As stated in my previous post, I'm a Political Science major. It just comes naturally to me. I may not come off as a very politically charged person, but get me on the right topic and you've just hit a mine field! So, my Politics of Western Europe class today took a turn into the mine field.

We were discussing a quote by Robert Kagan, author of Paradise and Power. I don't remember the quote but it was along the lines of saying that the United States has a strong military and will use it, and Europe doesn't have a strong military because it knows the United States will be there to protect it no matter what. Now I don't know how we got off on the tangent that set me off, but basically we were talking why the United States believes it needs a strong military and what the rest of the world thinks about it. I ended up pissing off the majority of the class with one simple observation that anyone who lives outside the United States could easily see the argument for, if not completely agree with me.

Basically I said that the United States has become such a military power that the way we push our weight around with other countries has made us a threat in the eyes of some people. Said people then get pissed and either attack or threaten to attack us. In which case we, in turn, use our military power to try to eliminate the threat, which makes us look even more like a bully.

I didn't word it near this well because I had too many things going through my head at the time, but that was the jest of it. I wasn't saying we're a horrible country, just that some of the threats we have encountered could very easily be a product of our overzealous use of military force.

Apparently some of my classmates just cannot see that the United States can do any wrong. Eh, maybe I'm being too cynical. Too judgemental, even.

Either way, it was fun watching so many people's reactions.

So This is Me!

Ok, we're supposed to introduce ourselves in this blog so lemme tell you a little bit about myself. My name is Allie Ogle, I go by Miss Allie, AllieCat, Girly, Baby Girl, and many other nicknames. I'm a junior at OU majoring in Political Science and minoring in Women's Studies (which is why I'm taking this class). This is my second semester at OU, I transferred from NSU in tahlequah. I'm very blunt and open, which sometimes is too much for some people to handle. If I ever cross the line with you, just let me know and I'll watch myself. I love animals. I have 2 fancy rats, a hamster, 2 cats, and a dog. I would have more if I could afford it, haha. I'm very proud of my "Heinz 57" heritage: Irish, French, German, Bohemian, Cherokee, Choctaw, and Scottish. If you want to talk, I'm always up to it (I like to talk, if you can't tell already). I'm currently dating a man named Matt. We met at church camp years ago and were re-introdued my freshmen year at NSU. One of my favorite things about him is that he treats me as an equal while still being very protective if someone messes with me, my friends, or my family. We're both members of Greek organizations here at OU; he's in Phi Kappa Psi, and I'm in Alpha Gamma Delta. We're a strange pair at first glance, but if you really look you can tell we compliment each other very well.

So I guess I have to post my 5 questions now.
1. Why do Reublicans think Sarah Palin is a good example of a feminist?
2. Why do some women think feminists are a threat to them?
3. Why is it so hard for men to except women as equals in the workplace when they claim women are their equals in all other aspects of everyday life?
4. Why do women let the government tell them what they can and can't do with their bodies?
5. And finally, why do some women not want to be considered equals to men (or why do they think it is ok to be treated inferior to men)?

So there is my introduction. Enjoy! lol