Jose Canseco: swearing into office, or testifying in court?

We recently shared the best 2012 holiday tweets with you, but here’s a sneak peek into another arena of Twitter: Canseco political tweets.

Who is Jose Canseco?

He’s a former Cuban-American Major League All-Star Baseball player who is infamous for his unashamed admittance of steroid use throughout his career (you can read all about it in his 2005 autobiography, Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant ‘Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big.)

However, Canseco now has a new claim to fame. He is an All-Star in  the world of social media, tweeting about seeing Elvis in the afterlife and how global warming would have saved the Titanic.

His tweets have been compared to “spitting out a stream of bizarre koans that sometimes rise to the level of surrealist art.” But some of his more recent tweets have concerned matters of politics — both American, and Canadian. Lets take a peek!

How to Fix Public Policy in Three Easy Steps:

“first replace income tax with spending tax. we didnt even have income tax until it was to fund civil war and was to be temporary for us”

“second bring our boys back from central east. Military spendng in sandy nations is crazy we can use that monedy for schools here save $B”

Canseco Tackles the Fiscal Cliff:

“I will go to washington and slap all politicians if they dont fix the fiscal cliff. They are haters of America and deserve it. Here I come”

“Mr. Obama and Mr. Boehner I am available if you need me and can help. You can do it God bless American. hugs @BarackObama@SpeakerBoehner”

Sounds like a good deal to me! His hashtag is catchy (#YesWeCanseco), his tone is quite passionate, and he’s already established a clear plan of action. Now if only his grammar was a little better…

Still, Canseco is serious about running for political office. Although he cannot run for mayor of Toronto because he was born in Cuba, he said he will ”work out the citizen thing.” Caseco’s agent, Jose Melendez, stated in an email:

“He is serious about a run but as you know he doesn’t know the procedure for citizenship.”

If you want to see how serious he is about Toronto, check out theses tweets:

Canseco Takes on Toronto:

“Dear Torontonians tweet me what needs fixing so I can start working on things. I know the Jarvis bike path and NHL strike are key, more?”

“Thanks Toronto for a great #yeswecanseco Day 1. Got some good news on the citizen thing hope to announce in a few days. More tomorrow. Hugs”

“The hug store is open! I am trading hugs for displaying YesWeCanseco signs to get the word out on mayor run. Just tweet me pic.#yeswecanseco”

If you are wondering who inspire’s Canseco’s brilliance, try Al Gore:

“al gore was a head of his time .i miss him rest in peace buddy hug for u”

(and shortly after…)

“sorry al you need to make some more noise .Keep fighting for us i believe in your and i am with you”

Red Sammy, a Baltimore band helmed by Adam Trice ’04, English, will release its fourth album, “These Poems with Kerosene,” next month with a show at the Windup Space. We asked Trice to talk a bit about life as a musician, and how his study of literature has influenced his work.

Q:  Tell us some of the story behind your band…what type of music do you play? What influences you?

A: Red Sammy is a minor character in Flannery O’Connor’s short story, “A Good Man is Hard to Find” (1955). Our music tends to be gritty, sparse, and deeply emotional. One music reviewer noted that our music attempts to connect with a listener’s mournful regions of the heart and soul. Musically, we fall closely within the Americana/Roots Rock genre. Influences include Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Neil Young, The Pixies, Lou Reed, Alejandro Escovedo.

Q:  Tell us a little about how your educational background fits in with what you do?

A:  I earned my degree in English at UMBC and a M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing/Publishing from the University of Baltimore. Both degrees provided me with insight and resources to develop as a writer (both lyrically and poetically). Many of our songs have a strong emphasis on word content and poetic form.

Q:  What’s your favorite song and why?

A:  Our latest album titled “These Poems with Kerosene” (due out on February 17, 2013), combines music and the recorded poems of University of Baltimore poet and professor Steve Matanle. My favorite track from the album is titled, “Everything Must Go.”

Q:  What’s it like collaborating with another poet?

A:  Steve Matanle was one of my favorite professors during graduate school. I’m very fortunate to have the opportunity to collaborate with Matanle especially since his hard luck style of poetry blends very well with our music and lyrical content.

Q:  Where would you like to see Red Sammy go from here?

A:  From a songwriter’s perspective, I would like to continue to grow and collaborate with new musicians and poets. In the next few years I would like to have a stronger presence performing as part of academic readings and art performances. It’s much more interesting when collaborating across artistic mediums.

Learn more about Red Sammy and listen to music samples at their website.

THE SYMPOSIUM

http://gs.emory.edu/StemRCSymposium

This event is an exciting new opportunity for your undergraduate and graduate students to present their research, to further their professional development, and to learn about careers in the STEM disciplines. The event consists of:

·                A premier research conference for undergraduates interested in learning about PhD, MD/PhD or postbaccalaureate programs; graduate students contemplating postdoctoral training; and the advisors of these students.

·                Two days of shared research presentations, networking and mentoring. Eight students will present platform talks and the rest will present posters.

·                Professional Development workshops, campus tours, and individual meetings with potential Emory mentors.

·                Extensive interactions with Emory research faculty mentors, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows. Thursday evening will feature a mixer with bowling, pool and stimulating discussion among participants and their hosts.

PARTICIPANTS

We invite participation by research advisors, undergraduates interested in postbaccalaureate, Ph.D, or M.D./Ph.D. studies, and graduate students pursuing postdoctoral training in the STEM disciplines. We are also particularly interested in identifying students from underrepresented groups who are not currently in an organized program such as MARC, REU, RISE, or PREP and who might therefore benefit the most from this conference. 

All student participants will be expected to present a platform talk or a poster on their research. If faculty wish to attend along with their student(s), please let us know and we will inform you when your students have been accepted.  

COSTS

There is no charge for this conference and all meals will be provided. Hotel accommodations are available at the Emory Conference Center (www.emoryconferencecenter.com/)at $129 plus tax per night, double occupancy.  Additional rooms MAY be available at the adjacent Emory Inn (https://bookings.ihotelier.com/Emory-Inn/bookings.jsp?hotelId=75977) for $79 plus tax per night. Because Travel Awards are limited we encourage students to seek funding from their sponsored research program or other sources.

TRAVEL AWARDS

The eight students selected to present a platform talk and their advisors will receive a travel award (if necessary). In addition, a limited number of travel awards are available for students from underrepresented groups (racial minorities, disabled students and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds). These awards will cover travel and accommodations.

APPLICATION

http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1071065/Symposium

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. The application deadline is January 15^th January 22^nd for students wishing to apply for travel awards. A committee of Emory training faculty will review abstracts to select participants and travel awardees.  Awardees will be notified by January 31^st. All student participants will be expected to present a platform talk or a poster on their research.

FURTHER INFORMATION

stem.symposia@emory.edu

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