motek's Xanga

South Korean Missionaries in Afgahnistan?

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 22:06:28 GMT

I'm not sure what to think here. Is this good? Is this bad? They have no way of "understanding" what's being said.

But then again, one can argue that God's love doesn't require literal comprehension.

You?

Saturday, June 09, 2007

Sat, 09 Jun 2007 12:58:38 GMT

Going to a Town

I'm going to a town that has already been burned down
I'm going to a place that has already been disgraced
I'm gonna see some folks who have already been let down
I'm so tired of America

I'm gonna make it up for all of the Sunday times
I'm gonna make it up for all of the nursery rhymes
They never really seem to want to tell the truth
I'm so tired of you, America

Making my own way home
Ain't gonna be alone
I got a life to lead, America
I got a life to lead

Tell me,
Do you really think you go to hell for having love?
Tell me,
And laugh at thinking everything that you've done is good?
I really need to know
After soaking the body of Jesus Christ in blood
I'm so tired of America
I really need to know

I may just never see you again
Or might as well
You took advantage of a world that loved you well
I'm going to a town that has already been burned down
I'm so tired of you, America

Making my own way home
Ain't gonna be alone
I got a life to lead, America
I got a life to lead
I got a soul to feed
I got a dream to need
And that's all I need

Making my own way home
Ain't gonna be alone
I'm going to a town that has already been burned down

Friday, May 11, 2007

Fri, 11 May 2007 10:47:55 GMT

Hudson Valley and Boston

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 20:18:02 GMT

I've been unable to put down the first literary work I've ever read written by Ayn Rand for more than a couple days at most. Each day that passes without its pages brushing through my ink-stained fingers fuels me to get my work done quicker and eat dinner earlier so that I can spend a couple hours inside her seemingly 'complex' characters and sleep with a mind full of them, continuing their lives in my dreams. I often fail to realize that the book is indeed a work of fiction, but at every random moment, I'm not surprised to see them in my group of friends, my family, or in a random stranger walking in Brooklyn.

Which leads me into my first actual post that doesn't consist of worthless drivel, though many times, my more "thoughtful" ones were often castigated with equal fervor. For the last three weeks, I've asked every friend and acquaintances if they've read the same book. So far, I've only come across one, but even that person does not remember a single character's name. To keep things simple, ZERO have said that they've read it.

But it's not a simple, "No, I have not read The Fountainhead". Every response seems to illicit an interesting emotional range of discomfort, shame, and self-condemnation - as if they've committed a sinful act of negligence. A confession of their supposed guilt soon follows, anxiously looking towards me for forgiveness.

"Honestly, I'm not much of a book person. I haven't read a book since college... I know, I probably should... Maybe I can borrow your book after you're done".

If they had simply said, "No", I was ready and eager to give them a quick summary up to the point I've read to and briefly discuss Rand's philosophy of individuals and society. But instead, I'm often unable to go beyond their perceived "problem" and must suddenly become a priest and bear the individual's intellectual confessions.

It got me thinking, "Do I make you feel guilty?"

Two Sunday's ago, I attended another new church with a co-worker somewhere, roughly 20 minutes northeast of NYC.
During the offering, I noticed my friend/co-worker pull out a $10 bill and slip it into the basket. As it swiftly passed me for my contribution, I asked him, "Do you make only $100 a week?"

I didn't care if he tithed accordingly or not - even more so because my wallet failed to leave my back pocket during the whole service. However, the comment seemed to have struck a nerve and 15 minutes after the preacher spoke, "... and it doesn't matter how many times we pray, or how often you attend church, or how much you tithe...", we turned to me with a smile and quite audibly said, "See?" A week later, he brought up the incident in front of other "Christians" during a dinner and singled me out and accused me of being judgemental.

Was I so wrong?

One of the main characters in The Fountainhead, Howard Roark, is ostracized because the people he interacts with are overwhelmed with their own guilt because Howard believes himself to be guiltless (guilt here is used in a slightly modified way, as eloquently projected in the book - don't take it too literally). I don't dare to parallel myself to Roark's life; I may or may not be guiltless, in some other way. But say, I, too ask loaded questions or make critically sarcastic remarks... is it so bad to every once in a while feel quilty and look into a mirror for answers? If you see yourself at fault, you can change it, rather than ignore it...

... the other possibility is scandalously self-satisfying: believing yourself to be guilty, but through reason and sound arguments, you acquit yourself on all counts of the indicted charges.

Am I still so wrong?

Something lighter...

Hudson Valley

Boston

Friday, February 09, 2007

Fri, 09 Feb 2007 08:32:03 GMT

Monday, January 22, 2007

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 23:53:29 GMT

Who is "Shi-moh"? Is that me?

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 14:13:19 GMT

Something that has been ignored by Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress for the 6 years.

Senate to consider student loan interest rates

Kennedy proposal would raise maximum Pell grant from $4,050 to $5,100

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON - The debate over whether to cut interest rates on student loans is moving to the Senate as part of a broader bill aimed at reducing college costs.

"We must address the crisis in college affordability that affects every low- and middle-income family and threatens our economic progress," said Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., who chairs the committee overseeing education issues. "I applaud the efforts of my colleagues in the House and look forward to taking up this critical issue in the Senate very soon."

The House voted 356-71 on Wednesday to pass a bill cutting interest rates on need-based student loans in half, from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent, over five years. Kennedy scheduled a Senate hearing for next week.

Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., the sponsor of the House bill, said he was confident the interest rate cut would be passed by the Senate, given the number of House lawmakers who backed the measure. "I think the vote is a pretty big marketing tool," Miller said.

The House bill was part of a package of legislative priorities that Democrats, who won control of Congress in November, pushed as part of their initial agenda. The vote made good on a campaign promise, though the rate cut initially envisioned has been scaled back.

At first, Democrats did not spell out that the cut would only be for students who get subsidized or need-based loans. They also promised to cut interest rates on loans that parents pay and pledged to raise the maximum Pell grants, which do not have to be paid back.

Democrats said Wednesday they would get to those issues. "This is the beginning of that process," Miller said.

The broader Kennedy proposal would raise the maximum Pell grant from $4,050 to $5,100. It also would encourage more schools to participate in a program in which the government makes loans to students, rather than banks. That program is considered cheaper than the bank-based program.

The interest-rate cut approved by the House would help an estimated 5.5 million students who get need-based federal loans.

The government pays the interest that accrues on those loans while students are in college. Students pick up the payments after they leave school.

The House proposal would cost nearly $6 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

To avoid increasing the deficit, the bill's cost would be offset by reducing the yield on college loans the government guarantees to lenders and cutting the guaranteed return banks get when students default. Banks also would have to pay more in fees.

The House bill requires that the rate cut be reauthorized in 2012. Democratic lawmakers say they are confident the 3.4 percent cut will be sustained.

The Bush administration and some Republican leaders opposed the measure, saying the additional money should go toward providing more grants to poor students instead of reducing the amounts graduates will owe on their loans.

"We have limited resources. We only have so much money," said California Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon, the top Republican on the committee overseeing education issues. "My choice is to help those that need help getting into the system."

Tally Hart, senior adviser for economic access at Ohio State University, says the interest-rate cut will encourage students to stay in college, knowing they will owe less when they graduate. But Hart said more money for the Pell program also is needed.

The cuts to the student loan programs follow $12 billion in cuts Congress enacted last year.

Tom Joyce, a spokesman for industry leader Sallie Mae, says there is only so much that banks can absorb before they pass the cuts on to students.

"Cut student loan rates, fine, but don't cut the student loan program ... particularly after it was cut by $12 billion last year," Joyce said.

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16685732/

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Sun, 14 Jan 2007 11:40:23 GMT

Is Iran next? [link to NPR]

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 12:10:41 GMT

I was never a fan of his music. I always admired his talents, but not his style. Well, "CONTINUUM" finally won me over. Am I little late on jumping on John Mayer's wagon?

On another note, am I going to take 3 other non-Colbert fans to the show? I have people who would like to go, but they don't even watch his show much. I'd rather take someone who would enjoy his banter and pick up on his obscure references.

Let me know.

L.A. was beautiful! Especially when you walk along Venice Beach for the first time with a girl you just met 2 hours prior who completely blows your mind away. Does patience not pay off?

Negra Modela was made to be enjoyed during these moments, and indeed, it was well received.

To the future...

COLBERT REPORT

Thu, 28 Sep 2006 21:59:13 GMT

November 30, 2006

Got FOUR tickets... Holla @ your boy! I'll get you in.