Welcome to The Opinions, my own personal area where I can get some ideas out into the open. I've never had a blog of any type before. Lately, I've been wanting to set something, though, just to put a pressure release on my brain, which feels a little full lately. Regardless of whether I have any readers or not, I feel the need to get some stuff out on paper (metaphorically speaking, of course!)
Anyways, about myself. My name is Justin DaMetz. I am 20 year old (soon to be 21!) student at Oklahoma City University. I just moved here June 1 from a small town near Wichita, KS, where I attended Butler Community College for two years. I have a wonderful girlfriend named Katie who I have been dating for a little over a year; she will be moving down here to the City in August to attend OU. I run cross country and track here at OCU, and I did the same at BCC. I am a political science major, looking to get into law school in two years. Politics are my big interest, and I look forward to going into the government after graduation, hopefully as an elected official. I also enjoy many sports, with the Texas Longhorns being my favorite team of any type. I also follow the Green Bay Packers and Oklahoma City Thunder closely, and enjoy NASCAR. My favorite pastime by far is reading; I am currently reading three books: Persian Fire by Tom Holland, Einstein by Walter Issacson, and The Iliad by Homer. I'm also reading Plato's Republic for the philosophy course I'm taking. I don't watch a lot of TV, but it is always on here at my apartment, usually tuned to MSNBC. I try to watch Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow nightly, if I'm not working. I really like music; my favorite bands are Coldplay, the Beatles, U2, Kings of Leon, and tons of other stuff (current IPod count: 3975 songs and counting!) I will probably comment often on what music I'm currently listening to (today: Off The Wall by Michael Jackson) and if I start new books.
As far as my politics, I tend to lean pretty far left, though being from Kansas has instilled some conservative beliefs in me. I am a registered Democrat, and a huge supporter of President Obama. However, this doesn't stop me criticizing both him and the Democrats if need be (and I have some big bones to pick with them at the moment!) I have recently taken to classifying myself as a Social Democrat, which I think best represents my beliefs. Socialist International, the body that represents most Social Democrat parties around the globe, classifies the three main tenants of Social Democracy as follows:
It affirms the following principles: first, freedom—not only individual liberties, but also freedom from discrimination and freedom from dependence on either the owners of the means of production or the holders of abusive political power; second, equality and social justice—not only before the law but also economic and socio-cultural equality as well, and equal opportunities for all including those with physical, mental, or social disabilities; and, third, solidarity—unity and a sense of compassion for the victims of injustice and inequality.
This pretty well sums up what I believe! You will get a better idea where I stand on most issues if you comtinue to read my future posts.
Ok well I have rambled long enough that if you are still reading this, you deserve a Starbucks drink, complements of your wallet! I'll be back either tonight or tomorrow afternoon with my first "regular" blog. Until then, good times!
P.S. Comment, Comment, Comment!! I want your feedback! Let me know what you think, whether you agree or disagree with anything I say, or if you think I should just shut up. Your opinion is just as important as mine, and I love hearing what other people have to say, whether I agree or not!
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I'm not really a political guy. But, I'll watch your blog. I could possibly learn something from it. From what I've read, I would have to say I follow along the lines of Social Democrat as well.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to get into politics. More or less to understand what they are talking about on television and be more involved with the whole aspect of it. Not to run for anything, just so I can keep up when I watch the news and allow myself to be able to express myself without looking dumb, and know what I am talking about.
This is probably going to be interesting. :)
First of all, Justin I hope all is going well. As for your blog, I agree with pretty much everything you stand for when it comes to politics. It has been my hope growing up that Americans would stand with conviction for 'unity and a sense of compassion for the victims of injustice and inequality.' I myself identify as an openly gay man and in this country it is obvious that people of 'my kind' are second class citizens.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to speaking about politics, i prefer to keep my comments to myself. Not to say that i would shy away from a political rally if it inspired me. I just normally dislike to engage myself in political conversations for they tend to exhaust me. I do however find the topic of politics interesting...in doses. I'm interested in hearing what you have to blog about in the future. But as for now, I again wish you well. Oh yeah, and tell your girlfriend hi for me ;)
Hey Justin!! Cousin ol' pal!
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be interesting. I too believe in freedom and liberty. I also hate abusive government power. I believe in equality and social justice. But it is strange how I disagree 100% with everything you have mentioned so far. Question: Where is my liberty and freedom to take care of the needs of my family FIRST. I believe I can spend MY money better than Obama or any government ever could. I work every hard to provide healthcare for my wife and soon to arrive baby. And I gladly bare that responsibilty. Tell me why it is also my responsibility to help provide it to "you" as well...or all those who won't provide it for themselves. Maybe it's just me, but why not give incentives to doctors who work probono hours to help cut cost, instead of FORCING them to accept a "public option"? Where is the doctors liberty and freedom? Give them a choice. Choose more money or more free time. Seeing how it is them who is charging too much. Then, YOU also still have a choice of which doctor you want to go too...greedy doc A or probono-good sumaratin doc B. But you choose the intrusive option (lets take money from everyone who works and give it to those who don't!) I thought you said you were against "abusive government power." Sounds alittle contridictory to me...
Jordan