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Welcome to the new millenium, the millenium that will see an end to Communism once and for all, and the rise of democracy in despotic and monarchical states around the world. In our Seminar on Globalization here at school we have spent a good deal of time talking about democracy in the new millenium. How will it grow, and what is needed to make it thrive?

One of the conclusions that we came up with is that a democracy can only survive if its people have an active tradition of democracy. It's an interesting catch-22. A despotic ruler can not be replaced by a democracy because there is no democracy? Well, not quite. As Americans, we have formed the oldest and strongest democracy in existance today, but we started as a colony of a tyrannical king.

Our tradition started because the first settlers who came to this land were individualists who wanted to live a life free from the oppression of the thoughts of others. To be sure many had their own reasons including wealth and power, but the fact is, the desire for religious freedom and the wealth of open land allowed everyone the ability to live their lives in a way that pleased only them.

So the question remains, how do the seeds of democracy form in the peoples of the oppressed world? As was the case in India, it may seem that it spontaneously errupts, but with severe oppression the hearts of man can turn towards the ideals of freedom and individual rights as they can also turn towards anarchy and the continued oppression of revolutionary armies as in Cuba and Pakistan.

But unlike 1776, fledgling democracies in the new millenium will have the support of democratized nations who represent the greatest wealth the world has ever known. Aide from countries who, through their own ambitions, are desirous of the spread of the ideals of democracy and capitalism around the world.

It's interesting that some of these democratized nations, only 75 years ago, were home to some of the most oppressive, totalitarian regimes in the world. Hitler, Mussolini, and Franco all ruled during the first half of the 20th century, but now their countries are among the world's most successful and stable democracies (however, I suppose that's open to opinion)

I think Spain is an interesting example. Near the end of General Franco's life, judging he was unable to rule, the fascist dictator ceded his power to his protege, Juan Carlos. Personally groomed by Franco to be his fascist successor and rightful heir to the throne of Spain's old monarchy, Carlos surprised Franco's allies by ending the oppresive reign his mentor had started some 45 years earlier and instituting sweeping democratic reforms.

The Spainish people were ready for change after Franco and Carlos might have been deposed if his changes had not taken place, but even if that were true, still in control of the Army, Juan Carlos oversees the elections and change in power of both the ruling Prime Minister and the National Assembly. As a result, for 30 years Spain has a growing parlimentary democracy and economy and a king who is largely no longer calling the shots.

Monarchical oversight of this form is rare and a dangerous game to be sure, but it shows that even under oppression it is possible for a leader to arise who will oversee the transition of governments. While there is much work still to be done in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, the strength of the democratic world will only serve to bolster democratic efforts everywhere

Some say that America will not survive another 4 years of the Bush White House, but that's nonsense. Democracy is bigger than any one man, and will surely live to see another day no matter who takes the reigns of the country in 2005. We do in fact live in a very exciting time that, God willing, will see an era of global peace and properity the world has never known and the broad proliferation of human rights and individual freedoms.

I just saw The Girl Next Door. You know, it's funny, cause that movie is kinda what I was talking about before. Serious boy meets not-so-serious girl. Girl helps boy live a little. Boy and girl fall in love.

"Moral fiber is finding someone that is important enough that you make her the center of your universe and are willing to do anything for her."

What does she look like, and will I know her when I see her?

I came across this link, and thought it was important enough to post. Visit Ghost Town to get a today's look at the destruction that occurred during the 1970's Chernobyl incident.

What kind of girlfriend should I be looking for?

On the one hand, there's the artsy girl of my dreams. This is the girl who wears the thick rimmed black glasses, fun clothes, and talks about how colors make her feel good. She's my right brained Venus who keeps me funny, finds joy in the simple things, and stimulates my creativity.

Then on the other hand, there's my geeky goddess. She's the girl who thinks just as highly of my book collection as I do, who likes to read wierd books on politics or 19th century English literature, and talks about esoteric paradigms with a twinkle in her eye. She my left brained Athena who can call me when I'm bluffing, curls up with me on the couch late at night, and doesn't mind hanging out with my friends when we're fragging.

I think the most important thing is that whatever girl I end up with, she's got to be very feminine. I've always liked a girl who's got a little romance, is empathetic, and isn't afraid of her body. She's also got to be fun, have confidence, and a brain of her own—I hate being bored ;)

The greatest thing would be if I could mash my right-brained girl and my left-brained girl up into one awesome lady—or maybe that'd be too perfect. Either way, I've always really loved people who were passionate about art, and creative things in general, because that's something I really like about myself and I think is in the most danger from my business-minded personality. But then there's the other part of me that likes a good mental challenge, and I know women do that anyways, but a good solid 2-way intellectual debate is something I yearn for pretty much on a daily basis.

It's a tough thing to know, you know? And I know there's always going to be a trade off. I mean sure, some people say you shouldn't worry about it and just let it happen, but you know, it's been on my mind recently, so I'm throwing it out there for all my dear readers to think about. Hey, if you've got any suggestions about what I need or think you're up to the job, let me know.

One of the reason's I absolutely fell in love with RIT is that the professors teaching me are not pure academics, but have only been teaching for the last 5 years or so, and really have spent the last 20-30 years working in the real world. It's nice to be taught by people who have obviously been around the block a few times.

I had to go to a lecture last night (which made me miss the Apprentice!!!!! -- you're fired!) as part of my senior seminar class covering topics on Globalization and Human Rights. The lecture was entitled, "Globalization: A Soft Drink Perspective". And to be frank, you'd think these guys had freaking found El Dorado, the lost Incan city of gold, the way they were talking.

The whole exercise discussed how Coca-Cola is used as a symbol of American cultural and economic colonialism, and has in many countries been tightly integrated into their folk culture — "Please see exhibit A of Native Papua New Guinean eating rice out of a Coke can, replacing traditional bamboo."

Well bloody brilliant. Seriously, if you're reading this, raise your hands if you haven't heard this argument before — and hold them there so I can come around and do a study about it – then present it as a 20-page paper to a bunch of out-of-touch pure-academics who are seemingly incapable of seeing the world around them.

I appreciate that part of why we go to University is to get an education from people who have spent their lives thinking about stuff that no one could afford to think about in the market, but what I absolutely hate and don't have any time for is a bunch of people who think they're brilliant for spinning their wheels over a bunch of old news.

News flash folks: Globalization is causing westernization of non-western cultures because advertisers in an ever expanding potential market sell their products based on their affluent western ideals and people see it, and they like it, so they buy it. Flashy advertising, sexy clothing, and all that bologna sells. But there's nothing you can do about it, because the reason it's happening is because ultimately people want it to happen.

No one's forcing Coke or McBurgers down anyone's throats, nor are they forcing them to drive Mercedes in Arabia, or buy Western branded clothing in China. People want not to be like American's I don't think, but to be a part of the affluent consumer market that they see Europeans and Americans enjoying, and while their local cultures will suffer just as our agrarian culture did a hundred+ years ago, their ideals won't disappear because they are apart of every culture on Earth. (Don't believe me? Tell the French they have no ideals or are just American play things. After they drown you with wine and fondue you can tell me I'm wrong.)

The point I think these would-be pundits fail to take into account is that these "victimized" cultures will be disconnecting from their local traditional ways but soon plugging in to a more robust global culture that is ultimately a richer (spiritually not just economically) place. Yes, traditional weaving practices may be disappearing from many rural peoples but some years down the road they'll be able to communicate on the Internet to share their perspectives and ideals with the all the rest of us around the world.

And you know what? We should welcome any new euros, yuans, and rupees, we can get because its going to raise the bar for all of us. More people buying causes more people making which causes higher percentages of working people, which will stimulate local labor rights activists, and ultimately a better way of life for everyone. This is the cycle of industrial change, just as we saw in western countries in the 1800's, but we didn't turn out so bad did we?

Yesterday, I was having a total crap day. I was just in a lousy mood. You know, it wasn't anything big that triggers it, but in just an instant you're just really grumpy. Days like that suck, cause I absolutely hate being grumpy.

So I'm going through the day all grumpy and then just like that I'm in a giddy mood all! So strange, usually I'm pretty balanced, pretty much the same, but yesterday it was a regular rollercoaster of fun. Point being, emotions are funny sometimes.

I was in class today, and we were going around the room introducing ourselves. We had to give our names, year, major, hometown and what our plan's are when we graduate. Everyone pretty much gave the usual vanilla speech; "Smith, 4th year, [major...], [hometown...], find a job somewhere." But then the professor got to the kid a couple chairs down from me.

"My name is [name...], I'm 4th year IT. I'm from Roanoke, Virginia. I don't know exactly what I'm going to do after graduation. All I know is that I'm going to do whatever it takes to move over to Japan. Maybe I'll teach English, or do something related to my major, but that's where I want to be."

The class was interested. Of course we were! This kid has the guts to live out his dream, and take a huge risk. How many can say that of themselves? I asked him, "How well do you know Japanese?" He replied, "Only well enough to feed myself. That's why I want to go."

People like that impress me.

Don't miss a new feature on the site. Check out My Bookself!

I wanna know what's going on with the air out here? First, in the last two months I've read 5 books, on top of work and school, and now I buy a suit!? Yes, a suit!? No, TWO suits!! They're putting something in the water out here, I'm telling ya.

I used to swear I'd never own a suit. The only problem with that is how good I look in them. They're like sirens, and I hate them for it. I just don't like what it represents - old school, hierachical, blah blah blah. Nothing I want to stand for, but did I mention how good I look in them? Just wait till I shave and cut my hair so I stop looking like a damn hippy. That day's coming, I know it is. Sad, strange world we live in.

It's a beautiful morning here in Rochester. The sun's shining, and I've got some James Taylor playing. Other than the fact that I'm dressed at 8am, it's good to be alive.

In a few minutes I'm heading over to Mike's (old) apartment to help him move to Boston. It's always a bit sad when friends move away, but fortunately this is a bit different, since we'll be seeing much of each other over the next 9 months till Steve and I move out there to join him.

Despite that, however, I'm envious of my good friend, who will, in a couple weeks time, be starting his new adult life, the very thing I've been waiting and dreaming of for years. I guess college is all well and good, but jeepers.... I just want to graduate :(

Anyway, Good luck, Michael & Kristen. Have a good move, and a great vacation!