The Importance of Town Hall Meetings

           ASMSU's town hall type meetings was on the list of goals on the Fall Retreat.  With all of these prospective goals, ASMSU has winded down their agenda to three main areas -one of which is external edvocacy.  This is the main Goal of the Town Hall Meetings. 
          Students need to know that ASMSU is working for them.  Therefore, why not give students a more direct line of governance.  Rather than allowing students to come and interact throughout ASMSU meetings, ASMSU is bringing meetings to students.  Direct governance and involvement is a key element is regaining students' awareness and interest in the goings-on of ASMSU. 
          Hats off to both Student Assembly and Academic Assembly for partaking in this endeavor.  Town Hall Meetings in general are absolutely essential to the democratic experience, something which we, as Americans often take for granted.  Whether it be for a specific purpose , or just general interest, town hall meetings can be very effective.  That is the hope for MSU.  We, as Spartans, SHOULD care enough about issues that pertain to us, that affect us, and that influence us.  We should have enough interest in such issues that we would be prone to attending such Town Hall type meetings, as provided to us by ASMSU.

ASMSU's reconnection

              The Town Hall meetings bill that ASMSU has passed is a significant step in the right direction for ASMSU.  The group has faced controversy, often times from publications such as the State News, sometimes simply from word of mouth by students.  The group has definitely felt a disconnect within the last few years from the student body.  This sentiment is resounding within the organization, and their priorities have altered. 
            The group is now more focused on getting back to their roots -the students of MSU.  On top of the Agenda is repairing the bond that the organization feels splits them from the student body.  The list of  services that the group provides to student is growing with every session.  In the same manner, the town hall type meetings are designed to aid students and put students directly in touch with ASMSU.  I truly believe, and have seen with my own eyes, that the heart of ASMSU is strong.  The leadership, specifically this year's leadership, is carrying ASMSU to where it wants to go. 

Just Having Fun (Tailgate 2)

        The event was a sucess from the beginning.  For the past few years, the Jewish Student Union and the Arab Cultural Society have been trying to plan some joint events.  None were successful until this tailgate on Saturday.  This was the first time we had not only an event, but a social event.  This social aspect really allowed everybody to let loose, mingle, and just have fun.  This is extremely important, because it shows that aside from school, family, politics, religion, all of the concrete facets of life to which we belong, we are all just people who are naturally prone to social interaction.  We got to see our commonalities through hanging out, and it was an eye-opening experience.
        The event was hosted by the office of inclusion, which promotes unity of diverse fasets on campus.  Their aim is to create a four-year experience for every student at MSU that is ripe with opportunities to be exposed to as much diversity and cultural blending as possible.
        It was exactly this kind of blending that sparked interest among group members who attended the event Saturday.  As I said in a previous post, the tailgate didn't look much different from most tailgates that afternoon, though it did sound different with the middle eastern music playing in the background.  The event was catered by Woody's Oasis, so everyone had a good meal.  There were beverages of all sorts (and that's all I'm saying about this).  People talked about classes, girls/guys, the game, football in general, etc.  We were all one, and it was pretty nice. 
         I really hope that events like this will prompt other organizations to hold similar events in the future.  Things like this are something that the MSU community in general can really hold their heads upon and be proud of.  As stated in President Lou Anna K Simon's official statement on diversity, "A strong campus community is characterized by respect for, and civility toward, one another."  We as students, can make this campus stronger every day. 

Unity through "Spartanhood" (Tailgate 1)

          Tailgating has become such a commonplace activity on gameday Saturdays at MSU  that nobody thinks too much of them when they see a big white tent, trays of snack food, and green cold-weather gear.  However, if you were to walk by the corner of Red Cedar and Shaw, past the storied MSC smokestack, you would have seen a tailgate that was much more than a Saturday afternoon get-together. 
        This Saturday, MSU's Arab Cultural Society and the Jewish Student Union held a joint tailgate.  Typically, the peoples that these two groups represent, Jews and Arabs, are portrayed through the media as conflicting groups.  In the Middle East, specifically in Palestine, there has been no shortage of tension. 
          In the United States, the idea of the "meltingpot" is pretty well personified at universities.  For the most part, universities are teeming with diversity, and are home to people from all over the place.  The melting pot concept is no different at Michigan State.  I believe it speaks volumes that the student organizations representing both Jews and Arabs were able to work together and celebrate together through a recreational activity as simple as tailgating.  The event was a testimony towards peace and unity, as well as showing how strong the bond is among Spartans.  After all, no matter where we come from or what we believe in, we are all Spartans.  Go Green. 

Baby Wants Candy 2

         As most of the actors in Baby Wants Candy are not well known, famous actors, it is a way to begin an acting career.  There is a remarkable "Saturday Night Live" air to their performance, it is no surprise that SNL premier actors such as Rachel Dratch and Seth Meyer got their start in the group.  It requires true talent and composure to be able to not only perform on the spot, but to perform well. 
         Baby Wants Candy is centered outside of Chicago, which is a well known hub for up-and-coming actors.  The improv scene is extremely popular in Chicago as well, so it makes sense that groups like Baby Wants Candy do well there.  Chicago is even home to the Second City school for improvisation, the most highly esteemed improvisation training school in the Country.  Institutions like these provide great opportunities for aspiring actors, however the rate of extreme success is pretty low.  Individual actors typically come from acting troupes, such as Baby Wants Candy.  What they see as an opportunity to advance a career, the rest of us see as pure entertainment. 

Baby Wants Candy

           The University Activities Board did an unbelievable job in finding Baby Wants Candy.  Improvisation, to me, is probably the most difficult form of comedy.  At the same time, it is probably the most interesting to watch, because it is fascinating to see people having to develop a plotline out of nothing, and be funny on the spot.  The group has many actors, and they usually put a group of five or six together per show.  Although it's a difficult setting, it seems to work extremely well for them.  I am not the only one who thinks so.  The group is extremely highly touted by a long list of legitamite review sources, so much so that I am actually very surprised I've never heard of them before this.  Either way, I am thankful that I stumbled upon Baby Wants Candy; I am extremely lucky that I had a chance to see them, and I will definitely keep an eye out for any future performances. 

Monday Night Football 2

             What always make matchups intriguing are the stories behind the games.  This Monday Night Football matchup had no shortage of outside factors.  Injuries seem to be the demons that have haunted the Steelers this season.  Going into the game this was something that the Steelers hoped to avoid.  Unfortunately the injury bug struck again.  Specifically, three Steelers suffered concussions in the game.
            This year the biggest off-the-field story in the NFL seems to be the head to head collisions, and the extensive fines that have resulted.   The NFL is cracking down on these hits.  It has gotten to the point now that the NFL has issued a public “safe hit guide” to each NFL player.  James Harrison, Steeler linebacker, leads the league in this category with three hits that resulted in fines.  Harrison contemplated retirement after receiving two in one week. 
            Aside from the negatives, there were some record breakers that went along with this Monday Night Football matchup.  The game featured some of the premiere receivers of our generation, including Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco, and Hines Ward. Only four receivers in the history of the NFL had recorded at least one reception in 185 consecutive games.   Terrell Owens and Hines Ward are two of these four, and Monday night both pushed their respective streaks to 186 games. 
            In addition, Terrell Owens caught his 150^th touchdown pass, becoming only the third player in NFL history to do so.  This is an amazing accomplishment, one that adds to Owens’
 Legacy in the NFL, and will contribute to his enshrining as one of the elite receivers of all time.
            The Steelers also faced the threat of losing their franchise accomplishment of never losing a game with a 20 point lead.  The Steeler grit was on display last night as they closed the game out in a 27-21 thriller. 

Monday Night Football 1

The Monday Night Football game was an extraordinary game, one that had a little something for everyone.  Preceding the game, all three of the game analysts picked the Steelers to win, making it seem as though the game would be a walk in the park.  It was anything but. 

             The opening few minutes had Bengals fans shaking their heads, and the announcers smirking with satisfaction at 'calling it right'. Cincinnati fumbled the opening kickoff, and the Steelers capitalized by turning the turnover into a touchdown. 
             The home Bengals never gave up, even after an exciting flee-flicker to Antwaan Randle-El, who threw a touchdown pass to Mike Wallace to extend the Steeler lead to 20.  The Steelers have NEVER lost a game in franchise history when leading by 20, a telling statistic for a storied franchise.              But to me the story of the night, which will likely go overlooked by the media, was the fight in the Bengals.  There was never a point in the night when they looked like they were ready to pack it in.  The Steelers have a stifling defense that can put significant pressure on any offense.  Not enough can be said about the defensive unit, which is living up to all of its preseason hype.. In the face of this Steeler D, the Bengals put together a few drives and capitalized on every Steeler mistake.  Within the last five minutes of the game, Cincinnati was in a position to win the game. 
            On the last drive, Carson Palmer was pressured on every play, as the Steelers brought at least five defenders every snap.  Despite the defensive surge, Palmer was poised and collected in the pocket, and got rid of the ball relatively quickly.  He led the Bengals down the field, and an unfortunate drop by rookie Jordan Shipley sealed their fate.  Had Shipley caught the pass, it would have been first and goal for the Bengals. 
            Although the Bengals move to 2-6 on the year, they put forth a valiant effort against the division leading Steelers.  This Monday Night Football exceeded its hype, and set a high precedent for next week’s anticipated matchup between Michael Vick’s Eagles and Donovan McNabb’s Redskins. 

WELCOME TO THOUGHTS OF JOEY

Welcome to Thoughts of Joey.  Everyone has different thought processes, and different perspectives on how we generate thoughts.  That’s why blogs exist.  I am now sharing my thoughts with the small world that will see this blog. Each day lived is one step closer to total understanding of the mystery we call life.  We advance in this game as our thoughts advance. Being an individual, I am fully aware that the "progress" I will make in my understanding, in its maximum potential, will be but a spec in the ocean of total knowledge and understanding of the human condition.  Still every thought is important.

First Blog Post: Technology

            For some reason, even though I am a part of the technological generation, I seem to be caught in an involuntary refusal to accept technology.  I am literally repelled by the idea of technology, to the point where it is a little bit intimidating to me.  I have never really been forced to learn and adapt to advanced multimedia tools...until now.  So, thank you JRN 200 class.  I am now being forced to use different means of technology, including this blog.  This blog owes its own debt of gratitude to Omar, without whom Thoughts of Joey wouldn't exist.  Anyway, I say thank you because the best way to get rid of an enemy is to make him your friend.  I am going to become familiar with multimedia, which WILL benefit me in the future, especially if I follow my plan to start a career path in journalism.