A New World

Since the election, I feel that I have witnessed a change in our country.

I feel that the races are starting to come together in support of what our President stands for.

I have seen more giving from people.

I have seen a new sense of happiness among our country and it brings a sense of peace to me.

I am so anxious to see what else Obama has to bring to our Country...

A new world is on the horizon...

Hillary

I read on the front of a magazine at work today that Hillary Clinton told Obama that she would divorce Bill to obtain a position in his cabinet.

I didn't get to read more into the article, but I feel that this article further proves how biased the media can be at times.

It's very frustrating to me to witness the media influencing politicians words to make them sound completely different from what is meant.

I feel that politics is confusing enough at times that the media need not to influence the words to create new meanings.

McCain and Palin now

Lately, I have heard a lot about McCain and Palin bumping heads on issues that concerned McCain's candidacy.

I know that the two of them disagreed on some issues concerning the environment and certain policies, but I didn't think that it would last after the end of their campaigning.

I think it's really sad that the two of them are arguing when they were supposed to be on a team.

I am thankful that McCain was not elected. I think it's bad enough that our country is dealing with the economy, the war, and other issues. We do not need conflicts between our president and vice president.

The end of the semester

I wanted to write a quick blog regarding the end of the semester.

I always find myself in a rut towards the end of the semester.

You have a final for every class... and the tests are all within a weeks time.

It's fixing the portfolio for one class, where you're redoing, editing, and revising every piece of work from the entire class. It can be so stressful because sometimes you feel like your work is at it's best, or some of your works need more time than what you have. Some of the requirements for the work can be OUTRAGEOUS, and you just can't seem to get it all completed like you want to.

The exams that shouldn't be scary are. You have a large percentage of your grade riding on the final, and you're just praying that all of the studying will be enough.
How much studying is too much? Or not enough studying no matter what?

It's like everyone asks "do you think you're ready?" "do you think you studied enough?"
I don't think I have EVER been "ready" for an exam. I don't think that I have ever studied "enough", I always feel like there was more that I could do, but didn't have the time to do so.

People will say, "well it's best to study all semester long". In most cases, studying for the exams scattered throughout the semester is studying all semester long, but the finals are the scary exams.

Maybe it's the terminology. FINALs. The FINAL chance to do something about your grade.

It's just too much sometimes

Coming to an end

I have been working on a few projects in other classes that deal with racism...
and I started to think about all of the racism that I heard during the presidential election so I wanted to write some of it into a blog to get all of my ideas out.

It really upsets me that our country is still as racist as it is. We have people who were saying that they didn't want a "nigger" running our country. I HATE that word and I feel that people who use that word are disgusting. It is unkind and insensitive to use that term towards anyone.

I also think that some of the slanders I have heard about Barack Obama are just mind numbing. I received two text messages regarding Obama this past week because anyone who knows me, knows that I am a heavy supporter of Barack Obama.

So, the first text was a picture of a post with a nuce hanging from it, and a sign in front that read "FOR SALE: OBAMA SWING SET". I was repulsed. How can people think this way? Or for that matter, find something as awful as that humorous ?

The second text message was a joke. "Did you know that every store is now handing out Obama christmas tree ornaments? It's so every American family can have a n***** hanging from their tree"

I was so upset with both people that wrote them to me because they know how strongly I feel about racism.

I cannot believe that after hundreds of years of fighting to end racism, that it's still very present in our society.

reMEDIAtion Project

I know that most of my blogs have been in regards to the election.
But I wanted to post about our current project.

My group is doing the reMEDIAtion project on the I-Search and turning it into a board game.

I think that the idea is very creative and that we have been successful in doing so.

It took a lot of different ideas to combine and re-shape what we wanted out of the game, but I think that we have done a great job.

I am anxious to hear the feedback from the rest of the class regarding our board game.

post-election

I haven't written since the election.

I am so excited for the upcoming changes to America. I think that it is wonderful that Obama has already met with President Bush to discuss changes.

I also really like that Obama and McCain have talked about working together to aid the country in it's changes.

I know that there are many people who feel that our country is "going to ruins" with a "black" for our President...

But I feel that it is time for our country to look past the color of one's skin and think of how we can individually work to aid our country in pulling out of our current rut.

Gas prices are unbelievably low right now... I saw it yesterday for 1.95... that's 2 dollars less than it was a month a go.

I am anxious for January. I am anxious to see what Barack Obama has in store for our country.

I just hope that people learn to become more open minded. We are in 2008, not 1950.

Remember.

Yes We Can

The election is over

I cannot believe that the election is actually over.
The non stop campaign adds, the non stop CNN...

it's done.

I have never watched so much politics in my whole life.
It's amazing that I have watched our country change completely.

I have witnessed an election that will forever remain in the history books.

It is wonderful.

Barack Obama will be inaugerated on January 20th 2009 for our President until the 2012 election- depending on his success in the white house over the next 4 years, I hope he will run again.

I am proud of the steps our country has had to take to overcome the differences that once overwhelmed the United States.

We have changed for the better.

Election Day Tomorrow!!!

Tomorrow is the election.

I am so excited, so nervous, so anxious.

I have great faith in the current polls and that Barack Obama will be our next President.

Obama's grandmother died today... I was very sad to hear about it.

I can't believe his grandmother didn't get to see him win the election...

If for some bizarre reason, McCain wins the election tomorrow... I may cry for a few days... even a week...

It really worries me that our country could possibly not get the necessary change that it needs.

I do have great faith in Obama.

Time will only tell.

Election '08 :o)

CNN the other day

It was said that both John McCain and Barack Obama have economic plans that will put America into TRILLION dollars of debt.

So both speak highly about their hopes for America... but their plans will put our country into an enormous amount of debt (even though our country is already in an enormous amount of debt)

it's scary.

tonight I was listening to 970 am because I had class until 8 and knew I'd miss some of Obama's event tonight...

It was some conservatives speaking- I don't know their names, but they said that McCain was going to win Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and some other states...

I keep getting very confused... I have heard that Obama has most of the key states under his belt... but maybe McCain has more than I thought...

recently McCain...

has promised a victory next week...

how can you promise a victory when you are as far behind in the polls as you are?

I think it is very wrong of McCain to promise his people anything.

Today at work a woman told me she was so ready for next wednesday so that this election mess would be over...

she said that she didn't want to discuss the situation with me because "all young people are for Obama"

and we left it at that... thank you for not pestering me Old woman... life could have been awful today at work had she continued to ask me about my standings on politics.

I can't wait for the result of this election!!!!!

Know Your Candidates

I haven't been able to get my hands on a Know Your Candidates article yet...

but hopefully I will be able to before my night class this evening.

However... I have been keeping up with my CNN!

McCain recently said in an interview with Wolf Blitzer (the interview airs tonight at 6 pm ET on CNN's Situation Room) that the homeowners of America are the bystanders in a drive-by shooting by Wall Street and Washington...

I think that it's really crappy of McCain to say that it's the homeowners fault....
if we can't afford our house payments, then YES WE WANT TO RE-MORTGAGE...
what does he expect of us?

we didn't want to lose our homes. and now because we re-mortgaged in hopes of saving ourselves, we've been shot in this drive by, not just watching anymore now are we John?!

He also said he's going to "fix social security" but didn't rule out raising the age of retirement or allowing social security funds to be invested in stock...

John John John

tisk tisk tisk.

I also wanted to make a comment about his "I've been tested. I've been tested many times" statement...

I was at Publix with a friend looking at Birthday cards... and I came across one with John McCain's face saying "I've been tested, at my age, I've been tested many times"
and the inside of the card said "For high cholesterol, increase in blood pressure, colonoscopies, and so much more!"

I couldn't find any that talked badly of Obama.

Powell's Endorsement

It has to say something of high gratitude when former secretary of state under president Bush shows his support for democrat Barack Obama...

Every day I am more and more impressed with the number of republicans that are choosing to vote democrat this election...

I have seen NUMEROUS bumper stickers that say "W made me a democrat"
Our country is beginning to realize the dark road that Bush has led us down, and they want change...

We want change.

Yes yes... John McCain is NOT George W. Bush....
However, when you vote with the man 90% of the time... you are VERY much like him.

I cant wait for election day.

My vote has already been made. I had to fill out an absentee ballot because I am a registered voter in Volusia county on the other side of the state...

I have a confirmed vote for Obama.

I am still counting down to see this world changing election.

16 days!!!!

10-15-08 Debate

When you watch the debate on CNN, there is a meter at the bottom of the screen that enables you to see how the uncommitted voters who are in the same state feel about the topics being discussed by the presidential candidates.

I'm rather upset that the voters aren't showing more drastic feelings regarding the issues. They have been rather neutral about many of the issues and it doesn't allow viewers of the debate see whether or not the candidates are getting across their views.

John McCain keeps interrupting Barack Obama... and I'm getting REALLY frustrated. He asks questions, and Obama goes to reply and McCain interrupts him.

If you're going to ask questions, give him the chance to answer!

Next, I LOVE THE QUESTIONS about why each of the candidates' running mates would be a good president over the other.

FIRST, Biden has experience. Palin does not.
SECOND, Biden agrees with Obama on issues. Palin disagrees with her running mate on several.
THIRD, Biden fights for the little people. Palin is wonderful because she can touch base with families who have special needs kids.
FOURTH, Biden can give examples of Obama's policies. Palin will get back to us.
FIFTH, Biden has experience with foreign policy. Palin has foreign policy experience because of Alaska's relative location to Russia. Right?

The woman would not be the leader our country needs. Say that to the voters McCain.

If for some reason, the presidential candidates were unable to be president. Biden would dominate Palin as President.
He has the credentials. The experience. The knowledge to run the country.

Governor Sarah Palin can't lead a country because her daughter hasn't aborted her child, or because her husband is a great guy, or because Russia is close to a city in Alaska that she's never been to, or because she has a special needs child.

I love that Palin fights for families with special needs children. I think that it's great that her daughter is going to keep her baby, as abortion should NOT be used as a contraceptive, that is what birth control and condoms are for.

However, Obama made a wonderful point in saying that helping families with special needs children will need FUNDING.

A spending freeze will not do this, John.

Thank you Obama. For pointing out that we need to build an economically efficient automobile IN THE UNITED STATES, because GM is falling. I was born in Michigan, GM country. The automobile was developed in the US but we're falling behind Japan and South Korea's automobile technology... that should NOT be happening.

I'm sure that another blog is well on its way

I just can't help myself

I can't help but to further discuss this unending issue regarding the "newer" economic plans that are showing up.

So. Obama presents a new economic plan because of what is happening with the country's current economic state...
Then McCain does the same... and people are seeing this as a development for McCain because he is finally doing something? okay.. fine.

How about people's discussion of Obama's "bad talk"?

BS. I'm calling it.

During the last debate between our two prospects for President Obama was the politician who said that the people of America are not interested in Politicians pointing fingers.
After the debate, on Anderson Cooper 360, polls were taken from the viewers as to who they thought did the most "smack" talk, and John McCain had the higher percentage.

Obama is here for us. He is not talking smack. He is still campaigning ALL over. He is still telling us that he's here for us. Whenever Obama speaks, I feel like it's just him and I in a room having a conversation.
Whenever McCain reads, I mean speaks, I wish he'd shut up because I feel like all he ever says is lies. I can't stand the man. I always wonder what he's going to do for ME as president, but I never get that question answered as he always seems to be fighting for the big guys, even though he continuously calls us his "friends".

I get so upset that people associate Obama with terrorists because Ayers went to the same church as Obama.
Wow. Seriously? Yet people are saying that Obama is the politician who is playing dirty?

The thing is, Obama speaks TRUTHFULLY about all the CRAP about McCain.
McCain's tactics are bs ways of attempting to make his competitor look bad...
however, it just doesn't work for me.

Before we decide to analyze the presidential nominees on who is doing more "smack talk"... let's look at all the evidence a little more in depth.

MSNBC

I was watching MSNBC last night, and I'm sad to hear that McCain's party is beginning to feel negatively about him. I can't remember the man's name, but he talked about how he didn't feel that John McCain was doing the best that he could do.

Also, I'm hearing even MORE negative things about Sarah Palin. People are questioning whether or not John McCain made a mistake in choosing her as his Vice President...

She has had an enormous amount of publicity lately, and some has been better than others.

People are attracted to the fact that she is a hockey mom, she has a young pregnant daughter who will be keeping her baby, and Palin is the mother to baby with Down Syndrome.

I agree that Sarah Palin makes a majority of women feel relieved because she understands how it feels to be a full time mother while working hard in her job as well.
However, I think the woman is absolutely insane.
She does not show the necessary experience to lead a country (which she very well may have to do with John being the age he is) as she feels she has foreign policy experience from Alaska's location to Russia.
The woman was asked about specific examples regarding some of McCain's policies, and she said "she'd get back to us" when she had some....
She has said things that completely contradict other things she says- her "bridge to nowhere", "her earmarks", the woman can't keep her own history straight, and people are going to put their economy and lifestyles under her authority.

I was discussing the election with my very Democratic boyfriend, and his VERY Republican friend this past weekend and we were talking about how things would be if John McCain dies in office if he is elected. So, if John McCain is elected and happens to die during his Presidency... Sarah Palin will become the President and her Vice President will then be the Speaker of the House ... Nancy Pelosi... who is also a little nutty.

So fantastic. We'll have two crazy women running our country.

The whole idea of Sarah Palin being so close to Presidency makes me queasy.

Obama. Obama. Obama.

Yes We Can '08

10-7-08 Debate

I love Barack Obama.

I think he did a phenomenal job at the debate. He was particular and specific when answering questions from the audience...

meanwhile, John McCain continuously beat around the bush when asked questions.

I believe that Obama won the debate, 100%!

I couldn't believe the percentage differences of people who believe that Obama could help our country through the financial crisis... I mean some of the percentages were nearly triple of what people felt McCain could do.

I was very upset that one of the Republicans during Anderson Cooper's 360, said that Obama will lose up to 5% because of Race.

Has our country really not grown enough to accept the difference in race?

I cannot wait for the final debate. I am so proud of Barack Obama.

Keep it up Obama!!

VP Debate

I am so sad that I had to work on Thursday night because I was unable to watch the debate.

However, after reading some articles written about it, I have learned that both VP candidates reported false statements.

They have both misinterpreted their opposing candidates and have re-worded statements to oppose the other.

Sarah Palin seemed to have done this more.
No surprise to me.

The Republican candidates for President and Vice President seem to be very good at re-wording statements.

The issue of taxes, energy, and war seemed to be of popular discussion during the debate.

After reading more, and watching more CNN, I hope to gain more knowledge about the VP debate.

The Washington Post on Palin

I am a little upset with how Sarah Palin has suddenly become this idol because of all of her, in my opinion, annoying quirks.

I HATE when she does that stupid nose squint. I dislike that she talks to people by referring to them as guys and gals. I am NOT Sarah Palin's "gal", and find it a little offensive for her to refer to me as so.

I think it's rather hilarious that the Republicans say that the Democrats use "sexism" while sporting "Hottest VP from the Coolest State".

I cannot stand listening to Sarah Palin, her voice drives me nuts. I think it's absolutely ridiculous that people are saying that her replies to Katie Couric's interview were intellectual. I could have given a better interview than that.

I don't think that it was a smart move for Palin to say that she's been listening to Biden's speeches since she was 8... it shows a strength for him. She may be "fresh and new" but she's dumber than a box of rocks in my opinion.

Whenever I listen to a speech by Palin, I picture a bulldog with lipstick.

She scares me. Not because she's good at what she does... in any form.
But because if for some reason, McCain gets elected and dies.... our country will be run by this crazy "bewitched nose twitching" woman.

Debate

So I watched the majority of the debate.

I have to say that I wish that McCain had made more of an effort for the Middle Class.
He never mentioned those words.

He said he wanted to take part in a spending freeze... only on defense and veteran affairs.
I dont think that would help.
I think it would hurt.

I really like that Obama discussed education, the economy, the struggles for single mothers.

It's so important to talk about everyone...
Not just the wealthy.

I really hope that Obama wins. Because if McCain dies during presidency, I will flee to Canada. Sarah Palin will not run a country where I live.

Obama has such high hopes for our country.
Everytime he speaks publicly, I feel like he is talking directly to me... he makes me feel like he is going to help the country, and help me.

McCain doesn't even look up for 75% of when he speaks... thanks for talking to your notes #$%^$@$$

I know. I'm terrible when it comes to him... but he upsets me. I don't think he gives a damn about the status of the majority of the people in the U.S.
I really do not want a man that doesn't understand, running our country...
Haven't we had enough of that with Bush?

36 days until Election Day '08

Palin and Katie Couric

I almost DIED laughing last night.

Apparently, because Alaska is close to Russia and Canada, she has foreign policy experience.

When pollutants from Russia go into the air, who is affected by that air? Well, Alaska!!

wow.
wow.
wow.

I really feel like Palin hurt herself and McCain last night.

I am so excited for the debate so that I can see if McCain can make up for her ridiculous slack.

The best has yet to come!

Bill Clinton Interview

I'm really happy that there was an interview with former president Bill Clinton.

His voice is strong. He did so much for our economy while he was president. He made a difference.

For him to stand behind Barack Obama and say that he feels strongly about Obama, is VERY good for Obama.

I really wish that I would have had the opportunity to go see Obama speak today... however I had to work and had class...

Obama has become an idol of mine. I love that he is change for our country. I look up to him for reaching the what used to seem unattainable. To become the first African American president is a thing of its own, but to produce all the change to help our country out of the state that it is in currently.

I am so excited for the upcoming election.

I finally get the chance to vote, to have my voice be heard.

I think he may have just lost this election

Yesterday I was watching CNN, just as I do practically everyday...

and John McCain said that the fundamentals of our economy are still going strong.
He says this as Merrill Lynch gets bought out and our country lands in the most unstable state that it has been in since the Great Depression?

What? Do you live in America McCain?

Palin is still persistent in saying that Obama intends to raise taxes...
Thankfully... CNN pointed out that Obama, in fact, intends to decrease taxes for a very large percentage of Americans.

It seems as though we're getting quite a bit of lies from the Republicans...
and it seems as though our Republican candidate is a little mislead about our country's economical state...
hmmmmm....

I'm not sure I want him running a country he isn't even knowledgable about. That is just mind blowing... How are you supposed to run a country that you are giving false information about?

Our country is in a terrible economic state, and WE NEED HELP! If you don't even know that our country is suffering, how do you intend to fix it?

That is just crazy to me. Unbelievable.

Thankfully, Obama knows. I just hope that people start realizing this too.

McPain vs. Obama/Biden

I LOVE THE MEDIA LATELY.

All I have heard about is how differently the two political parties are running in this campaign.

McCain has been talked down lately. He is running this campaign the wrong way. He is dissing the Democrats and talking smack. That's all we hear. How the Democrats want to quit, how they are wrong... blah blah blah.

McCain does NOT address the issues. He talks badly about Obama and that's all.
Unfortunately, I do not think that this is the right way to win the presidency.

I am very excited for the upcoming debate because I want to hear McCain's responses to all of Obama's questions about the issues... the real issues, the one's our country faces everyday... the issues that McCain, apparently, does not see.

Oh. Here I go again on my Democratic ranting...

Anyway, my main point is I'm very excited to watch the debate next Friday.

Frustration

It seems that whenever I discuss the election with people who have different views from me, they always go back to moral issues.

If the election had NOTHING to do with Abortion, I honestly believe that more people would vote differently.

It frustrates me that people can vote entirely based upon a single issue. Our country is falling apart, people are without jobs, students are suffering from poor education standards, our country has been at war for almost 7 years (in my opinion, fighting over the wrong thing), our unemployment rate is the highest it's been in over 10 years (since Clinton began to decrease the sickening rate that George H.W. Bush left our country at).

And we have people who are basing their vote on Abortion.

I am in no shape or form demeaning Abortion, or the idea that many abortions are unnecessary... but to vote for a man to lead our country solely based on the idea that he is pro-life?!

This is mind boggling.

I guess that every person has their views or the ideas and I cannot push my views on anyone. However, I feel that it's very important for people to analyze their reasons for voting a certain way.

The Upcoming Presidential Election

I had to blog. I usually would sit down and write in my journal, or talk to someone on the phone, but seeing as the election is part of a project within our class, I decided to blog!

I am a supporter of Barack Obama. I am pro-choice, and I support civil unions. My parents do not make very much money. I feel the effects of the suffering economy daily. I am an Education major. I want to provide a learning experience to children who may have a hard time achieving knowledge on their own. I want to work in a community where students' families don't make millions every year. Barack Obama has hopes and plans for America's education system.
I have high hopes for Obama, and his abilities as our President.

McCain worries me. I feel that if McCain is president that he will lead our country JUST like Bush has. His focus seems to be too much towards the war, when I feel like he should be worrying about the people at home too. I don't want a president who doesn't care about me... or other people who are like me or worse off than me.

I want to feel the economy booming. I want to apply for jobs and get called back about them. I want to feel like my money if worth more.

The upcoming election worries me.

I hope that the turn out is good, that no matter who the next President is, that they help the suffering middle class.

Exploratory Writing vs. Exploratory Thinking

The difference between exploratory writing and exploratory thinking is the process of each.

The process of exploratory thinking is not usually viewed in steps. When someone takes part in exploratory thinking, they may investigate an issue within their head. They may do research or ask questions, but they are just exploring the topic within themselves. Other people will not be able to sit down and read the research because the person exploring the topic have all of the research within.

Exploratory writing includes a process of asking questions, writing down what you already know, what you want to know, and how you are going to find the answers to your questions. While writing to explore, a person investigates a topic, and then the topic can be viewed by other people. Other people will be able to read and give their opinions on the exploratory writing.

McCain's acceptance speech

Finally, a member of the republican party addresses the issues.

I will be honest in saying that McCain did address that our country needs new forms of energy, we need more jobs, and that we need better education.

However, the only issue that he announced a way to solve was the energy problem. He made it clear that he wants to drill in Alaska.

I just really do not like McCain. He's very well known for his service to America, and that is very honorable. I have to say, however, that his story of being a POW does not need to be re told a hundred times over and over.

We've heard it. There are books, there have been speeches upon speeches about it. We get it.

McCain never addressed the middle class or his hopes of rebuilding the economy for the majority of the country.

He says he's going to cut taxes, but does not address the group of people he'll cut taxes for...
because from what I have heard, it's going to be those that make millions and higher?

Unfortunately, the majority of the country does not make millions every year... but thank you John McCain, for making me feel like you will help me when you become president.

I cannot wait for the debates. I am counting down. September 26th.

Giuliani and Palin

I have to say that Giuliani did a poor job supporting the Republican party.
Giuliani did his part in bashing the Democratic party by talking down about Obama's "indecisiveness".
He talked about how the Democrats never mentioned "Islamic Terrorists" during the DNC, because they didn't want to offend anyone, but apparently the only people they would offend would be terrorists?
And then he talked down about Hillary Clinton.

Bad. Bad. Bad.

I feel that at the DNC Islamic Terrorists were not mentioned because there are, in fact, Islamic Americans... and they could be offended by this generality. Also, perhaps Obama didn't focus on the terrorist issue because he wants to focus on AMERICA. America is SUFFERING. America has been suffering, and we need to get out of this war anyway!

Giuliani supports the abortion rights, same sex civil unions and gun control. This opposes the party that he spoke for.

How do the Republicans hope to gain previous Hillary Clinton supporters if they continuously talk down about her views?

During the RNC I feel that the speakers are very repetitive. They discuss how John McCain served his country, how he was a POW, and how inexperienced they feel Obama is.
What about the problems we have in America? What about our suffering economy? What about the middle class? The real middle class, not the group of people that make under 5 million a year, because well, that is not what I would call America's middle class.

Palin's speech seemed to have a lot of focus on her life and her family. She talked about how candidates should be caring, giving, and acting for the common good. Thankfully she talked about our oil problem. Apparently if her and McCain win, they are going to lay down thousands of miles of pipeline... I'm going to assume she means in Alaska because "from experience" she knows there is plenty of oil there. Americans will get jobs from this. How are we going to pay for all this pipeline?
Are we supposed to move to Alaska for jobs?

What about Education? What about Healthcare? What about lower income families? What about the number of people who are jobless now?

I feel like these speeches, especially Palin's, should have focused more on the problems of America's economy and not just about showing how much McCain has done, or how little they feel Obama has done. McCain has served. McCain has served. McCain has served.
What is McCain's service, 40 years ago, doing for me, a 19 year old struggling college student?
Nothing.
What is it doing for single mothers?
Poor people?
The jobless?
Education?

Exactly.

I need healthcare. I need better jobs, better OPPORTUNITIES for jobs.
Unfortunately, instead I hear about is McCain serving, and being a POW decades ago.

I need change within America.

This Darn RNC

It heavily frustrates me that the whole RNC thus far (Tuesday Night) has discussed terrorism and veterans and only that.

WE HAVE OTHER ISSUES TO DEAL WITH IN THIS COUNTRY BESIDES TERRORISM AND BEING A POW.

There are people on the streets. There are single mothers STRUGGLING to get their children through school, and some to get themselves through school.

It's outrageous for a convention to address only a few issues.

HOPEFULLY for the Republican party's sake... they direct more attention to other issues tonight and tomorrow night.

In my opinion I do not feel that having Laura Bush talk about how our current president stands behind John McCain.

George Bush has RUINED the economy of this country... Why would any candidate want him to stand behind him?

Wouldn't you prefer to have a previous president that did good for the country representing you? For instance, Bill Clinton?

(I'm sorry that the fact that I am a democrat seeps out heavily in this blog)

I do not feel that spending an evening of a convention talking about how there are 5 men in the audience that received Medal of Honors. I felt that talking about a man who sacrificed his life for our country in IRAQ was not a superior idea either.

If we had fought this war for the right reasons, or removed our troops a long time ago, the man who had to sacrifice his life to save his fellow men, could still be here.

I am hoping that the next few nights of the RNC goes much better.

My Personal Reading

Lately I've been reading Sarah Dessen.

I LOVE HER. I would most definitely recommend her to any females that like to read realistic fiction. I relate to her writing and finish her large novels in days, I just cannot put them down. Since the beginning of August, I have purchased and read three of her novels, and plan to purchase the other available six.

Another one of my favorite authors is Alice Sebold. I read one of her books, "The Lovely Bones" a few years ago and loved it. I remember crying while reading that book, and have read two other books by her since then. The other two books by her that I have read were "Almost Moon" and "Lucky". Her writing is so real. "Lucky" was a memoir. She was raped during her first year of college, and had a very long road of battle afterwards. Fortunately they caught the rapist and took him to court. It was terrible to hear about a rape victims' struggle, but it is real life, and things like rape occur all the time.

I love to read. Sadly, the fall semester is here, required text readings take up all my time, and personal reading falls to the back burner. However, I do have a goal to read all of Sarah Dessen's novels by the end of spring semester. Hopefully, I have the time to do so.

Anyway, if you're a female, enjoy reading, and like realistic fiction, pick up a novel by Sarah Dessen. My favorite so far is "The Truth about Forever".

Democratic National Convention

Watching the DNC this past week was exhilarating. I LOVE BARACK OBAMA.

Bill Clinton's speech was breath taking. It was very beneficial for anyone who is currently unsure of supporting Obama because he may not have the experience or of age to be President. However, Bill Clinton was a young president, and was VERY successful. I found it humorous to hear a previous President discussing how poorly our current President is doing. I am NOT a fan of George Bush. Our country has suffered with Bush as our President, and I am extremely anxious for some change. I am a huge supporter of Obama and I truly believe that he can provide the change that our country is thriving for.

My favorite quote used by Barack Obama was "There doesn't need to be change within Washington. Change needs to be brought TO Washington"

I know that my family has struggled with our Nation's current economy. My dad has not had nearly as much work, and my mom has recently decided to go back to school. I think that it's terrible for students to have to feel the recession in the economy even while they are at school! Within the past year, in almost all of my classes, my professors have stopped printing documents entirely. The decrease in printing has come from the lack of available paper and resources within the University. This is RIDICULOUS! These students are struggling to pay tuition, eat daily, and LIVE comfortably, now they have to worry about paying for resources that should be provided by their University.

I am so anxious for a new president. Election day is just around the corner, and I am praying for Obama.

YES WE CAN! Obama '08

Chapters 1-3 (The McGraw-Hill Guide)

My first blog entry is to discuss the first assigned reading for my Composition class. The reading covered the first three chapters of The McGraw-Hill Guide. I found this reading to be very helpful. I think that if anyone feels that they are not a strong writer, referring back to these first three chapters could help them out greatly.

Chapter One first discussed the four areas of life where writing skills are necessary. These four areas are Academic, Professional, Personal, and Civic. Then after explaining how we use writing in each of these areas, the goals for the course were discussed. The four broad goals are Rhetorical Knowledge, Critical Thinking, Reading and Writing, Composing Processes, and Knowledge of Conventions.

Chapter Two consisted of strategies to use to be a critical reader. These strategies included but were not limited to skimming, annotating and summarizing. A writer's journal was mentioned, and I had never heard of a writer's journal. I think that this could be very helpful because the journal would include summaries of what had been read. These strategies seem very effective for understanding any reading, no matter the subject.

The final chapter of the final reading, Chapter Three, covered important and effective ways to discover and develop ideas for writing. The invention strategies for writing are listing, freewriting, questioning, answering the questions who? what? where? when? why? and how?, brainstorming, and clustering. I really like the idea of a dialectical notebook and a vocabulary notebook, they seem like they would be very helpful. Also I liked the section that discussed rewriting your class notes. I have hundreds and hundreds of pages of notes, and I feel that if I had taken the time to rewrite them as mentioned in the guide, that I would have absorbed the knowledge much better.