So the September Issue of CosmoGirl! magazine is having a reader face-off: Democrat v. Republican. As a Political Stringer, an opportunity has been opened for me to have a byline in the magazine by writing an opinion piece (if it's selected; wish me luck!). I'm an Obama girl, so it's no secret where my politics lie -- here is my article on why a Democrat would be better suited to lead the country than a Republican:
In his Inaugural Address, John F. Kennedy said that “the world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life.”
Those powerful words still hold a great deal of truth forty-seven years later. The United States has suffered socially, politically and economically under the Bush Administration. More and more families are living below the poverty line. Our country is sitting back, watching genocide take place in Darfur. And gas prices are through the roof. “Change” has been the most commonly used word in the 2008 Presidential Election because America is starving for something new and different. The solution to this hunger for “change”—a party change within the executive branch.
History has shown that the Democratic Party is more socially recognizant than the Republican Party—dating back to the 1930s when the Democratic Party began advocating for social reform programs, labor unions and regulations on businesses under Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal programs. Throughout these reform movements, it has been shown that social improvements lead to economic prosperity, and with our country in its current fragile economic state, social change is necessary to begin the road to recovery.
In 2000 and 2004, the Republican Party ran on the platform of getting back to the moral principles our country was founded upon. The Republican candidates often referred to abortion and gay marriages in their debates on ethics and morals; however, the modern Democratic Party has always advocated for the moral principles stated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution—liberty, justice and equal opportunity for all. Now, more than ever, is the time for young voters across the nation to realize that moral issues expand outside the realm of the extreme and personal matters of abortion and gay marriage, into poverty-stricken communities, a stagnant education system and a flawed heathcare system.
For us as young women, it is imperative to put a progressive Democrat in the White House who will take a stand on matters that directly affect us; so we can afford a proper education, have the right to choose what goes on with our bodies, and have true equality in the workplace. Did you know that women would have to work seven days a week and an extra four months a year to match men's earnings in 2007? Or that with a majority conservative court system, there is a possibility of overturning the court case Roe v. Wade and therefore not allowing women their right to privacy?
In George Washington’s farewell address, he cautioned the United States citizens to stray away from political parties and factions, saying that it would only lead to a divided nation. However, two very distinct political parties have evolved over the years, bringing with them a unique system of beliefs, ideals and controversy. Our country would not be the great nation it is today without the coexistence and political dialogue of the Democratic and Republican Parties. Unfortunately, under the current Republican leadership, our country is suffering and in dire need of new domestic and foreign policy. Now, we must decide if we want the world we leave for our daughters to be better than the one we inhabit today. As active, driven young women, we now hold the power in our hands to create true change through electing a Democrat to not only lead our nation, but to instill us with hope for the future.
PS -- Thank you Ms. Wagner, Ms. Altman, my wonderful mother and ESPECIALLY my conservative, Regan-loving AP US teacher Mr. Brown for helping me out :)
Also, if you comment and I don't reply right away, please don't take it personally. I have AP exams this week and next, so I'll be eating, sleeping and breathing United States History and English Language and Composition for the time being :(.
Other randomness:
~Happy Belated Cinco de Mayo!
~Si se puede -- Obama '08! I am quite proud of be a southern gal from NC at the moment...
~Prom is now in less than a month (as if anyone cares...)!
~I'm also going to visit Wake Forest, ASU, Clemson, Davidson and UNCA over the next month -- any thoughts on those schools? My next blog may be a pro/con list...
~I'm loving this warm weather; hello sunshine :)
Peace<3Love&Happiness,
AH
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Monday, March 31, 2008
Lying in a field of daisies...
Spring Break was amazing.
I don't think I've ever needed a break from school -- or reality in general -- as much as I did this year. My AP US History class is by far the most rigorous course I've taken during my high school career although I must say, the people in it and the teacher are simply incredible :). My AP English class isn't too bad because, thankfully, I'm a decent writer. Then there's Honors Trig. I love Mrs. Howard. And I love the entertainment in my corner of the room -- Lee Glenn just being himself and Josh Hodges leaning over and asking the most random questions I've ever heard in my entire life (ex: So Alex, if you could take over any country, what country would it be and how would you do it? -- for the record, I replied with the first thing that popped into my mind: "Denmark and marsh mellow guns.") However, math has never been my thing. I prefer abstract ideas; not concrete ones. I also prefer questions that can be answered with real sentences aka a 1,000 word essay. I have a great deal of respect for people who are good at math. My final class is Newspaper, which is the love of my life, but it was nice to have a break from deadlines and picas.
I went to the beach over Spring Break -- and not Ocean Lakes where every other teenager in Cleveland County goes for SB. I went to Oak Island. It's this tiny little island off the NC coast where everything closes at 9:00 (by 'everything' I mean the miniature golf course and Dairy Queen) and the average age of the population is 67. My extended family on my mom's side has spent SB there ever since I was born and I wouldn't have it any other way -- waking up to the sound of the ocean, reading Maureen Dowd all day in the sun, playing cards and board games with my family, dying Easter eggs, getting coffee at the Flying Pig coffeehouse, and not having a care in the world.
Over Spring Break, I wrote every day; poems, random creative writing pieces, op/eds, etc... I wrote a poem about myself one day:
Write me a melody -- a melody with nice, lovely notes.
Notes that remind me of that boy…the one I met last summer.
Or to remind me of rocking chairs-green ones-looking out into the rising fog of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
And a few notes that remind me of creativity; I’ve always preferred ideas to facts and abstracts to concretes.
Notes that remind me of sitting on the beach with sand between my toes.
Notes that remind me of dreams.
I dream in black and white sometimes -- that I'm lying in a field of daisies.
And then other times, I dream in vibrant, luminous colors.
I normally associate black and white with the status quo -- boring and mediocre.
But I enjoy dreams in black and white; they remind me of an old, romantic Judy Garland film. However, life has taught me that not everything is black or white -- sometimes things are grey, magenta, and have polka dots.
Use simple notes in my melody as well.
Simplicity is the hallow ground in which all great ideas are manifested.
These notes will remind me of dandelions.
Some people call them weeds…those people are silly and unappreciative of nature’s delicate beauty.
They will also remind me of kitchen tables.
Ferris wheels.
Star gazing.
Popsicles; the cherry-flavored ones that taste best on a hot summer day.
Write me a melody—a melody with a few notes that are not so lovely—that will bring tears to my eyes.
Most people say it’s not good to cry—especially young boys.
But I don’t mind crying.
It’s when my deepest emotions and every sorrow of my being rains from the soul; and then…peace.
These notes will remind me of a tall, old man who’s smile could out-do a million sunsets; and the day that man went home.
That day, I remember well.
The world stopped.
These notes will also remind me of failure.
I hate failure, but I hear that it’s a part of life.
These notes will probably remind me of math—numbers, logic, pi—which is only useful when made with chocolate.
Write me a melody of life.
My life.
And someday, you may add more notes to my melody--notes of fulfilled dreams.
Traveling the world.
Empowering young women.
Making a difference.
Writing a book or two; probably about politics.
Most people think I'm too young to hold such strong opinions -- I think the world would be a dull place if we all agreed.
I'd also like to speak to large groups of people.
About what? you ask.
Anything -- religion, social issues, Barack Obama.
So for now, write me a melody--a melody with nice, lovely notes...
I don't think I've ever needed a break from school -- or reality in general -- as much as I did this year. My AP US History class is by far the most rigorous course I've taken during my high school career although I must say, the people in it and the teacher are simply incredible :). My AP English class isn't too bad because, thankfully, I'm a decent writer. Then there's Honors Trig. I love Mrs. Howard. And I love the entertainment in my corner of the room -- Lee Glenn just being himself and Josh Hodges leaning over and asking the most random questions I've ever heard in my entire life (ex: So Alex, if you could take over any country, what country would it be and how would you do it? -- for the record, I replied with the first thing that popped into my mind: "Denmark and marsh mellow guns.") However, math has never been my thing. I prefer abstract ideas; not concrete ones. I also prefer questions that can be answered with real sentences aka a 1,000 word essay. I have a great deal of respect for people who are good at math. My final class is Newspaper, which is the love of my life, but it was nice to have a break from deadlines and picas.
I went to the beach over Spring Break -- and not Ocean Lakes where every other teenager in Cleveland County goes for SB. I went to Oak Island. It's this tiny little island off the NC coast where everything closes at 9:00 (by 'everything' I mean the miniature golf course and Dairy Queen) and the average age of the population is 67. My extended family on my mom's side has spent SB there ever since I was born and I wouldn't have it any other way -- waking up to the sound of the ocean, reading Maureen Dowd all day in the sun, playing cards and board games with my family, dying Easter eggs, getting coffee at the Flying Pig coffeehouse, and not having a care in the world.
Over Spring Break, I wrote every day; poems, random creative writing pieces, op/eds, etc... I wrote a poem about myself one day:
Write me a melody -- a melody with nice, lovely notes.
Notes that remind me of that boy…the one I met last summer.
Or to remind me of rocking chairs-green ones-looking out into the rising fog of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
And a few notes that remind me of creativity; I’ve always preferred ideas to facts and abstracts to concretes.
Notes that remind me of sitting on the beach with sand between my toes.
Notes that remind me of dreams.
I dream in black and white sometimes -- that I'm lying in a field of daisies.
And then other times, I dream in vibrant, luminous colors.
I normally associate black and white with the status quo -- boring and mediocre.
But I enjoy dreams in black and white; they remind me of an old, romantic Judy Garland film. However, life has taught me that not everything is black or white -- sometimes things are grey, magenta, and have polka dots.
Use simple notes in my melody as well.
Simplicity is the hallow ground in which all great ideas are manifested.
These notes will remind me of dandelions.
Some people call them weeds…those people are silly and unappreciative of nature’s delicate beauty.
They will also remind me of kitchen tables.
Ferris wheels.
Star gazing.
Popsicles; the cherry-flavored ones that taste best on a hot summer day.
Write me a melody—a melody with a few notes that are not so lovely—that will bring tears to my eyes.
Most people say it’s not good to cry—especially young boys.
But I don’t mind crying.
It’s when my deepest emotions and every sorrow of my being rains from the soul; and then…peace.
These notes will remind me of a tall, old man who’s smile could out-do a million sunsets; and the day that man went home.
That day, I remember well.
The world stopped.
These notes will also remind me of failure.
I hate failure, but I hear that it’s a part of life.
These notes will probably remind me of math—numbers, logic, pi—which is only useful when made with chocolate.
Write me a melody of life.
My life.
And someday, you may add more notes to my melody--notes of fulfilled dreams.
Traveling the world.
Empowering young women.
Making a difference.
Writing a book or two; probably about politics.
Most people think I'm too young to hold such strong opinions -- I think the world would be a dull place if we all agreed.
I'd also like to speak to large groups of people.
About what? you ask.
Anything -- religion, social issues, Barack Obama.
So for now, write me a melody--a melody with nice, lovely notes...
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
When I am old, I shall wear purple...
I am a hopeless romantic. Really -- I am. I swoon at the thought of Rose saying "I'll never let go Jack...", I burst into tears at the end of The Notebook, and I love it when Johnny proclaims that "No one puts Baby in the corner". However...
I hate Valentine's Day.
I am a generally optimistic person; therefore, when I say that I hate something, I actually mean it. I haven't always hated Valentine's Day. Back in Elementary School when we covered shoe boxes with red and pink construction paper and all swapped Valentines as we licked heart-shaped cupcake icing from our fingers I LOVED Valentine's Day. I also looked foward to receiving a bear, balloons, or candy from my Daddy and Grandpa; I still do. However, once you hit 6th grade, there are no more shoe boxes. There are no more cupcakes. There are just couples; couples who bring flowers and candy and bears and cards and annoying singing stuffed animals to school on that horrid commerical holiday to give to one another.
Here I am, in the 11th grade, and things have not changed. Don't get me wrong, I love my life -- I have an amazing family, fabulous friends, and many gifts from the Big Man upstairs. However, I walked into K-Mart the other day and was instantly surrounded by pinks, whites, reds, lace, bears, dogs, chocolate, hearts, cards, and balloons. And they were all laughing at me and my current relationship status. They all laughed, pointed, and said, "She will be a cat lady!" On my way home, I began to think of cat ladies (yes, very strange). It's the sterotype of that 70-year-old woman in the cottage in the middle of the woods whom everyone knows and visits occationally because she has never been married and of course she has an obsession with some sort of domesticated animal (cats, dogs, birds, fish -- is that domesticated? -- etc). Then I thought of a poem I once read called "When I am old, I shall wear purple":
When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobrietry of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickles for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beer mats and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.
~Jenny Jacobs~
That's when I realized that I have my whole life ahead of me -- full of adventure and surprises -- and that maybe Valentine's Day isn't so bad after all. So for now, let the bears and balloons get a good laugh. Because if what lies ahead of me is an old cat lady, I shall be incandescently content and I shall wear purple...
I hate Valentine's Day.
I am a generally optimistic person; therefore, when I say that I hate something, I actually mean it. I haven't always hated Valentine's Day. Back in Elementary School when we covered shoe boxes with red and pink construction paper and all swapped Valentines as we licked heart-shaped cupcake icing from our fingers I LOVED Valentine's Day. I also looked foward to receiving a bear, balloons, or candy from my Daddy and Grandpa; I still do. However, once you hit 6th grade, there are no more shoe boxes. There are no more cupcakes. There are just couples; couples who bring flowers and candy and bears and cards and annoying singing stuffed animals to school on that horrid commerical holiday to give to one another.
Here I am, in the 11th grade, and things have not changed. Don't get me wrong, I love my life -- I have an amazing family, fabulous friends, and many gifts from the Big Man upstairs. However, I walked into K-Mart the other day and was instantly surrounded by pinks, whites, reds, lace, bears, dogs, chocolate, hearts, cards, and balloons. And they were all laughing at me and my current relationship status. They all laughed, pointed, and said, "She will be a cat lady!" On my way home, I began to think of cat ladies (yes, very strange). It's the sterotype of that 70-year-old woman in the cottage in the middle of the woods whom everyone knows and visits occationally because she has never been married and of course she has an obsession with some sort of domesticated animal (cats, dogs, birds, fish -- is that domesticated? -- etc). Then I thought of a poem I once read called "When I am old, I shall wear purple":
When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobrietry of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickles for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beer mats and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.
~Jenny Jacobs~
That's when I realized that I have my whole life ahead of me -- full of adventure and surprises -- and that maybe Valentine's Day isn't so bad after all. So for now, let the bears and balloons get a good laugh. Because if what lies ahead of me is an old cat lady, I shall be incandescently content and I shall wear purple...
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Amidst the chaos...
The last time I had a blog was in 7th grade--it consisted of ridiculously long posts about school, friends, fashion (although I had no style back then), family, and anything else that was on my mind at age 13. Little did I know, three years later, I would be asked to start a blog for the local newspaper. So now I find myself wondering, "What should I write about? What is interesting enough in my life that people would want to read?" Well, most people tell me I'm a complex, but interesting individual; therefore, to kick off this journey, I'll tell you a little about myself:
Things I consider quite lovely:
Religion
Sports
Family
Friends
The beach
Sunshine
Thunderstorms
COSMOgirl
Snowboarding
Debate
Good conversation
Diversity
Peace
Black and white photos
Daisies
Sun dresses
Green rocking chairs
The Blue Ridge Mountains
Journalism
Poetry
The New York Times
Maureen Dowd
Music
Chocolate
Mashed potatoes
Horses
Books
Theatre
Travel
Being uninhibited
Imperfection
Star gazing
Women's rights
Self-motivated people
Knee-length skirts
Roller coasters
Kitchen tables
Feminism
Ferris wheels
The 1st and 19th Amendment
Democrats
Snow
Cozumel, Mexico
Public speaking
New York
Half Moon Bay, California
Cheesecake
Laughter
Thing's I consider not-so-lovely:
Math
Gossip
Most healthy foods
Mean girls
Chemistry
Paris Hilton
Apathy
Close-mindedness
Failure
Dubya (George Bush)
Technology
Warped perceptions of beauty
Cigarette smoke
Waking up before 10
Clothes not matching
Pocket books
Going to the movies on a first date
Cold weather
Mainly, there are two things that consume my life: politics and journalism. These two things will more than likely take over my blogging space in a matter of days--enjoy!
Smiles,
Alex
Things I consider quite lovely:
Religion
Sports
Family
Friends
The beach
Sunshine
Thunderstorms
COSMOgirl
Snowboarding
Debate
Good conversation
Diversity
Peace
Black and white photos
Daisies
Sun dresses
Green rocking chairs
The Blue Ridge Mountains
Journalism
Poetry
The New York Times
Maureen Dowd
Music
Chocolate
Mashed potatoes
Horses
Books
Theatre
Travel
Being uninhibited
Imperfection
Star gazing
Women's rights
Self-motivated people
Knee-length skirts
Roller coasters
Kitchen tables
Feminism
Ferris wheels
The 1st and 19th Amendment
Democrats
Snow
Cozumel, Mexico
Public speaking
New York
Half Moon Bay, California
Cheesecake
Laughter
Thing's I consider not-so-lovely:
Math
Gossip
Most healthy foods
Mean girls
Chemistry
Paris Hilton
Apathy
Close-mindedness
Failure
Dubya (George Bush)
Technology
Warped perceptions of beauty
Cigarette smoke
Waking up before 10
Clothes not matching
Pocket books
Going to the movies on a first date
Cold weather
Mainly, there are two things that consume my life: politics and journalism. These two things will more than likely take over my blogging space in a matter of days--enjoy!
Smiles,
Alex
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