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.