Preview of Coming Spring/Summer 2010 Attractions

Howdy, y'all! Long time, no blog. Anyway, I will have some brand-new stuff on here in the coming weeks. This 'brand-new stuff' will mostly pertain to post health-care reform bill passage political news and my June/July Eurotrip. Hopefully, things will slow down a tad (big emphasis on the 'hopefully' part of that!) in the Ashleyverse in the next couple weeks so that I can get said 'brand-new stuff' posted. Stay tuned!

My Reading List for 03/25/10

Hello! Welcome to this "My Reading List for..." snippet. I finally finished reading Moby Dick. Actually, my professor told the class that one never really "finishes" reading books like Moby Dick and The Scarlet Letter. I totally concur with that statement. I also think this is the case with most of the works on our syllabus. Nineteenth-century American literature is so "loaded" in terms of content and symbolism (ex.: the multi-ethnic crew of the Pequod as an analogy for global diversity), and that's exactly why I love it. The discussion never gets boring! Anyway, I'm currently working on a presentation for April 6 in which I will compare and contrast Herman Melville's war-themed writings with those of Walt Whitman. In addition to discussing MD and reading some of Melville's other works, including Bartleby the Scrivener and Billy Budd, Sailor, I will examine some of Whitman's war poems, especially "The Wound-dresser." I will also discuss the lives and careers of both men. According to what I've already learned, Melville and Whitman were controversial figures, to say the least. Well, that's all for this snippet. Stay tuned for near-future installments of this series.

Meet the Press-- Ashleyverse Style, Saturday Edition 2

Howdy, folks! I haven't written in a few days, since I've been characteristically uber-busy, juggling the demands of grad school, teaching, and life in general. That said, I've got a plethora of political, entertainment, and Ashleyverse news to report on this lovely, early spring day.

Okay, first the breaking political news: Congress is set to vote on the all-important health-care reform bill tomorrow. According to the most recent press releases, things look good for President Obama's agenda. Also, this weekend marks the seventh anniversary of the Iraq War, which has been commemorated with little fanfare (hmm... wonder why!). We must urge the president and Congress to put an end to this little "police action" as promptly and honorably as possible. (Between y'all and me, I'm getting so sick and tired of writing about dangblasted wars. If I were in charge, I'd try to pass Lysistrata legislation in order to limit our involvement in "police actions" of any kind. LOL!!!)

Secondly, in entertainment news, the late, great axmaster Jimi Hendrix has beaten Elvis' long-standing Billboard music chart record, by becoming the first artist since Presley to score a top-5 album posthumously. Hendrix's compilation of never-before-released "experimental" music-- Valleys of Neptune-- has been released nearly 40 years after his death. The King's last album was released in 2003, about 25 years after his passing. (Clarification: Hendrix broke Presley's record by scoring a top-5 album a longer period after his death than Presley.) I've always been a huge Jimi fan, and I especially love the songs "Purple Haze," "Fire," "Angel," "Foxey Lady," "Little Wing," "Bold as Love," "Snowcastles in the Sand," "The Wind Cries Mary," and Jimi's kickass cover of Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower." Of course, who can resist Jimi's Woodstock performance of "The Star-spangled Banner"?

Finally, in Ashleyverse news, I'm still reading Moby Dick. I hope to be done with it by tomorrow. As for that spring cleaning project, well, I think I made a little headway with that endeavor today. Still, with everything else I've got going on, a perfectly clean house is just not a top priority right now. Anyway, I guess the big Ashleyverse news is that I'm awaiting some possible good news from alma mater concerning my very near future. If I am delivered said good news, I'll share it with y'all right here. Until then, it's top secret. (I don't want to jinx it!)

And, on that positive note, I conclude yet another "special Saturday" edition of Meet the Press-- Ashleyverse Style. Peace, Love, & Happiness, y'all!

An Invitation to Join the Coffee Party

For the past year, we progressives/Obama supporters have longed for an alternative to the vitriolic Tea Party Movement and its idiotic Townhall Meetings. Well, we finally have it in the form of the Coffee Party Movement. For more info about this group, which officially kicked off at coffeeshops nationwide on Saturday, March 13, log onto: http://www.chattahbox.com/us/2010/03/15/coffee-party-groups-seek-change-without-the-hate. Let's start the change, have real public discourse, and stop the hate today!

Latest Health-care Reform News

The latest health-care reform news is in: According to an ABC News blurb released earlier today, the Senate may be able to get the health-care reform bill passed after all. As I've said before, we have to keep our fingers crossed and be vigilant. (Aside: There's some reform going on in the Ashleyverse as well in the form of, um, environmental improvements. Yes, folks, I've embarked upon a little spring cleaning project. More info on both these items later.)

Wacky Wednesday News, "Spring Break" Edition

Okay, I've got some more wacky Wednesday news to share with y'all today. First of all, there's some rather sad Hollyweird news to report: Former teen heartthrob and Lost Boys star Corey Haim was found dead at age 38. He had struggled with lifelong addictions to drugs and alcohol. Shame! Secondly, in political news, we may be in the homestretch in regards to health-care reform. In impassioned appeals reminiscent of the 2008 campaign, President Obama is doing his best to rally support for this much-needed legislation all over the country. Finally, in Ashleyverse news, I got an A on that mid-term exam. I'm also on "spring break" from work this week. I've been super-busy with Eurotrip-related stuff the past couple days, but I'm otherwise enjoying myself. That said, I had class from 3:30-9:30 last night, so I'm a little beat and don't have much more to say. So, for those of you on spring break, stay safe and just chillax, and those of you who aren't off this week, peace out anyway.

My Reading List for 03/09/10

Howdy, faithful readers! I've just fulfilled my quota of assigned reading for tonight for 19th-century Am. lit.-- the first 38 chapters of Moby Dick, to be exact. Throughout those 144 pages, I discovered a number of critical plot nuances in the novel. Accordingly, I will share a few of them with you.

First, many of the characters have Biblical names. I feel that this device is symbolic of the importance of religion in 19th-century America. Secondly, narrator Ishmael makes some very interesting observations about his fellow shipmates, especially Queequeg, Tashtego, and Daggoo-- all men of color. More specifically, while he comes off as being a bit condescending to them, Ishmael also seems to imply that these men appear to be more devout in their spiritual practices and rituals than many white Western Christians. This global perspectivism is a major theme of literature of this time period. Finally, all of Melville's characters have a great deal of pathos, or emotion-- another characteristic of 19th-century American literature. One example of this is the misunderstood Captain Ahab. We learn that he has been depressed since losing a leg to the eponymous beast shortly before the story takes place and that he actually has quite a nice life on land, including a supposedly happy marriage to a "sweet girl" and a child. These are just a few of the things I've discovered while reading this once-maligned classic.

This has been another installment of "My Reading List for..." Stay tuned for many more to come.

Manic Monday News Round-up for 03/08/10

Hey, y'all! For starters today, I want to briefly discuss the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, which aired last night on ABC. Sandra Bullock proved her critics wrong and beat out the formidable Meryl Streep and Helen Mirren in order to win the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for The Blind Side. The Hurt Locker won Best Picture (I'm actually not surprised). The film's director, Katherine Bigelow (ex-wife of also-nominated Avatar director James Cameron!), made history for becoming the first woman to win in this category. Jeff Bridges won for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Crazy Heart, and Mo'Nique won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her riveting performance in Precious. Also, screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher became the first African-American Best Adapted Screenplay award winner for that movie, which is based on the novel Push, written by Sapphire. All in all, it was a decent-- if not a bit lackluster-- telecast, and hosts Baldwin and Martin were very funny. I was most interested in the less-decorated nominees, especially the Coen Brothers (Fargo; O, Brother Where Art Thou?; Burn After Reading) film The Serious Man, which was nominated for best picture.

Now, for some more Ashleyverse news: I think that my naysayers have shut up and realized that it's futile to even try to quell my ambitions and aspirations. Aside from that, I'm just trying to enjoy my "spring break." Once again, on a positive note, I'm signing off. Namaste!

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.

Chile Earthquake Update and Charity Options

On Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, the South American nation of Chile was struck by an 8.8-magnitude earthquake-- considerably worse than the Haiti earthquake that occurred in January. Below, I will provide my faithful readers with updates and charity options.



UPDATE: In the aftermath of the massive quake, over 700 people are confirmed dead. Also, there have been approximately 90 aftershocks, a few of which measured almost as strongly on the Richter scale as the Haiti quake (7.7). According to a number of scientists, these aftershocks may continue for months. About 60 people are reportedly trapped in an apartment building in Concepcion, Chile. The nation of Chile is claiming not to need international aid, but President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have reportedly conferred about possibly sending U.S. aid to Chile. Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has declared her country a "state of catastrophe," and the U.S. government will assist Chile's government if aid is needed.



CHARITY OPTIONS: Those wanting to help the survivors of this natural disaster can donate through organizations, including: Google Checkout, UNICEF, and/or Direct Relief International, among others.

Please help the people of Chile in any way possible today.

Meet the Press-- Ashleyverse Style (Saturday Edition)

Hello! Good afternoon! I've decided to "broadcast" a special Saturday edition of Meet the Press-- Ashleyverse Style, since there's so much happening everywhere right now.

For starters, there are unfortunately lots of natural disasters happening as we "speak." For example, Santiago, Chile, has been rocked by an 8.8-magnitude earthquake. Secondly, Hawaii will more than likely get slammed by a tsunami. Finally, the U.S. East Coast is getting its third round of winter storms. (I think I'm going to follow these items and report on them further in coming days.)

Secondly, in Olympics news, the big story atm is last night's men's 500-meter speedskating final. More specifically, heavily decorated (8 medals career total; 3 medals in Vancouver thus far) Apolo Anton Ohno was disqualified in the event after allegedly causing Canadian Francois-Louis Tremblay to fall during the race. Now, it has been ruled that Ohno will receive the bronze medal. Canadian Charles Hamelin won the gold, and South Korean Si-Bak Sung will take home the silver medal. (Aside: I have a wicked schoolgirl crush on Mr. Hamelin. Sadly, he's already taken.)

Finally, in Ashleyverse news, next week is mid-term week at EIU. Other than that, there's nothing else special going on, except that I'm waiting to hear whether or not I'll get the Eurotrip scholarship and/or the grad assistantship for next semester. (Fingers crossed, y'all!)

So, that wraps up this special Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, edition of Meet the Press-- Ashleyverse Style. Until next time, peace, love, & happiness.

Analysis of Yesterday's "Bipartisan" Health-care Summit

Yesterday was a big day on Capitol Hill. Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010, will be remembered by historians as the day of the bipartisan White House health-care reform summit. Unfortunately, this day probably won't be remembered for positive reasons. The main problem is that the summit wasn't all that bipartisan. Senate Republicans remain recalcitrant in regards to backing the president's ideas about this pressing issue. At one point, Obama's former campaign rival, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), viciously attacked the president, who graciously and courageously responded: "The election's over."

MY CHARACTERISTICALLY SASSY REBUTTAL: The president is absolutely right-- the election is over. We need to focus on what's best for the nation as a whole, not our personal likes and dislikes. More importantly, we need to forget the past and deal with what's happening now, which is countless fundamentally good, hard-working Americans without access to affordable, decent health care. We must take care of our own (novel concept, huh?) and quit deriding progress as some kind of -ism. And, speaking of elections, there's a mid-term one coming up in November of this year and another big one in 2012. It might behoove Congressional Repubs to meet the prez half-way on a few things if they want to keep their seats. Even though we all have differences of opinion on how we should receive health care, the majority of us agree that we need it. Therefore, legislators who support some sort or degree of government-funded health-care legislation are the ones who will be elected or re-elected. It's that simple, folks. (Note: This is definitely not my final word on this topic. There's plenty more where that came from. Stay tuned!) Personally, I think those Repubs need to grow up and get over themselves. Just sayin'!

My Reading List for 02/25/10

Alright, I've begun my reading of Herman Melville's 1851 masterwork-- Moby Dick. Of course, pretty much everyone is familiar with the book's opening line: "Call me Ishmael..." and quotes like "Thar she blows!" Well, in between, there's a lot of other stuff going on in here. As I've mentioned before, one of the novel's major themes/plotlines is war, particularly in regards to Britain's military involvement with Afghanistan. Sure enough, there's a reference to this in the very first chapter. In addition to a bunch of other political things, there's plenty of cultural topics and issues dealt with throughout this dense text, including race, religion, and the whaling industry. Lastly, this book is heavy on character development. From narrator Ishmael to Queequeg to the colorful, infamous Captain Ahab, there's plenty to keep readers entertained. As I read and discover more about Melville's literary masterwork, which is definitely about so much more than a quest for a white whale (the book's title means "white whale" in Old English), I'll discuss it here. Thus, stay tuned for the next installment of "My Reading List for..." in which I'll do just that.

Wacky Wednesday World, U.S., and Ashleyverse News for 02/24/10

Once again, there's so much to talk about today. In world news, Marjah, Afghanistan*, is still the primary "hotspot" right now. (*I will discuss this item further later this week.) Also, in U.S. political news, there will be a White House health-care summit tomorrow. (Again, I'll write a focused analysis about this issue sometime in the next few days.) We've gotta be vigilant in regards to this one, folks! In addition, the U.S. continues to dominate at the winter olympic games in Vancouver, B.C. The top American athletes are skier Lindsey Vonn, cross-country skier Julia Mancuso, and hockey player Ryan Miller. Finally, in Ashleyverse news, I'm prepping for my mid-term exam for Am. lit.-- a series of essays-- plus it's still very much wintertime.

Okay, that concludes this "Wacky Wednesday News" report for 02/24/10. Until next time, peace, love, & happiness, y'all!

My Reading List for 02/23/10

Hey, everyone! I'm currently in the process of wrapping up my reading of The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave, Written by Himself (1845). Douglass was indeed a remarkable, if flawed, individual. (Then again, who isn't at least a little flawed?) Anyway, several things about this book fascinated me; for example, Douglass discusses how slaves living in the city of Baltimore were generally treated better than those on plantations in rural areas of Douglass' home state of Maryland. Also, even though he spoke out against slavery, Douglass subscribed to Victorian views of women. (This actually didn't surprise me that much.) In addition, while the document sometimes takes a righteous tone, Douglass doesn't appear to believe that all white Southerners are pro-slavery; in fact, he frequently mentions one great Southern statesman who to an extent champions the anti-slavery cause (I'm pretty sure he's referring to Kentucky-born Abe Lincoln). Finally, I enjoyed the parts about Douglass' travels to Great Britain and his tales of life on the lecture circuit. England was about decade ahead of the U.S. in terms of broaching the slavery issue. I think the primary message of Douglass' writing is that literacy is power. I can't really argue with that! As for what's next on the agenda for Am. lit., well, I have a mid-term exam next week. After that, we'll be reading Herman Melville's masterwork-- Moby Dick (1851). There's a lot going on plotwise in this classic novel, including British military involvement with a little country called Afghanistan, which, incidentally, didn't work out too well for the Brits. (Hmm... did someone say: "History repeats itself"?!) Alright, stay tuned for the next edition of "My Reading List for...". Until next time, peace!

A Progressive Response to the Neocons' Attacks on President Obama at the 2010 CPAC Gathering

This past week, various conservative political and media figures convened for the annual CPAC (Conservative Political Action Committee) gathering. All the key speakers, including GOP presidential hopefuls Mitt Romney and Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty, ripped on President Obama for his alleged role in the current economic mess, among other things. Regardless of the issue at hand, the president just can't catch a break from conservatives.

THE PROGRESSIVE RESPONSE: Get some new material, people! We're all in this mess together, so it's going to take all of us working together to get out of it. This whole partisanship thing is out of control. In addition, we need a danged stimulus package, and Congress and the president need to work in tandem in order to cut wasteful spending (hint: no more wars!). We also need health care, which we'll probably get-- with or without the Repubs. (Who needs 'em, right?) Finally, we just have to realize that part and parcel of living in a representative democracy like America is that none of us is always going to like every aspect of every single piece of legislation that comes down the pike. That's just the way it is, folks. If you don't like it, then move to Afghanistan!

An Extra Helping of Meet the Press-- Ashleyverse Style

Hello, everybody! Welcome to a very brief edition of Meet the Press-- Ashleyverse Style. I say "very brief," because I'm currently in the throes of working on my research and proposal for my symposium paper that I have to write and present in my literary criticism and theory class (don't even ask!). Anyway, the big political news atm is that President Obama is now looking outside of Congress for help in getting health-care legislation passed. All I have to say is: 'What's the big hold-up?!' Secondly, the Marjah offensive in Afghanistan has entered its second week. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the Repubs continue to make big ole fools of themselves. Well, that's all for now, folks, as I have to get back to "work." More info on these and other topics forthcoming in focused posts later on this week. Stay tuned!

Some Interesting, Inspiring News from Down Under

As my faithful readers have already noticed, I'm always on the lookout for human interest stories about seemingly ordinary individuals, especially women, who do extraordinary things under extraordinary circumstances. Well, today I found a great one that comes all the way from Australia. Interestingly enough, its subject died over a century ago and is finally getting her due for all the tireless, selfless, and occasionally controversial work she did on behalf of the downtrodden and oppressed in the Land Down Under.

This individual is Mary MacKillop. Who is Mary MacKillop, you may ask? Mary MacKillop is Australia's first patron saint. Her canonisation, which will be formally declared Oct. 17, 2010, ends an 85-year debate over whether she deserved that honor. Mother Mary, who was beatified in 1995 after the Vatican recognized her role in two miracles, was actually excommunicated from the Catholic Church in 1871 for alleged insubordination and a supposedly rebellious, egalitarian ethos. She was reinstated four months later. Mary died in 1909 at age 67. Despite a lifetime of battling ill health, she accomplished a great deal, including: helping Australia's poor, founding a school, and starting her own order of nuns-- the Sisters of St. Joseph-- in 1866. According to Sister Josephine Dubiel, a nun in Melbourne, Aus., Mother Mary's impending canonisation, which was announced via text message from Vatican City Friday, Feb. 19, is a career highlight for many nuns, who continue to benefit from Mary's work, charity, and zeal for education. I would go so far as to say that Mary's contributions to society are a highlight for history and humanity as a whole. (For more Mother Mary info, log onto: http://www.theage.com.au/national/in-canberra-and-the-bush-first-saint-finds-a-welcome-20100200-oms8.html. You can also find a plethora of Mother Mary facts on Google, Wikipedia, and Yahoo!.)

Friday Focus: Afghanistan

Following a fierce gunfight Friday, Feb. 19, U.S. Marines seized a compound in Marjah, Afghanistan, that is believed to be a Taliban headquarters. Personnel from Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines found photos of fighters posing with their weapons, dozens of Taliban-issued ID cards, and graduation diplomas from a training camp in Pakistan in the compound. Insurgents had been using this field office, which is located just south of Marjah's center, before they abandoned it at the end of a day-long battle with U.S. Marines. The goal was to break resistance in Marjah-- a Taliban stronghold in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province. The Marjah offensive began February 13, and Thursday, Feb. 18 was the deadliest day, with six coalition troops killed. The death toll for the entire operation thus far stands at 12 NATO troops and one Afghan soldier. There have been an estimated 120 Taliban casualties.

ANALYSIS: Afghanistan will undoubtedly prove to be President Barack Obama's greatest foreign policy test. Marjah, a town with an estimated population of 80,000 that is located 360 miles (610 kilometers) southwest of Kabul, has been under Taliban control for years. Therefore, successful breakage of this Taliban stronghold could quite possibly lead to an expedited end to the Afghan War altogether. If coalition forces can achieve this goal, then President Obama can begin withdrawing troops from the Middle East in a timely and safe manner.

BOTTOM LINE: We need to be successful in Afghanistan. None of us wants this war to continue indefinitely, but once again, President Obama has unfortunately been backed into a corner as a result of the Bush administration's failure to combat terrorist cells in Afghanistan and Pakistan and its tunnel-visioned and woefully misguided focus on Iraq. The current commander-in-chief not only has a clear strategy ending our involvement in Iraq, but he also has a plan for success in Afghanistan. This is the first of many steps along the long, difficult path toward Middle East peace. Most importantly, Obama's plan-- if given a chance-- will ensure that Iraq and Afghanistan do not become Vietnam's II and III. Those casualty figures (on all sides) represent real people, and our president realizes that. I personally believe that Obama will have us out of the Middle East by the end of his first term in office.

My Reading List for 02/18/10

The month of February is notable for a number of things and holidays (Valentine's Day, Presidents' Day, my birthday (LOL!), the winter Olympics, Mardi Gras, the Chinese New Year, various historical and cultural events, etc.). One occasion, however, is particularly worth noting: February is Black History Month.

Accordingly, we're reading Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave (1845) in 19th-century American literature. This remarkable text chronicles the amazing life of an equally remarkable, amazing individual. Douglass (1817?-1895) transcended seemingly insurmountable adversity to become one of the greatest thinkers and writers in all of U.S. and world history. Throughout his narrative, Douglass uses biblical and personal quotations in order to argue that slavery is most definitely an immoral practice. (He was rightfully an outspoken critic of religious hypocrisy.) Readers quickly realize that Douglass is absolutely correct. I'm completely awestruck by a number of his personal quotes, like: "Memory was given to man for some wise purpose. The past is... the mirror in which we may discern the dim outlines of the future and by which we may make them more symmetrical." Wow! In other words, Douglass is essentially saying that we must examine the mistakes of generations past and learn from them in order to first not repeat them and, more importantly, attempt to create a better world. Hence, I believe that Douglass' Narrative should be read and pondered by all 21st-century Americans year-'round.

The Life and Works of Nathaniel Hawthorne Revisited

I've mentioned one Mr. Nathaniel Hawthorne in this space numerous times. (Perhaps I should've entitled this post "The Life and Works of Nathaniel Hawthorne Re-revisited"!) And, since I'm more than likely doing my graduate thesis on Hawthorne's involvement in the Brook Farm Experiment, I'll be mentioning his name many more times here. Anyway, I learned a few fascinating facts during my classmate, John's, in-class presentation about one of my favorite authors last night that I will undoubtedly further explore and assimilate into said thesis. For example, Hawthorne spent a good part of his life in a reclusive state in his family's home, along with his mother and sisters; in fact, months would often pass before Hawthorne would even see his sisters. (This aspect of Hawthorne's life is mirrored in "The Notch of the White Mountains" (1835) and "The Ambitious Guest" (1835)-- two short stories in which well-to-do families confine themselves to the perimeters of their cloistered estates, with devastating consequences.) Secondly, Hawthorne was in love with Elizabeth Peabody-- a powerful, intellectual, and influential woman-- but he married her semi-invalid sister, Sophia, instead. I think this shaped and affected his writing in a number of ways, especially in regards to his views on women. Thirdly, Hawthorne was involved in a sometimes dangerous love triangle with fellow Brook Farmer Ralph Waldo Emerson and Margaret Fuller, a feminist writer and author of Women in the Nineteenth Century, a text in which she advocates for women's rights and describes their position in society, particularly in regards to marriage. After Fuller's death, both Hawthorne and Emerson were very distraught and claimed to sense Fuller's presence all around them. Finally, there is a series of strange stories surrounding the upbringing of the Hawthornes' daughter, Una. More specifically, Una was kept at home, despite the urging of family friends for her parents to send her off to receive a higher education at a college preparatory school in Concord, Mass., that accepted women, as Nathaniel and Sophia did with their son, Julian. As a result, Una began acting out violently. Her "rebellion" landed her in a mental institution, where she was subjected to a primitive form of electro-shock therapy. (This made me question whether Hawthorne had great personal character, even though he is an undeniably great writer. Hmm... yet another angle to explore!) Well, that concludes this mini dissertation. As I learn more about the proposed topic, I'll share my findings with everybody. Stay tuned!

My Reading List for 02/16/10

Hello! Good morning! Welcome to another edition of "My Reading List for...". Yesterday I finished reading some of Hawthorne's Selected Tales and Sketches. Overall, I enjoyed these stories immensely. I especially liked "The May-Pole of Merry Mount" (1836)-- which contains mythological and supernatural imagery. For instance, this story has a lot of references to mythological creatures, especially nymphs. And these carnivalesque aspects and allusions make Hawthorne's writings highly apropo reading for today, since it's Mardi Gras.

In addition, I completed my reading of Hawthorne's most famous work-- The Scarlet Letter (1850)-- this morning. As is the case with the author's short stories, this novel contains a combination of historical, religious, supernatural, mythological, and Gothic elements (ex.: character names, like Roger Chillingworth-- creepy, huh?). One example of this is the in way in which protagonist Hester Prynne's illegitmate daughter, Pearl, is alternately referred to as being a demon, a nymph, an immaculately conceived child, and superhuman. In terms of historical references, Hester is frequently likened to Ann Hutchinson, a real-life woman who was banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony for questioning Puritan authorities. Of course, the story is loaded with references to the 1692 Salem Witch Trials in which one of Hawthorne's relatives was the presiding judge. (Consult my archived posts from Sept./Oct. '09 for more information about this topic.) After Hester has an extramarital affair, she suffers ignominy (public humilation; punishment) via being forced to wear a big red letter "A" for "Adulteress." This book illustrates in haunting detail how religious hysteria destroys societies and individual lives alike (although Hester ultimately triumphs over her adverse circumstances). For these and a multitude of other reasons, Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter is one of my favorite books. Thus, that concludes another edition of "My Reading List for...". Stay tuned for future editions!

Manic Monday News Round-Up-- Presidents' Day Edition

It's Presidents' Day, 2010, and there is so much news to observe and report on today. To begin, our current president is dealing with the escalating Afghanistan situation. (I'll discuss this issue further in a focused post later on this week.) Also in political news, Indiana senator Evan Bayh (D) is retiring from his post. Bayh is currently in the lead in the Hoosier State Senate race.

Next, the big world news right now is the Olympics. Last night, host country Canada cleaned up in the men's moguls event-- a sport that I find a bit frightening to watch (those aerial jumps!). In addition, U.S. figure skating pair Mark Ladwig and Amanda Evora won the gold medal last night. Finally, superstar speedskater Apolo Anton Ohno could wind up the most decorated American Winter Olympics athlete ever.

Lastly, in Manic Monday news, the University of Alabama-- Huntsville shooting story keeps on getting stranger. Amy Bishop, the highly eccentric (to say the least!) biology professor who shot six colleagues after being denied tenure, is apparently not a first-time offender. It has been revealed that Bishop "accidentally" shot her 18-year-old brother to death in the family's Braintree, Mass., home back in 1986. According to reports, those who know Bishop say that she is "intelligent, but odd, and cannot deal with reality." Well, obviously!

On the Agenda for Valentine's Day 2010

Okay, St. Valentine's Day is upon us once again, and I'm single once again. Although I occasionally feel-- a la Liz Lemon-- that this day is a marketing ploy designed by greeting card companies, I remain optimistic that I will eventually be struck by Cupid's arrow. Thus, I've devised a number of alternative ways to view this lovers' holiday/Hallmark marketing ploy. Instead of getting bogged down by my temporary state of singledom (which isn't necessarily always a bad thing, BTW), I've chosen to view February 14 as a universal celebration of all kinds of love-- romantic, self love and appreciation, love for your fellow human beings, etc.

In addition, I do allow myself to indulge the hopeless romantic in me. For instance, I watch romantic comedies, especially my fave-- Elizabethtown. There are countless other decent films in this genre as well. I also listen to great love songs. Again, those are far too numerous to mention here. (IMHO, the Beatles' "Something" and Eric Clapton's "Layla" rank among the best of the best.) And, continuing on the universal love theme, I think the Fab Four's "All You Need Is Love" and Bob Marley's "One Love/People Get Ready" are amazing Valentine's Day/universal love anthems. For those enduring break-ups, anything by Bobby D fits the bill. I highly recommend anything by Motown legend Marvin Gaye for those fortunate enough to be in a passionate, fulfilling relationship (or those who will be someday). In terms of apropo literature, you can't go wrong with Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters. Likewise, poetry by the British masters, namely Shakespeare and Coleridge, are practically required reading on this day. Shakespeare's sonnets and plays, such as Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream, are perfect for setting the romantic mood. Coleridge's "The Ballad of the Dark Ladie" is quite possibly the most beautiful love poem ever written. I was going to suggest the works of Francis Petrarch, but I think some his stuff could be construed as 'stalker material' in this day and age. Then again, you could always go the all-American route with a masterpiece like Gone with the Wind. Last but certainly not least, Dante's The Divine Comedy is both romantic in nature and Italian in origin-- the ideal combo! Speaking of Italian, what's Valentine's Day without Italian cuisine? You've gotta have at least a little pasta, wine, and chocolate to make it official. So, that's how I'm spending Valentine's Day '10. Perhaps by next year, all my virtual romantic pleasures and pursuits will translate into actual ones.

More Winter Olympics-Related Stuff

Well, folks, I watched the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver last night. What can I say? They were awesome! The parade of nations was interesting, and I was particularly fascinated by the fact that many countries are participating the winter games for the first time ever. Also, I've always liked the message of the olympics: nations with deep political and religious differences coming together for one cause: to represent their country and spread universal goodwill through athletic prowess.

As for the ceremony itself, the entire program was amazing. (Honestly, I can overlook the technical gaffe with Wayne Gretzky and the Olympic torch and cauldrons at the end.) I really enjoyed how each of Canada's diverse cultures (English, French, Native Canadians, Newfies, etc.) was represented. From the Native Canadian music and dances to the Newfoundland fiddler to the salute to Canada's endless prairies to the homage to the host city (the first located in British Columbia-- or Western Canada), it all rocked. If I were going to visit Canada, I think I'd spend most of my time in Newfoundland!

Of course, the games opened amid tragedy. Georgian luger Nodar Kumarita-Shivili, 21, died during a practice run. (The death has been ruled the result of human error; Vancouver's luge track is reported to be the most dangerous in the world.) There was a lovely tribute in the form of a moment of silence during the program. Perhaps the greatest tribute of all is that the games will continue despite this tragedy. That is true Olympian spirit.

My Reading List for 02/12/10

Alright, I finished reading The Beetle the night before last. It was okay-- nothing to rave about. Now, I'm in the process of reading some of Nathaniel Hawthorne's Selected Tales and Sketches. (It's pretty safe for me to say that Hawthorne is one of, if not my all-time, favorite authors.) The stories we're reading this week for Am. Lit. are: "Mr. Higginbotham's Catastrophe," "Alice Doane's Appeal," "The Gray Champion," "Wakefield," "The Notch of the White Mountains," "The Ambitious Guest," "The May-Pole of Merry Mount," and "Ethan Brand." A little later on, we'll be reading Hawthorne's signature work-- The Scarlet Letter. Yippee!

BTW, in totally non-sequitur news, tonight is opening ceremonies for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, which will air on NBC. (I suppose that if reading were an olympic sport, I'd probably be a gold medalist. Big-time LOL!) I've rather enjoyed watching the winter games ever since the '94 Lillehammer, Norway, olympics and the women's figure skating drama that ensued. Speaking of which, Nancy Kerrigan is currently in the midst of a harrowing family drama. As for Undisputed Drama Queen Tonya Harding, well, that girl needs to seriously consider adopting the Mary J. Blige philosophy. This year's roster of athletes is a unique (in a largely positive way!) and talented bunch of guys and gals. In terms of "women to watch in '10," my bets are on Alpine skier Lindsey Vonn, short-track speedskater Allison Baver, and skeleton racer Noelle Pikus-Pace. As far as the guys go, it's all about snowboarder Shaun "Flying Tomato" White-- who will undoubtedly prove adept as well as entertaining-- biathlete (cross-country skiing and target shooting) Tim Burke, short-track speedskater and Dancing with the Stars champ Apolo Anton Ohno, and figure skater Johnny Weir, who designs his own costumes and is sort of Lambert-esque (read: adorable and awesome). I'm also anticipating the performances of skating pair Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig. In addition to all the amazing U.S. talent, the international athletes, such as: figure skater Kim Yu-Na (South Korea), hockey player Sidney Crosby (Canada), biathlete (and Tim Burke's girlfriend!) Andrea Henkel (Germany), Alpine skiier Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong (Ghana), and curler Wang Bingyu (China), are equally impressive. So, that'll be my President's Day Weekend 2010-- reading voraciously and brushing up on my Olympics trivia!

A Very February-ish Day in the Ashleyverse

Yes, folks, it's still very much wintertime in the Ashleyverse. The snow we got Monday night and Tuesday is starting to melt, though. Anyway, there's a few more celeb birthdays* to report today. For example, actress Jennifer Aniston and singer Sheryl Crow both claim February 11 as their special day. Incidentally, it's also Sarah Palin's b-day. (*Source: IMDb.com) Oh, well, two out of three ain't bad! BTW, tomorrow is Lincoln's 201st birthday, and Washington's birthday is the 22nd; therefore, I'm off work Monday for the annual observation of President's Day. Speaking of which-- as much as I hate to even mention this-- I think Saturday was Reagan's b-day. Again, at least we progressives have Bob Marley's b-day to compensate. Y'know, I find it very interesting that so many creative, revolutionary, and even infamous figures and presidents are Aquarians and/or have February birthdays. Also, it seems that lots of revolutionary events (e.g., the Beatles on Sullivan (02/09/64); the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement (02/01/60)) seem to occur under the cosmic reign of Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Maybe there's something to that. LOL!

Edition Number Whatever of Wacky Wednesday World News

Okay, there's tons of stuff I want to talk about today, and I'll attempt to do so. The information I'm about to impart comes from a variety of sources.

First of all, I read some news items on thedailybeast.com earlier today that really piqued my interest. For instance, former Democratic Texas representative Charlie Wilson, subject of the eponymous 2007 film, starring Tom Hanks in the title role, has died at age 76. Pennsylvania rep Jack Murtha (D), one of the most outspoken critics of Dubya's invasion of Iraq, has also passed away. He was 77. Also, the GOP is trying to make Sarah Palin its 2012 presidential nominee. Once again, it ain't gonna happen, folks-- especially in light of Saturday night's spectacle! Finally, Iran's opposition is poised for another revolution. Personally, I think Iran is one country in which the U.S. can make a difference in terms of peacefully spreading democracy. President Obama has expressed genuine interest in doing so. Of course, the Repubs won't hear of it. What's more is that the December 20 death of of Iranian opposition leader Montazeri, a strong proponent of the up-and-coming generation's use of technology to usher in a new era of freedom, has seriously complicated this process. We must remain vigilant in regards to this matter.

Secondly, speaking of Dec. 20, 2009, deaths, I watched the episode of Larry King Live with Brittany Murphy's husband, Simon Monjack, and her mother, Sharon. No disrespect to Mr. Monjack in his time of grief and bereavement, but he is one odd duck. (Is it just me, or has LKL become synonymous with "freak show"?) A couple days later, Larry had soon-to-be ex-South Carolina first lady Jenny Sanford on his show. Um, Mark has issues, to say the least!

Finally, I read the Feb. 15, 2010, isssue of PEOPLE Magazine cover to cover. The cover story is the severely premature birth of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's 19th child, Josie. I'm sorry, but there really is such thing as having too many kids, and Jim Bob and Michelle are right-wing religious nuts-- plain and simple. It was, however, another item that really caught my eye: the passing of Howard Zinn, author of the bestseller A People's History of the United States and liberal commentator. Mr. Zinn, who was 87 and died in Santa Monica, Calif., on January 27, garnered praise from progressives and criticism, namely charges of anti-Americanism, from conservatives. IMHO, Zinn was a true American hero. R.I.P. Howard (1922-2010).

So, that concludes this edition of Wacky Wednesday World News. I'm sure there will be much more to observe and report on-- and I certainly will. Therefore, stay tuned & peace out!

My Reading List for 02/09/10

"...Egypt, a supernatural, mystery, and an unknown creature are all found in this 1897 novel by Richard March [sic.]. The Beetle is the story of a creature born of neither God nor man..."

Yes, folks, this anonymous quote is a basic synopsis of Richard Marsh's obscure Gothic novel The Beetle: A Mystery (1897). And, since the Snowmageddon (our president's term!) that has practically shut down our nation's capital has descended upon the Midwest, I'm staying home from school today on account of the inclement weather and hazardous driving conditions. In order to pass the time that would otherwise be devoted to commuting and attending class, I'm putting the finishing touches on my reading of this book. I must say that I was initially not that impressed with it. I thought it would be really boring! However, about halfway in, I realized that this book is actually quite wonderful. For example, Book III (the book is divided into four individual "books") is told from the point of view of a female character. Therefore, this novel has a decidedly feminist angle. There's also lots of political discussion and references (yay!). For that symposium paper, I'm strongly considering taking either a feminist or political critical perspective, or perhaps even a combination of both. Once again, more on that later.

Alright, everyone take care, stay safe, and peace out! I'll be back with another edition of "My Reading List for..." very soon.

She had 'em at 'hope-y, change-y stuff': Analysis of Sarah Palin's Nashville Tea Party Convention "Speech"

Okay, as I promised yesterday, I'm going to provide an in-depth analysis of Sarah Palin's so-called Tea Party Convention speech. Here goes: it was bad, really bad. More specifically, Palin did her usual "practiced folksy" act (e.g. tossing in "you betchas," "god blesses," and creepy winks at whim; reading from notes scribbled on her hands). As for the audience, it was rather sparse, and-- surprise! surprise!-- it was comprised predominantly of old, white males. What was especially frightening, however, is the fact that the more idiotic Miss Alaska became, the more the crowd cheered her on. For example, she had the audacity to try to question Obama supporters by asking: "How's that hope-y, change-y stuff workin' for ya?"! For the record, Sarah, that 'hope-y, change-y' stuff's workin' just fine for me-- thank you very much. Finally, instead of proposing alternatives or solutions to the president's agenda, she just mocked him. (BTW, the last time I checked Obama definitely knows we're at war and is trying to get us out of it.) The bottom line is this: the Tea Party Movement is a passing fad. (Actually, I prefer the term 'epic fail.') Its adherents engage in a fuzzy interpretation of U.S. history (uhh... excuse me, folks, but wasn't it a conservative president who got us into this mess in the first place? Just askin'!) and are largely motivated by anger. Most importantly, Palin's speech at the convention only serves to expose the hypocrisy and willful ignorance of the Right. For these reasons, the Tea Party is almost over, and Palin will not become president. (I swear, I don't know who's had more fun at that woman's expense-- me or Tina Fey.)

More Meet the Press-- Ashleyverse Style

Alright, folks, there's quite a bit of big news to observe and report on in the Ashleyverse today. To begin, it's Super Bowl XLIV night. The Indianapolis Colts are playing the New Orleans Saints. I guess I'm rooting for the Colts, but I'm feeling a little sentimental toward the Saints, since this is their first time to play in the Super Bowl. Honestly, I really don't care too much for sports, but having grown up in Texas, I sort of like football (y'know-- the whole Friday Night Lights thing). Back in the 90s, I used to cheer on the Dallas Cowboys to victory while my dad (a former high school pigskin "hero") watched the game. Anyway, I might tune in periodically to the game tonight in order to catch the half-time show-- provided this year by The Who (whom I'm a fan of!)-- and check out the commericals.



Meanwhile, there's a lot of action happening in America's biggest bloodbath of all: politics! Last night, Sarah Palin "spoke" at the very first Tea Party convention in Nashville. I say "spoke" in quotations, because there wasn't much real speaking going on. Rather, Palin wove a disoriented patchwork of conservative platitudes, attacked President Obama, and failed to propose any real alternatives or solutions to the problems we are facing. (That having been said, I will discuss and analyze the so-called "speech" more extensively in tomorrow's post. Stay tuned!)



Well, that concludes yet another edition of Meet the Press-- Ashleyverse Style. Namaste, y'all!

Headline: Proceeds from Late Reggae Great's 65th Birthday Celebration to Benefit Survivors of Haiti Earthquake

Today would be the 65th birthday of Jamaican-born reggae legend, humanitarian, and Rastafarian* revolutionary Bob Marley. (*Rastafarianism is a Caribbean form of Christianity.) Members of Marley's family and fans will gather Saturday, Feb. 6 (today, of course) at L.A. art gallery Mr. Musichead for the first annual Jammin' and Wailin' event, where rare artwork and photography featuring Marley, as well as Bob Marley coffee, will be on sale. Proceeds from the event will benefit Doctors Without Borders' efforts in Haiti.

On a personal note, Marley is one of my all-time favorite artists. I've been a fan of his for almost a decade, and his Legend CD is played frequently in my home and car. (I actually had to buy a second copy, because I wore the first one out!) His beautiful, island-inspired music, especially songs like "Is This Love," "Three Little Birds," and "Stir It Up," really brightens up these cold, dreary winter days. And, his socially conscious fare, particularly "I Shot the Sheriff," "Redemption Song," "Exodus," "Get Up, Stand Up" and "Buffalo Soldier," simultaneously entertains and challenges you. "Jamming" is likewise both fun and intellectual. Marley occasionally gets playful and romantic, as is the case on "Could You Be Loved," "Satisfy My Soul," and "Waiting in Vain." In addition, "No Woman, No Cry" is one of the greatest songs ever written and recorded. Finally, who doesn't love "One Love/People Get Ready"-- the official reggae national anthem and a powerful call for universal goodwill?! I'm certain that, wherever he is, Mr. Marley is deeply pleased that his message is being used to provide liberation through physical aid and spiritual hope to Haiti's survivors.

A Little More Friday Infotainment

Alright, there's lots going on in both 'news news' and entertainment news today. Accordingly, I will cover as much of it as I can in this post.

First, the 'news news.' President Obama is now admitting that the big health-care overhaul may be a failure for the time being. As I've implored readers a number of times before, we just have to keep trying in regards to this matter. The president has also outlined his mid-term election victory strategy to Dems: "Lead." Couldn't have said it better myself! Also in politics, there's yet another possible Sarah Palin scandal brewing. This time, it appears that Miss Alaska and her Iditarod-racin' hubby, Todd, have not been paying taxes for the last couple years on some property they own in the Alaskan wilderness. I'm sorry, but our elected officials-- especially high-profile ones-- have a responsibility to be, well, responsible. We'll just have to see how this one shapes up. (Honestly, folks, why is this not shocking?)

Now, for the entertainment. It's almost Valentine's Day, and there's a string of seasonal rom-coms out in the theaters atm, such as Leap Year, starring Amy Adams. Who knows... maybe I'll find me a rogue Irishman next summer. LOL! I'd also like to see Dear John, the war drama/romance with Amanda Seyfried and Channing Tatum. Of course, there's a movie out called Valentine's Day, with Julia Roberts, Ashton Kutcher, Jennifer Garner, Jessica Alba, and Taylor Swift. Based on the previews I've seen, it looks pretty cute and funny. In addition, Grammy winner Pink is appearing and performing live on Oprah this afternoon. I'm definitely watching. Lady Gaga's interview and performance on Miss O's show were absolutely amazing, so I'm looking forward to seeing Pink on there today.

Okay, that concludes this edition of Infotainment This Afternoon. Y'all take care & peace out!

My Reading List for 02/04/10

Okay, folks, I'm re-reading Hawthorne's Portable Tales as we speak. I read on the fly the first time around, so I feel there's a few things I may have missed in the stories. I'm also trying to get through "Rappaccini's Daughter"-- the final tale in the collection. For some reason, I can't get into it as much as the others. In addition to what I have to read for American Lit., I'm also starting on an obscure Gothic novel called The Beetle, which was written by one Richard Marsh, for my criticism and theory class. (Obscure? Gothic? I'm so there!) I actually have to write a research paper and do a symposium presentation on this book. Uhh... more on that later.



And, speaking of American literature, I forgot to mention that J.D. Salinger, author of the controversial classic The Catcher in the Rye (1951), passed away recently. It's really sad that this book was banned in schools and has gotten such a bad rap over the years. IMHO, Catcher transcends all the controversy. Through the main character, Holden Caulfield, Salinger beautifully weaves a tapestry of the most fundamental themes of humanity: loss, alienation, the search for one's own identity, the desire for what is real/intolerance of phoniness, conformity vs. rebellion, feeling like a social outcast, dealing with extreme sociopolitical conditions (in this case, the Cold War; McCarthyism), etc. Thus, I believe the banning of this book (or any literature, for that matter) is totally wrong-- not to mention un-American.

Musings About Turning the Big 3-0

Hey, y'all! Well, today is officially my 30th birthday. And what a happy one it is! Anyway, I survived my 7-9:30 p.m. Literary Criticism & Theory class in order to celebrate the occasion with my dear friend Jenn last night. Needless to say, we had a total blast. As far as how I feel today, well, I don't feel that much different. So far, 30 is shaping up to be pretty danged promising. (For some reason, 27, 28, and 29 were sort of tough. When I started grad school last summer, however, I gained a whole new sense of direction, which improved the situation considerably. Oh, well, as the Buddhists say in the "Four Noble Truths," life is suffering, and suffering is inevitable. Gotta take the good with the bad! I know I'm on the right path now. I now refer to the aforementioned three-year period as my 'learning, growing, questioning years.') I sense some big life changes in the air in the Ashleyverse right now. Of course, I think the real change will occur with the Eurotrip in June. As the brochure I received at that informational meeting says: "You'll come back a different person." We shall see about that! For the time being, I'm just going to enjoy all the little everyday things and take life's little surprises as they come. (BTW, it appears that I share my big day with some very interesting individuals, namely Norman Rockwell and Charles Dickens. Tomorrow is Rosa Parks and Betty Friedan's birthday. So, I suppose this is a rather revolutionary time of year.)

My Reading List for 02/02/10

Hello, everybody! It's Groundhog's Day, and Ole Punxsutawney Phil has, by virtue of seeing his proverbial shadow, predicted six more weeks of winter (yuck!). Oh, well, let's just view this turn of events as approximately 42 more days until spring. (The weather's actually quite decent in my lil' neck o' the woods today.) How's that for putting a positive spin on everything?
More importantly, I'm wrapping up my reading of Hawthorne's Portable Tales and am about halfway through the final one-- "Rappaccini's Daughter (1844)"-- atm. In addition to "Young Goodman Brown (1835)," I also like "The Minister's Black Veil (1836)" and "The Birth-Mark (1843)." The latter short story deals with the tragic effects of the quest for physical perfection. Very timely subject matter! (Hmm... Maybe Heidi Montag-Pratt could benefit from reading this (if she could actually "get" it, that is). LOL!) Anyway, I have class tonight, and we're going to continue our discussion of Cooper's The Pioneers (double yuck!), as well talk about Hawthorne (yay!). So, that's what I'm reading on this not-so-yucky Groundhog's Day 2010. Namaste, y'all!

Fifty Years Ago on This Day in History...

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s officially began. On Feb. 1, 1960, four African-American college freshmen: Jibreel Khazan (then Ezell Blair Jr.), Franklin Eugene McCain, Joseph Alfred McNeil, and David Leinail Richmond-- refused to give up their seats in a whites-only diner in Greensboro, North Carolina. Today, President Barack Obama and a host of other luminaries are commemorating the Greensboro Four's bravery and the opening of the International Civil Rights Center and Museum, appropriately located in Greensboro. (Log onto http://www.sitins.com/future.shtml for more details and additional links that provide information about preserving the historical legacy of the American Civil Rights Movement and its key figures and ways the current generation can stage happenings (and possibly even a re-energized sit-in movement!) that promote social justice.) I sincerely hope that present future would-be activists take a cue from these individuals' courage in the face of ridicule and violence. More importantly, we have to value and learn the lessons of our past in order to understand where we are now and point a compass toward a progressive future.

Meet the Press-- Ashleyverse Style

In entertainment and miscellaneous news, we have a new Miss America. And the winner is... Miss Virginia, Caressa Cameron! Yes, folks, I actually watched the pageant last night. Ms. Cameron, whom I was rooting for all the way, beat out 52 other contestants to become Miss America 2010. The whole viewing experience was quite interesting, to say the least. For starters, viewers and other contestants picked semifinalists. Also, a few of the judges, uh, made me question whether the pageant, which is now broadcast on The Learning Channel (TLC) as opposed to the networks, has really progressed. Regardless of what changes have been made to the pageant over the years, I still think it has a bit of a conservative bias. For example, Rush Limbaugh was one of the judges. WTF?! Another judge was Miss America 1989, Gretchen Carlson, who now hosts (gasp!) Fox and Friends. Can I be perfectly honest? I really can't stand that woman. That Daily Show blurb was pretty dead-on. I can never forgive Carlson for the way she treated Ted Kennedy on her show. Sympathetic to terrorists my liberal ass!

Okay, that brings me to yet another political discussion. I'm still reeling over the Repubs' reaction to President Obama's (love that man!) State of the Union address. I'm sorry, but Republicans are really pissing me off right now. Our president is doing the best he can, so we have to work with him. I simply can't reiterate that enough, people. He said he doesn't quit, and he won't. Actually, I've developed a rather unusual perspective on all this: the fact that President Obama is so controversial just proves that he's a great man. Also in politics, I'm thoroughly disgusted with John Edwards. I used to think he was one of the good guys. I actually strongly considered supporting Edwards for president before Obama started to gain momentum way, way back in the summer of '07. Oh, well, you just have to take the good with the bad. Anyway, trust me on this, y'all, history will prove the previously espoused "greatness theory" right.

Finally, in Ashleyverse news, I'm still single but actively looking. I know I shouldn't obsess over a silly little thing like singleness and just try to relax and enjoy this milestone birthday (I am feeling really emotional, sensitive, vulnerable, and wanting to be loved today, though). It'll happen for me when it's supposed to. I just need to keep doing what I'm doing, and the rest will take care of itself. Until then, I have to be strong-- a steel magnolia. Like our president, I don't quit, and I (almost!) always get what I want. So, there! (In case y'all haven't noticed, I'm feeling a bit, um, feisty at the ripe old age of 30.)

How I'm "Celebrating" the Last Weekend of My 20s

Well, folks, I've officially entered the twilight of my 20s. This coming Wednesday is my 30th birthday. I'm basically excited about it, but I have been feeling a little emotional and reflective this weekend (surprise! surprise!). Anyway, I have a vibe that there's going to be a lot of really big, mostly positive changes in the Ashleyverse this year. My main goals are to complete my master's degree, find that special someone, take that life-altering Eurotrip and make the most of my time "across the pond," and continue down the path to a fulfilling, rewarding career as a university professor.

As far as what I'm doing to celebrate this momentous occasion, the main thing on the agenda is to read, read, read. Hawthorne's portable tales are wonderful. He's a much better writer than Cooper. Unlike Cooper, Hawthorne gets right into the plot and character development; furthermore, Hawthorne doesn't spend half the text describing scenery and every single minute detail, like Cooper does. It's like, 'Okay, I understand that New York State in the 18th century was heavily wooded and had majestic mountains!' No kidding-- in an almost-500-page book, Cooper spends the first 150 pages talking about the dang-blasted scenery. Of course, I'm doing more fun things than reading for school. First, my mom, brother, and sister are taking me out to see It's Complicated tomorrow night, and my mom's going to cook me Southern-style porkchops and bake a red velvet cake. Yum, yum! (So much for all those New Year's fitness-related goals!) Then, my BFF, Jenn, is taking me out for a late dinner after I get done with class Tuesday night. Overall, I'm pretty excited about turning 30.

My Reading List for 01/29/10

Howdy! I've been somewhere over the reading rainbow for the past couple weeks. I just completed James Fenimore Cooper's The Pioneers, and, okay, I've gotta be really honest here, folks-- it sucked! In fact, my classmates and I all agreed that this was the most "annoying" book we've ever read. Great minds think alike. LOL! Anyway, Cooper was simply not the best writer. For example, his character development (a big thing for me) is virtually non-existent, and his use of various literary devices is extremely contrived. Oh, well, none of that matters now, since we've moved on to a study of the life and works of Nathaniel Hawthorne. This coming week, we're going to read and discuss a collection of short stories from an anthology called The Portable Hawthorne. The titles of these stories are: "My Kinsman, Major Molineux," "Roger Malvin's Burial," "Young Goodman Brown," The Minister's Black Veil," "The Man of Adamant," "The Birth-Mark," and "Rappaccini's Daughter." I've read one of these tales-- "Young Goodman Brown"-- before. Of course, that was a long, long time ago. I do, however, recall that the story is set in Puritan New England and is essentially a portrait of Puritan marriage. Thus, I'm excited about re-reading the story in order to get a fresh perspective on it. I'm really excited about reading all these other stories by one of my favorite 19th-century American authors. That said, I'm going to sign off now in order to get ready to go to work and then come home to enjoy my wintry Friday evening with Mr. Hawthorne.

About the State of the Union...

Last night, President Obama gave his first State of the Union address. Among the issues he discussed with the American people were his war (read: exit) strategies, the U.S. economy, and the health-care debate. He also emphasized the point that while our partisan differences run deep, we have to work together in order to resolve these and a host of other issues.

My analysis: It's true-- we have to try to cease partisan bickering in order to begin to heal this nation. In addition, I applaud the president for taking a decidedly centrist approach as a means of acting on behalf of the common good of this country. Finally, we have to all find some level of support for the president's agenda if we want to leave the Middle East, fix our economy, and have universal health care. The bottom line is this: if we want a government for the people, of the people, by the people, we have to step up to the plate and become active participants in it. No president can create real change without our help.

Various News & Views from the Ashleyverse and Beyond

There's lots of news and views in the Ashleyverse and beyond today. Having made that statement, let me get straight to the point.

In Ashleyverse news, I'm putting the finishing touches on the Eurotrip application process. I filled out an online academic scholarship/study abroad grant app this morning, and I'll find out if I'll get it sometime in March. Then, either Thursday or Friday-- whichever day ends up working best-- I'm going to register for my passport. So, that's the big Ashleyverse news for 01/27/10.

In national and world news, President Obama is set to give his very first State of the Union address tonight at 9 PM EST. He will focus on the U.S. economic recovery effort and the still unresolved health-care reform debate. Progressives in Congress are now pushing Senate majority leader Harry Reid to reconsider including a public option in health-care-related legislation. As a progressive, I believe we need a public option, for, as I was so eloquently and gently reminded yesterday by a reader in the midst of my bleeding-heart exhibition of global perspectivism in regards to Haitian earthquake relief, we need to take care of our own. If we are to be an example for the rest of the world, we need to first work to alleviate the suffering of our fellow Americans. Then and only then will we become a truly great nation.

Well, there you have it folks-- news and views from the Ashleyverse and beyond. Until next time, peace in all areas of your lives.

This Week in Politics, Pt. 2

Alright, continuing with my two-part discussion of current events...

Well, for starters, have y'all heard about what South Carolina's lieutenant governor, Andre Bauer (R), said this week? If not, the would-be successor to disgracefully deposed Palmetto State governor Mark Sanford basically stated publicly that government should not aid the poor and needy. These remarks have been called by analysts "immature, immoral, and out of line." Frankly, I concur. I think this incident, along with various other recent Republican antics, will only serve to make President Obama and fellow Dems look really good in 2012. More importantly, I believe it's possible that the president could win votes in more Southern states, including South Carolina, in the next election cycle.

Secondly, President Obama is claiming that a video-taped message purportedly delivered by Osama Bin Laden actually proves that Al Qaeda's power has been weakened significantly. While the jury may still be out on this one, I think it's safe to conclude that this terrorist network (which we helped fund and train back in the 80s, BTW!) is not the threat it once was.

In addition, tent cities have begun to spring up in and around the Haitian capital city of Port-au-Prince. There is now widespread fear that endemic U.S. government corruption could impede earthquake relief efforts. To be quite honest, I knew this was coming. That said, we need to continue to do what we can to help the people of this physically devastated, financially impoverished nation. The emotional, spiritual, and physical aid we provide to them means the world.

Finally, tax season is almost upon us once again. We are all supposedly going to get bigger refunds than we did last year. More on this item later as I continue to follow it.

So, that concludes my political discussion for the week of 01/24-01/30/10. I will inevitably be back next week with more info and analysis. As always, stay tuned and peace out!

PAGING KEITH OLBERMANN: How many days has it been since "Mission: Accomplished"?

This Week in Politics, Pt. 1

Okay, I haven't talked about political stuff on here for a while, so I fear that I'm a bit behind. That said, I'll attempt to backtrack and discuss some of the major issues o' the day. One of the biggest stories was the election of GOPer Scott Brown to the Massachusetts Senate seat formerly held by Ted Kennedy. The bottom line, imho, is this: Mr. Brown seems like a decent guy (although I agree that his, um, public endorsement of his daughters' availability to young male voters was mildly creepy) and that he will do what's best for the Bay State, as well as the rest of the country, particularly in regards to jobs and the health-care bill.

Speaking of the health-care bill, which Ted Kennedy helped spearhead, President Obama and Congressional Dems are considering a pared-down version of it in order to get the thing passed. Last week, the president let Congress know who's boss by telling legislators from both parties that there may be parts of the bill that they don't like, but they'll just have to compromise and accept a few of the more controversial aspects of universal health-care reform legislation in exchange for the greater good of the nation. Good for Obama-- Abe would be proud! Perhaps we'll have a little progress in this country yet.

Well, that's all I can think of in terms of political analysis,discussion, and ranting atm. I'll return tomorrow for another round. Stay tuned!

This, That, & the Other

Wow! So much going on in the world atm, so little time! To begin, there's tons of current crazy happenings in the political world, which I'll discuss right here at length later this week. Also, in the pop culture, it appears that-- according to an article in the latest issue of In Touch Weekly (a trashloid guilty pleasure that I indulge in occasionally)-- Britney Spears is cracking up again. That's pretty dang tragic (if true), since she seemed to be on the verge of a major comeback. Besides, I actually like some of the songs off the Circus album (um... excuse me, kids, CD!). I hope this doesn't turn into another Michael Jackson scenario. Finally, in Ashleyverse news, there's some rather exciting and, uh, decidedly more substantive things going on. I'm finalizing my Eurotrip plans and figuring out more ways to do my part to help Haiti. (Note(s) to self: get passport this week; have students make copious amounts of virtual rice on freerice.com.) So, anywho, y'all enjoy the rest of this weekend, and peace out until next time.

Summer 2010 Eurotrip Itinerary & British Literature Course Syllabus

In case y'all haven't already noticed, I often discuss my metaphorical trans-Atlantic travels here. Well, this coming summer, I'm planning to "cross the pond" for five weeks (June 7-July 9) in the literal sense. The following is the Harlaxton Manor (located in Grantham, Midlands, England-- one hour north of London) itinerary and course syllabus from the official EIU Study Abroad Program brochure. Of course, there'll be possible sidetrips to neighboring countries-- including: Ireland, Scotland, France (long weekend in Paris-- ooh la la!), Italy, Germany, and possibly even Eastern Europe (a couple groups traveled to places like Turkey and Croatia last year), but Harlaxton will definitely be the "crown jewel" of the whole experience.

Itinerary & Syllabus (for ENG 5970: Literary Landscapes):

WEEK 1: JANE AUSTEN
We'll read Austen's greatest novel, Pride and Prejudice, and then enjoy a day hike across Derbyshire, ending at one of England's most stunning residences and public gardens: Chatworth House, which many Austen scholars say provided the basis for Austen's fictional Pemberly Hall. You'll never be quite so impressed with the White House as you are now.

WEEK 2: EMILY BRONTE
Bronte's creepy Wuthering Heights, before it was a Kate Bush song, was a definitive Gothic novel, and as we argue over whether Heathcliff is really as dreamy as Cathy thinks, we'll visit the Bronte residence in Haworth, a house overlooking a graveyard about 75 feet wide but that contains over 30,000 bodies. Creepy.

WEEK 3: BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA
Did somebody say Gothic? Dracula is the definitive Gothic novel, and though you already know him by reputation, now you get the chance to read the novel that started it all, even as we visit Whitby, the coastal town where the Transylvanian vampire made land. The Twilight series? Compared to Dracula, those vampires are funny.

WEEK 4: WORDSWORTH & COLERIDGE
We're not just going to guide you through some of the best poems William Wordsworth and Samuel Coleridge ever wrote: we're going to take you to their homes in the gorgeous Lake District, take you for a hike through the most beautiful countryside you've ever seen, and then plop you down in a pub for the best meal you've ever earned. Warning: the Lake District may make you want to surrender your US passport.

WEEK 5: SHAKESPEARE IN LONDON
Ah, Shakespeare. Get thee to London's Globe Theatre, on the very spot where the Bard debuted. Anon, anon.

(Sounds like a good time, huh?)

"As we neared the land [Great Britain], its genius was felt."-- Ralph Waldo Emerson (19th-century American Romanticist/Transcendentalist writer, one of my all-time faves!)-- giving his first impression of the British Isles; quote excerpted from English Traits

The Friday Afternoon Post, Jan. 22, 2010, Edition

Well, folks, it's another January-ish Friday afternoon. There's not a whole lot going in the Ashleyverse atm, except for that I taught communications today and attended the annual staff meeting. (Yeah, remember when I said I was so happy that said staff meeting was cancelled due to inclement weather? Well, I spoke too soon, for it was rescheduled for today.) Anyway, the other "big news" is that it's my sister's 22nd birthday. So, happy b'day, Sis! Oh, BTW, I attended an informational meeting regarding my Eurotrip last night. I'm just counting down the weeks until the end of the semester. Okay, that's all I've got for y'all right now. Believe it or not, I'm really tired and, yes, speechless. (It happens occasionally in the Ashleyverse.)

My Reading List for 01/21/10

Hello! Good mornin', y'all. Anywho, I completed my reading of James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans. Today I'm starting on the sequel to that classic book-- The Pioneers. In TLOTM, Natty/Hawk-eye is a young man in his thirties. In The Pioneers, he is an old man in his seventies. Here, Natty is swept up in the early days of Westward expansion from the New England colonies to the Middle colonies, particularly the land that would become New York State, where New Jersey-born Cooper lived most of his life. As he did in TLOTM, the hyper-literate author prefaces each chapter with quotes from the great thinkers, philosophers, and writers of the past. (It amazes me that writers and political figures of Cooper's time, many of whom had little to no formal education, were such autodidacts, or self-taught scholars.) BTW, in my last "My Reading List for..." post, I mentioned that Cooper began writing by accident. Well, actually, he wrote his first novel (this is according to the most recent research)-- Precaution (1820)-- in order to support himself after his well-to-do family's fortune ran out. Older versions of Cooper's autobiography suggest that he began writing in order to outdo a certain British female contemporary, whom I'm presuming is either Jane Austen or Mary Ann Evans a.k.a. George Eliot. (Ms. Evans/Eliot adopted a masculine nom de plume in order to be taken seriously. Imagine that-- talk about a sign o' the times!) As for The Pioneers itself, it, like so many other works of 19th-century American literature, is well worth your time and effort. Although these books are 200 years old, many of their themes are timeless. So, curl up with a good cup of coffee with a dash of Cooper.

The Inauguration: One Year Later

One year ago today, on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, Barack Obama became our nation's 44th president. Shortly after all the celebrations in D.C. and around the country died down, reality set in in the form of economic woes at home and religious and political infighting abroad. Of course, everyone has strong opinions about how this president is dealing with all these situations.

Well, here's my analysis, folks: President Obama is doing the best he can given the extreme circumstances of these United States. On top of everything else, he's now faced with the Haiti earthquake aftermath. More specifically, Obama must figure out how to handle this issue in a way that will ultimately help America repair its image on the world stage. (And, speaking of Haiti, this Caribbean island nation was rocked by another, 6.1-magnitude quake. Thus, the editorial I posted here last weekend is now somewhat obsolete.) Anyway, the bottom line is this: If we, the people, good citizens of this participatory democracy, don't put aside our petty ideological and cultural differences and help the president deal with the issues at hand, he will be rendered all but helpless. Sitting around, not taking action, and merely bitching about perceived governmental ineptitude is ultimately fruitless and tantamount to pure laziness on the part of otherwise decent individuals. Therefore, it's time that we step up to the plate. If we want freedom, democracy, and a positive global image, we have to be proactive. Most importantly, we have to be compassionate and understanding toward other nations, as well as our fellow Americans. This is how real change we can believe in is created.

My Reading List for 01/19/10

Hey! I have class tonight at EIU and have finally finished reading James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans. I say "finally," because it is one loooong book-- about 415 pages. Still, it's also a very interesting one, as there's something in it for everybody: drama, action, adventure, romance, history, social commentary-- it's all there, folks. As for the author himself, he was very interesting as well; for example, Cooper (1789-1851), a New Jersey native, began writing almost by accident. I would characterize him as highly literate, as evidenced by his inclusion of quotes from Homer (author of the Greek epics The Iliad and The Odyssey) and Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice and A Midsummer Night's Dream (my fave Shakespeare play, BTW) at the beginning of the book's 33 chapters. There are many other literary allusions in the book as well. Next, I'll be reading Cooper's The Pioneers. Like I said last week, I'm very excited about this semester.

Martin Luther King Day-Related Stuff

Okay, it turns out that I was dead wrong with most of my Golden Globes predictions, although Jeff Bridges did win for Crazy Heart, and Meryl Streep won-- for Julie & Julia. (Oh, BTW, I totally forgot about Sandra Bullock being nominated for The Blind Side, which she won for. So, congrats, Sandy!) Of course, that's not the main purpose of today's post. No, readers, today is the very important occasion of Martin Luther King Day, the 25th annual observance of the birthday of the Civil Rights iconoclast. Anyway, I found some great info on the Web about today's national celebrations, including those in King's hometown of Atlanta and the ways in which President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama are honoring the work of the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize winner. To commemorate what would be King's 81st birthday (he was actually born on Jan. 15, 1929), a number of speeches are taking place at his Atlanta church-- Ebenezer Baptist. I read about the keynote speech, delivered by Princeton University scholar Cornel West. The author of 20 books, including Race Matters, West told the audience not "sanitize" King's image and to remember that King was once considered dangerous by the FBI. I totally agree with West. Accordingly, I ask that those of you who read this post mine this blog's archives for my Jan. 19, 2009, post in which I compiled a list of King quotes to coincide with last year's observance and Obama's inauguration that occurred the following day. (Yes, folks, it's been almost a year since that historic day, and what a year it's been!) So, check out these quotes, and let us pay joyous tribute to the life of one of my many personal heroes.

Ashleyverse Golden Globes "Special" & Predictions

The 67th Annual Golden Globes Awards will air live on NBC at 8 PM EST Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010 (tonight, of course), and will be broadcast from the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. The host for this event-- which is unique in that it will the very first live telecast in the ceremony's history-- is Ricky Gervais, star of the British version of The Office. There's a lot of buzz surrounding this year's nominees. (Actually, I don't really have anything "special" for y'all today, but I will make a few predictions.) In terms of movies, the big fave is Titanic director James Cameron's big-budget sci-fi/social commentary vehicle-- Avatar. (I haven't seen this movie yet, so I'm really not qualified to offer my opinions on its odds of winning.) Other nominated films include: Nine (ensemble-cast musical starring Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Fergie, Penelope Cruz, and Marion Cotillard, among others), Precious, Iraq War drama The Hurt Locker, the Brad Pitt WWII film Inglorious Basterds, and George Clooney's latest-- Up in the Air. Okay, this is tough, but I predict that either Precious or Up in the Air will get it. (For a complete list of nominees in all categories, consult Wikipedia by entering "67th Annual Golden Globes Awards" in the search field.) Next, there's big-time buzz surrounding best actor/actress nominations, especially in regards to the perennially great Meryl Streep's dual nominations for performances in Julie & Julia and It's Complicated. I hope and believe that Meryl will win for the latter. Then again, part of me thinks that Jeff Bridges could walk away a winner for his portrayal of a down-and-out country singer in Crazy Heart. (I have a tendency to root for the underdog.) Finally, several really good TV shows are nominated this year. I think it's a big toss-up in all small-screen categories. However, I think 30 Rock (my money's definitely on this one for best comedy-- love Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, and Jane Krakowski!) and Mad Men will score major victories. Well, folks, those were my predictions for the 2010 Golden Globes. We shall see how right (or wrong) they are.

Winter 2010 Editorial

The Obama Presidency Quarterly, Winter 2010 Issue:

Earlier this month, we ushered in a new year as well as a brand-new decade. This decade holds a great deal of promise, but it also presents us with a whole new set of challenges. Likewise, President Barack Obama now faces ever-increasing obstacles, ranging from combating terrorism to ending the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Yemen to tackling the economy and health-care reform here at home. However, according to many analysts, another "hotspot" will more than likely prove to be the president's greatest test of all: Haiti.

On Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, an earthquake that measured a 7.0 on the Richter scale rocked the island nation of Haiti-- the most monetarily poor country in the Western Hemisphere. Now, the survivors of this natural disaster need our help. What's more is that the way in which our president deals with this situation could make or break our image on the world stage and set the tone for the remainder of his term in office. We had better get on the stick, for we've got some stiff competition in regards to sending aid to Haiti, as Great Britain, China, and Iceland have already begun to do so. Therefore, we need to help our president help Haiti.

That having been said, how do we do that? Answer: any way we can. Since a president is only effective and powerful in solving world crises as voters allow him (or possibly someday her!) to be, we conscientious beings need to work together in order to make America a shining example of a nation that reaches out to others during tough times. While celebrities, including music superstar Wyclef Jean and Hollywood A-lister George Clooney, have started charity funds, there are tons of things regular folks can do. And it all begins with thinking globally and acting locally.

Okay, now for some specific answers to the general question I posed above... Well, for starters, individuals can contact their churches and local chapters of the Red Cross and the Salvation Army to find out how those organizations are participating in earthquake relief missions. Secondly, schools can get in on this purposeful act of humanitarianism. For example, English and reading teachers can contribute to the effort by implementing programs such as freerice.com in their classrooms. (Freerice.com is a vocabulary-building computer game in which students create "rice bowls" when they correctly define a given word. For each virtual rice bowl created, the UN World Food Program matches and donates an actual amount of rice to those in need. Simultaneous learning and charity-- a win-win situation!) Finally, search engines (gotta love the Internet!), especially Google and Yahoo!, are chock-full of information and resources that can provide users with a myriad of ways to help Haiti, including sites that allow people to make cyber-donations to various charities. (You can make donations directly through your Google and Yahoo! accounts.)

While many of these solutions may seem small in the face of such a big problem, every little bit goes a long way toward making a world of difference in disaster survivors' lives. Please become part of the solution today.

Infotainment This Afternoon

Dang! There's so much happening atm. In terms of news, I guess y'all already know about Sarah Palin being hired by FOX News. It goes without saying that that will be interesting. Also, President Obama has begun to order U.S. aid to be sent to Haiti to help survivors of Tuesday's massive (7.0 on the Richter scale) earthquake. (More on that later.)

In entertainment, the big "story" is former Hills (which isn't even MTV's most inane "reality" show-- that dubious honor belongs to Jersey Shore) "star" Heidi Montag's plastic surgery obsession. Montag, one-half of wannabe celeb supercouple Speidi, has confessed to undergoing ten elective procedures in one day. Who the heck is this girl, and why does her tragically low self-esteem even warrant a "story"? This is just plain sad. Heidi will more than likely fade into obscurity, and all her pain and suffering will have been for nothing. Beyond pathetic! As for her "marriage," well, she and her "husband," Spencer Pratt, will inevitably wind up in Splitsville. Now, ladies, let's go find some real role models-- complete with brains, talent, and personalities.

Speaking of which (major LOL!), I submitted that op-ed for publication in my local newspaper today. It pertains to the Haiti earthquake and how we, the people, should help President Obama help the survivors. I'll get it posted on here ASAP. Well, that's your infotainment for this lovely Friday afternoon. Until next time-- peace, love, & happiness.

My Reading List for 01/14/10

Hey, y'all! I'm going to take a break from all that heavy-duty stuff today in order to discuss what I'm reading for my EIU classes this semester. For 19th-century American literature, I'm reading James Fenimore Cooper's tale of life in the American colonies some two decades before the Revolutionary War, The Last of the Mohicans (1826). This is just one in a series of Cooper's Natty Bumppo, or Hawk-eye, tales. (And, yes, the M*A*S*H character is nicknamed after Hawk-eye in the book.) Anyway, I've seen the 1992 film adaptation, starring Daniel Day-Lewis (uber-hottie alert!) as "Nathaniel" and Madeleine Stowe as his love interest, Cora. Thus, I'm really excited about reading the book. We'll also be reading The Pioneers (1823), the first of Cooper's Leatherstocking tales (another name for the Natty Bumppo stories). Later in the semester, we'll be reading the works of Herman Melville (Moby Dick; Billy Budd, Sailor; "Bartleby, the Scrivener") and Stephen Crane (The Red Badge of Courage; Maggie: A Girl of the Streets; "The Open Boat"), Nathaniel Hawthorne (The Scarlet Letter; "Young Goodman Brown"), and Frederick Douglass (Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass), among a number of other literary greats. Yay!

In addition to this class, I'm also taking a literary criticism and theory class. So, I'm going to have a pretty busy, crazy semester, but that's how I like it. It really helps that I enjoy the subject matter I'm studying. Alright, I have to get busy reading Cooper and a couple of critical essays about the English language right now. Peace, Love, & Happiness.

Review of Quiverfull, Part Three

Today I will conclude my three-part investigative report of Quiverfull. Part Three: Daughters consists of only one chapter-- 20: Victory Through Daughters-- but it is loaded, to say the very least. As was the case with my discussions/reviews of the previous two sections of the book, this one could easily become tangential, so I will attempt to keep my criticism and opining as concise as possible.

Where to begin with concisely opining (or opining concisely, perhaps?) about this "loaded" chapter? Well, for starters, we're introduced to two of Vision Forum's foremost patriarchs-- Doug Phillips and Geoffrey Botkin. Both Phillips and Botkin have an archaic, disgusting vision for their daughters: eternal servitude to the men in their lives. (Actually, other aspects of these "gentlemens'" (and I use that term very loosely!) ideology is discussed throughout the entire book.) Botkin, for example, has two daughters in their early twenties, Anna Sofia and Elizabeth, whom he parades around the country at various Quiverfull conferences. Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin also have a Web site on which they instruct girls to dress modestly (meaning Victorian ruffles and petticoats and-- gasp!-- corsets), not go to college or pursue careers, obey their fathers and future husbands, only read literature and listen to music their parents approve of, and, worst of all, submit to all the men in their lives, including younger brothers. This final list item, frankly, cracks me up. In addition, the pious pair of sisters releases a series of books and CDs in and on which they epouse their extreme religious views. Lastly, they pose for Vision Forum catalogues that offer up images of "ideal" biblical women. By "ideal," I mean pretty in a fragile, damsel-in-distress way. (That ain't me, babe!) Kathryn Joyce is actually too kind to the Botkin sisters. Based on what I've read, they sound like brainwashed pricks. (Aside: This is one of the perils of homeschooling. Parents within the Christian patriarchy movement teach their children whatever they want to, which usually isn't much other than how to survive within the narrow perimeters of the movement itself. This is especially true when it comes to the so-called education of girls.) Secondly, Vision Forum patriarchs have decreed that unmarried daughters remain at home until they are wed to a family-approved suitor. A couple "gets to know each other" through courtship, not dating, and premarital sex is absolutely forbidden. If, Heaven forbid, a girl becomes pregnant out of wedlock, she is ostracized. (Oh, the glorious irony and hypocrisy!) Marriage in the movement is, of course, a legalistic arrangement/business deal, and wives, mothers, daughters have no real rights and are severely chastised for aspiring to any other life or deviating from these three roles. In other words, these women are property, viewed by their fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons as the intellectual equivalent of livestock. Thirdly, since Quiverfull females are essentially indoctrinated to be baby-makin' machines, patriarchs hold annual ceremonies during which they pray over baby girls' reproductive organs. This brings me to my final point about Ch. 20. Fathers and daughters of the movement regularly attend these functions called "purity balls." The focal point at these warped celebrations with rather incestuous overtones is the virginity of daughters. Enough said about that!

And now for some final thoughts...

Kathryn Joyce's Quiverfull: Inside the Christian Patriarchy Movement is an excellent book that details a religious movement that has garnered quite a bit of media attention lately. While I believe it is the right of every individual to choose his or her lifestyle, I also feel that if Quiverfullers gain too much power on the mainstream American political scene, this country would be on the proverbial slippery slope/lemming roll toward becoming a theocracy. Fortunately, it appears that this will remain too much of a fringe movement for that to ever happen. The main reason is that America has always been a progressive society, and the Quiverfull belief system is just way too extreme to really take hold in a major way. Therefore, I recommend that readers regard this book's subject matter as a cautionary tale of sorts about what happens when there is no separation of church and state. In terms of genre, I would classify it as a sci-fi expose in which the plotlines and characters happen to be real. We can all breathe a deep sigh of relief that most of us don't want this reality.