Rights on Rights

You must have been living under a rock if you don't know what's been going on politically for the past 24 hours.

For those of you who DON'T know what's been happening, here's a Rapid-Fire Update for ya:

• Yesterday Morning: A vital part of the Voting Rights Act was struck down by the Supreme Court, freeing 9 states (mostly southern) to pass any voting laws sans federal approval (unlike before, when they did have to get federal approval).
• Yesterday Night: Texas State Senator Wendy Davis (D) was a straight-up badass, filibustering for 12-13 hours (in running shoes and a back brace no less) to kill a bill for abortion restrictions during a special session. There was a sh*t-ton of drama. Republicans (predominately male) were trying to illegally end the filibuster (they did end it because she went "off-topic") and tried to vote on it. Turns out, the vote was at 12:03 PM, and the vote was supposed to be made before midnight. So, it's dead, for now. Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX) called for another special session (in other words, buckle up).
• This Morning: DOMA = Dead. That's right, ladies and gents. Gay married couples now have the right to get the same federal benefits as straight married couples do AND California gay couples now can get married!

Alright, Rapid-Fire Update: over.

Let's get to the deets, shall we?

I know the Voting Rights Act is all about racial equality, but my question is how does one determine whether or not a voting process is racially discriminatory. I'm all for racial equality, but is there a standard for racial equality, or is the determination of discrimination all subjective? I guess you could say this is where it gets dicey. I still don't understand how in the world showing your ID is racially discriminatory. You can get IDs, it shouldn't be an issue. Passports, Driver's Licences, etc. Why is that racially discriminatory? It's only trying to prevent voter fraud! Unfortunately, I don't know as much on this issue as I'd like to, and I plan on digging up more info.

I'd also like to say that I LOVE YOU WENDY DAVIS. YOU GO GLEN COCO. Tumblr last night was on FIRE! It exploded to make wonderful, angry, feminist, politically-charged confetti. It was simply gorgeous, and I thought I'd share some:

[WARNING: There's foul language in the following images and I didn't censor it because it's completely necessary for this issue in my opinion.]

I've said this before: Separation of Church and State is so important, and my fellow Republicans are forgetting that COMPLETELY. I understand that the issue of the unborn baby is important, and I can completely see the legal concern for murder.  I still think Roe v. Wade is the best and closest compromise for the issue at hand. But the behavior displayed by the Republicans that night? Trying to illegally end the filibuster and simply not giving Davis the respect she deserves? That is completely inexcusable. Those who disrespected her that night ought to be ASHAMED. It makes me so angry that women still are not treated equally on a social and legal level. I'm utterly sick of this nonsense and America deserves better.

I take the same stance with gay marriage. Separation of Church and State, is that SO HARD to understand? What does it matter to you if two guys/girls get married? WHY DOES IT MATTER SO MUCH? STOP SHOVING YOUR RELIGIOUS MORALS DOWN UNWILLING THROATS! I repeat: WE ARE A SECULAR NATION. WE LEGALLY CANNOT DO ANYTHING LIKE DOMA. Oh, and for those dipwads who claim that 2 men/women would hurt society by raising a child that isn't a traditional family: Calm the hell down. I have friends who have been raised in gay/lesbian families and they are awesome. SO F YOU, and please consider the following image:

And some fantastic parting words, courtesy of Tumblr:

- Julia

PS: I'm headed to the UK this Saturday and going to be out of the US for a month-and-a-half. I'll try to write one more time before leaving, and I'll drop some pictures and short updates when I'm overseas. 

PSS: For those who actually read this and care, thank you so much for reading. I really appreciate your support! POLITICS ROCKS, AMIRIGHT? (well...sometimes)

Summertime, Sherlock, and the Stock Market

Hey everyone! Long time, no type... (I'm sorry. I blame finals.)

But it's a great time to give some RAPID-FIRE updates about my life and what's been goin' on. READY, SET, GO:

• I got accepted to a program to study Journalism and Business at Oxford University. I will be leaving for England in 8 days.
• I have joined the Sherlockian, Trekkie, Cumber-babe, and the Hiddles fandom. (If you don't know what that even is, GOOD. STAY IGNORANT. FANDOMS WILL RUIN YOUR LIFE.)
• Today was my last day of school... SUMMERRRRRR
• I think it's safe to say that I'm obsessed with anything British.
• I'm officially a senior now and I'm kinda flipping out about it.

Ok, Rapid-Fire Update is over. Now let's get down to the deets...

So, first topic: SUMMER! Yes, it's officially summertime. I will be in the UK (or the Cute-Accent Country) in approximately eight days. I'm going to be studying, staying at the dorms, and living the life of an Oxford student in just a few days! It's safe to say I'm stoked. I mean, great people have walked the halls and the paths that I will soon walk. W.H. Auden, Margret Thatcher, Tony Blair, James Cameron, Stephen Hawking, and tons more! GAH I'M EXCITED. (Don't worry guys, I'll post updates w/ pictures.)

Second, Sherlock. What can I say about BBC's Sherlock... I guess I can say that it's an amazing piece of art. It's absolutely gorgeous. I'm freaking obsessed. It's actually quite unhealthy. It's probably my favorite thing about my life right now.

Third, the Stock Market. (YUP! I'm going to do some actual reporting today...)

Today, the DOW Jones Industrial Average dropped 353.87 points. In one day. I know that in today's context, that doesn't sound like much. But on Black Thursday (the day that pretty much kicked off the Great Depression), the DOW dropped a little less than 300 points that day (in 1929 money). In the stock market crash in 1987, AKA Black Monday, the DOW dropped a little more than 500 points.

Well, clearly, we aren't in a Great Depression, but these numbers to me are really disturbing. Even though our economic system isn't on the super-über-brink, I think these numbers are show that our economic system is in a weak position. Weaker than we think it is. My opinion? If irresponsible economic policies continue, we will see a collapse. SOON. It's easy to get caught in a bubble of fiscal ignorance when you are a teen, but I think people my age really ought to pay more attention. In a few short years, we will be legal adults. So if the stock market collapses, we are the ones who will have to deal with it.

Alright. It's the first hours of summertime. 

How am I going to spend it?

Watching Sherlock on Netflix.

:)

- Julia