I came across this video clip from the Rachel Maddow show and I couldn't believe how perfectly it fit in with our class discussion today. Granted this video is mostly one-sided, it definitely supported my argument that within the United States politics, the majority of Republicans will do anything and everything to demolish a good image of Obama. Obama is congratulating and agreeing with Republican views, but yet the republicans won't support anything Obama supports. The prime example being the nuclear treaty between the United States and Russia.
This video also connects to the discussion about wikileaks.org. A lot of us were torn, as to how much we felt the governement should "censor or protect" us from international politics. But despite that matter we all agreed, wikileaks.org demonstrates how corrupt the world's political systems are. Within this clip of the Rachel Maddow show, we are shown that the people we elect in office are not doing their job now that thier in power. Except for the few, such as Senator Lugar.
I know this is about American politics but I found it disgusting and obnoxious. I definitely do not want to go back to a political atmosphere the way it is; especailly since it is basically a two party system. Definitely makes me wish we had more then two parties with powers like Spain

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#40245119

EU Does it take away independent states freedoms?

When I first started learning about the European Union, I was all for it. I was 100% "Team E.U". However, after I began my online research, I'm now not sure where I stand. Originally, I thought people who were anti-EU, were a bit narrotic. However, as I looked at the EU's website, I understand more where those "narrotic" people are coming from and have started questioning my previous knowledge.
When I first entered the website I honestly didn't expect to see what I saw. In the center there was the huge EU logo and then on the left hand side there dozens of different links; each representing a language. Obviously I choose english. As I browsed around, I decided to focus on Turkey; especially, since Turkey has been the hot topic as to "will it or will it not" be accepted into the EU.
After I found the link, stating how countries can be accepted or not I was appalled. I wasn't appalled on how the EU helps the countries transistion, so their "equal" to the rest of the union; I was appalled at all of the elements with that "equal" transistion. The adaption of policies included: culture, education, trainning, youth, and more. The way everything was listed made me feel as if the individual state lost its power it's "culture". To me it seemed as if these adaptions were meant for a federal state. What do you think


Here is the link to the EU website.http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/index_en.htm

U.S.-European Union Summit

Role and Power of the EU

As a class, we have been discussing the role and power of the European Union. Within this discussion, we've uncovered the magic question. "What is the role of European Union" or What is it's objective?" Because as we've seen many people are worried that the EU is trying to become a federation, while others fear it would be a shame to not become a federation.

Therefore, I ask you guys this question. If the EU keeps bailing out countries and providing loans or in this case getting involoved with independent banks, is the EU overstepping it's place and becoming a federation? Or is it doing it's job.http://http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2010/11/15/bloomberg1376-LBZK2Q07SXKX01-63CEMRJ211NBTAR03IM5ONKLMR.DTL

One man´s garbage is another man´s treasure

These garbage cubes, by the artists Justin Gignac, are being sold for $100 dollars a peice. The original creations are sold out. They are literally made of New York City garbage hand picked off the streets, packaged and sold. Would you consider this high culture or low culture? How is high culture created? What did Gignac do to make garbage valueable and desirable?

The link wouldn´t attach, here is the html: http://www.nycgarbage.com/index.html

Turkey and The EU

I stumbled upon this article and thought it brought up some interesting topics, specifically in regards to this class and European identity. It is primarily about the UK's anger towards the slow negotiations in the acceptance of Turkey into the EU. David Cameron, the prime minister of the United Kingdom feels very strongly about this issue as he claims it would be the link into the Middle East. 3 months ago I would have read this article and thought nothing of it. Now I look at Europe in a whole new light. How does this article identify Europe? How does it look at the EU? What would it mean if Turkey were to join and why is the UK such a strong advocate, as opposed to France?



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-10767768

Culture or Torture?

MADRID — Recent legislation banning bullfighting in a region of Spain was challenged by a major political party in court on Thursday.

Pio Garcia-Escudero, spokesman for Spain's Popular Party, said the appeal to the Constitutional Court argues that legislators in the powerful northeastern region of Catalonia violated several articles of the Constitution. They include the right to attend cultural events, artistic liberty and rights of bullfighting businesses in the area, he said.

Catalonia's parliament banned bullfighting in July because of its alleged cruelty to animals. The ban takes effect in 2012.

Speaking for his conservative opposition party, Garcia-Escudero said although Spain's regional governments had control over bullfighting they could not prohibit it.

The Constitutional Court can take months or years to make decisions.

Bullfights, and the bull runs that often precede them, have become the focus of debate since Catalonia became the second region to ban such fights after the Canary Islands in 1991.

The Popular Party has campaigned for nationwide protection of bullfighting.

This is an excerpt from an AP news article about the recent ban on bullfighting. Do you all think this impedes on any rights? Is it culture that needs to be preserved? How much is bullfighting part of Spanish identity?

Patriotism

I was doing some research for another class and I came across this article. The article was about a man from Hungary who became a famous photographer during Spain's Civil War. The pictures he took became pieces of valued art.

The article really has no relevance to what we as a class have talken about but I felt the pictures spoke for themselves. Here is a man so loyal to his beliefs and faith, he is willing to take a bullet for his country. My question I am posing to our class is, is this a battle for Patriotism or a battle of Nationalism?

I originally answered with Patriotism, because I associate people dying for their country and showing support for their nation as Patriotic. But then I started thinking how is it not nationalism. I'd be interested to hear in what you guys have to say.

Also please let me know if the pictures are not showing up. Because the pictures are the only uploads