The Validity of Wikipedia

I've noticed a hate love relationship brewing between wikipedia and the slew of teachers I've known since starting college. Many seem to mock it's credentials as it's become common knowledge that it's open sourced, but they still seem to refer to it often enough that it's apparent they use it in their everyday lives themselves. Talking to other students I get the impression we all seem to use it to some extent, either brushing up on the basic facts of a topic or following external links to find something more impressive to sate the thirst of our tradition mired instructors.

The problem is of course that anyone can edit it which means at any moment someone could right now be altering the biography of Janis Joplin to say she ate cats and we being the mindless drones that we are will read it shrug our shoulders and accept it at face value. If you use a little discretion and common sense however I think it's a completely valid source. I have a big issue with blindly following big titles, just because someone is a doctor doesn't mean you have to do what they tell you, a professor isn't necessarily any smarter than any other Joe on the street. I think it's pure intellectual snobbery to eliminate wikipedia, essentially acting as the voice of the people on the basis that commoners can add to its articles. If anything I would think some of wikipedia's material contains less bias as it passes under the prejudicial eye of innumerable people who knead and beat it into its least offensive form; as opposed to a couple of historians or scientists and their editors.

Drug War In Mexico Escalates

While conflicts arise overseas the United States has begun to turn it's attention closer to home as reports filter out from Mexico about the rise in crime and bloody war being waged between the standing government and drug cartels. The streets of Juarez, Tijuana, and Nuevo Laredo have run red with blood over the last year, accounting for a sizable chunk of the 6,616 people who have died in drug-trafficking violence according to Mexico's attorney general. The brutality of the killings have escalated to targeting Mexican officials and soldiers, an article posted by the Wall Street Journal reports just last week Police Commander Martin Castro's decapitated head was found in an ice cooler outside the police station in the town of Praxedis left with the calling card of the Sinoloa drug cartel. One of many examples of the mafia style intimidation tactics employed by provincial drug lords as a response to Mexico's president Felipe Calderon aggressive 2 year campaign against organized crime. According to the Los Angeles Times since his induction into office Calderon has deployed 45,000 troops and 5,000 federal police officers around the country as part of the anti-drug offensive, putting pressure on the frequent trafficking of narcotics across the shared border with the U.S.


The instability of Mexico does not bode well for Calderon as he seeks to establish a relationship with the new administration, though it remains to be seen whether any direct intervening by the United States government will take place, concerns have been raised whether Mexico's violent upheaval will bleed over the border. In a report by the U.S. Joint Forces Command, Mexico was grouped with Pakistan as being a potentially failing state that warrant monitoring as their collapse would directly threaten the security of the United States. Currently $400 million of the $1.4 billion Merida initiative has already been approved by congress, allocated towards supplying Mexico with the technology and hardware to combat the swell of drug trade which threatens to tear the country apart. The security-aid package is justified by advocates who cite the over $10-15 billion profits a year being supplied to cartels by American citizens who purchase narcotics, stating simply that this drug war affects us all. In a report sent at the end of last year retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey, known as the drug czar under the Clinton administration, warns that "Mexico Is on the edge of the abyss-- it could become a narco-state in the coming decade." McCaffrey further points out that Mexico is vital to the American economy, supplying a third of our imported oil and housing 18,000 companies with ties to American industry. Obama Met with Calderon on January 19th and pledged the continued support of the U.S. in resolving their internal conflict through the Merida initiative though had little else to add beyond praising the "extraordinary relationship" their two countries share and stating that "My message today is that my administration is going to be ready on Day One to build a stronger relationship with Mexico."

A Poet That Might Know It

Kaedance Eaton is a hell of a lot stronger than she looks. I was first struck by her impressive capacity for carrying things when she arrived outside for our interview toting what looked to be roughly 10 lbs of loosely assembled papers. She dismissed her feat of fortitude with a quick grin and a wave of her hand, proudly displaying her 3 planners and notebook of lists.

Why trouble yourself with carrying half a tree around campus? Well, she writes a lot, so much and so well in fact that LBCC has seen fit to deem her our poet laureate, a vaguely auspicious title that demands such uncommon strength and a boatload of paper to fill the musings of commissioned creativity.

Other notable names like Robert Frost, Allen Tate, and William Carlos William have faced such physical hardships in the past on a national level, working as poet laureate for the library of congress since 1937. But what are the duties of a poet laureate? Of the handful of students around campus who I posed the question to, only one had any concept of the position. Dan Lais, a computer savvy gentleman who sports a fantastic beard, surmises: "I always thought it was a commissioned position for poets who served at functions and events." You're damn close, Dan! Poet laureates have a long, illustrious history across the globe, often serving as creative writers for government patrons, lending their minds and pens to commemorate state occasions and other memorable events. The United States has retained one for years as aforementioned, laying upon them the mantle of seeking to "Raise the national consciousness to a greater appreciation of the reading and writing of poetry," according to the Library of Congress website.

But how does our own Laureate seek to raise our consciousness or appreciation? If you guessed guerrilla classroom takeovers, you're right! Eaton thinks that the best way of breaching the doldrums of non-poetic life and thrusting wordsmithing into the minds of students is to lock down your classrooms with literary terrorism. Envisioning a world of costumed poetry crusaders who storm classes in a manner akin to impromptu theatre, Eaton hopes to spark the interest of students by surprising them with poetry slams.

Although many I talked to thought the practice might prove invasive as an obstruction to learning in the wrong environment, they were quick to add that if relevant to subject matter being learned they would find such an event a pleasant surprise. "I would find it disruptive since I'm in a nursing program, but it would depend on my course of study," Says Chelsea Fierro. "If they show up in art history that would be great," says hopeful student Russel Saint-John.

Eaton's primary goal remains to instill in students the same passion for writing that has guided her through life. "What I would love to do with the position is make people realize how accessible poetry is; its power and what a catalyst it can be in their lives."

Eaton's own relationship with poetry started with an attentive eye early on for cats in hats and giving trees. "Growing up, I really liked [Shel] Silverstein and Dr. Suess. I didn't know it was supposed to be poetry at the time." She continued on her course of accidental encounters when she first saw the movie "Slam" at age 14, a film that tells the story of a young street poet using his talents to survive in prison. The movie revolutionized her understanding of the multi-faceted utilities of poetry, how to one it might be a source of comfort and strength, while others might use it to survive and tell a story.

"If I'm stressed out about something and feel tumultuous, if I put it into words, or read what someone else has written, once it's articulated things never seem as bad." This remedy, as simple as it may sound, is an all too often excluded exercise for students in dire need of ventilation, whose common troubles, no matter their degree of affliction, could be relieved on some level through a better understanding of the written word and its application to their lives. "The spoken word has power," says Eaton, and that very power could be the thing that effuses them with the ability to find peace in whatever storm they're braving.

So if a couple of insane looking people with buckets on their heads and broomsticks in hand burst into your classroom in the near future and start spouting poetry, listen, really listen, because they just might be saying what you need to hear.

Obamanation

I have a picture one of my sisters made hanging on my door of Barack Obama. It's signed in cursive in the bottom right corner beneath the note, "Best wishes - Barry," and his face is appropriately decorated with a saloon style mustache and soul patch. I walk by that thing everyday and I can hear him in my head, with his intermittent pauses and perfect tempo akin to comedic timing dispensing nuggets of wisdom to me.



Today he told me to wear a hat or I would catch a cold, but I got sick anyway. I feel fantastic regardless, however, as the simple pleasure of witnessing Obama's slow methodical back peddling towards centralism sustains me. The playing up of the insurmountable obstructions to the success of our nation so as not to set our expectations too high, literally drawing comparison (as many have parroted since) to our current economic state as being that of the great depression; it reminds me of those kids who have the sun perpetually in their eyes, who "haven't played in awhile so they might be rusty."

Obama faces difficulties to be sure, but I ask you, what president hasn't? Where's the vigor from the trail? The demands for Osama's head as early as October 7th have been replaced with cautious optimism for his isolation in his recent interview with Katie Couric. His cow towing to leftists through the immediate dismantling of our conflict in Iraq and Guantanamo Bay are suddenly fraught with complications and a blurry timeline as reported by the Orlando Sentinal. I'm starting to have some faith in the man through his lack of conviction. It's common practice to vamp up distribution of wishes when you're bargaining the public for the white house, but Jesus 2.0 built his tower a little too high.

Don't get me wrong, I love where this is going. I pray to my Obama picture every day that he continues the path I believe him set upon, and, in the grand tradition of Clinton realizing his ideas weren't working, will move to the middle of the two parties and becomes simply a pretty good president rather than a terrible one. It would be in the interest of us all to strike some kind of equilibrium between extremes. But I am held in constant wonder of this product of our superficial understanding of politics. I have hope in Obama that he will regain that fervor he seemed to have not more than a few months ago but redirect it further towards realistic objectives instead of the fluff and fast numbers he was promising to get elected, that he does not let perception and opinion dictate his actions and that he continues to stray from his previous pattern of pandering to the lowest denominator.

My question is not what his plans are, as we all knew he wasn't going to be the man he was last year once his seat was secure, but what are yours, America? Where are the cries for transparent government and questioning of authority when the government is your own? I imagine no one is eager to bandwagon against a president until they're sure everyone else is on their side first. I won't judge too harshly since many of those proudly displaying "impeach Bush" bumper stickers on their cars are too busy looking around to make sure they're still in the crowd to follow the news; but it will be interesting to see how many of those disappear once the headline skimmers catch up, who will choose proud ignorance or cowardice and hypocrisy if Obama doesn't end up being the savior you who adore him need.



Four Reasons To Doubt Obama

A Poet That Might Know It Questions

I'm doing an interview today with Kaedance Eaton, the newly elected Poet Laurete of LBCC. I'm profiling her with the objective of having students understand her duties and what has brought her to this point. The basic framing of my questions will be after the redundancies like name, major ect..will be as followed.

1. What has your relationship with poetry throughout your life?

2. How would you define your duties as a Poet laurete for LB?

3. What do you plan to do with the position?

4. Explain what Guierella Poetry is.

5. What would you like students to understand about poetry?

Obama's Inauguration Sense Is Tingling

Seen a hero by many, Obama’s face was often imposed on the iconic figure of superman’s chiseled frame by constituents during his landmark campaign. Now Marvel is prepared to elevate him one step higher to actual superhero status as he will be appearing in Amazing Spider-man #583 alongside everyone’s favorite webslinger, set to be released in celebration of his upcoming inauguration into the White House. The story will center on the Chameleon, a villain staple in the series, who hatches a plot to ruin the President-Elect’s swearing in while Spiderman acts as secret service to Obama protecting him from harm. The duo apparently team up to foil the scheme and after a due amount of wisecracking (including Spiderman mistaking Vice-President Biden as one of his other nemesis “The vulture”) and feats of great physical prowess, their victory culminates in a fist bump sure to please bro-code enthusiasts everywhere.

According to Marvel's Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada in an article on Marvel.com, the inspiration for the comic came from Obama’s apparent interest in the friendly neighborhood poster boy for the company. "When we heard that President-Elect Obama is a collector of Spider-Man comics, we knew that these two historic figures had to meet in our comics' Marvel Universe, Historic moments such as this one can be reflected in our comics because the Marvel Universe is set in the real world. A Spider-Man fan moving into the Oval Office is an event that must be commemorated in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man.”

Local Interest in the comic has spiked as news spread. According to Matt Ashland, owner of Matt’s Cavalcade Of Comics in Corvallis. “We had a lot of people calling about it. We don’t carry Spiderman a whole lot, but it sold out within an hour.” Priced at $2.99 a copy and Written by Zeb Wells with art by Todd Nauck and Frank D'Armata the book is slated for release on January 14th nationwide with a second printing already in the works.

Tom Cruise Hates Hitler Like The Rest Of Us

Tom Cruise as an eyepatch wearing Nazi spearheading an assassination attempt on Hitler? Such is the premise of Valkyrie, the Christmas-day-released film based on the story of Colonel Claus Von Stauffenberg, a German officer in Hitler's regime that mounts one of many (spoiler alert if you flunked out of public school!) failed attempts on the life of the evil mustached mastermind. "That's all kinds of awesome!" you may be thinking as you ready your throwing cash to pelt your nearest movie theatre with, but not so fast my fickle friend. Let's take a moment to read this review, shall we, before throwing away your hard-earned marks.

Visually it's a remarkable film; directed by Bryan Singer from X-Men and Superman Returns fame, the movie carries his signature polish and superhero shine, utilizing a grit-free cinematic landscape vibrant with activity and color that revivifies the romantic distinctions of the period. It's obvious within the first half-hour that the strength of the film lies in its plumage; the movie manages to straddle that fine line between realistic depiction and fantastic interpretation with its crisp uniforms and dwarfing sets that typifies imagery we might associate with a greater film. Whoever did wardrobe and set design for the film deserves one of those Oscars that don't get shown on T.V. for drawing the audience so near to the feeling of an epic movie, and lending a hand in coating the blemishes of a slowly paced narrative that takes damn nigh an hour to lift off.

The idea grabs you right away, but the problem lies in the tension; as stated before, we all know how this little story concludes, and it would take one hell of a twist to make moviegoers feel like they didn't just waste two gallons of gas money on a film that recants a well-worn history lesson. But that twist never comes, despite the actors doing their best to fill in the pacing with a strong supporting cast that makes the best of what they were given. The story lulled for the first half; most of the time was spent exchanging heavy ominous dialogue that demolishes my attention span. Background story and development seems like filler for the fulcrum of the otherwise engaging premise.

As vital as character development is in any story, it's only worth the investment if at the end of the film people actually care about the fates of those involved, and unfortunately for Valkyrie little to no attachment was culminated from the extensive purchase of time spent in the former portion of this film. Surface motivations and convenient plot devices numbed the passionate discharge of the cast's performance who trudged on admirably, slamming fists on desks and shaking their heads sadly with the weight of their conspiring.

You may be wondering about the star of our play. I know it's fashionable to crap all over Tom Cruise right now, but he did an acceptable job. If anything, his trademark robotic passion keyed well with his character. Any emotion that did manage to creep from his well-guarded singular style we see portrayed in every film he headlines conveyed a sense of tumultuous restraint which fit the character's motivations well enough.

A glimmer of hope remained as the film really begins to take flight, when the wheels of their plotting begins to build momentum, pressure begins to fill the vacancies of tired threats and staring contests between characters and I actually found myself leaning forward for the last third of the film, a sure sign of interest according to all laws of body language. But alas, it was too late, the final thrust of impetus was not enough to drive the movie over the hill of mediocrity, and it rolled it's sad little frame into a final conclusion toward the junkyard of "meh"-city, population this movie.

I would have been happy to relegate this film to the annals of 'movies I would watch again if someone else rented it', if it weren't for one grating flaw. Being a period piece, certain stylistic elements must be in place to nurture the biosphere in which relevant characters and story developments are grown. Although I don't fall prey to the trappings of unrealistic expectations (nothing is ever going to be like the book), there are a few minor pitfalls every movie set in the somewhat to very distant past seem to blunder into. So let's go down the checklist and see if Valkyrie hits the mark. Get it? Mark? I love currency jokes, it's an illness.

Rule one of bad period films: everyone must speak in an English accent. I didn't really start to notice this until about a decade ago; I think English is default for unimaginative dramatists trying to sound aristocratic and commanding. I can understand Troy's cast talking like they just wandered off of the set of a Jane Austen film, ancient Greek conversational idiosyncrasies are probably a little harder to pull down, but German? Every elementary school kid with an affluence for attention whoring knows how to spit out a decent barking schnitzel-speak without falling back on the elegance of our fair cousin's dialect. It wouldn't have been so bad if a few of them had just made up their minds and picked a single inaccurate accent to imitate, but I swear I heard Irish and some Russian in there too. Ok I only thought of one rule so far but they still didn't pass. Check! You fail, Valkyrie. I give you 2 Nazi Nick Fury's out of 5.

Gamer's Integration Into The Work Force

Once thought a passing (albeit enormous) fad, gaming has established itself as a mainstream staple, rising to prominence in the league of comparable mediums like movies and television. What's more notable is those that have grown up in this entertainment phenomenon, an entire generation indoctrinated with video games, who's vernacular is peppered with newly refurbished turns of old phrases, and a pantheon of memorable experiences foreign to the old growth that precedes them. The Entertainment Software Association released it's annual report findings, which revealed that 65% of American households play computer or video games, and what's more surprising is 59% of those gamers play with others in person. Which falls in line with my own experience, as the first time game I ever played a video game was in a crowded room of boys from my Little League baseball team all clustered around a screen. To my generation gaming is the Rock and Roll revolution of the baby boomers, fragmented experiences using games have helped comprise the landscape of my formative years and produce the kind of person I am today. For years I have also seen the bittered cry of those that dismiss gaming as a distasteful habit of sloth and intellectual erosion, a vehicle of the gradual disintegration of values and work ethics that were once so ingrained into our culture. While condemnation of the passions undertaken by their offspring is nothing new, it does raise the question to me of the impact my gaming generation has had, and will continue to wield on the world. To fully understand the influence it has on my generation, we must first grasp the scope of it's evolution, from pastime to permanent fixture, and it's resounding implications on the world in which we exist.

Pirates can't read either

Oh sweet tender illiteracy how I long for you, days past where I pointed at pretty pictures and imagined their meaning. I feel creatively exhausted as my last reserves have been dedicated to writing essays and speeches. I think the quality of life could be greatly enhanced if I were to revert back to the childlike innocence of pawing the T.V. screen while I watched Sesame Street and stuffed my face with graham crackers.

But im a big college boy now, time to man up and pick a real subject for this blog. Its got to be something fantastic…something topical…something like…pirates! Yes I know, you thought the day wouldn’t come, but it has. Pirates have made their eventual comeback to the world, taking pot shots at passing cruise ships and bringing words like scurvy back into the vernacular of mainstream society. Just say it once out loud… Scurvy… It’s enough to make you want to gouge out an eye and buy a parrot. Apparently I’m not the only one taking an interest. In the article below, a journalist for the Washington Post talks about her quest to actually find a pirate and interview him.

Discussion On Washington Post

Chalk this up to another reason to become a journalist: As a stepping stone to my ultimate goal of joining a pirate crew. I know what you’re thinking. I’d make one hell of a first mate, thanks for the compliment. But piracy isn’t all fun and games. There’s serious business to be had, and I’ll be implementing measures to ensure I get picked first when they’re making pirate teams at recess.

First, I’ve got to come up with a cool name. Logic demands it be one part awesome coupled with another part appendage or item of clothing. So far the short list consists of such worthy submissions as, Deckswab Whiskypants or First Mate Sandlehand. Any one of them could be heard on the high seas of Somalia, so it has to strike fear in the hearts of my enemies. That’s why I’ve decided to pick a sweet middle name so that I can alternate it once I make captain (an inevitability with my pirate know-how and cool American aloofness), like Captain Inyourface, or Captain Bloodeverywhere.

And weapons? Well I’m a modern pirate to be sure, so I decided on a blunderbuss. Sleek and stylish at a mere two to three feet, the blunderbuss is the pirate’s choice weapon for the man on the go. Featuring a mahogany stock inlaid with rare silvers, this is a gun that says, “Hey, I’m a time traveller that can’t find my ship, can you help me?” Just the reaction I’m hoping to get out of the public. And with a mere 2 minutes or so of reloading time I’ll be ready to shoot at Saudi Oil tankards and cruise ships whenever the need arises. Unfortunately its harder to find a cutlass than one might think in this day and age, what with the man getting down on you every time you wander about in public grasping a melee weapon and shouting obscenities at people in the mall. And no matter how much you explain we wouldn’t HAVE this problem if they would just let me keep my employee discount at Big Town Heroes, the thing always gets confiscated. I MEAN ALL I WANT IS A SANDWICH OK?! IS THAT TOO MUCH?! NO I DON’T THINK IT IS. No matter, because I won’t have these kind of issues with fascist America once I’m a pirate

As far as looks go Ive been hanging out in the Apple store in Corvallis, to study the expertise of their clientele, and master the scruffy hipster look that is sure to resonate with my sordid crew. I’m going to buy a big coat, with lots of pockets for booty (that’s pirate for diamonds I think) and gold doubloons. I’ll be sporting a Tri-point hat as well, which may make my fellow sea farers uncomfortable at first, as it is sure to remind them of British privateers charged with their capture. But after the initial tension disperses, I’m certain it will become a distinguishing feature that will only assist with my slow climb up the corporate plank.

Until that fateful day when I find myself aboard a ship, I will hone my skills attacking small passing vessels, or “cars” if you will, hoping to lose a leg. But enough writing. There’s piracy to be had! If you need me I’ll be at Disneyland practicing on the rides. Captain Ragingthiroid OUT!

Sleep is for pussies

So Greg taught me how to use the internet, yay. Now that I am connected to the futuristic technology of tomorrow my assimilation into modern culture can begin, but I have questions. What is the monetary value of a space buck, how many of you are robots, if you explode in space can anyone hear it? Where do babies come from?! These questions and more will be answered in the coming months, as we explore this wonder-filled new world of the internet together. Many inane pointless subject matter we will review, countless asinine nonsensical theories will I bestow upon you, the reading public. And so it begins.

Subject one: Sleep, necessary function or the cowards way out of reality? I like many of you have slept before, I close my eyes, I dream of a land where Grandpa isn’t dead and has enough rifles for all of us. But when I awaken come the rotation of the Earth, I find disappointment is all that waits for me in this land called reality. I begin to question the point of sleep, is it really a process of repair for your body or God’s way of saying “I see you there, and I still don’t like you.” All empirical evidence, scientific research, and common sense say absolutely, sleep is good. But what does science know, it’s dumb and I don’t like it, if i were a slave to trends I would have given up pog a long time ago. then where would I be? Probably dead. So let’s explore the matter further as I present a much needed counter argument.

The first article of evidence I submit is no sleep makes you a man. Adversity makes you strong, and being tired all the time makes shit harder to do, put two and two together. You don’t hear about soldiers writing home, talking about how much sleep they’re getting, about what awesome dream they had last night when their camp was being shelled in Afghanistan. And soldiers are tough, why? Because nobody lets them sleep, in boot camp you get woken up and do push ups at midnight, because your drill instructors know real men don’t sleep. I’ve seen movies, I know what’s up, Tom Hanks never nodded off in the middle of a fire fight, William Wallace didn’t take a power nap before impaling that guy on a spike, that’s right he ran over there and tore that camp up, tore it up good. And who do we always find nodding off in the middle of daffodil fields after a full day of draft dodging and spray painting fur coats: hippies. I rest my case.

Article two, what has sleep done for you lately? It’s hard to do homework when you’re asleep, believe me I’ve tried. The only time you get things done is when you’re awake. That’s money out of your pocket bitch, if you spent a third more of the day at work instead of lolly gagging in la la land you could finally make payments on that car you can’t afford, you could buy another boat. Women love boats, think of all the real non-dream sex you could be having right now if you just skipped the dormancy and went straight for the money, son. “Yeee boooy.”

Article three, psychic abilities. Statistics I just made up show that 80% of your latent telekinetic powers are drained through the process of sleep. Who doesn’t want super powers, not me that’s for damn sure. You could be bending spoons and deflecting meteor showers from the Earth, saving us all from sure destruction if you would just “man” (or “woman”) up and look alive for another third of your life. So what’s your problem, you must not like being awesome. In conclusion, through the process of elimination and irrefutable evidence I have shown that sleep is in fact for pussies, fat people, and small claims court Judges. I hope all three of you that read this have been enlightened and decide to take charge of your lives tonight, let it be known from hill to dale. In the words of Winston Churchill “Cigars are really good, fuck sleep.”

Copy Paste Revivifies My Moldy Prose

Hello dear reader a pleasure to see you at my blog. In an effort to catch you up to the happenings going on in my think tank I am copy pasting a few choice blogs and columns from the near past. I swear this will not become a common practice and I will supply fresh never before seen thoughts in future blogs, as I feel a great sense of loyalty to you already and would never betray the intimacies of the connection we have formed over the last paragraph. Without any further ado IT BEGINS!