FUNNY!

You guys will like this... http://www.cnnbcvideo.com/?nid=TMHWSZ6KhEhiIHQSK5w99TEwMzU2Nzgz&referred_by=14356385-kCw_wpx

On the Eve of Greatness

Tomorrow millions of Americans will vote, in addition to the millions that have voted already. Early voting numbers have shattered records. Why such the fuss? I'm sure you know exactly why. This election, one way or another, is going to be groundbreaking. We will either have a female Vice President or an African American president. It's going to be a great day for us Americans and our strive towards ethic perfection. As Americans, the world looks onto us. We are the major power in the world today, and one of the richest per capita. We are often the home of human ingenuity and design, and the American workforce is par none. Technology has become an integral and mandatory part of society for each and every one of us. However, through the greats, America is at quite a low, as is most of the world today. We are pouring billions of dollars into two mismanaged wars, and are in the middle of one of the greatest economic crises in our history. Though it's taken this, we Americans have learned the error of our ways, and try day in and day out to correct them without second thought. In America, good isn't good enough. In fact, nothing for us is good enough. We constantly demand more of everyone. Perhaps it's this that gives the American culture unfavorable views among certain other countries. We are uptight, and expect things to get done when we ask for them, and not a day later. Well, I think you could speak just as well as I when I say that when things don't get done on time, well let's just say we freak out.
     It's funny, I just wrote an entire paragraph summarizing the American culture and none of you questioned my reasoning. American CULTURE? When have you ever heard of THAT before? I beg the question, why are we so prone and eager to denoting ourselves to some extraneous background? Why can't we just say that we are Americans? Americans come in all flavors, colors, sizes and minds. This is what makes our culture so great. None are as diverse as we are. My words may seem paradoxical to some, but just think - our differences unite us. We work daily as a nation, together. This is most evident in times of need. When September 11th, 2001 reared it's morose head and the ashes settled, through the rubble and wreckage stood a society. We the people stood together as one, determined to defend ourselves and the attack that equally affected all of us on that heinous day. In August of 2003, there was a large blackout that affected 40 million Americans, (but don't forget the 10 million Canadians, eh?) The last time there was a major blackout (be it 1977) there was major looting. New York City was brought to its knees as men women and children raided shops and broke windows, but what's one to expect of such a materialistic society? Well, in 2003, men, women, and children roamed the streets hand in hand, gazing at the stars. They were amazed by the stars in the sky, as in New York City, the only stars in the sky are those after three or four shots. All roamed looking upward and smiling. Darkness in the city that never sleeps. We were together. It was a beautiful thing.
     Maybe that's why many others can't stand us Americans. All too rarely do we actually unite without a cause. Though I do think it is a flaw in our society, I don't believe that it takes a catastrophe to get us together. In 2004, few people had ever heard the name Barack Obama, nor how to pronounce it. After a rousing speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention, he became known. Barack Obama is the Junior Senator from Illinois. He's born of a Muslim Kenyan father, and to a Caucasian mother. I'm not sure about yourself, but I've yet to hear Senator Obama classify himself as a race other than American. Possibly it's out of his self-proclaimed inability to do so. Without being stereotypical, it's not common for a boy to be born of ancestries that inhabit opposite sides of the earth. Out of poverty and a very rough childhood without ever really knowing his father, Barack Obama has risen in America as one of the most amazing figures to grace America with their intellect. Barack Obama is the true American, one who comes out of trouble and times that would bring about negativity and hopelessness. Barack Obama and his supportive family never caved in to those feelings, regardless of how poor conditions were. This man by the name of Barack Obama has spoken to us in a time of undeniable need for change and reconciliation. My fellow Americans, there is no denying that this country is at one of its most polar points in history. I see whites hating blacks, blacks hating whites, slurs and negative epithets flying through the air daily, and it makes me sick. Can't we all just say we are Americans? I am a Puerto Rican American, one with origins to Europe as the majority of this nation, but should that really matter? Where we are from tells nothing of us. Who's to say all blacks are African, and to say all whites are European? Who are you to classify and degrade another culture, when you don't understand them? We the people must unite, and not just out of cause. We must unite as a nation. Let us show others around the world that we can accept each other, and moreover embrace one another. Our differences are what make us so great, so why put them down or try to hide them? Why should we resort to the mistakes of our ancestors, and  apply unfair racial thoughts to certain people just because of how they dress? America, we need to one day move beyond the fact that those wearing turbans or hijabs aren't terrorists. So what if we were attacked by men from that culture? Mind you, we were attacked by one of our own in the 2001 Anthrax attacks, which killed many. A government scientist by the name of Bruce Edwards Ivins was suspected. When informed of this, he committed suicide. Does that mean we should fear ourselves?
     Just as catastrophes have done, should great do. Let us unite, and not only under the bad. Barack Obama has united many cultures of this nation in a way that few have before. Barack Obama is the true American hero, showing how great we can be as a culture, not just a generalized group of distinct segregated societies. Hope to one day us being a single culture that lives the American way. Through good and bad, we will be more successful together. In these trials we face, may we be more strongly linked than ever before, and may this link never waver, all while remembering, if gold was to rust, what then would iron do?

My full predictions - Updated

This is how I think this election is going to shape up, everything counted down to the very last electoral vote.

This list is based upon several polls publicized by CNN, and is updated as of 11/3

• Alabama - McCain, 9EV's
  
• Alaska - McCain, 3EV's (Land of Palin)
  
• Arizona - McCain, 10EV's (Land of McCain)
  
• Arkansas - McCain, 6EV's
  
• California - Obama, 55EV's
  
• Colorado - Obama, 9EV's
  
• Connecticut - Obama, 7EV's
  
• Delaware - Obama, 3EV's (Represented by Biden)
  
• Florida - Obama, 27EV's
  
• Georgia - McCain, 15EV's
  
• Hawaii - Obama, 4EV's (Land of Obama)
  
• Idaho - McCain, 4EV's
  
• Illinois - Obama, 21EV's (Represented by Obama)
  
• Indiana - McCain,* - 11EV's
  
• Iowa - Obama, 7EV's
  
• Kansas - McCain, 6EV's
  
• Kentucky - McCain 8EV's
  
• Louisiana - McCain 9EV's
  
• Maine - Obama, 4EV's, McCain 0EV's (Winner does NOT necessarily take all in this state.)
  
• Maryland - Obama, 10EV's
  
• Massachusetts - Obama, 12EV's
  
• Michigan - Obama, 17EV's
  
• Minnesota - Obama, 10EV's
  
• Mississippi - McCain, 11EV's
  
• Missouri - McCain,* 11EV's
  
• Montana - McCain, 3 EV's
  
• Nebraska - McCain, 5EV's
  
• Nevada - Obama, 5EV's
  
• New Hampshire - Obama, 4EV's
  
• New Jersey - Obama, 15EV's
  
• New Mexico - Obama, 5EV's
  
• New York - Obama, 31EV's
  
• North Carolina - Obama McCain, 15EV's
  
• North Dakota - Obama, 3EV's
  
• Ohio - Obama, 20EV's
• Oklahoma - McCain, 7EV's
  
• Oregon - Obama, 7EV's
  
• Pennsylvania - Obama, 21EV's (Land of Biden)
  
• Rhode Island - Obama, 4EV's
  
• South Carolina - McCain, 8EV's
  
• South Dakota - McCain, 3EV's
  
• Tennessee - McCain, 11EV's
  
• Texas - McCain, 34EV's
  
• Utah, McCain, 5EV's
  
• Vermont - Obama, 3EV's
  
• Virginia - Obama, 13EV's
  
• Washington - Obama, 11EV's
  
• West Virginia - McCain, 5EV's
  
• Wisconsin - Obama, 10EV's
  
• Wyoming, McCain, 3EV's
  

Conclusion: Barack Obama wins decisive victory, nearly 2:1 over John McCain. Never did I think it would be this close, but after checking the polls and doing the math, it's...

McCain: 182 217

Obama: 356  321
Update 11/3, NC to McCain; race is tightening greatly.

States with an asterisk (*) are WAY too close for any human being to call, and I went simply on past voting tradition and a hunch.

States in bold and underlined are large wins. This is my prediction, and I may amend it up to this Monday, November 3rd. Let's see how close I am!

Politics % World Series - Part II

Barack's "infomercial" was sensational and awe-inspiring, along with his live speech at the end. I guess this is where I bust through and confirm what everyone has known about me for a very long time.

I endorse Barack Obama for president.

As for the Series, the Rays pitching is sucking it up. I want them to win, but with 3 offensive outs left for them, I don't know that they could do it. Congratulations 2008 Phillies, World Series Champions.

White percipitate

En hiver, IL NEIGE! We all know it's snowing, and I love the snow. I just don't want to hear a million people scream "IT'S SNOWING!" about an hour after it began. We all know. Haha.

One day I don't want snow - day after Christmas. I'm very busy heading out to Long Island. Snow is something I could well do without.

Au revoir!

Why So Dramatic?

High School coincides with drama, I don't think anyone would argue that point. The Harvest Queen is coming up, and I'm not going to be able to attend, which has me saddened but hey, it could be worse. After all, I'm taking a trip with the OCAL team to Manhattan that day, so it should be fun either way. I just want to get out my disdain for those that bring drama unto themselves. I don't know too many of you people, because I tend to disassociate myself after a while, but I do know enough to ruin a good day, so let's all be happy, shall we? At this dance I don't want to see you crying because so-and-so doesn't want to dance, or so-and-so won't go with you. Suck it up. So what if they won't dance. It's not the end of the world, and you'll get over it. Their loss, they're missing out. So let's collectively take a deep breath and exhale. Loosen up. Things will be just fine. Just gotta get over it first. Few things are worth your tears.

Hmm...that came out a little spiritual. Haha, sorry.

Hypothetically...

I was thinking before about how much different this campaign would have been if Hillary Clinton had won, and a few things came to mind...

1. Palin would have likely not have been McCain's running mate.
2. I honestly believe McCain might have a slight edge in polls.
3. There would be no gaffe meter for Biden, but there would be one for Bill Clinton.
4. Democratic campaign speeches would have been circuitous and twice as long.
5. The words, "It's time for a female president!" would have resonated throughout America.
6. I would have endorsed John McCain.
7. I would have been extremely disappointed with the people running in this election.
8. I would wear a button that said "Rausch-Moreno '08."
9. I wouldn't have written up this blog post.

The list goes on forever, but I think you get the point. I detest Hillary Clinton, and will never support her as president. Thank God I don't have to.

OOPS!

Looks like Biden isn't the only one that gaffes from time to time. Check this clip from Palin.






Hmmmmm...

World Series and Politics

The candidates united last night to deliver a very special prologue to the World Series, which was all about how through thick and thin, baseball has always managed to bring a nation together, with no better example than 9/11. This resonates now more than ever being the financial crisis that we are all in. The video is posted on here, and it's really nice, I think. In other news, ALL OF US WON A FREE PRIZE.  (And I'm not kidding.)

Birthdays & Disconnect

Beginning with Chiara, the "Birthday Season" for my friends and family has begun.

1. Chiara
2. Mom's Mother
3. Father's Mother
4. Jess
5. Cousin Jackie/Aunt Michelle
6. Mom's Father
7. Father
   
8. Uncle Billy - Last birthday in 2008
9. Aunt Monica - 1/1
10. Step-Father
11. Jess/Max
12. Uncle Dan
13. Meghan
14. Kerianne
15. Sam/Christian 
16. Yours Truly
17. Martinez
18. Cristina M
19. Michelle G/Mom 3/19

That's a hell of a birthday list. I gotta get a job so I can buy gifts for all of these people. Oh, right, that's why I'm staying in LI for the summer.

-Hey guys, due to scheduling issues, etc I've been feeling a bit of disconnect with a few of you. Wanna hang out? I'm already planning something with Michelle and Caitlin, Greg, James, and maybe Meghan for the weekend of the Fourth.

-I'm pro life

-I do not support an amendment to legal marriage definition, but DO support civil unions

-I believe it's time to abdicate Iraq

-I think we need alternative energy within 10 years

-I think we're facing a huge financial crisis

-I also think getting a student loan just might possibly help me with college, so let's be forward thinking, yes?

I'd vote Barack.