tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276330552011-04-21T13:53:20.410-07:00reflections on world events by a young student, activist, and writerjacksonnoreply@blogger.comBlogger331100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-83904457931547019622008-12-02T08:22:00.000-08:002008-12-02T09:48:48.994-08:00

Sterling silver is a practical alternative to white gold or platinum. Many people prefer sterling silver jewelry because of its price and beauty. Also because trendier, contemporary designs are more easily available in this metal. Cleaning sterling sterling silver is easy.Large Flower Sterling Silver CharmWhile creating this beautiful piece, we didn't cut any corners. Our skilled master, ensuring

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-37790598138992525052008-12-01T07:00:00.000-08:002008-12-02T08:54:59.850-08:00

Everyone knows that Coach on your bag is not only a status symbol but also a sign of great craftsmanship and durability. The Coach Company started from a baseball glove in 1941. The founder was so impressed by the the durability of the leather glove even after continuous rough handling. Why couldn't bags for men and women be that durable, he thought. Voila! A new company is born. Initially there

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-13564315250730233492008-11-26T13:56:00.001-08:002008-12-02T08:19:55.855-08:00

Present day glut in world's economy is reminiscent of recession which took the center stage in 1930s. World today is struggling to come to terms with this recession monster. The job losses have been unprecedented. All developed and developing economies are reeling under the onslaught of this monster. Panic has spread to India and China as well. The fallout of this recession has even hit the

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-67828539196770761042008-08-01T03:18:00.000-07:002008-08-31T03:44:22.244-07:00

Scott McClellan was part of the Bush White House from day one, and was the president's Press Secretary between 2003 and 2006. In this book he reveals much of the deception practiced there, focusing on two issues, the "sale" of the war in Iraq on false premises and the deliberate outing of CIA agent Valerie Plame.But McClellan is a Texas Republican and believes in George W Bush, so you have to

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1160121182892436762006-06-21T16:02:00.000-07:002006-10-06T00:53:02.900-07:00

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brady is so proud of his latest campaign finance report that he put out a press release, complete with a photo showing a happy Brady bringing his report in to the Secretary of State’s office.The reason: He raised $145,155 in the filing period, which ran only from May 8 through June 2. His largest donations were from the Democratic Governors Association,

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1160116305665584332006-03-16T11:29:00.000-08:002008-08-31T00:53:58.108-07:00

So long story short, I had to go out to Wal-Mart this morning to purchase a new garbage can for my bathroom. I guess I didn't have to go to Wal-Mart, but I did. And amazingly enough I ran into the last person on earth I ever thought would shop at Wal-Mart. I can't tell you who it was...we made an oath in the store to never reveal our identities, though in telling this story I realize I am

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146916082927757012006-02-01T22:31:00.000-08:002006-05-06T04:48:02.936-07:00

I've still been slacking bad! Only three posts in all of January! I have, however, a plan to reinvigorate this little blog (just for personal satisfaction, and to be prepared if I ever do gather an audience). I am going to write a weekly piece commenting on current events, to be published every Friday. This week I'll have a piece about the State of the Union Address on Tuesday, so check back in

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146916113240105292006-01-24T21:32:00.000-08:002008-08-31T03:50:27.794-07:00

Unfortunately, I can only be a part-time student. Hampshire College, as part of my deferral agreement, only permits me to attend Boise State University as a non-degree seeking student. So, the classes I enroll in now are purely for fun. Last semester I failed by picking an excruciatingly boring philosophy course. This semester, however, looks brighter. I attended the second session of an American

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146916168371449322006-01-18T23:37:00.000-08:002008-08-31T00:54:29.918-07:00

First of all, sorry for such infrequent posts. I've been insanely busy lately. But it's good. As campus activism swings into action for this semester, blog posts will naturally become more frequent. That is what this blog is about, after all. Also, as I work on being less jaded about our country going to hell in a handbasket, I'll comment more on current events. Amnesty International meetings

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146916231566060302006-01-05T04:26:00.000-08:002006-05-06T04:50:31.566-07:00

I've been slacking lately. This is my first post since December 23rd. Without campus activism to write about and with all the holiday shenanigans, I just haven't had much time or much subject matter to write about (even though bad news never seems to stop; I just don't always have the energy to tackle those problems). Second semester at BSU begins next week, though, so blog posts will become

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146916267615183312005-12-23T22:23:00.000-08:002006-05-06T04:52:19.660-07:00

During the holiday season I have a tendency to be the scrooge at every gathering of kindred spirits. I don’t necessarily celebrate any one of the holidays: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, or even Festivus. In fact, I view the entire affair with a sharpened cynicism. I stand ready to dish out harsh rebuttals to every aspect of the season. Gift giving? Just a scheme that preys on the wallets of our

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146916310634520242005-12-21T00:57:00.000-08:002006-05-06T04:51:50.636-07:00

I'm frightened now. Fear is building in my bones. An internationally illegal war, torture, affronts on civil liberties via the Patriot Act, domestic failures on every front, tax cuts for the rich, children left behind, New Orleanians left behind, unchecked environmental destruction, investigations into administration officials - all of these failures will haunt the legacy of the Bush

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146916861004866412005-11-29T19:34:00.000-08:002006-05-06T05:01:01.006-07:00

Instead, the one thousandth execution in the United States since the Supreme Court reinstated capital punishment in 1976 will take place on Friday, December 2nd. Today, Robin Lovitt was granted clemency by Virginia Governor Mark Warner. The scissors he had used (Lovitt, not the governor) in the murder he was accused of were discarded, casting doubt onto the accusations. The decision is

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146917023525704302005-11-25T19:36:00.000-08:002006-05-06T05:03:43.526-07:00

This morning I heard wind of 'Black Friday' on NPR News 91. However, I also heard the editor of Adbusters Magazine describing the alternate for November 25th, 'Buy Nothing Day.' I smacked my head as I remembered the significance of today, not because I was on my way to work instead of on my way to the mall, but because I hadn't blogged about 'Buy Nothing Day'! I've observed this rejection of

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146917075314071912005-11-22T18:53:00.000-08:002006-05-06T05:04:35.316-07:00

While delivering flowers today, in the midst of a soupy fog that caused me to turn on my headlights at two 'o clock in the afternoon, some gears in my mind started turning. I was listening to the This American Life podcast. A handful of American soldiers in Iraq who told their stories in blogs were reading those stories on the show. I was entirely consumed by the combat stories told by two of the

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146917116292349942005-11-21T21:18:00.000-08:002006-05-06T05:05:16.293-07:00

I recently received an email from a website launched to express frustration over the gaping hole in downtown Boise. If you don't live in Boise then you probably haven't heard that we have such a hole. A few years ago construction began on what was supposed to be the tallest building in Idaho, the Boise Tower. It would include condos, business space, stores and restaurants, parking, and more.

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146917184364847122005-11-17T21:56:00.000-08:002006-05-06T05:06:24.366-07:00

It gets discouraging. Two weeks ago: myself and one other at the weekly Amnesty International meeting. Last week: just me and four empty walls staring back at me. Tonight: I was once again joined by one other fellow activist, but no one else. Even though we are determined to do our small part in changing the world, it is disheartening when support and community are so scarce. But we'll press on,

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146917254503855072005-11-15T23:30:00.000-08:002006-05-06T05:07:34.506-07:00

This evening I attended a screening of the film Seoul Train at BSU. The movie documented the plight of North Koreans fleeing to China for political asylum. China views the asylum-seekers as illegal immigrants moving between borders for economic reasons. That couldn't be further from the truth. The Chinese government refuses to grant asylum to North Koreans and forcibly repatriates them. They are

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146917326915929502005-11-13T00:02:00.000-08:002006-05-06T05:08:46.916-07:00

This sort of talk from our commander and chief twists and churns my guts (from the BBC):US President George W Bush has said too much is at stake in Iraq for politicians to make "false charges" about the reasons for going to war. Amid new questions in Congress about the intelligence used to justify the invasion, he said it was "irresponsible to rewrite history". Irresponsible to rewrite

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146917794455622262005-11-11T01:32:00.000-08:002006-05-06T05:16:34.456-07:00

(the following information on fair trade is severely limited to what i know. i am no expert on the subject. i am simply trying to provide a resource for people who are interested in fair trade, but don't know where to turn for information.)"Fair Trade is a trading partnership based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146917899506354012005-11-09T23:30:00.000-08:002006-05-06T05:18:19.506-07:00

I spent most of today at BSU for the POV Conference on human rights. Turnout was painfully low, and the Amnesty International table I was at received a miniscule amount of attention. It wasn't really discouraging, though, because it was obvious that the organization of the event was sub-par. However, I did learn of some upcoming events:Seoul Train. On Tuesday, November 15th, as part of the

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146917994488435902005-11-08T05:47:00.000-08:002006-05-06T05:19:54.490-07:00

Well. I didn't vote. Turns out I live a little less than a mile from the city limits. Even though I work in the city, go to school in the city, spend most of my free time in the city, and will move to the city fairly soon, the law says I cannot vote for city council members. I'm disappointed, because I wanted to vote, but I'm not angry. It makes sense. Instead of voting today, I will urge all of

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146918051080690492005-11-07T23:02:00.000-08:002006-05-06T05:20:51.080-07:00

Last night I saw Bright Eyes live at Kingsbury Hall in Salt Lake City. It was an incredible show! In the quiet between songs someone shouted, "Conor Oberst is Jesus!" Though I'm not quite that fanatical, Bright Eyes is just that epic. Oberst was bursting with passion as he played his songs. The band backed him up with a fabric of surreal music coming from an interesting mix of instruments, from a

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146918095957526342005-11-06T09:47:00.000-08:002006-05-06T05:21:35.956-07:00

The POV (Point of View) Conference at Boise State University will take place on November 8th and 9th next week. The theme this year is human rights. I actually don't know too much about this event. I am connected to it through Amnesty International. We will be tabling for the event on Wednesday, November 9th in Hatch AB of the SUB. I do know, however, that there will be some interesting workshops

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146918202246095672005-11-05T21:38:00.000-08:002006-05-06T05:23:22.246-07:00

Next Tuesday's elections will be the first time in my life that I vote. Last year I turned eighteen one week after the elections. While there is less at stake this time around, I'm plenty excited to cast my vote.Before I vote, I'll add my two cents to the discussion. The prospect of Brandi Swindell being a city council member is ridiculous for too many reasons. She has no college education nor

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146918330675169062005-11-02T21:59:00.000-08:002006-05-06T05:25:30.676-07:00

I've been quiet for a few days, partly because I've been busy but mostly due to a tough break-up. I'm not going to waste your time writing about the break-up, not because it hasn't affected me deeply- because it has- but because this blog isn't a forum for that type of writing. That said, I experienced exactly what I needed yesterday. The Tunnel of Oppression happened very successfully on

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146918501030890072005-11-02T18:05:00.000-08:002006-05-06T05:28:21.033-07:00

(CD review originally written for the Boise Weekly)Ceasefire is stunning. This collaboration between Emmanuel Jal, a Christian from southern Sudan, and Abdel Gadir Salim, a Moslem from northern Sudan, sends a powerful message throughout the country in the shadow of war. For more than twenty years the Moslem north had battled the non-Moslem south until a peace agreement earlier this year. Sudan’s

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146920058486629662005-10-19T22:44:00.000-07:002006-05-06T05:54:18.486-07:00

Nobody is reading this blog yet... but that is alright. Hopefully I'll be able to gather some eyes and minds around the screen to hear what I have to say. Earlier this evening, the first Amnesty International of BSU meeting for the semester happened. It was pretty small, and just a bit awkward (like most first meetings, or maybe just most activist meetings), but definitely worthwhile. I mention

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146921015910354602005-10-19T13:51:00.000-07:002006-05-06T06:10:15.916-07:00

I plan to make 'local happenings' posts a regular, informal part of the Friction blog. Whereas other posts will be thought-out pieces that have probably been extensively revised and edited, these posts will be informal rants about what has been happening recently here in Boise, Idaho. You'll find my take on significant news items; summaries of meetings, rallies, and other political events;

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146919191086232192005-09-08T20:16:00.000-07:002006-05-06T05:39:51.093-07:00

Last September my eyes opened a bit wider than they already were. A headline that had wrapped itself around and through my heart morphed into an immense tragedy. Over 300 people, many of them children, died after undergoing horror when Chechen rebels attacked a school in Beslan, Russia. When I brought up the subject with my father, he told me about Darfur.At that point in my life I already felt

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146919350338361652005-09-07T14:22:00.000-07:002006-05-06T05:42:30.340-07:00

All in all, despite everything, I am really thrilled to be alive. Despite all the heartache and turmoil ravaging the planet and its people, I am happy. Headlines can temporarily numb me, personal disappointments can shake my faith in humanity, but ultimately I will prevail, and I already have, so far. To be happy, or maybe to come close to a sort of inner peace, one must acknowledge despair and

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146918971761160512004-12-01T12:00:00.000-08:002006-05-06T05:36:11.763-07:00

The streets of Salt Lake City are cold. Not just in the sense of temperature, but spiritually and emotionally cold. They say, though, that cold is really just a lack of heat; a lack of warmth. Fortunately, as I wandered the streets of SLC, I felt warm. The cold was teeming and creeping around me but somehow I managed to resist it.The day had been one of the most inspirational of my life. The

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633055.post-1146918802934382282004-08-25T18:08:00.000-07:002006-05-06T05:33:22.933-07:00

footprints on the beach

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0