Kscopeforum

I am not going to go into some kind of critical analysis of whether or not capitalism is a good economic system in this article, so those expecting a rant about the evils of the free market may be sorely disappointed. What I will do is raise the question of whether or not we as an American people truly believe in capitalism. In the midst of the current economic crisis, it seems that the answer is, at the very least, unclear. One of the things that is appealing about the capitalistic approach to economy is the prospect of growth. Within our economy, the only barrier to wealth generation is one’s own choices (at least in theory). Make good investments, and you will prosper. There is a downside to this, of course. If one makes a bad financial decision, then all may be lost. It is a system that allows for big gains and big losses.

The last decade or so has seen a huge amount of growth, creating support for allowing the free market to run on its own. Unfortunately, we are now seeing the downside of allowing the market determine economic outcomes. I am not saying this as a criticism of capitalism, but rather to simply point out that one of the inherent risks of a free market economy is that the market can, and inevitably will, crash at some point. Now that we are not benefiting from this economic system, it seems that people, including many on the right, want to see the government take control of our financial markets. We want to reap the benefits of capitalism, but are not willing to take responsibility when things go sour. This mentality is what I have a problem with. It’s the same mentality of a spoiled child, who wants the benefits of independence from his parents, but not the difficulties that come with it.

We are on the verge of a huge bailout of the financial institutions that helped us get into this mess, which I understand. What is wrong in this is that the very people who have lobbied for less government regulation now want the golden parachute when they messed up. I think that, if we are really going to be capitalistic about it, these individuals should be allowed to be accountable for their actions and feel the same financial pain as the individual who is at the bottom of the financial landscape and has lost everything in this crisis.

Ultimately, I think this bailout will end up passing. I hope there will be some protection for the taxpayers whose dollars are being used to finance this undertaking. There is a huge chance that the ones who will end up suffering the most are those on the fringe of the lower middle class and below, which is unfortunate. Many of these individuals have received little benefit from economic growth, yet stand to be hit hardest by a recession. I’m not an expert on economics, but from what I can see, it seems that the biggest touters of the free market economy quickly become the biggest denouncers of it when things go badly, and that makes me sad. I believe we are a nation of principles, not a nation of convenience, and that in the face of a crisis we should come together to help one another out instead of selling out in order to gather whatever scraps are available.

Philip Gibson

Columnist

philagan@gmail.com

You could say that I’m ignoring the present state of things.
I know there are a lot more things that I could write about. Some people who read this might wonder if this story is even relevant, now that the economy is falling around Americans’ feet and politics are the heaviest they’ve ever been. But a person can only take that for so long.
That’s why I’m rewinding back to the Beijing Olympics. That’s about the only time in the recent months where things seemed the calmest and the happiest. And who doesn’t like the Olympics? So I hope this column serves as a release to those like me, who are bogged down with politics and the economy.
One thing that I felt was lacking in my weekly Olympic columns was a perspective from a UAB student. I knew what I thought about the Olympics-that it was a grand time for China and, hopefully, for the world, and that perhaps, the welcoming spirit of the Olympics would expand into life after the Olympics-but as LeVar Burton would say, “You don’t have to take my word for it.” So I decided to ask Pearl Shin, a student in my interviewing class who is majoring in communications and fulfilling her pre-requisites for optometry. Here’s what transpired:
MJ: What do you think the Beijing Olympics mean to the Chinese?
PS: I think that the Chinese have made a great effort to welcome the world into their country. As a communistic nation, I believe they feel the need to prove themselves to the rest of the world and to show that their type of government is just as effective, if not more. I feel that the greatest testament to this truth is shown in the advanced, architectural structures made specifically for the 2008 Olympics such as the Water Cube and the Bird’s Nest. The buildings themselves were a great spectacle to behold, and many were [blown] away at the architectural genius that went into designing the buildings. I believe that the Chinese wanted exactly that reaction from everyone.
MJ: There are a lot of political problems facing China, for example, doing business with Sudan’s government and their stance on human rights.  Since the world’s eyes are focused on China, could this pressure cause any changes in the Chinese government’s policies?
PS: Honestly, I believe China would not make any change even under such heavy pressure from other countries. The Chinese government has proven this time and time again from their track record.  They are known to be against the grain and do what they want.
MJ: Newscasters on NBC have focused on the potential positives the Olympics might cause China, but are there any negatives? In other words, could such heavy focus on China, their politics, etc., cause China to become more estranged from other countries or vice-versa? Could the Olympics cause bad blood to form between China and other countries?
PS: Negative outcomes of tension growing between China and other countries are something to be expected. However, more than the superficial look of friendly competition, I feel that the Olympics do have underlying issues which are more internal than external. I feel that China, with the elaborate and grandiose structures [they] built, must have suffered some economic strain. The country itself must have suffered while trying to show off its nation’s government.
MJ: Other countries’ views of China are varied, but how does China view the rest of the world? Since there are many dignitaries from other countries visiting China because of the Olympics, do you think the Chinese government would find elements in other countries’ policies that they would adapt?
PS: China has been evolving and does well in adapting. I feel that capitalism is a major aspect of the country that was not inherently their own until it was adopted after the following the steps of others like America.  As for China incorporating elements from other countries, I do not believe that the Olympics will be an eye-opening experience for China; if they have not already learned that the policies of other countries are good additions to their own, then the Olympics are not going make any more of a difference.

MJ: Do you agree with the now cliché statement that the Beijing Olympics are China’s ”coming-out party”?
PS: I have to agree with the statement that it is almost like a “coming-out” party. Since China has been virtually exclusive over such a long period, I feel that this has been the most social “coming-out” that China has made an effort to display. The Chinese are proud of their country and want to reinforce it by showing their ingenuity, prosperity, and superiority through the games.
Shin’s comments made me revisit some themes that made up NBC’s commentary of the Games. Perhaps the NBC commentators were a bit too enamored with the opening ceremony to actually look at the more realistic picture.

Monique Jones
Editor in Chief

My Environments in Public Service professor has been discussing the importance of engaging in a dialogue between sides when it comes to how the United States is governed. On that note, I’d like to hit on how we address social issues in this country.

What seems strange to me is how the tags of liberal and conservative get thrown around a lot these days. In the case of social issues, I actually think that the roles reverse in a way. My understanding of conservative has always suggested a view of government as needing to be small and non-invasive into peoples’ day to day lives. Yet, “conservatives” tend to be all about some government regulation when it comes to social issues. Whether it be gay marriage, abortion, or drug laws, it seems to me that the left is more about staying out of peoples’ business than the right. This is why it is so strange to me when the right talks about keeping government small. As long as we’re talking about pocketbooks, we want to keep government away. But when it comes to social issues, we want people to do exactly as we would do and “just act right.” I can understand libertarians, who want government to stay away across the board, even if I tend to disagree on key issues.

I’m simply not sure if the tags conservative and liberal mean anything in the context of social issues anymore. I think it might be more accurate to discuss these issues as “conformable” and “non-conformable.” There seems to be a movement towards forcing people to pursue their lives in a way that is pleasing to the majority in this country, especially when it comes to topics such as gay rights, and I don’t think it has anything to do with traditional liberal or conservative points of view. Rather, it seems to have more to do with whether we can accept variance in the way people live their lives or not. Can we value peoples’ senses of morality when they differ from our own, or do we want them to submit to our way of doing things.

This desire for conformable behavior extends to the abortion issue as well. We live in a culture where many do not want to allow abortion. I can understand that. But many of these also demand that unwed individuals abstain from sex until marriage. (Even though I would argue that many pro-lifers have not followed this particular tenet). My problem isn’t with the pro-life viewpoint, so much as it is with the argument that all Americans should base their sexual behavior on the morality of one segment of the population. I happen to believe that safe sex education should be available to everyone who is of an age group that tends to be sexually active. This is responsible public health policy.

I know I’ve it a lot of hot button topics, but what I’m trying to demonstrate is that many views that are considered “conservative” are actually liberal in the sense that they involve the use of law to enforce one group’s set of morals on the entire population. This is simply a topic starter. I’m curious to hear what the student body thinks about both the right and left views on social issues.

Philip Gibson

Columnist

philagan@gmail.com

Few exterior elements affect people to the same extent as does sound, musical sounds to be clear. I recently began to ponder how music has changed from my early childhood to the current digital remixed and recycled musical electronic notes. When compared to what my parents listened to “back in the day”, to the limited range of artists today. Music expanded the mind. Music changed the mode during that first dance. Music allowed desperate backgrounds a common language that could be shared. Music charmed the snake. So what’s happening to music?

It’s unfortunate that I have yet to experience that moment. You know, that “do you remember where you were when that certain song” came on moment. Of course there are those tunes that I can’t forget that are just classic for whatever reason. (ie. Sisqo’s Thong Song or Eminem’s My Name is). But those types of songs could never stand next to some of the great songs of the past. My parents will say few artists affected the world and list on one hand that they are The Beatles, Bob Marley, and Michael Jackson. Mr. Jackson still has time to correct the history books. We have other problems with Mr. Jackson but that’s another article. I’ve seen old concert footage of these artists and can probably go on any corner in any city of the world and see a reference to one of them. There must have been those moments, Beatles in Yankee Stadium…Bob Marley in concert…Michael Jackson on the Motown 25th Anniversary Show. Each event so special in its’ own way, but I wasn’t there.

Today, artists are visual. Many can’t play an instrument. Many can’t perform without their voices reverberating through electronic enhancements. I’ve started recently listening to artists from other countries in an attempt to connect. Hip Hop, Rap, R&B, and Pop music in the United States is strictly about violence, sex and money. No social content, no moving the ball forward, no respect to the past. What music was passed down throughout the generations, paying honor to history or the past?

On my quest to find an artist of substance, I came across Leona Lewis. She has just recently come across fame in the United States due to her chart topping single “Bleeding Love.” What is so special about her? Well, I guess the better question is “What isn’t?” Her wide vocal range and stunning looks give her the perfect package. Her voice, not her tabloids is what has made her so successful.

A band from Germany has also landed in the United States and they call themselves “Tokio Hotel.” I know the majority of my friends have never heard of them. As far as I know, they have just recently begun to sing in English which has definitely furthered their career. They are classified as “emo” and absolutely use their looks and image to represent themselves. It is always nice to see people from other countries achieve the American Dream.

My advice to you is to search for music deeper than what’s playing over and over on 95.7 Jamz. I believe you will see the world through a different lens. Demand more from artists today and stop giving them a free pass to millions of dollars in exchange for pathetic work! An artist should last longer than their single.

Have you recently found an artist that you want others to know about? Write in to the Kaleidoscope or leave a comment here and we may do a cover on them!

Ashley Thompson

Staff Writer

Part of me wanted to write something extremely inflammatory tonight, as I am extremely angry at the Republican party. However, I am in general a non-confrontational person. I don’t like to be attacked, so I try not to out and out attack anyone.  Instead – I’m just going to wing it and we’ll see where it goes.

I realize this is a rather curious title – but bear with me.

Conservatives:

The general claim, with most conservatives, is that they side with “Jesus”. They believe the things they do because they believe that is what God ordains through the Bible.  Jesus wouldn’t believe in abortion, but would believe that some criminals just have to die. God made the earth and global warming is just a part of it. Whether we are responsible or not, global warming is just part of the plan. Homosexuality is also completely unnatural and wrong, based on a literal interpretation of the scripture.

So – what about Hitler? Well, most conservatives believe Hitler was a political leftist and a liberal. They believe Hitler was a socialist and they also see most liberals as socialists. Is it accurate? Well – maybe. Hitler was an atheist that paid the church lip-service. Hitler also believed in creating a society where all citizens were equal. Of course – he also decided some people weren’t human enough to be kept around – but that’s beside the point. Hitler was a liberal. Period.

Liberals:

The stereotype of liberals is non-religious, or if they are religious – not practicing. They are non-fundamental. Liberals believe in protecting the environment, because it won’t last forever at the rate we’re going. Liberals believe that women have the right to choose whether or not they will carry a baby to term. They also believe that all criminals are humans, and no human has the right to choose whether or not another human being dies – even if they have committed a heinous crime. Homosexuals are not seen as unnatural but as people who deserve the same rights as everyone else. They sometimes associate themselves with a pious figure such as Jesus, who was tolerant of all people. Most liberals have a good bit in common with the hippies of the earlier decades.

Hitler was a “right-wing nut-job”. He supported the idea that some people were better than others, as many conservatives believe straight, conservative, Christian people are more worthy of respect. Hitler also believed that military power was more important than diplomacy.
Now, I’ve written this because I think it’s ironic how both sides use the same figures to describe themselves and criticize the others. Yes, I personally fall under the liberal category. No, these stereotypes don’t fit all conservatives or liberals, nor did I mean for them too. My point is to show the absurdity of the whole concept. Neither side represents Jesus, no matter what they have in common with the Holy Man. Hitler wouldn’t claim either side. So – why does this comparison even exist?

It’s all in point of view. Everyone thinks their side is right and therefore the other side has to be wrong. Neither side wants to compromise. And so we bicker and fight until we are blue in the face and meanwhile, nothing has been accomplished.

I have trouble taking my own advice. But – I’ve been trying.  While I’m a democrat by nature – I have every respect for John McCain. He is an amazing example of a proud soldier and an exemplary patriot. He seems intelligent enough (but with speech writer’s these days it’s hard to tell). He must have an incredibly strong will to have kept his sanity throughout his time as a POW. Most men would at least have post traumatic stress syndrome, but he seems to have only used the experience to make him a better citizen. I come from a military family and I deeply respect those who have fought for our country. This being said – I still think he’s wrong in several areas – namely his policy on war. McCain is by no means a young man, so no matter how intelligent he is, he still believes in old ideas. In my opinion, war is an old idea. Our world is so interconnected now that communication is no longer a problem.  There are other ways to put pressure on a country than bombing them to Hades and back.  McCain was raised in a world where instant communication across the globe was a dream. War is all he knows.  I can respect that, even understand it – but I don’t have to agree with it.

While I agree with most democratic social policy – I bristle at some of the fiscal policy. While I fully support universal health insurance – I will never support socialized health care. Call me old fashioned – but I believe it’s doomed to fail. Most of my hesitance revolves around watching friends who lived in countries with socialized health care. This post is already getting long, so I won’t bore you with any of the details. I was just giving an example of “liberal” policy I don’t agree with.

I believe that the majority of Americans don’t completely fit the conservative, Republican stereotype or the liberal, Democratic stereotype. Everyone is an individual – so we can’t perfectly sort anyone into one group or the other.  Thus – conflict will forever be a problem.  But recently, it just seems like the fights between the parties have gotten much more frequent and intense.  Why do we forget that we’re all humans just trying to make it through this world? I say this – because I often forget it, not because I know the answer.  It’s easy to de-humanize the opposing side – by comparing them to….say….Hitler.

The point:

So who is Jesus and who is Hitler? The fact of the matter is – no one but the real Jesus and the real Hitler.

It’s easy to think we’re right and everyone else is wrong. It takes humility and wisdom to realize no one is completely right, and few are completely wrong. I’m working on this ideology, but it’s hard. But then I realize that it isn’t until we work together and listen to one another that we can get closer to the truth. So, I’m going to try to put aside my assumptions and listen, and see if maybe I can glean some more truth from the other side. Who knows – maybe one day, I’ll get it right.

Elizabeth Perkins

Columnist

lizbit@uab.edu

I forewarn you that this post may be a bit more on the opinionated side than what I usually write, but I will strive to keep my more subjective thoughts out of the conversation.(No Promises) I have deep respect for Senator John McCain, based both on his service in the armed forces and his record of maintaining respectful relationships with members of the opposite party during his tenure in the Senate. I respect his refusal to accept earmarked funding for pet projects in Arizona, and commend his efforts toward campaign reform.

With that said, his speech during the Republican National Convention did nothing but confirm that he is not the candidate I will be voting for this November. I am a believer in constant innovation and evolution in government, and I am simply not convinced that McCain is in touch with the needs of the American public. I base this belief on the Republican Candidate’s attention to his war stories over the purported “straight talk about policy” that the republican party is known for. I found it a bit hypocritical that McCain’s primary critique of Obama has been a lack of details on his policy plans for Presidency, yet when given a national stage, he refrained from spelling out the details of his own policy. I understand that much of what goes into a nomination speech is rallying the party with emotionality, but that has never been John McCain’s style, and frankly that is what I always liked best about him.

To be fair, Obama has done his fair share of pointing out the ineffectiveness of the republican platform and vaguely discussing his own policy. (For the record, you can find out a lot about both candidate’s policy plans by logging onto their campaign websites, and I highly encourage you to do so and gather information yourself) What I would like to see is a frank conversation between the candidates about what solutions will work for America’s most pressing problems, and what solutions will not. Both candidates have hinted that there is a tendency in both parties to overlook their own weaknesses, and I would like to see this explored more as a dialogue between the candidates.

What McCain failed to do on Thursday night was address the American people about issues that are close to their heart. I have no doubt that he has ideas about what needs to be done in this country, but he failed to communicate that when given what may be his best opportunity to. For left leaning independents, Thursday might have been McCain’s best opportunity to reach out and connect, and he failed to do that.

I do not wish to McCain bash, because I do believe he is qualified for the administrative duties of the presidency. I am leaning towards Obama primarily because I agree with the policies he has supported moreso than I do with McCain. Unlike others, I do not think the country will fall apart if one candidate is elected and the other is not. The choice is not purely dichotomous. However, I am not the kind of person McCain needed to reach Thursday night. He needed to reach those who are not straight ticket republican or democratic voters, and I simply do not think he was successful in that venture.

What do you guys think? To the independents, I ask whether or not McCain’s speech sold you on him. To the right, I ask if you are enthusiastic about your candidate. And to the left, I ask that you kindly steer away from inflammatory, exaggerated rhetoric and explore why people might be excited about McCain.

Philip Gibson

Columnist

philagan@gmail.com

With the school year just beginning, many college students are using credit cards and setting up their own bank accounts for the first time. ING Direct USA, the nation’s largest direct bank, asked its summer interns what they wished their parents had told them as they headed off to college.

Here’s their advice:

START SAVING NOW. Small, day-to-day expenses can really add up. A daily trip to Starbucks for a $3.00 latte totals nearly $1,100 over a year. Trimming down on needless costs frees up lots of money. Socking it all away in a high-interest savings account allows you to save for something more useful than an overpriced coffee.

MAINTAIN A BUDGET. College is costly. You have to buy books, clothes, supplies. Create a budget for each semester so you can prepare for future expenses. This will save you the headache of figuring how much money you need for everything, and leave you with extra spending money.

USE A CREDIT CARD ONLY WHEN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. Just because a credit line is available, that doesn’t mean you need to max it out. It can take many years and thousands of dollars to pay off credit-card debt. Spend only the money you have budgeted and use a credit card in emergency situations only.

BUY YOUR TEXTBOOKS from discount Web sites. Textbooks can be very expensive, especially if you buy them from your campus bookstore. Consider purchasing your books from discount Web sites such as Amazon.com or Half.com. It saves you the hassle of waiting in line for books on the first day of class, and saves you a lot of money.

SPLIT YOUR BILLS with your roommates if you live in an apartment. Make a financial plan you can all agree on to pay your bills every month. Split the bills equally among all of you. This way you’re all paying an equal amount, and the plan will keep everyone on a schedule.

IF YOU LIVE OFF CAMPUS, don’t eat out all the time. Buy enough groceries for a week or two so you can make lunch and dinner on your own. It can be a fun way to save money, and you can always split the grocery costs with your roommates.

IF YOU HAVE A JOB at school, take money out of each paycheck and put it in a savings account. You won’t be tempted to spend all of your money, and you will always have some extra spending money for fun or when you really need it.

MAKE SURE you can access your bank account at school. If you can’t, open an account at a local bank or online. At a local bank, you can easily cash and deposit checks and might be able to avoid ATM fees. Similarly, many online banks offer free ATM access at thousands of locations through ATM networks. And online banks generally offer some of the highest interest rates available.

KEEP TRACK OF YOUR MONEY. Keep a log of deposits and purchases, especially from checks and debit cards. Even though your bank may track this electronically, it’s good practice for you to personally manage your funds. Plus, transactions might not go through as soon as you make them. Having a hard copy is always a good idea.

Jim Kelly is chief operating officer of ING Direct.

Over the last few years, Birmingham radio stations have been switching dials and/or changing formats. I can remember when The X was on the radio. It changed dials a few times over the years, then finally left the airwaves for good about a year ago. It was replaced by sports talk radio. Now, another radio station has appeared on Birmingham airwaves, and I love the sounds of it. I just hope Birmingham listeners and the radio station owner will give it a chance.

The main reason why I listened to The X was because I discovered a show that aired on the station called Reg’s Coffee House. The X was considered a rock station and Reg’s show was called “the softer side of the X.”  The music played on this show was considered alternative rock, but it was more than this. It was just a DJ (Scott Register a.ka. Reg) who loved music and played artist that he enjoyed, some vets of the music industry, some newcomers. What I like about Reg’s show was that it was music that I didn’t really hear on any other station in Birmingham. He was playing music by artist like John Mayer, Maroon 5, Amy Winhouse, and Augustana  months and often years before the pop/”mainstream” radio stations in Birmingham even gave them a chance. When The X left the air, so did Reg’s show, at least for a while. He still had his website, where he introduced his listeners to talented artist and music he thought they would enjoy. I was glad when Reg found another radio station, 94.5. This station had a similar format for years, yet in August of this year, the format changed and sports talk radio took it’s place. I believe it was the same broadcast that took over The X. Anyway, it is only because I am such a dedicated fan of Reg’s Coffee House that I even knew about this new station,100.5 Live. Reg announced, on his website that he had found another home, after having to leave  94.5. He informed his loyal listeners to listen to him on a Friday, and he would do his show and announce the format of the new radio station he was now on at 10:05 a.m. that day.

Reg called the new format “modern music.” Honestly, I don’t quite know what that means, but I really have been enjoying the music this radio station has been playing. Reg was the perfect person to announce the format, because the kind of music this station plays is a perfect fit for Reg’s Coffee House. The music played is an infusion of veteran musicians, and newcomers, older music and new music. You can hear artist like Bruce Springstein and Colby Calais played on the same station. I guess that this kind of music would still be considered alternative rock, but I wouldn’t be so quick to categories it, or let this categorization deter you from giving this station a listen. Now Birmingham listeners have the opportunity to hear artist that other radio stations aren’t playing, or music that other radio stations may not play. It’s nice to know that the kind of music played on my favorite radio show, will no longer be relegated to one day a week, for 4hours, on a Sunday.

Don’t get me wrong, I love music and I enjoy listening to all kinds of music, but 100.5 is unlike any radio station in Birmingham. After changing the dial to the numerous radio stations that seem only to cater to the popular, familiar artist, it’s nice to have a station that takes a chance on new artist. I’m glad that more listeners will have the opportunity to discover the music of artist like Ray LaMontagne and Matthew Perryman Jones. The kind of music played on 100.5 might even sound familiar to some listeners. Like some of the artists on Reg’s Coffee House, some of these artist’s music have been heard on television shows like “Grey’s Anatomy. They may also be heard on commercials. Even if you don’t think you would like this new radio station, give it a try, break the monotony of all the other radio stations in Birmingham and give this station and/or shows like “Reg’s Coffee House” the chance they deserve.Birmingham needs a radio station like this, and I’m personally glad it’s here. Now let’s hope it will stay for more than a minute.

Denise Honeycutt

Columnist

honey_deni@hotmail.com