Tuesday, June 24, 2014

What Do You Think?

Today in the NY Post there is an article about a city college turning down a $10 million dollar grant.  What??  On face value, it's appalling.  How can any college turn down any money from anyone?  A closer look.  The Koch Brothers wanted to give CCNY (City College of New York) a grant for business.  Still feel the college should have taken it no matter what?  There is definitely not a clear cut answer, but think of what you are teaching the students.  We take money from anyone even though we are diametrically opposed to everything they stand for politically. Just think what the Koch Brothers are trying to do to democracy?  They are trying to influence the outcome of elections and therefore policies.  Policies that by and large are against the youth that are going to CCNY.  It's not the first time that people have stood by beliefs over money.  It's just unusual for a struggling college to stand up and be strong.  They could use the money definitely.  I think it's admirable to demonstrate we have beliefs and values that can't be compromised.  I admire their stance. I wonder how the students feel....

The Central Park 5 are five men that were charged, indicted, and jailed for some 20 years for raping a jogger in Central Park.  This was a huge crime and trial. They were absolved of wrong doing and freed not that long ago.  They sued the city of New York for $250 million.  They settled for $40million.  I thought the City got off easy.  The Blowhard Donald T***p thinks the city gave them too much.  He's been very vocal against the settlement.  As a tax payer, I was thrilled.  First of all, to get this all behind us is preferable.  These men can never get back the years they lost in jail.  Maybe they will do some good with their lives and money.  Maybe there are lessons to be learned.  Maybe they can gain some modicum of a normal life.  

Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber.  Now, before you just skip ahead, think about it. Every time I hear they are on again or off again, I groan.  That it's news is annoying.  If they were just two young people that weren't famous, they would be just classic messed up young lovers.  Their story isn't new but they are in the spotlight.  Everything about their love is predictable and been done many times before.  It's unfortunate that girls often date boys that aren't nice to them, break up with them, forgive them, and get back together again.  It's a cycle that needs to be broken.  These young people on the surface aren't right for each other and should take their supposed love underground or, better yet, elsewhere. So girls, listen up.  Learn from this.  If you broke up with your boyfriend for a reason, the reason doesn't usually go away.  He still wants time alone, flirts with other girls, wants to be with the boys, doesn't treat you nice, doesn't compliment you, never responds to texts, etc. etc. etc.  Selena keeps buying into the apology until next time.  And there will be a next time.  He will do something that hurts her.  As for Justin, he's just a boy.  He's immature.  I don't like him on any level, but his ridiculous, offensive, inappropriate behavior is recorded. That's what's different between him and any boy his age.  He can't hide.  He needs to go away.  These young people need to find another path away from each other. If it's meant to be, they can meet up in ten years....

Okay, what about the Washington Redskins?  At first, the only people who started complaining about the mascot name were white men.  It gave me pause, but thought if the Indian Nation doesn't stand up and start screaming, maybe it's okay.  Fast forward to the direct, pointed, commercial the Indian Nation put together that aired during the NBA Playoffs.  They made it perfectly clear that "Redskins" is an offensive and unacceptable term.  It's not a term of endearment.  I'm not sure why it is finally getting traction now.  Stanford University had to forego the Indian mascot, which actually employed a native American, for the mascot name Cardinal.  Poor choice but they did that over 40 years ago.  Why did the Redskins get off until now?  The ground swell is growing.  Daniel Snyder, the owner, is digging in his heels.  He will not change the name.  The US Patent office cancelled many of their lucrative trademarks for clothing and memorabilia.  Still, Dan Snyder is not budging.  What can the government do?  Well, first off, take away the Washington Redskins tax-exempt status until he does change the name.  All tax money collected could go towards helping reservations around the country.  Dan Snyder isn't going to win in the end, I'm sure of that, but until then, it's time to dig in our heels too and not except it.  What about the Cincinnati Reds?  Atlanta Braves?  There are many professional teams that may want to start thinking how their mascot choices affect others.  Seriously, if Stanford had to give up the Indians....










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