The US presidential elections in 2000 and 2004 turned this US citizen into a real skeptic. It was clear to most of us watching that George W. Bush did not win the 2000 election. Scandalous events in the Florida election(where George W.'s brother Jeb was governor)made us all wonder just how reliable the voting machines and the electoral college were. Especially as Al Gore won the popular vote with 48.38% to Bush's 47.87%. The 2004 election raised further questions about the accuracy of voting machines. Many executives of Diebold, a major voting machine producer, were fund raisers, supporters and even possible cabinet members for G. W. Bush. I'm still not convinced the George W. Bush was ever legitimately elected President.
This year, though the US seemed overwhelmingly ready for change, it was hard to erase the memory of the voting machine scandals.
Fortunately, for whatever reason, voting machine numbers seemed to match exit poll numbers this time. The US can finally enjoy the chance for real change.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Greetings!
To inaugurate the IFIPS experiment blogspot, I'd like to start by telling about myself...
My Past and Present
I was born and raised on the east coast of the United States and I spent most of my life in the Washington, D.C. area, especially in Gettysburg, PA. When I came to Paris in September of 2006, it was to get my master's degree in French and to become a French professor. But life's path can be winding and unpredictable, so now I'm teaching English at the IUT de Cachan at the Université de Paris-Sud XI. Seeing the internet as an important tool for communication, my colleague Liz and I look forward to seeing our students use their English skills in meaningful dialog.
My Future
or five things I'd like to have accomplished in the next five years
1) I'd like to complete a PhD program in French.
My long term goal is still to return to the US and to inspire students to learn more about France. Having a PhD will allow me to accomplish this and meanwhile to keep learning.
2) I'd like to learn to make curry from scratch.
Mmm...Curry...
One of my favorite hobbies is eating; cooking is an important complementary activity. A good eater learns to cook their favorite meals!
3) I want to get back into a regular exercise routine and maintain it!
These days, my exercise routine consists of Parisian window shopping...not exactly the best cardio workout!
4) I hope to visit Germany, Morocco and Argentina.
I plan on going to Argentina to see my friend Pili, an Argentine girl who lived with my family as an exchange student when I was in high school. Friends of mine have traveled to Morocco and have inspired me to want to go. Berlin, Germany, has been on my list since I saw the play Cabaret.
5) I want to learn Spanish.
Knowing how to speak Spanish is quickly becoming a necessity in the United States.
My Past and Present
I was born and raised on the east coast of the United States and I spent most of my life in the Washington, D.C. area, especially in Gettysburg, PA. When I came to Paris in September of 2006, it was to get my master's degree in French and to become a French professor. But life's path can be winding and unpredictable, so now I'm teaching English at the IUT de Cachan at the Université de Paris-Sud XI. Seeing the internet as an important tool for communication, my colleague Liz and I look forward to seeing our students use their English skills in meaningful dialog.
My Future
or five things I'd like to have accomplished in the next five years
1) I'd like to complete a PhD program in French.
My long term goal is still to return to the US and to inspire students to learn more about France. Having a PhD will allow me to accomplish this and meanwhile to keep learning.
2) I'd like to learn to make curry from scratch.
Mmm...Curry...
One of my favorite hobbies is eating; cooking is an important complementary activity. A good eater learns to cook their favorite meals!
3) I want to get back into a regular exercise routine and maintain it!
These days, my exercise routine consists of Parisian window shopping...not exactly the best cardio workout!
4) I hope to visit Germany, Morocco and Argentina.
I plan on going to Argentina to see my friend Pili, an Argentine girl who lived with my family as an exchange student when I was in high school. Friends of mine have traveled to Morocco and have inspired me to want to go. Berlin, Germany, has been on my list since I saw the play Cabaret.
5) I want to learn Spanish.
Knowing how to speak Spanish is quickly becoming a necessity in the United States.
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