What's Going On

Figure Skating

2009-07-16T10:16:00.000-07:00

I just realize that I never commented on the World Championships. I meant to but I forgot. I was so thrilled that Yu-na Kim finally won the world title.

However, I want to comment on what's been going on lately. As many people know Michelle Kwan is going to be skating at Yu-na's show in August. I'm really looking forward to seeing the youtube videos from the show.. However, I'm hoping that this doesn't mean that Michelle will be coming back to competitive skating.

This may sound bad, but personally I'm really hating the idea of Shen and Zhao, Plushenko, Cohen, and Kwan's returns. Its not that I cannot handle a comeback, I just don't like the idea of the comeback being for the Olympics only. I don't want the Olympic Champion to be someone or a couple who hasn't competed for the entire quad. It doesn't sit right for me...

This is especially the case with the US women. We only have two spots this year. This is because of the idiotic judging at the US Natioanls, which kept Caroline Zhang off the team, and gave the championship to Alissa Czisny. Alissa landed only three triples in the free skate at that competition, and she was a known headcase. Sure Flatt and Zhang aren't particularly exciting. But both girls are decent competitors and I felt they'd probably place well at Worlds. I was right about Rachael, she placed fifth. But because Allisa placed way worse, we only got two spots for the Olympics.

I'd be horrified if one of Rachael/Caroline places third and doesn't get to go to the Olympics. I think one of the Olympic spots should really go to a youngster.

I'm tired of the partisan bickering

2009-07-16T10:04:00.000-07:00

Even though I clearly was not a huge fan of President Bush. I did not vote for Obama, for a variety of reasons. Primarly because I'm pro life. However, I must say that I'm really getting tired of all of the partistan bickering. It never stops! I feel like there are things that Obama does that if a Republican President did, the Obama critics would be thrilled.

I cannot forget that while they are screaming about Obama's spending, so many were quiet with George W Bush's ridiculous spending. I just feel like people should be reasonable and fair. Judge someone's actions fairly, instead of looking for something to criticize.

For example, I studied Middle Eastern History a bit in college, and since I know a little bit about Iran. (Let's be clear a little bit) I was thrilled with how President Obama handled the Iranian crisis. The government there loves to use the US government boogie man, and so Obama essentially made it a lot more difficult to do so..

However, even though Obama used a lot of wisdom, he still got criticism from the usual suspects.

I just wish people would look at the issues fairly instead of looking at it through their partisan glasses.

Healthy Lifestyles

2009-07-16T09:53:00.000-07:00

I'm sure that a lot of us are interested in living more healthy life styles. Personally, it's something that I know I should be doing, but I haven't been very diligent about this in my own personal life.

However, I found a great blog called Healthy Fellow which is all about living a more healthy lifestyle. This site is all about promoting wellness. So there are articles about travel supplements, diets, to warnings about mint tea, and even an article about Animal Assited Therapy! The animal assisted therapy article is definetly my favorite article so far. I have three cats, and I have to admit they bring a lot of joy to one's life.

Healthy Fellows is a great blog that everyone should check out. Of course one should always consult their doctors especially before taking suppliments.
http://www.healthyfellow.com/

Thank God President Bush is Going

2009-01-12T20:50:00.000-08:00

I did not vote for Obama in November. Reluctantly, I voted for McCain; however, I am so glad that President Bush will be leaving office.

He is in my opinion one of the worst President's we have ever had. I mean he

1. Took us to an unjust war

2. In many ways destroyed our economy.

3. Spent like a drunken Sailor.

I'm seriously curious, can anyone name a President who is worse than George W Bush?

Israel and Palestinians

2009-01-04T23:29:00.000-08:00

I wanted to make some comments about the Israelis and the Palestinians because well, it's a subject that has touched my heart for some time...

For some background information, I grew up as an Evangelical Christian. I was taught that God gave that land to the Jews, and that's that. Also, my stepmother is Jewish, so that's another connection I have...

However, in the back of my mind, when I would hear these facts, I would ask myself... But is that fair? Would God really expel a group of people from a land that they've been living in for years and years, because they are the wrong religion????

Now, yes there are some versus in the Old Testament that mention the Caananites being driven out, by the Caananites were comitting specific crimes like child sacrifice etc, the Palestinians weren't doing this.

I guess my answer is NO. I don't think the creation of Isreal was right. Please don't get me wrong, I get the situation at the time, many Jewish refugees had no where to go, but for that I blame Europe and America, but why exactly did the Palestinians have to pay for the Holocaust.

I'm just tired of people justifying the way the Palestinians have been treated, and they have been treated horribly... Terrorist and non Terrorist Palestinian alike, they are denied freedom of access, basic water rights, rights to decent education... When it comes to the killing far more Palestinians have died...In a lot of cases Palestinian homes can be torn down, if the Israeli army so decides.. It's horrifying to think about it. Did you know there are Jewish only roads in the occupied territories?...This is wrong, it's frankly immoral.

Please don't get me wrong, I'm not excusing terrorism, or the Palestinians electing Hamas. But what I am trying to say that if you were in the Palestinian situation, can you honestly say that you wouldn't become a terrorist too? Can you honestly say that You wouldn't want Israel gone? And would your desire to see Israel gone really be because of anti-semetism and instead be a direct reaction to the way you've been treated for the past 60 years?

And I know people say well the Palestinians should have accepted the 1948 borders. Well, why the heck should they have? They were living in the land, the Jewish immigrants were mostly new (even if the Palestinian immigrants were new, so where the Jewish ones too) They owned the majority of the land (see the UN) And were the majority of the people for a long, long time.

So why shouldn't the Palestinians say "heck no" to a Jewish State being built in the land where they live... After all they weren't Jewish, and wouldn't that make them effectively second class citizens. Once again if you were in that situation wouldn't you say "heck no!" Surely as the majority at that time, shouldnt' they have had first dibs on making a government, since they had been living there all that time.

Now, Isreal exists and the majority of Isrealis were born there, the Palestinians have to accept this. But Israelis have to take a long hard look and recognize that the Palestinians were grieviously injured as does frankly the international community.

Until Israel and the rest of the World Community is willing to recognize their major role in the Palestinian situation, and until apologies and reperations are made...I can't see how this is solved.

But I'm tired of the Palestinians being treated like sub humans, or people who have this irrational hatred. No they don't, they have every reason to be angry. You'd be angry too if you were in that situation...

I want to make it clear that I'm not okaying terrorism. It's not right to kill innocent civilians like groups like Hamas does. But what I'm trying to point out is that the State of Israel is not some innocent victim in this mess. When you treat a group of people like animals, corner them, and abuse them, eventually they will strike.

2008-07-25T04:20:00.000-07:00

Chinese Olympic Team Announced (In order)

Cheng Fei
Yang Yilin
Jiang Yuyuan
He Kexin
Li Shanshan
Deng Linlin

I think this is a great team.. It's composed of three good All Arounders Yang Yilin, Jiang Yuyuan, and Deng Linlin and three specialists, which I think is really ideal.

My Team Final Rosters as of now

Vault- Yang Yilin, Jiang Yuyuan, and Cheng Fei

Bars-Jiang Yuyuan, Yang Yilin, and He Kexin

Beam (most likely Cheng Fei, but Yang Yilin is an option) Cheng/Yang, Deng, Li Shanshan

Floor- Yang Yilin, Jiang Yuyuan, Cheng Fei

What I like about this team is everyone has a place. It also contains a favorite for every Event Final.

Plus, they have 2 All Arounders, Yang Yilin and Jiang Yuyuan who could factor into the All Around. You can see my post below, which shows how much I think the Yang Yilin especially is a threat..

This being said this Chinese team is replacable. There was a lot of debate about the last two spots (Li Shanshan/Deng)

Yang Yilin: Future Olympic All Around Champion: Serious Possibility

2008-06-14T11:48:00.001-07:00

First of all prayers for those all Iowans, including Shawn Johnson's and her coach as they deal with this horrific crisis going on It's a horrific thing.

But on a lighter note...

There's a new all around threat... She might not be getting talked about, she might not have the hype. But this girl has the routines, and is posting the numbers which could make her the top Girl in Beijing. And the best thing about her position, is she'll have little to no expectations.

Her Name:

Yang Yilin of China. (Who'd you think I was talking about Jiang Yuyuan!) Of course Jiang has a shot to but not the shot Yang has.

Now last year Yang did the All Around, and she went 4/4 but she didn't medal because she didn't have the difficulty. However, times change and gymnasts can upgrade. And boy has Yang upgraded.

She's now got a 7.7 bar routine, a DTY vault, and much harder floor and beam routines. Now, the thing is though that except for Chinese Nationals (which she didn't win because of a big mistake on bars although she won Prelims) we haven't been able to see Yang do beam or vault. And while she got nice numbers there, it was clear that Chinese Nationals was well inflated.

Well, we can guess no more because Yang has competed at French Nationals today (and was 2 freaking points better than her next competition Jiang Yuyuan)

As for Yang's scores

15.125 Vault
16.650 Bars
15.750 Beam
15.175
62.700

With numbers like these she could win the Olympics. And the scary thing is she has room for improvement. She stepped out of bounds on floor, and she's gotten higher scores on bars internationally..

Nobody will probably be mentioning Yang Yilin's name as an All Around threat. But if she hits like this at the Olympics, she's on the Medal stand.. And it could even possibly be Gold.

Typical White person

2008-03-21T11:15:00.000-07:00

Rachael Lucas has a great comment here on Obama's statement. http://rachellucas.com/index.php/2008/03/21/cant-we-all-just-get-along/

Here's my thing, I'm not too angry with Obama, for his statement. (I'm still far more angry about painting Grandma as a racist)

I just find the whole race discussion annoying because it's a one way conversation that includes some blacks telling us what we think and feel. I know racism still exists. I'm not dumb, I know there are still disparities. (Not an idiot)

But Obama, I'm not afraid of black men, whom I pass on the street. Now, I do get nervous if it's really dark and some strange guy I don't know starts bothering me. But I'm sorry, I'm a woman, and I have no way of defending myself. I wonder if Obama even knows what it means to be a woman. But guess what white men scare me in this regard. It's dark outside, and it's late. No one is around. Guess what? That's really not a way to approach a girl guys.

I also get nervous if I'm in a really bad neighborhood. Oh, then I'm jumpy. But passing a black man in broad day light in a normal neighborhood. Scary? Nope. Passing a black man at night at a gas station or at the store. Nope. Sorry, not scared. I live in a suburb two blocks away from a major city. If the sight of a mere black man scared me, I'd be sitting in my house, locked in a room all day. And I've never gotten the idea that my 81 year old Grandma was scared of black men either.

But here' s what I'm sick of. I'm tired of being called racist. Really, sick and tired of it. I hear it all the time from blacks. And they are all from people who don't know me. But somehow they think that they can somewhat read my mind.

I work as a substitute teacher right now for Inner city schools. And I can't tell you how many times, I've had the pleasure of hearing black children tell me that I'm racist. You see, the white teacher, telling you to sit down and do your work. Saying, that she doesn't want you to run around the classroom. Well that's just because she's racist. She's not angry at our behavior. Oh, no she's just racist.

Please don't get me wrong, there are wonderful black children out there. Lovely kids. And most of the kids have not said things like that to me. But I've gotten enough times, and it's never punished. I can't imagine the hooploah that would happen if a White Child told the black teacher that "Black people shouldn't watch white kids." (Yes, I got the reverse)

There's another time I was helping a customer. And I was misunderstanding what he said, not because his English was bad, but just because he wasn't being clear with what he wanted. I thought he was talking about hot foods, and whether there would be hot foods on a specific holiday. I was trying to say no, but if you want to preorder, you can preorder. He was talking about the deli food....Please understand though the words he used made it sound like he was talking about the stuff we cook. Whenever the store was open, the deli food was alwasy available.

Honestly, I wasn't angry or frustrated that there was miscommunication. I was thinking we'd fix it and figure it out. No big deal. Then the guy called me a racist? Literally and went to the black person next t him, and called me a racist. And the guy gave me this look. I don't think I've ever been so angry.

I'm tired of it. I was raised that racism was wrong. And I do my best to judge people by their characters. And I think I deserve the same benefit of the doubt. And the more times this happens to me, the more times I get angry. And honestly, That's why I'm angry with Wright because he was literally from the pulpit teaching children that whites are racist.
'
Ameri KKKa. It's sick and it's got to stop. And honestly that angers me far more than any of the grievances Obama talked about in his little speech. Far more. I understand the need for affirmative action. I get that there are inequalities that need to be fixed. But I think if we are going to heal this country. Rev Wright's words can't be condoned either.

I didn't start slavery, I didn't cause segregation. I get why you are angry about these things. But I'm not responsible. I know they are wrong, and I'm really sad that it happened. But I'm not okay with you prejudging me because I'm white. I didn't choose to be white. God just made me that way.

Obama's Poor White Grandmother

2008-03-19T20:45:00.000-07:00

I have had a lot of time to think about this whole Obama controversy. And I guess I have a few words to say. Honestly, I think that I would probably have loved Obama's speech if it weren't for one little fact:

The White Grandmother example.

I just don't get it, why did Obama feel the need to bring an over eighty year old woman into the discussion. Apparently, the Obama campaign has refused to make her available to the public, and she's well very sickly.

So what possible reason does Obama have to tar his sickly grandmother, the one who raised him, under the bus. Especially since this woman sacrificed and sacrificed for him. His Grandmother is probably the major reason, for Obama running for President because without her supporting his way through the finest schools. He might not be a future President. And this is how he thanks the people who've helped him.

I feel this incident shows a lot about Obama's character. This is a man who is willing to throw away anyone, even his Grandmother to the wolves.

Obama's pastor Jeremiah Wright: God Damn America: Prophet or racist?

2008-03-13T14:38:00.000-07:00

Abc News broke a report on some of Pastor Jeremiah Wright's sermons, and quite clearly this guy said some extremely troubling things. Obama in this clip coompared Wright to an Uncle you keep in the closet. And I'm going to call Obama on it

Bull Crap.

Who goes to a church where the pastor continously says things that you find upsetting and offensive? Before I becamse a Catholic, I attended a Protestant Church where the Pastor decided to start insulting Catholics. Since I had Catholic family members, it got to the point where I could no longer attend. I realize Obama is close with this guy, but I'm sorry if he founds those comments troubling, he wouldn't be attending.

Here's the thing, I don't think everything Pastor Wright says in crap. And I also don't think a good Christian pastor/priest should be all "God Bless America" no matter what. We are precious in God's eyes, we are number one.

Nope, in the Hebrew Scriptures there were tons of Prophets, who spoke out against the government, the Kings, and the Israelis/Judeans for their corrupt society. Many of theses prophets were persecuted because instead of peace, they preached judgement. However, God wanted them to preach judgement.

Here's my feeling. I don't think God really cares about America. I don't think he cares about any temporal country because you see those things are a temporary thing. God cares about eternal things and He cares about people.

I think Pastor Wright is correct, America has done some terrible thing and continues to do terrible things. We need to ask ourselves some questions. About abortion, about our wars, about our foreign policy that supports cruel dictatorships like Saudia Arabia in the Middle East. About our poor, and yes about our relationship...

But here's the thing, I still have a problem with Pastor Wright. I could be wrong, but it seems like he's just going on and on about the sins of White America. In fact, I wonder if his church even reaches out to other races.

So here's the thing, if he's just preaching about "White America"...White America is evil. Than guess what, there is nothing brave about what he's saying at all. It's fun, really fun to critcize others and pick apart the terrible things others are doing. But why not call out yourselves. And here's another thing, why not say something like Pray for America. Because no, I don't think God wants to damn Americans.

The truth is America isn't any better or worse than any other country in this world. And I resent the idea that whites are somehow more evil than other races. Please don't get me wrong Whites have done some terrible things, and we have recently done more terrible things because we have had the most power. However, Africans in Africa have managed to do quite a bit of bad things to each other, without the help of the white man.

Sad thing is give any group power, and you will find them abusing other groups. That's what history has shown.
Well that's just me.

American Idol Results March 12/Katherine McPhee Performs

2008-03-12T19:01:00.000-07:00

What a sham!

Please don't get me wrong, I thought that David Hernandez was terrible last night.
But Kristy was musically horrifying.

I realize that people like country, but don't they at least want good country? Kristy's, "Eight Days
a Week," massacred two musical genres. Even in her "good performances" she hasn't shown that much range. She's Carrie Underwood light.

I get liking Country music, I don't get liking that.

And David was bad last night, but you know what he's much more talented then Kristy. I have a feeling some of this has to do with the whole gay stripper thing.

Still we lost probably the best male voice in the competition. And in return, we got someone who sitll doesn't get why her performance wasn't musically good.

As for Katherine McPhee, she's a gorgeous girl and she can sing. But while pretty to look at, I thought she was a bit boring.

Is Iran Really a Grave Threat?

2008-03-12T15:22:00.000-07:00

I was reading Joel Rosenberg's blog http://joelrosenberg.blogspot.com/2008/03/centcom-commander-and-outspoken-critic.html

and he said some things I agree with, including the fact that Fallon shouldn't have been really talking to the media, and what I think which is that war with Iran is unlikely now. Merely because logistically, it's not possible.

And quite frankly once again, I don't get how Iran is this threat to us. I'm not saying I like Iran, because I don't. But miltarily, they will never be a real threat to us, nor are they militarily a threat to Israel. If Iran were to unleash a nuclear weapon on Israel or the United States, the would be obliterated as as nation. The Iranians are many things, but they are not as a people, suicidal. I just wish people would use some common sense. Mutally assured Destruction still exists and it's an effective guarantee.

I also am tired of hearing about how the Russians are arming them. Of course the Russians are arming the Iranians, they are doing it as blowback for us insisting on the missle defense on their borders, and for the expansion of NATO in Eastern Europe. If we insist on attacking Iran, I'm willing to bet that you will be able to expect more blowback from Muslims, as well as the Russians and the Chinese long term wise.

Are We Closer to War with Iran?

2008-03-12T10:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Admiral Fallon, a long spoken critic of the US administration policy on Iran, resigned from his post. Fallon had recently given an interview with Esquire magazine which come across as critical of the Bush administration. So this may just be fall out from the article. Here's the article http://www.esquire.com/features/fox-fallon

However, others are suggesting that this is part of a deeper trend towards war with Iran. Today the White House stated that they do not want war with Iran. However, we all remember in the lead up to Iraq. So who knows.

Personally, I truly hope that we don't go to war with Iran. Quite frankly, even if I ran gets nuclear weapons, who says that they would actually be dumb enough to use them. Since after the Iranian Hostage Crisis, the Iranian government hasn't attacked anyone. (I know it was started by students, but it's not like the Iranian government stepped in immediately)

I'm not saying I like or trust the Iranian government. I'm just not sure war is the answer here. How much more money can we spend on more wars...

I just really wonder how much more our economy and military can take. Plus as I mentioned earlier, I just don't like the idea of America as the Policeman of the world. Eventually the rest of the world, I fear will get tired of our meddling. Comments, what do you all think?
Joel Rosenberg also has some interesting things to say about this.

David Archuleta: I don't like Old Music...

2008-03-12T08:26:00.000-07:00

Honestly,I didn't like David Archuleta's comment about how he didn't like "older music." I realize that most 17 year olds don't appreciate older music; however, it seems to me that a 17 year old who wants a career in music, should learn to appreciate different music. No offense David, but a great song remains a great song, no matter whenever it was written or sang..

American Idol: Top Twelve

2008-03-11T19:17:00.000-07:00

My Review of Tonight's Idol from Worst to Best

12. Kristi Lee Cook- I'm sorry that was terrible. I felt the arrangment didn't go with what she was singing.

11. David Archuleta- That was terrible. At least Kristi knew the words to her song. And honestly while he seems like a nice kid, I didn't think he really needed to criticize the Beatles music... Plus, honestly the only song I really liked him singing was Imagine, which was amazing and did make me cry. However, other than that I'm just not really thrilled with the breathiness in his voice. However, I think he is capable of much better. I'd still keep him around and kick of Kristi.

10. David Hernandez. I think David has the best voice of all the men, but that was really a terrible performance.

9. Syesha Mercado- I felt she was off key at places and honestly at this stage of the game, you should be able to stay in key.

8. Michael Johns-I didn't care for it. It was boring, and it sounded off key. Although I will give him the fact that I've never heard the song before. So maybe it's just the tune of the song that I don't like.

7. Amanda Overmyer- I thought she screamed most of the song. And I get the whole rock concept, but I felt like that wasn't good rock.

6. David Cook-I felt the first part of the song was terrible. He was clearly struggling to find his pitch. However, the last part of the song was awesome. I think he's the difference between good and bad rock. (Amanda see)

5. Ramiele Malubay-I think Ramiele has a lovely voice, and she was in tune (at least in my opinion) the entire time. She also knew the words of her song. However, I think the judges were right it was boring. I feel like it had no conviction whatsover. In contrast, I think you can look at someone like Brooke White, who doesn't have Ramiele's range, but has conviction and feeling to her singing. I think Ramiele has to let it go and just sing from her heart. And if she doesn't soon, my vote will have to go to someone else. A part of me wonders if this is just an age thing because Ramiele is very young.

BIG GAP
4. Carly-I thought that was a great performance. She really does have a wonderful voice

3. Chikezie-that was awesome. He did a really great job, and he took on a style that was completely different from his own.

2. Jason Castro- I don't know why they didn't like this performance so much. I actually preferred it to last week. Yes, Hallejuah is an amazing song but I wasn't impressed with his voice. However, today I loved his voice, I thought it was really good and I liked how he sang the song.

1. Brooke White. Honestly before tonight I wasn't a huge fan. I think vocally others here have bigger/better voices. However, what I love about Brooke is the feeling that she puts into her music. It was lovely, and I felt connected to her as she sang. I wonder if she also writes her own music, because I suspect that I would enjoy songs she wrote. I think she showed the difference tonight between a reall good technician (Ramiele) and an artist. I loved it.

Why Does the Cheated on Spouse Always Attend the Press Conferences?

2008-03-11T15:37:00.000-07:00

Governor Spitzer's Poor Wife.

Why is it every time we see a politician or celebrity who has been caught in the act, they always make their poor wives join them in a press conference?

I get the idea that perhaps someone might not be willing to throw away a marriage do to an affair. But honestly, do they have to attend the public press conference? All I know if it was me, I would tell my spouse, you did this on your own, you can face the press on your own. Have fun. Seriously hasn't that poor woman been humilated enough...

American Idol: Ramiele Rocks

2008-03-11T13:44:00.000-07:00

Honestly, After season two, I began to get a little bored with American Idol. I mean the same bland songs, with different so-so singers. Sure on every season there may be one or two good singers, but that's about it.

However, somehow I managed to get an opportunity to hear Ramiele sing, and I must say that I absolutely love the girl. I know in the last two weeks her performances haven't been great. But I love the way she sings. She has this huge voice but she actually sings with feeling rather than in a show offy way.

I know everyone is going nuts over David Archuleta, but I think Ramielle has the better voice.

So I was digging through youtube and I found this clip of Ramielle singing Celine Dion, and this girl is singing it like it's as easy as breathing. She truly has a great voice

You can also check out Ramiele's website at http://www.ramiele.com/

Former Vice Presidential Nominee Geraldine Ferraro Makes Racially Charged Remarks About Obama

2008-03-11T11:24:00.000-07:00

Ferraro today made commments which suggest that if Obama was a white person or a woman of any color, that he would not be the current nominee. Personally, I am not a big fan of a Obama, and I don't personally get why people are so excited about him. He's way to inexperienced to be President, and so much of what he says is empty rhetoric. What I find most annoying is when Obama complains about Washington, inspite of the fact he's personally been a Washington Insider for four years. Of course that's politics.

Still, I don't think Obama is just where he is because he's black. That does the man a serious disservice. I'm not saying that being black doesn't help him get some votes, but Obama would not be winning the nomination on black votes alone. Remember Jessie Jackson. Obama is where he is because he's an incredible charismatic speaker whom people relate too. They like the fact that Obama is positive, and he runs on hope rather than tearing other cannidates down.

I also think part of the problem is Hilary has never been that popular, with the voters. She's always been a polarizing figure, and people are also just sick of the Clintons and the Bushes.

Still way to go Ferraro like you would have been Mondale's nominee if you weren't a woman.
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4428719&page=1

2008-03-10T20:05:00.000-07:00

Olympic Sports:

Figure Skating.

It's a week to the World Championships, and I can hardly late wait! There are so many current questions going on about what will happen, and what's great is that there seems to be a geniune competition in every field-but pairs.

Will Daisuke Takahashi finally live up to his promise? Or will the struggling Joubert surprise everyone and defend?

In the ladies gold and silver should be between Mao Asada and Yu-na Kim. However, who knows, wasn't gold suppose to go to one of those girls last year? There are many questions sadly about both girls. Mao is currently training coachless, and nobody has won a world or Olympic title without a coach. As for Yu-na, she's been dealing with injuries, so nobody can really be sure about where she's at.

Who knows perhaps the rest of the ladies, will surprise? Will Miki finally land her elusive quad? And what about the fight for bronze. It should be interesting with Carolina Kostner, Miki Ando, Joannie Rochette, Yukari Nakano, and Kimmie Meissner all clawing for it. The fight for bronze just might be more interesting then the fight for gold, and I'm willing to bet that the bronze medalist will be happier than the silver medalist.

My picks

Men
Brian Joubert
Daisuke Takahashi
Stephane Lambiel
Tomas Verner
Johnny Weir
Sergei Voronov
Evan Lyseck

Ladies
Yu-na Kim
Mao Asada
Miki Ando
Joannie Rochette
Kimmie Meissner
Yukari Nakano
Carolina Kostner

Kosovo and the United States

2008-03-10T19:19:00.000-07:00

Well a couple of weeks ago, Kosovo declared it's independance. Now, I know a lot of people think it's absolutely wonderful that people are now "free." However, there is more going on with the situation than, really meets the eye.

For years, we have heard the same story. The Serbians were massacring the Albanians, and we saved the Albanians from a genocide. While I am not one to defend the Serbs, because they weren't innocent by any means. The "genocide was more than a little bit exaggerated. Plus, you have a situation where, once the Serbian army left, the Albanians have hardly treated the Serb minority nicely. There is tons of information out there, about how the Albanians have been burning churches, desecrating graves, and all in all not exactly being kind neighbors. Also nobody talks about the Serbs that left Kosovo and have not been able to return.

The real problem with Kosovo is the precedent it sets. According to international law, one group of people cannot just leave their country unilaterially. Once we start going down that road, the splintering can be never ending. For example, right now in Kosovo, there are a few Serb majority areas in the North, and these people would like to split from Kosovo and rejoin Serbia.

My biggest fear with this whole Kosovo issue is that it's sidelining the United Nations. I know that the United Nations is not very popular with many Americans, but I think the UN is really necessary. Personally, I believe in international law, not because I don't think international law couldn't be wrong. But I think it's absolutely necessary that nations agree on certain standards that everyone must live by. Having some sort of guidelines and a rule book for all, I think can really prevent a lot of wars and conflicts. Since the UN represents all the recognized nations in the world, it is the place where international law should be discussed and enforced.

My feelings are that the people of Kosovo would not have declared independance without the backing of the United States. Since the United States is currently the most powerful nation on earth, there isn't much a smaller nation like Serbia can really do about it. However, it really bothers me that my country is ignoring international law. Why? Because I fear that eventually our country is going to go to far. You can already see resentment building in the rest of the world towards our actions and this resentment worries me. I don't necessarily believe we always be as powerful as we are now, and I think that if we were less powerful, we ourselves would want the comfort of international law.

However,
That's Just my Opinion
Bekalynn