SUMMER EVENTS IN A TOWN ON LONG ISLAND

WHAT ARE YOU DOING DURING THE SUMMER?


Great Neck Concert night...listen to the salsa sound and dance to its beat! Also find out how some couples keep their romance






Great Neck Plaza Promenade on June 25, 2009. See how this town in Long Island kicks off the start of summer- with a festive event filled with food, music, shopping and more!

Is Obama reacting well to the protest in Iran?

Do you think Obama is reacting well to the protest in Iran?


a) Yes
b) No
c) So So
d) None of the above


I’m leaning towards a.) and c.)


A.) Yes

Obama raised his voice for Iran and he declared for the Iranian government to, "stop all violent and unjust actions against its own people" and "to understand that the world is watching."

Critics say Obama is just giving moral support and not enough political support. To his defense, I think Obama’s being very cautious and smart on what he should do to help Iranians. If the U.S. were to take more of a drastic action, it would cause more tension- not just the economic tie between Iran and US, but the economic ties around the world. Iran and the US have a 64 million dollar trade relationship, and things exported from Iran has to be sanctioned.

Obama also has to be cautious in his words to the Iranian government because if the US is too forceful, the Iranian government would concoct a story saying that it was the US that instigated the protest in Tehran. The government would then criticize the protesters for following Western culture. ( CNN had a debate on the protest in Tehran, and one contributor brought this issue to the table which I thought was fairly interesting.)



C.) So So

As much as I support Obama’s actions thus far, I also think we can do so much more. I believe in freedom, and I stand by anyone who would fight for their beliefs.

I’m so proud of Iranians for their stance against the rigid government and for their solidarity- in uniting as one nation.

People are coming forward and are no longer silenced. With these massive numbers on the streets, fear is no longer instilled in the civilians. They’ve become a part of a bigger movement; all around the world, we sure are watching and listening.

Iran's Election or Selection?

There is outrage across the world about Iran’s election. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad allegedly won 60% of Iran’s votes, but his alleged win has the whole world in disbelief and anger. Iranians want a recount. It is reported that 40 million people voted in Iran’s election (My Persian friend who currently resides in the U.S. even voted at a New York mosque.) ; and ballots were hand counted. So it is no surprise that there was much controversy and suspicion as a winner was declared in a matter of two hours.

Vice President, Joe Biden is doubtful about Adhmadinejad’s win, but he said that he would withhold comment until there was more information about the election being “ rigged”. He tells NBC’s Meet The Press, "There's an awful lot of question about how this election was run. I mean, we're just waiting to see."

Mousavi, Admadinejad’s opponent, said he was robbed of the vote and demands a recount. As protesters and Tehran University students merged the streets of Tehran, blood and gun shots resulted.

There has not been a demonstration like this in Iran since the Iranian Revolution in 1979.

GM's bailout? Who wants a new car?

GM thinks that their bankruptcy will make them more powerful and stronger, but is the Obama administration going to bail them out? GM thinks so.

House Minority leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) said ,“Every time the president makes a so-called tough decision, it’s the American middle class that gets hit the hardest.”

People have said that the Obama administration has done too much recently- from passing the stimulus plan to taking on health care, education, and the environment. Recently the administration bailed out AIG, which ultimately backfired on the tax payer. AIG’s top executives ran away with the bailout money and quit the firm. Could GM be following in AIG’s footsteps?

Unionizing America

What does it mean to be an America? Maybe money has something to do with the definition of “ American”, but I’ve always thought that America was about a meritocracy. To unionize America would contradict America’s beliefs. A meritocracy gives you the opportunity to establish yourself as a person, a group, a company. Your hard work and ethics ultimately give you your character and essentially what it means to be human.

If we all had a bail out for every obstacle that comes into our life, would we grow as people?


My friend once said that it’s not money that we are chasing after. ( Wait a minute, it’s not? I think all of my friends in their 20’s and maybe some in their 30’s have been living on clouds- we’ve all been duped.) She says that really it’s about the blue ribbon, and feeling that we’ve made it- working our way up to our own success. That’s the true feeling of self-establishment and to be an American.


All I know is that if GM gets a bailout, then I deserve a free new car.

REINCARNATION

Life is short. When it’s over, what happens? Buddhists and Hindus believe that one’s soul lives on through reincarnation- where one is reborn again in another body. ABC News reported that Buddhists and Hindus are no longer the only people who believe in reincarnation; today one out of four Christians and Jews say they believe in rebirth.


Science and Reincarnation:



The Dalai Lama once said; "If science can disprove reincarnation, Tibetan Buddhism would abandon reincarnation... but it's going to be mighty hard to disprove reincarnation."

One of Buddhism’s central belief is Karma- you get what you deserve- which in essence is scientific-cause and effect. I think of Buddhism to be very scientific like, and so could I compare the theory of reincarnation to Science?




Well, Einstein said that “ Energy cannot be created or destroyed and for every action there is an equal or opposite reaction.” If our souls are energy, then according to this law, we can never be destroyed. The law of Conservation of Energy believes that energy can only change form. Meaning in reincarnation talk, our souls can change into body forms.

I was telling my friend Cali about Physics and Reincarnation; and she thought that the theory of reincarnation and physics made sense. Then she gets really enthusiastic and tells me about the spoon in her hand. If it were melted, she said, it would still be the spoon…but in a different form. If it were frozen, or heated up- it would be different forms of the same spoon. ( You gotta love High School Physics.) Our energy- our souls will live on, in different types or forms. We’ll be different people or such- maybe grasp new different personalities, but we’d still carry on bits and pieces of the persons we are today to our next lives and so on.

Some of you are shaking your head, saying, “ Who is this girl, and what in the world, ( or perhaps) WHAT IN THE UNIVERSE IS SHE TALKING ABOUT?!?!” Well, the universe is funny, and life’s even crazier to imagine. The afterlife…must then be even crazier to imagine. We’ve been trained to think of one thing- life in this world ( meaning…making money and having fun) and we’re not too keen on spirituality really. (Maybe that’s what the Eastern world has beaten us on- spirituality, while the Western world conquers in technology and capitalism. ) So widen your perspectives and don’t be too provincial, go read up on reincarnation and maybe it’ll change your old way of thinking.


Here’s how I think of it: I’ve grown up believing in the idea of reincarnation my whole life. Spiritual by nature, my goal is not to try to find out the truth of my past lives but to live this present one in good faith and with good karma.


So the good news: I guess time isn’t so limited after all, our souls are immortal… believe it or not.

Overstaying one's welcome - John Yettaw and Aung San Su Kyi

The story may seem straight out of a story book, but Burma's humanitarian icon and pro-democracy activist, Aung San Su Kyi, who has been living under house arrest, has gone to trial because an American man swam to her house and hid inside her home. Su Kyi, 63 is trialed for the violation of her parole and faces 5 years in prison for letting the man stay in her house for two nights. John Yettaw, the man from Missouri, is claimed to have put on home made flippers and swam illegally to Su Kyi's home- it wasn't his first time swimming there either. Last year, Yettaw allegedly swam to Su Kyi's home; Yettaw is looking at 6 years behind prison in one of the most corrupted countries in the world. Su Kyi's stay in prison would be very detrimental for the nation - not only is her health shaky, but if she were to go to prison, she would miss the reelections in Burma.


Who is Aung San Su Kyi ?

Aung San Su Kyi's name is synonymous with the word: hero. She has been compared to other great leaders like Nelson Mandela and Gandhi. A proponent of peace and of civil disobedience, TIME magazine named Su Kyi as one of the most influential people in the world. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, and today she is the only Nobel Peace Prize recipient in the world to be living under arrest. Under the rule of the militaristic regime in Myanmar, Su Kyi has been under house arrest for 13 years. Su Kyi struggled with the Burmese military's dictatorial ways through peaceful protests and demonstrations. She is the leader of Burma’s National League of Democracy ( NLD) and in 1989, Su Kyi won the elections in Burma. Although she won by a landslide, about 80% of the votes, the government said Su Kyi was disqualified from running since she was under house arrest.


Su Kyi is also the daughter of Burma’s General Aung San who was assassinated in 1947. Her father, Aung San had gotten Burma out of British rule in the 40’s. Both Su Kyi and her father Aung San are revered by the people of Burma, even today.





Who is John Yettaw?

There isn't much that people know about this man, except for the fact that he is from a fairly middle class family in Missouri. Yettaw swam to Su Kyi’s home, and it’s been reported that she begged him to leave. Complaining of cramps and sickness, Su Kyi let him stay and gave him food for 2 nights.

Yettaw’s neighbors and family described him as a nice, easy going guy, but many of Su Kyi’s supporters are angry, saying that Yettaw has no idea how much trouble he caused. Yettaw was hoping to write a book on “ heroism” and faith; his wife says Yettaw suffers from Post- traumatic disorder.

Many believe that Aung San Su Kyi’s trial is meant to confine her longer- it is just what the military junta wanted. The general election is next year, and Su Kyi would be imprisoned, if her verdict is guilty- meaning she would be disqualified to run for elections.

My friend asked me what I thought of John Yettaw and if I were angry that he trespassed Su Kyi’s house. My answer is: I don’t think he’s too smart. He didn’t think of the repercussions that would follow- not only for him, but to Aung San Su Kyi and the people of Burma. Su Kyi is more than just an icon to the Burmese people- they believe she is the one that would lead them to freedom.

Economy Mess

We’ve heard it many times- we’re in a recession. We have to be thrifty, and we cannot afford to spend so much time spending! But is that the solution that will get us out of this crisis? In fact, many economists think otherwise- they say that we should be spending; it’s the way to get the economy thriving and working again.

EVERYONE IS FEELING THE PINCH:

Retail stores have not seen such a big loss since decades ago. Restaurants are also feeling the pinch of the recession- not only are there less restaurant goers now, but people are ordering less- customers do not indulge as much as they used to; for many appetizers have become their entrees.


ROBBERIES



There have been more robberies since the recession. Jobs are scarce, and people are finding it difficult to survive. My cousin went to California recently, and his father is house sitting while my cousin is away. Although robberies are terrible, gun sales have been at a record high. Home owners and business/store owners are purchasing guns to feel more secure and protected. Gun store owners were expecting a decline in sales since a Democrat was elected to Office. To their surprise, they have been making revenue more so than before.


EDUCATION

Students who have worked hard for 18 years are at a crossroad when it comes to their academic future. Many can’t afford to go to college. They now have to take a different route than what they had expected a few years ago. Are dreams and opportunities at stake?

Education is on the back burner, and it is something that should not be taken lightly. Schools are getting more off days and after school programs are being taken away because of school budgets.

Positive news:



I guess you can say that this recession can be taken as a learning experience. There is one positive aspect that comes out of this horrible recession that has left many homeless and others jobless; Americans are learning to be more conscious of their savings. Americans work hard, but they also party hard. We spend a lot on just about anything- from entertainment to fashion, and saving is something that we do not really consider.


Families are also spending more quality time and they’re cooking at home! People may be out of jobs, but many are finding more time to do the things that they’ve always wanted to do instead of following a rigid structure of their usual corporate business world. Although some have lost their gym membership, many more are exercising more than before- at their own pace- in the comfort of their home( according to a statistic done by Glamour magazine).


Although we hear horrible news time after time, there is always that hope that gets us through. Just remember, life goes on…