You Are The Music In Me

Music, the utimate form of self expression. It's true that someone can look at your music taste, and judge you. That somehow your music taste changes who you are as a whole, opposed to the music that speaks to you as an individual. I'm here to speak against this because music is an art. And as any other art form, no one can truly judge if a song is bad. Different songs appeal to different people depending on location, style, mood. It's unfair to assume that only one style or person's music is correct. It may not be as complex, but if someone is a fan of Justin Beiber and his music speaks to them... Well power to them. Music evokes emotion in me, and I use it to power how I am feeling. I want all my listeners to keep an open mind, and know that music is beautiful--no matter the genre. That it can't really 'suck' if it creates enough emotion in someone for them to want to listen to it.

Spread the Hate

As an American, you can choose which religion you want to believe in--or not believe in. As a student, you have the obligation to be informed on each religion to better understand the world. Because I am both an American and a student, this is what I have learned:

1. Forcing opinions on people is a turn off, especially in religion.

2. In most cases people want to believe in a religious system that revolves around love and comfort more then hate and anger in the US.

3. Harassing others through times of tragedy never goes well. In fact, you will probably wind up being shot at.

No, these aren't personal experiences. I am of course, referring to the Phelps Family of Westboro Baptist Church. Founded in 1955 by Fred Phelps, they are known to protest at inappropriate times against many things, with their main focus being on the gay community. This is an example of a normal rally:

Picture yourself at a friend's funeral that died in the war. You see signs that read 'Thank God for 9/11' or 'Thank God for IEDs'... maybe even a 'GOD HATES FAGS' sign. All the while, the protesters stand on flags. The ages range from grandparents to babies.

Other appearances include: Hate crime trials, Jewish community meetings, Catholic schools, and anything to do with Obama... in fact they call him Antichrist... 

Yes, this truly happens, they have multiple protests a week. They claim to be protesting these things because we as a nation support the gay community. Why, I ask you, do they feel need to get involved in the lives of people who obviously don't believe the same things they do? In fact, the cheese stands alone on this one... A very stinky cheese. Every other Baptist church refuses to affiliate with them.

So the bottom line of my opinion on these people...

They are scary.
They are offensive.
They need to stop protesting things they can't really protest in the first place.

Anyone down with following the Phelps to their protests with some pro lifestyle choice signs? I saw a video of Michael Moore doing something similar and I thought it was hilarious. I wish he kept it up. There is one well known group that call themselves the Patriot Guard Riders  who show up at events to drown out the protesters with their motorcycles.

Till next time, be informed... And be yourself!

And as always, be safe.

Cullenism

About a year ago, The Examiner posted an article discussing a new religion that is based around the Twilight Saga. Supposedly, this religion spreading to the more theatrical Twihards. That the Cullens are real. The fact that people actually believed this terrified me.

I had a feeling that this rumor was spread by a Something Awful Thread, but after doing more research I found that it is indeed real, in a sense. 

 

(Picture taken from 4TNZ)

The member of the official Cullenism group do not claim to be a religion. They wish to discuss the values shown in the series to religion. Lara, who created the group states:

'There are wide ranges of people in our world,when something is as great as Twilight and grows and reaches other places,it is going to attract many different kinds of people. This is where we can compare Twilight to religion.' 

So, no they do not believe that Edward is real, and that if they're good that he will turn them into vampires. I don't doubt there are people like this out there, but I don't think that was the intention here. 

I'm not denying that Twilight doesn't have a crazy fan base, but it makes me feel better knowing that the world is a little less crazy then I thought. Thank Edward for that! (I kid, I kid)

Till next time, read into what you hear, and be safe!

We Have An Epidemic On Our Hands!

Well folks, Fitchburg was in the news again last week. Multiple students were rushed to the emergency room to avoid dehydration after excessive vomiting and other unpleasant side effects. The students affected felt better after about 24 hours and continued with their lives. After widespread panic and wild rumors, the diagnosis was the Norovirus. Some fun facts you should know:

It is true that the Norovirus could be spread by fecal contaminated food, but that is not the only way it can be spread. So the dining facilities should not be to blame. And even if it did start there, it may be the fault of a student who did not wash his hands after using the facilities. College students should know better.

It is also spread by water, so do not share drinks. Be careful and be thorough in the shower, and always wash your hands.

This can also be spread though human to human contact.

Students with the blood type O should especially be careful. Norovirus is contracted easier in this case.

The Norovirus can be dangerous if you don't stay hydrated, which is hard to do when you can't keep anything down.

So basically, this sucks a lot. All I ask you to do readers is stay hydrated, wash your hands, and do your best to stay healthy.