The Humorous Side of Political Commentary

Jon Stewart is a political satirist that combines facts with a little bit of humor to make his case. He is also a standup comedian, so his timing and humor are very effective. He hosts The Daily Show on Comedy Central and his set looks similar to something right off of CNN or MSNBC. While his show is humorous and educational with current events, the show is still separate from real news channels. Yes, his voice is being heard, but can real change happen?

The format of The Daily Show features interviews with various celebrities from different backgrounds, such as authors, actors, athletes, politicians, and other public figures. At the start of the show, he opens with a monologue where Jon talks about current events from that day or days prior. While there are real facts and commentary coming from Jon, there is always a slight twist to the news in order to get a laugh.

The show has a loyal following and has gained in popularity since the 2000 and 2004 elections. While it may not be the most reputable television program to watch in order to learn about political and social information, but there is still a lot you can learn from the show. Jon Stewart’s approach to daily news is almost a sarcastic demeanor. For some, this style might be easier to relate to than a boring news segment. Perhaps comical shows like The Daily Show can inform younger audiences, which will lead to more voting on election day. 

Whether you get your news from CNN, Rush Limbaugh, Jon Stewart, or some other political commentator/news source, all that matters is you are getting informed. If you prefer to have a more straight-laced, traditional news fed to you, there’s an outlet for that. On the flip side, if you would rather have news with a slight humorous twist, then there is certainly an outlet for that as well. The most important thing is to stay interested in America’s politics so the best elected officials are in office. 

Facebook: Yay or Nay?

Facebook: the time-consuming black hole that brings out the procrastination in all of us. Facebook is an online social networking website where users share information ranging from last summer’s vacation photos to basic person identification, such as religion, political views, and relationship status. It may seem boring when you look at Facebook’s business model, but when your Facebook “friends” feel comfortable enough to post pictures, videos, blogs, and daily statuses about their life in revealing and personal ways, Facebook suddenly becomes a doorway into their lives. 

I placed “friends” in quotation marks because are Facebook friends really our friends at all? Has today’s definition of “friend” been watered down so drastically that little to no real life interaction is necessary to maintain a friendship? A comment here, a “like” there, a wall post over there; has all of this electronic interaction replaced handshakes, high fives, or visiting a friend to see how they are? I hope the answer is no, but with the constant electronic influence on our daily lives, a true social skills lacking society might be heading that way. 

There are pros and cons to Facebook. Cons: people waste too much time looking into other people’s lives (sometimes on a creepy level), procrastination increases, potential sexual predators can contact younger Facebook users, inappropriate pictures/videos might surface making you lose your job,  and people are likely to create a false sense of reality by constantly updating their status making it appear like they have a life, but they really are home all day doing nothing.

On the other hand, Facebook has several pros. Facebook can serve as a massive contact list. There have been countless times I have gone to Facebook in order to find someone’s contact information. Another plus, you can find old friends you have lost contact with over the years. You can also seek advice by talking to a friend that happens to be online and receive instantaneous feedback regarding a matter. It is also possible to keep in contact with someone that is living across the world. Facebook can bring people together. 

A perfect example proving that Facebook can be a good thing is when you consider the case of my best friend’s mother. She decided to get a Facebook around 2008 or 2009. She was able to track down some old childhood friends and had a pleasant time catching up with them. Earlier in 2010, she was diagnosed with cancer. She was able to document her strong fight through daily Facebook statuses, and people that were states away were not left in the dark about her situation. They had the chance to give her quick words of encouragement through status comments and wall posts. This past August 23rd, she sadly lost her fight against the terrible disease. Her Facebook has almost become a memorial to her where people can still write on her wall expressing their sadness. People can see pictures of her and the life she loved. 

After reading the comments on her Facebook wall, it is clear to see just how valuable Facebook was during her last few months. Her friends expressed how grateful they were that they reconnected before she passed away. No doubt, the conversations she had with friends via Facebook were priceless. Yes, one could argue that she could have called her friends on the telephone, but during that time of extreme weakness, a simple Facebook status did the trick of updating hundreds of her friends in an instant. 

       Love it or hate it, Facebook has certainly made an impact in today’s world. I'm sure there are other similar cases like my best friend's mother, so I hope Facebook is used to bring people together during difficult times. However, odds are Facebook is most used during times of deadline and finals week. I wouldn't expect much less from our society that's rich in procrastination, with a side of creeper. 

The Marijuana Debate

          A popular debate in the United States is whether marijuana should be legalized, or in the bigger picture, if drugs as a whole should be closely regulated, not banned. By making something totally off limits, it almost entices people to give it a shot. See if they can get past the system and do something that is illegal. It has been debated that if something, such as marijuana, became legal, the fun and risk would be stripped away. Perhaps then, less people would feel the urge to experiment with something that is forbidden in America. 

   In America, there are strict laws under the Controlled Substances Act. Illicit drugs, such as cocaine, ecstasy, LSD, etc., are illegal and have harsh penalties if one is found to be in possession of or using any illicit drug. The United States has been trying to stop drug use before it even begins by educating children about the dangers of drugs. Programs, such as D.A.R.E., are able to inform children about drugs, the dangers, and the consequences of drug use. With a strong foundation of drug knowledge, children can then hopefully make wise decisions if they ever find themselves under peer pressure. Even with programs such as these, there are still drug problems in America’s schools and streets.

         A popular debate has been if marijuana should be legal under U.S. law. As of 2010, the legalization has not occurred. Even with the push from liberal states, such as California, the government stands strong in its decision to keep marijuana illegal. There is an entirely different side to this argument when observing the medical side of it. Medical marijuana has been proven to make the nausea and other side effects from chemotherapy more easy to deal with. It has also been proven to help with neurogenic pain, glaucoma, AIDS, arthritis, and stress disorders. With that said, marijuana also unfortunately contributes to short term memory loss, learning difficulties, poor judgment, problem-solving difficulties, and loss of coordination. Clearly, there are reasons to make marijuana legal and reasons to keep it illegal.

Should Placement Tests Occur?

           A placement test is the logical way to gauge what level of education an individual possesses before signing up for classes. Important subjects, such as math and English, are vital if one wishes to flourish in today's society. In a way, colleges put their stamp of approval on each student that enters its doors. The college is held responsible for the educational paths the student takes in order to graduate. If down the road a college graduate student proves to be lacking in the subjects of math or English, all fingers will be pointing at the institution with the question of, "Why didn't this college help this individual have a better grasp of the information?" A placement test is the perfect way to solve this problem.

            One of the greatest aspects about the world is the large diversity of people. No matter where you look, people will be of different race, origin, background, and education level. Therefore, colleges must accommodate such an array of different minds. A college is similar to a mini world, full of people with different ideas and knowledge backgrounds. In order to sort its students out, colleges must use a placement test for all incoming students.

           If five random students were chosen from a major university, the chances are fair that each student came from a different high school or secondary school. In order to keep all students on the same plan of success, they must be tested in specific areas in order to assess their level of knowledge. It would simply not be fair to assume all incoming freshman had the same high school quality in math and English. All schools and teachers vary with different teaching strategies, so colleges have to plan accordingly to make sure each students is set on the best path to success. Failure to not have placement tests will only hurt the students in the long run.

        Without placement tests, students that lack in subjects, such as math and English, will have a difficult road ahead of them. In order to do well in upper level classes, the basics need to be mastered. No new information can build off of a weak foundation. The purpose of placement tests is to put students in classes which make those foundations rock solid. As a result, the more difficult classes will be easier to understand, and the student will be more likely to succeed. 

       With today's economy and fast pace world, more people are wanting to obtain college degrees. Individuals want better lives for themselves, and want to be able to provide for the ones they love. Going to college is the best way to make that dream a reality. The first step is to take the placement test and see where they belong. Students will be placed in classes in which they will flourish, and classes where foundations will be perfected. With so many different backgrounds, all students must be placed on an educational plan in order to guarantee a smart, successful, and functioning member of society on graduation day. 

The Boy Who Lived

        When the clock struck midnight on November 19, 2010, hordes of people all over the country gathered into the nearest movie theater to witness part one of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The excitement in the air was almost tangible as the lights dimmed, and the final book began to unfold on screen before the eyes of eager fans.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, directed by David Yates, begins with the magical world learning that Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) has risen into power and his top priority is to finally kill the boy that always manages to escape his evil plots, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe). Within the first thirty minutes, one of Harry’s allies dies, along with his beloved owl, Hedwig. Clearly, this film is darker right off the bat than previous Potter films. 

The main plot of this movie is Harry finding and destroying horcruxes. A horcrux is a dark, magical object used to obtain mortality. Harry has learned that Voldemort split his soul into seven pieces and placed his soul into different objects, such as a ring, a locket, and a diary. Harry’s goal is to find these objects and destroy them. If Harry can find and destroy all the horcruxes, then he can kill the magical world's darkest wizard, Lord Voldemort. Harry drops out of school and sets off on a journey with his two best friends, Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint), in search of the horcruxes. 

Directer David Yates clung closely to the book's story line as he directed this epic tale about Harry finding redemption as he seeks to kill the man, Voldemort, that killed his parents several years ago. This movie utilizes breathtaking environments for the actors to thrive in. Wide angle shots with beautiful mountainous backdrops and endless cornfields translated well on the big screen. 

Yates made sure to create this movie for the fans. The fans that have been there since the very first book came out in 1998. This film is not for those that have never read a sentence of a Harry Potter book or have not seen any of the movies. Odds are, those individuals will be greatly confused. Yates treats the audience like they are well informed of the plot and they know what to expect. With that said, he still packs an impressive punch full of surprise and catches fans off guard. Humor, scares, and perhaps even tears are all carefully threaded throughout this well-rounded film.

As much as there is to love about this film, there is always something to dislike. With this one, it is the fact that the plot had to stop at some point. The fans knew the lengthily book was going to be split into two separate movies. It is almost like you are at a dinner and you eat your salad, your bread, and right before you get your delicious chicken, dinner is suddenly over. When the credits rolled, the climax of the plot was soon about to happen. Now, Potter fans must wait until July of 2011 to resume this story. Love it or hate it, at least the last of the Harry Potter magic can continue for a few extra months.. before the magic ends forever. 

Michael Jackson Vs. The Beatles

Okay, so who’s better: Michael Jackson or The Beatles? That is almost like asking which is more vital, food or water? Both are of equal importance, and they both offer something different from the other. One nourishes your body, and the other’s moon walk inspires generations. One quenches thirst, and the other paved the way for the future of music with intriguing lyrics and musical scores. While it is not exactly fair to say which one was more important than the other, it IS fair to say they both have made enough impact and influence to last many lifetimes. 

To tackle the difficult task of deciding which artist is “better,” one must examine both cases. First up, Michael Jackson. Some quick facts about Michael: he was the front man of the successful Jackson 5, the Guinness Book of World Records regards him as the most successful artist of all time, his album Thriller is the most successful album of all time (selling between 65 and 110 million copies worldwide), he was a notable humanitarian and philanthropist, but hurt his reputation with drug use and allegedly child sexual abuse. 

Michael Jackson’s accomplishments cannot be denied. He sold over 750 million albums worldwide and each album contains songs that inspired people to get on their feet and dance. He became popular with his utilization of fancy footwork with edgy, pop music. Michael impressively danced his way into the hearts of millions to songs such as “Beat It,” “Billie Jean,” and “Thriller.” He also used his platform to push for earth conservation and equality by all races. The inspiring songs such as, “Black or White,” “Earth Song,” and “Man In the Mirror” encouraged people to make a difference in their own world by taking care of their environment and accepting others, no matter how different. 

While many can agree Michael Jackson was an important player in the history of music, he was also unfortunately scrutinized by the media about his odd private life. Speculation that Michael sexually abused children arose when children who had stayed at Michael’s house admitted he had touched them. All the while, Michael’s physical appearance had been dramatically changing throughout the years. His nose became significantly narrow, and his skin became several shades lighter. Such an odd transformation made people wonder if he was a good role model for children. 

Next up, The Beatles. Some quick facts about The Beatles: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr collectively made up the rock group in Liverpool, England, they have sold more than 1 billion records, they transformed music by combining catchy lyrics with diverse musical scores; scores that used a variety of instruments, including sitars and orchestras, which crossed genre lines and generation gaps. 

The Beatles have been regarded as the most influential musical group of all time. “Influential” covers a broad spectrum. Influential in the musical world by putting an end to the “flavor of the week” inspired songs during the early 1960s. Influential by creating inspirational songs such as “Let It Be” and “All You Need Is Love,” which musically persuaded people to get along and love one another. The Beatlemania era also sparked a revolution for the youth to grow their hair long and adapt their lifestyle to a similar “Beatle” fashion. 

As positive and inspiring as The Beatles were, they were still not immune to harsh public scrutiny. Comments from John Lennon saying The Beatles were more popular than Jesus Christ sparked a backlash. Some fans turned their backs against their once role models and burned their Beatle merchandise, including albums, movies, clothing, etc. The Beatles also had a history of drug use, such as LSD. When viewing the rock group in this context, the term “role model” certainly does not come to mind.

With that said, The Beatles and Michael Jackson have made their mark on the world, and their legacy will last for a long time to come. One aspect both artists have in common was they both took risks. Michael broke racial barriers by appealing to different races all over the world. He changed the world of music videos by making his almost like mini movies. On the same page, The Beatles set a new standard of entertainment by staring in their own movies, such as A Hard Day’s Night and Help!, which offered a new medium for fans to appreciate all The Beatles had to offer. 

Revolutionary, inspirational, and generation defining; those terms describe both The Beatles and Michael Jackson. They are idols of a generation, and their legacy will be there for other generations to enjoy. While both artists are relatively different, one dances while the others play instruments, they still share some of the same qualities. Qualities that will inspire people to do things bigger than themselves and to love one another. The question is not, “Which artist is better than the other,” but more so, “Which artist made YOU a better person? Which artist inspired YOU to do better, to be better, and to dance a little more?” In the end, those are the only questions worth debating. 

Literary Festival 2010: ODU Edition

Ted Conover recently came to Old Dominion University to participate in this year’s Literary Festival. His most recent work, The Routes of Man: How Roads Are Changing the World and the Way We Live Today, touches on different struggles, lives, and victories that exist in the world today. All the while, we are able to make more of a connection with our own everyday lives. 

Conover debates that while roads are vital to making life run more smoothly and are highly beneficial, they are also destroying the environment. This issue is like a tug of war. I’ll admit, I would be lost without the luxury interstates when traveling long distances, but I also greatly care about the environment. Does that make me a hypocrite? This battle is always present in my mind as I drive, so I can easily relate to the topics of this book. 

The Routes of Man takes the reader to interesting locations, such as East Africa, China, Nigeria and India. It’s almost like the reader is sitting shotgun along with Conover as he experiences the many roads and pathways this world has to offer. He successfully makes the reader experiences these situations first hand. Case and point: While Conover was traveling to Uganda, he tries to work out the issue of the roads there. The roads aided to the spread of AIDS in the area because of the easy access between different locations. At the same time, those very roads can take someone to the hospital if needed. Debates such as this really encourage the reader to form their own opinions of difficult topics. 

Another author that was fortunate enough to make it to ODU’s literary festival was Wilbert Rideau. Rideau was at one point a death row inmate and since his trial and release after 44 years behind bars, he has written an autobiography about his time in Louisiana State Penitentiary. In his book, In the Place of Justice: A Story of Punishment and Deliverance, Rideau tells of all the hardships that took place in the prison, including violence, rape, cruelty, and sexual slavery. He became the editor of the prison’s newspaper and worked hard on his writing craft. His writings exposed the utter cruelty that occurred at his prison. 

His perspective of the justice system comes from a someone that was facing the death penalty and worked his way up the system, gaining respect from those in charge. When asked what took so long for Rideau to be finally released, he responded with, "Because they made me a political football. And whenever that happens, it's difficult for any prisoner to get out … the only reason I got the help I got was because I was high-profile and won awards. Otherwise, I would have been just like a lot of the other guys: alone, trying to deal with the system." This book is definitely proof that no matter how permanent a situation looks, it can always change for the better. 

The Literary Festival at Old Dominion University offered students, faculty, and lovers of literature an opportunity to hear first hand from a variety of different authors. Each author came from a different background, school, and each took a different path to reach success in the literary world. Monarchs were fortunate enough to have those many paths meet, if only for a moment, on the campus of ODU.