My opening address at the debate between the UNLV College Republicans and UNLV Young Democrats.
When we as Americans look at the two opposing schools of political thought in Conservatism and Liberalism, we see that the major divergence in ideology happen in describing what the proper Role of government ought to be. And ironically, it is in this broad and far ranging question that we see the intrinsic and unique qualities of the American democracy in comparison to the rest of the world. It is in this very question in which we find the answer to why so many people from every corner of the world flocks to the land that guarantees the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
To analyze what exactly is so intrinsic about American democracy and its role of government is, it is important to start at the very beginning. At our foundation, our forefathers were able to learn from the examples of what happens when power is consolidated and the sovereignty of the state is able to hold its people accountable to its whim. And so when our government was crafted, our forefathers built us a government in which the separation of powers were evident, and gave us a union where the right of the individual was given greater gravitas than ordinary.
And herein lies the difference. The conservative school of thought believes that the smaller the role of government is, the more free and prosperous our citizenry can be. The opposite can be said of the liberal movement. Their strangely skewed trust in government, which they present as the best solution, leads them to place the government and not the people, first. The conservative movement believes that decisions should be made as closely as possible to the people that are affected by it, and that the ones who make the decisions should be elected as directly as possible by the people affected. The liberal movement in stark contrast to such basic principals, attempts to create an umbrella in which generic standards are set and the people are ordered to fall in line.
As conservatives, we believe in a system in which standards are driven up by choice and competition opposed to a society that is supposed to simply be grateful for what is handed to it.
As Thomas Jefferson once said, “the government that can give you everything is a government that can take everything.” Our movement centers on the ideals of individual responsibility where every citizen is given the opportunity to strive for a better life.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
The Art of Eating Meat in Front of a Vegetarian
Recently, as I was reading my University’s student run paper, the Rebel Yell, I found a rather amusing article titled: “From the other side: Veggie delights change social views.” How could anyone avoid reading such a grandiosely titled article? Hopeful to gain an insight as to how vegetables managed to change the perspective of human society and its views, I was left standing aghast by the end of the article. Basically, the author Shane Collins simple trapezes about the article gloriously announcing the delectable tastes of various vegetables and how he was proud that he and his vegetarian brethren are showing compassion and are “reducing [the] suffering,” of animals to quote his words.
Wait, wait, wait a minute. Reduce suffering of animals by becoming vegetarian? This smells like fishy PETA business to me.
I fully understand the concept of vegetarianism for those who follow a faith that calls upon it. I even begrudgingly understand those who are vegetarian for its supposed health benefits. But those who are vegetarian to respect animal rights and end animal suffering? That’s a laughable idea in my book.
Remember that one of the basic lessons in biology taught to us is that we as a human species are supposedly classified as mammals. We are also designed as omnivores. If you look at everything from our digestive organs to the way our teeth are designed, we are clearly built to devour both meat and vegetables.
With this in mind and using this ideology, don’t we as human beings have every right to eat meat from cattle as an endangered cheetah is entitled to hunt antelope? In comparison, the way we slaughter swine for consumption is similar in many respects to wild felines or dogs hunting its prey in the wild.
If the natural cycle that we learned in the movie, the Lion King holds true, why are vegetarians out there propagating this idea that eating meat is a guilty pleasure and that they are above such cruelty to animals. Ask any semi-coherent vegetarian (a possible contradiction), if a lion is able to sustain on a vegetarian diet. That vegetarian should answer you by saying no. You should ask them why not. Its because lions are designed to be carnivores, a beast that only eats other animals.
Then why should humans, a supposed natural creature of this world, be suppressed from living as it’s built to live: as an omnivore? The next time your sitting with a vegetarian friend who’s lecturing you about the barbaric nature of eating meat, remind that person you’re simply doing your part in helping reduce global warming by stopping cattle from releasing methane gas in their flatulence.
Wait, wait, wait a minute. Reduce suffering of animals by becoming vegetarian? This smells like fishy PETA business to me.
I fully understand the concept of vegetarianism for those who follow a faith that calls upon it. I even begrudgingly understand those who are vegetarian for its supposed health benefits. But those who are vegetarian to respect animal rights and end animal suffering? That’s a laughable idea in my book.
Remember that one of the basic lessons in biology taught to us is that we as a human species are supposedly classified as mammals. We are also designed as omnivores. If you look at everything from our digestive organs to the way our teeth are designed, we are clearly built to devour both meat and vegetables.
With this in mind and using this ideology, don’t we as human beings have every right to eat meat from cattle as an endangered cheetah is entitled to hunt antelope? In comparison, the way we slaughter swine for consumption is similar in many respects to wild felines or dogs hunting its prey in the wild.
If the natural cycle that we learned in the movie, the Lion King holds true, why are vegetarians out there propagating this idea that eating meat is a guilty pleasure and that they are above such cruelty to animals. Ask any semi-coherent vegetarian (a possible contradiction), if a lion is able to sustain on a vegetarian diet. That vegetarian should answer you by saying no. You should ask them why not. Its because lions are designed to be carnivores, a beast that only eats other animals.
Then why should humans, a supposed natural creature of this world, be suppressed from living as it’s built to live: as an omnivore? The next time your sitting with a vegetarian friend who’s lecturing you about the barbaric nature of eating meat, remind that person you’re simply doing your part in helping reduce global warming by stopping cattle from releasing methane gas in their flatulence.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Christianity and its Compatibility with Karma
“Karma,” as defined by Miriam Webster:
Main Entry: Kar•ma
3: the force generated by a person's actions held in Hinduism and Buddhism to perpetuate transmigration and in its ethical consequences to determine the nature of the person's next existence
Main Entry: Kar•ma
3: the force generated by a person's actions held in Hinduism and Buddhism to perpetuate transmigration and in its ethical consequences to determine the nature of the person's next existence
Recently, I’ve found myself entrenched in a great deal of conversations where fellow Christians will spruce up interesting points in our dialogue with the word karma. It has always struck me as ironic how the western society has taken into its embrace such a strangely foreign and eastern concept as karma.
To the untrained eye, karma and all its alluring promises seem to be just what the average person could possibly ask for in life. That man that cut you off on your way to work? Karma would get him. That teenager who keeps checking his iPhone for text messages during the movie? Karma would hit him ten fold.
It appears that every unjust deed, whether grandiose or minute, that goes unpunished by society would eventually return to bite them in the derrière later on in life. But how is this cosmic judge that rewards every sin with bad circumstance and every good deed with good circumstance compatible with the Judeo-Christian upbringing of the west?
The answer is quite simple; the idea of karma in comparison to the principals taught by Christianity result in complete and utter conflict. These two ideas are incompatible. And the reason and justification of my proclamation is equally as simple.
Karma and its basic concept of ‘whatever goes around comes around’ doesn’t have room in it’s equation for the essence of Jesus Christ and his critical time spent suffering on the cross.
What is the essence of Jesus Christ’s time on the cross?
Forgiveness.
Karma in its grandiose upkeep of justice and universal balance of morality does not factor into its existence the importance of forgiveness taught by Jesus Christ.
One of the main pillars of Christianity is the belief that when one accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you are granted forgiveness and washed clean of the impurities of the original sin and the sins you have committed in one’s life. If you are Catholic or Orthodox, this purity is maintained through the holy sacrament of Confession. If one is Protestant, then this purity is maintained through internal self repentance and atonement.
Whatever the case, the beauty of Christianity is the idea that no matter how severe the sinner, if one is genuinely ready to embrace the idea of Christ as Lord and Savior and live life by the guidelines set by Christ, one can come clean of his ill deeds and start a new life; a life that is clean and rid of one’s old mistakes. This ideology of forgiveness is the ultimate reason why karma and it’s prevalent use today amongst the youth is so counter intuitive to the foundations of Judeo-Christian morality that western society as a whole has been founded upon.
In contrast to these fundamental beliefs, Karma is a simplistic math equation. If one commits a wrong doing, it will return to you no matter what. In Hinduism, Jainism, or Buddhism where Karma is a part of its central dogma, it states that karma does not merely take into consideration your current life, but even your next. If you committed a sin that went unpunished through karma in this life, according to these eastern religions, when you regenerate in your next life, karma would return the punishment of your previous sins, transcending time and being.
And if the Christian philosophy of being unable to live life completely absent of sin is true (have you seriously lived life without ever telling a lie?), could you imagine the vicious cycle of punishment karma has in store for you in this life or the next?
Do not get me wrong, whether it is the concept of Hell or the concept of earning passage through Purgatory (a Catholic belief), there is plenty of room for injustice to be punished within the Christian faith. However the ultimate difference is that Christians believe that judgment day comes through Jesus Christ and forgiveness is obtainable. Through Karma, judgment is simply a cosmic function in which wrong doing is input in and ill fate is spat out.
So the next time you sit listening to, “Karma,” by Alicia Keys while driving to your destination, think to yourself and imagine how scary and frightening the world would be if the universe knew no forgiveness and simply dealt a fair hand each time?
Thursday, August 27, 2009
The New Tie-Dye Movement
For the longest time, as a resident of Las Vegas, I have waltzed my way through many velvet ropes and throngs of waiting people to make my way into the posh nightclubs that dot the strip. And as I happen to make this epic journey on frequent and regular bases, I’d like to share with you an interesting observation in men’s ware. I could not help but gaze upon the people dressed in black shirts with gold and swirling silver designs, encrusted to the neck in flashy rhinestones that glitter with every purposeful pose and stride.
No, I’m not talking about the multitude of scantly clad women in cocktail dresses lined with Swarovski crystals.
I’m talking about the boys up front in Ed Hardy shirts, courtesy of Christian Audigier.
These men, decked out in all colors of the rainbow (unfortunately all splashed on the same shirt), seem to be heralding in some type of hip hop meets the 70’s tie-dye shirt movement. There are dozens of these men at every premiere establishment in Las Vegas, looking like Vin Diesel trying to get away with wearing Jennifer Lopez’s stage ensemble.
The tragedy of this is atrocity is that these shirts range within the $100 range with the cheapest falling into the $60s category and some going as high as $250. Why on earth in this current recession, where a sale at Saks Fifth Avenue ushers in 75% off steals in designer labels, would anyone spend this type of money to look this ridiculous?
Are they possibly peacocking?
Often decadently designed with skulls and a generous amount of rhinestones, these damning bastards of Audigier are another blatant eyesore amongst the Las Vegas scene.
With the Euro outpacing the dollar and well dressed German, French, and British gentlemen crossing the Atlantic to capture the rapid price drops amongst the Las Vegas casinos, these poor Americans hardly seem to be able to put up a fight.
No, I’m not talking about the multitude of scantly clad women in cocktail dresses lined with Swarovski crystals.
I’m talking about the boys up front in Ed Hardy shirts, courtesy of Christian Audigier.
These men, decked out in all colors of the rainbow (unfortunately all splashed on the same shirt), seem to be heralding in some type of hip hop meets the 70’s tie-dye shirt movement. There are dozens of these men at every premiere establishment in Las Vegas, looking like Vin Diesel trying to get away with wearing Jennifer Lopez’s stage ensemble.
The tragedy of this is atrocity is that these shirts range within the $100 range with the cheapest falling into the $60s category and some going as high as $250. Why on earth in this current recession, where a sale at Saks Fifth Avenue ushers in 75% off steals in designer labels, would anyone spend this type of money to look this ridiculous?
Are they possibly peacocking?
Often decadently designed with skulls and a generous amount of rhinestones, these damning bastards of Audigier are another blatant eyesore amongst the Las Vegas scene.
With the Euro outpacing the dollar and well dressed German, French, and British gentlemen crossing the Atlantic to capture the rapid price drops amongst the Las Vegas casinos, these poor Americans hardly seem to be able to put up a fight.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Senator McCain, It's been an Honor
As Americans we have seen one of the longest campaigns for America’s presidency come to a close.
With our nation facing an era of uncertainty and overwhelming challenges, the defeat of Senator John S. McCain was a painful and rude awakening for such a staunch supporter of the statesman like me.
Having been a contributor and a backer of Senator McCain since his initial run against President George W. Bush for the Republican nomination in the 2000 race, I was proud to watch one of America’s greatest heroes secure the nomination of my party in 2008.
Like a few of my contemporaries, I stood in silent and lukewarm support of President Bush for the past eight years and endured the verbal onslaught of Democrats who hymned in unison chanting for a need to change.
I could not have agreed more. The Republicans needed a transitional figure. America craved change. That change, I believed with all my heart and soul, was John McCain.
Here stood a man with a track record for reform, a man with enduring qualities and generations of servitude for his country. I have come to respect the man whom with quiet eloquence spoke with integrity, honesty, and simplistic sensibility.
I have come to love a man who was ridiculed by members of his own political party for his bipartisan efforts to end the deadlock of his country and then have him once more lampooned by the opposition party for not having done enough.
Although the pundits had cautiously ruled him out and the polls showed discouraging signs, the vast majority of loyal McCain supporters still held a sense of hopeless optimism.
McCain was America’s comeback kid.
As I watched the election coverage and observed America usher in a new era of Democratic control of the Congress and the White House, I fell into tears. Fused with bitter anger, frustration, and a sense of loss beyond words, I struggled to grasp how my fellow Americans had turned so blind to what I believed was the obvious solution to our countries problems.
When the news stations finally declared the Democratic candidate as the winner of the election, I rambled about giving New England to Canada and raved about returning California to Mexico.
While I craved to turn off the television in utter disgust at what had happened, as a man who enjoys formalities and frivolous traditions, I decided to endure the waves of celebrating people being covered on CNN long enough to watch McCain formally concede the race.
And once again I was astonished at John McCain’s humility, graciousness, and his continued promise to serve the American people with whatever chance may come his way.
As McCain opened his arms to embrace the finality of America’s democracy, I sat feeling subservient and humbled by the pettiness of my previous thoughts. The American people and their collective wisdom had chosen a new man.
Along with McCain, millions of Republicans will now soon hail Barack Obama as President of this great country. We as Americans are continually reminded every election year that while our solutions may be different, our end goal for higher prosperity and security are the same.
President-elect Obama, I give you the benefit of the doubt for having won the trust of America’s majority. I hold you accountable to the promise you have made this nation. And while I give you my respect and admiration freely, you will have to earn my trust.
With that said, I wish our new President-elect strength in his conviction, and luck in his future.
And to Senator John S. McCain, sir, it’s been an honor to fight in your campaign.
With our nation facing an era of uncertainty and overwhelming challenges, the defeat of Senator John S. McCain was a painful and rude awakening for such a staunch supporter of the statesman like me.
Having been a contributor and a backer of Senator McCain since his initial run against President George W. Bush for the Republican nomination in the 2000 race, I was proud to watch one of America’s greatest heroes secure the nomination of my party in 2008.
Like a few of my contemporaries, I stood in silent and lukewarm support of President Bush for the past eight years and endured the verbal onslaught of Democrats who hymned in unison chanting for a need to change.
I could not have agreed more. The Republicans needed a transitional figure. America craved change. That change, I believed with all my heart and soul, was John McCain.
Here stood a man with a track record for reform, a man with enduring qualities and generations of servitude for his country. I have come to respect the man whom with quiet eloquence spoke with integrity, honesty, and simplistic sensibility.
I have come to love a man who was ridiculed by members of his own political party for his bipartisan efforts to end the deadlock of his country and then have him once more lampooned by the opposition party for not having done enough.
Although the pundits had cautiously ruled him out and the polls showed discouraging signs, the vast majority of loyal McCain supporters still held a sense of hopeless optimism.
McCain was America’s comeback kid.
As I watched the election coverage and observed America usher in a new era of Democratic control of the Congress and the White House, I fell into tears. Fused with bitter anger, frustration, and a sense of loss beyond words, I struggled to grasp how my fellow Americans had turned so blind to what I believed was the obvious solution to our countries problems.
When the news stations finally declared the Democratic candidate as the winner of the election, I rambled about giving New England to Canada and raved about returning California to Mexico.
While I craved to turn off the television in utter disgust at what had happened, as a man who enjoys formalities and frivolous traditions, I decided to endure the waves of celebrating people being covered on CNN long enough to watch McCain formally concede the race.
And once again I was astonished at John McCain’s humility, graciousness, and his continued promise to serve the American people with whatever chance may come his way.
As McCain opened his arms to embrace the finality of America’s democracy, I sat feeling subservient and humbled by the pettiness of my previous thoughts. The American people and their collective wisdom had chosen a new man.
Along with McCain, millions of Republicans will now soon hail Barack Obama as President of this great country. We as Americans are continually reminded every election year that while our solutions may be different, our end goal for higher prosperity and security are the same.
President-elect Obama, I give you the benefit of the doubt for having won the trust of America’s majority. I hold you accountable to the promise you have made this nation. And while I give you my respect and admiration freely, you will have to earn my trust.
With that said, I wish our new President-elect strength in his conviction, and luck in his future.
And to Senator John S. McCain, sir, it’s been an honor to fight in your campaign.
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