200th "Oktoberfest" Kicks Off!

     The time of year has come to raise a stein full of "amber nector"- or few to the 200th annual "Oktoberfest," the worlds largest beer festival held in Bavaria, Germany starting September 18th to October 4th.  The German extravaganza kicked off Saturday afternoon when the Mayor, Christian Ude, tapped into the first barrel of about 6.9 million liters of brew that is expected to be downed by an estimated 7.1 million people this year.

     The Oktoberfest tradition began in 1810 as the wedding of Princess Teresa and Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and has continued ever since for 200 years excluding 2 years due to cholera outbreaks, World Wars I and II and other economic and political crisises, actually making this years festival the 177th Oktoberfest.  Interestingly enough, the same exact recipe from the festivals beginning is used as the festivals main traditional beer.  Six of the city's top breweries come together for once and brew jointly to supply the beer fest.

     The amount of people who come join the massive partying it mind blowing.  7.1 million people from all over the world come to experience the sight of women running around in the traditional "Dirndl" dresses, amusement rides that light up the German sky, native music, horse racing, parades, exhibitions, and traditional food of bratwurst and pretzels. There is about 10 huge beer tents where up to about 7,000 people can gather at once! Now that's a party.

No Smoking this Year?

   Something that may disappoint some of the beer drinkers this year is no one will be about to enjoy a smoke with their beer.  For the first time Bavaria has banned smoking in all of the tents.

     In all previous years, smoking has masked the stench of the poorly ventilated beer hall.  So what is there to be done about all the stink of stale beer, rotten food scraps, and body odor?  There is a interesting cure.

     A very intelligent German named Hubert Hackl has composed a weapon to fight the foul odors.  He has come up with a concoction which contains micro bacteria to eat away the smell.  Hackl has said "This is the most natural way of treating organic waste," about his idea.  The potion is basically made up of a "mature compost" mixed with seaweed and molasses and it looks like a brownish liquid with a pleasant, earthly, neutral smell similar to humus.  The liquid will be mopped into the wooden floorboards of the beer halls, keeping the facilities stench free.

     In my opinion, I think this is great.  Prohibiting smoking will prevent health risks of second hand smoke to others.  We all know how bad smoking is these days.  I also think Hackl's invention of the stentch-eating bacteria can be used in many other situations and facilities to keep things less stinky!

Reference/Links:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100918/ts_afp/lifestylegermanymunichfestivaldrinkoktoberfest_20100918214948

http://www.thirdage.com/news/oktoberfest-begins-using-stench-eating-bacteria_9-19-2010

http://www.news.com.au/travel/galleries/gallery-e6frflw0-1225926693013?page=1

http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_16115425?source=rss

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/entertainment/a/-/entertainment/7974435/germanys-beer-fest-deploys-stencheating-bacteria/

The Cordoba House Debate

     

      In the early month of September, and close to the anniversary of the September 11th terrorists attacks, I feel it is important to discuss the Cordoba House Debate that is taking place today.  There has been a lot written regarding this controversy and many opinions regarding plans to build an Islamic cultural center called the Cordoba House, a 13 story, $100 million mega-mosque, which will be built within a year and is proposed to be built two blocks from the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan. Overlooking where a group of  Islamic terrorists killed over 3000 Americans and destroyed one of our famous landmarks 9 years ago. 

Above: A map of where the Cordoba House would be 

built and how close it would be to Ground Zero

     

     Most of the opposition to the proposed Cordoba House has proven to be  fear driven to citizens of the United States.  According to the Washington Post, most Americans object to the planned Islamic center near ground zero. According to an ABC News poll, eighty-two percent of those who oppose the construction say it's because of the location. For example Cyndi Spurlock, 54, of Yoder, CO, said she opposes having the Islamic center near ground zero: "It would hurt so many people because of all the families that were lost there." Another poll respondent, Jim Walsh, 48, of Philadelphia said, "Emotionally, I think it's wiser not to have it there."


     People who are for the construction of the Cordoba House say its a good idea because it will be place where Muslims and other Americans can find common ground.  According to The Huffington Post, a proud New Yorker, Kate, who was there the day of the September 11th attacks says, "I guess I can sum it up like this: I am a Jew, my people have been through the worst of humanity, time and time again because of that fact. For me to deny anyone the right to practice their religion in a peaceful way goes against everything my people stand for. All Muslims are not terrorists, just like all Christians are not religious fanatics, and all Jews are not zealots."


     Maybe Kate is right, by being opposed to the Cordoba house, are we going against religious freedom of America? Something that we have fought for as a foundation of our country?


     All in all in my opinion I believe this debate is a very difficult one.  September 11th was a horrific day that will always be remembered in American history.  There is still anger and sadness that lingers not only in New York City but across the country for the thousands of people lost on that day due to the Islamic terrorists.  However, people need to realize there are many faces of evil and destructive people in this world and we cannot generalize an entire group of people based on the actions of some.


     An interesting point that really got to me and I would like to point out is from what I read on a website called torenewamerica.com.  In this article the writer, Gingrich, explains the meaning of the Muslim use of the name "Cordoba." Apparently it was a famous battle in Spain which the Muslims won and have continually used the name to attach special underlying meanings that indicate to their followers "we won!" My mouth dropped.


Why would they choose to name the mosque this? Especially over looking ground zero? What are they trying to say by this?


     With that said, taking both sides into consideration, I firmly believe the Cordoba House should not be built just two blocks away from ground zero out of respect of the people who lost their lives on that day.  It should be built anywhere else!


What do you think?




References/Links: 
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ian-moss/the-cordoba-house-debate_b_697260.html
                  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2010/09/08/AR2010090806231.html?hpid=topnews

http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/Harassment+hostility+healing+harmony/3498553/story.html

http://www.torenewamerica.com/gingrich-ground-zero-mosque

My Story

      I grew up in Berlin, Connecticut all my life and spent my younger years attending high school at Berlin High.  Through out high school writing has always been a passion of mine. I also enjoy traveling as much as I can to experience the world around me, even within the United States.  I have been out West several times and absolutely love it out there.  I love California and I dream of living out there someday.  During high school I played volleyball and softball and occasionally wrote for the school newspaper.

     Currently I'm a sophomore at Western Connecticut University enrolled in Exploratory Studies, but recently have been looking towards becoming a writing teacher. I am also a waitress at Chilis and bar tend at a gold course in my town.  I enjoy reading, the beach, Cape Cod, movies, shopping, spending time with my friends, and I love to stay active.  Family is also really important to me, I have wonderful parents and an older brother and younger sister, who is also my best friend.  I also have two Golden Retrievers, Ava and Abby, who are my family's pride and joy.  My mom breeds them, last summer Ava had a liter of 10 beautiful puppies, Abby was one of them.  It was really fun.

     I believe that it is important for every U.S citizen to be aware of the news and happening around them in the world today.  You never know what may interest you or even affect you!  That's why I am taking this great opportunity to have a blog discussing issues and opinions in the world today that I feel are controversial yet interesting enough for many strong opinions that I hope you could share with me too.