# Hashtag #

As most of us know, a hashtag is something used on twitter, allowing topics to trend and related tweets to be found.  But the world is becoming just a wee bit too involved in the social media.

Last night, on Nov 26th at 10 p.m. a baby was born.  That baby now has to live with their parents obsession with the social media after being named Hashtag, yes, Hashtag. What is wrong with the world?

First of all, I hate hashtags.  I love the idea of them, and the purpose behind them, but I cannot stand when I see twitter users using them incorrectly. A fellow UMass student once tweeted #jumpingoffthe25thfloorofthelibrarybrb.  That is not a hashtag. That is not going to bring together a communal topic. The use of hashtags is now being abused, and naming your child hashtag is almost abusive.

I guess the family wanted their last name to be a trending topic. Hashtag Smith. #Smith.

Maria Santos Gorrostiet, Mexican Mayor, Assassinated

Maria Santos Gorrostiet had been kidnapped on November 12th 2012.  She was abducted in front of her young daughter, as she pled that they take her and leave her daughter unharmed.  

The Mayo stood for what was right, and against the Drug War in her country.  The gangs had made two previous attempts to assassinate her, once shooting her three times, but she survived.  After the shootings and the doubt of her people she released pictures proving the attacks.

After days of torture after Nov. 12th, Gorrostiet was found dead on the side of a road.  

It appalls me that I am only learning of this through a feminist blog I check weekly.  This is groundbreaking, important news. It's showing the lengths that the Mexican Drug Gangs will go to, and the power that they have in that country.  As far as I am concerned, Maria Santos Gorrostiet is a hero, who fought for what is right, was an outstanding mother and role model.  

Reading quotes that she has said, I am moved.  "'Despite my own safety and that of my family, what occupies my mind is my responsibility towards my people, the children, the women, the elderly and the men who break their souls every day without rest to find a piece of bread for their children.

'Freedom brings with it responsibilities and I don’t dare fall behind. My long road is not yet finished - the footprint that we leave behind in our country depends on the battle that we lose and the loyalty we put into it.'

She was a beautiful woman, inside and out and her mark should be left on the world.

Hurricane Sandy

Being up here, in cozy Amherst, I had no idea how bad things were in the devastated areas affected by Hurricane Sandy.  I went home the next weekend, and on my way my parents called, begging to buy gas cans and fill them up to bring home. Bringing six gallons of gas from Massachusetts kept my basement from flooding for three days.

The state was in a chaotic state. As funny as that sentence sounds. People were screaming, honking and fighting at gas stations.  Malls were overflowing with people trying to escape the boredom they were experiences.  Homes, including mine, were the temperature of the outside, which happened to be 45 degrees. It was horrible.

As strange as it sounds, I was finally happy to be coming back to Massachusetts.  I'm usually sad and upset, and already homesick the second I step into the car, but that ride home was sweet.  However, now I am excited to be going back for Thanksgiving to the inches of snow on the ground that refuse to stick here in Amherst.

2012 election

I've finally decided that I am very happy with the results of the election. I was unsure, but after hearing President Obama's victory speech, which sent chills down my spine, I have faith in him.  Four years was not long enough for him to accomplish the things that he had promised and if Mitt Romney were elected, Obama's plans would have never gone through.  I am excited to see where America will be in four years.

Also, being from New Jersey, I am very happy that our governor, Chris Christie, will be able to run in 2016.  Most New Jerseyans are supporters of him and his policies.  I have heard many people, of voting age, saying that they are voting for Obama so the Christie could run.  If Mitt Romney were elected, Christie would probably never have the opportunity to run.