The Pope's Visit

The Pope started out his visit in Washington D.C. where he was welcomed at the White House by President Bush. Next on his agenda was an address to U.S. bishops at the National Shrine. He made an address blessing youths with disabilitites, followed by a mass at RFK Stadium. He then travelled to NewYork City where he addressed the United Nations, took a visit to Ground Zero, and held mass at Yankee Stadium. Some of the other purposes of his visit were to discuss the situations of child abuse by priests, connect with younger Catholics, and to call for peace. He visisted several prominent Catholic churches and cathedrals in both Washington D.C. and New York City.

NYT Editorial on Torture

I feel that in certain situations, where lives and national security is at risk, certain unconventional tactics may be necessary. While it does create an uncomfortable situation, it is a reality that we must deal with in today's society. We are fighting a new and unconventional war, where the enemy could be anyone and anywhere. Long gone are the days of regiments lining up and marching toward eachother, where you knew exactly who the enemy was and where they were. We need to do everything we can to try and stay one step ahead of potential terrorists, and if we need to use methods that some people are uneasy with, that is the reality we live in. Wake up and smell the smoke, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to keep people safe.

Media Consumption

Thursday-
Internet- 3 hours
T.V.- 2 hours
Music- 2 hours
Movie- 0

Friday
Internet- 2 hours
T.V.- 2 hours
music- 2 hours
Movie 2 hours

Saturday-
Internet- 2 hours
T.V.- .5 hours
music- 4 hours
Movie- 0 hours

Sunday
Internet- 3 hours
T.V.- 3 hours
music- 2 hour
movie- 2.5 hours

Reflective Questions- April 7

1. Prime Rate- The prime rate is a term applied in many countries to a reference interest rate used by banks. The term originally indicated the rate of interest at which banks lent to favored customers, though this is no longer always the case. Some variable interest rates may be expressed as a percentage above or below prime rate. This applies to me because if I ever want to take out a loan from a bank, I will need to know what the prime rate is.

2. Tibet- Tibet is a country in Asia that is currently ruled by the Chinese. They have long desired to become an independent nation, and there has been widespread riots and protests in recent months due to the alleged human rights violations by the Chinese. Many pro-Tibet protestors are calling for a boycott of the Summer Olympics that will be held this summer in China.

3. Colombia Trade Agreement- The Columbia Trade agreement was an agreement put forth by president Bush in order to help bolster American jobs and contribute to security in the region. Colombian imports already enter our nation tariff free, but U.S. exports to Colombia face major tariffs. The agreement would simply level the playing field for U.S. producers by opening the Colombian market to our goods and services. The Agreement was recently killed by the Democratic controlled Congress. I think this is an important agreement, because in recent years Americans have been losing jobs to outsourcing.

4. Iraqi military, militia, U.S. military -- who's who in the Green Zone?
The Iraqi military is, obviously, the military of Iraq and our allies that we are helping to secure the country and fight the insurgents. The militia I believe is referring to the insurgents, the anti-American forces that are keeping the country in turmoil. The Green Zone refers to a four square mile area in Central Baghdad where the International Forces are all located. This has relevance to me because with the upcoming elections, I am concerned with what will happen in Iraq in the coming year. I feel that we cannot simply leave and not finish what we started, if so we would leave the country in turmoil.

5. Benedict XVI- born Joseph Alois Ratzinger in 1927, he is the 265th and reigning Pope, Bishop of Rome, and head of the Roman Catholic Church. He succeeded Pope John Paul II. This is not entirely relevant to me as I am not Catholic, but I do think it is interesting how he is the 265th person to hold the title, and how storied a tradition it is.

Week 4 Stories

From CNN

1. One stroy they talked about was how Obama must convince superdelegates that he is still a winner in order to get them to still get behind him after the loss in Pennsylvania.

2. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said once again that she would not consider it a good idea for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama to join tickets to run against John McCain in November, and that it would be important for them to choose their own VP candidates.

3. Senator John McCain blasted the Bush adminitration and all levels of government for the poor response following Hurricane Katrina, and promised that as President there will never be another mismanaged natural disaster.

4. In Jeremiah Wright's first television interview since clips of his controversial sermons circulated the Internet, Barack Obama's former pastor says his words were unfairly taken out of context for 'devious' reasons.'

5. A new Pew Research Center poll showed that many voters feel that the Presidential Primary race has become "too long," "too negative," or in some instances, "dull."

6. CNN's Wolf Blitzer reported that as primary season is beginning to wind down, and with the Conventions looming, it is becoming crunch time for Democratic superdelegates to get their vote behind a candidate.

7. President Bush and his wife Laura have endorsed John McCain for his presidential bid, but daughter Laura is not so sure. Admitting that she has been so busy studying that she hasn't had much time to pay attention to the race so far, she said she is not 100% sure who she wants to vote for yet.

8. Oregon Rep. David Wu said Thursday he will cast his superdelegate vote for Barack Obama. Wu, a five term congressman, is one of the party's nearly 800 superdelegates who will ultimately decide who gets the Democratic presidential nomination.

9. Sen. Hillary Clinton is arguing that she is ahead of rival Sen. Barack Obama when it comes to the popular vote. "I'm very proud that as of today, I have received more votes by the people who have voted than anyone else," Clinton said Wednesday, one day after her decisive win in Pennsylvania.

10. After weeks of verbal brawling, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and James Carville spoke for the first time on CNN’s Larry King Live Wednesday night. Richardson – now a supporter of Barack Obama – called Hillary Clinton backers like Carville ‘a dynasty’ that is ‘clinging to the throne.’ The CNN contributor defended calling Richardson a ‘Judas’ in a New York Times interview after the governor announced his endorsement of Obama.

My Positionality/Diversity Wheel

Religion- I am a Christian. While I do not attend church on a regular basis, I have a close personal relationship with God and consider myself moderatly religious.

Geography- I was born in southern California and lived there until I was 10 years old. I then moved to Yelm, Washington and have been in the state ever since. I think living in a small town such as Yelm definitely shaped who I am today, I met some amazing friends and had a fun childhood that I feel is unique to small town living. I think I will probably live in Washington for many years to come, I think it is a great place to live.

Nationality- I am mostly Irish, but also have German, English, Mexican, Scandinavian, and Native American.

Profession and Status- I am currently a banker at US Bank, and am looking to start my career in the Finance field.

Class- I grew up in a middle or working class family. I always have had everything I need, but money was always tight.

Education- I am currently in my last quarter here at Central, and I am graduating with a degree in Finance and minor in Economics.

Physical Abilities and Intellect- I was very athletic in high school, and while I am not in as great of shape as I was then I still consider myself pretty active, and work out on a pretty regular basis. I also consider myself a fairly intelligent person, I have always gotten pretty good grades.

Race- White

Gender- Male

Age- 21

Cultural Heritage- I identify mostly with my Irish heritage, but have recently become interested in exploring other parts of my heritage.

Sexual Orientation- Straight

Week 3 stories

From NEWSWEEK

1. What These Eyes Have Seen
This article was the cover story for the weekly magazine. It began by recapping the Senator's storied life up till this point. It went on to discuss the difficulties he has faced so far on the campaign trail, as well as the ones to come. It talked about McCain's notorious temper, but also his resilience and unwavering commitment to what he believes in.

2. Barack + GOP = 'Obamacans'
This article discussed the endorsement of Barack Obama by former president Eisenhower's granddaughter- a Republican. It talked about the trend of crossover voters, those who do not necessarily denounce their party, they simply vote for the other guy based on a variety of issues.

3. The Gipper Lives On
This article started off by talking about the glorious Reagan years, and the turnaround brought about by the early years of his presidency compared to the previous decade or two. It also discussed how John McCain was a close friend of Reagan's, and the challenges he faces to try and attract the conservative republican vote, people that voted for Reagan and would love another president like him.

4. Twilight of the Baby Boom
This article talked about how the Democratic nomination race is a generational struggle. The unusual thing, it says, is that the two are actually at two very different ends of the same generation. It highlights the main differences between the two candidates and how many of them stem from their genreational differences.

5. When It's Head Versus Heart, the HEart Wins
This article discusses how science shows that when we are deciding which candidate to support, anxiety, enthusiasm and whom we identify with count more than reason or logic. It discusses how the power of emotion is the most important thing in attracting votes.

6. Welcome to the Family
This article talked about how Barack Obama shares many qualities with JFK, as well as endorsements from the former president's political family members. It goes on to say however that Obama lacks an ally such as JFK had in his brother, Robert Kennedy.

7. Diversity Training
This article deals with the current situation where a woman or a black man may become president for the first time. It says that Hollywood has begun to project that possibilty to Americans for years, and how in a way TV has prepared the country for what very possibly could be to come with shows like 24 which has projected both a black man and woman as president.

Week 2 Stories

1. Top Clinton Aide Leaving His Post Under Pressure
Mark Penn, the pollster who has advised Bill and Hillary Clinton since 1996, stepped down under pressure on Sunday as the chief political strategist for Mrs. Clinton’s struggling presidential campaign after his private business arrangements again clashed with her campaign positions. Mr. Penn sealed his fate last week by meeting with officials from Colombia, which hired him to help secure passage of a bilateral trade treaty with the United States that Mrs. Clinton, a senator from New York, opposes.

2. THE CAUCUS: In Superdelegate Count, Tough Math for Clinton
The hill that Hillary Rodham Clinton must climb to beat Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination will grow a little steeper on Monday, as it has most days lately with the addition of a few more superdelegate endorsements for Senator Obama.

3. CAMPAIGN MEMO: Crossing Paths, Candidates Face the Same Audiences
Because the last few primary states matter much more than anyone could have anticipated when the Democratic presidential race began many months ago, Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama spent the weekend chasing each other across the vast northern expanses of the Great Plains and the Rockies.

4. Rice Eyeing Ticket? That's News to McCain
Is Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice campaigning to be John McCain's running mate? If so, Mr. McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, said on Sunday that he had not noticed. ''I missed those signals,'' Mr. McCain told reporters on his campaign plane en route to Kansas City.

5. Obama's Young Backers Get Chance to Twist Parents' Arms
As the race for the Democratic presidential nomination continues, youthful volunteers for each candidate have been campaigning with bright-eyed brio, not only door-to-door but also at home. But the young supporters of Mr. Obama, who has captured a majority of under-30 primary voters, seem to be leading in the pestering sweepstakes. They send their parents the latest Obama YouTube videos, blog exhortations and “Tell Your Mama/Vote for Obama!” bumper stickers.

6. Bob Barr's Threat to John McCain
This article in the American Spectator expresses conservatives' worry about the prosepect of a third-party run by former Republican Congressman Bob Barr of Georgia. I think the worry is justified. Barr, who lost his seat in 2003 and joined the Libertarian Party in 2006, now says he will seek that party's nomination. It's no sure thing that he'll get it--there are a number of political unknowns vying for it, and also former Democratic Senator Mike Gravel of Alaska.

7. Poll: McCain could win Washington state
In the race for the presidency, Washington State could well be in play, thanks to a nominee who is more in the mold of Washington state Republicans like Attorney General Rob McKenna and former Secretary of State Ralph Munro, both of whom campaigned for Sen. John McCain. According to a recent Rasmussen Reports poll, McCain would beat Sen. Hillary Clinton, in the state and is within spitting distance of Sen. Barack Obama.Washington, which hasn't gone for a Republican presidential candidate since voting for President Ronald Reagan in 1984, is considered a "blue" state in most people's electoral calculus, but McCain's general election viability here is a continued trend.


8. McCain and Rice could be dream ticket
Many politicians in the republican party feel that a presidential ticket featuring John McCain and Condeleezza Rice would be a dream ticket. They feel that even though she brings even more memories of the last eight Bush years, she would bring an element that could challenge the woman/black buzz that is obviously surrounding the democratic side of the election.

9. Rockefeller Apologizes for McCain Remark
Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller apologized for suggesting Republican Sen. John McCain doesn't care about people because he was a Navy fighter pilot who dropped bombs on Vietnam.

10. McCain Seeks Aid for Some Homeowners
Republican Sen. John McCain called for federal aid for well-meaning homeowners who can't pay their mortgages, an attempt to fend off criticism that he has been indifferent to the housing crisis and the market upheaval it has spawned. The likely GOP presidential nominee sketched out a plan Thursday to help 200,000 to 400,000 homeowners trade burdensome mortgages for manageable loans in a speech in Brooklyn, N.Y. Aides said the plan could cost from $3 billion to $10 billion.

Culture

I think culture is the way we portray and communicate different traits and behavioral patterns between ourselves. I think culture can be individual as well as collective. You and I may have a similar culture, which may be similar to other people that have shared experiences with us, but there may be parts or our culture that are specific to us as individuals.

Carrying Primary Scars into the General Election

This article discusses historical examples of bitter primary battles like the one this year between Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama, that have eventually led to that party losing the general election. Thie biggest example was President Carter vs. Edward Kennedy, in which they had a prolonged and bitter battle that ultimately ended up in a loss in November. Many Democrats are worried that the same thing will happen this November if the primary battle is not resolved soon.

Pa. Jewish leaders Praise Obama in Letter

While Hilary Clinton may have the endorsement of the two biggest Jewish names in Pennsylvania politics, a group of 70 other leading Jewish professionals from the state have drafted a letter voicing their support for Barack Obama for president. They say that Obama has a 100% voting record on Israel issues, and has admirably dismissed his former pastors anti-semitist beliefs.

Another Shift in the Wind for Clinton and Murdoch

There has been another turn in the relationship between the Clinton campaign and media mogul Rupert Murdoch. The media giant in the past has organized a fundraiser for Hilary, and then more recently heavily criticized her in the Washington Post for comments regarding "sniper fire" in her trip to Bosnia as first lady. In the newest news, Murdoch's daughter is hosting a fundraising party for Clinton rival Barack Obama.

McCain, in Foreign Policy Talk, Turns His Back on Unilateralism

In a wide-ranging speech on foreign policy, John McCain sought to distance himself from the unilateralism that has been a hallmark of the current administration. He remarked that we cannot build an enduring peace based on freedom by ourselves, and we do not want to. He discussed the Iraq war, nuclear proliferation, global warming, free trade, and AIDS in Africa.

McCain faces test in wooing elite donors

With attention focused on the heated Democratic primary battle, the presumptive Republican nominee John McCain is facing a test in recruiting the big-money donors that helped President Bush in his last two campaigns. These donors will be crucial in competing with the Democrats who have been more successful at fundraising so far this campaign season.

McCain and Letterman trade insults on "Late Show"

John McCain flew to New York to make a return appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman and traded funny insults with the host. It was not a scheduled stop on his biographical tour, but was a funny way to bring on April Fools Day.

Turmoil in Race Tests Democrats' Low Key Chief

The recent turmoil in the Democratic Primary race is putting increased pressure on the party chairman Howard Dean, as fellow Democrats call for the chairman to take an increased role in calling for the two candidates to tone down their attacks on eachother and put an end to the possibly party dividing battle.

Why Clinton is right to stay in the race

This article discussed the tight race for the Democratic nomination. Many Obama supporters think that Clinton should quit the race now, citing the low chance she has of overcoming Obama in the remaining primaries. Clinton, on the other hand, says that she owes it to voters to stay in the race until the primaries are over, and if necessary let the 795 superdelegates cast the deciding votes.

Clinton, Obama hit similar chords in Pennsylvania

Both Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama discussed health care, manufacturing jobs, and the mortgage crisis in their speeches across the State of Pennsylvania on Monday. Both discussed their respective plans to expand health care coverage, as well as concern over the loss of manufacturing jobs.

McCain's Biography Tour Takes Off in Mississippi

Republican Senator John McCain embarked on a tour Monday to introduce himself to a wider election audience. During his speech, his family of distinguished soldiers and the courage and honor they portrayed was the central topic, and he did not refer to either of his Democratic opponents, the Iraq war, or the home mortgage crisis throughout the speech.