Random Law School Update 41

Last Location: Washington, DC
Arrival Date: November 5, 2012
Departure Date: November 12, 2012

Present Location: Barcelona, Spain
Arrival Date: August 26, 2012
Departure Date: December 22, 2012*

Next Location: Madrid, Spain
Arrival Date: November 17, 2012
Departure Date: November 19, 2012*
*Tentative

Yesterday Catalunyans took to the streets to protest austerity measures that have caused governments throughout Europe to raise taxes and cut wages in response to the recession. I didn’t think too much of it when I left my apartment that morning, except that my roommate offered to let me borrow her bike since the metro employees were on strike—which I did.

My ride home at night, trying to navigate Barcelona’s traffic laws with no light and no helmut, was thrilling enough as it was. Then this happened:

-http://youtu.be/v_OxjgYGZLU
-http://youtu.be/4T8vnolDHnU
-http://youtu.be/CG5p77-ihPI
-https://picasaweb.google.com/a.melissa.meyer -> La Huelga Fall 2012

These are my own photos and videos taken between five and ten blocks from my apartment, on my exact route home. I did not chase the protest, nor did I go out of my way to avoid it. This all happened, from my perspective, almost entirely unexpectedly. Though the police and protesters seemed to have a good idea of what was going on.

Today when I woke up, the streets were clean and all signs of burning rubbish removed. Had I not left the house yesterday, I would have had no idea.

Before anyone accuses me of taking unsafe risks considering my condition, I inform you that my platelet counts have skyrocketed to 285. Which makes most people perfectly normal, and me, invincible.

Love,

Melissa

Ps. I just subscribed my favorite law school and law school era people to this list. It is my way of staying in touch with you guys so that you don’t all go and completely disappear from my life. Because I am sentimental and want to know you all forever. I average just over one email per month. But if it’s too many, or if they get too drippy, you can always remove yourself just by asking. You can access archived updates here: randomtravelupdates.blogspot.com. And don’t forget to send back updates of your own on occasion ;)

Random Law School Update 40

Congratulations America.

Random Law School Update 39: Why I Vote

Last Location: Barcelona, Spain
Arrival Date: August 26, 2012
Departure Date: December 22, 2012*

Present Location: Paris, France
Arrival Date: November 5, 2012
Departure Date: November 5, 2012

Next Location: Washington, DC
Arrival Date: November 5, 2012
Departure Date: November 12, 2012

Tomorrow is Election Day. If you haven’t already, I trust that you will commit yourself to going out to the booths and braving the lines.

Why I vote:

My vote isn’t merely a symbol of my support for a particular candidate.

My vote serves as a placeholder. A placeholder for democracy in the future. When I vote, I communicate that I value a system of governance in which I have a say. A system that I am empowered to improve through non-violent means.

My vote is a symbol against complacency. And a token of appreciation for what others have gone through to guarantee me this right. When I spend hours trying to figure out the correct system for voting early from abroad, or waiting in lines at polling booths, I don’t compare the time lost to other things I could have been doing. I look at the time saved by my not having to form a revolution.

I vote to ensure the success of my country. And I vote even when there are no good choices—to show that I am paying attention.

However, in this election I happen to believe that there is a good choice. President Obama has made many decisions in office on issues that I do not necessarily support or care about. But official legislative acts represent only a fraction of a president’s opportunity to improve society.

President Obama is changing the way politics are run. By soliciting campaign funds directly from the people to whom he ought to be directly accountable—the public—he is reducing the inflated influence of large industrial lobbies, like oil and gas…or agriculture. In the past, political candidates would find themselves in the pockets of the lobbies that had helped them get elected. This hurt Americans, stifled social advancement, and prevented win-win solutions from being sought.

Obama has also changed politics by talking to the American people like rational adults in terms we can understand. He hasn’t tried to hide the ball or change the subject. He is forward, honest, and rational. Which means, even if I don’t agree with him on everything, I can imagine a world in which it might be the right thing to do. And that is sufficient. Because I know that I don’t agree with anybody on everything. Also, when Americans are treated like rational decision makers, I believe they are more likely to behave like rational decision makers. This is good for every aspect of society, and the economy.

As a pragmatic libertarian, I am not sure how I feel about Obama’s stance on healthcare. I have not read the gargantuan Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, nor do I plan to. However, I do know that the system we had previously is unacceptable. And I know that if I don’t have a job lined up after I depart from my student health insurance, his plan will ensure that I can continue to receive treatment despite my pre-existing condition.

I know that my friends and family are split between liberals and conservatives. I would vote for Obama in this election even if I considered myself conservative, if only because I trust his well-thought-out plan for fiscal responsibility over Romney’s apparently flawless (and numberless) plan.

And because, while the institution of marriage gives me the heebie-jeebies, it hardly affects me if gays want to do it.

Love,

Melissa

Ps. I am attaching several friends here for the first time. Let me know if you would like to receive future RLSUs. You can check past ones out at: randomtravelupdates.blogspot.com before deciding. And you can always unsubscribe.

Random Law School Update 38

Present Location: Barcelona, Spain
Arrival Date: August 26, 2012
Departure Date: December 22, 2012*

Next Location: Washington, DC
Arrival Date: November 5, 2012
Departure Date: November 12, 2012

In lighter news...photos from Venice, Sitges, Lisbon, Amsterdam, Tossa, Barcelona, Frankfurt, Bolder, and Tucson are finally up: https://picasaweb.google.com/a.melissa.meyer :)

Love,

Melissa