By Dani Frank and Rebecca Astheimer
Greetings, loyal readers, and welcome back for your second installment of Two Girls, One Column. Now, I don’t know if you knew, because I sure didn’t until about three days ago, but the third and final presidential debate was set to be held here at the University!
See, not all of us are big on watching the news, checking e-mail or paying attention when we walk around campus. It’s necessary to have our headphones blasting “The Whisper Song” and phones open for texting. The soothing tones of the Ying Yang Twins are very calming on the way to class. Or while practicing yoga. Or when a sexual encounter is prefaced with “Wait til you see my…” But, returning to the issue at hand, the debate happened here, bitches. Sen. John McCain, who very well could have died before arriving here, and Sen. Barack Obama, who may have found the time to both stop smiling and donate money to Operation Smile, actually graced our campus yesterday.
Our question is no longer, “Where do you stand?” because that’s been made pretty clear. You totally love Obama, right? He’s progressive, new, young, not President Bush and he’s sexy as hell. Therefore, you’re involved in politics, right? I think not. Or what about McCain? He’s experienced, grandfatherly and has a hot running mate who has no qualms about hunting down a bear, skinning it, making it into a rug and lying seductively on it.
But this is not getting to the point. Okay, so you have decided to support either McCain or Obama. Our new question is, “Why?” Give me one thing Obama has done in office as a senator. Don’t agree with McCain’s oil solution? Give us a better one, with a carefully thought out plan that will be effective immediately and also for future generations. Give us Obama’s plan in explicit detail. Rather than just making statements, give information to back up these statements.
Neither of us are conservative girls, by any means. I (Rebecca) come from parents fresh out of the love revolution of the 1960s, and my upbringing reflects it. I’m all for equality, gay marriage, alternative energy and peace. Dani’s family of pseudo-Jews is mainly focused on who will propose the fewest tax hikes and allow us to maintain our life of luxury and Democrat-hating. That does not reflect her views, however, as she is liberal when it comes to gay rights, abortion, saving the environment and essentially embracing the different beliefs that people hold. This is supposed to be the land of the free, so its inhabitants should be able to live this motto to the fullest.
Yes, we all want to save a little money, but at what cost? On one hand, it is not fair to take from the wealthy to give to the poor, but on the other hand, some much-needed support for the impoverished would be greatly appreciated. You may not realize it, but money makes the world go round. As Fat Joe and the Terror Squad crooned, “I’ll make it rain on them hos.” Does this apply to the socio-political situation of today? Yes and no. But nevertheless, we would love if it could rain freedom, peace and acceptance on them hos. Taxes, abortion, gay rights, foreign policy, the war. All are important issues, but which will be the deciding factor when it comes to voting day? That’s what we’d like you, little voters in the making, to contemplate and gather from this article.
Becoming a knowledgeable, informed person takes time, dedication and effort. It requires watching the news, reading the paper and thinking critically on an almost daily basis. We know you’re desperate to watch “The Hills” or “The Bernie Mac Show,” but gathering your information from Stephen Colbert is not sufficient.
Take the time to make decisions on your own: don’t just agree with what your stoner roommate barked at the TV yesterday while munching on Cheez-Its and soy sauce. And for Christ’s sake, if you’re going to protest, which we both encourage as a form of self-expression, know what you’re talking about. To go out and make a statement in a controversial manner is a great way to convey a message-if you know what matters to you and have devised the best way to educate others with regard to it. As people who do make honest efforts to serve as educated citizens, it’s frustrating to see mass numbers of students cheer at a political event when someone compares Republicans to low-life, uneducated rednecks. No, we’re not Republicans, but we’re well aware of the fact that that’s a harsh stereotype, often completely untrue. By buying into that, you are proving your own ignorance. The same goes for the conservatives-all four of you on campus. Saying liberals are hippie stoners is a far cry from actuality.
What we’re really trying to say is don’t take the easy way out. From an economic crisis to global warming, from the war to the pursuit of energy, there’s a lot to be concerned about today. We want you to become involved, speak your mind and stand up for what you believe in.
But if you’re going to stand behind something, do so with confidence. Don’t flake out. By resorting to cheap shots and unjustified claims, you are denying yourself the opportunity to make a legitimate contribution to society. Using Bush as a scapegoat may earn you friends at a party, and blaming the Democrats for a failed economy may win you brownie points with your girlfriend’s dad, but it’s not offering a solution to a problem. You can laugh when someone jokes about McCain’s hair (God knows we do), but don’t let that determine what you’ll check on the ballot. Think critically, and you will see the change you desire. Sincerely, Ghostface Killah and Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
Dani Frank is a sophomore print journalism student. You may e-mail her at [email protected]. Rebecca Astheimer is a sophomore film student. You may e-mail her at [email protected].