Shut up and get educated!

Occupy Portland is taking my state by storm right now, and I am stuck 50 miles away, gas-less, freezing, and running on a horrible internet connection. Or maybe it's just my horribly slow Powerbook G4. From '02. Oi, I need a new laptop.

LOOK AT THAT! HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THAT?

This blog, wearethe99percent.tumblr.com is so... emotional.

BUT HEY, Occupy Wallstreet is not by any means the only thing going on in this country. My new favorite thing is to wake up and immediately turn on NPR. This morning it was full coverage on the press conference in the east wing of the white house, where President Obama answered questions from the press (because, you know, it was a press conference...).

THERE ARE SOME SERIOUSLY SCARY NOISES HAPPENING IN AND OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSE RIGHT NOW.

Basically the gist of what I got out of it was a bunch of reporters asking the same questions, and Obama answering the same way "Republicans are not going to let anything I say pass, just because I said it", and so forth. Though, he did use some very nice anecdotes.

I think that passing the American Jobs Act Bill is just as essential as the Occupy Wallstreet movement. Well, I guess if the greatest vision is accomplished by the Wallstreet Occupiers, that won't matter because the whole system will just be overthrown and we won't have to worry about it anymore. I'm kidding of course. I just ended a joke in such a teacher/NPR host fashion.

I'm going to the Occupy Salem event this Monday. Maybe I will add a twist of "pass that bill"!

Today a guy from my American Govt. class asked me my political views (hello, if you are reading this). I told him I was mostly Socialist.

Now, to clear up confusion, here is why I consider myself socialist.

Essentially all of my beliefs line up with those in socialism. It would be SO GREAT to have free health care, schooling, transportation (more so than we do now, anyway). Do I think socialism would work right now in this country, however? No way. There's no possible way it could! The only way socialism would work efficiently, would be if we started over completely from scratch. There's is simply too much opposition to those that compare socialism with extreme leftism (which, the lesser educated ones seem to think is Fascism? No).

The less educated folk might also get the urge to ask, IS DAT Y U LYK OBAMA DERP HERP CUZ HEZ A SOCIALEEST. No. That's... kind of insulting, actually. Don't get me wrong, I love Obama. But the reason I love Obama is because I know that that's about as far-left as we're going to get in this country. Obama is nothing near socialist! At all! So shut up, and get educated. Ooh, new catch phrase?

So there you go. Another blog. I've been doin' well, eh?

That's a little cheese ball.

Salut! Today, through MoveOn.org a MASSIVE virtual march is taking place! Have I mentioned that I want to go to Law School on here? Environmental law, oh yeah.

So above is my contribution. Send yours in! Seriously! I didn't make it up to the general assembly last night in Portland, but I am HOPING SO MUCH that I can make it to at least some of the march tomorrow. If not, there's always the one in Salem this Monday. Giant movements make me so excited. I've been staring at pictures of the march today, like this one:

IT'S JUST SO EXCITING.

Many more labor unions are joining in the march, including nurses and transportation workers.


One thing I've noticed that has been made very clear on the Occupy Portland group Facebook page, is that they are lobbying against all of the government, including of course President Obama. But can I just make it clear that one can still be an Obama lover and march? If it wasn't for the congress, I truly think a lot of these Wallstreet protester's demands would be made directly through the Obama Administration. The big thing for me though? Education, and the funding that goes toward it. That's essentially what I think we need to be working on, and what I will be lobbying for at the Occupy Wallstreet marches I attend.

Holy nuts my house is cold. But that's okay. I like having to snuggle up for warmth. Hnnnnng, but it's really cold. But hey, I could be out in the snow marching like a lot of people.

This article about a guy who lives off of $0 a year is really really cool. Suggested read, man. Suggested read.

SUGGESTED WATCH:


The It Gets Better Project is so wonderful. I've probably watched all the videos like five times. They're so nice and comforting and as cheesy as it sounds... bring me back up on low days. Yeah, cheesy. But hey man, that's awesome right? It does get better. It's already getting better. In the words of Michael from Arrested Development, "That's a little cheese ball".

And now, before I go somewhere warmer like my car, this photo made me laugh:

A bientot!

Can't Take Me Away

Hey hey hey everyone.

Welcome to my blog. Introductions are so awkward.

I'm really sad that there are only two more episodes until season 5 of The Guild is over.  And that the last episode is so like... hngnfdnsdf. But that doesn't relate to politics, so, onward!

I read a pretty interesting interview between David Graeber (on of the leaders in Occupy Wallstreet) and Ezra Klein (of the Washington Post). You can read it here, and get a better idea of the roots of the thing, including the reason for a lack of appearing leadership that I kind of mentioned in the last blog post. So yeah, read it.

AND IN REGARDS TO OCCUPYING WALLSTREET...

Tomorrow (Tuesday, October 4th) for those of you Oregonians, there is an Occupy Portland General Assembly at 7 pm, at the Ankeny Plaza in Waterfront Park. I plan on trying to get up there. But if I can't...

Literally three minutes ago, while I was writing this post and watching Veronica Mars, Occupy Salem added me on Facebook. Heeeeey, so October 10 it looks like there will be an Occupy Salem event. Go add'em on Facebook for more information. And I'm sure there is some kind of event being scheduled near you (wherever you are). Well, unless you live in Hong Kong. Then you might be out of luck.

ALSO on Wednesday MoveOn.org is organizing a virtual march. RSVP and learn more here! So there's no reason for being sad that you don't live in the Eastern part of the country. There's lots to do near you to stay involved in this powerful movement!

In other news, Governor Martin O'Malley kicks off Maryland's marriage equality campaign with this video that almost made me cry (but that's not saying much, I watched Bridesmaids the other day, and cried because the cop was just so nice to the main character... I'm going through an emotional age, okay!?).



And speaking of crying...



Alright, I need to study study study! I just wanted to comment on Occupy Portland and those things. LET'S GO.

Don't forget to like Lame and Forceful on Facebook. L8er G8ers.

Sincere Excitement

EXCITING NEWS EVERY PONY! I mean, what. My sticker came! It's beautiful, isn't it? Although, don't pay attention to the fact that it is super crooked in relation to my equality sticker which is fading and it's sad.

Today in American Government (by far my favorite class so far... and I'm not just saying that because the instructor will probably read this at some point), we looked deeply into Elizabeth Warren's latest big quote, I'm sure you've all heard it or read it by now. For those of you who are way behind...

There is nobody in this country who got rich on his own. Nobody. You built a factory out there — good for you!
But I want to be clear. You moved your goods to market on the roads the rest of us paid for. You hired workers the rest of us paid to educate. You were safe in your factory because of police forces and fire forces that the rest of us paid for. You didn’t have to worry that maurauding bands would come and seize everything at your factory, and hire someone to protect against this, because of the work the rest of us did. Now look, you built a factory and it turned into something terrific, or a great idea — God bless. Keep a big hunk of it.
But part of the underlying social contract is you take a hunk of that and pay forward for the next kid who comes along.

I love this so much. I love her a lot. Mostly because you would think she would be incredibly conservative looking at her history, but in reality she is really open and in my opinion, really right-on.

What are your opinions on the Occupy Wallstreet deal? I honestly wish I could be there shaking my fists in the air with rage wearing my radical 100% cotton smock. Mostly because I think the whole situation is riveting, exciting, but I have one little concern. Have the rioters lost their spunk solely on their disorganization? MSNBC suggested they are lacking leaders, and that's what really is differentiating them from the London riots earlier this year. I could see it.

UM, so I have a job interview tomorrow... My do nothing days that happened for about two weeks could potentially be gone. That is so sad. But so okay, because I will actually be able to afford my car. Hoorah!

Our favorite Malkin at the Fox News Station has made a very... fox-y claim. "Obama is the guy who is shaking around his brass knuckles every time... someone criticizes him". Ha ha! Yeah, okay. Honestly one of my only complaints about Obama is that he doesn't do enough shaking of the brass knuckles. Hell, I think he should be whippin' them around at all them congress members.



Walmart Adds Transgender Provisions To Employee Non-Discrimination Policy today.What, does that mean we're supposed to put them on a floating carpet and praise them for their concern? Let's not forget about all of their ABUNDANT line of history in incredibly blunt anti-LGBT regimes. So yeah, this is a good thing of course. But dammit Walmart, you make so many lives miserable every single day and make people think you're being charitable by selling less than acceptable in the level of quality items for a great price! You suck. Go die.

I'm off to stress out about my interview, and do some homework now. Stay fresh, ya'll. And go be active on the Lame and Forceful Facebook page!

Please Do Not Control My Vaginal Rights

The wonderful Ezra P. Miracle has been giving me advice on maintaining a blog without getting distracted from it and neglecting it. So I now have a whole two pages in my journal titled "shit to blog about". Yay!

Herman Cain (I always say "Hermain Cain"... which is kinda funny. To me, anyway...) recently came in first as a GOP Presidential candidate in a Florida Straw Poll. For Hermain, this is a first. Are you wondering what his secret is? A campaign that an NPR writer called a "Buy one pizza, get one free", which is fitting. His pizza campaign is also known as the 9-9-9, this clever abbreviation stands for NINE percent flat income tax, NINE percent corporate tax, and NINE percent nation sales tax. If you  are lost, so is the rest of rational America. But hey, who needs rational America when you've got irrational Florida!?

*Takes break from blogging to do French homework*

Congressman Cliff Stearns is still a big 'ol douche bag. This time he is using a "backdoor tactic" to shut down Planned Parenthood. Has he been combing his eyebrows too long to realize this battle should be over by now? Please do not try to control my vaginal rights, Stearns. You were already on my bad side anyway.

You can sign one of the many petitions here.

Today on Faceboook, "Have you ever deceived other people for an extended period of time? NPR is looking for personal stories of public deception that involved a large amount of self-deception as well. If you’re willing to tell your own story on air, please tell us about it in the comments. Thanks!"

There's a whole party of those folks, drinking tea and being stupid. Maybe NPR should contact every single one of them?

The Daily Beast today is worried about Rick Perry's blueprint for America (I am still laughing at the Pizza CEO, Hermain). But hey, who needs a blueprint when you've got the perfect presidential face? Why not run for President completely on your handsome American next-door neighbor looks? George W. Bush had a similar tactic... well, his was based on sincere lies and cheating. But Perry seems to be easily lying and cheating through the roots of society, right? Making you feel like he is some kind of angel? We all know, or at least I hope everyone reading this blog knows, THAT is certainly not true. 


You can read more on that here. 

President Obama needs me.  Or at least that's what I am telling myself. In his back to school address today, he announced that  we are 16th in the world of students with a college degree. "That's not good enough. And so we need your generation to bring us back to the top. If we do that, you guys will have a brighter future. And so will America."

I don't even care about my super-mega-liberal-socialist beliefs. Obama's got me hooked. I love him. And when he addresses my generation, I think of him the same way I think of my dad. Like, all I want to do is make him proud of me! I think I will use his speech to reflect upon when I am having one of my "poop on school" days. I'll make you proud, B. I'll make you proud.

Now I am off to get some "Caramel and Cinnamon" towels from Kohl's because my dad is going through his mid-life crisis. Is that appropriate to post publicly? I don't know.

Be kind to one another.

Oh hey there American Government class...

Bonjour!

Alrighty, my classes are shaping up quite nicely. French, Speech, and American government. I think this will be a super fun term! Full of... voicing my opinion. Especially in American Government!

My instructor wants to show this blog to the class, so I figured I had to clean it up a little. If this is being read out loud right now in the class I am awkwardly sitting in, well, I don't know what to think. Just don't look at me, okay!

What's wrong in the world today? Well, first of all, my Obama 2012 sticker is STILL NOT HERE. That's annoying. And the other day I saw a bumper sticker that said "NOPE" and in smaller print "Let's keep the changes in America". I'm disappointed in myself for ever thinking there was any sanity left in these ignorant people. So, I am forcing myself to accept the fact that they will never make sense(as a side note that I cannot resist, KEEPING CHANGES? Is that possible? Does that make any sense at all? NO).

Aside from my oxymoronic encounters, what else is going on?

Chris Christie is not in fact running for president. I am relieved, as I hope most people are, but at the same time I am afraid of the potential stupidity these other candidates could cause. Michelle Bachmann makes me want to cry for all of my fellow gay kids, and Rick Perry makes me want to cry for America. Well, okay, both make me want to just cry in general. Which means it's time to buff up and voice my opinion!

Oh, and President Obama is just a "bystander in the oval office". I chuckle to myself as I sit in lotus position on my school-book-covered bed and listen to my favorite cheerful Celtic band. Chris Christie is so dumb.

Guess what, I'm still not old enough to vote. But hey, there's always my dad to influence!

I have recently begun the process of starting up an organization called Salem Youth For Change. Basically, it's an attempt at getting the younger generations aware and active. I'm looking for speakers and helpers for our first meeting! Which will basically be a democracy style discussion.

Here's the blog: salemyouthforchange.blogspot.com
Here's the Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Salem-Youth-For-Change/194264657302063

So even if you aren't "youthful", we would LOVE to have your support and ideas included. You can also email us at salemyouthforchange@gmail.com, get added to our emailing list yo!

But enough advertising. My internet is having a poopish connection. That has no relevance. Continuing...

Glenn Beck is becoming the new Oprah, everyone! McKay Coppins headlines a post on the Daily Beast with "Former Fox News firebrand Glenn Beck is busy building a Winfrey-esque empire. He tells McKay Coppins exclusively how his new GBTV online network will rival Fox—and why all politicians are liars".

My position has changed to a ninety-degree angle with my back rested against a pillow, and I sigh in with a feeling of both disgust and sincere hope that Americans can stop being ignorant assholes who actually believe a word that comes out of Beck's mouth. My second sigh is accompanied by a head-scratch.

That's all I have time for tonight, holy geebs it's already 10! Sleep must reign upon me now!

Au revoir!

Shady's Back.

Guess who's back. Back again.

Well hoowwwdy. Before politics, let me update you on my life a bit.

I'm coming to a close on Spring term (I'm taking all college classes too), I drive a Buick Park Avenue named Bulbasaur, I'm being kicked in the ass by Integral Calculus, my fiery feminism has raised in intensity by exactly 23%, and I am oddly into Beyonce (that just started today whilst watching VH1's Sexiest Pop Hotties).

In Bulby (short for Bulbasaur, my fat grandpa car, keeping up?) I have been listening to NPR pretty much always. These really interesting topics always come up, and I just need to express my feelings about it (yes, I am the type of person who yells at the radio when they're alone in the car and the windows are rolled down and there are strange men in the van next to you at the awkwardly long red light...).

So I am back. Let's get things rolling *cough of officialism*

Our good friend Sarah Palin was accused of stepping on Mitt Romney's toes (can you imagine having a President named Mitt Romney?) with a similar speech using Paul Revere as some kind of example of our freedom...

"(A warning to) the British that they weren't going to be taking away our arms, by ringing those bells and by making sure that as he's riding his horse through town to send those warning shots and bells that we were going to be secure and we were going to be free … and we were going to be armed."

OKAY. I know somewhere in elementary school I learned about Paul Revere, and let me tell you, this is the same bullshit I learned in my small-town hick school; Meaning it's definitely Americanized and wrong. That's just nauseating. Read more about it, and laugh a couple more loads, here.

If Sarah Palin runs for President, I swear to Merlin, I will tip a bucket- I'm in a poetic mood tonight. AND CAN I JUST SAY... the fact that Obama has gained more support by 'killing Osama Bin Laden' is the greatest example of Conservative America's sincere beliefs and ideals. The kind of example that proves so many things so many conservatives deny. But yeah. It's kind of sick.

I wish Obama was a Socialist.

This is awesome by the way. I admire each and every person in each and every tent in Walkerville. Walkerville! It's clever! Hooray!


I've gotta wrap things up, thanks to my final paper for writing that is due tomorrow, cough cough ahem ahem.

Two more days of class for me, then more blogging! I promise! Don't be afraid to hassle me about writing more, I like inspiration even if it is forceful (see what I did there?).

My pseudo step-mom Jill purchased a leather textile futon for $75 that was initially over $1000 and I think it has made her the happiest pretzel in the bulk section (again with the poetry). She's been telling everyone, so I figured I'd just add it here for everyone to read. You're welcome, Jill.

I think a shirt is necessary:

What's wrong with this T-shirt?

Nothing. Everything about it is absolutely right.

MAKE BLOGS NOT WAR, THE END.