Meet the Press-- Ashleyverse Style, 03/07/10 Edition

Hello! I've got some political, Oscar-related, and Ashleyverse news and views to share with everyone today.

First off, in political news, elections were held in Iraq amid sectarian violence, which has been caused largely by U.S. presence in the country since 2003. Know what? It's been seven years since we invaded the once-sovereign nation of Iraq, and we've done much more harm than good. Needless to say, it's time to leave Vietraq for good. (Aside: Vice President Biden is leading a push to revive Middle East peace talks, which makes me feel a little bit better about everything.)

Secondly, in Oscar-related news, yes, tonight is Oscar night once again. Uber-talented Meryl Streep's hilarious It's Complicated co-stars Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin are hosting. Best actress nominee Sandra Bullock "won" a Razzie award for her performance in The Blind Side-- a role she actually won a Golden Globe for. Whatever! Anyway, for best picture, I predict Precious will win. It's perhaps the most-buzzed-about film of the year, director Lee Daniels is the man, and the cast, including star Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Mariah Carey, and Lenny Kravitz (IMHO, one of the most beautiful men on the planet), is absolutely stellar. We shall see if this prediction is correct!

Finally, in Ashleyverse news, some toxic personalities in the form of "dreamkillers" have invaded my sphere. Once again, whatever! Still, enough with all the negativity, people! Okay, I just need to think positive thoughts, perform positive actions, and positive things will more than likely happen.

And, with those happy notions, I conclude this "broadcast." Stay tuned for the next edition of Meet the Press-- Ashleyverse Style.

Some Interesting Findings

I often discuss interesting findings, articles, and/or info on this blog. Well, I found an article with some very interesting scientific findings that reaffirms one of my long-held theories.

That said, here goes: According to one of my beloved Yahoo! articles, scientists have concluded that happy people are 70% more talkative and tend to talk about much more substantive things than unhappy ones. Hmm... Perhaps I'm on to something with this! LOL! Seriously, though, I've always believed, based on my personal observations on and interactions with others, that this is definitely the case. I've found that a key sign of unhappiness is a general inability to discuss substantive things or think beyond the perimeters of one's own sphere. (Incidentally, I think I'm relatively talkative and often discuss basically substantive things; therefore, I consider myself relatively happy.) Anyway, I thought I'd just share these findings with y'all. Stay tuned for more "Interesting Findings" posts. Peace, Love, & Happiness!

Friday Focus: The Health-care Reform Debate and Possible Solutions to It

Health-care reform is undeniably one of the "hottest" issues on the American political scene today. Well, I have a few solutions to the problem. These proposed solutions may seem a little "pie in the sky," but I think they could be a step in the right direction. First, the president needs to continue talking tough to those who knock health-care reform. Secondly, we need a public option-- no ifs, ands, or buts. In addition, both sides must reach a compromise and think on behalf of the greater good of the country in regards to get this all-important legislation passed through the Senate. Also, Dems and Repubs need to cut the pork, so to speak, and only include those parts of a health-care bill that are truly beneficial to the American people. Most importantly, those who oppose any reform whatsoever need to-- as I said last week-- grow up and get over themselves! Each of these things will facilitate the passage of a health-care reform bill.

Various Things for This Thursday, March 4

Howdy! I've got lots of various "Thursday things" to share with y'all today. First of all, I still can't get over that story about the Congressman who wants to replace Grant's face with Reagan's on the $50 bill. BTW, said "offender" is Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-North Carolina). Dang, what a waste of tax payer dollars that would be! You know Olbermann will probably name McHenry one of his "worst people in the world." And did anyone else pick up on the unfunny irony that this jerk wants to honor a president who caused socioeconomic disparity in the 80s during another recession? Then again, Repubs apparently subscribe to their own version of reality.

Secondly, we may have a health-care plan with a public option by Easter. President Obama is trying ardently to persuade Congress to come to an up-or-down vote by that date. Speaking of the prez, I was thumbing through this hip, trendy, magazine-like textbook called Reader's Edge today at work that contains sidebars about what celebrities, including Obama, are reading. It turns out he's really into Emerson's Self-Reliance and Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls. Hmm... Great minds think alike! (Major LOL on that one!)

Finally, I'm still alive and am looking forward to my spring break from work next week. I actually have class at EIU on the 9th. (Eastern's break is the week of March 15-19, but I have to work. Go figure!) Anyway, I have to continue reading Moby Dick and work on homework. So, there's no such thing as a real break in the Ashleyverse. Still, I'm looking forward to having at least a little time off. I have to teach a pretty rigorous lesson tomorrow, so I'm just going to veg out tonight and watch the The Office "baby" episode.

And, with that happy thought, I conclude this "Thursday Things" post. Peace, Love, & Happiness!

More Wacky Wednesday Stuff for Your Entertainment and Information

Where to begin with this "newscast"? Well, there's tons of info I could share with y'all (not too sure about the entertainment part). In political news, for starters, President Obama has brought a comprehensive health-care bill before Congress. I suppose that could prove entertaining for we progressives! Also, while Chile is the current earthquake "hotspot," scientists have their eyes on Eurasia as the next predicted epicenter of plate tectonic movement.

Actually, I stumbled across some rather entertaining political news today. Some GOP Congressman (he's from somewhere down South, I think) wants Reagan's picture on the $50 bill. Please! It's bad enough that we have to see Ulysses S. Grant's worthless, drunken mug everytime we pull out a 50. How's that for entertainment?

Last but certainly not least, in Ashleyverse news, I survived my mid-term exam. No further commentary on that item. And that concludes this edition of Wacky Wednesday News. Peace out!

My Reading List for 03/02/10

Hey! I've read the first few chapters of Moby Dick. So far, what I've read is fascinating, to say the least. Much of these initial chapters of the novel consists of narrator Ishmael's observations of his new surroundings and shipmates, especially those of a "strange, very dark" man named Queequeg. I know you're not supposed to evaluate historical events and value systems in a post-modern context, but 19th-century views of 'individuals of color' are, frankly, crazy and, well, downright ignorant. Of course, I suppose that kind of goes without saying nowadays. And, yes, I will continue my discussion of Herman Melville's loaded masterwork-- which actually began life as a critical flop-- in near-future posts.

More importantly, I'm gearing up for tonight's Am. lit. mid-term essay exam. (I have to write two essays in class and just completed the take-home portion of the test.) For the take-home part, I wrote about how Natty Bumppo, Frederick Douglass, and Hester Prynne all rebel against their societies and what the outcomes of those actions are. For example, I argue that Hawthorne's "proto-feminist heroine (my term!)" needed to rebel against the laws and mores of puritanical Salem, Mass., in order to fulfill her destiny and that she is ultimately successful in doing so. (Aside: I'm feeling very Hester Prynne-ish atm. Those who've read the book will get my drift.) Anyway, I've been hitting the books pretty hard the past few days, and my brain is about to explode. So, since I have to get ready to drag my weary butt up to Chucktown a little later on today, I'm signing off now. Namaste!

Manic Monday News Round-up for 03/01/10

Alright, I'm pretty danged busy today, so I'll keep my coverage of current events as brief as possible. In world news, it has been determined that troops will stay in Marjah, Afghanistan, for months. (Look for a focused post on this later this week.) Also in world news, Chilean earthquake rescue efforts are well underway. It is projected that since Chile's people and government are more united and less corrupt, respectively, than those in Haiti, helping Chile will ultimately prove less daunting than aiding Haiti has. Lastly, the winter olympics ended last night in a very strange manner. NBC abruptly halted its network coverage of closing ceremonies in order to broadcast the premier of its latest "reality" show-- The Marriage Ref (whatever!). The U.S. won the most medals total, and host country Canada won the most golds. In U.S. political news, the health-care debate continues to rage, but President Obama has started talking tough to Senate Repubs in regards to this matter. (I think there's still hope in regards to this matter.) Finally, in Ashleyverse news, I'm working oh-so diligently on a research/symposium paper proposal revision for literary criticism and theory, as well as prepping for tomorrow's mid-term exam in Am. lit. And that is precisely why this "Manic Monday News Round-up" post is so brief.