Love, Not 8

“The law cannot dictate matters of the heart. When two people form a deep bond, there is usually a soul connection, and the soul has no gender. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are fundamental rights in this country. Happiness can be many things — a good meal, a good friend, a warm puppy, and certainly — love. How can anyone legislate who you can love? That is a human right, the right to love and be loved. - Barbra Streisand, remarks upon receipt of the Human Rights Campaign Humanitarian Award, March 6, 2004

I realize I’m a little late (but not too late) with this post, so bear with me. There is nothing unique or profound or interesting left to say about what happened when California went to the polls two weeks ago and showed that 52 percent of people living in this state, this wonderful state where BLAH AND BLAH, would rather preach hate, discrimination and injustice instead of love.

My emotions are high on this topic and I can’t talk to anyone who opposes equality for all, regardless of age, color, gender or sexual orientation without it escalating it into a screaming match. So let me show you photos instead from protests around the country from Flickr.

-pargon

- taylar

- maxtm

- brenbot

- spring_dew

- nairnhoward

Journalism Student Esha Momeni Has Been Released

Esha Momeni, the California State University Northridge journalism graduate student, who was arrested and jailed in Iran’s Evin prison while in the country to work on her thesis, has been finally released. The release comes 25 days after Momeni’s initial capture, which I wrote about here.

Below is the message released on the official Facebook group, “Free Esha.”

Hello Everyone!!

ESHA HAS BEEN RELEASED!!!

We got the news this morning. We have no other details but are happy that she’s safe and back home with her parents.

We would like to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for all the support, work and prayers. Every bit of your efforts made this happen.

The official blog for Momeni includes a list of 90 professors, educators and chairs of departments who have signed to expedite her release.

I will follow with more details once they come in…

Live Blogging President-Elect Obama’s First Press Conference

On the financial crisis:

First of all, we need a rescue plan for the middle class that invests in immediate efforts to create job and provide relief to families who are watching their paychecks shrink and their life savings disappear

A fiscal stimulus plan that will jump start economic growth that is long overdue. We have to address the spreading impact of the financial crisis on the other sectors of our economy. We must also remember that financial crisis is increasingly global and requires a global response.

On the automobile industry:

The auto industry is the backbone of American manufacturing and a critical part of our attempt to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. We will review the implementation of this administrations financial program.

Closing statements, before opening up the stage to reporters:

We will be moving forward grow our middle class and strengthen our economy in the long term. We want to provide clean energy, health care, education and tax relief for middle class families.

Let me close by saying this. I do not underestimate the enormity of the task that lies ahead. Some of the choices that we make are going to be difficult. It is not going to be quick, it is not going be easy, to dig ourselves out of the whole that we are in. We will succeed if we put aside partisanship and politics.

About a stimulus package:

I want to see a stimulus package sooner rather than later - if it does not get done in the lame duck session it will be the first thing i will get done when I am president.

When asked by a reporter if he had received and read the letter of congratulations written by President Ahmadinejad of Iran, he said that, “He was aware that the letter was sent.

Let me state that Iran’s development of a nuclear weapon I believe is unacceptable. We have to mount an international effort to prevent that from happening. Iran’s support of terrorist organizations is something that has to cease. I will be reviewing the letter and we will respond appropriately, It’s only been 3 days.

On a visit to the White House:

President Bush graciously invited Michelle and I to meet with him and first lady Laura Bush. We are gratified by the invitation.

In addition to taking a tour of the White House, he is sure that there will be talks between himself and Bush of key policy issues, but that he doesn’t “anticipate any problems.”

On differences:

Undoubtedly there may end up being differences, not just between members of different parties, but between people of the same party, the critical point, the critical tone that has to be struck by all of us involved right now is that the American people need help.

Now is a good time to set politics aside for a while and think practically about what will actually work to move the economy forward and it is in that spirit that I will have a conversation with the president.

On further staff announcement and appointments:

When we have an announcement about cabinet appointments, we will make them. There is no doubt that people want to know who is going to make up our team. I’m proud of the choice I made as Vice President partly because we did it right, I’m proud of the choice of chief of staff, because I thought it through. I’m confident that we are going to have an outstanding team.

On what books he is reading, the difficult choice of the first puppy and school choices for his daughters:

I re-read some of Lincoln’s writing who is always an extraordinary inspiration.

He also mentioned that President Bush senior and President Carter have reached out to him in an effort to make the transition as smooth as possible.

The selection of the first puppy has “generated more interest on our website just about anything. We have two criteria that have to be reconciled - one is that Malia is allergic, has to be hypoallergenic, our preference would be to get a shelter dog, but obviously a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me.”

He also mentioned that Michelle Obama would be scouting out some possible schools.

Photo by bobster1985

Out Of Many, We Are One: Yes We Can

Last night, I couldn’t sleep. In fact, I didn’t want to sleep. Sleeping meant that the last eight hours or so would have been a dream. A dream I would wake up from, feeling hopeless, frustrated and more or less how I had been feeling for the last eight years.

But it wasn’t a dream.

It wasn’t a dream at all.

I stood in front of the television, because I couldn’t bare to sit, with my hands over my mouth and my eyes filling with tears. I watched everyone, black, white, Asian, Hispanic, bi-racial, Middle Eastern, Jewish and beyond feeling the same elation I was feeling. With tears in their eyes, they jumped for joy, hugged each other and crowded the streets. They stopped their cars and cheered and prayed and beamed smiles that ran from ear to ear.

Around the world, people were ecstatic, as if they were saying, this isn’t just about America, it’s about the world, and we won! We all won! At Obama’s former school in Jakarta, Indonesia, children held up photos of him and cheered, Kenya declared a national holiday for him. In New Delhi, India, a man was photographed kissing a cardboard cutout of Obama in utter joy. In Sydney, in Athens, Jersualem, Iraq and Senegal, people cried, threw up their arms and celebrated.

Online, the more I read, the more I couldn’t stop smiling. Everywhere I turned, people were writing how “proud they were to be an American again” and that they “kept bursting into tears” and feeling “unbelievably relieved and hopeful.” My sister even commented that she felt she had reached Nirvana. Overwhelmed with joy would be an understatement.

Still, there were some who were blinded by hate, ignorance and bigotry and horribly false statements.

My sister, my father and my mother, all stood and sat by me, smiling, shouting, loving every minute of it. And as I looked at them, and looked back at the people I was seeing all over the world, I got goosebumps. Some 12 hours later, the goosebumps haven’t stopped. I heard Martin Luther King in the distance, and wanted to tell him, look - we did it. Can you see? Can you see all these people not only in the U.S but around the world that came together? Can you see all the people that went to the polls and finally put their foot down and decided that a man was no longer going to be judged by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character. And oh boy, what a character.

What a man of character.

I wasn’t born in this country. Neither were my parents. We came here for a better life and to escape persecution and war. My parents uprooted their lives and moved from everything they knew to Los Angeles so that my sister and I would have the opportunities they never had. So that we wouldn’t live in fear of our house being bombed over night, so that we could wear whatever we wanted to, whenever we wanted to, without being punished, so that we could have a great education and make something of ourselves. My parents, like the millions of people that inhabit this country, came to this country with one thing in mind: hope.

Over the last eight years, all that hope was lost and forgotten, because of a selfish administration who drove this country and the world into the ground. Because of a bunch of white men in suits who were ignorant and bigoted and horribly unintelligent. There is so much more I can say about Bush and his administration. I have so much anger for how they conducted this country’s affairs. But I wont say any of it here. Because it’s been said before, and today is not about looking backward, it’s about going forward.

It’s about how, last night this country came together and made our dreams one (and won!)

As I woke up yesterday morning, the electricity in my house had gone out again. I hoped this wasn’t foreshadowing what was about to come. I got dressed in the dark and along with my entire family, made my way down to our designated polling place, which happened to be my former elementary school.

It’s funny, when you’re a kid, everything seems so big and daunting. Whenever we would pile into the auditorium that I was standing in as a now 23-year-old woman, I would get a bit nervous. The big wooden chairs, the podium, the humongous stage - it was all so scary. More than a dozen years later, it wasn’t all that big after all.

We stood in line, along with the others who had braved waking up early to cast their vote. As I looked around, I tried to decipher who people might be voting for based on their appearance - an awful game, I know.

I started the game, but felt that I couldn’t finish. For the first time, I couldn’t decipher anything based on the old “judging a book by its cover” moniker. Every color, every ethnicity and age were ever present in that little auditorium meant for school plays and announcements. People of every profession and religion were casting their votes. It was perhaps there that it hit me. In the immortal words of Sam Cooke, I thought, dear God, a change is gonna come! A change is gonna come. A change has come.

The rest of the day was a blur. A very big blur that included listening to NPR, watching the BBC and refreshing the NY Times and CNN homepages every five minutes. I did stop at the supermarket on my way home, to pick up some supplies to make Obama cookies with, but as I walked through the door, I heard Wolf Blitzer on CNN exclaim, “CNN can now project that Senator Obama is the next president of the United States of America.”

As I write this, I feel so much like i did when I walked through the door. My eyes have welled up with tears just thinking about it. To think that this country, that started out with roots deep in slavery, as elected not only an African-American for president, but an AMAZING one at that, well, suffice it to say that I feel so proud. I feel so very proud of my country. I feel so very proud that they elected a man who spoke from his heart, who wants to see this country change, who wants America’s people, big, short, tall and small to have equal opportunities and benefits. I feel so proud knowing that jobs will be created, the environment wont suffer, this financial crisis will be lessened and limitations are GONE.

Barack Obama, I feel so humbled and proud and teary-eyed to call you my president. You told us, YES WE CAN, and you know what? YES WE DID. We really, really did.

The next four years are going to be tough. There are wars to finish, economic hardships to solve and a people to unite. The road to change is long and hard and will be paved with discrimination, hate and bigotry. But we’ll survive. We’ll soldier on and change people. Just look all around you, we already have.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we cant, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:

Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.

First photo by Bob Jagendorf, the rest by yours truly.

Together, Our Dreams Can Be One

I have much to say, but I’m waiting. Waiting and hoping. Tomorrow, things are going to change. I can feel it. And it’s going to be wonderful.

A Guide to Propositions on the California Ballot - 6 Through 12

Proposition 6: Police and Law Enforcement Funding

• What it means: Proposition 6 is basically requesting that almost $1 million be used to fund police and local law enforcement.
• Pros and cons: This proposition argues that it is a measure that will bring about crime and anti-gang reduction and will increase efficiency and accountability for public safety programs. Proponents against the measure argue that it will take away money from schools, health care and proven public safety programs.
• How I will vote: I’m a big fan of public safety, however I don’t think more money for funding law enforcement is the way to solve crime and reduce gang behavior. I know it takes a lot of money, however I think the fundamental problem lies in the structure of the programs and how officers are trained.

Proposition 7: Renewable Energy Generation

• What it means: This would require government-owned utilities to generate 20 percent of their electricity from renewable energy by 2010. This would cost up to $3.4 million annually and the impact on state and local government costs is unknown.
• Pros and cons: This proposition extends beyond the year 2010. A yes vote would require all utilities to increase their proportion of electricity from renewable sources to 40 percent by 2020 and 50 percent by 2025. However, opponents of the measure say that it’s poorly drafted, results in less renewable power, higher electric rates and a potential energy crisis. It also forces small renewable companies out of California’s market.
• How I will vote: The wording of this entire proposition is really confusing and I’m not really clear on it by any means, however leading environmental groups including the California Solar Energy Industries Association, the Union of Concerned Scientists, the California Green Party and BOTH the California Democratic and Republican Party. They argue that it is so poorly written that it would hurt the cause of renewable energy, and I couldn’t agree more, seeing as to how I couldn’t fully understand it just by reading a few paragraphs.

Proposition 8: Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry

• What it means: Proposition 8 would change the California Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry. It would also mean that only a marriage between a man and a woman would be valid in the state. The fiscal impact includes potential revenue loss.
• Pros and cons: Supporters argue that this proposition fixes the mistake committed by four judges in San Francisco who overturned “the people’s vote” to ban gay marriage. They argue that “it doesn’t take away any rights or benefits from gay domestic partners” but that it reaffirms traditional marriage. Those against the measure argue that “equality under the law is a fundamental freedom” and that singling people out to be treated differently is wrong.
• How I will vote: There is perhaps no other proposition on this ballot that I feel as strongly about as this one. The people who support yes on proposition 8 are in my opinion homophobic, bigoted and hateful scums of the Earth. How dare anyone tell another person who they have the right to marry and who they do not? How dare you take a fundamental right away from other human beings, who have just as much right to love anyone they want and get married to anyone they want as you? I will be whole-heartedly voting NO on proposition 8 and I encourage anyone who is reading this to vote no on it with me.

Proposition 9: Criminal Justice System: Victim’s Rights and Parole

• What it means: This proposition requires notification to the victim and opportunity for input during phases of the criminal justice process, including bail, please, sentencing and parole. It would also mean that payments of restitution without be required to crime victims without exception and that early release of inmates to reduce prison or jail overcrowding would be restricted in certain circumstances.
• Pros and cons: People in favor of this proposition argue that California’s constitution gives convicted criminals generous rights, and that crime victims don’t have similar protections which they are entitled to. They also say it will improve public safety and justice, giving victims enforceable constitutional rights. Those against the measure say that it asks voters to support victims’ rights already protected under state law and that the millions of dollars it requires will not go to crime victims, however it will go to building more prisons.
• How I will vote: As a whole, I think this sounds good in theory, but this proposition is a bit useless, considering the fact that voters have already approved many components of it when they passed California Proposition 8 in 1982. Notable organizations that are against Prop. 9 include the California Democratic Party, the California Teachers Association and the Los Angeles Times. I will be voting no.

Proposition 10: Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy.

• What it means: This proposition will authorize $5 billion in bonds paid from the state’s General Fund to help consumers purchase alternative certain vehicles and fund research in renewable energy. It would cost the state $10 billion every 30 years to repay bonds.
• Pros and cons: The argument goes that a yes vote will produce more electricity from solar and wind power as well as give Californians rebates to purchase clean alternative fuel vehicles, while getting polluting diesels off the roads. On the other hand, those against it say that it gives away billions in taxpayer dollars to benefit one company with little accountability and actually does not guarantee the environmental benefit.
• How I will vote: The Clean Energy Fuels Corp. which is owned by Boone Pickens (the 117th richest person in the world, according to Forbes magazine) has donated over $17 million to this proposition. Interestingly, the company is the largest provider of vehicular natural gas for fleets of vehicles in North America. It’s obvious that this proposition is entirely self-serving for the Clean Energy Fuels Crop. I’m going to stick it to the man and vote no.

Proposition 11: Redistricting

• What it means: Proposition 11 changes authority for establishing state office boundaries from elected representatives to commission. Como what? Basically, Prop. 11 would, according to the Los Angeles Times, “change the process that is undertaken once every ten years of setting (which sometimes means re-drawing) the geographic boundaries of the state’s 120 legislative districts and four Board of Equalization districts. At present, the task of setting these boundaries falls to the state legislature itself. If Proposition 11 passes, that task would instead be given to a new, 14-member commission.”
• Pros and cons: Supporters of this proposition say that this would end the conflict of interest of politicians that draw their own election districts. This would mean that politicians would be held accountable for solving problems like gas prices, health care and education. Those who do not support it argue that the power of the vote is being undermined by this proposition, stating that the power to drawing districts are going to be given to people who are never elected and never accountable to voters.
• How I will vote: If politicians are being forced to be held accountable for things they should have been accountable for in the first place, then my vote is yes

Journalism Student Arrested in Iran

If you watch or read the news, you know by now that there are many countries around the world to this day that do not honor the notion of freedom of speech. It is a routine occurrence for journalists to be arrested, kidnapped, jailed and tortured while doing their jobs. Unfortunately, even though we are living in modern times, not all countries have adapted to the notion of the freedom of press.

Last week, I came upon some very disturbing and disheartening news. Esha Momeni, a graduate student who was doing research for her thesis on the Iranian women’s movement was arrested and jailed in the Evin prison run by the Ministry of Intelligence in Iran. Esha was enrolled in the School of Communication, Media and Arts, from my alma mater, California State University, Northridge.

Perhaps if she had attended any other school, or if she was arrested in any other country, it wouldn’t have compelled me to write a blog entry. But this wasn’t the case. She very well could have been me. Many of her professors were my professors, most of her interests are probably my interests and her country of origin and arrest is where I was born.

On Oct. 15, Esha was stopped on suspicion of a traffic offense. The people who stopped her identified themselves as undercover police officers. She was taken to her parents’ home, where they seized her laptop and footage of interviews she had conducted. She was then arrested and taken to prison.

Evin prison, where she is being held, is known for its political prisoners wing. It’s also known for executions and torture. In 2003, Iranian-Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi was arrested for taking photographs in front of the prison. She was held there until she died, which the Iranian government claimed happened because of a stroke she suffered. However, doctors who examined her body found evidence of rape, torture and skull fracture.

Esha was researching the “Change for Equality” campaign, which was launched by Iranian women activists in September 2006. Her graduate professor Melissa Wall, whom I met once, has posted information about Esha on her blog. Her friends have also set up a site for her here. If you have a moment, please sign the petition demanding her release.

Esha’s goal was to help the United States and Iran understand each other better, and I’m sure that before she even ventured back to her country, she knew the risk involved. But she did it anyway, because that’s what journalists do. I hope she gets back home safe.

Here is an excerpt of her writing, which was translated from Farsi, from the “Change for Equality website:

I am dressed in white, head to toe. I am aware that the serenity and peacefulness of white does not represent my city, but when I am dressed in white I feel like a dove that is free, one that has not been earmarked and was never kept captive. As I stroll along the streets of my city, I feel like a bride, a bride that is walking towards a new promise, the dream of equality.

Iran and all that makes it unique - steep streets, narrow alleys and unmarked homes - is still the land of promise that we hold dear to our hearts. The women of this land are peacefully writing a glorious end to the bitter long story of inequality and injustice. Iran is still the covenant to those hands that would like to wash the mud of distress from the yarns of this land in the stream of peace and unity. Only then we can resurrect equality and knit white wings for the dove that represents unity. Meanwhile, behind every closed door, a young girl dressed in white is making history so that she can embrace the future with pride and honor.

My grandmother everyday practices her signature, as evidence of her existence and her uniqueness. Here in Iran, I, you, and our mothers are all brides dressed all in white, and with our peaceful approach we dance in the alleys from house to house so that our promise of equality and unity transforms the sounds of the chains on our feet to the melodies of an anklet.

And the Endorsement Goes to…

Photo by socraticgrant

Daily newspapers have a long history of endorsing candidates for office, whether that may be for governor, or in this year’s case, for president. As the race winds down between Democratic hopeful Barack Obama and Republican nominee John McCain, Editor & Publisher has published an updated tally of print media outlets across the nation endorsing the candidates.

Overall, The Obama-Biden ticket has the lead with 121 newspapers total, with an over 13.5 million circulation. McCain and Palin have the endorsements of 42 newspapers, with a total circulation of 3.8 million. Here in California, Obama has won the support of 23 newspapers, including The Fresno Bee, The Los Angeles Times, The Los Angeles Daily News, The Modesto Bee, Pasadena Star-News, San Francisco Chronicle and San Jose Mercury News. John McCain has the support of five newspaper in California, including the San Francisco Examiner (seriously?) and San Diego Union-Tribune

Interestingly enough, the three top circulated newspapers in the country, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times have not endorsed anyone. Peculiar…very peculiar. I don’t particularly read USA Today or The Wall Street Journal, but as you might have guessed from reading this little blog I keep, that I am a New York Times nut. In the case of the NY Times, it’s a bit strange they haven’t endorsed anyone, particularly because the commentary in the paper is more or less a dead give away that they support Barack Obama and because in 2004’s election, they publicly endorsed Democratic nominee John Kerry. And don’t forget that they came out in support of Hillary Clinton during this year’s primaries as well.
Barack Obama’s official site does have a list of newspapers that have endorsed his bid for the presidency, and also some excerpts that are very eloquent and so well written, that I would like to highlight just two of them here.

From the Los Angeles Times:

The Times without hesitation endorses Barack Obama for president. But as the presidential race draws to its conclusion, it is Obama’s character and temperament that come to the fore. It is his steadiness. His maturity…In fact, Obama is educated and eloquent, sober and exciting, steady and mature. He represents the nation as it is, and as it aspires to be.

From the Boston Globe:

The nation needs a chief executive who has the temperament and the nerves to shepherd Americans through what promises to be a grueling period - and who has the vision to restore this country to its place of leadership in the world. Such a leader is at hand. With great enthusiasm, the Globe endorses Senator Barack Obama for president. The charismatic Democrat from Illinois has the ability to channel Americans’ hopes and rally the public together, at a time when the winds are picking up and the clouds keep on darkening…An early Obama campaign slogan declared, “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.” His critics deemed such rhetoric too ethereal. Now it seems prescient, as the nation confronts a financial crisis of historic proportions, as well as all the other policy failures and debt-fueled excesses of the last eight years. The United States has to dig itself out. Barack Obama is the one to lead the way.

It’s interesting that newspapers feel the need or desire to endorse potential presidential candidates. In a profession where objectivity rules overs subjectivity and fair and balanced is the ultimate goal (Sorry Fox News, you fail at your own motto), should newspapers endorse candidates? Is it there place to do such a thing? Or are they meant to provide you a service of news without injecting opinions in it? What is accomplished by endorsements? Are people really swayed by their respective newspaper’s decision to endorse a candidate?

These are important questions to be asking. My particular feeling about the matter is divided. I love seeing the publications I read take a stance on issues, at the same time, I feel that remaining neutral is completely respectable and credible. One thing I can tell you, is that even though it’s not Nov. 4 yet, history has already been made in so many ways. As far as newspapers are concerned, it is interesting to note that that the Chicago Tribune endorsed Obama, the first time the paper has endorsed a Democrat for president. In another move of epic proportions, the Los Angeles Times’ endorsement of Obama marks the first time the paper has endorsed anyone for president since 1972. Even Esquire magazine has gotten in the game and endorsed Obama!

Two more weeks. Just two more weeks.

College, Money, Life. In That Order. Maybe Not.

I read an article in the New York Times Magazine this past week by Lisa Belkin about the price of college tuition, and if paying more is necessarily worth it. “Does a $50,000 a year education really buy a better life than a $12,000 a year education? Or does it buy a fancier sticker for the car?” asked Belkin. She also goes on to say that “an online survey of 2,500 users on the website meritaid.com, found that 57 percent of [high school] seniors are looking at ‘less prestigious’ schools because they cost less.”

When I was in my senior year of high school and deciding to apply to college like every other student my age, I only really had one school in mind, and that’s the school I graduated from with a degree in Journalism. It was a California State University school, where I paid no more than $6,000 a year ( in fact, I think it was less than that) for four years. While others were in a race to get their applications in to UCLA, USC and out of state schools, I already chosen the school which I believed had the best journalism program in the vicinity. And I was right.

I believe a great majority of the people who applied to the brand name schools, only did so for that reason: name recognition. They weren’t thinking about the cost, or if the school had what they were looking for, they and I’m sure a number of parents, figured a bachelor’s degree from UCLA equaled a lifetime of health, wealth and happiness.

I had only one thing to say to that philosophy: It’s not the school, it’s you. The letters “U,” “C,” “L,” and “A” do not make you better educated, smarter or a better person. You make yourself better. You bring the fight, the passion, the willingness to learn. You create your own opportunities, not the prestige behind a school’s name that does not come with anything substantially better than the state school you choose to go to, except a hefty price tag that makes no sense.

The only thing that might be worth your time at a brand name school is the networking opportunities that you might have available to you. You’ve heard the saying “It’s not what you know, but who you know.” Well if that’s the case for these schools, then they’re nothing more than an elite club that values a social network over education.

I have the same position at work with people who graduated from so-called “better” schools. They’re no more better than me because of their education. I paid less then half of what they paid, had amazing professors who actually had real-life journalism experience and I even was a reporter for a local paper while I was still going to school. They paid to learn theories, rub shoulders with inflated egos and have a social network at their disposal.

Now, a year and a half after I’ve graduated, as I get ready to apply to schools in order to get my Master’s degree, I am faced with a dilemma. In fact, I’m faced with many dilemmas. I have looked at journalism schools across the country and beyond. The best I’ve found, that suit my needs and desires come in the form of Columbia University, New York University and Northwestern University. I haven’t thoroughly looked at their fees, because I’m already stressing out about GRE scores, letters of recommendations and clips - one more thing would just take me over the edge. I am sure all of them are in the $20 to 30,000 range or more. Going to Columbia would be a dream of mine, but they only offer a Master of Arts to candidates to have a considerable amount of experience in the field. I’m guessing that means five or more years. That’s discouraging. Their Master of Science program is good, but I think it would be more or less repeating what I already know. I don’t know if I can literally afford to do that. NYU and Northwestern look amazing to me right now as well. Their programs are great and everything I’m looking for.

I want to go to these schools not because of their name, but because of the incredible programs they offer. But what if I don’t get in? What if I’m not good enough? Why does my ability have to be measured by some test scores and transcripts? Why does anyone’s? I know I’m good enough. I have the passion in me. But what if I don’t have the scores? What then? What if I don’t have enough experience yet to apply to a graduate school of journalism? Why does that even matter? What do I do if I don’t get accepted? Do I choose a safety school? Do I banish the thought of not getting accepted out of my head? And what if I do? How do I pay for it? Where do I live? How do I pay to live?

There are just so many questions that I, nor anyone else does not have answers to. The truth is, I’m scared. I think that’s normal. Some of the best things I’ve done in my life have been preceded by fear. Like when I traveled thousands of miles to Barcelona to meet my boyfriend, or when I spent an entire night with a magician at The Magic Castle whom I had only met a day before hand to get a story and write an article, or when I interviewed at a position where I felt slightly belittled, although I stood my ground. I came home thinking, it was the worst interview ever and I was for sure not going to get the job because they were not impressed. I ended up getting it, but didn’t take it, due to the fact that I wasn’t quite interested in the arrogance and unpleasant environment I foresaw myself working with and in.

Oh, it’s not just the test, or the essays or the Master’s degree. It’s life. Thrust into the world, after school, is difficult. This is the real test. It’s all a test.

A Guide to Propositions on the 2008 California Ballot - 1 Through 6

Come November, I know that what is on most of our minds is the showdown between Obama and McCain, however for California residents, there are a number of very important propositions on the ballot that need your vote. After getting a call last week from Planned Parenthood urging me to vote no on Proposition 4 and then getting an email from the ASPCA calling for all animal lovers to vote yes on Proposition 2, as well as hearing Warren Olney talk about Proposition 5 on “Which Way L.A” on KCRW, I’ve decided that it might be beneficial to myself and whoever is reading this to be informed when it comes time to cast a vote on Nov. 4.

Proposition 1: High Speed Rail Bonds. Legislative Initiative Amendment

• What it means: California is congested. Rising gasoline prices and grid locked freeways have taken over the state. This act means that the state will build a high-speed train system and improve existing rail lines by creating a rail trust fund that will issue bonds totaling $9.95 billion.
• Pros and cons: The pros are obvious - we know and so does the whole world that our transportation system is horrible. These high-speed trains will not only reduce traffic, but reduce greenhouse gases. They’re also cheaper than building highways. The con side says that this will cost taxpayers $19,200,000,000. Wow, big number. That money could be used for schools, health care and public safety.
• How I will vote: Yes. As someone who is in traffic for more than 2 hours a day, I whole-heartedly agree with this proposition. People might argue that the money could be used for something else, but if it’s not now, it will be five years from now and by that time, there might be so many cars in Los Angeles that it might take someone longer to get to work than it takes me.

Proposition 2: Standards for Confining Farm Animals

• What it means: This would require that certain farm animals be allowed for the majority of the day to have enough space to move around so that they can stand up, turn around, extend their limbs or wings and lie down. Voting yes would be that beginning in 2015, the state law would prohibit the confinement of calves, egg-laying hens and pregnant pigs.
• Pros and cons: The pros in this case are obvious. Animals deserve humane treatment and denying them space is cruel and wrong. Although in my opinion, there are absolutely NO CONS to this measure, people argue that Proposition 2 would eliminate egg production and increase human exposure to Salmonella and Bird Flu.
• How I will vote: As someone who loves animals dearly and does not eat chicken, pork, beef or turkey anymore, this is perhaps the proposition I am most passionate about. As humans, it is our responsibility to protect the animals on this Earth and if I find out that anyone I know was so selfish and ignorant to vote against this measure, needless to say our relationship will be in trouble

Proposition 3: Children’s Hospital Bond Act

• What it means: This will authorize funds ($980,000,000 to be exact) for the construction, expansion and overall renovation for children’s hospitals. It is set to cost the state about $2 billion over 30 years or so.
• Pros and cons: This proposition aims to help children with leukemia, cancer, heart disease and traumatic injuries and give them a better chance for life. The con argument again, is that people’s tax dollars are going to fund this while millions from a measure in 2004 for a similar cause remains unused.
• How I will vote: Most definitely yes! I am so tired of Americans complaining about taxes. This is why people in Europe have a better quality of life, including universal health care. Because of taxes. I would rather pay taxes, so that I can go to the doctor whenever I wish than seeing so many people who cannot afford health care.

Proposition 4: Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor’s Pregnancy

• What it means: This proposition if passed, will prohibit abortion for minors until 48 hours after the physician notifies a minor’s legal guardian.
• Pros and cons: The proposition, also known as Sarah’s Law has a track record of working in 30 other states by reducing teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Of course, this can also forced scared and pregnant teens to take matters into their own hands if they are required to tell parents.
• How I will vote: My initial reaction was to vote no, because I believe that if teens are already scared, having to tell their parents will frighten them so much more that they might run away or go to unlicensed doctors or have a child they are not prepared to take care of. However, if the proposition has reduced teen pregnancy and STDs in other states, it might not be such a bad thing. The solution is to teach better sex education, in my opinion. I will most likely vote no on this prop.

Proposition 5: Nonviolent Drug Offenses : Sentencing, Parole and Rehabilitation

• What it means: Proposition 5 would require the state of California to use over $1 billion annually to treat and offer rehabilitation programs for nonviolent drug offenders and parolees. It would shorten parole for most drug offenses and would change certain marijuana misdemeanors to infractions.
• Pros and Cons: The number one pro to this prop might be the fact that it would reduce overcrowded prisons and would create treatment options for people who actually want to get better. Also, a similar prop that was approved, Prop. 36, has provided treatment and rehab for 84,000 people. The cons might be a bit obvious. This could potentially backfire and be seen as a “get out of jail free” card as well as shorten parole for serious drug felonies from three years to six months.
• How I will vote: I’m not sure. Although I do believe that this state and country’s prison system is in dire need of help, I can understand the opposition against this prop. I also believe that reforming the system means recognizing that there are perhaps hundreds if not thousands of people (if not all!) who have seriously mental health issues and what these people need is cognitive behavioral therapy and counseling, not to be put away in a jail cell for the rest of their lives. With that said, what this prop proposes is a great start, I just think it might need to be restructured in a better way.

I will have propositions six through 12 next week.