Obama, Obama, Obama

On March 18th with the support of many House Democrats, the U.S. House of Representatives passed House Resolution 1388 which basically described a new policy of the Obama administration. As of now, the federal government will be investigate and then initiate a mandatory civilian service obligation for all 18-25 year old Americans. These young men and women will spend three months training in civilian defense and safety and thus will be prepared in the case of a natural disaster or military attack on the United States. It seems that the administration hopes that this requirement will foster unity among Americans of all socio-economic backgrounds and will also help to prepare the nation for future emergencies.



Now we get to the point where I rip this argument apart.

For one, I must say that if this resolution is initiated in the near future, I will be one of the first young Americans affected by mandatory service. I am going to make it very clear that I am a supporter of President Obama and have been for the last year. However, if the President supports this measure I will be forced to reevaluate what, if any, loyalty I have to the Democratic Party. While I am completely for volunteer service especially if done by the younger generation, I do not agree with any argument that attempts to make such service obligatory. In my mind, and in the minds of most of my fellow high schoolers, volunteer service is something that is, well, initiated by a personal feeling of duty and not by a Congressman's signature.

Given the sweeping reform of this resolution, I would like to call to mind the failures of the federal government previously to implement obligatory service requirements in the last 50 years. Take for instance, Vietnam's massive draft riots. Or, one may even travel back to the Civil War when lower-class industrial workers protested conscription requirements. LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE! WE DON'T WANT TO BE FORCED INTO SERVICE! HAVE YOU ALL SERVED POMPOUS CONGRESSMEN/WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF?!

Personally, I can say with conviction that, if I was able to act independently of my family unit, I would be sure to leave the country if this measure is enacted. My idea of the United States as a nation committed to personal rights and freedoms, I must ask whether this action is even directly supported by the U.S. Constitution.

Secondly, I'd like to point out that apparently the United States Congress does not feel that those over 25 years old do not need this training? What, do they already know how to defend the nation/protect neighbors? This entire act sets out to make the youngest generation the complete caretakers of everyone else. This is a role that we do not need to take on solely by ourselves, nor one that we have chosen.
The youth of this nation, a demographic facing more difficulties than those of the last generation and inheriting the massive mistakes of their parents, do not deserve such treatment. If they had a proper voice in this process, I am sure that this resolution would never have made it out of committee.

Ashley Biden's Possible Cocaine Scandel

As if the White House needs anything else on their plate, a potential scandel drops in.

Vice-President Biden's twenty-seven year old daughter Ashley Biden may have been caught on tape snorting cocaine. A 'friend' of Biden's is allegedly trying to sell a videotape that features a pale girl with long brown hair (resembling Ashley and even mentioning her father) snorting a line of cocaine with a red straw. The 'friend,' represented by lawyer Thomas Dunlap, originally hoped to sell the tape for $2 million, but has been getting offers for $200,000 and has since lowered his price.

Ashley Biden was also arrested in 2002 for yelling at a cop outside a Chicago club. Ironically, her father has been instrumental in drug wars, even coining the term, "drug czar."

Project Runway's Kenley a Literal Crazy Cat Lady

So, if anyone can remember Kenley Collins from the last season of Project Runway (can anyone even remember that far back?), she was the annoying 50's girl with the nasaly voice. Then she lost and disappeared from the face of the Earth. But this morning, Kenley jumped back into the news. Why? She was arrested for assault on her ex-fiance Zak Penley and later was released without bail. She claims it was a misunderstanding, but from the police reports, we know what went down. The Post writes:

According to sources, the fur began to fly at 7 a.m., when Collins cocked her arm and threw one of the couple's two cats, Arlo or Sandra, at Penley, who was sleeping at the time.
She then threw her laptop as he fell and crawled on the floor, cops said. She also allegedly slammed a door on his head.
As Penley dialed 911, Collins threw three apples at him and doused him with water, cops said.

The funniest part is the cats. They don't know which cat it was? And who throws cats at people. I mean, just visually imagining it is hilarious. Also, if she had married him, her name would be Kenley Penley. Where do these people meet?

Who will watch the Watchmen?

If there was ever an alliteration, it is that title. But it holds more than just literary terminology, as the much-anticipated movie Watchmen hits theaters March 6 with less than excited reviews.


Will Sill Spectre II's slutty outfit be enough to save Watchmen?

While fanboys and geeks may have thoroughly enjoyed the film adaptation of Alan Moore's graphic novel, critics are less than enthusiastic. Variety's Justin Chang explains that while "he filmmakers have spared no expense in their mission to visualize every last frame...there’s simply no room for these characters and stories to breathe of their own accord." The movie is eye-candy for sure. You only have to watch the amazing teaser trailer to realize this. Seriously, whoever put that thing together needs an award or something. But since the director wants to destroy the comic book movie (looks like there won't be a Spider-Man 4 after all!), I think it's safe to say you can lower you expectations for this movie with high expectations.