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Showing posts from October, 2013

The Old Taylor Swift vs the New One: They Are Both Good

It's certainly not the first time I have been talking about what I have been calling the 'old Taylor Swift' (before her album Red) and the 'new Taylor Swift'. I have also made no secret that musically I certainly prefer the old version. I do know of some friends who prefer to the new version though. The 'New Taylor Swift' also has an inconsistent and weird fashion sense, in my personal view. But I guess that should be irrelevant to how we view a person, isn't it? But actually, in many ways, the new Taylor Swift is just as good as the old one. In fact, that's because they are actually one and the same. Taylor may have changed her musical style and her fashion style, but she is clearly the same person. She is still herself, and not some other character. This is much more than can be said for many other people in the industry. And that's what's important. Crossposted from my Mag Column

Schwarzenegger for President? I Wouldn't Support Him, but Let Him Run!

With President Obama having to step down in 2017, there is again lots of talk about who should be the next US president. Hilary Clinton is an often mentioned name. There have also recently been reports that Arnold Schwarzenegger may run - but of course only if the constitution is changed to allow him to do so. You see, Schwarzenegger was not born in the US, and that currently disqualifies him. I personally wouldn't support Schwarzenegger, but I think he should have a right to run. Why shouldn't he? Crossposted from my Mag Column

Standing Up for the New Silent Majority

The silent majority once used to describe the conservative majority of people who did not like socially progressive politicians who changed things around too much. Not anymore. Nowadays, it is more common for politicians to be beholden to conservative elements to be ruling a populace more progressive than they are. It is not uncommon for these politicians to disregard public opinion altogether in their actions, making a mockery of democracy. For example, here in Australia some polls have shown that marriage equality and legal euthanasia are supported by more than 80% of the population, yet politicians, especially those with clear ties to the church, are not budging. The Australian electoral system means that there is no possibility of getting rid of the majority of them from parliament either. So much for democracy. This pattern is also common across the rest of the Western world nowadays. What we need to do is for the silent majority to stop being apolitical, and stand up against

Jennifer Lopez Gets Equality Awards. But for What?

Jennifer Lopez has received the 2013 Ally for Equality Award, in recognition for her support of causes including marriage equality, HIV/AIDS research, and anti-bullying. But why Jennifer Lopez? In Hollywood, I am pretty sure I can find plenty of people supporting those things. Even more importantly, these things are supported by the vast majority of young people under 35 out there. Jennifer Lopez may support these things, but it doesn't make her unique in any way, I think. So who should qualify for an Equality Award then? Somebody who is actually helping to change things in a major way. Simply 'supporting' causes is inadequate as it does not create change quickly enough. For example, in many Western nations more than 60% of the population support marriage equality but only 10% or so really care about it. That is sad. That is why politicians who oppose equality still routinely get elected - the latest examples being Angela Merkel in Germany and Tony Abbott in Australia (