Sunday, September 30, 2007
How fun is toothpaste in your ear, anyway?
by Anna Karlsson, [X]press Online
CNN.com published an article on September 28 concerning underage drinking and the impacts of parental supervision when a minor is introduced to alcohol. Several sources claimed that if the parents teach their children to drink moderately during social gatherings, they're less likely to binge drink later on.
Of course this is true. It's true for everything a parent can teach their child. Being from a European country myself, where the drinking age is lower and social rules more relaxed, I thought this was interesting because it's so ingrained in the American culture to abstain from virtually everything if you're under the age of 21. The social rules in this country are so strong -- if you don't go to college right after high school something is wrong with you or if you're unmarried by the time you're 30 you're obviously a social deviant.
The topic isn't just applicable for drinking; it's applicable in every aspect of “the coming of age.” There are things that most teenagers will do no matter what anybody tells them: have sex, drink alcohol, and probably try some drugs. If American parents wouldn't be such sticklers about these inevitable rites of passages, they could be handled a lot better.
The main source in the CNN.com article, Anna Peele, 19, was allowed to drink a little bit of wine together with her parents from the time she was 14. She says she learned how to deal with alcohol that way. She was informed about alcohol by her parents and that "education" changed her views and possible desire to binge drink in college.
That's the message that should be sent out. Inform your kid and be honest about what's going on and they'll learn to handle themselves. Teach your teenager about safe-sex and birth control instead of abstinence and you're less likely to have a teen pregnancy on your hands. Teach your kid about drinking and they won't become the booze bragger at the frat party who "totally did 13 tequila shots at the dorm" and woke up with toothpaste in his ear.
CNN.com published an article on September 28 concerning underage drinking and the impacts of parental supervision when a minor is introduced to alcohol. Several sources claimed that if the parents teach their children to drink moderately during social gatherings, they're less likely to binge drink later on.
Of course this is true. It's true for everything a parent can teach their child. Being from a European country myself, where the drinking age is lower and social rules more relaxed, I thought this was interesting because it's so ingrained in the American culture to abstain from virtually everything if you're under the age of 21. The social rules in this country are so strong -- if you don't go to college right after high school something is wrong with you or if you're unmarried by the time you're 30 you're obviously a social deviant.
The topic isn't just applicable for drinking; it's applicable in every aspect of “the coming of age.” There are things that most teenagers will do no matter what anybody tells them: have sex, drink alcohol, and probably try some drugs. If American parents wouldn't be such sticklers about these inevitable rites of passages, they could be handled a lot better.
The main source in the CNN.com article, Anna Peele, 19, was allowed to drink a little bit of wine together with her parents from the time she was 14. She says she learned how to deal with alcohol that way. She was informed about alcohol by her parents and that "education" changed her views and possible desire to binge drink in college.
That's the message that should be sent out. Inform your kid and be honest about what's going on and they'll learn to handle themselves. Teach your teenager about safe-sex and birth control instead of abstinence and you're less likely to have a teen pregnancy on your hands. Teach your kid about drinking and they won't become the booze bragger at the frat party who "totally did 13 tequila shots at the dorm" and woke up with toothpaste in his ear.
Pamela Bryant eats San Francisco: Shangri-La
Shangri-La (vegetarian)
2026 Irving Street/San Francisco/CA/94122
(415) 731-2548
Mon to Sun 11:30am – 9:00pm
CLICK HERE FOR MAP & DIRECTIONS
I may perhaps have high expectations regarding quite a few things in life and tepid restaurant water is no exception. This has been a running joke between my friend Robin and I, due to her endorsement of vegetarian or vegan eateries. I can only conclude from this that ice must not be vegetarian because it is never included in ANY of the meals we’ve had. You would think after the inculcation of this fact into my brain, I would no longer comment about it, but obviously, we haven't met.
Shangri-La, one of the longest running Chinese vegetarian restaurants (since 1978), on Irving between 21st and 22nd Avenue, is yet another one of those lukewarm water-providing establishments.
Having said that, words almost cannot describe how marvelous my dinner was, but I will give it a shot, seeing as how expressing opinions has never been my weak point.
Firstly, I must say our entrees arrived within 10 minutes after we were seated, and yes, it was cooked all the way and hot. This is a plus for people like me who like instant gratification and only go to out to eat at the very last second before dropping dead of starvation.
Secondly, if you are not a fan of tofu, then this is the place to change your mind. The Pie Pa Tofu Balls with Broccoli tastes like an array of spices fused with crispy fried tofu resting atop a soy sauce, garlic, and ginger mixture.
And if you're like me then almost anything fried equals delicious, which leads me to my next dish of Imitated Sweet and Sour Pork (why it's called imitated instead of imitation is beyond me, but we'll just say it adds character).
This dish not only tastes like the real version and was fried, but also arrived inside half a pineapple. Add brown or white rice, plus the complimentary hot tea and cabbage salad, and you have an amazing, healthy meal, with enough food for lunch the next day.
Evening prices are cheap, running about $6.50 per entree, with daily lunch specials for $5.75 that includes soup of the day, rice and an egg roll.
With the owner's friendly and fast service, Shangri-La's tepid, iceless water is not even a factor. That is of course, unless you're me.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Jena Six and the modern day civil rights movement
By Khari Johnson, [X]press Online
Jena 6 protests begin nationwide, SF State students involved, too
Today may be the culmination of mounting wills and tension in a racially charged Louisiana town. For a story that was dormant in the mainstream press until recently, today’s events in Jena, LA may cause national controversy and could influence the destiny of a certain presidential candidate.
Busloads across the country descended upon Jena, a town of 3,000, in support of the “Jena 6”, a group of six black teenagers accused of attempted second-degree murder and conspiracy after beating up their classmate.
On Monday, silent demonstrations were held at USF where students taped their mouths shut and wrote letters to the Louisiana governor and the prosecuting district attorney.. On Tuesday, the SF State Black Student Union wore all-black to show solidarity with the Jena 6. Today, protests will be held at the University of California, Berkeley, in downtown San Francisco and across the nation.
A black student asked his principal if he could sit under a shade tree typically only sat under by white students. The next day, three nooses painted school colors were hung from the tree. A series of escalating racial events would follow.
Today one of the six, Mychal Bell, was to be sentenced but after being convicted by an all-white jury, a Louisiana state court overturned the decision because the juvenile was tried incorrectly as an adult. He remains in jail.
More than a quarter million people have signed an online petition. More than 450 different groups have been formed on Facebook with "Jena 6" in their name.
It’s a story all too familiar to some and others are just now hearing. Black Americans and some progressive blogs and press broke the story nearly a year ago, while the mainstream press is just beginning to cover the controversial case.
Obama catching heat from black civil rights leaders
While all this is happening, miles away from Jena and its issues, Senator Barack Obama’s future is contemplated.
A New York Sun report states that Obama’s future rests on how he responds to Jena.
Jesse Jackson, who was without question the most successful black candidate for president in American history, told a crowd of students Wednesday that Senator Obama is “acting like he’s white.”
“If I were a candidate, I’d be all over Jena,” Jackson said after an hour-long speech at Columbia’s historically black Benedict College.
“Jena is a defining moment, just like Selma was a defining moment.”
Jackson, who ran for president in 1984 and 1988, marched with Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil right leaders in the mid 1965 across a bridge in Selma, AL for…
Jackson also said Obama must be “bolder” in his political positions if he is to erase Clinton’s lead in national polls. Hilary leads national polls but is about even with Obama among African Americans.
Barack may not be known for politics as usual but he will have to do some political maneuvering if he wants to avoid being vacuumed into the debate.
The question is, particularly after getting called out by Jesse Jackson, does Barack feel the need to respond in rhetoric or in person?
Rapper calls out to peers for Jena 6 support
African Americans of diverse backgrounds urged people to come and protest in Jena. The NAACP will sponsor the rally. On the other side, rapper and activist Mos Def, while on “Real Time with Bill Maher” on Sept. 9, Mos Def asked for other rappers like 50 Cent, Kanye West, Jay-Z and others. In a statement released through his press secretary, Mos Def urged “African Americans of prominence” to show up and be counted.
MORE VIDEO
Tuesday’s Democracy Now interview with two of the Jena 6, Robert Bailey and Theo Shaw.
Jena 6 protests begin nationwide, SF State students involved, too
Today may be the culmination of mounting wills and tension in a racially charged Louisiana town. For a story that was dormant in the mainstream press until recently, today’s events in Jena, LA may cause national controversy and could influence the destiny of a certain presidential candidate.
Busloads across the country descended upon Jena, a town of 3,000, in support of the “Jena 6”, a group of six black teenagers accused of attempted second-degree murder and conspiracy after beating up their classmate.
On Monday, silent demonstrations were held at USF where students taped their mouths shut and wrote letters to the Louisiana governor and the prosecuting district attorney.. On Tuesday, the SF State Black Student Union wore all-black to show solidarity with the Jena 6. Today, protests will be held at the University of California, Berkeley, in downtown San Francisco and across the nation.
A black student asked his principal if he could sit under a shade tree typically only sat under by white students. The next day, three nooses painted school colors were hung from the tree. A series of escalating racial events would follow.
Today one of the six, Mychal Bell, was to be sentenced but after being convicted by an all-white jury, a Louisiana state court overturned the decision because the juvenile was tried incorrectly as an adult. He remains in jail.
More than a quarter million people have signed an online petition. More than 450 different groups have been formed on Facebook with "Jena 6" in their name.
It’s a story all too familiar to some and others are just now hearing. Black Americans and some progressive blogs and press broke the story nearly a year ago, while the mainstream press is just beginning to cover the controversial case.
Obama catching heat from black civil rights leaders
While all this is happening, miles away from Jena and its issues, Senator Barack Obama’s future is contemplated.
A New York Sun report states that Obama’s future rests on how he responds to Jena.
Jesse Jackson, who was without question the most successful black candidate for president in American history, told a crowd of students Wednesday that Senator Obama is “acting like he’s white.”
“If I were a candidate, I’d be all over Jena,” Jackson said after an hour-long speech at Columbia’s historically black Benedict College.
“Jena is a defining moment, just like Selma was a defining moment.”
Jackson, who ran for president in 1984 and 1988, marched with Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil right leaders in the mid 1965 across a bridge in Selma, AL for…
Jackson also said Obama must be “bolder” in his political positions if he is to erase Clinton’s lead in national polls. Hilary leads national polls but is about even with Obama among African Americans.
Barack may not be known for politics as usual but he will have to do some political maneuvering if he wants to avoid being vacuumed into the debate.
The question is, particularly after getting called out by Jesse Jackson, does Barack feel the need to respond in rhetoric or in person?
Rapper calls out to peers for Jena 6 support
African Americans of diverse backgrounds urged people to come and protest in Jena. The NAACP will sponsor the rally. On the other side, rapper and activist Mos Def, while on “Real Time with Bill Maher” on Sept. 9, Mos Def asked for other rappers like 50 Cent, Kanye West, Jay-Z and others. In a statement released through his press secretary, Mos Def urged “African Americans of prominence” to show up and be counted.
MORE VIDEO
Tuesday’s Democracy Now interview with two of the Jena 6, Robert Bailey and Theo Shaw.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Oops, I've Really Done it Now
by Shanon Corbin, [X]press Online
On the sixth anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks, President George W. Bush discussed the possibility of some troops coming home from Iraq. Yet my concern was focused toward an insignificant but nationally anticipated performance . Britney Spears’ appearance at the Video Music Awards was similar to a flaming car crash. After the performance, I wondered: is Britney -- not so gracefully -- crying out for help or just rebelling against her fame?
Honestly, Britney Spears is an entertainer. She is not an artist or a musician; She is a dancer, a performer. Spears, in my opinion, is an entertainer without a strong voice like Whitney Houston, Nina Simone or Mariah Carey. She uses her body, sexuality, beauty and a great marketing team to move her career. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, Spears ranks as the eighth best-selling female artist in American music history. Her career has steadily climbed into music history since she began with her first album and hit single ‘Hit Me Baby One More Time.’ But, for lack of better words, Spears has not been herself lately.
Many television viewers and people watching Spears’ performance from the audience did not see the same performer that once kissed Madonna -- nope. Britney Spears’ Video Music Awards performance looked like it came from someone who happened to look like her – someone who got an outfit and was told to fill in for Spears because she was “under the weather.” That person’s words of encouragement: “Break a leg!” I find it sad that Spears is slowly eroding her success with such stunts and attitude. Could it be that Britney Spears’ performance is her way of communicating that she is no longer interested in the music and notoriety that she has worked so hard for? If so, maybe Spears’ VH1 Behind the Music will earn an Emmy.
On the sixth anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks, President George W. Bush discussed the possibility of some troops coming home from Iraq. Yet my concern was focused toward an insignificant but nationally anticipated performance . Britney Spears’ appearance at the Video Music Awards was similar to a flaming car crash. After the performance, I wondered: is Britney -- not so gracefully -- crying out for help or just rebelling against her fame?
Honestly, Britney Spears is an entertainer. She is not an artist or a musician; She is a dancer, a performer. Spears, in my opinion, is an entertainer without a strong voice like Whitney Houston, Nina Simone or Mariah Carey. She uses her body, sexuality, beauty and a great marketing team to move her career. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, Spears ranks as the eighth best-selling female artist in American music history. Her career has steadily climbed into music history since she began with her first album and hit single ‘Hit Me Baby One More Time.’ But, for lack of better words, Spears has not been herself lately.
Many television viewers and people watching Spears’ performance from the audience did not see the same performer that once kissed Madonna -- nope. Britney Spears’ Video Music Awards performance looked like it came from someone who happened to look like her – someone who got an outfit and was told to fill in for Spears because she was “under the weather.” That person’s words of encouragement: “Break a leg!” I find it sad that Spears is slowly eroding her success with such stunts and attitude. Could it be that Britney Spears’ performance is her way of communicating that she is no longer interested in the music and notoriety that she has worked so hard for? If so, maybe Spears’ VH1 Behind the Music will earn an Emmy.
As economy fails, Greenspan criticizes Bush and Republicans in new book
by Timothy Henry, [X]press Online
Alan Greenspan’s words used to put every stock broker and financial adviser worldwide on the edge of their seats. Greenspan’s sentences were dissected for every possible meaning or clue as to what incremental change the chairman of the Federal Reserve might make to interest rates. Aside from the president or the chief justice of the Supreme Court, no one person in Washington carried more influence.
And now the man with the most powerful words in the world has released his memoirs, and become yet another critic of the Bush administration. Greenspan’s memoirs a day before the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates Tuesday, from 5.25 percent to 4.75 percent, the first lowering of rates since 2003. Lowering interest rates are generally cautionary tactic to combat inflation by discouraging saving and increasing spending.
The stock market historically responds strongly to interest rate cuts, and Wall Street saw a strong day of trading Tuesday, as did Asian and European markets. The same trends crossed over into today.
Among his criticisms of the president, Greenspan said “. . . Everyone knows the Iraq war is largely about Oil.” Keep in mind that Greenspan is no Michael Moore or George Clooney. It is widely printed that Greenspan is a self-described Libertarian Republican, and a devotee of Capitalist author Ayn Rand.
“The Age of Turbulence: Adventures in a New World,” was released today by Penguin Books (and co-written by Peter Petre who co-wrote Gen. Norman Schwartzkopf’s autobiography). Greenspan is rumored to have been paid somewhere around $8 million, second only to Bill Clinton’s $12 million for his memoirs, according to the Washington Post.
“ ‘The Age of Turbulence’ is three books in one,” according to Bradford DeLong, a professor of economics at University of California, Berkeley who reviewed Greenspan’s auto biography
for the Los Angeles Times. “The first [book] tells us who Greenspan is,” says DeLong, who described Greenspan as a talented jazz-clarinetist and math geek who read economics books between gigs.
“The second book,” says DeLong, “gives Greenspan’s view of the world . . . He is trying to convey complicated and subtle technocratic ideas about the global economy . . . in a way that is comprehensible to general readers whose purchases drive bestseller lists.”
The third book, according to DeLong, contains Greenspan’s criticism of the Bush administration. Greenspan writes of the Republicans: “They swapped principle for power. They ended up with neither. They deserved to lose in the 2006 election, when they lost control of the House and Senate.” This seems to be Greenspan’s token anti-Bush quote, and has already echoed across the internet.
Alan Greenspan was chairman of the Federal Reserve for 18 years, serving six presidents and both parties over the course of his career.
The chairman of the Fed wields enormous monetary power. When the economy runs smoothly, Greenspan got the credit. And when the economy got ugly, the criticism was shoveled to Greenspan’s feet. Censures of Greenspanian policy include the recession of 2001, and the recent housing market bubble burst.
Not many people can name influential economists – anyone know who Milton Friedman is? How about John Maynard Keynes? These are famous economists, insofar as economist can achieve fame. Most people know the name of Alan Greenspan, even if they weren’t fully aware of the nuances of the power he wielded.
Greenspan’s words could literally change the economy. Those words drew a fairly swift reaction from President Bush. During an interview with Fox News Channel’s Bret Baier, Bush plainly said, “I would respectfully disagree with the characterizations by chairman Greenspan.”
Alan Greenspan’s words used to put every stock broker and financial adviser worldwide on the edge of their seats. Greenspan’s sentences were dissected for every possible meaning or clue as to what incremental change the chairman of the Federal Reserve might make to interest rates. Aside from the president or the chief justice of the Supreme Court, no one person in Washington carried more influence.
And now the man with the most powerful words in the world has released his memoirs, and become yet another critic of the Bush administration. Greenspan’s memoirs a day before the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates Tuesday, from 5.25 percent to 4.75 percent, the first lowering of rates since 2003. Lowering interest rates are generally cautionary tactic to combat inflation by discouraging saving and increasing spending.
The stock market historically responds strongly to interest rate cuts, and Wall Street saw a strong day of trading Tuesday, as did Asian and European markets. The same trends crossed over into today.
Among his criticisms of the president, Greenspan said “. . . Everyone knows the Iraq war is largely about Oil.” Keep in mind that Greenspan is no Michael Moore or George Clooney. It is widely printed that Greenspan is a self-described Libertarian Republican, and a devotee of Capitalist author Ayn Rand.
“The Age of Turbulence: Adventures in a New World,” was released today by Penguin Books (and co-written by Peter Petre who co-wrote Gen. Norman Schwartzkopf’s autobiography). Greenspan is rumored to have been paid somewhere around $8 million, second only to Bill Clinton’s $12 million for his memoirs, according to the Washington Post.
“ ‘The Age of Turbulence’ is three books in one,” according to Bradford DeLong, a professor of economics at University of California, Berkeley who reviewed Greenspan’s auto biography
for the Los Angeles Times. “The first [book] tells us who Greenspan is,” says DeLong, who described Greenspan as a talented jazz-clarinetist and math geek who read economics books between gigs.
“The second book,” says DeLong, “gives Greenspan’s view of the world . . . He is trying to convey complicated and subtle technocratic ideas about the global economy . . . in a way that is comprehensible to general readers whose purchases drive bestseller lists.”
The third book, according to DeLong, contains Greenspan’s criticism of the Bush administration. Greenspan writes of the Republicans: “They swapped principle for power. They ended up with neither. They deserved to lose in the 2006 election, when they lost control of the House and Senate.” This seems to be Greenspan’s token anti-Bush quote, and has already echoed across the internet.
Alan Greenspan was chairman of the Federal Reserve for 18 years, serving six presidents and both parties over the course of his career.
The chairman of the Fed wields enormous monetary power. When the economy runs smoothly, Greenspan got the credit. And when the economy got ugly, the criticism was shoveled to Greenspan’s feet. Censures of Greenspanian policy include the recession of 2001, and the recent housing market bubble burst.
Not many people can name influential economists – anyone know who Milton Friedman is? How about John Maynard Keynes? These are famous economists, insofar as economist can achieve fame. Most people know the name of Alan Greenspan, even if they weren’t fully aware of the nuances of the power he wielded.
Greenspan’s words could literally change the economy. Those words drew a fairly swift reaction from President Bush. During an interview with Fox News Channel’s Bret Baier, Bush plainly said, “I would respectfully disagree with the characterizations by chairman Greenspan.”
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Curtis vs. The Graduate
By Austin Walsh, [X]press Online
“I’ll never be as laid back as this beat was/ I never could see why people would reach a fake-ass façade they couldn’t keep up/ you see how I creeped up/ you see how I played a big role in Chicago like Queen Latifah.”
Much like Kanye himself, his newest album sounds boisterous and bold yet manages to maintain a self-conscious cool, which can be as abrasive as it is introspective.
Graduation marks his progression from a star-struck prodigal fan-boy on College Drop Out, to the lackadaisical playboy philosopher on Late Registration, and it culminates to a grandiose celebration of the progression of a man as an artist. Armed with essential hip-hop instruments and basic rhyme skills he has orchestrated a masterpiece theatre on the beauty of simplicity.
On the other side of the tracks, 50 Cent is making simple-minded music in the name of keeping it real. But the newest album Curtis sounds more like another episode of “When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong.”
Curtis is a lame attempt to recapture the hunger that 50 Cent had five years ago when he released his classic debut Get Rich Or Die Tryin’. He has neglected the opportunity to change over the years and as a result he now sounds stale and stagnant. The beats are the highlight of the album, but his lyrics are sound like an uninspired cliché throughout.
“My stomach is growlin they say that I’m wildin/ I’m doin my numbers or I’m getting violent/ they hearin my rappin, they think that I’m playin/ they see the barrel then they see the flame,” Fiddy mumbles on “Fully Loaded Clip.”
50 has the premier single of both albums with “Ayo Technology,” featuring Justin Timberlake on a ridiculous Timbaland’s beat. Meanwhile Kanye houses his raps (and silly ass glasses) over Daft Punk on "Stronger." T-Pain does a fine Roger Troutman impression to Kanye’s Zapp-influenced “Flashlight.” Meanwhile, 50 hosts Akon on “I’ll Still Kill,” which is sandwiched between songs called “My Gun,” and “Man Down.” Some may accuse Kanye of biting other’s styles, but 50 sounds like he’s regurgitating himself.
Both albums are slated to release against one other on Tuesday. Curtis raised the stakes of the competition between the two stating that if Kanye outsells him, he will retire. Judging by how good Graduation feels, its time to say good-bye to the bad guy.
“I’ll never be as laid back as this beat was/ I never could see why people would reach a fake-ass façade they couldn’t keep up/ you see how I creeped up/ you see how I played a big role in Chicago like Queen Latifah.”
Much like Kanye himself, his newest album sounds boisterous and bold yet manages to maintain a self-conscious cool, which can be as abrasive as it is introspective.
Graduation marks his progression from a star-struck prodigal fan-boy on College Drop Out, to the lackadaisical playboy philosopher on Late Registration, and it culminates to a grandiose celebration of the progression of a man as an artist. Armed with essential hip-hop instruments and basic rhyme skills he has orchestrated a masterpiece theatre on the beauty of simplicity.
On the other side of the tracks, 50 Cent is making simple-minded music in the name of keeping it real. But the newest album Curtis sounds more like another episode of “When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong.”Curtis is a lame attempt to recapture the hunger that 50 Cent had five years ago when he released his classic debut Get Rich Or Die Tryin’. He has neglected the opportunity to change over the years and as a result he now sounds stale and stagnant. The beats are the highlight of the album, but his lyrics are sound like an uninspired cliché throughout.
“My stomach is growlin they say that I’m wildin/ I’m doin my numbers or I’m getting violent/ they hearin my rappin, they think that I’m playin/ they see the barrel then they see the flame,” Fiddy mumbles on “Fully Loaded Clip.”
50 has the premier single of both albums with “Ayo Technology,” featuring Justin Timberlake on a ridiculous Timbaland’s beat. Meanwhile Kanye houses his raps (and silly ass glasses) over Daft Punk on "Stronger." T-Pain does a fine Roger Troutman impression to Kanye’s Zapp-influenced “Flashlight.” Meanwhile, 50 hosts Akon on “I’ll Still Kill,” which is sandwiched between songs called “My Gun,” and “Man Down.” Some may accuse Kanye of biting other’s styles, but 50 sounds like he’s regurgitating himself.
Both albums are slated to release against one other on Tuesday. Curtis raised the stakes of the competition between the two stating that if Kanye outsells him, he will retire. Judging by how good Graduation feels, its time to say good-bye to the bad guy.