King of His Castle

Ever heard of Peter King?
He's a replican rep from NY. He has become famous for forcing Muslim Americans to look at extremists within their faith and be realistic about what is actually happening in the world. While the moderate Muslims living in America might not have anything to do with their more radical brothers across the middle east and even in Europe, they are still technically members of the same religion. His case is not that Muslims all over the world have to take responsibility for what their brothers are doing, but rather come to terms with what is happening and to stop denying it.
I was reading this article in the Washington Post written by a Muslim woman in support of King's beliefs. She quotes the Quran saying:
Oh ye who believe!
Stand out firmly
For justice, as witnesses
To God, even if it may be against
Yourselves, or your parents
Or your kin
Proving that even the Quran challenges the Islamic community to be self-critical.
As Jews i think it's an important case to learn about. If there were injustices happening all over the world due to extremists in the Jewish community, we would not sit by and let it happen; getting defensive any time we were blamed for the atrocious events. They have to take responsibility for what is happening to a certain extent and i think that the Muslim world will only bennefit from this proactive stance.

War and Jobs?

This article inspired me to write the following, but i just found the article fascinating. (and yes, it's all about politics b/c it's about the economy which is as political as it gets...)

When a college graduate can't get a job, is it still considered an investment to pay for a college education? A couple of years ago, i heard my teachers advising current high school and college students to stay in school for as long as possible because a new graduate is not likely to get a job. But more recently i've been hearing a more negative sentiment, that there is no hope for jobs, so, boys, better to become a plumber, at least you can fix your own toilet.When America's economy was based on consumerism, what happens when the population no longer consumes? What about if there are enough doctors, lawyers, bankers and computers to keep the system going. It seems like the job market does not need new people. I used to think that this time is good for us college students, that now we'll all get tons of internships so when the economy decides to function properly again, we'll all have nicely padded resumes to send into corporate america. But what if the economy never really turns around. On the other hand, what if it turns around but not enough to support every college graduate? Will college graduates be willing to take the jobs of an unskilled worker just to make ends meet or will pride put me and my peers on the street. The future is supposed to be exciting, so why does it seem so bleak?

*disclaimer: i mean to talk about the american economy, not to sound hopeless for the future- i'm sure we'll all get jobs, especially with our snazzy YU diplomas :-)

The Country That Started it All...

OK, so remember that time that that guy in Tunisia set himself on fire which began riots? and then the riots spread to every other middle eastern country? right. guess what's happening now?!

 Tunisian Prime Minister Announces Resignation

k, just so we all know what's going on... does that mean that all the other countries will follow in the same footsteps?

Washington, welcome to facebook

After our discussion today in class, i was curious what the president's facebook looks like. Well, as it turns out, he has 18,417,231 likes, and on any given post there are thousands of likes and comments.  i can't imagine. he also likes his wife, michelle obama's page- i think it's a sign of a happy marriage.
it seemed that the facebook page was over all not so political. I think the best part of the page was the comment under one of the official white house pictures of  the president reading: "YOU ARE MY FAVORITE PRESIDENT IN THE WORLD. I WOSSH YOU GOOD APPORTUNITY DUE TO SERVE WORLD" (so proud of the american education...)

Another entertaining part of his page is where in a video that re-capped what the president did last week, it has a clip of him talking to Marc Zuckerberg- the creator of facebook- on facebook! so cool!


Facebook is a great way for the president to connect to the people, and he can present the issues that he wants the greater american public- not just those who are interested in politics- to be aware of.

Politics on Fire

In class this week, we discussed setting agendas in the news. Well, as it so happens, there is a prime example of agenda setting in the NY Times this week. Since the news in the middle east is exceedingly more interesting than the budget setting happening in Washington, the M.E. has taken over the home page and front page of the paper. If you go to the politics page, then you'll see tons of important stories about what's going on domestically, but who wants to read about fights in congress when people are setting themselves on fire on the other side of the world? I, for one, am more inclined to learn about people on fire, but that's just me. (or careless shootings, riots,  demonstrations...)
Is it wrong that the American papers are more concerned with the other side of the world? Is it expected or should we insist that they set priority to the local news?
Most recent M.E. drama

Egypt and the Internet

The internet in 2011 seems to just be a "thing." This "thing" that no one has control over, but just "is." It is everywhere, and is seen as a crime when coffee shops or hotels try to charge for it. With 3G networks, Blackberries and Iphones, people have their email and facebook everywhere. How then, was it possible for an entire country to shut down the internet? Furthermore, how were the people able to continue rioting even without this necessary tool?
Egypt Leaders Found ‘Off’ Switch for Internet- in this NY Times article, they try to explain what happened and how it happened. It just seems so interesting to me, with this blogging assignment, that if we were in Egypt, it would not be possible.