Relief

Today was the due date for the 10-page research paper in my History of the Vietnam Wars class. Although it was a hard writing process, I now feel like a huge weight has been lifted. Just one less thing to worry about going into the last couple weeks of school. The end is almost here; I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Once the term ends, I'll have about a week off until May term starts. Then, it is Music Theory 1 every day for about three weeks. After that, Summer Term starts and then it is Music Theory 2 and British History to the 17th Century.

Hopefully, within the next couple of weeks, the University of Glasgow will get back to me about my learning abroad opportunity for next school year. Hopefully, I will be attending their fine establishment for the entire academic year. I'll be taking two year long courses, one in music composition and one in the Scots Gaelic (Gàidhlig), and then two semester classes, one on early Scottish History and one on music of the classical period through the study of Bach and his Lutheran Passion settings (P.S. the St. John Passion is an amazing work of music) DISCLAIMER: I am not religious in the least. There will be the opportunity for extra-curriculars as well. Perhaps I will sing in a choir, or play a sport such as Rugby, Cricket, or Curling. Of course, that is all pending that I am accepted. I cannot wait to hear back.

Two weeks ago, the rugby team traveled to Chicago to play Bowling Green State University for the Midwest Cup. We lost, but good times were had. Specifically, a program that we listened to in the van on the way down there. On Saturday, NPR does a program where they analyze music of seemingly disparate genres that shares a common theme. The theme that Saturday was money. Among the tracks played was one by Johnny Cash called, “After Taxes.” Finally, they got to the last track, prefaced like this: “Now, for the last track of this program. Our theme throughout has been money and its power in the world. We come to a group of the finest MC's who have ever existed. The RZA, the JZA, ODB, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa. The Wu-Tang Clan and their debut album hit, “C.R.E.A.M.” discusses the power of money in the inner city. Let me read you a particularly powerful set of lyrics. “But as the world turns I learned life is hell/ Living in the world no different from a cell.” It just goes to show that no matter how much money you have, the world is still a harsh place.”

I nearly shit myself when I heard some nerdy white guy reading Wu-Tang Clan lyrics and busting his nut about what a “prolific group of MC's they were.” Freaking awesome.

I leave you with that thought. Have a good night.

I don't think that I get it

I hate Donald Trump. You know why? He's an asshole. First of all, he's an uninformed douche who plants the most absurd idea in the political discourse. It is these ideas that are like masturbatory aides for the most prejudiced, hateful conservative radicals in America. And, when someone calls him on it, he has this bizarre, histrionic reaction. I don't understand why anyone takes him seriously. But, nonetheless, the latest polls show him tied with Mitt Romney, who I believe is the only sane person thinking of running for office on the Republican side. Ugh.

Speaking of Mitt Romney, it is fiver years ago today that he signed a piece of legislation into law that reformed the healthcare system in the state of Massachusetts. Because of this legislation 98% of people in Massachusetts have healthcare coverage, which includes 99.8% of children. Massachusetts is still a state. It hasn't imploded, or fallen off the face of the Earth. In fact, they have a balanced budget. They aren't bankrupt. So, what is the issue with implementing this at the national level. All conservatives talk about is how it will kill the insurance industry and bankrupt the country. Well, neither of those things have happened in Massachusetts. And I do not think they will ever happen to our country.

In other political news, Republicans don't understand economics. Go figure. Wisconsin Republican Representative, Paul Ryan, released the GOP plan so resolve the debt crisis recently. In it, he proposes cutting 750 million dollars from Medicaid, and privatizing Medicare. In addition, Republicans look to defund Planned Parenthood, PBS, and NPR along with other programs they do no agree with socially.

I am upset about this for several reasons. Firstly, the GOP is trying to make a social issue out of budgetary matters. You cannot just defund everything you disagree with. Planned Parenthood provides women's health services to 5 million women every year that they would not otherwise be able to afford, including breast and cervical cancer screenings. Yet, the GOP seeks to pin Planned Parenthood as the #1 provider of abortion services in America. Secondly, Republicans need to understand that the cuts the seek to make are just wiped out by the tax  cuts that they give to wealthy individuals and large corporations. Cutting spending alone does not fix debt problems. You also have to raise taxes to create a compound effect. In fact, going back to the tax structure under President Clinton would produce the same effect as all of the spending cuts in Rep. Ryan's plan. Think about that.

I think my blood pressure is elevated now. I'm going to rest up so I can get just as worked up tomorrow.

News Flash

I realized how long it has been since I lost blogged. Seems like forever. I have some things on my mind; some old, some new.

As you may know, members of Congress are attempting to draft and pass a budget in order to avoid a partial shutdown of the government. What is getting my goat about this whole issue is the absolute ridiculousness with which this is being dragged out. Our budget deficit for next year is estimated at  1.65 trillion dollars. Senate Democrats and House Republicans are fighting over the difference between 33 billion dollars and 61 billion dollars. Firstly, in the grand scheme, both of these numbers are negligible amounts compared to the total deficit. They are virtually the same number. Also, Republicans are not willing to make cuts that will really affect the budget. We spend 500+ billion dollars a year on the defense budget. That is more than every other country in the world, COMBINED. China comes in a distant second, spending only about 200 billion dollars. We could cut a ton of money from the Defense budget without negatively impacting our nation. But, the Defense budget is sacred to the Republicans. Instead, their preferred method is to defund programs that they disagree with socially, and save almost no money doing it. PBS and NPR have a liberal bias, so defund them! Pro-life? Then defund Planned Parenthood. The list goes on. Republicans, if you are really interested in compromise, then bring everything to the table and let's talk cuts. Otherwise, go suck a dick.

In related news, I hate Donald Trump. He's a fucking idiot. He thinks that he is the second coming of Christ. Apparently, he would be the best president ever. I have news for you, my friend. Running a government is nothing like running a business. To be completely honest, you can't even run multiple businesses well. All that you bring to the table is disgusting hair, an inflated ego, and birtherism. Go jump off of a fucking cliff.

And now, sports! In today's match-up between the Minnesota Twins and the New York Yankees, Twins Second Baseman Tsuyoshi Nishioka received a broken fibula after Yankees Right Fielder Nick Swisher slid into second base trying to break up a double play. Not only did he show no sign of attempting to touch the bag, he also kicked his foot out as Nishioka attempted to move out of the way in order to trip him. Swisher, you're a fucking dick. You should be suspended. You just put someone on the 2-month disabled list. Nishioka might not be able to come back this season. I hate you. Something needs to be done to stop such irresponsible play.

Lastly, my Chinese class. Apparently, the girl that sits in front of me in discussion still has not discovered the vibrate function on her phone. Almost every day, her phone goes off at the same time in the middle of discussion and she scrambles to silence it. Put it on fucking vibrate before class starts. It has happened three times this week alone, and multiple times in the past. Get with the program.