This blog is really stressful...

....not to mention time consuming! 

Angelina Jolie wrote an Op-Ed about her recent trip to Iraq for today's Washington Post. While I usually do not question those who have won an Oscar and have procreated the offspring of Brad Pitt, I'm a little concerned. My Deity wrote the following:

Today's humanitarian crisis in Iraq -- and the potential consequences for our national security -- are great. Can the United States afford to gamble that 4 million or more poor and displaced people, in the heart of Middle East, won't explode in violent desperation, sending the whole region into further disorder?

What we cannot afford, in my view, is to squander the progress that has been made. In fact, we should step up our financial and material assistance. UNHCR has appealed for $261 million this year to provide for refugees and internally displaced persons. That is not a small amount of money -- but it is less than the U.S. spends each day to fight the war in Iraq. I would like to call on each of the presidential candidates and congressional leaders to announce a comprehensive refugee plan with a specific timeline and budget as part of their Iraq strategy.

As for the question of whether the surge is working, I can only state what I witnessed: U.N. staff and those of non-governmental organizations seem to feel they have the right set of circumstances to attempt to scale up their programs. And when I asked the troops if they wanted to go home as soon as possible, they said that they miss home but feel invested in Iraq. They have lost many friends and want to be a part of the humanitarian progress they now feel is possible.

I try not to be "blindly liberal", but I'm okay with being cynical and for that reason I am going to have to disagree with Angelina Jolie (something I really never wanted to do). Anyone with a brain cell can recognize the merits of staying in Iraq and PRAYING for a morsel of progress, however I am unconvinced that a new president could just miraculously bring progress to Iraq.  Call me pessimistic, but I strongly believe continued military intervention in Iraq will worsen conditions ten-fold. 

Angelina called this situation a "gamble". That way I look at it, the past has been a gamble and to say we've profited would be a blatant lie (the pronoun "we" does not include Haliburton). In fact, we are yet to obtain a winning hand. We're running out of things to gamble with, and we've subconsciously sacrificed the greatest asset of them all: our dignity. We need to go out the back door of the casino and head over to the nearest Gamblers Anonymous --- we may even be past help. 

While I'm glad the soldiers currently residing in Iraq are positive and jovial, I think that is only half the battle (pun intended!). The Iraqis don't want us there! The proverbial gigs up! We need to learn how to take social cues and PEACE OUT (while this pun was more obscure, it was still intended).

Views (and a face) that only a mother could love

William Buckley died today. He was 82. Kudos on a mad long life!

While I'm clearly not expressing this well, I'm kind of sad about William Buckley's death. I first became familiar with William Buckley during my big Atlas Shrugged phase last year. I had read this awful review of the book by Whittaker Chambers that had been published in William Buckley's National Review back when the book came out. Upon further research, I came to find out that Ayn Rand was infuriated over the review and, according to Buckley, would blatantly exit the room whenever he would walk in. Ayn Rand has always kind of annoyed me, so I was interested in learning more about this person who so clearly annoyed her.

I disagreed with William Buckley on just about everything, but I am always interested in those who have educated opinions, and he certainly did. I especially commend him for having the balls to openly be against the Iraq War. And Bush for that matter. "If you had a European prime minister who experience what we've experienced, it would be expected that he would retire or resign," Buckley said in 2006. Amen to that!

It should be noted that I had to search to try to find a quote by Buckley I agreed with. 

He was incredibly smart and articulate. And, more than that, he wasn't the least bit insecure with his views. Maybe he should've been. Nonetheless, those kinds of people are tough to come by and deserve recognition. So, I commend William Buckley for at least being invested in his opinions. I'll finish this little tribute by putting another quote by him: 

"There's no 'weltschmerz', or any sadness that permeates my vision. There isn't anything I reasonably hoped for that wasn't achieved." (To the AP in a 2004 interview)

The following key words

are the most searched on new york times dot com

THEY ARE:

1. obama

2. mccain

3. bush

4. oscars

5. immigration

6. china

7. health

8. kosovo

9. clapton

10. hillary clinton

I found this list pretty random and weird and just flat out awkward. It got me wondering, who does this list reflect? Is the average American  really curious about John McCain, "Clapton" and China, and if so, why am I not?

I was surprised to see Kosovo listed and Iraq not. I was surprised to see Hillary Clinton listed with two names and not just a last name ala her political rivals. Why was Clapton the chosen musician on the list and not, say, the Beatles?

I often lose sight of just how limited my outlook is, and these kind of surveys generally bring insight of just how uninformed I really am. This one was no exception. If someone was to have asked me what I thought the top ten keys words searched on New York Times . com were, I probably would've said the politicians, but I also would've said football or Iraq and Iran and potentially even a Miley Cyrus if I was feeling generous. I feel out of touch with the American people, and it's very bittersweet!

If you couldn't tell, I was kind of lacking material tonight. 

Post-Oscars reflection

All in all, I was really pleased with the Oscars. For the most part my predicitons were right, and for one of the two times I was wrong, I was really okay with it. That one time would be when Marion Cotillard won for La Vie En Rose. Not only did she deserve it, but she is:

a. gorgeous 

and

b. mad good at giving acceptance speeches

"Thank you life, thank you love, and it is true, there is some angels in this city"

Most of all, I love that her chances of winning were so small. The Oscars can be very predictable (look no further than my predictions below) and it is too often the same movie takes all the awards. 

So, judging by what I just said, one would think I'm just over the fucking moon about Tilda Swinton. WRONG! I admit, I did not see Michael Clayton, so I am in no position to judge this win. However, Tilda Swinton did not come to the Oscars to win (exhibit A: top right, where Tilda was photographed wearing the ugliest dress known to me, aka a glorified garbage bag with ONE lone sleeve). 

I am especially bitter because Cate Blanchett portrayed a DUDE (aka Hill Clint) and did not win SHIT!  Girlfriend got herself together and she is even WITH child, something Tilda is not. Cate was obviously not going to win for Elizabeth: The Golden Age, and it was only fair that she win something. By process of elimination, she should've nabbed Best Supporting Actress. (Not to mention she actually did a good job but who is really thinking about her performance...)

On a slightly different note, is Tilda short for Ma-Tilda?

Oscar predictions

Here are my Oscar predictions. I am usually wrong, but I still enjoy doing these kinds of things.

Key:

Bold = What I think will win

Italic = What I hope will win

Bold AND italic = when my hopes and the reality are magically aligned

Best Picture

• Atonement
• Juno
• Michael Clayton
• No Country for Old Men
• There Will Be Blood

Best Director

• Paul Thomas Anderson - There Will Be Blood
• Joel Coen and Ethan Coen - No Country for Old men
• Tony Gilroy - Michael Clayton
• Jason Reitman - Juno
• Julian Schnabel - The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Best Actor

• George Clooney - Michael Clayton
• Daniel Day-Lewis - There Will Be Blood
• Johnny Depp - Sweeney Todd
• Tommy Lee Jones - In the Valley of Elah
• Viggo Mortensen - Eastern Promises

Best Actress 

• Cate Blanchett - Elizabeth: The Golden Age
• Julie Christie - Away from Her
• Marion Cotillard - La Vie en Rose
• Laura Linney - The Savages
• Ellen Page - Juno

Best Supporting Actor

• Casey Affleck - The Assassination of Jesse James
• Javiar Bardem - No Country for Old Men
• Philip Seymour Hoffman - Charlie Wilson's War
• Hal Holbrook - Into the Wild
• Tom Wilkinson - Michael Clayton

Best Supporting Actress

• Cate Blanchett - I'm Not There
• Ruby Dee - American Gangster
• Saoirse Ronan - Atonement
• Amy Ryan - Gone Baby Gone
• Tilda Swinton - Michael Clayton

Best Original Screenplay

• Juno - Diablo Cody
• Lars and the Real Girl - Nancy Oliver
• Michael Clayton - Tony Gilroy
• Ratatouille - Brad Bird
• The Savages - Tamara Jenkins

I don't really care about best adapted screenplay, but I think I'm routing for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. 

While the winners will be interesting, I will inevitably be more invested in what (or rather WHO) Angelina Jolie is wearing, in addition to how large her "Baby-bump" is.

THIRTY HITS AND COUNTING....

Hello readers! Turns out there's more than two of you. I want to thank all my friends and their respective parents for all their support; I am so glad to hear you all like my blog and I hope you guys continue to read it, because I'm just getting warmed up!

I didn't really know what to write about today. I'm kind of done being cynical about politics (for now) and I've already kind of done music, so I'm ready for something new. 

When I was out earlier this morning with my friend Isabel, she called attention to the whole Cornell West/MTV partnership, and I thought that'd be an interesting thing to touch base on.

For those who are out of the loop, and I know my #1 reader Gordo is, every week MTV chooses an Artist of the Week. An example of a past artist of the week would be Alicia Keys. Other than receiving this prestigious title, little vinyettes of this artists are broadcast during comercial breaks and between episodes of shows such as Real World and Making the Band 327832. 

This brings me to the question, is this a good thing or a bad thing?

I'm inclined to say bad. 

Let's examine the demographic watching the show "Shot at Love with Tila Tequila".  I'll give you a hint: I loved the show.

I'm not going to knock Tila, her tequila, or her men AND women (yes, that was the catch), but I WILL knock the network. If MTV considers it a priority to really focus on Cornell West's ideologies and him as a person, then some sort of special might be fitting. But to repeatedly broadcast short little clips with his face and name makes it seem like MTV is all of a sudden trying to acquire some sort of cache. It's a little late for that.

Furthermore, if I were Cornell West, I would have never agreed to this gig. It's demeaning. And awkward. Most of the audience watching MTV is unable to distinguish him from an unidentified older man. That's the sad reality, and it's not the reality being shown on True Life: I'm an alcoholic. Although that is being show tonight at eleven o'clock on MTV.

I heart republicans

"There is no religion without freedom; and there is no freedom without religion"

---Romsters

When I read these kinds of quotes by Mitt, I wonder if his hair is the only thing north of his eyebrows. 

I think he meant there is no freedom FROM religion.

I really shouldn't be awake right now because it's a snow day. 

Not to post three times in one day....

My two readers must really be judging me now. However, one of my two readers (my Dad, holler) told me that Rupert Murdoch has actually withdrawn his support from Hill. I have nothing witty to say about that, I just thought I'd update so I seem somewhat reliable.

You've got to be kidding me

My new thing is reading John McCain's daughter's blog. Her thoughtless musings on the candy basket in her hotel room are less than endearing. Here's a little excerpt I thought I'd share with all two of my readers on this "proverbial" blog of mine:

"It's not the destination, it's the journey" could be my life mantra and it seems a more pertinent statement now more than ever. Winning or losing is never (and will never) be what this is about for me. I am more grateful for this experience than I can ever describe. To everyone who made it all possible, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Here's a quick breakdown of Super Tuesday. (Forgive me for not being able to explain this in any other way but through artists much more eloquent than me.)
Waking up at 5 am to go to The Today Show on Super Tuesday felt like: The Ramones' "My Brain is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes to Bitburg)."
Riding on the plane for 5 hours to San Diego felt like: Rufus Wainwright's "Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk (Reprise)."
Having such a rockin' Super Tuesday felt like: Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough."
And finally, how I feel right now (in fact this is one of my campaign theme songs): Christina Aguilera's "Here to Stay".

Is it bad that the first thing I thought upon reading this is "Wow, I can't wait to make fun of this"? It's just too good. Let's start from the VERY beginning of this holy passage. If winning or losing is not what this is about for you, then could you do me a grand favor and ask your Dad to drop out of the race before he gets his name potentially on the ballot? Does she not understand that her Dad wants the troops to dwell in Iraq until the apocalypse? Am I not being eloquent enough... because here's an "artist" I'll use to express my feelings: The Beatles' HELP!

I was really pleased to hear of Cheney's daughter's ROCKIN' super Tuesday. I don't even need to expand on this one.

There was clearly more material to make fun of but I think blogging twice in one day makes it look like I have too much time on my hands. So, I will stop here but I really urge all the proverbial readers to visit the blog and check out the pictures. The address is http://mccainblogette.com/. It would be great if she linked to my blog as a favor back. Wink Wink.

I had to write about something that my friends would actually like....

I feel like my first post may have been a little too brash to open with. So, I will try to make this entry a little more light-hearted.

Today I received an email from a proverbial girlie with the music from all of the fashion shows from this past fashion week. By this past fashion week, I mean this past week (this shit's mad recent). It was really interesting to see how pretentious each designer was from their choice of music.

FOR INSTANCE:

Alexander Wang - Bamboo Banga by M.I.A
The first thing I noticed was that Mr.Wang had only one song, while some designers had as many as nine. Either his collection consisted of one item, or he played the song on repeat (I hope the former). Either way, M.I.A. is a good singer to use for fashion week. She is essentially a house-hold name, but her music is still pretty unique. I would say he is pretty much at terms with his lack of creativity.

Custo Barcelona (Ready-To-Wear) - Crank That by Soulja Boy
Off the bat, I like the juxtaposition of the most well-known song of our time being placed with a designer I have never heard of. Furthermore, Custo Barcelona must be the most un-pretentious designer of them all. I can't imagine spending countless hours designing a collection of clothing to ultimately have my models walk out to "Crank That". That's just degrading. I'm empathetic.

Diane Von Furstenberg - Candy Man By Christina Augilera, Two Hearts by Kylie Minogue
This music is just not age-appropriate for DVF. Having said that, her plethora of wrap dresses are too commercial to be accompanied by any music other than these songs.

Heart Truth - America from Westside Story, Groove is in the heart by Dee-Lite, Heart by Eddie Fisher, Heart and Soul by T'Pau, Heart Beat Rock by Kylie Minogue, Heart of Glass by Blondie, Home in your Heart by the Derek Truck Band, Hungry Heart by Bruce Spingsteen, New York New York by Liza Minelli (live), Queen of Hearts by Juice Newton, There must be an Angle by The Eurythmics, Two Hearts by Kylie Minogue, Two Hearts by Phil Collins, Unchain My Heart (Dance Mix) by Joe Cocker, Young hearts run free by Kym Mazell
I've never heard of Heart Truth. So, naturally, I'm wondering how in the name of Allah they produced enough clothing to have a fifteen song playlist. Every song has the word "heart" in it. The list of singers is essentially a who's who of gay icons. West side story? That is a route I've never seen taken (and hoped to never see). Also, Heart Truth stole one of DVF's songs (Two hearts by Kylie Minogue). DVF has two songs, therefore I would consider it common courtesy for Heart Truth to cut down to fourteen songs IF they can manage.

Marc Jacobs - Sonic Youth Live
This is just too indie for a fashion show. I can visualize myself at a Marc Jacobs fashion show, setting my sights on a demure, overrated ensamble and being overwhelmed by the mediocre indie music blasting from the corner. Then, as I would look to see where the distracting source of music was located, I would see the actual band. Nothing about that experience sounds appealing. I would advise Marc take a page from the book of DVF and blast some Natasha Beddingfield.

I now need to apply my much-coveted analytical skills to school work. Don't worry- there is PLENTY more where this came from.

I thought I'd start this blog off on a political note...literally

I want to jump right into what’s really pissing me off right now: Hillary Fucking Clinton.

When it comes to politics, I feel the only thing one can really judge is fashion sense and character. It just so happens that Hillary is sub-par in both departments.

If you've talked to me recently, this contempt might seem kind of bizarre. The self-proclaimed Socialist in me has a soft spot for the prospect of universal health-care. Moreover, I’ve been even actively defending Hill ever since her public crying shpeal; I really felt like she was invested in this country. Turns out, she is invested in this country—FISCALLY! When you’re backed by Rupert Murdoch and are acting as his pawn, a lot more is at stake.

Before I continue berating Hillary’s antics (which I inevitably will), I want to clarify that I hardly consider Hillary to be a credit to my gender. Why is that? Because Hillary is, for all intents and purposes, a dude. I have yet to see Hillary really embrace the female spirit and embody femininity, other than being blatantly pro-choice (and I’ve seen men one-up ya on that one, Hill). When asked by Anna Wintour to grace the pages of Vogue, Hillary declined. I think I speak for all women, men and children when I say NO ONE says no to Anna Wintour. A legit vendetta has been placed against Hill by the fashion industry now, as Tim Gunn called Hill a man last night on Conan. Tim Gunn is one of THOUSANDS of males who I would classify to be more feminine than Hillary. We live in the 21st century— its takes more than a uterus to rep the girlies.

For those who find the aforementioned arbitrary, here’s something that makes me even more upset: Hillary’s personality! I’m very disappointed in Hillary’s unwillingness to fully accept reality. Everyone and their mom knows Hillary has no shot at getting the nomination without winning the Texas and Ohio primaries. She has this elitest, condescending attitude that is totally unable to acknowledge any sort of defeat, as she adamantly refuses to admit that Ohio is imperative to win. Despite this situation being mad punitive, it bears a striking resemblance to Hill not admitting that voting for the Iraq war was a mistake, only to admit that “had I known now what I knew then” she would’ve acted differently. Hill has an ambivalence to speak the truth when it has the potential to make her look bad. Ironically, this results in Hillary looking even worst; like an egotistical #$^%&&Y.

For those who may’ve been wondering (and it’s presumptuous to think anyone might be wondering given the recent birth of this blog and the few people who will read this), I DO care about politicans’ policies; it just so happens that I disagree with both Clinton and Obama so I’m ova’ it. So, as of now, I’m somewhat begrudgingly support Barak Obama, who is a zygote and fundamentally inexperienced.

A Blog is born

Welcome to my new blog! This is my capstone project, so some stuff I write in here can't be trivial. Sorry.