So i was just watching a really interesting segment on the show 20/20 about controversial issues basically being discussed. Issues included microwaving foods, the Medicare system, and endangered species. What i found interesting were the last two issues.
1)

  
Did you know America is spending billions and billions of dollars on Medicare? We're basically spending hard-earned, tax paying, dollars on healthcare for old people who probably have enough money to pay it for themselves. Those old people living in the ritzy, luxurious, retirement homes are getting free healthcare too, and they don't have to pay a dime. Now, im fine with providing healthcare for the elderly, it makes perfect sense, but providing it for all  old people is ridiculous. I agree with the fact that we should spend a little less on the old generation, and a lot more on the new. Schools should be put first, and the new generation should be on the pedestal. More money should go to us since we'll be the generation that'll lead the future. Medicare has the potential to lead America into bankruptcy. How do you feel about Medicare?

2)
 
I'm sure we've all heard the "save the Tiger" slogan from the many conservation and wildlife organizations out there. I used to think, "okay let's save the tiger, but exactly how?". Governments are banning poachers from selling and trading the body parts of endangered species like the tiger, whose skin is favored by many people. Zoos and conservation habitats are built to protect the tigers, as well as other endangered species; but why are thousands still dying every year? what can we do to stop the depletion? the answer is to farm the animals. that's right, farm tigers. if you think about it, do we have a shortage of chickens, pigs, or minx? no because we have an incentive to keep them, whether to use as food or clothing. 100 years ago, Bison were on the endangered species list, but farmers began farming Bisons and using the meat for food; now there are millions of Bisons in America. Same goes for the Elephant. The tiger population is dying fast, and so far, nothing is effective in trying to prevent them from going extinct. Farming endangered species is gaining popularity, if it were an issue lets say in a presidential campaign, would you support it?

sorry i haven't blogged in a while. it's just that im either too lazy/tired, or i just have nothing to write about. so if i havent blogged in a month, it doesn't mean i quit xanga lol. so i've been thinking about family and how important family is to me. i don't just mean my father, mother, and brothers, i mean my aunts, uncles, and cousins too. im currently 16 going on 17, which means i'll be going to college before i hit 18. and i didnt realize that i only have one year to really see my family on a daily basis. most kids i know who are my age are always on their own, refusing to go on family trips and would rather prefer to be with their friends. but i love going places with my parents and i want to see all my cousins and relatives as much as i can before i hit college. it doesn't mean that once im in college, im never going to see them again, it just means that i won't see them all the time, maybe at most around 4 times a year. and my friends that i have now, i try to keep them close so when i do hit college, ill take the initiative to actually visit them. i had the 'college talk' with my parents the other night after my trip to a college tour, and they kept saying how important it is to stay safe in college and choose friends wisely since ill be with other students all the time. this is because i have a cousin who partied all the time as a freshmen in college and was sent to the hospital two times (we think its either because of drugs or alcohol, but my uncle won't tell us). but of course, i won't change my personality, and ill be myself in college, and im not the type to party and do drugs. lol. but the thought about going to college next year is kind of scary. especially since im actually leaving for college. anyways, ill probably save up for a car or something, but that goes against my "going green" motto.

today i went to Palisades Mall with the parents. it was nice since there wasn't a lot of people shopping, probably due to the economic crisis, or the fact that it's a Monday. i remember seeing a little kid whining and literally beating his mom for a toy in the Disney store. it wasn't a pretty sight, the little kid's mom looked like she was about to break down in tears and everyone just either stared at the scene, or quickly glanced at it and put on the "im so glad my child isn't a spoiled brat" look on their face. little kids could be so cruel. not that they can be spoiled and all, but just cruel in general. i think the meanest people in the world are children, because they don't care about what they say, do, and they usually tell the truth. and trust me, the truth hurts.  my little cousin would walk up to a stranger in the park, point to them, and say "ew you're fat". although the person really was fat, it was still pretty mean, even though coming from an innocent, adorable, toddler. but i know how the person feels, i've been a victim of harassment from little children. i babysat at parties, in which my parents would socialize downstairs with the rest of the adults, and i'd be stuck upstairs babysitting the little kids. since i'm the oldest and tallest, they decided to pick on the odd one of the bunch and gang up on me. i was sitting down, playing with my PSP, when one of them said, "why are you so dark?". i looked up and replied, "because". and another one said to the kid, "he looks like a girl" and some other kid asked "are you a girl? why is your hair so long?". to clear things up, im a man, and it just so happens i haven't gotten a haircut in a long time. but pretty soon, i was bombarded with rather offensive questions and remarks, and they threw stuff at me. i felt like throwing them down the stairs, but of course, i was 10 years older than them, so i couldn't do anything but ignore. its ironic that children are viewed as pure and innocent, when they're capable of being really nasty.