Yay, I am employed

Although I've tried to limit this blog to Cambodia-specific content, I can't help but share a few of my thoughts about some stuff going on in Amerik (as we say in the Bode):

* I just read this article in the NY Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/13/business/economy/13econ.html?pagewanted=3&hp

It seems like every time I peruse the news, there is something about the doom that is still yet to come for America. I've never felt so lucky to be making 5 dollars a day in my life. I am employed, and reading these articles reminds me of that fact every time.

* Mid-term Elections

Between Christine O'Donnell's financial troubles and fraudulent degree, Alvin Greene's mysterious and unqualified Senatorial run, and Sharron Angle's oblivious understanding of, well, everything, I've never been so happy to be away from what I can imagine are never-ending YouTube clips and discussions. Although laughable, these daft figures certainly make me question the state of American politics if these are the candidates deemed worthy of representing their constituents. What a joke.

*Climate Change

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/10/11/101011fa_fact_lizza

This was a really interesting article about the failure of what looked like a chance to put forth something to address global warming. Remember when Carter tried to get the ball rolling on addressing climate change? Nothing radical, but he did try to install solar panels on the White House, devoted millions of dollars researching alternative energy, and produced oil-reduction reforms. He knew what we are all finally acknowledging now: we can't just pollute pollute pollute and expect nothing to happen. But then, in came the Reagan administration, and along with tearing down the solar panels, eliminated any hope that we would seriously address global warming. And the downward spiral continued...or perhaps upward spiral, if we're using the mercury to measure this calamity. We really need to get our act together.

These are my soapbox rants for this week, but I foresee more to come. These midterm elections are just too tantalizing to not divulge my opinions, which have plenty of time to amalgamate as it's rainy season- obviously no one comes to school when it rains.