Snuggies!

With America being in a what people might call a recession there has been big news about how the Super Bowl has not sold all of it's commercial spots, and how the pre-game and post game parties are not going to be extravagantly over done. It seems that everyone is trying to be a smart consumer and focus on the necessities, but for your last ridiculous purchase you need to buy a snuggie, right?

Snuggies are like over sized blankets with sleeves and they are made of fleece. According to USA Today there have been 4 million snuggies sold to date. Many of you have probably seen their over the top television ads of people petting their snuggies like it is the best thing on earth. Well I'm not buying it, even if it is the best thing on the market since the pet rock. If people get cold sitting at their house or going to an outdoor event why not put on a sweatshirt or coat? Why not sit at home with a blanket wrapped around you? Is it that innovative to have a blanket that contains sleeves?



I am embarrassed that I am giving them free advertising right now because it is so ridiculous. I recommend that if people want to save money during these hard times they should not buy a snuggie and kick it old school with long sleeves and a blanket. As Peter Griffin would say, "That really grinds my gears!"

My King

I came across this video a long time ago and thought it related to what we discussed in class. It uses the southern pastor rhetoric that we talked about and read in "My Country 'Tis of Thee..." by Ronald G. Callvert.

Africa Editorial

Why is there a lack of media coverage in Africa? Are there not enough deaths there and not enough people being driven from their homes?

It is saddening to read the little news that comes out of Africa and even more devastating to see pictures of the suffering people. From 1990 to 2007 Africa has accounted for 88 percent of conflict death tolls in the world. The reason for this is greed. Africa’s natural resources such as diamonds and offshore oil are being fought over on a daily basis. This is clearly evident in the country of Angola. Angola has suffered over 500,000 deaths and has accumulated an estimated 3 million refugees since 1989. These numbers are all a result of greed. Several rebel groups in Angola fight over these resources, because they are being rewarded by foreign governments or multinational companies.

The diamonds that are smuggled out of the western part of Africa are called “conflict diamonds.” Conflict diamonds are illegally traded to fund warlords in Africa with supplies. The United Nations (UN) defines conflict diamonds as "...diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the Security Council." The only way you can tell if a diamond comes from a conflict zone is by documentation. So when you go and buy jewelry for your sweet heart this Valentine’s Day make sure you ask for a non-conflict diamond. Today, more than 99 percent of diamonds are conflict free, but there is still much suffering in Africa and the sale of one-conflict diamond fuels the war.

Governments and traders need to take action. They should demand for peace and provide aid to these suffering countries. Traders such as diamond companies and arms manufacturers need to quit supplying these rebel warlords with supplies that fund the war. Together these groups need to demand that the U.N. sanctions be followed. Once the funding for these wars have ceased and a stable government is put into place it gives these countries an opportunity to boost their economy with the riches of their diamond resources. Now the question is will this peace happen sooner or later?

Many in Africa feel that the newly elected Barack Obama will provide much more aid due to his African decent. Under the George W. Bush administration Africa was brought to the front and was given more money than any other presidential administration. While Obama has problems to deal with in his own country, it is hard to see immediate changes will be made. Hopefully, his policies will provide more support than Bush’s policies, and bring about more change in Africa.

We can only do our part here at home by making it an important issue and staying informed. The only direct help we can provide Africa, besides volunteering overseas, is by purchasing diamonds from conflict free zones. So be aware of your purchases and we can do our part to help those who are suffering.

Lagging Lopers

Every year I look forward to a new season of Loper basketball, but every year I see brand new faces on the roster. Every year UNK gets great athletes and then watches them transfer to other schools.

Does anyone remember the glory days of Loper basketball? I am talking about the 2003 season when we made it to the Elite Eight Tournament and had great athletes like Brian Dunagan, Chad Sheffield, Nick Svehla and Nick Branting. One of the keys to their success was that they were on the team for four years.

Now we watch great athletes join the team for one year and leave the next. Last year UNK lost Garret Lever, the RMAC Defensive Player of the year, and Jeff Martin who was one of the team’s best three point shooters. Just last night I witnessed Cole Salomon tear it up in the Husker game. Granted, he is one of their bench players, but still we have missed out on some great basketball talent. Even the Loper’s loss to Colorado Christian was a direct result of a former Loper, Jordan Long, going off for 24 points.

It shocks me that nobody makes a big deal about these players leaving. I think we should investigate this issue more as fans of the Loper Basketball Team. Is it our school, our coaches, or maybe these new players cannot appreciate this wonderful Nebraska weather?

Right now the Lopers are on a five game losing streak and there seems to no sign of improvement. I am not blaming the players for there lack of effort. I have been to most of the home games this season and they look like they are playing hard, but there are two factors that are against them. The ball just doesn’t seem to be bouncing their way and they have a lack of experience. All we can do, as fans, is go out and support our team no matter how bad things get. Maybe if we cheer loud enough we can convince this group of new players to stay.

Job Cuts

I was shocked to see that over 11,000 jobs were cut today across America. That is an unbelievable number and brings me to worry about those people who are unemployed. I cannot image what it would feel like to come home knowing that you have no source of income. How scary is it for parents to come home and wonder where there next paycheck is gonna come from? I am reminded of a movie called "Cinderella Man," this movie is set in during the great depression and is about a boxer who just cannot roll with the punches anymore. He has no job and must find any work that he can to support his family. Then he gets a second chance as a fighter and explodes to the top.





This to me is very inspirational to see someone so far down on their luck and then see them rise to the top. Now, I know this cannot happen for everyone, but from looking back on history you have to believe that times will get better or you can look at it from the perspective that things could always be worse.

I am getting married in 7 months, and along with that I am graduating from college (hopefully). It worries me to know that I am going to move to a place that I do not know very well and try to get a job in these times where it seems very hard to do, but my worry is overshadowed by my excitement for spending the rest of my life with the woman I love. That in itself gives me strength. So for all the people that lost their jobs: "I pray that you get through it, but know that things could always be worse. Be happy for the good in your lives."

Obama and Africa

First of all I have to say that I did not know that the Bush administration put forth so much money towards African relief. It is still a shame that the press did not really cover much of that. That is one thing that George W. Bush did better than any other president, provide a lot of aid to Africa.

So now that Bush is gone what help will Africa receive from Barack Obama and his administration? Well from the sound of this article it seems that the people of Africa are very excited about what Obama will do for their country. Much of the excitement is due to the fact that Obama is an African-American and his father is a native of Kenya. Many believe that Obama will not forget his roots and provide just as much if not more aid then Bush did.

It is rumored that when Obama gets around to helping Africa, he is going to focus on their agriculture and supply money to farmers to help modernize farming their. In turn it should help the hunger problems that face Africa as well.

People in Africa have a new sense of hope since Obama has became president. Let's just hope that he can come through for them like they think he can.

Before Obama can truly help other countries he has to help fix the economic state that our nation is in right now, but I hope that there will be more aid given to Africa in there time of need.

Conflict in Africa

For those of you who have not seen the movie "Blood Diamond," I highly recommend it. It shines a light on some of the conflict that is going on in Africa today. The movie describes the instability in Africa and the illegal smuggling of diamonds. According to the movie many children, mostly young boys, are forced to kill others to help fight a war that they do not even understand.

Along with the movie I also came across this article about how the issues in Africa are being overlooked by the wars in the Middle East. There is much more devastation in Africa then there has been in Iraq or Israel. Africa had 88% of the conflict death toll from 1990 to 2007. That is an astonishing number. There are over 9 million refugees in Africa.

How does a travesty such as this not get a sufficient amount of media attention every day. I know most of the United States population is interested in the war in Iraq and in Afghanistan, but the situation in Africa should matter to all humanity. I think it is interesting that we are the forerunners of freedom, but have no real presence in Africa to help the people in need.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The article “Struggle for MLK's dream isn't over” by Alvin F. Poussaint, MD, speaks truth about our society and how far we have come, but it also shows how far we must go to achieve Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream.

The election of Barack Obama is a huge achievement for the African-American community and also for the American people. It shows that walls are being broken and people are seeing each other as human beings. Obama’s election is a phenomenal step, but like the article says, “there’s more work to be done.” Not only is there work to be done in the African-American community, but also the Hispanic, Arab, and Asian communities. All minorities are fighting for a voice in this country and there are still pockets in this nation where racism is very real.

I believe Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream encompasses all races and their right for equality among humanity. So while we celebrate this historic inauguration, remember that others in our nation still suffer and Barack Obama cannot fix all of our nations problems. No man or woman can. The problem and the solution lie with every American citizen. I am reminded of John F. Kennedy’s quote, “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.”

Hello World

This is my first blog and my first blog post. "Hello World"