Calla's Seventeenth Post

Mama is sideways and I don't know why! Maybe I will fix her some day soon.

This news article is strange to me. I am concerned now for my well-being because it bothers my head.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/30/AR2008103004757_pf.html

So so confusingly strange. The president of the Republican club at Liberty University says, "Aside from moral issues -- homosexuality and abortion -- I advocate small government." Yet is also "hesitant to criticize Bush." This is strange to me. Bush has not done anything to prevent abortion (you should look to the section on abortion in Post no. 4 [from October 2008] to see my full opinion on this) or gay rights (not that I would want him to) and has let the gov. grow 40%. . . Um, what? That is my response "what?" It is the only response I can muster because I am oh so perplexed by young Republicans. Additionally, I don't understand how someone in my generation can be against gay rights anymore than I can understand how someone in my generation can still be racist. But alas, there is racism and homophobia among even us 20something-years-olds. So, right that is strange to me. Yep. Strange and a half almost. . . But true and a half also.

Also, the culture element of Liberty University is surprising. It is surprising because it is NOT surprising. (hehe. . . didn't see that one coming! Did you?. . . um, did you?) What I mean is this: They dress like everyone I know, drink Starbucks like everyone I know, watch The Office like everyone I know, listen to Indie Rock like everyone I know, and wear shirts proclaiming I [heart] such-and-such like people I used to know in high school. (Let's be clear, I only personally approve of the skinny jeans [and with BOOTS not sneakers and not Uggs either] and The Office because I've never seen it so I can't judge. Nonetheless, they are like everyone I know.) So, what this leads me to believe is that the way my school is full of fake liberals, people claiming that want to change things and pretending they are activists, Liberty is probably full of fake conservatives, claiming they want to change things and pretending they are activists for the opposite things for which people in my school pretend they are activists. The reason I think this is because anyone who regularly supports a giant corporation like Starbucks is clearly content with the status quo, or hasn't thought critically about the status quo. It is just surprising to learn this is a two way street– students repeating things they have heard from their parents runs on both sides of the left/right political split.

Ok, so this is going to be one of the two weirdest parts of the article. This girl who is president of the Republican club is black. (That's not the weird part.) The weird part is, that by the other 9% of black students at Liberty University, she is considered a racial traitor because she's campaigning actively for McCain, AND the white students in the Republican club fear she is an 'Obama plant' despite the fact that she is their president. . . Once again, um. . . WHAT? In what alternative universe is Liberty University, where the entire student body, absent one girl, vote solely on race? OK, not to generalize (because the article does point out that some liberals go to Liberty and there is even a Democrat club), but I'm willing to BET you that most of the students at Liberty, black, white, hispanic, Asian, American Indian alike, have similar political views (be them fake or part of a deep-running conviction). So why are all the black students voting for the Democrat? Additionally, are a lot of the students there so racist that they can't understand why a black woman would vote for McCain, even one who is PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLICAN CLUB? Is it wrong of me to be confused by this weirdness? Am I missing something obvious. Please explain the obvious thing I am missing, because I would truly like to know what the heck goes on in the minds of these students.

Ok, so the other weirdest part says this:

Not all of Ayendi's friends at Liberty are in political lockstep, made evident by the arrival of Ray Woolson, a biology major who pulls up a chair. Woolson is ripe for ribbing: His Razor scooter is in the back seat of his Volvo, which bears an Obama bumper sticker. And not just any scooter.

"A scooter with a cup holder!" Ayendi teases. "When you want to come over to the real world, you can come over to my side. How can you be a liberal?"

Woolson is calm. "I think being a liberal is the most compassionate thing you can do," he says. "Jesus was a pacifist who chose to spend his time with the poor people. They weren't Big Oil, they were prostitutes."

Ayendi shakes her head in pity. Woolson gives it back. "There are a lot of kids at school who are blindly conservative," he says.

"Americans have gotten too soft and expect too much," Ayendi says.

"Like affordable health care?" Woolson asks. "The conservatives want to have tax cuts for Big Oil CEOs."

They could debate for hours, and they often do, but Woolson has to take off. When he leaves, Ayendi says: "Ray is so random. I'm not. I do as I'm told. I'm really proper. Liberals are very indie, very emo, just very fun. When we go out, we put on button-downs and Sperrys. I think ahead. I'd rather dress like this now, because when I'm in law school this is how I'll be dressing. Liberals are like, 'Live, take a load off!' My friends at home say I have to be perfect 24 hours a day. It's just who I am."

I am all around bewildered by this portion of the article. I would like to hear these debates they supposedly have for hours because all this girl did was shake her head at her friend without actually offering a response. Then, she ENTIRELY offended all liberals by implying we are indie and emo. . . like, what? I am not emo, and I also enjoying thinking ahead which is why I fight global warming and such. Also, when she is in law school will she ALWAYS wear button downs and Sperrys (what's a Sperry? I guess I'm too liberal to know.) Does she sleep in them? Also, does she imply conservatives aren't any fun, because I think many may be offended by that statement. Also, many liberals are not like "live, take a load off!" (whatever that even means) because we do not feel we can stop fighting for the social changes we deem vital anymore than she feels she can. Also, why does she admit to doing whatever she is told? That seems like a sign of complacincy. . . that is not always such a good thing to be. I am just confused. . . what's with the cupholder remark anyway? Oh and I really like when that Ray guy says Jesus hung out with prostitutes, because it's a good reminder we are not above anyone. (Seriously, how cool was Jesus? Coming to earth to redeem everyone)

Ok, that is all. This article was strange to me. Oh my.

UNRELATED ALERT: In Galactica, Sharon Agathon's call sign is Athena. Do you think this is because she was always grown up and Athena sprung out fully formed from Zeus's head? MAYBE

Love,

You know WHO!