happened to read the inside of the stall door.
"Wanna play toilet tennis? Look left," it read.
I thought to myself, "I never played toilet tennis."
Being the curious scholar that the Jesuits taught me to be, I looked left. With my chin on my left shoulder I read, "Look right." My head rotated on my neck toward the right only to be greeted by, "Look left." As I continued to follow the directions presented on both sides of the stall, I realized that I was now playing toilet tennis.
But some of the stalls' messages were not all fun and games.
One stall read, "I made the mistake of believing in someone for 3 years, Freshmen don't get a girlfriend until your senior year or upon graduation." Ouch. Good words of advice from a thoughtful guy.
What a great place to post relationship advice. Maybe we should meet with our advisers on the crapper.
Another situation came to my attention while I was sitting on the porcelain pool of my beloved Campion Hall fourth floor.
This time there was only one saying and it was located to my left:"Don't look here the real joke is between your legs." Now, it does not amaze me that some guy would be as immature as to think about what is in between the toilet occupant's legs.
What really has me scratching my head is, why would some go through the trouble to write about that?The method of 'stall scribing' features some clutch product placement.
Stall scribes are putting their stuff in the high traffic areas. Thanks Sodexho.
One of the loudest stalls on campus is Canisus' second floor men's room. This one stall includes: "If penis touches toliet, wash, disenfects and seek porn stardom immediately."
Another stall includes its own shorted version of the Ten Commandments:
1. Poop shall stink
2. You Shall Clog the Toilet
3. You Shall Make Grunting Noises
4. You Shall Wipe
5. You Shall Couresty Flush
Some of the scribes educated the public on alternative names for feces, calling them poop, lump fish and unleashing the demon.
Despite its mischievous upbringing, stall scribing brings up an interesting question: is graffiti OK if it's creative? The word graffiti simply means to write and has as many positive aspects as it does negative ones. If people enjoy graffiti, they will make it legitimate by dressing it up with a word like "mural."
Administrators will tell you that graffiti is damaging school property, but if it is intellectual (i.e. not "the joke in between your legs"), maybe it should be given a fair chance.We live in a world moving further away from our parents' world than ever before. The days of magazines are over.
Perhaps this is what FUSA Senator Nazar Kamenchenko '10 had in mind when his constituents said they need entertainment in the bathrooms.
Can you image a culture in which people go to the bathroom to get their news?
It's not that far off from the old days of bringing the paper to the can. No matter how much you read the stalls, just make sure you read The Mirror a little bit more.
I look forward to seeing what interesting observations these stall scribes will make as they continue to enlighten my day. I hope you will join me.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Walk a Little Strait
While we are learning how to write, solve problems and even drink, the University is forgetting to teach us how to walk.
There are times on this campus when I am just minding my own business, walking through a narrow hall, and I cross paths with someone walking in the opposite direction.
I step to the left only to find the other person has stepped to their right, causing an awkward situation.
Both of us trying to be the hero, we try to correct the situation by stepping in the other direction, only to walk into each other a third time.
If this happened to me once, I would still write a blog, but this happened to me three times today.
As a matter of fact, it happened to me on my way to the bathroom during my writing of this blog.
So what can we do with this?
I am not going to recommend that we set up some kind of system to prevent this, but we can make the best out of it. This could be an interesting way to meet people. Image telling your kids that you met their mother in a situation where you couldn’t figure out how to walk around her.
I am going to go walk around Barone trying to walk into hot girls. Talk to you later.
There are times on this campus when I am just minding my own business, walking through a narrow hall, and I cross paths with someone walking in the opposite direction.
I step to the left only to find the other person has stepped to their right, causing an awkward situation.
Both of us trying to be the hero, we try to correct the situation by stepping in the other direction, only to walk into each other a third time.
If this happened to me once, I would still write a blog, but this happened to me three times today.
As a matter of fact, it happened to me on my way to the bathroom during my writing of this blog.
So what can we do with this?
I am not going to recommend that we set up some kind of system to prevent this, but we can make the best out of it. This could be an interesting way to meet people. Image telling your kids that you met their mother in a situation where you couldn’t figure out how to walk around her.
I am going to go walk around Barone trying to walk into hot girls. Talk to you later.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Another Day, Another Dollar
I really hope there are people out there reading this, because I’m writing it.
One of the things that stuck in my mind this weekend was the participation in the Earth Day picnic. I was never an environmentalist until I started studying economics and realized that we need those resources. But I am not going to preach in a blog. I will say though, I think the guitarist was high.
We lost to UMass in lax today 10-7, but the Mets won. I don’t know what the deal is with the lax team. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not criticizing, because they are still pretty nasty in my mind; but it has been a “tough” six game losing streak. In a lot of the games they lost, they had a shot at winning and played well (not Loyola 19-2).
Finals are coming up, tell me that doesn’t suck.
The weather continues to be amazing. How the hell am I supposed to concentrate?
It feels like I am limping towards the finish line for these remaining two and a half weeks.
I am soon to be a sophomore, but there are three years (well at least three more years) of fun to be had.
One of the things that stuck in my mind this weekend was the participation in the Earth Day picnic. I was never an environmentalist until I started studying economics and realized that we need those resources. But I am not going to preach in a blog. I will say though, I think the guitarist was high.
We lost to UMass in lax today 10-7, but the Mets won. I don’t know what the deal is with the lax team. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not criticizing, because they are still pretty nasty in my mind; but it has been a “tough” six game losing streak. In a lot of the games they lost, they had a shot at winning and played well (not Loyola 19-2).
Finals are coming up, tell me that doesn’t suck.
The weather continues to be amazing. How the hell am I supposed to concentrate?
It feels like I am limping towards the finish line for these remaining two and a half weeks.
I am soon to be a sophomore, but there are three years (well at least three more years) of fun to be had.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Sterotypes.
As my roommate looks up drinking games, I start the night. I am always one step ahead; you got to love it.
There is so much bad news out there that I am bored of reading it. In addition to VT and Imus now there was a shooting at NASA. Our boys in the air took another hit as the Blue Angels crashed a plane.
Today was uneventful. From working on my math project to a lame dinner at Taco Loco, it went quick. I watched some of the Yanks vs. the Sox, what a great rivalry. But the real news about today: Mets are a half a game up in the East (never too early to get excited).
So, what should I write this blog about?
Stereotypes!
I wore my Tommy Cheng T-shirt today, causing everyone to ask me what Tommy Cheng is. First I would have a little fun, “It’s a Tibetan freedom movement, sponsored by the Dali lama.” Truth is it’s a Chinese restraint in my home town.
My roommate found a game in which you call bars in Alabama and ask if Bubba is available. The game is cleverly called “Alabubba.” We called seven bars, mainly shooting for the Mobile area. No dice.
I pity those of you who are graduating and will not get to experience these fine accomplishments.
There is so much bad news out there that I am bored of reading it. In addition to VT and Imus now there was a shooting at NASA. Our boys in the air took another hit as the Blue Angels crashed a plane.
Today was uneventful. From working on my math project to a lame dinner at Taco Loco, it went quick. I watched some of the Yanks vs. the Sox, what a great rivalry. But the real news about today: Mets are a half a game up in the East (never too early to get excited).
So, what should I write this blog about?
Stereotypes!
I wore my Tommy Cheng T-shirt today, causing everyone to ask me what Tommy Cheng is. First I would have a little fun, “It’s a Tibetan freedom movement, sponsored by the Dali lama.” Truth is it’s a Chinese restraint in my home town.
My roommate found a game in which you call bars in Alabama and ask if Bubba is available. The game is cleverly called “Alabubba.” We called seven bars, mainly shooting for the Mobile area. No dice.
I pity those of you who are graduating and will not get to experience these fine accomplishments.
Friday, April 20, 2007
420, Holiday of the Young
Its 9:15 on a Friday night, and I’m tanked.
My roommate is blasting the OAR, I hope we get written up.
But hey now its blog time, time to share my thoughts with you fine people cuz that’s what I am all about.
I wasn’t going to blog tonight; I was going to take the night off, but there is so much going on in the world that I felt obligated to comment.
VT is sad, I’m sorry, Imus is posting his resume on Monster, and there is flooding throughout the north east as if that was to make up for the lamest winter on record.
I feel bad about the VT thing, and as conservative as I am I stick by my first amendment right in saying Don Imus stays on the air.
But that’s neither is the subject of the blog.
This blog is respecting today’s holiday.
Now I personally don’t smoke, but I do know quite a few people that do.
The thing about smoking is it’s really not that bad.
It relaxes you.
It makes your senses sharper.
Barry Bonds uses Balco, but could just as well hit some cannabis.
So what’s the big deal with Mary Jane?
I’m sticking with my bottle of Jack and a 30 cause that’s going to get the job done. And weed is a gateway drug it only goes to places where things get worse.
The problem with weed is you can smell it from faraway; with booze, you’re in the clear unless your ping-pong ball hits the floor of your fourth floor Campion dorm.
By the way, Mariano just blew a save; Sox up 7-6.
The music has gone from OAR to Gwen Stefani, but that doesn’t matter cuz I am in college.
College is still the best four (maybe six) years of our lives.
My roommate is blasting the OAR, I hope we get written up.
But hey now its blog time, time to share my thoughts with you fine people cuz that’s what I am all about.
I wasn’t going to blog tonight; I was going to take the night off, but there is so much going on in the world that I felt obligated to comment.
VT is sad, I’m sorry, Imus is posting his resume on Monster, and there is flooding throughout the north east as if that was to make up for the lamest winter on record.
I feel bad about the VT thing, and as conservative as I am I stick by my first amendment right in saying Don Imus stays on the air.
But that’s neither is the subject of the blog.
This blog is respecting today’s holiday.
Now I personally don’t smoke, but I do know quite a few people that do.
The thing about smoking is it’s really not that bad.
It relaxes you.
It makes your senses sharper.
Barry Bonds uses Balco, but could just as well hit some cannabis.
So what’s the big deal with Mary Jane?
I’m sticking with my bottle of Jack and a 30 cause that’s going to get the job done. And weed is a gateway drug it only goes to places where things get worse.
The problem with weed is you can smell it from faraway; with booze, you’re in the clear unless your ping-pong ball hits the floor of your fourth floor Campion dorm.
By the way, Mariano just blew a save; Sox up 7-6.
The music has gone from OAR to Gwen Stefani, but that doesn’t matter cuz I am in college.
College is still the best four (maybe six) years of our lives.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
VT Shooting
Between sunrise and sunset today, we were most definitely educated on the subject of knowing what is important.32 people were gunned down at Virginia Tech on Monday, April 16th, in what was the deadliest shooting on in modern U.S. history. CNN played coverage all day of everything, from the gunman shooting to the students sounding out. We watched the coverage as if it was a terrorist movie, but unfortunately it wasn’t.
This shit was real.
As most of us on the Fairfield campus sat in wait, we placed ourselves in the place of the students of VT. Some of us were mad, other confused, and still many shock
ed.“What if this happened here?” was a question that some of us could not separate from our minds. The very thought caused us to relate to those that were on the Blacksburg campus. Cause after all we are college students.
And that last fact is what the real down fall of this situation was.
They were just college students. They were just fucking college students.
They enrolled and paid tuition for what was supposed to be the best four years of their life. They worked day and night on papers and studied hard for tests, to better themselves. And for what?
To be gunned down on their way to class.
If there is a tragic reality that this brings to our attention it’s that, bad shit happens, and more importantly there ain’t anything that could have been done to stop this.
To those who suffered a loss today in the horrifying shootings, I wish to extend my deepest sympathies. To those who question today’s events, I am right here questioning with you.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Buckle Up Governor
New Jersey Governor John Corzine was involved in a serious car accident on his way to a meeting with Don Imus and the Rutgers Women Basketball team, in which he suffered several injuries including 12 broken ribs, a broken sternum and a broken leg while riding in his Chevy Tahoe.
Corzine was not wearing his set belt. In the state of New Jersey, the law states that anyone sitting in the front seat of a car must wear seat belt. It is a $46 fine for not wearing a seat belt. The former CEO of Goldman Sachs probably will not have a problem paying the fine, but he might have a problem in his written statement on the inside cover of the drivers-ed books next year. What kind of example is set by a leader breaking the law? That’s like Deb Cady playing beruit in the dorms.
Now I realize that Corzine is in serious condition and I pray for his spe
edy recovery, but how can injuries this serious happen with a belt buckled.
Corzine will be inactive for at least two weeks, and not be able to walk for 6 months. With this in mind he has turned the sets over to Dick Cody. Cody has taught us how to be modest and still become Governor twice; get elected to second-in-charge and wait for the Governor to either get in a car accident or to come out of the closet. By the way I wonder where Jim McGreevey is anyway.
But let’s not dwell on Cody; let’s shift gears to Imus. Why in gods name would Corzine be rushing to meet with a racist radio host and a bunch of “nappy-headed hoes?”
Has America become such a segregated nation that Corzine felt it would be a good opportunity to show his face at this meeting? That’s right, after slavery, oppression, and white/black bathrooms; we are now, more than ever, a segregated society. We don’t hold hands in church during the “Lords prayer;” we feel that the citizen is more important than the community; and we are so competitive that we have started our own civil wars.
Why is everyone so up tight about Imus’ rhetoric; It’s not the first time we have heard this.
So next time a Governor wants to show his state he cares about a problem that can’t be fixed, he better buckle up.
Corzine was not wearing his set belt. In the state of New Jersey, the law states that anyone sitting in the front seat of a car must wear seat belt. It is a $46 fine for not wearing a seat belt. The former CEO of Goldman Sachs probably will not have a problem paying the fine, but he might have a problem in his written statement on the inside cover of the drivers-ed books next year. What kind of example is set by a leader breaking the law? That’s like Deb Cady playing beruit in the dorms.
Now I realize that Corzine is in serious condition and I pray for his spe
edy recovery, but how can injuries this serious happen with a belt buckled.Corzine will be inactive for at least two weeks, and not be able to walk for 6 months. With this in mind he has turned the sets over to Dick Cody. Cody has taught us how to be modest and still become Governor twice; get elected to second-in-charge and wait for the Governor to either get in a car accident or to come out of the closet. By the way I wonder where Jim McGreevey is anyway.
But let’s not dwell on Cody; let’s shift gears to Imus. Why in gods name would Corzine be rushing to meet with a racist radio host and a bunch of “nappy-headed hoes?”
Has America become such a segregated nation that Corzine felt it would be a good opportunity to show his face at this meeting? That’s right, after slavery, oppression, and white/black bathrooms; we are now, more than ever, a segregated society. We don’t hold hands in church during the “Lords prayer;” we feel that the citizen is more important than the community; and we are so competitive that we have started our own civil wars.
Why is everyone so up tight about Imus’ rhetoric; It’s not the first time we have heard this.
So next time a Governor wants to show his state he cares about a problem that can’t be fixed, he better buckle up.
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