one in three !

A poll carried out by the CSA polling institute for the National Consultative Commission for Human Rights says that one in three French people consider themselves racist! This explains why they are so anti-immigration. They don't want to give social services to anyone but the French. They riot in the streets over class issues.

This also explains the generally held conception that the French are arrogant.

What could they possibly have to be arrogant about? Their economy is in shambles. The unemployment rate is sky high. The people still think burning cars in the streets and other violent protests are the democratic way. They protested a law that would give employer's more freedom in hiring and fireing young employees because they thought it would increase unemployment, when in actuality the law is designed to decrease unemployment! If they are afraid of getting fired early on in a career, they have more problems than just a law.

This is all in direct contrast to America, something the French would be smart to realize. We got over racism decades ago. We are accepting of immigrants, usually providing them with free social services. We don't burn cars in the streets or kill people to try to get a political point across. We don't rely on the government to preserve our job, we rely on ourselves.

We studied the French in comparative politics and also had a student from France speak to us. Everything I have stated I either got from the BBC, my professor, or the French student.

The Kitchen

So that last post was a little dull. I apologize.

One week until Spring Break! Who can wait? I'm going down to California with Cristina and Erik to see my high school buddy Bryce. It will be nothing short of extraordinary.

I brought my BMX bike to Missoula. I can't believe I didn't do this earlier! I haven't ridden in years, so it is such a joy! I like my Haro Backtrail 3. I used to be able to land a 360, but I doubt I could now. I'll stick to just cruising around campus.

Next year I'm not living on campus. I might do the University Village thing, but who knows. I need my own room, a kitchen, and a living room. Most important is the kitchen.

Ides of March

Where is the time going? I didn't even realize it had been two weeks since I've updated this blog. I guess I've lost track of time. One and a half weeks until Spring Break. I am excited, but I'm trying to enjoy the time leading up to it.

I've just been enjoying the days. I haven't missed a class yet this semester. Whatever happened to the perfect attendance awards we would receive in grade school in front of an assembly?

I don't know. I try to stay away from getting too personal on this blog, but I will anyway. I spend most of my free time with Cristina. It's great!

Now how about the election of Hamas? Should we still give humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people who voted in a known terrorist organization? What a paradox! They will starve and face a crisis without the aid of the U.S. and EU, yet they elect Hamas. We give money to both Israel and Palestine. Look it up.

Everyday I open the top 30 BBC International stories in tabs in Firefox, and everyday there is news about this deadly H5N1 Bird Flu. I have watched as it has spread across the planet, and I've seen the pattern. It isn't getting any better. Millions and millions of domestic flocks have been slaughtered! It has now spread to Africa, and now what is going to be done? There governments can't afford to reimburse its citizens, so there has been lots of aid. Can you believe they are going to go to some poor farmer in a village in Africa, kill all his chickens and other birds, and then give him some cash? It is a very odd way of dealing with the problem, but I do trust that it is the best way to deal with it. Do you?

If you haven't listened to President Bush's Radio Adress this week, you are a lackluster citizen. You can subscribe to the pod cast in iTunes, so it downloads automatically every week. There is no excuse not to listen to it. It is always very informative, and quite often polar opposite of what is said in the media. It is common knowledge that the media is biased strongly against Bush, so in order to get the full story you must hear both sides. This week Bush chronicles his recent trips abroad, and explains a multitude of great things that are happening.

Also, I must weigh in on the ports controversy. I'll assume you know the story. What people are not recognizing is that the ports are currently owned by a UK company. So they aren't even under U.S. control. Dubai Ports World already owns a lot of firms in the U.S.A. Before we understand some implications of this, we need to take a look at the U.S. macroeconomy. The United States individual savings rate was negative for the first time in decades in 2005. This means that money coming into our economy is vital. Foreign investment in America keeps insurance rates down and brings in vital funds. The U.S. sells roughly $20 billion of assets per week to foreign investors. This deal was worth $6 Billion. Bush came out and said he supported the deal and would veto any legislation blocking it. Congress threatened to block it, and thats all they had to do. Dubai Ports World dropped its offer, and now intends to sell back many of its U.S. assets. This is a horrible message to send to our Arab allies. The U.S. market is no longer a free market for them, and we will be lucky if they continue to invest at the levels they do. The United Arab Emirates is a close U.S. ally and this unfounded skepticism has cost us dearly.

lots of interesting things

There has been lots of interesting things happening recently. Bush made a trip to Afghanistan, and this is what the president had to say:

Karzai welcomed Bush effusively: "Well, such a wonderful moment for us in Afghanistan today to have our great friend, our great supporter, a man that helped us liberate, a man that helped us rebuild, a man that helped us move toward the future, President Bush, today with us in Afghanistan."

You definitely don't see that on the cover of the New York Times!

What feelings come up when you read that? This is a serious question. Does it make you feel good that there are foreign leaders out there who love and admire Bush and respect and appreciate what America is doing? Does it fuel your hatred toward him and America?

On an entirely different note, South Dakota recently legislated a bill that would ban all abortions except in the case when the mother's life is in danger. The Supreme Court has recently shifted to the right. The new judges are strict constructionists. The timing was planned.

Apparently, 61% of South Dakotans don't agree with the bill, but statistics are spun. The people must have realized their representative's views on abortion before they voted them in.

The issue at hand here should not be abortion, but unfortunately it is. Abortion isn't at all what this should be about. This should be about state's rights. People's opinion on abortion is not going to change. The role they think the government should play could change.

Regardless of my opinion on abortion, I don't think the Supreme Court should trump the state legislature anymore. Going back to my platform, I believe in the power of the state, devolution if you will. It is closer to the people, more accountable, less corrupt.

The will of the people should prevail, and I think it will because of the recent addition of judges like Roberts and Alito, who both believe in a strict interpretation of the constitution.

I think they should leave this decision up to the states, along with a list of other issues.

On a personal note, I now have a job. I'm a computer lab monitor in the sociology department, and it is perfect. I couldn't have imagined anything better.