the voice of reason's blog

As far as I can tell, life isn’t simple anymore. There probably was a time when your stereotypical clique set up of high school worked, but it just doesn’t anymore—at least not that I’ve seen. And why is this? The authorities have been so adamant about telling us to be ourselves and be unique and individual, that it’s become cool to be a rebel. It’s become cool, to be a dork, to a certain extent. And all this has done is complicate matters by pushing the stereotypes “underground”, as it were, forcing the problems to create better masks to hide behind and getting everyone to be a “nonconformist”. So what, after all, does it take to “be yourself” in this maze of mirrors?  Read More »

Love: Is There Any Such Thing?

So here’s my theory.

It’s been pretty much recognized by the general public that Hollywood, as far as love stories go, is full of crap. Happily ever after is a myth, because after all those fine moments and touching gestures, real life creeps in: you have to pay the bills, take the kids to school, deal with the in-laws and your own odd family members, go to work and suffer through other such migraine-inducing daily activities. And there are fights. Everybody has them. It’s not smooth-sailing romance all the time—at least partially because of the aforesaid reality bit.  Read More »

That’s the headline of a USA TODAY newspaper article.

I won’t type out the whole article here, however I’d like to draw attention to a few important points. This was the decision: “N.J. court protects rights, leaves ‘marriage’ up to lawmakers”

This is a summary of the decision, and in fact pretty much the view I take: “In between the extremes….a closer, calmer look at the New Jersey decision shows that it strikes a reasonable balance that reflects the evolving views of the public. It ends unjustified discrimination against gays and promotes equality under the law. At the same time, it acknowledges that the word “marriage” has deep cultural and religious roots, and therefore is best left to legislatures instead of courts to define. Now, New Jersey lawmakers must decide whether these relationships are called marriage, civil unions or something else. This distinction is important and provides a sensible “third way” compromise for this increasingly bitter debate.”  Read More »

I have something hopeful and succesful to report! 

It finally occurred to me that all I had to do to raise awareness in my school—well, the first step to it, at any rate—was get several of my loud mouthed friends together in one room, where they’d be quiet long enough to listen to me and my ideas. Harder than it sounds? Think again!  Read More »

This year’s National Novel Writing Month—“NanoWriMo”—at http://www.nanowrimo.org is officially launched for 2006! Spend your November writing 50,000 words, and rest assured there are thousands of others, all the way around the world, sharing the stress and the heartache and the triumph with you.

I have an account—I go by “just_like_jacopo” (minus the “” of course) but I’m afraid I don’t have what it takes to respond to the cram challenge; it’s November 2nd, and I don’t even have a plot outline!  Read More »

When did being an athlete become equivocal to being a god?

Think about it: School funds are rerouted from academics, music, and debate to buy sports equipment, build stadiums, and pay for sports-related expenses. Cities spend millions revamping stadiums and next to nothing on the poorest areas that need the funds the most. Professional athletes are some of the best paid people in
America, and educators, despite all the lip-service politicians pay to them saying how “important” education is, are among the lowest paid professionals who work in some of the hardest conditions.  Read More »

Everyone talks about violence in movies and the media and how that is adversely affecting today’s youth, but what’s less often mentioned—in fact, hardly ever—is the Disney Syndrome, which has an equally negative effect on today’s youth—I’d say mostly the girls—albeit in a different way.  Read More »

Bush signed a bill today authorizing a 700 mile wall to be built on the Mexico-USA border. This is what
Mexico had to say:

 Read More »