Posted by Ava

Santorum's exchange with a group of students at New England College’s College Convention 2012 ended with the Senator leaving the stage to boos, but not before a heated discussion with students about same-sex marriage. You can watch the back and forth below.



The exchange was also a good example of the divergence between the mindset of many in Santorum's generation and those in mine. While obviously there are still young people who are socially conservative and homophobic, the numbers seem to be decreasing, thanks in part to information dissemination and the ability of someone like myself, a young person who grew up in the conservative deep south, to experience more liberal ideas and culture via the media and internet. That being said, there is still a long way to go.

What bothered me further about Santorum's exchange was his inability to respect the questions and opinions of the students. That goes beyond difference in opinion and world-view. Change is scary to many and nothing represents change more than the youth. A candidate like Santorum will find it hard to gain the support of young people, not just because of his conservative obstinate world-view, but also because of his attitude towards the young and progressive of this country, namely his inability to listen or be questioned.

You can read further about Santorum's exchange on MSNBC's website

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Posted by Ava

All photos via the talented Spyros Papavassiliou

Tonight thousands gathered in Times Square to occupy together and demand an end to corporate greed and priority, including Spyros and myself. Below are some photos from the inspiring event. Click the thumbnails for larger images.

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Posted by Ava

This Republic had its beginning, and grew to its present strength, under the protection of certain inalienable political rights - among them the right of free speech, free press, free worship, trial by jury, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures. They were our rights to life and liberty.

As our nation has grown in size and stature, however - as our industrial economy expanded - these political rights proved inadequate to assure us equality in the pursuit of happiness. We have come to a clear realization of the fact that true individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence." Necessitous men are not free men." People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.

In our day these economic truths have become accepted as self-evident. We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all - regardless of station, race, or creed.
Among these are:

The right to a useful and remunerative job;

The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;

The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;

The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;

The right of every family to a decent home;

The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;

The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;

The right to a good education.

All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being. America's own rightful place in the world depends in large part upon how fully these and similar rights have been carried into practice for all our citizens.

For unless there is security here at home there cannot be lasting peace in the world.

- President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
January 11, 1944

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