The New Project

I'm shifting the majority of my blogging energy over to a new site. 

Check it out HERE.

Politically-oriented posts will still be published here, though I will be publishing many of them at the new page as well.

Bush Enters History

I spent ten minutes this morning watching President Bush's farewell speech. It only took me a few of those to realize that the majority of the accomplishments (or "accomplishments" to those of you who can't avoid sarcasm when talking about the President) Bush listed are in fact what history will remember him by.

Changes enacted by the Bush administration that many of us overlook—the new Department of Homeland Security, to name one—are in fact institutions and government policies that will continue in the Obama administration and for decades to come. Rather than disregarding the Bush years as a dark period into which Obama will restore order and harmony through a thorough cleaning, we should remove Bush himself from the picture and consider the changes over the past eight years at face value.

Conceived by the recommendation of the 9/11 Commission, the Department of Homeland Security was seen as a safeguard against further, future intelligence failures. The agency that was once an embarrassment to the Bush administration now serves as a great opportunity for future improvement of our defense and intelligence agencies.

On a less tangible level, Bush has also written his long-term policy legacy. Now clearly visible are Bush personal convictions with regards to the war on terror, America's role in spreading democracy around the globe, AIDS relief, and the importance of faith-based charities. Ten, twenty, or fifty years from now those attitudes will place alongside Eisenhower's warning against the "military-industrial complex" and other major philosophical/political precedents.

Bush's speech may have afforded leftist pundits like Arianna Huffington a great and final opportunity to hold failures above the President's head, but it was Bush who revealed the most about his legacy last night.

Just a Few Days

No need to get excited, but I've created a new blog. This time I'm changing things a bit.

Less politics. (That will stay here)

More everything.

The Political Courier and it's predecessor, Vargas2040, have been a blast to keep updated, but while politics is a major part of what I do and what I'm interested in, it's not the only thing going on. As I travel, explore, learn, experience, and move towards college the new blog will cover aspects of my life and spheres of interest apart from campaign updates and political commentary.

I will post the link to the new site later this week once I've kicked it off with articles, pictures, and laid down a nice format.

Be back soon!

Change of Format

Since our election is over and my access to campaign events and coverage has evaporated, I've decided to approach blogging with a new attitude and perspective. College is looming nine months away and my academic interests of the moment have gravitated from political science to history.

We'll see what's next.

Just Me?

Is it just me or are the advertisements appearing on the right bar of this page now generating South African ads? If so, that's what three months here will do to you (or your blog!).

Sweeeet.

The Cape

After a long month of travelling I'm now in Cape Town enjoying the sights. This morning was museum/gallery morning, highlighted by a tour of Slave Lodge, The South African National Gallery, and a Bushmen art gallery.

 

Primarily dominated by local crafts, I presumed South Africa's contributions to fine art would be few and far between. The National Gallery here (not to mention the gorgeous surroundings of Cape Town's Botanical Gardens) has changed my impressions not just of the city, but of South Africa as a whole. From the modern genious of Andrew Verster to the evocative portraits of Mustafa Maluka, today has been a fantastic day of cultural exploration. 

What a great city!

It Just Keeps Getting Better

To be completely serious, I miss snow.

But...

South Africa just keeps on keeping on being its wonderful sunny and beautiful self. From Plett to Hluhluwe to Underberg to Coffee Bay and finally now to Chintsa. Christmas on a sunny day may not be that bad after all...

On The Horizon

In addition to a love of politics, photography, and travelling around I happen to be quite a big U2 fan. So, despite the news having been released a few hours ago, I'm celebrating the upcoming release of the rockers' new album, "No Line On the Horizon" this coming March!

I've been excited to return home for quite some time, but the impending release of a new single around the time of my arrival just adds to the fun.

Christmas approaches!

One Week

7 days left until I'm back in Plettenberg Bay for a South African Christmas. (Apologies to the vegetarians...) The lambs are ready for slaughter and I've been told there will be a tree to decorate, but it's sunny and warm here, not the kind of holiday season I'm used to.

I could get used to this view though...

Off Again

After a quick overnight in Durban it's off to the Drakensberg Mountains this afternoon.

A 3-day horse ride over the mountains into Lesotho...perfect.

From Rage to Remote

I'm about to hop on a bus for the (very long) trip to the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi region of eastern South Africa. Though I don't really know what to expect, I found the following picture while doing a search of photos from the area, so hopefully a similar foggy sunset awaits me!

I'm leaving behind a wild week of parties and clubs here in Plettenberg Bay...it is Plett Rage Week by the way, so that explains why this small community has been transformed into the playground of South Africa's wealthiest and craziest post-exam students. As much as I enjoyed it, the above picture looks like a lot more fun than being out to take the picture below was.

Off on an adventure!!

Falling Into Place

With two months behind me here in South Africa I'm now looking at a nice old chunk of time traveling around the country from coast to coast and from mountains to the sea. Downed trees and powerlines have made planning painfully difficult, but four days from departure things are beginning to come together nicely.

As Al Franken continues to edge closer in Minnesota and we have a clearer and clearer picture of Obama's new crew in Washington I will be here packing up and scrambling to make plans in advance of a Saturday departure.

More photos coming...

Happy Thanksgiving

There are no turkeys here in South Africa but it's been a lovely Thanksgiving Day nonetheless.

To everyone back home, have a happy Thanksgiving and safe travels this holiday weekend.

Catch you back here in a few days!

Where to Next?

I'm no longer the "18 year old high-school student/political blogger."

As of this morning I'm the "19 year old college-age political blogger."

Something tells me that's not as easy to market...

Despite having put another year behind me some things don't change. First, I'm still fascinated by watching and covering American elections. Second, I still love to write, take photographs, design graphics, and shoot video.

In the late winter of '07 I set out to attend a few campaign events and type up summaries online. By Election Day I had been on the floor of the RNC, shaken hands with the two party nominees, been on television as a political analyst and a game show contestant, and had my blog posts syndicated around on various news sites.

So what do I have up my sleeve now and what am I aiming for looking ahead to the 2012 election? It's a secret for now, but you'll find out soon!

Long Overdue