$400.00 Haircuts!...Sure!!... Why not?!

It is costing Senator John Edwards quite a bit of money to keep his school boy appearance. He recently paid $400 a piece for two haircuts while campaigning in Iowa. It turned out that the way he paid for the bills was with his campaign money. When the stylist sent him the bill, it was sent to the campaign, and paid for by mistake. Edwards states that it was an honest mistake, and that he is putting the money back into the campaign. When asked why he paid so much for his looks, he replied that it was simply because the stylist had to come to him to cut it, and that his schedule was just too busy for him to leave.

As you all know, campaiging is a very dirty game. It is a long and strenuous process that not everyone can handle. When a candidate makes a msistake like this, it does not go unnoticed for very long. Other candidates love to see slip ups, and no one enjoys it more than the media. I am sure that most people will agree that it was a silly mistake, and that a multi millionaire like John Edwards was not stealing money from his own campaign to fund his lavish hair cuts. However, everyone and anyone will make the story sound as though he is an evil and sneaky man who cannot be trusted. I believe that it is unfair that every little thing these candidates do is scrutinized by all of the American people. It is unfortunte that instead of everyone focusing on his plans to revitalize rural america, they are more concerned with his hair stlye.

These candidates know to expect anyhting and everything while on this long and dangerous journey, so I am sure he will get through this with no problems. It is just sad to see the truth of the matter. Instead of focusing on what really matters in this country, people find themselves spending more time on irrelevant issues such as this. Also, do not feel left out New Hampshire residents, Mr. barbie doll also left his beauty mark in Manchester, NH where he spent $225.00 in Mancester, NH at Sapphire whcih is a boutique for women!

Protest in a red state

On Thursday March 28, 2007 Vice President Dick Cheney spoke at the commencement of Brigham Young University. The speech which the Vice President gave was void of politics. Brigham Young University is run by the Church of Latter Day Saints which makes it one of the most conservative schools. Also the University is located in Utah one of the reddest states. Those circumstances make the reaction to the chosen commencement speaker shocking and quite controversial.
The day before the commencement the College Democrats gathered outside the BYU library for a sit in to protest the commencement. Simultaneously across the street the Student Republican group also protested. It is important to note that not all students protesting Cheney are Democrats. Some of the students at the protest recognized the moment to show political diversity within the University. One Republican student at the sit in said “"He made some horribly misleading arguments linking Iraq to attacks on 9/11, We are Mormons and are subject to kings, rulers and magistrates, but we're also upholding the right of popular sovereignty." The more than 200 student protest was not the only action taken by those opposing the Cheney choice.
An alternative commencement was planned and organized by students. Hundreds of students attended the alternative commencement on the same day. The students raised 26, 000 dollars in nine days in order to have alternative speakers. Speakers at the alternative commencement were former Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Pete Ashdown, ex-Amnesty International director Jack Healey and consumer advocate Ralph Nader. Nader commented on Cheney’s speech by saying “He avoided a political speech, and I think that was sending a message right there. You can wave the flag, and surround a deadly, boomeranging war with patriotic symbols. He could've done that.”
This situation is pretty telling that change is wanted amongst many, even those who many would expect the opposite from. It is somewhat comforting that even in the reddest of states there are those who disagree with current policy. Is graduation a time to make a political statement though?

related links:

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/03/22/cheney_to_give_byu_commencement_speech/

http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/219900/4/

http://nn.byu.edu/story.cfm/64170

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=3086552&page=2

Todays Floor Debate

Sen. Edward Kennedy (Democrat Senior Senator of Massachusetts) and Sen. Judd Gregg (Republican Senior Senator of New Hampshire),

Sen. Kennedy was on the floor or the Senate today. He debated a bill on Math and Science Education in our country. We are currently twenty-four out of twenty-four countries placed in both Math and Sciences he said. This is a bleak outlook on our educational system.

I left the room for a minute and came back and looked at the television and the discussion turned to how the Vice-President has lied to the country over and over again. How he has mislead the country down a path that is wrong. Into a war that is sinking into a civil war.

After Kennedy’s speech Sen. Gregg was the second Senator to rebuff Sen. Kennedy’s statements. Gregg said that he thought we were fourteenth on the scale. The battle for this bill raged on as Gregg cited numerous time of how he was Governor of New Hampshire during the President George H.W. Bush’s Presidency. How the first President Bush wanted to be known as the education President. However, he thought why waste taxpayers money. Possibly, because this is Education and it is very important to New Hampshire, to New England, and to the country. It makes it interesting why some people think his seat is vulnerable.

Student Body President Debate

As I sit here at the Hartman Union Building I am watching the debate of the year here at Plymouth State University. Here this will directly relate to how our political parties work on the larger scale. We have seen clearly here at the university there have been political differences within the university itself. Some of the issues that were addressed here at the debate are some of the same issues that we have tried to discuss for years now. Candidates Sean Greenlaw, Dustin Siggins, and Trevor Chandler will bring up great topics throughout this debate. Some of the issues that are being addressed are improving zoning and university relations. Trying to get textbook prices down, sodexho dining services here on campus, as well as make sure that we are the cheapest school here in the state. Also another issue that was addressed was to promote the campus as a whole within the state.

Balance of life and President. Each candidate has said that they would make the Presidency a large part of their life. Trying to make the Presidency available to the public having it be an important day to day aspect. The balance of the presidency will come with an aspect of a Presidents commission. This commission was brought up by candidate Sean Greenlaw. All candidates have stated that the presidency would be an affective role and an interactive role.

Working with their Vice-Presidents was addressed by all of the candidates. Each candidate said that they would fully work with their Vice Presidents. They would seek their advice and their effectiveness. Dustin Siggins said that although people have criticized him on the issue of gender identity. He addressed this issue saying that his Vice-Presidential candidate Alex Ward effectively agreed with this legislation that came to the Student Senate.

Relationship with their administration is an important issue that was brought up at this debate. Candidate Chandler said that their relationship would fully depend on the fact of respect. It is this relationship that it so delicate and fragile that we respect it. Siggins has said that it not only agreeing with the administration but disagreeing with the administration. This shows that issues are not just complacent. Greenlaw said that he would maintain his relationship with the current administration.

Military recruiters on this campus are a hot button issue. This issue was taken up by Sean Greenlaw who said that a compromise has been reached. He said that a sign would be posted saying that the Senate does not agree with this organization because they discriminate. Candidate Siggins said that he believes that students can have these groups here on campus to accelerate people’s careers. Candidate Chandler says that he does not believe in discrimination. The army clearly discriminates.

Access to the President was well defined by candidate Chandler. He said that he has pushed for the Student Senate meetings to be put on our local access channel. This is an important issue as well as staying in touch with different clubs from ALSO to the Auto Club.

The moratorium of the Greek Life was addressed throughout the debate. This issue was also addressed to how their community service truly helps with our campus. We should support Greek Life and how they have helped our community grow. How these Greek Life affect our community. Siggins was the only candidate that didn’t swallow the “ethanol” type promise here at Plymouth State University. He stood up against the other two candidates to defy that Greek Life should stay present on this campus.

The textbook prices are outlandish. However, some of the candidates did believe that we should have a working relationship with our books store. Siggins, however, recommended a website half.com. Chandler said that Professors should have a list of their books as well how much these books would cost the average student. Chandler has said that he has represented ALSO and other groups at the state level. Trying to stay and contact with all of our legislators in Concord. This will be a individual and group effort that we bring towards the legislature. The USNH summit has come up over and over again something that has been mentioned throughout the debate. This summit is something that we need to succeed and make a reality. Candidate Chandler agreed that we need to include our state legislature. As well as we should increase the federal funding.

A Bio-Diesel relationship Chandler has been brought up. Chandler wants this relationship to grow in the town and the University as a whole. Greenlaw wants to meet with the campus community council, the town council, and other town administrations. He wants to improve relations on and off campus. Siggins brought up changing the zoning regulation so that four unrelated people can live together. Greenlaw talked about maintaining our relationship with the town without forcing our ideas on the town or the town’s relationship with the University.

The issue of the Red Cross discrimination was brought up in a student question. Greenlaw addressed the fact that he couldn’t give blood but he said that he wouldn’t support the Red Cross’s discrimination. Although the Red Cross does great work in our communities throughout the state and on our campus. Siggins felt as though we should be allowed to donate blood to which ever organization we want. Chandler felt the same way that there is no reason why we should have people are dying over the issue of whose blood it is.

Siggins said that he would have all aspects of dealing with people brought into his dealings with The Clock. Chandler said that a Student Body President requires all points of tact and responsibility. Greenlaw addressed this issue saying “Oh Yes” having professionalism most of the time. He all said that he is Student Body President at all times.

This debate that has taken place is a debate that we have seen on a larger scale. Whether, it is a University, a town, or a country. Many of the same issues that were debated here today are topics that we are debating on a larger scale. These issues I’m glad were brought up here at this miniscule level. However, these topics are raised that need to be raised on the larger scale. It is innovative to me that these topics were brought up at this scale. Let us recognize these events on our campus as well as at our country.

Plymouth State...Do We Not Count In The North Country?

We were talking the other day in one of my classes that Keene State College, University of New Hampshire, Dartmouth College, and St. Anselm's College have either already have had major presidential candidates come to their campuses or have scheduled visits. However, here at Plymouth State University we have had none and well none that I have even heard of coming. This was a sentiment felt on both sides of the aisle within my class. I felt as though this is an issue that should be addressed. It is not only Plymouth State but the North Country as a whole. The North Country has a lot to offer a candidate. Plymouth itself is a bastion to the Democratic Party. We are a nestled area within the White Mountain Valley and on the outskirts of the Lakes Region. PERFECT! What else does a candidate dream for. I encourage and urge that candidates on both sides of the aisle heed this advice. The North Country is seems under rated to some. But, as i said we are a jewel that it coveted. A mostly conservative area with Plymouth as a fortification as a Democratic Stronghold. As well what else could a presidential candidate ask for you may ask? Well I present two more points. Plymouth now has the pleasure of having a University campus in its town. Plymouth State University is booming. With growing majors within fields like Criminal Justice, Education, and Meteorology. Plymouth has been known as a teachers college and its true. As an education major myself I can speak to this in effect. Presidential Candidates should realize that coming to Plymouth State University means talking to tomorrows teachers. We are known throughout our great state as having this reputation of turning out great teachers. Candidates speak on education let them speak to those who are going out to the field in the next few years. Hear how future teachers what their concerns are. But it is not only teachers that can speak to this effect. It is the future law enforcement and social workers within our criminal justice and social work programs whom can speak to this. Candidates would not only be speaking to tomorrows law enforcement agents and social workers but tomorrows voters. Plymouth State has this bastion of potential democratic voters. We are a very active campus in many democratic areas. Such as ALSO, Environmental Planning and Geography Clubs, College Democrats and Republicans. Plymouth not only has the University but it also has a Regional High School. I know of many potential voters that are present within this high school from doing field work. However, like many New Hampshire voters we have to meet our candidates, shake their hands, and listen to what they have to say. This is important to some of these new voters currently present in our system. Once again don't count out the North Country and don't count out the Plymouth Area. We have much to offer Presidential Candidates. Another aspect that we have to offer at Plymouth State if I may say is a great Social Science department. Presidential Candidates may be surprised at the questions that college students would pose to them from the North Country.

Virginia Tech

As all of you know a horrible act was committed at Virginia Tech. 33 people were killed by a north Korean man students. This is the worse school shooting in American History. I feel that there are many things that are going to come from this shooting. Much like past shootings, there will be a political push that will take place. Most likely it will be a push to control the sale of firearms. In many southern states the rule is that there is a background check that last several days. I can see in the near future political leaders making a push towards stricter gun control laws. It is my beliefs that being a gun owner is a persons personal right. But it is not their right to use that gun in a manor which causes death or harm to any person. These are basic laws of our country. There are people in this country that have several mental problems which makes them exempt from own a weapon. This is the for safety of the populous. It is not yet apparent how the man got the two weapons he used but I'm am positive there will be a full investigation. A large majority of our population owns a gun. There are those few cases where those weapons are abused but that does not mean all guns are used to kill.

Don Imus

I was just wondering about how everyone feels about his punishment towards what he said. For those who dont know Don Imus is a very famous radio person who made racial coments towards the Rutgers girls basketball team. His punishment was that he lost his job with CBS. People are saying the main reason why he lost his job is because many of the sponsors where going to take back what they where giving to CBS if he still was employed there. I think that after what he said he should not be able to be on the radio again because he should not promote racism over the radio. I just was wondering how you felt about this topic and if his apology was enough?

Stem Cell

Yes the Stem cell reaserch bill is not going to fly because the president will veto it. BUt with the passing of it in the senate it will over time show the president that more and more people are supporting this kind of bill. Because they see the dieses around them that can be cured. Usually almost all the republicans vote no for this bill. This time around 14 republicans voted yes for the bill. That is a huge number because usually the republicans are very much in favor of what the president says and he is going to veto it. When this bill comes up next time i think it will eventually get through because it will have a 2/3 vote and over ride the presidents veto. But we will see.

Political Parties and Interest Groups Response to article

After reading the article that Dr. Fistek and Dr. Egbert posted, I have a few questions. I was first wondering why NH is always so important during election time. Being such a small state, with no major importing or exporting, why is our particular vote so important? Is it because we are always undecided and no one ever knows which party we will side with? Also, the artciale sates that NH's majority party is the Democrats. It then goes onto say that the party is probably going to change soon again. Why would this be???

I also have no idea what I am supposed to do. What exactly are we supposed to blog about???