Total Propaganda

OK, this won't be too too long, since I have a math test tomorrow, but after social studies class today, I just felt that this had to be said.

So we're learning about all the different philosophies in social studies right now, mainly socialism, capitalism, conservatism, and liberalism, with a bit about Marxism. I am just amazed, and somewhat baffled by the hostility towards socialism. Honestly, I'm in the "normal" social studies class, so these people know next to nothing about socialism and Marx and Mao, but when the topic comes up, they act like we're learning about Hitler or something. And the material does nothing to correct this. The books and sheets we get consistently depict(albeit subtly) socialism as this dictatorship and communist leaders as these insane power hungry people. It's so ingrained, "dislike" is probably becoming too indifferent to describe these people's attitudes towards socialism, communism, and by proxy, China.

So let me clear the air right now. Socialism and communism are miles apart from dictatorship, in theory, yes, I agree the applications are a bit too similar for my liking, but the idea was Utopian, and if the fault lies anywhere, it lies with corrupt officials, so stop acting like it's Satan worship or Neo-Nazism or something. Another thing, call me brainwashed, but Mao was not this cruel dictator the western world constantly depicts, yes, he had his faults, but he was a revolutionary first, a politician second, and frankly, there is no doubt that he did more good for Chinese peasants than bad (especially early on). Look up the Chinese civil war on Wikipedia, and you'll see what I mean. And the thing about communist brainwashing in China and stuff, don't even start, cause it happens just as much in capitalist countries.

This leads me to another topic, China, which has been consistently painted in a disgusting way by Western Media. Let me give an example. The west has always been against China's one child policy, but a while back, China released data saying that the policy reduced the population dramatically, greatly benefiting the environment through less release of green house gases. So what's the problem? One of the west's biggest beefs against China is environment policies. In the face of the afore mention fact, the west still condemns the one child policy in China AND the Chinese environmental policy, even though the former has helped the environment. So whatever China does, it'll always be painted as this evil communist state.

Now, I'm not trying to change your political beliefs or anything, partly because since I was born to a middle class, I like liberalism better than socialism anyways, but I do want you to get some adequate information before condemning a certain belief(This applies just as well to religion, re: Islam), especially communism, which is completely misunderstood, because the bias is bordering on discrimination in many parts of Canada right now.

That's all, folks...

Another Sports Post...(or ASP)

I don't know why, but after weeks of not posting, me and BQ decided to post on the same day, oh well. He's already done the Halloween stuff (headshot is totally ownage!(I almost regrett the self-imposed ban on the p-word and the u-word) shoulda taken a pic!), but I haven't done a sports post for a few months, so here it is.

Yay! The NBA season just started, and to top it off, the Rockets won their first game! Now, I probably shouldn't be posting this, cause I have a tonne of homework waiting for me (yes, it's 10 at night, I know); but what the hell, I'll live as a hobo before I stop following the NBA. So here's a preview, or actually, just some random sports related comments, they should have been up yesterday, but I had debate, so there wasn't much time, and I figure since I already missed the openers, I might as well wait till most of the teams had played, so without further interuptions...the official OBESE beginning of season NBA commentary.

The Houston Rockets were tied for 1st in the Southwest Division, yay! OK, fine, so it was only one day, but it was still a victory, and anyways, if luck stays with the Rockets, they can finnaly make some noise, and not just in the regular season. I feel really good about the new GM, he'd an MIT grad, so he's gotta know what he's doing, and apparently, he was a big force behind the Battier trade, which was obviously a good idea. I am a little alarmed at how he's stacking the back court. I mean, just because stats are important, doesn't mean you can just throw balance out the window. For the life of me I can figure out why they traded Howard for James, when they already had 2 pgs, with a 3rd coming. It's just weird. They did add Luis Scola, but I'm afraid he might be a bit overrated. The Spurs aren't idiots, if he was THAT good, I'm sure they would have found a spot for him. Scola didn't really do anything on opening night, just 3 rebounds and 9 minutes, but I like to wait 2 weeks before calling him a bust.

The Toronto Raptors look good this season (though I am unhappy that they didn't blow Philly out of the water), they're returning basically the same team with the addition of Kapono, which is good. Too bad the Celtics got so good though, still, the Raps should be able to get 2nd and maybe even 1st in the division if Bargnani gets better and Garbajosa returns effectively from injury.

Please, Mike d'Antoni, please limit Steve Nash's minutes this year!!! If the Phoenix Suns' starters are rested come the playoffs, they can win it all. I really think this is the Suns' year. This might be the last chance for d'Antoni's system and Steve Nash, considering his age and injury troubles. They're tougher than people give them credit for and I think they have a decent chance to beat the Spurs. So yeah, I guess the Suns are my pick to win it all, and with style I might add, unlike a certain team that won't be mentioned here...Oh, and Shawn Marion, please stop complaining!!! You have 3 straight 50+ win seasons, enjoy the ride while it lasts!!!

Yi Jianlian, or the Chairman, as ESPN calls him, had a pretty good start to the season, 2 blocks and a steal in 25 minutes. The 6 fouls and the 1 for 4 from the line puts a damper on the celebration though. I just have to ask all the rabid Chinese fans out there not to vote for Yi over KG and Lebron just cause he's Chinese, cause that is NOT cool, I'm as big a fan of Yao or any Chinese player as anyone, but that would just be embarrasing...

Kevin Durant, whose bandwagon I jumped on before he was even in college! is having a solid game through 3. Fine, it's against the Nuggets, who aren't exactly the Spurs, but still, 15pts, 5 rebounds, 3 steals! and only 1 foul. The 6/19 from the floor and 1/6 from downtown are pretty gruesome though. Still, first game and already owning. I'm gonna go out on a limb right here and say he's gonna be better than Lebron or Kobe!

Now for some baseball stuff, the Red Sox just won the world series again, swept the rockies too. They should be so proud of themselves, winning with awesom front office moves and efficient managing...oh yeah, and the 2nd highest payroll after the Yankees, and thats not counting the money spent to convince Dice-K's (I'm just writing this cause I don't know how to spell his real name) real team to talk to him. So yeah, now they're Yankees 2.0.

Battle of Undefeated this week, Colts vs Pats. First of all, let me just say that running up the score is not cool in any sport in any level. It's horrible karma and you're gonna get screwed in the end. So just don't do it. The Pats have been doing it for weeks (I'm embarrased to have Brady on my fantasy team, and yet, I absolutely will not trade him), so even though they're stacked and were my preseason pick, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say they will not win the superbowl this season. Too much bad karma(remember the cheating thing?), so go Colts. Still, they're more than likely to win this weekend. I just want to say though, if you're not a Pats fan, please root for the Colts!

The Sens have been totally dominating. I would love to pick them to win the finals, since they're returning like the same squad with better goaltending, but history tells us the hot regular season teams rarely wins it all, so unless Dany Heatly goes absolutely insane in the post season, I have the Wild as my pre-new year pick for the winner(just to throw you a curve ball). Last year, it was easy to pick the Ducks as the champs (I had them in the pre-season, suckas!!!), but this year, I have no idea, cause I do NOT want to jinx this Sens thing...

Anyways, that's all, folks, happy Halloween(it's still Halloween for another hour in Cowgary), and since I probably won't post for a while, an early happy birthday to BQ. (and here's to 2 more years before he can properly celebrate a b-day by getting loaded!!!)