Where Has the Protest Music Gone?

We don't care about the wars we are in. No one cares about Iraq. No one cares about Afghanistan. That's just the way it is in America right now, and seemingly, that's the way it is with the mainstream music industry.

Tell me if you have heard one song on the radio that seems to challenge the authority figures in this country? Tell me if you have heard one song that challenges the reasons why we are in two wars currently? Instead, we are stuck listening to artists such as Lady Gaga and Christina Aguilera sing about getting so drunk that their shirts somehow wound up inside out, and the fact that their phones have gone missing in their drunken stupors.

Where have the Bob Dylan's and the Joan Baez's gone? Where's the social fight and protest that was present during the Vietnam War in the 1960's and the 1970's? The lack of passion and emotion in this country is somewhat worrisome, but at the same point, is understandable with the amount of apathy that is plaguing the youth of this country.

I was beginning to truly lose hope in my generation, until about two weeks ago when my friend Steven Lyzak returned home from his first tour in Afghanistan as a Marine.

While just sitting around his grandma's house during his leave, Steven went to his computer and clicked a song on his iTunes. The name of the song he clicked is 'Hero of War' and is performed by an alternative band called Rise Against.

I had never heard such a poignant song during this lost and frazzled contemporary time in this country. The song is shaped by the lead singer of the band taking on the role of a military man who is abroad, fighting for America. It chronicles the pride, strength, and struggle that every military personnel goes through while going abroad, but the band acheived this in a realistic and underproduced way.

The opening lines have the singer calmly and cooly singing, "He said, 'Son, have you seen the world? Well, what would you say if I said that you could? Just carry this gun and you'll even get paid.' I said, 'That sounds pretty good.'

I stared on as Steven, and two of his friends from the Marines that he brought home, with their muscles and tattoos, sang along to this acoustic song. They became part of the song while singing it, which was an emotional thing to witness. I could never understand or even begin to feel the connection that they have to this song, but I can still appreciate the fact that at least one band is attempting to sing about, and touch on this important issue. I had been finally exposed to a new age protest song.

Steven then looked at me, and said "I mean, I've listened to the lyrics of this song and shit," as he began to trail off, "And it's kind of fucked up, but, shit like that happens, you know? The stuff in that song, well, it does happen."

The Marines have since gone back to their posts in California, as I sit here, listening to 'Hero of War' on a loop while I write this. This song has given me hope for the future of contemporary music, and hope for the youth of this country. Maybe the apathy that I fear isn't so wide spread, and maybe it can be reversed.

iPhone 4G

Last week, technology site Gizmodo.com leaked visuals, videos, and features of and on the much anticipated new iPhone, the iPhone 4G. Many were skeptical at first, seeing that the people at Gizmodo apparently found the phone at a bar. But, after dissecting the innards of the phone, and running many diagnostic tests, Gizmodo stands by their claim that what they found was, indeed, the yet to be released iPhone 4G.

Noticeable changes and deviations from the current iPhone 3GS are the blatantly larger camera lens on the back of the phone and the adjacent flash, something that the 3GS and other versions of the iPhone were sorely missing. Also, there is a front video camera lens, giving the iPhone user the ability to video chat through their phone.

Aesthetically, this version of the iPhone is not as pleasing, with Apple changing the outward appearance of the phone by flattening the back out, separating the volume buttons, and adding aluminum to the sides of the casing. This makes the phone sleeker and smaller in a sense, but again, the physical aesthetics that came along with the 3GS are lacking in the name of efficiency.

If this prototype iPhone 4G truly is as legitimate as Gizmodo claims, this phone could revolutionize the iPhone, which already happened to revolutionize the layman's idea of what a cellphone is and could be.

Dubyea Breaks His Silence

The Former President George W. Bush’s memoir, ‘Decision Points’, is set to hit bookshelves one week after November’s midterm elections, in an apparent attempt to make him seem still somewhat politically relevant.

The basic gist of the book is that Bush focuses on 14 decisions that he made throughout his life and throughout his turbulent presidency, therefore making it an unconventional memoir.

This book is one of the more anticipated literary releases of the year; with people pining to be enlightened by what went through Bush’s head, if anything, during key decision-making processes through his presidency.

“I think his new book will help his reputation,” said 21-year-old political science major, Samantha Flores. “I feel that there's only so much a president can say while in office so I think the fact he isn't president anymore will give him more freedom to speak through this memoir. I’m looking forward to reading it or at least hearing about it because I’m interested to know more of what went into his presidential decisions. In all honesty do I think it's going to ‘convert’ the nay-sayers? No, but it will be good to have a more in depth view of his opinion.”

Personally, to read, finally, what went through Bush’s head on 9/11, and during the intense months after, would bring me some sort of closure. Anything that could help me better understand why we are in the wars we are currently entrenched in, would bring me some sort of long lost comfort that has been absent since 2001.

Will this book change my opinion of Bush and his presidency? No, because I feel I foolishly supported him during his first term, and during the beginning of his second term. I feel, as most American’s do, that we were taken for granted of, and that our fear was used to manipulate our feelings and sentiments towards war.

Nothing can change the fact that we are stuck in two long-lost battles in the Middle East. Nothing can change the fact that we have lost many men and woman who are fighting for this country. But maybe some light shed on the subject, and on the thinking processes that ultimately made these unfortunate decisions, could bring some closure to those that need it the most, the American people.

“I don’t know all that much about his memoir since it isn’t out yet,” said 25-year-old Noah Selling from New York, NY. “I do however think it would be a very interesting read to get a real point of view from him. I am prior service Army and truly have no respect for him as a leader or a boss. To see how he brought us strongly into a horrible situation with a lack of facts and no exit strategy should open up the thought process for me at least. I know very well from all of my military friends and family that none of them were supporters of his but I am trying to understand who really was.”

The Evolution of Smoking

New studies have just surfaced stating that anywhere from one-fifth to one-third of adults who say they are smokers don’t wind up smoking everyday. The clever nickname for this breed of smokers is “social smokers”, meaning people who only smoke at parties, barbeques, outside bars and restaurants, and in other social situations.

In the United States, the overall number of smokers is dropping, but the appearance of occasional or social smokers is on the rise.

“Its not that I like smoking its what comes with it,” said Maxwell Stroud, a 20-year-old from Hicksville, NY. “I feel that I can socialize better in different situations if I’m outside smoking with people.”

There is no real explanation for why this trend exists, or why it is growing so rapidly. Some say that the pushed awareness of health risks and the altogether taboo that surrounds smoking in general is causing those who used to be categorized as “heavy smokers” to cut back.

Other theories state that “social smokers” are people in denial about their low-level addiction, or they are on the brink of a nicotine addiction.

To go along with the latter theory, a recent study of college students showed that 60 percent of students denied that they were smokers, but they did happen to identify themselves as “social smokers”.

“I socially smoke because I can quench my craving without actually being addicted,” said Lauren Devine, a 24-year-old from Oakdale, NY. “I don’t want cigarettes throughout the day but as soon as I start drinking I want to smoke. That’s probably more of a Pavlovian response type deal, but there you have it.”

Although they are not addicted to nicotine, “social smokers” are addicted to the physical act of smoking and the sensation of it. They enjoy the nicotine high the cigarette provides, but they aren’t smoking to take care of any withdrawal.

The tobacco industry has hired many specialists to find out what makes a "social smoker" in order to help advertise to them directly and effectively. The goal of the tobacco makers is to show that cigarettes are a necessary staple of social interactions, bolstering a social gathering.

The bottom line is, even if one only smokes once or twice a day, it is still detrimental to one's health. One is still inhaling over 4,000 chemicals, with 43 of them being known carcinogens, including nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide, ammonia, formaldehyde, arsenic and DDT, just to name a few.

“I just enjoy feeling the nicotine kick once in a while,” said Chris Allsopp, a 22-year-old from East Setauket, NY. “I don’t smoke on the regular, but if I’m out with people, or at a bar, or even stressed, I just reach for a cigarette. I don’t have a need for cigarettes though. There’s no withdrawal there, so I don't see this really being that harmful to my body. It’s really just an every once in a while kind of thing.”

Prostitution Legal in France?

French politicians are calling out for prostitution to be legalized in France again, after bordellos have been banned for over 60 years.

Chantal Brunel, who is a political ally of France's President Nicolas Sarkozy, claims that it should be made legal for women to sell sex on a licensed premise and that they should be able to pay taxes on their earnings.

Brunel also claims that this move would free women from being exploited by pimps and criminal gangs, as well as it would give them more security on the streets where they work.

"In Amsterdam, it works, the whole system just works. It's amazing actually, and everyone is happy with it," said Lexi Crocombe, a 21 year old resident of Port Jefferson Station, New York. "I just don't know if that same system can be applied other places, or if thats just unique to there you know? I'd like to think if they [the French] did it right, it would work really well, but thats putting a lot of faith in the French government."

Morally, most would not condone this move, due to the fact that there is this overall stigma hanging over the idea of prostitution. But, to be honest, aren't we in the 21st century? We are bombarded by sex daily in the media and in everyday social interactions, so, why is prostituion still shocking?

"I highly doubt it [prostitution becoming legal throughout the United States]. It's too unpopular and would have to spread at the State level, since no Federal lawmaker would touch the subject," said Damian Gemainder, a 20 year old student at Adelphi University. "I could see some States reducing penalties for selling sex as an individual service, but I don't believe we'll see brothels - and certainly not pimps - outside of Nevada anytime soon.

We need to look beyond morals and religions and realize that some women choose prostitution as a profession. Who are we to judge them? They don't judge you for being a journalist, or for being a big business CEO, or for being a cashier at McDonalds.

(Image courtesy of www.jupitarimages.com)

Socialized Medicine?

By the time I came home last night the healthcare bill had passed in the House by a vote of 219 to 212. Was I shocked? Yes. Am I upset that it passed? I can't tell at this point. There are definitely pros and cons to each side of the healthcare debate, but it is important to know the basics before you begin to judge the bill itself.

The taboo public option was not part of the bill that just passed in Congress, which was a major reason why the Republicans opposed healthcare in the first place. What the bill did include was that most Americans will now be required to have health insurance or be forced to pay a fine.

"Well, I'm all for lowering my insurance premiums, insuring more people, and more emphasis on women's health. So, I'm for it," said Katie Gaughran, a 25 year old resident of Brooklyn, New York. "I think it should have included a public option, but as is, I think it has the potential to do a lot of good, and I'm not really sure why everyone is freaking out about it."

Personal out-of-pocket expenses will now be capped, and insurance companies will no longer be allowed to deny people coverage due to pre-existing conditions.

This plan is costing roughly $940 billion and is said to extend health insurance to 32 million Americans who are currently without insurance.

"It [healthcare bill] was shoved so far down the American publics throat that our colons hurt," said Michael Lembo, a 21 year old senior from Stony Brook University.

The positives of this bill, on paper, are massive. There is just one thing we all need to remember, this is a $940 billion bill that is now going to be implemented during a recession. Does this fact make me cynical? Of course it does.

But, I will not let my cynicism get the best of me. I am willing to give this bill a chance, and am willing to wait to see if it truly does change the pace and course of the corrupt insurance companies that presently drive the healthcare industry in this country.

"It's being cast as a Democratic victory, but as a liberal, to me it is the other side that won. Huge majorities in both chambers and we can't get universal healthcare? Can't get public option?" said Michael Heinz, a 20 year old resident of East Setauket, New York.

Before everyone starts screaming and wailing over this bill, they need to realize that the bill needs to be implemented first. The implementation is key, because remember, communism looked great on paper, but once implemented, changed the course of the world in an awful way.

(Image courtesy of www.jupitarimages.com)

Texting While Driving..

I’m driving slightly over the speed limit on the Northern State, blaring some classic Ke$ha tunes on my way to Adelphi University. My phone’s ‘text’ ringtone goes off, and I swiftly glance at my iPhone as it rests on passenger seat adjacent to me.

As I let the phone sit there, and as the reminder alert rings, I cringe and squirm wondering who has sent me a message. The suspense was killing me, or at least annoying me to the point where I was barely focusing on the road. To respond or not to respond, that is the question?

Well, to the shock and awe of all of you reading this, I will admit, that I am guilty of responding. I know its wrong; I know I shouldn’t be doing it. But, for some reason, I feel that I am invincible, and I feel there is no way that while texting and driving, I could somehow swerve off the road into the divider, or into another car.

After conversing with students across Adelphi’s campus about this issue, many say that they have rules about texting while driving; for example, they only participate in the activity if they are at a red light, or at a stop sign. They also claimed that they would stop texting if someone who was in their car with them asked them to stop.

But, seeing that we make rules about texting while driving, we are technically rationalizing something that we shouldn’t be doing in the first place. We shouldn’t be engaging in a pastime that is taking our attention and focus off of the road, or off of the 3,000 to 4,000 pound piece of machinery that we are maneuvering.

While snooping around the Internet, researching this topic, I found a website called txtresponsibly.org, with their mission being, “to raise awareness of the dangers of texting while driving and to prevent harmful injury or death caused by the act of texting recklessly.”

On this website you have the ability to take an oath that you “will not read, write or send messages using any handheld device while driving…” Only 102 people have signed the oath thus far, but I know that there are so many more people out there that text while they drive. These same people also know, and understand, that it needs to stop.

I just became the 103rd person to sign the oath. No, I didn’t sign it to be preachy, or to convert all of you who are reading this. I signed it for me, to ensure my safety and the safety of those commuting with me and around me. I signed the oath to make sure my entire focus is on the road ahead of me, and not on the text waiting for me.

(Image Courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net)