The Olympics is over a month ago, but I still want to write on a few things
1) If there's anyone doubting the caliber of athletes coming from Hawaii --- look at the following
Brian Clay of Kaneohe won the decathalon, which involves running, hurdles, shot put, javelin, and other things. It takes speed, strength, endurance, and versatility to excell in the decathalon, and Brian Clay has it all!
Natasha Kai, the former UH soccer player from Laie, a major contributor USA women's soccer gold medal!
Clay Stanley, a member of the men's volleyball team, who won gold. They were a surprise winner, made even more legendary by their coach's perseverance after his wife's father was murdered in the 1st day of the Olympics.
USA women's volleyball (silver medal winners) have 5 Hawaii affiliated members, Robyn Ah-Mow Santos, a McKinley grad (GO TIGERS), former UH volleyball player, and member of USA's silver medal in women's volleyball. Lindsey Berg, a Punahou grad who played at a mainland college. The team also had some mainland-raised players who played for University of Hawaii in college volleyball - Heather Bown and Kim Willoughby. Also, Logan Tom, though mainland-raised and a Stanford grad, is part-Hawaiian.
There were other Hawaii-affiliated Olympians as well.
One other I wanted to comment on - Clarrissa Chun. She attended the same middle school as I did (Kawananakoa) , and the same grade level. However, we never met since we never had the same classes. I only knew of her from the yearbook. However, I was recently talking to another person from the same middle school, and his reaction was "who would've thought"!
2) USA basketball is tops again. While the women's basketball has been winning 5 straight gold medals, the men's basketball team regained dominance!
And it pretty much repaired Kobe Bryant's image.
Previously, Bryant was seen as "selfish, me-first, accussed rapist, etc." Now, he's seen as a team player and the ultimate patriot!
3) I wish I saw more of Micheal Phelp's events.
I only caught one of his team relays.
4) I remember one of Phelps' teammate on the relays was Cullen Jones.
Here's an article on Cullen Jones disproving racial stereotypes on African-Americans & swimming.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/2008olympics/2008/08/11/2008-08-11_riding_olympic_wave_swimmer_cullen_jones.html
I always thought that was one of the strangest stereotypes ever. When I worked at Palama Settlement, which has a very popular swimming pool, I saw some African-American kids who can swim very well! So I have no idea where the silly idea of "black people can't swim" comes from.
But I guess some stereotypes die hard, like "white men can't jump", nevermind that white Europeans have excelled in the high jump events!
Or that those of "European & Asian ancestry can't run", nevermind that in 2004, a Chinese male (Xiang Liu) and a European-American male (Jeremy Warriner) won gold in track events, and I remember seeing a Russian women coming in 2nd behind a Jamaican women in a 2008 track event.
Some might say Micheal Phelps and Usain Bolt is proof that "whites are superior in swimming, blacks are superior in running". But Phelps and Bolt are mega-athletes, in which no one of any color can beat them in their primes!
Race isn't everything! though Phelps is the ultimate swimmer, it doesn't mean Caucasians are automatically good swimmers. In fact, Cullen Jones could beat 95% of Caucasian swimmers. Also, though Usain Bolt is the ultimate runner, it doesn't mean those of African ancestry are automatically fast runners. After all, Jeremy Warriner could beat 95% of African-descended people in running!
Athletic triumphs takes talent, as well as perserverance, technique and practice. So ignore the racial stereotypers!
5) My favorite Olympic moment in which didn't involve a USA athlete --- watching the marathon! While watching people run long distance can seem boring, the Olympics make it different.
Watching all those guys running past the sights & sounds in the Beijing streets, the ability to take cups of liquid from volunteers without slowing down to take the cups, watching the lead runners running in groups until the near end. I wish I had such endurance.
Unfortunately, a few of the runners needed medical assistance and couldn't finish the marathon.
The greatest moment in all this is seeing the Kenyan runner, Samuel Wanjiru, taking the lead, leaving others far behind -- and watching him approach the Bird's Nest stadium, running through the entrance, and then running on the tracks and crossing the finish line. I wish I had that guy's endurance
Reading my description doesn't come close to watching it happen on the TV screen. (Though that probably doesn't come close to watching it live at Beijing)
6) I can't wait for the 2012 Olympics in London. More great moments are on the way!
Friday, September 19, 2008
A quick run on recent events
1) a few weeks ago, Hurricane Gustav hit New Orleans, but not with the same intensity as Hurricane Katrina.
It did, however, gave a 2nd chance to 2 politicians of oppossing parties
Hurricane Katrina basically ruined the reputations of New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin (Democrat) and U.S. President George W. Bush (Republican), which made them seem unprepared under rough circumstances.
However, they learned the lessons of Katrina, and handled the Hurricane Gustav much better!
2) The 2 major political parties had their conventions.
For The Democrat convention, Ted Kennedy gave what many considered a legendary speech, and some predicted, it might be his last major speech -- due to his brain tumor surgery he had recently, amid rumours that Kennedy might be dying. Whatever his situation is, it was seen as a passing the torch of liberal legends, from Kennedy to Barack Obama.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE_eKhUC9rI
------
Barack Obama had his acceptance speech at Invesco Field (the stadium where the NFL's Denver Broncos play)! Some in Hawaii say that idea was inspired by the 1978 political rally at Aloha Stadium for then-governor candidate George Ariyoshi! And Obama was a high school student at Punahou at the time!
http://akamaipolitics.honadvblogs.com/2008/07/07/making-political-history-in-a-stadium-again/
-------------
At the Republican conventions, Rudy Guliani made fun of Obama voting "present" when he was a state senator in Illinois. The mockery went along the lines of "if you're president of the United States, it's not good enought to be present, you have to make a decision".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu9R_r2T9P0&feature=related
--------
Sarah Palin became a star at the convention, with her mockery of Barack Obama. Some of it was deserved, especially when she said Obama flatters small-town/rural voters when in front of them, but calls them "bitter" and "clinging to guns and religion" when talking to San Francisco fundraiser.
However, Giuliani and Palin said some idiotic things as well, mocking Obama's time working as a "community organizer". While those mockeries work since many suburban/rural people are unfamiliar with what a "community organizer" is, it can be seen as a mockery of inner city residents who rely on community organizers for assistance on legal, residential, civil and other social matters! Which will further alienate inner city voters from the Republican Party.
From http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080922/dreier_atlas
For the first time in American history, a major political party devoted a substantial portion of its national convention to attacking grassroots organizing.
(skip paragraphs )
The party of Ronald Reagan was touting government experience over civic engagement.
From http://organizersfightback.wordpress.com/
Though many people are unfamiliar with community organizing, the job is both straightforward and vital: community organizers work with families who are struggling–because of low wages, poor health coverage, unaffordable housing, and other community problems–so that collectively, they can fix those problems and make government respond to their day-to-day concerns. Organizers knock on doors, attend community meetings, visit churches and synagogues and mosques, and work with unions and civic groups and block associations to help ordinary people build power and counter the influence of self-interested insiders and highly paid lobbyists at all levels of government.
It did, however, gave a 2nd chance to 2 politicians of oppossing parties
Hurricane Katrina basically ruined the reputations of New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin (Democrat) and U.S. President George W. Bush (Republican), which made them seem unprepared under rough circumstances.
However, they learned the lessons of Katrina, and handled the Hurricane Gustav much better!
2) The 2 major political parties had their conventions.
For The Democrat convention, Ted Kennedy gave what many considered a legendary speech, and some predicted, it might be his last major speech -- due to his brain tumor surgery he had recently, amid rumours that Kennedy might be dying. Whatever his situation is, it was seen as a passing the torch of liberal legends, from Kennedy to Barack Obama.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE_eKhUC9rI
------
Barack Obama had his acceptance speech at Invesco Field (the stadium where the NFL's Denver Broncos play)! Some in Hawaii say that idea was inspired by the 1978 political rally at Aloha Stadium for then-governor candidate George Ariyoshi! And Obama was a high school student at Punahou at the time!
http://akamaipolitics.honadvblogs.com/2008/07/07/making-political-history-in-a-stadium-again/
-------------
At the Republican conventions, Rudy Guliani made fun of Obama voting "present" when he was a state senator in Illinois. The mockery went along the lines of "if you're president of the United States, it's not good enought to be present, you have to make a decision".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu9R_r2T9P0&feature=related
--------
Sarah Palin became a star at the convention, with her mockery of Barack Obama. Some of it was deserved, especially when she said Obama flatters small-town/rural voters when in front of them, but calls them "bitter" and "clinging to guns and religion" when talking to San Francisco fundraiser.
However, Giuliani and Palin said some idiotic things as well, mocking Obama's time working as a "community organizer". While those mockeries work since many suburban/rural people are unfamiliar with what a "community organizer" is, it can be seen as a mockery of inner city residents who rely on community organizers for assistance on legal, residential, civil and other social matters! Which will further alienate inner city voters from the Republican Party.
From http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080922/dreier_atlas
For the first time in American history, a major political party devoted a substantial portion of its national convention to attacking grassroots organizing.
(skip paragraphs )
The party of Ronald Reagan was touting government experience over civic engagement.
From http://organizersfightback.wordpress.com/
Though many people are unfamiliar with community organizing, the job is both straightforward and vital: community organizers work with families who are struggling–because of low wages, poor health coverage, unaffordable housing, and other community problems–so that collectively, they can fix those problems and make government respond to their day-to-day concerns. Organizers knock on doors, attend community meetings, visit churches and synagogues and mosques, and work with unions and civic groups and block associations to help ordinary people build power and counter the influence of self-interested insiders and highly paid lobbyists at all levels of government.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Olympic thoughts
The Beijing Olympics has just concluded!
I was watching more events in its last week, though I wished I watched more in its first week!
Anyways, my commentary on the Olympic controversies!
1) Many have questioned the age of some of the Chinese gymnasts!
For the Olympics, the gymnasts have to be at least 16.
Some of the Chinese gymnasts look younger than that!
Anyways, there's always people who look younger or older than their age!
Some say on this age controversy -- get rid of the age limits!
However, my main concern isn't how old those gymnasts look!
The age limits is supposed to protect younger athletes from over-exerting themselves!
Training for Olympic level competition requires strenuous training!
However, having Olympic level training for children has many negatives!
It takes away their childhood! Children need a more well-rounded experience than just training all day! They need time to explore other things as well, as well as unstructured time!
Also, because they are growing, strenuous training could interfere with their growth and cause joint damage!
2) Spain's basketball team appeared in ad in which they put their fingers near the eyes to make it look as slanted as an average-Chinese person's eyes!
Obviously that caused a racial controversy!
Some pointed out it has offended Asian-Americans more than Asians in Asia!
There's a reason for that!
In China, the Chinese are the majority! They never been a minority in their life, unless they visited foreign lands! They never experienced the stigma of having their accents, names, languages, or eyes mocked!
For Asians living in North America, Europe, Australia or other non-Asian places, that ad with the Spanish basketball team gives them some bad memories!
That ad reminds them of the racist bullies who went up to their face, make fake slant-eye and yell at them in a fake Chinese accent! It reminds them of those who said "go back to China" while pushing them around!
It also reminds some of all those Korean stores burned and Asian drivers attacked by racist mobs during the LA riots in 1992! (which by the way is in the same city as where Spanish basketball player Paul Gasol plays during the NBA season!)
The Spanish basketball team most likely weren't thinking about those things when they made the ad. To them, it's one of those middle-school level, frat boy things that many young males do when visiting their friends house!
However, they're not in middle school anymore, they're adults representing their country in the Olympics!
3) some complained about Jamaican track star Usain Bolt thumping his chest when he crossed the finish-line!
I think those complainers need to lighten up! He wasn't insulting his competitors, he was just happy he won!
4) some feminists complained about women beach volleyball players wearing bikinis whereas men beach volleyball players wore long shorts! Nevermind that many male swimmers/divers/water polo players were wearing nothing but Speedo underwear!
If you dont like looking at any of that, change the station!
5) An Iranian swimmer refused to swim because an Israeli was in the same pool.
Iran & other Muslim countries refuse to compete with Israel due to it's on-going battle with Palestinian militants
This is stupid!
While there are some concerns over human rights in Israel, it pales in comparison over the human rights violations in Iran & other Muslim countries!
We don't see USA athletes avoiding competition with China or Cuba! In fact, we embrace competing with those dictator-run countries!
I think that Iranian swimmer (& other like-minded athletes from Islamic countries) is too chicken to lose to an Israeli! What a coward!
6) the 2010 Winter Olympics is in Vancouver. However, in 2014, it will be in Sochi, Russia. That is very close to the Russian-Georgian border! Very big concerns, as it might be vulnerable to terrorism, as well as controversy over Russia's handling of the Georgian crisis!
---
Enough of the controversies for now let's talk of other things
7) The next summer Olympics will be in London in 2012.
Here are some places where I think are possibilities for future Olympics
India -- this past Olympics highlighted China's rise as an economic power. The next most populated country -- India-- is also a rising economic power.
Plus, unlike China, India is a democracy. So it makes it a less controversial choice!
However, India doesn't have a strong sports program like China does.
China's athletic program is state-operated and basically recruits young children to train for various sports, ranging from gymnastics, swimming, track, basketball, table tennis, badminton, etc.
In India, however, most of the athletic focus is on cricket, a sport that isn't featured in the Olympics! The other sports have been basically ignored by Indian society, which is why India falls behind in the medal count, not just behind not just big countries (ie China, USA , Russia, etc), but also smaller countries with strong athletic programs like Jamaica, Kenya, Belarus, Cuba, Netherlands, South Korea and Ethiopia!
However, India's economic growth could possibly fund more athletic programs for children & teens in the future! After all, it wasn't long ago when China & other East Asian countries weren't as strong in the Olympics as they are now!
And bring cricket into the Olympics to give India a chance for Olympic success!
South Africa -- The Olympics has never been held in Africa, though the soccer World Cup will be held in South Africa in 2010! The International Olympic Committee can study how that World Cup is handled, learn from whatever mistakes and success happens there, and use that to plan a future Olympics in South Africa!
A South African Olympics can also bring a great narrative -- a country once oppressed by apartheid becoming a relatively stable democracy and now hosting the biggest stage in world sports!
South Africa has had success in international competitions in swimming, track, marathon, soccer & rugby.
We can add rugby to the Olympics, which could also help the South Pacific countries which also loves rugby
New Zealand -- just imagine if there's rugby in the Olympics, the Olympics held in New Zealand, and the haka being performed in the opening & closing ceremonies as well as before the 1st Olympic rugby match! The first Olympics in Polynesia! That would be something for the ages!
United Arab Emirates (UAE) -- This would be the first in the Muslim world. The UAE is a modernizing country with great facilities. That would be a great Olympic story line -- a land that was just desert, found oil, gotten rich and hosting the Olympics.
However, that would be a controversial choice for an Olympic site! Like China, the UAE is known for human rights violations. There is concerns over immigrant labor being abused, and the UAE is known to be anti-Israel. It is also vulnerable to Islamic terrorism!
So unless the Olympics want to repeat the controversy of Beijing, it might avoid the UAE at this time!
Egypt 0r Turkey -- not as prosperous as the UAE, but their government is not as anti-Isreal, so it's a more suitable site for a 1st Olympics in the Muslim world!
Brazil -- The Olympics already had it's 1st Latin American site in Mexico City in 1968. But never had it appeared in South America! Brazil would be a good place to start!
Indonesia - another possible 1st site in a Muslim country, but not located in the Middle East. Still, a 1st for Southeast Asia!
I was watching more events in its last week, though I wished I watched more in its first week!
Anyways, my commentary on the Olympic controversies!
1) Many have questioned the age of some of the Chinese gymnasts!
For the Olympics, the gymnasts have to be at least 16.
Some of the Chinese gymnasts look younger than that!
Anyways, there's always people who look younger or older than their age!
Some say on this age controversy -- get rid of the age limits!
However, my main concern isn't how old those gymnasts look!
The age limits is supposed to protect younger athletes from over-exerting themselves!
Training for Olympic level competition requires strenuous training!
However, having Olympic level training for children has many negatives!
It takes away their childhood! Children need a more well-rounded experience than just training all day! They need time to explore other things as well, as well as unstructured time!
Also, because they are growing, strenuous training could interfere with their growth and cause joint damage!
2) Spain's basketball team appeared in ad in which they put their fingers near the eyes to make it look as slanted as an average-Chinese person's eyes!
Obviously that caused a racial controversy!
Some pointed out it has offended Asian-Americans more than Asians in Asia!
There's a reason for that!
In China, the Chinese are the majority! They never been a minority in their life, unless they visited foreign lands! They never experienced the stigma of having their accents, names, languages, or eyes mocked!
For Asians living in North America, Europe, Australia or other non-Asian places, that ad with the Spanish basketball team gives them some bad memories!
That ad reminds them of the racist bullies who went up to their face, make fake slant-eye and yell at them in a fake Chinese accent! It reminds them of those who said "go back to China" while pushing them around!
It also reminds some of all those Korean stores burned and Asian drivers attacked by racist mobs during the LA riots in 1992! (which by the way is in the same city as where Spanish basketball player Paul Gasol plays during the NBA season!)
The Spanish basketball team most likely weren't thinking about those things when they made the ad. To them, it's one of those middle-school level, frat boy things that many young males do when visiting their friends house!
However, they're not in middle school anymore, they're adults representing their country in the Olympics!
3) some complained about Jamaican track star Usain Bolt thumping his chest when he crossed the finish-line!
I think those complainers need to lighten up! He wasn't insulting his competitors, he was just happy he won!
4) some feminists complained about women beach volleyball players wearing bikinis whereas men beach volleyball players wore long shorts! Nevermind that many male swimmers/divers/water polo players were wearing nothing but Speedo underwear!
If you dont like looking at any of that, change the station!
5) An Iranian swimmer refused to swim because an Israeli was in the same pool.
Iran & other Muslim countries refuse to compete with Israel due to it's on-going battle with Palestinian militants
This is stupid!
While there are some concerns over human rights in Israel, it pales in comparison over the human rights violations in Iran & other Muslim countries!
We don't see USA athletes avoiding competition with China or Cuba! In fact, we embrace competing with those dictator-run countries!
I think that Iranian swimmer (& other like-minded athletes from Islamic countries) is too chicken to lose to an Israeli! What a coward!
6) the 2010 Winter Olympics is in Vancouver. However, in 2014, it will be in Sochi, Russia. That is very close to the Russian-Georgian border! Very big concerns, as it might be vulnerable to terrorism, as well as controversy over Russia's handling of the Georgian crisis!
---
Enough of the controversies for now let's talk of other things
7) The next summer Olympics will be in London in 2012.
Here are some places where I think are possibilities for future Olympics
India -- this past Olympics highlighted China's rise as an economic power. The next most populated country -- India-- is also a rising economic power.
Plus, unlike China, India is a democracy. So it makes it a less controversial choice!
However, India doesn't have a strong sports program like China does.
China's athletic program is state-operated and basically recruits young children to train for various sports, ranging from gymnastics, swimming, track, basketball, table tennis, badminton, etc.
In India, however, most of the athletic focus is on cricket, a sport that isn't featured in the Olympics! The other sports have been basically ignored by Indian society, which is why India falls behind in the medal count, not just behind not just big countries (ie China, USA , Russia, etc), but also smaller countries with strong athletic programs like Jamaica, Kenya, Belarus, Cuba, Netherlands, South Korea and Ethiopia!
However, India's economic growth could possibly fund more athletic programs for children & teens in the future! After all, it wasn't long ago when China & other East Asian countries weren't as strong in the Olympics as they are now!
And bring cricket into the Olympics to give India a chance for Olympic success!
South Africa -- The Olympics has never been held in Africa, though the soccer World Cup will be held in South Africa in 2010! The International Olympic Committee can study how that World Cup is handled, learn from whatever mistakes and success happens there, and use that to plan a future Olympics in South Africa!
A South African Olympics can also bring a great narrative -- a country once oppressed by apartheid becoming a relatively stable democracy and now hosting the biggest stage in world sports!
South Africa has had success in international competitions in swimming, track, marathon, soccer & rugby.
We can add rugby to the Olympics, which could also help the South Pacific countries which also loves rugby
New Zealand -- just imagine if there's rugby in the Olympics, the Olympics held in New Zealand, and the haka being performed in the opening & closing ceremonies as well as before the 1st Olympic rugby match! The first Olympics in Polynesia! That would be something for the ages!
United Arab Emirates (UAE) -- This would be the first in the Muslim world. The UAE is a modernizing country with great facilities. That would be a great Olympic story line -- a land that was just desert, found oil, gotten rich and hosting the Olympics.
However, that would be a controversial choice for an Olympic site! Like China, the UAE is known for human rights violations. There is concerns over immigrant labor being abused, and the UAE is known to be anti-Israel. It is also vulnerable to Islamic terrorism!
So unless the Olympics want to repeat the controversy of Beijing, it might avoid the UAE at this time!
Egypt 0r Turkey -- not as prosperous as the UAE, but their government is not as anti-Isreal, so it's a more suitable site for a 1st Olympics in the Muslim world!
Brazil -- The Olympics already had it's 1st Latin American site in Mexico City in 1968. But never had it appeared in South America! Brazil would be a good place to start!
Indonesia - another possible 1st site in a Muslim country, but not located in the Middle East. Still, a 1st for Southeast Asia!
Obama in Hawaii
A few weeks ago, presidential candidate Barack Obama came to his childhood home of Hawaii for a week-long vacation from his campaign.
He visited his grandmother, his sister, and all the major tourist sites on Oahu!
1) Catherine Toth questioned Obama's "local credentials" in her blog!
In Hawaii, questioning someone's "local credentials" is like saying "you're not one of us"
http://dailydish.honadvblogs.com/2008/08/11/obama-local-%e2%80%94-or-trying-to-be/#comments
It’s not breaking news the U.S. senator — and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee — has Hawai’i ties. He was born at Kapi’olani Medical Center and graduated from Punahou School.
But I’m sure few of us knew about his affection for all things local.
In his 16-minute speech on Friday, he mentioned plans to get a plate lunch, maybe stop by Zippy’s or Rainbow Drive-In, maybe get some shave ice.
He said he wanted to go bodysurfing — then hung out at Lanikai Beach this weekend — and even called his grandma “tutu.”
But would you consider Obama — who didn’t campaign here at all, by the way — “local”?
Sure, he was born here and returned to the Islands to attend Punahou for seven years. But is that enough for Obama to claim Hawai’i as his home?
I did find it interesting that he dropped so many “local-isms” in his speech. Shave ice, Zip Min, tutu, “howzit.” It’s obvious he wanted to relate to his audience. But I doubt he uses these words and phrases in his everyday life.
But what do you think about that? What makes him — or anyone — “local”? And do you think his reference to local foods and places was appropriate? Misleading? Cheesy?
You tell me!
http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/8965/40/
I know his grandmother lives in Hawai'i, and I know Hawai'i is a state. But it has the look of him going off to some sort of foreign, exotic place."
Roberts went on to say, "He should be in Myrtle Beach if he's going to take a vacation at this time."
---------
Foreign? While Native Hawaiian activists want Hawaii to be separate from the US, they're only a minority (though a very vocal one) of Hawaii's population!
Those who question Hawaii's "American-ness" needs to understand a few things!
Some of USA's gold medals in the just-completed Olympics came with the help of Hawaii athletes like Brian Clay (decathalon), Natasha Kai (women's soccer), Clay Stanley (men's volleyball) as the silver medal in women's volleyball (with Robyn Ah-Mow-Santos, Heather Bown, Lindsey Berg and Kim Willoughby)
But more importantly, some of the troops who died for the USA in Iraq & Afghanistan (as well as previous wars) come from Hawaii!
If Obama didn't visit his relatives in Hawaii, the news pundit would criticize him for "lacking family values", or "being an angry black man who couldn't get over his racial loneliness growing up in Hawaii" Dammed if you do, Dammed if you don't! Barack Obama did the right thing in vacationing in Hawaii! That's where his family is, that's where he grew up!
The idea that Obama could win a single vote by visiting Myrtle Beach (in South Carolina) is silly! It would only give him an image of elitism, it's located in one of the most conservative states in the USA, and it wouldn't give him a swing vote!
I know, Obama won the Democratic primary in South Carolina! However, that state is dominated by Republicans! Most of the state population is conservative European-Americans, whereas most of Obama's support from that state is from its African-American community. While South Carolina has more African-Americans than most states, they're still outnumbered by very conservative European-Americans!
Obama might have a better chance of winning North Carolina, Virginia, or Georgia! While they're usually Republican states, their liberal population is increasing. And an increased African-American voting turnout would help too! And it wouldn't have mattered if Obama visited Myrtle Beach!
Florida, while a swing state, might fall to McCain. Though that state's Jewish and Cuban population is not as conservative as its European-Americans in the northern areas, they might prefer McCain on foreign policy issues! Though an increased African-American turnout, plus other liberal voters in Miami metro area could help Obama!
He visited his grandmother, his sister, and all the major tourist sites on Oahu!
1) Catherine Toth questioned Obama's "local credentials" in her blog!
In Hawaii, questioning someone's "local credentials" is like saying "you're not one of us"
http://dailydish.honadvblogs.com/2008/08/11/obama-local-%e2%80%94-or-trying-to-be/#comments
It’s not breaking news the U.S. senator — and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee — has Hawai’i ties. He was born at Kapi’olani Medical Center and graduated from Punahou School.
But I’m sure few of us knew about his affection for all things local.
In his 16-minute speech on Friday, he mentioned plans to get a plate lunch, maybe stop by Zippy’s or Rainbow Drive-In, maybe get some shave ice.
He said he wanted to go bodysurfing — then hung out at Lanikai Beach this weekend — and even called his grandma “tutu.”
But would you consider Obama — who didn’t campaign here at all, by the way — “local”?
Sure, he was born here and returned to the Islands to attend Punahou for seven years. But is that enough for Obama to claim Hawai’i as his home?
I did find it interesting that he dropped so many “local-isms” in his speech. Shave ice, Zip Min, tutu, “howzit.” It’s obvious he wanted to relate to his audience. But I doubt he uses these words and phrases in his everyday life.
But what do you think about that? What makes him — or anyone — “local”? And do you think his reference to local foods and places was appropriate? Misleading? Cheesy?
You tell me!
---
Those sentences highlighted in orange obviously questioned Obama's local credentials and are very insulting!
This was my reply to Catherine Toth
---
Let’s think about this scenario — A local Asian or Polynesian grows up in Hawaii, and lives his/her whole adult life on the mainland.
Would that person’s “local credentials” be questioned in the same manner & tone in which Catherine Toth’s questioned Barack Obama’s local credentials?
Look, I’ll withdraw the race card if Ms Toth questions the local credentials of Norm Chow (Punahou grad who has been coaching college & pro football in the mainland for DECADES), Duane Akina (Punahou grad played college footbal @ Washington and coaches @ Texas) and all those other local Asians & Polynesians who left Hawaii after high school and never moved back!
Some say I don’t “look local” ( i’m of Latin American & European ansestry) but I’m born here, I’m more local than most of my high school classmates (McKinley, mostly immigrant school) and I’m a UH grad (making me more local than some local Asians &Polynesians who went to mainland colleges)
------
just to clarify things, I’m NOT putting down non-locals or any racial groups, nor am I questioning the humanity of those who move to the mainland! I’m just pointing a double standard of whose considered “local”, a double standard that is perpetuated by Ms Toth’s blog!
http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/8965/40/
I know his grandmother lives in Hawai'i, and I know Hawai'i is a state. But it has the look of him going off to some sort of foreign, exotic place."
Roberts went on to say, "He should be in Myrtle Beach if he's going to take a vacation at this time."
---------
Foreign? While Native Hawaiian activists want Hawaii to be separate from the US, they're only a minority (though a very vocal one) of Hawaii's population!
Those who question Hawaii's "American-ness" needs to understand a few things!
Some of USA's gold medals in the just-completed Olympics came with the help of Hawaii athletes like Brian Clay (decathalon), Natasha Kai (women's soccer), Clay Stanley (men's volleyball) as the silver medal in women's volleyball (with Robyn Ah-Mow-Santos, Heather Bown, Lindsey Berg and Kim Willoughby)
But more importantly, some of the troops who died for the USA in Iraq & Afghanistan (as well as previous wars) come from Hawaii!
If Obama didn't visit his relatives in Hawaii, the news pundit would criticize him for "lacking family values", or "being an angry black man who couldn't get over his racial loneliness growing up in Hawaii" Dammed if you do, Dammed if you don't! Barack Obama did the right thing in vacationing in Hawaii! That's where his family is, that's where he grew up!
The idea that Obama could win a single vote by visiting Myrtle Beach (in South Carolina) is silly! It would only give him an image of elitism, it's located in one of the most conservative states in the USA, and it wouldn't give him a swing vote!
I know, Obama won the Democratic primary in South Carolina! However, that state is dominated by Republicans! Most of the state population is conservative European-Americans, whereas most of Obama's support from that state is from its African-American community. While South Carolina has more African-Americans than most states, they're still outnumbered by very conservative European-Americans!
Obama might have a better chance of winning North Carolina, Virginia, or Georgia! While they're usually Republican states, their liberal population is increasing. And an increased African-American voting turnout would help too! And it wouldn't have mattered if Obama visited Myrtle Beach!
Florida, while a swing state, might fall to McCain. Though that state's Jewish and Cuban population is not as conservative as its European-Americans in the northern areas, they might prefer McCain on foreign policy issues! Though an increased African-American turnout, plus other liberal voters in Miami metro area could help Obama!
Friday, August 15, 2008
my last statement on T. Jones (unless he responds)
I earlier declared victory over Hissy Fit King (aka Tobin Jones), but I like running up the score!
There's one more Tobin Jones hissy fit that I haven't got around to replying to! It was back in October 2002.
So who is Tobin Jones. Tobin Jones is a truly sad, pathetic, childish "Jeremiah Wright wanabee" who threw a hissy fit anytime I wrote an article on UH's newspaper (Ka Leo o Hawaii) that disagreed with the Radical Left!
He and others claimed I was a "campus conservative". Even though I disagree with many conservatives on abortion, sex-ed, immigration, drug policy & other issues, I didn't spend much time on Ka Leo on those issues, because they weren't many conservatives on campus. I prefer to use my rebellious spirit to go against the Radical Left, who dominated the political debate on campus.
In this article, I pointed out the level of bullying committed by the Radical Left @ UH and other campuses in the USA.
http://media.www.kaleo.org/media/storage/paper872/news/2002/10/15/Editorials/Uncredentialled.Racists.Deserve.Academic.Freedom-2804077.shtml
The title "Uncredentialled racists deserve academic freedom" was NOT my idea.
At newspapers, editors NOT authors choose the titles. Titles are chosen based on what can fit on the printed newspaper copy. So it's common for authors to be mad at editors over the paper's title!
It was the editor's Lance Collins idea, since he hated Ken Conklin (who i defended in my editorial) for (gasp) believing that Native Hawaiian activists shouldn't discriminate against non-Hawaiians!
--
http://media.www.kaleo.org/media/storage/paper872/news/2002/10/17/Editorials/Wegesend.Fixates.On.left-2804116.shtml
Tobin:
After parking my vehicle, I grabbed my usual morning copy of Ka Leo O Hawai'i.
Pablo:
In other words, Tobin Jones is responsible for putting more carbon emissions into the atmosphere than me! (Jones also bragged about his great travels, putting even more carbon emissions into the air)
I don't even have a car, I take the bus, ride a bike or walk! Granted, I do take rides from family & friends, and I might get a car if I'm rich & famous! But as of today, Jones is responsible for more carbon emissions than me!
------
Tobin:
You know, if Mr. Wegesend has the energy to constantly bitch about the Left in so many of his pieces, maybe he and other like-minded individuals should set up a political unit where everyone agrees with him. Wait, some exist!
There's Mississippi, which still sports the Confederate flag on their state flag and has one of the country's highest illiteracy rates; there's Georgia, which only in 2001 removed the Confederate flag from a prominent (two-thirds) position on their flag; there's South Carolina, which moved the Confederate flag from above the capitol building to on the grounds (where now even more people can see it). All these fine American states are just as anti-Left as he!
Pablo:
First off, I have NEVER supported the Confederate flag. But Tobin's attitude is "anyone who doesn't kiss his ass is a racist or an uncle tom". People are getting tired of this abuse of the race crad!
Actually, the states that matches my political philosophy the most would be Arizona & Nevada. They got lower taxes, less bureaucratic regulations on businesses, allows people to carry concealed weapons, legalized medical marijuana, and the people have voted for pro-choice ballot proposals! Nevada also legalized gambling & prostitution!
Both states tend to be the most libertarian states in the US, and has gone back & forth in voting for Democrats & Republicans (Both voted for Bill Clinton in 1996 and George W. Bush twice)
Since McCain is from Arizona, he most likely will win it, but Nevada seems to be going split between McCain & Obama.
I was thinking of moving there, but I decided I like the greenery & the breeze of Hawaii better than the 100-degree deserts! I'll just work to make Hawaii the tropical version of Nevada!
-------------
Tobin:
And certainly, the fine upstanding members of that great civil rights organization known as the Ku Klux Klan would be literally welcoming him with open arms to hear his various sermons.
Pablo:
Anyone who seen how I look like would consider the above statement by Tobin Jones as super-stupid!
Again, anyone who doesn't kiss Tobin Jones' ass is considered aligned with the KKK, even if that person isn't pure-Caucasian! This is done to intimidate non-whites from speaking up against the excess of Radical Leftist race-card abusing punks like Tobin Jones & Jeremiah Wright!
--------------
Tobin:
Wegesend points out that he spoke to a student that had a syllabus that listed The Nation as suggested reading. Wegesend showed his displeasure by noting that publications such as The National Review and The New Republic are not listed. Perhaps he is so entranced with the Fox (faux) News Network that he has forgotten that Rightist literature and dialogue is only as far away as your television.
Pablo:
Tobin has expressed similar sentiments defending one-sided indoctrination in our college classrooms! The excuse of his allies is "we got to counter-act Fox News to our students" THAT'S NOT THE PROFESSOR'S JOB!
Plus, not every student watches any news station, so all they might hear about current events is this one-sided rants from the professors about the latest leftist spin on the events of the day!
----------------
Tobin:
conservative epidemic has gripped the country since Sept. 11, 2001, if you have not noticed. Every right-wing nut has been on television espousing their opinions. A good, recent example is Reverend Jerry Falwell, who said on "60 Minutes" that the prophet Muhammad was "a terrorist." This caused a general strike that turned into a riot in Bombay, India. Some Muslim clerics are calling for his death.
He also blamed "the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America" for Sept. 11. And this is the kind of right-wing nut that you want to see more of on our campus, in our cities and in our state? Right.
Pablo:
I don't think anyone (not lefty lunatic Dr Foltz), (not Jerry Falwell) should be allowed to be indoctrinating the class on their biased spin on current events!
If a professor is teaching a class on political movements on the late 20 the century, he/she should respectfully go over Falwell's word, and let the students discuss Falwell's idea without hearing the professor scolding him/her on the opinions on Falwell! It's supposed to be an open discussion of the facts!
I was NEVER fan of Jerry Falwell and I don't like his morality fascist attitude! But Tobin's attitude is "you're either with Jeremiah Wright or with Jerry Falwell". Those who disagree with Wright's lunatic rants are automatically placed with Falwell!
--------
Tobin:
Hawai'i will be renamed the Northern Sandwich Islands before that happens (but I am sure Wegesend has no problem with Hawai'i being renamed that anyway).
Pablo: Evidence please, tobin!
----------
Tobin:
Do you want the United States to be one big Tel Aviv?
Pablo:
Tel Aviv is probably the most liberal city in all of the Middle East! It's Israel's version of a blue state( Jerusalem would be it's red state)! So why are you hating on it? Or is Tobin really with the Hamas?
-----
Tobin:
Talk about that ghetto known also as Hale Noelani where, in some apartments, the hot water stops flowing and there is a hazardous risk of structural failure.
Pablo:
I'm tired of hearing the UH dorms being called a "ghetto". Those who call those dorms "ghettoes" have never been to a real ghetto! It's usually people from upper class areas like Pearl City , Mililani or East Honolulu (or in Tobin's cases, Atlanta's Buckhead) that call the dorms a "ghetto"
I quit the dorms because I rather have my own room than live with others! But it's not a real ghetto!
I lived in Kalihi, which has Honolulu's most notorious ghettoes. My childhood neighborhood (Lanakila) was considered a ghetto by some but isn't a ghetto by 3rd world standards! I had high school classmates from Mayor Wrights, Chinatown & the surrounding areas. I've also been in Kuhio Park Terrace (KPT) and Kam IV (aka Kalihi Valley Housing), and Palolo Valley Housing. I also have relatives who used to lived on Oahu's Leeward Coast (the most low-income area of Oahu)
UH Student Housing is nowhere as ghetto as those places!
Ironically, in another letter, Tobin screamed at me about ghettoes in Atlanta & Chicago! Tobin, have you been to South Central LA or have you only seen it in rap videos? I've been in South Central LA in real life! My uncle once lived in Inglewood (considered part of South Central LA despite being outside of LA city limits!), and he drove me through those areas!
However, if you want to see real ghettoes, go to a foreign country. I've been to Mexico, whose ghettoes make South Central LA look good. (which is why so many Mexicans & Central Americans are moving there! )
------
Tobin:
Talk about how unreasonable it is to attempt to tell grown men and women (that are paying up anywhere from $1928 a semester to $4056 a year) that their company has to leave at midnight.
Pablo:
If they really acted like grown men & women, there wouldn't be such stringent rules!
---------
Tobin:
Talk about how we pay for parking permits and there is still no parking
Pablo:
Take the bus! get a bike! Walk! That's what I did when I was @ UH!
-----
Tobin:
Here is my suggestion to you: lead, follow or get out the way. Lead your fellow Rightists and have something to show, follow your current leaders and develop something to show, or stop bitching and get out of the way.
Pablo: This is proof that Tobin is part of the left-wing thought police @ UH! He doesn't people like me to speak up! He wants everyone to kiss his ass! I refuse to kiss his ass
Get out of the way? Make me!
--------
Tobin responded to Jason Paz article promoting racial profilling, I had NOTHING to do with that article, yet TJ threw a hissy fit at me in his reply to Jason Paz
There's one more Tobin Jones hissy fit that I haven't got around to replying to! It was back in October 2002.
So who is Tobin Jones. Tobin Jones is a truly sad, pathetic, childish "Jeremiah Wright wanabee" who threw a hissy fit anytime I wrote an article on UH's newspaper (Ka Leo o Hawaii) that disagreed with the Radical Left!
He and others claimed I was a "campus conservative". Even though I disagree with many conservatives on abortion, sex-ed, immigration, drug policy & other issues, I didn't spend much time on Ka Leo on those issues, because they weren't many conservatives on campus. I prefer to use my rebellious spirit to go against the Radical Left, who dominated the political debate on campus.
In this article, I pointed out the level of bullying committed by the Radical Left @ UH and other campuses in the USA.
http://media.www.kaleo.org/media/storage/paper872/news/2002/10/15/Editorials/Uncredentialled.Racists.Deserve.Academic.Freedom-2804077.shtml
The title "Uncredentialled racists deserve academic freedom" was NOT my idea.
At newspapers, editors NOT authors choose the titles. Titles are chosen based on what can fit on the printed newspaper copy. So it's common for authors to be mad at editors over the paper's title!
It was the editor's Lance Collins idea, since he hated Ken Conklin (who i defended in my editorial) for (gasp) believing that Native Hawaiian activists shouldn't discriminate against non-Hawaiians!
--
http://media.www.kaleo.org/media/storage/paper872/news/2002/10/17/Editorials/Wegesend.Fixates.On.left-2804116.shtml
Tobin:
After parking my vehicle, I grabbed my usual morning copy of Ka Leo O Hawai'i.
Pablo:
In other words, Tobin Jones is responsible for putting more carbon emissions into the atmosphere than me! (Jones also bragged about his great travels, putting even more carbon emissions into the air)
I don't even have a car, I take the bus, ride a bike or walk! Granted, I do take rides from family & friends, and I might get a car if I'm rich & famous! But as of today, Jones is responsible for more carbon emissions than me!
------
Tobin:
You know, if Mr. Wegesend has the energy to constantly bitch about the Left in so many of his pieces, maybe he and other like-minded individuals should set up a political unit where everyone agrees with him. Wait, some exist!
There's Mississippi, which still sports the Confederate flag on their state flag and has one of the country's highest illiteracy rates; there's Georgia, which only in 2001 removed the Confederate flag from a prominent (two-thirds) position on their flag; there's South Carolina, which moved the Confederate flag from above the capitol building to on the grounds (where now even more people can see it). All these fine American states are just as anti-Left as he!
Pablo:
First off, I have NEVER supported the Confederate flag. But Tobin's attitude is "anyone who doesn't kiss his ass is a racist or an uncle tom". People are getting tired of this abuse of the race crad!
Actually, the states that matches my political philosophy the most would be Arizona & Nevada. They got lower taxes, less bureaucratic regulations on businesses, allows people to carry concealed weapons, legalized medical marijuana, and the people have voted for pro-choice ballot proposals! Nevada also legalized gambling & prostitution!
Both states tend to be the most libertarian states in the US, and has gone back & forth in voting for Democrats & Republicans (Both voted for Bill Clinton in 1996 and George W. Bush twice)
Since McCain is from Arizona, he most likely will win it, but Nevada seems to be going split between McCain & Obama.
I was thinking of moving there, but I decided I like the greenery & the breeze of Hawaii better than the 100-degree deserts! I'll just work to make Hawaii the tropical version of Nevada!
-------------
Tobin:
And certainly, the fine upstanding members of that great civil rights organization known as the Ku Klux Klan would be literally welcoming him with open arms to hear his various sermons.
Pablo:
Anyone who seen how I look like would consider the above statement by Tobin Jones as super-stupid!
Again, anyone who doesn't kiss Tobin Jones' ass is considered aligned with the KKK, even if that person isn't pure-Caucasian! This is done to intimidate non-whites from speaking up against the excess of Radical Leftist race-card abusing punks like Tobin Jones & Jeremiah Wright!
--------------
Tobin:
Wegesend points out that he spoke to a student that had a syllabus that listed The Nation as suggested reading. Wegesend showed his displeasure by noting that publications such as The National Review and The New Republic are not listed. Perhaps he is so entranced with the Fox (faux) News Network that he has forgotten that Rightist literature and dialogue is only as far away as your television.
Pablo:
Tobin has expressed similar sentiments defending one-sided indoctrination in our college classrooms! The excuse of his allies is "we got to counter-act Fox News to our students" THAT'S NOT THE PROFESSOR'S JOB!
Plus, not every student watches any news station, so all they might hear about current events is this one-sided rants from the professors about the latest leftist spin on the events of the day!
----------------
Tobin:
conservative epidemic has gripped the country since Sept. 11, 2001, if you have not noticed. Every right-wing nut has been on television espousing their opinions. A good, recent example is Reverend Jerry Falwell, who said on "60 Minutes" that the prophet Muhammad was "a terrorist." This caused a general strike that turned into a riot in Bombay, India. Some Muslim clerics are calling for his death.
He also blamed "the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America" for Sept. 11. And this is the kind of right-wing nut that you want to see more of on our campus, in our cities and in our state? Right.
Pablo:
I don't think anyone (not lefty lunatic Dr Foltz), (not Jerry Falwell) should be allowed to be indoctrinating the class on their biased spin on current events!
If a professor is teaching a class on political movements on the late 20 the century, he/she should respectfully go over Falwell's word, and let the students discuss Falwell's idea without hearing the professor scolding him/her on the opinions on Falwell! It's supposed to be an open discussion of the facts!
I was NEVER fan of Jerry Falwell and I don't like his morality fascist attitude! But Tobin's attitude is "you're either with Jeremiah Wright or with Jerry Falwell". Those who disagree with Wright's lunatic rants are automatically placed with Falwell!
--------
Tobin:
Hawai'i will be renamed the Northern Sandwich Islands before that happens (but I am sure Wegesend has no problem with Hawai'i being renamed that anyway).
Pablo: Evidence please, tobin!
----------
Tobin:
Do you want the United States to be one big Tel Aviv?
Pablo:
Tel Aviv is probably the most liberal city in all of the Middle East! It's Israel's version of a blue state( Jerusalem would be it's red state)! So why are you hating on it? Or is Tobin really with the Hamas?
-----
Tobin:
Talk about that ghetto known also as Hale Noelani where, in some apartments, the hot water stops flowing and there is a hazardous risk of structural failure.
Pablo:
I'm tired of hearing the UH dorms being called a "ghetto". Those who call those dorms "ghettoes" have never been to a real ghetto! It's usually people from upper class areas like Pearl City , Mililani or East Honolulu (or in Tobin's cases, Atlanta's Buckhead) that call the dorms a "ghetto"
I quit the dorms because I rather have my own room than live with others! But it's not a real ghetto!
I lived in Kalihi, which has Honolulu's most notorious ghettoes. My childhood neighborhood (Lanakila) was considered a ghetto by some but isn't a ghetto by 3rd world standards! I had high school classmates from Mayor Wrights, Chinatown & the surrounding areas. I've also been in Kuhio Park Terrace (KPT) and Kam IV (aka Kalihi Valley Housing), and Palolo Valley Housing. I also have relatives who used to lived on Oahu's Leeward Coast (the most low-income area of Oahu)
UH Student Housing is nowhere as ghetto as those places!
Ironically, in another letter, Tobin screamed at me about ghettoes in Atlanta & Chicago! Tobin, have you been to South Central LA or have you only seen it in rap videos? I've been in South Central LA in real life! My uncle once lived in Inglewood (considered part of South Central LA despite being outside of LA city limits!), and he drove me through those areas!
However, if you want to see real ghettoes, go to a foreign country. I've been to Mexico, whose ghettoes make South Central LA look good. (which is why so many Mexicans & Central Americans are moving there! )
------
Tobin:
Talk about how unreasonable it is to attempt to tell grown men and women (that are paying up anywhere from $1928 a semester to $4056 a year) that their company has to leave at midnight.
Pablo:
If they really acted like grown men & women, there wouldn't be such stringent rules!
---------
Tobin:
Talk about how we pay for parking permits and there is still no parking
Pablo:
Take the bus! get a bike! Walk! That's what I did when I was @ UH!
-----
Tobin:
Here is my suggestion to you: lead, follow or get out the way. Lead your fellow Rightists and have something to show, follow your current leaders and develop something to show, or stop bitching and get out of the way.
Pablo: This is proof that Tobin is part of the left-wing thought police @ UH! He doesn't people like me to speak up! He wants everyone to kiss his ass! I refuse to kiss his ass
Get out of the way? Make me!
--------
Tobin responded to Jason Paz article promoting racial profilling, I had NOTHING to do with that article, yet TJ threw a hissy fit at me in his reply to Jason Paz
https://www.manoanow.org/letters-to-the-editor/article_53a5044c-7f91-5700-8deb-4f218cbbb6a2.html
-------
As for Dr Foltz, he talks all tough in the classroom, but the moment I sent him an e-mail after the summer session about his rude behavior, he cried to the dean about my "harrassing" e-mail! He even cried to the dean about my blog! (I've got official documents to prove it!) Foltz talks tough, but can't stand people standing up to him in a stern manner.
see a copy of that letter , go to
Meanwhile, after I sent Tobin an email on civility, he blocked my message! Tobin is like the guy who punches the back of your head and then runs away so that by the time you get back up, he's gone!
Tobin, this is my last word to you! If you want a civilized conversation, I'll be willing to accommodate you! If you want a screaming match, I can yell at you like you never heard me yell before. If you want to throw punches, then don't cry to the police if I defend myself!
-------
As for Dr Foltz, he talks all tough in the classroom, but the moment I sent him an e-mail after the summer session about his rude behavior, he cried to the dean about my "harrassing" e-mail! He even cried to the dean about my blog! (I've got official documents to prove it!) Foltz talks tough, but can't stand people standing up to him in a stern manner.
see a copy of that letter , go to
Meanwhile, after I sent Tobin an email on civility, he blocked my message! Tobin is like the guy who punches the back of your head and then runs away so that by the time you get back up, he's gone!
Tobin, this is my last word to you! If you want a civilized conversation, I'll be willing to accommodate you! If you want a screaming match, I can yell at you like you never heard me yell before. If you want to throw punches, then don't cry to the police if I defend myself!
Saturday, August 09, 2008
The Start of the Olympics
Yesterday, the 2008 Olympics started on the lucky day 08/08/2008 @ 8:08 Beijing time!
Ever since I was a kid, I always loved the opening ceremony of the Olympics, where the athletes walk in and represent their country.
In Hawaii, it was shown tape delayed. And I came home & turned on the TV just before the USA athletes came in :) [good news]
But I'm still mad at myself for not arriving early to watch all the nations walk in!
But the classic was when Yao Ming and the 9-year-old Chinese earthquake survivor lead the Chinese athletes into the stadium.
And the lighting ceremony was so freaky. To be flown around the top of the stadium being held by a string! That would make me nervous as hell!
Ever since I was a kid, I always loved the opening ceremony of the Olympics, where the athletes walk in and represent their country.
In Hawaii, it was shown tape delayed. And I came home & turned on the TV just before the USA athletes came in :) [good news]
But I'm still mad at myself for not arriving early to watch all the nations walk in!
But the classic was when Yao Ming and the 9-year-old Chinese earthquake survivor lead the Chinese athletes into the stadium.
And the lighting ceremony was so freaky. To be flown around the top of the stadium being held by a string! That would make me nervous as hell!
Friday, August 01, 2008
Stupid Political Metaphors
Fox News started out as an alternative to the moderately liberal media outlets like NBC, CBS, CNN, New York Times, etc. (those outlets are not as Far Left as "The Nation", "Village Voice" or "Honolulu Weekly")
Fox News started out by claiming those liberal outlets are "out of touch with mainstream America" or at least the Red States!
1) However, Fox News E.D. Hill is the one who is out of touch with mainstream America!
While describing Barack & Michelle Obama's pounding each other's fist after a primary election victory speech, E.D. Hill described it by calling a "terrorist fist jab".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_vmQrTi3aM&NR=1
A "terrorist fist jab"? GET A CLUE E.D. Hill! Even the college conservatives are embarrassed at your ignorance! Even the most whitest of rural conservatives pound each other's fist when they greet each other!
This is embarrassing for the conservative movement, for a Fox News pundit to express such ignorance!
Even after her ignorant comment, ED Hill still seemed clueless on how young people greet each other! Get with the times Ms Hill!
Another level of idiocy from Fox News!
For example, during a discussion on Michelle Obama, the words "Barack Obama's Baby Mama" appeared on the bottom of the screen!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvZEZL2LmA8
To those who don't understand what that means, "baby mama" is used to refer to someone who had a man's baby out of wedlock! Those are fighting words when referring to someone's wife!
"Baby Mama" is what rappers usually refer to their ex-girlfriends, and used in the context of "my baby mama's nagging me for child support", "my baby mama's not allowing me to see my kids", "my baby mama's a ho!"
This is desperate on Fox News part!
While there's nothing wrong with criticizing Barack Obama's policies, that's not what "baby mama" or "terrorist fist jab" is about! It's just desperate smears!
While, at least on ABC NEWS, there's hope. 20/20 co-host John Stossell is a libertarian who criticizes liberal policies on economics, environment, and other issues. He also does so WITHOUT disrespecting other cultures!
So while we can rely on Stossell to point out the policy flaws of Barack Obama & John McCain, he will do so without racial, religious or cultural smears!
2) Back in 2003, I wrote an editorial stating those whole idea of "Europeans being more Open-Minded than Americans" as FALSE, and pointed out the various bigotries existing in Europe! One of them was this stupid metaphor of the "cowboy mentality", which was used as a stereotype of the Rural White American as being "uncivilized Wild West types"
http://media.www.kaleo.org/media/storage/paper872/news/2003/04/01/Editorials/Trend.Of.European.Bigotry.Lacks.Respect-2802986.shtml
And yet, Hissy Fit King (real name: Tobin Jones) defended this European bigotry
http://media.www.kaleo.org/media/storage/paper872/news/2003/04/09/Editorials/Letters.To.The.Editor-2802801.shtml
First off, how is me asking people to show the paniolos (Hawaiian cowboys) respect an "attempt to link Hawaiian culture to Gulf War II"?
It's a Metaphor, W? Is that what you're yelling at me, Hissy Fit King? Is, "baby mama" a metaphor? Is "terrorist fist jab" a metaphor?
While the many liberals did the right thing in denouncing Fox News on the "baby mama" and "terrorist fist jab" metaphors, there is still too many people in the Left who promotes the hateful attacks on Rural European-Americans!
There are some (not all) people on the Radical Left who try to stir up hatred and rivalries between Rural European-Americans, Urban European-Americans and African-Americans.
People like Hissy Fit Tobin Jones ought to be ashamed of themselves for defending the "cowboy" smear!
Like Rodney King asked "can we just get along?"
Fox News started out by claiming those liberal outlets are "out of touch with mainstream America" or at least the Red States!
1) However, Fox News E.D. Hill is the one who is out of touch with mainstream America!
While describing Barack & Michelle Obama's pounding each other's fist after a primary election victory speech, E.D. Hill described it by calling a "terrorist fist jab".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_vmQrTi3aM&NR=1
A "terrorist fist jab"? GET A CLUE E.D. Hill! Even the college conservatives are embarrassed at your ignorance! Even the most whitest of rural conservatives pound each other's fist when they greet each other!
This is embarrassing for the conservative movement, for a Fox News pundit to express such ignorance!
Even after her ignorant comment, ED Hill still seemed clueless on how young people greet each other! Get with the times Ms Hill!
Another level of idiocy from Fox News!
For example, during a discussion on Michelle Obama, the words "Barack Obama's Baby Mama" appeared on the bottom of the screen!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvZEZL2LmA8
To those who don't understand what that means, "baby mama" is used to refer to someone who had a man's baby out of wedlock! Those are fighting words when referring to someone's wife!
"Baby Mama" is what rappers usually refer to their ex-girlfriends, and used in the context of "my baby mama's nagging me for child support", "my baby mama's not allowing me to see my kids", "my baby mama's a ho!"
This is desperate on Fox News part!
While there's nothing wrong with criticizing Barack Obama's policies, that's not what "baby mama" or "terrorist fist jab" is about! It's just desperate smears!
While, at least on ABC NEWS, there's hope. 20/20 co-host John Stossell is a libertarian who criticizes liberal policies on economics, environment, and other issues. He also does so WITHOUT disrespecting other cultures!
So while we can rely on Stossell to point out the policy flaws of Barack Obama & John McCain, he will do so without racial, religious or cultural smears!
2) Back in 2003, I wrote an editorial stating those whole idea of "Europeans being more Open-Minded than Americans" as FALSE, and pointed out the various bigotries existing in Europe! One of them was this stupid metaphor of the "cowboy mentality", which was used as a stereotype of the Rural White American as being "uncivilized Wild West types"
http://media.www.kaleo.org/media/storage/paper872/news/2003/04/01/Editorials/Trend.Of.European.Bigotry.Lacks.Respect-2802986.shtml
One of the common immature criticisms coming from the European anti-Americans is the criticism of President Bush and his "cowboy attitude". Think about this for a minute! This type of criticism is promoting prejudice against people who live in rural areas and live the ranching lifestyle!
Many of the people who spew out this anti-cowboy propaganda show extreme prejudice towards rural people of Texas, Oklahoma, Nevada, Wyoming and other similar states. But that's not all they're insulting! For one thing, they're insulting the paniolos, the Hawaiian cowboys. How does it feel to hear our fellow Hawai'i residents insulted by arrogant European chauvinists?
And who did both the white American cowboys and the paniolos learn the cowboy tradition from? They learned it from the Spanish and the Mexicans! The Hispanics are the original cowboys. I bet that many European chauvinists didn't know that.
And yet, Hissy Fit King (real name: Tobin Jones) defended this European bigotry
http://media.www.kaleo.org/media/storage/paper872/news/2003/04/09/Editorials/Letters.To.The.Editor-2802801.shtml
Unfortunately, Pablo W. seems to think that somehow the phrase "cowboy attitude" is meant as a slap in the face to real cowboys. This is all part of a weak attempt to link Hawaiian culture to Gulf War II. Its a METAPHOR, W! The image that most people conjure up of a cowboy is a wild guy on a horse raising Cain everywhere. That probably is not what a real cowboy does, but that sure is what Dubya is doing!
First off, how is me asking people to show the paniolos (Hawaiian cowboys) respect an "attempt to link Hawaiian culture to Gulf War II"?
It's a Metaphor, W? Is that what you're yelling at me, Hissy Fit King? Is, "baby mama" a metaphor? Is "terrorist fist jab" a metaphor?
While the many liberals did the right thing in denouncing Fox News on the "baby mama" and "terrorist fist jab" metaphors, there is still too many people in the Left who promotes the hateful attacks on Rural European-Americans!
There are some (not all) people on the Radical Left who try to stir up hatred and rivalries between Rural European-Americans, Urban European-Americans and African-Americans.
People like Hissy Fit Tobin Jones ought to be ashamed of themselves for defending the "cowboy" smear!
Like Rodney King asked "can we just get along?"
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