The 9/11 Memorial
One of my most surreal experiences in NYC involved Alan Gompers taking me to Ground Zero. He dropped me off and waited in the car a few blocks away, offering me my solitude as I gazed at the area where the Twin Towers once stood. At this time my view of the memorial was severely limited as it was under construction. The 9/11 Memorial is now completed– with the exceptions of a museum and shopping center to come later– and opens to the public on the tenth anniversary of September 11th. CNN’s account details the specifics of the design, acknowledges the conflicts associated with its construction, and shares a brief history of significant memorials in our country.
Imagine taking your first ride in an airplane….only to spot from the sky your home in the middle of a burglary. This happened to Steven Lynn of Jonesboro, AR. His uncle was at the residence and the two robbers ran from him– only to have Lynn’s pilot follow them as they attempted their escape– and describe their whereabouts to dispatchers. Police promptly busted the unlucky capers thanks to the aerial assist.
Shocker: Michele Bachmann says something stupid. Apparently she missed the memo that the Everglades is not the place to drill for oil and natural gases. Oopsie.
Consider Real Clear Politics to be your Cliff Notes on contemporary political issues. I wholeheartedly believe that society would be less apathetic to the political process if they understood it more and made an increased effort to be informed. As a political science major I cannot stand it when people adopt a snobbish attitude towards politics….that’s truly unfortunate. Knowledge is power. Arm yourselves. Real Clear Politics offers email updates to ensure you are up to date with all things political and includes some of the following categories: Real Clear Markets, Real Clear World, President Obama, Election 2012 Analysis, and National Security.
If you don't know who this person is, allow Real Clear Politics to assist you.
I’ve mentioned the West Memphis Three numerous times in this blog. Although most of you are familiar with the case I wanted to include a link of archives from WREG [the leading source for local news in Memphis]. In addition to the information you can find online, I highly recommend reading The Devil’s Knot by Mara Leveritt and watching the films Paradise Lost 1 & 2. I have yet to write my massive pieces regarding the acquital of these three men but I guarantee you it is coming.
“How a mix of female empowerment and steamy soap operas helped bring down Brazil’s fertility rate and stroke its vibrant economy” – National Geographic‘s article on Facebook grabbed my attention yesterday. [[Sidenote: National Geographic's brilliant photos and informative articles are posted daily on their Facebook page-- friend them if you haven't already.]] Reading about women defying societal and religious norms to take control over their reproductive lives is empowering. Their six-point plan for decreasing the nation’s fertility rate proved particularly interesting.
Lady Gaga a.k.a. Jo Calderone
Whatever your opinion on Lady Gaga’s music [it's not my cup of tea] you cannot dispute the fact that she most definitely makes a statement. For the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, Gaga attended as her male alter ego, Jo Calderone….yet were her intentions and message lost in this [arguably] over the top display? Kelsey Wallace, blogging for Bitch magazine, says: “I do appreciate her postmodern-to-the-extreme commentary on celebrity culture, and I like that she attempts to do something with the platforms she’s been given– both politically and artistically….however, the cheesy accent and wild mugging for the camera pushed the persona into self-indulgent territory.” For me it was too much. As the article mentions, Annie Lennox did this first, and I’m disappoint that Gaga [with the premiums she places on innovation] didn’t give credit where it was due.
With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,
Sloane
