Reflection: Economic Securityy

In class, we spent a lot of time discussing economic security, which, I think for many people, is more to the forefront of their attention than national security issues. Not to say which is more important (because I think they deserve relatively similar amounts of attention), but economic security is something that we deal with every day – from big decisions, like paying for college, which can change the financial structure of a family, to just daily budget allowances. I think it something we can all relate to the most because it is what frequently dominates the media (especially where I live, where the economy the sole focus in every political debate and campaign ad) and dinner table conversations.

I guess, personally, my focus politically tends to be on the economy and I found the question of how are we economically secure to be very interesting. Clearly, security really depends on the individual person in all cases, not just how secure you feel, but in real dollars and cents how economically stable your situation is. However, we spent most of the time talking about the government promoting economic security through their employee workforce, for example. Maybe this is the market lover in me, but I thought that skipping over the security in the private sector was sort of an oversight. The question about economic security should reside similarly in economic recovery and job providing companies in the private sector. Maybe the question shouldn’t have been so much debating the effects Christie has had on government work forces, but what the government has done to stimulate the private sector and its effects on economic security for the individuals. Maybe my view on it stems from the fact that both of my parents are employed in the private sector (although my mom does work for Bank of America and is very defensive of the bank paying back their bailout, but that’s beside the point). Do we feel more stable, as a whole, as individuals, etc. as a result of decisions that our state and local governments have made for the private sector? Clearly, much of my approach to the question of economic security stems from my faith in the private sector to boost the economy when given freer reign to make decisions, which naturally makes me more inclined to focus first on the private sector when determining my own, and the country's, economic stability. I guess if I see the private sector is economically on the rise (small business confidence is up, jobs are hiring, consumer spending, etc.), I tend to see my own situation and the situation of others to be more secure.

Additionally, although this is pretty random, it’s impossible to generalize the economic security of the entire country because people have such varied situations, especially in comparison to national security, where, although some people live in more dangerous hot spots for attacks, natural disasters, etc., it is slightly easier to generalize the security.

P.S.

And thanks to Scott, who reminded me about the glory that was November 2, 2010, I had to add something else in...

Especially for Vikings Fan Sam, Row, and Alex.

Obviously symbolic of the Republican bloodbath in the House and domination for the governors' races as well. Except in Maryland, where the red didn't manage to spread.

We'll see what happens in 2012, but I'm enjoying this for now.

To Make This Very Clear

Just because we are attending this university does not mean we are rich. The assumptions made during class this week concerning the students financial security were presumptuous, and from some that I heard talking about them, hurtful. There are ways going to college can create financial insecurity even if one can manage to make up the difference between financial aid and tuition. For instance, this year is the last that my parents can help me pay to go to American. If I need any  help after this, it will mean either transferring to a cheaper college, taking out loans under my own name (I've been building up credit just in case), or asking my parents for help, thus sentencing one of my siblings down the road to state or community college. Others I know went through hell and high water to get here, and will be battling the odds to stay every year.

I'm not saying the generalization that we are all reasonably financially secure is not a logical one. Just that assuming that is the case for everyone is an over-generalization.

Death with Frosted Tips: A Zoological Look at Afghanistan

No, having troops in Afghanistan does not make me feel any safer. In fact it makes me feel less safe. Let me put it into terms everyone can relate to: this is a honey badger...

Look up "Awwwwww" in a Webster dictionary. There are no words, just this picture

It is the epitome of cuteness and amiability. Seriously, look at that thing. I want to wrap it up in a blanket, name it General Fuzzers and raise it as my own child, dress it up in people clothes, instill it with a solid moral foundation, send it to respectable private school, the works. But if you anger the honey badger it goes from a happy ball of fuzz and sneezes to this...

Death with frosted tips

What was once a sugar coated morsel of downy adorability is now a bona fide killing machine, the Terminators of nature. Honey badgers are universally accepted as one of the most badass animals somewhere between a wolverine and a tyrannosaurus rex. By all appearances they have no fear instinct and go around killing incredibly venomous snakes for their mid-afternoon snack. If you have three minutes and a high tolerance for animal violence watch this clip. I never thought I'd pity a snake before.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c81bcjyfn6U&feature=player_embedded

But back to the topic at hand: Afghanistan. Afghanistan is like a honey badger, its harmless unless provoked. Granted Afghanistan is neither as cute nor as deadly as a single honey badger, but the analogy still stands. If you know something will erupt into a deadly rage when prodded, keep your hands to yourself.

Found stamped to a "Welcome to Afghanistan" sign

Afghanistan Security

I have mixed feelings towards the security that the troops deployed in Afghanistan currently provide. The idea of them being there provides a visible sign to the rest of the world that if you mess with the United States, we won’t just stand back. It’s a constant reminder that the country is willing to get involved when threatened and I think that presence provides almost a deterrence to other states that may wish to foster non-state actors posing a threat to the United States. However, the fact that the troops are there and aren’t easily deployable makes me worry about my own personal security and that of the country’s. If there was to be another terrorist attack, some type of natural disaster, etc. where troops would be needed at home, we could be, depending on the magnitude of the program, be overextended. So with troops over in Afghanistan, I almost think we are not as safe here at home.

When I think about feeling “secure” myself, I think about personally feeling safe at night, not keeping in minds the objectives and threats to the United States as a whole. Going by that definition, I think that I would feel more secure with us out of Afghanistan, or staying at home preparing to defend as oppose to almost continuing a type of preventive strategy that may or may not be effective.

It’s important to note how different the question specifically asking about Afghanistan is if it has been replaced with Iraq. I think because I believe we had to go to Afghanistan after 9/11, but, by contrast, don’t believe going to Iraq was the best decision (see the fact that Tenet was referencing early 90s information when calling WMD a “slam dunk” case), I feel much more secure with troops in Afghanistan than Iraq because I better understand the purpose and the threat that is posed.

Distance Security

Security. Being secure. Feeling secure. They are all different. I think security are the actual forces or contraptions that are protecting us and alerting us to potential danger or threats. Being secure is the act. Password locking all your information, turning on the house alarm when you leave the house, and locking your car after you park it are all acts of being secure. It's in your hands. Feeling secure is the sense you get knowing that no one is going to hack into your computer, break into your house and kill you in your sleep, or steal your stuff from your car. Feeling secure, however, is not a guarantee that you are indeed secure. I feel secure sitting in my dorm room typing this blog post even though my door is unlocked and anyone can come in without my permission. It's not necessarily a secure area, but I trust my floor mates to respect the open-door policy on the floor and not violate it.

At the same time, one can feel apathy to an external act of security, like the troops in Afghanistan. Theoretically, they are there to protect America and make sure nothing happens to the U.S., providing security to the people. However, the fact that there are currently troops in Afghanistan ready to put their life on the line in the name of the United States doesn't really affect my sense of security because it doesn't really have a direct affect on me. Don't get me wrong, I am extremely grateful to the troops for their service to our country, but the physical state of having troops there doesn't really affect me as much as having troops in Iraq post 9/11 affected me and then too it was a patriotic feeling and a desire to stop further terrorist activities. But say that Obama decides to move all troops out of the middle east tomorrow, I think I'd feel happiness for the troops and their families, but not a lessened sense of security.

Reflective Post: Week 10

This week we talked a lot about national security so I suppose I should talk about that in this post as well. The nation faces threats from all sides and even from inside our golden gates of opportunity. Trust no one. Shoot first, ask questions later. Ok I talked about it.

Apparently everyone else in the class just talked about The Rally in their reflective posts so I suppose, in the resigned-sheep nature of this post, that I'll talk about that too. First of all, I did not go to The Rally nor did I have any desire to go. From what I've gleaned about The Rally it was an oversized comedy show that flaunted pseudo-political jabber as real activism. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about standing up for what you believe in and making a statement, but a bunch of kids laughing at a couple comedians and musicians make fools of themselves and their country on the national mall is not social activism. John Stewart and Steven Colbert are funny men, but that' about it. In case your forgot their shows are on Comedy Central, not CNN or FOX or any other organization even claiming to be legitimate news or political commentary.

But congratulations are in order to the two gentlemen mentioned above for pulling off the biggest farce to be called political action since Woodstock.

Dude, I just solved all America's problems...wait...nope...I lost it. Let's just do some acid and maybe I'll remember it again

This weekend was legend-... wait for it... and I hope you're not lactose intolerant because the second half of that word is DAIRY!

Where shall I start? What an amazing weekend!

First: trick-or-treating at the embassies--a little disappointing, but still memorable. Only one embassy actually gave us international candy--Korea. But we had a great bonding experience and some members of the group even landed on the front page of the Washington Post! I was busy taking a picture of the embassy so I'm not actually in the picture :(

Second: the Idina Menzel concert. A great medley of pop culture spanning from Barbara Streisand to Lady Gaga, the NSO Pops conducted by Marvin Hamlisch and Idina Menzel made my night unforgettable. It was the perfect blend of sass, pop culture trivia, comedy, passion, and beautiful music from Marvin, Idina, and the NSO Pops. Touched on many songs that played a major role in shaping today's pop culture. Starting with the Overture from Gypsy, Mr. Hamlisch conducted 4 pieces that had two things in common: 1. the Musical they are from exemplify women's strength and 2. they expressed the culture of various time periods. (The other songs were Annie Get Your Gun Overture, Memories from Cats, and My Fair LadyOverture. He talked about how he got his start in music. It was phenomenal listening to a man who has created history himself. If you don't know who Marvin Hamlisch is, look him up--immediately. Idina also talked about some historical events that she took part in or witnessed, including the dress rehearsal for Rent when the writer of the musical died suddenly, playing Elphie in Wicked, and singing for Barbara Streisand at the Lincoln Center. And, just as a bonus, I got her autograph twice that night. :)

Third: Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear. I didn't camp out. I didn't wake up extra early. I did cram into a metro car to travel to Metro Center, the entire trip with my head pushed against a stranger's arm. Walking from Metro Center to the rally, we got to see people selling buttons and memorabilia reminding people how historical that day was. After spending my previous night listening to my idols recant their encounters with historical events, I got to participate in a rally that would change how the media affects politics. Who knows, it may have been the beginning of the end of the brainwashing era! AND I (and every other AU/Gtown student and like a few thousand other people) WAS THERE TO WITNESS IT LIVE!

Fourth: Trick-or-Treating for real. Timeless past time. nuff said :)

But now it's November... bunny bunny foot foot!