Madison & Me @ the protest
Justin & Me @ La FondaI should definitely be studying right now, but instead of jumping back into life in the present, I'll reflect on my weekend and the protest in Berkeley last week.
First, with the protest. I'll keep it chronological.
Last week, Madison and I went down to MLK park to find a good sized protest going on between the US Marines and a group of Berkeley "hippies". I use quotes since I think the term has changed a lot since its typical 1960's usage. But forget semantics for now. The argument was over whether a military recruitment center in Berkeley is "welcome" or not in the progressive city. Apparently, this center was opened almost a year ago and many residents are upset and don't want their vulnerable youth to be coaxed into giving their lives to the government. The mayor of Berkeley made a public statement recently saying that the center was unwelcomed in the city and since then, the Marines have gathered numbers and approached the Berkeley City Council about the issue. It was a very "Berkeley" thing to witness: a protest against the establishment and a desire for peace and the end to the Iraq War. High school students along with community members got involved, some more active roles than others resulting in a few arrests throughout the protest. As a newcomer to the city, I didn't know what to think or whose side to be on, although I have many opinions about the military and about the war, so I was naturally inclined to side with the "hippies" on this issue. After listening to both sides over the evening, I started to wonder-should the military be allowed to recruit in a town as progressive as Berkeley? If the town is so liberal, why should residents be worried that their kids will enlist? Maybe if their kids are rebelling against how they were brought up? I wasn't sure if the center was such a big deal since the number of people enlisting from Berkeley is probably quite small. But then what if a porn shop located in town and had people recruiting for participants in the films? Although a terrible analogy, I can see how a conservative community might fight to get rid of the shop that is leasing the space (just as the Marines are leasing the spot on Shattuck). Both sides were VERY passionate with the Marines singing the national anthem (really badly, no offense...it is one of the hardest songs to sing) and other "patriotic" songs. I use quotes here because what is patriotism? Well, Madison and I pondered this question and decided to ask both sides what they thought. Generally, the patriotic side was skeptical of our questioning them, but responded adamantly with "supporting the troops", "loving my country", etc. The "hippies" responded with "the last refuge of a scoundrel" among other negatively connotative remarks related to disillusionment. The "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel", I learned was said by Samuel Johnson in reference to some people during the Revolution. From a biography of Johnson: "But let it be considered, that he did not mean a real and generous love of our country, but that pretended patriotism which so many, in all ages and countries, have made a cloak of self-interest". This was all very interesting to me. The protest appeared to have gone from a protest of a physical location or concept to a protest of the WAR. I think that if someone wants to join the military, go for it. I believe that honesty must be upheld and that if recruiters are lying or misleading young people, then the centers should not exist in Berkeley, or anywhere. I don't support lies or liars, especially when death results. The end.
Now, onto the pleasures in life:
LOVE, FRIENDSHIP, FOOD, SUNSHINE, and MUSIC!
This weekend I went to La Fonda south of Rosarito in Northern Baja with Justin. It was glorious. Great Mexican food, ocean views, and relaxation time. Although short, the weekend felt long with lots of naps and laziness; a great break from our busy lives. The beach was beautiful and our room was great (after we switched into one with a working shower=vital). Live music in the hotel and in Ensenada was great although I always feel sad when I see the Americanization of other countries (most music covered US bands). But that's an entirely other issue I can write about another time. The essence of the trip was a reaffirmation of how lucky I am to have Justin in my life. After 4 months I can't see myself getting sick of spending time with him which I think is pretty sweet. Distance sucks, but it really does make me value time with him a lot more that I did living with him. The border line sucked, and I don't really wanna talk about it (Mexican street signs, go to hell!), but you know it's love when you can sit through 3.5 ish hours of border wait and still smile at each other.
Sorry if that was too sappy for you (whoever is reading this).
Now I will nap considering my 5am wakeup to barely catch my 6:30am flight up to Berkeley has left me exhausted.
ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
First, with the protest. I'll keep it chronological.
Last week, Madison and I went down to MLK park to find a good sized protest going on between the US Marines and a group of Berkeley "hippies". I use quotes since I think the term has changed a lot since its typical 1960's usage. But forget semantics for now. The argument was over whether a military recruitment center in Berkeley is "welcome" or not in the progressive city. Apparently, this center was opened almost a year ago and many residents are upset and don't want their vulnerable youth to be coaxed into giving their lives to the government. The mayor of Berkeley made a public statement recently saying that the center was unwelcomed in the city and since then, the Marines have gathered numbers and approached the Berkeley City Council about the issue. It was a very "Berkeley" thing to witness: a protest against the establishment and a desire for peace and the end to the Iraq War. High school students along with community members got involved, some more active roles than others resulting in a few arrests throughout the protest. As a newcomer to the city, I didn't know what to think or whose side to be on, although I have many opinions about the military and about the war, so I was naturally inclined to side with the "hippies" on this issue. After listening to both sides over the evening, I started to wonder-should the military be allowed to recruit in a town as progressive as Berkeley? If the town is so liberal, why should residents be worried that their kids will enlist? Maybe if their kids are rebelling against how they were brought up? I wasn't sure if the center was such a big deal since the number of people enlisting from Berkeley is probably quite small. But then what if a porn shop located in town and had people recruiting for participants in the films? Although a terrible analogy, I can see how a conservative community might fight to get rid of the shop that is leasing the space (just as the Marines are leasing the spot on Shattuck). Both sides were VERY passionate with the Marines singing the national anthem (really badly, no offense...it is one of the hardest songs to sing) and other "patriotic" songs. I use quotes here because what is patriotism? Well, Madison and I pondered this question and decided to ask both sides what they thought. Generally, the patriotic side was skeptical of our questioning them, but responded adamantly with "supporting the troops", "loving my country", etc. The "hippies" responded with "the last refuge of a scoundrel" among other negatively connotative remarks related to disillusionment. The "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel", I learned was said by Samuel Johnson in reference to some people during the Revolution. From a biography of Johnson: "But let it be considered, that he did not mean a real and generous love of our country, but that pretended patriotism which so many, in all ages and countries, have made a cloak of self-interest". This was all very interesting to me. The protest appeared to have gone from a protest of a physical location or concept to a protest of the WAR. I think that if someone wants to join the military, go for it. I believe that honesty must be upheld and that if recruiters are lying or misleading young people, then the centers should not exist in Berkeley, or anywhere. I don't support lies or liars, especially when death results. The end.
Now, onto the pleasures in life:
LOVE, FRIENDSHIP, FOOD, SUNSHINE, and MUSIC!
This weekend I went to La Fonda south of Rosarito in Northern Baja with Justin. It was glorious. Great Mexican food, ocean views, and relaxation time. Although short, the weekend felt long with lots of naps and laziness; a great break from our busy lives. The beach was beautiful and our room was great (after we switched into one with a working shower=vital). Live music in the hotel and in Ensenada was great although I always feel sad when I see the Americanization of other countries (most music covered US bands). But that's an entirely other issue I can write about another time. The essence of the trip was a reaffirmation of how lucky I am to have Justin in my life. After 4 months I can't see myself getting sick of spending time with him which I think is pretty sweet. Distance sucks, but it really does make me value time with him a lot more that I did living with him. The border line sucked, and I don't really wanna talk about it (Mexican street signs, go to hell!), but you know it's love when you can sit through 3.5 ish hours of border wait and still smile at each other.
Sorry if that was too sappy for you (whoever is reading this).
Now I will nap considering my 5am wakeup to barely catch my 6:30am flight up to Berkeley has left me exhausted.
ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
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