The Facebook.com: I Went To UM And Got Poked

It appears that today’s technological devices are inhibiting person to person interaction in today’s society. From digital media players to PDAs to Blackberrys to instant messaging to the new thefacebook.com (“An online directory that connects people through social networks at college.” (From website)), we block out the world on the streets and hide in the shadows of our computers and digital messaging devices.

The creation of these new communication devices have brought new ways of communicating with the world, while taking away a large amount of the person to person interaction we experience on a daily basis. Removing face to face contact, we gain the courage to talk with members we may be sexual attracted to on thefacebook.com, whom we otherwise would have only admired from afar. Instant messaging gives us the freedom to say things that otherwise would not be said in public, and the ability to cover ourselves when we have stepped over personal boundaries by replying “J/K (Just kidding).” This non-emotional, non-face-to-face communication has its benefits but also creates some difficulties.

Instant messaging and digital media devices take over our primary attention and make public interaction secondary. Digital devices allow us to bring our music, books, and lectures with us at all times as we walk to class or work. Now that we have all of these new tech devices that allow instantaneous communication, will they eventually cause a disruption of physical human interaction? Will this instant text messaging cause us to lose our ability to approach someone we may be attracted to or stunt out ability to communicate on a professional level? Is thefacebook.com an aid in forming relationships or is it the beginning of socially acceptable internet relationships? Is this impersonalizing human interaction or are we witnessing an evolution in human communication?

These impersonal tech communication devices allow us to worry less about rejections and bad conversations. However, part of the human experience is the ups and downs that go along with communicating with people. How do we learn from our verbal mistakes and triumphs when we are becoming dependent on devices that require non-emotional communication?

These new tech devices enhance our communication process but should not become our primary means of communication. We seem to be isolating ourselves more by using them and becoming less daring to approach other human beings. Until tech devices can reveal our emotions, emoticons will have to suffice for now.

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Civil Rights For Us Americans? Yea, Whatever

It has now been over a week since the 2004 presidential election took place and 59,459,765 out of more than 120 million U.S. citizens reelected President George W. Bush to a second term in office. President Bush won by 3.5 million votes. I have had some time to reflect on this historic election and allow my emotions a chance to calm down. An opinion written on an emotional high or low would be beneficial to no one.

Two days after the election, a student for Kerry said to another student wearing a “W-Four More Years” t-shirt, “The country is going to sh--.” The Bush supporter responded, “Yeah, whatever.” Eleven states have outlawed gay marriages, paving the way for the government to attack more civil liberties. Yea, whatever. Our President has misled the country with his reasons for engaging a war in Iraq. Our fellow brothers and sisters are dying every day as they still search for weapons of mass destruction and wage war against people who have no fears in battle, did not seek war, and have now basically lost everything. Not to mention the number of civilians we have killed and wounded in the process. Yea, whatever.

After this election, civil rights for Americans seem uncertain. Eleven state governments have successfully enacted an amendment to define marriage, a term defined by monotheism. And where has separation of church and state gone? If our government can regulate against one minority group, then I feel that there is nothing to stop it from doing it to another. If there are enough people in 11 states that cannot see that the rights of homosexuals are no different from the rights of everyone else, then would those 11 states still allow Jews to attend synagogue, Muslims and Buddhists to still go to their temples, or Christians to practice their faith as they please? Should we bring back designated “white” and “colored” bathrooms and water fountains?

Americans are forgetting that we all deserve the same rights. Marriage is a word. Who are we to stop two, loving, same-sex citizens the right to marry and share the same rights given to heterosexual married couples? Every single person on this earth and in this country deserves the right to be happy and enjoy his or her life like the next person. We should learn to live in a country in which tolerance is our guide. Do not let your ignorance, hatred, or mental sufferings interfere with others’ attempt to reach happiness.

I am a firm believer in upholding civil rights for all Americans, no exceptions. To those who enjoy all the civil rights America has to offer: Why are you and not others guaranteed all your rights? Are some citizens more equal under our constitution than others? The answer is not, “yea, whatever.” It is, “absolutely not.”

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Talk The Talk

Are you a man or woman of eligible military service age? Do you currently support President George W. Bush’s decision to occupy Iraq? If you answered “yes” to both of these questions, then wouldn’t you want to serve your country in Iraq? As soon as you cast your vote for President Bush, shouldn’t you sign up for military service?

With continued questioning over our prolonged stay in the Middle East, the gulf between United States citizens who are for and against the war in Iraq grows larger each day. More than 1,000 soldiers and counting have already lost their lives while serving our country. That does not include the thousands of Iraqis who have died or the military personnel and civilians who have been wounded. On Friday, October 22, the New York Times reported that the resistance in Iraq numbers over 20,000 (this includes sympathizers, foreign fighters, the network of Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, and homegrown insurgents). The earlier reports from military intelligence estimated the insurgency between 2,000 and 7,000. Additionally, British aid worker, Margaret Hassan, who has done nothing more than deliver food and medicine to Iraqis for the past 30 years, begs for her life.

After our country was led into the Iraq War under less than truthful assumptions, it is now difficult to understand the exact nature of our occupancy. Essentially, we broke it, so we own it. If one has a strong argument for the positives of the Iraq War, why wouldn’t one want to help one’s country with military service? If you support a cause, shouldn’t you be willing to take part in that cause?

I hope that we can all agree that war is a method of action that ultimately should never be used, and going to war under false pretenses is inexcusable. It takes courage for a person to voluntarily put his or her life directly in the line of fire. When faced with the question of going to war, most people do not want to leave the comfort of their lavish American lifestyles. Under the circumstances of our country’s volunteer army, it is extremely easy to support the war and easy to let others do the heavy fighting.

The quagmire in Iraq is getting deeper. Support for our troops is unconditional, but if you think you know the real reasoning behind President Bush’s decision to invade Iraq (weapons of mass destruction were never found) and are in support of this decision, then I strongly encourage you to show your patriotism and serve your country in Iraq after you cast your vote for President Bush. If you are willing to talk the talk, then you should be willing to fight the fight. Do your country a favor, you who support the war: Be willing to replace a soldier who wants to return to his or her family. Enough talk. Your first step of action is visiting www.goarmy.com.

The U.S. and Religion: Jesus Would Not Have Approved

“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. If anyone hits you on one cheek, let him hit the other one too; if someone takes your coat, let him have your shirt as well. Do for others just what you want them to do for you.” One would think today’s Dalai Lama would say this, but in reality Jesus Christ said this in Luke 6:27-31.

While reading the chapter about Christianity in Experiencing the World’s Religions by Michael Molloy for my religion 101 class, I became aware of Jesus Christ’s desire to promote love and nonviolence to the public. I am baffled after learning how Jesus’ emphasis on nonviolence and love has been lost through the ages. Additionally, Judaism and Islam have also overlooked their original message of love and nonviolence. Today, the three major monotheistic religions, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, are buried in the complete opposite of their roots.

So why does the United States, a country dominated by Christianity and Christian principle, engage in war and use war as a method of political action? Does our country’s separation between church and state enable our leaders to use war as a method of action?

As I continued to read about Jesus’ promotion of love and nonviolence, I often thought I was reading one of the Dalai Lama’s teachings. When our country was attacked with force, our initial reaction was to respond with a stronger force. If we win a battle or the war, should we rejoice and declare that the appropriate method of action was used? Should we lose, will we rethink our choice of action?

It is hard to believe that a country so deeply ingrained by the life of Jesus Christ can be so far from his original ideals for the world. At the present moment, our country needs to carefully reevaluate the ideals that it stands for. Right now, it appears that life is not something we place the highest value upon.

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The Presidential Election And Doing Our Duty

When it comes to going to war, whether past or present, no person truly wants to go. We honor and respect every man and woman who has sacrificed their lives and given their time in any capacity to defend our country. However, we generally hold those servicemen and women who have put their lives on the line of fire in higher esteem than those who have never experienced the horror of military combat.

Simply put, when comparing both presidential candidates, Senator John Kerry risked his life on the battlefield in Vietnam, while many others chose legitimate educational deferments or stateside military service in the National Guard, like President George W. Bush. Disregarding the mudslinging about the accuracy of their service records from both the Republicans and Democrats, serving in Vietnam, under fire, in my mind, shows more courage than someone who chose to stay in the United States.

President Bush took the safer path through his honorable service in the National Guard. Some, like John Kerry, even despite his privileged upbringing after graduating from Yale, volunteered for the battlefield.

When you have been on the battlefield and seen the face of the enemy, you know that war is a business of great risks. Having seen war, Senator Kerry has said that he would have been more reluctant to lead our country into war than in the manner that it was done. Not having the first hand experience of war himself, President Bush may have possibly jumped faster on the opportunity to enter war with Iraq.

Someone who has placed a foot on a battlefield and seen the ravages of war may make decisions with a more cautious mind. Most agree that losing one’s life for one’s country is the ultimate sacrifice. Deciding whether or not to send your citizens into battle is an extremely difficult decision for any president. Whether Kerry deserved his medals or not, he deserves the respect for having volunteered to serve in Vietnam and stand up for his beliefs at the war’s end.

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We Think We Have It Bad

Despite the stresses of everyday life that face the people of our country, at least our children are not throwing hand grenades.

The problems that burden the American population became less important when I read about the situation that faces Iraqi children. Karl Vick, columnist for The Washington Post, wrote an article on September 4 detailing the increased injury counts to U.S. troops in Iraq in the month of August (1,100). At the article’s end, he noted that Iraqi insurgents are offering adolescent boys $150 to throw grenades at U.S. patrols.

As the lives of Americans seem to abound with endless issues, there is always something to remind us of how privileged we are in this country. Without a doubt, there are certain aspects of our nation that need improvement, especially for the children of our society. As presidential candidates promise a better living environment for children and adults, we need the occasional reminder that the current state of our nation is the best the world has to offer.

Americans suffer from “bigger and better syndrome.” We are constantly in motion to improve upon what we have. We do not take enough time to appreciate our current blessings; for most Americans, the glass is always half empty. While we are attempting to enhance the already satisfying lives of our citizens, we cannot forget the choices that children of Iraq and Sudan make each day in order to survive another day.

I realize that it is hard for all of us, including myself at times, to look beyond our need for designer clothes and the latest tech gadgets. We ought to see that children on the other side of the world are coerced with payment to kill our servicemen and women who were once accepted as liberators by these same children. This is not to say that our personal concerns are frivolous, but when we look outside the “bubble” of our beautiful UM campus, we will understand that there comes a time when we should be satisfied with what we have rather than always looking for more.

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