American Girl Says...

In Danielle's article, "Should the US Government take control of our children's nutrition? YES YES YES!!!" , she discusses the Child Nutrition Bill and how it should definitely be passed. I absolutely agree with my fellow colleague and feel as though we have needed something like this for quite some time! America isn't at the TOP of the 10 fattest countries in the world, but we are close enough. The United States is number 3 with 66.7% of our population being overweight. I'm not implying that we should all look like the stick-figures on the cover of magazines, but being overweight is simply unhealthy. If children don't learn to be conscious of what they eat now and how to properly take care of their bodies, it will be much more difficult as they get older. As Danielle said, "it is a lot harder to break bad habits and form good ones." I remember in middle school our options for lunch usually consisted of fried chicken fingers and french fries but on Monday's we had Taco Bell tacos, Wednesday was Pizza Hut day, and Friday's we got Chick-fil-a sandwiches. As you can see, healthy options weren't even available to us at school. Of course bringing your own lunch was always an option but we had to leave at 6:30am to make it to school every morning, it was far easier for my mom to hand us $5 and on our way then worrying about making lunches before she had to make it to work herself. I think passing a bill to ensure healthier choices at school and simply making children aware will improve our countries health overall. Who knows, maybe sooner than later we won't be dubbed the FATTEST country (even though we are number 3)!

Don't Ask, Don't....Shhhh!

In old news, a lower court has ruled 'don't ask, don't tell' unconstitutional and the whole thing is going through the appeals process now. The Supreme Court has now ruled that the policy will not be suspended until the appeals process is completely done with.
I can't say that I disagree with the Supreme Court's ruling. I know a lot of people are frustrated because they wanted to see change immediately. However, with the appeals the issue is tricky. The repeal of the policy is not set in stone and if men and women begin outing themselves now and then the appeals process comes through in the favor of 'don't ask, don't tell,' their military lives, salaries and benefits are all in danger.
Which brings me to the point that 'don't ask, don't tell' is one of the most outdated ideas still supported in a military that has supposedly become very modern. It is a form of government sanctioned segregation in a world where we like to pretend like that doesn't exist anymore. The fact that we have to sit and wait out the bureaucratic mess until we can embrace the change of policy is unsettling. All of us would prefer to see overwhelming issues like this be taken care of in one swoop.
The unfortunate truth is that many people still believe that 'don't ask, don't tell' is beneficial to the armed forces and is an issue of combat readiness. But those members of the service who are hiding their sexuality for fear of losing their job, benefits, and the pride of serving their country are lying to their comrades every day. Lies that lead to more and more lies, just to cover up who they are. I would prefer that someone who I need to trust 100% out in the field be completely open with me, rather than to get used to the idea of lying for survival. It's not their fault, it is what the system does to them.
You hear among male service members that they are fighting with their best friends, their brothers; the people they've been through everything with. Yet I can't imagine how you could consider someone your best friend or your brother without them knowing serious aspects of you and who you are. I think being able to be open with other service members would increase camaraderie and brotherhood. The only people who it would rattle are those who are homophobic or closed minded; and I don't understand why until now the military has put favor on protecting those men and women from the truth over allowing decent gay or bisexual men and women have their freedom.

Guerrilla News Speaks Out.

I feel as though I can easily relate to Chris' article "Department of Education Stands Up to Bullies", because my original commentary was similar. I spoke about Clint McCance, former Little Rock, Arkansas school board member, who recently resigned after posting anti-gay remarks on his personal Facebook page. I'm curious if his reference to the five suicidal teenagers is the same situation. Regarless, bullying in school really is a serious issue that should not be taken lightly. It is such a relief to know that it is finally being recognized as a PROBLEM and not being "swept under the rug", as he said.

Here are some statistics I found: 

• 23 per cent of elementary students reported being bullied one to three times in the last month. 
• Half of all bullying incidents go unreported.
• 100,000 students carry a gun to school. 

• 77% of the students said they had been bullied. And 14% of those who were bullied said they experienced severe (bad) reactions to the abuse. 

These numbers and facts are truly troubling. I was never a direct victim of bullying nor did I bully anyone, yet I did see how harsh some students could be to others. I agree with Chris and believe that DoE is doing a positive thing by attempting to minimize bullying throughout the school system, I just hope their efforts are effective.

Hey! Try Thinking Before You Speak..or Act..

Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, and even this blog are all forms of social media which are rapidly taking over the internet. As much as I hate to admit this, half the time I spend on my computer is dedicated to Facebook whether I am posting things about my life or reading about others. Maybe it is mindless entertainment or just a distraction from doing homework, either way, it is interesting. Yet I think we can all admit that our favorite part of a conversation is listening to ourselves speak, which is why we have to constantly be careful of what we say because we will and should always be held accountable for our words. 

You may have recently heard about Clint McCance, former Little Rock, Arkansas school board member, who resigned after posting anti-gay remarks on his Facebook page. His remarks were undoubtedly ignorant claiming that he liked the fact that gay people "can't procreate and I also enjoy the fact that they often give each other AIDS and die." Are you kidding me? These comments were made after several gay and lesbian youths committed suicide due to the harsh reality of bullying. Ironically, McCance sent his family to another state for protection after his post because of the abundance of calls and hate mail they were all receiving. Seems like that is just another form of bullying if you ask me. The fact that McCance attempted to withdraw his words and apologize make him even more of a pathetic coward because he clearly said what he wanted and meant. If you are going to post something for the world to see you better be prepared to strongly stand by your words, especially if you are a known name in society.

Now I am not suggesting that just because you are not a politician or celebrity means you can say whatever you want on these social media outlets, us everyday folks need to be careful too. Tyler Clementi, 18 year old Rutgers University freshman, committed suicide on September 22nd, 2010 after fellow students filmed him during a sexual encounter and live-streamed it on the internet. Fact: 43% of kids will experience bullying via internet or moblie devices. Why is it that we take such a privileged right such as freedom of speech and use it as a weapon?
 
Yes all these social media outlets are great for a society full of narcissits' but come on people, it is the internet, not your own personal diary. So save the racial, homosexual, politics, and religious comments for that drunken dinner table talk (although that could potentially get just as ugly).

Does YOU Remember...?

The War on Terror 
 
Paul Craig Roberts, former editor of The Wall Street Journal and Assistant Secretary of the United States Treasury, wrote a very blunt article about the war on terror on Counterpunch, "America's Best Political Newspaper." Roberts' intended audience is the American people as a whole because, according to him, many of us are quite ignorant when it comes to the war on terror. When I was younger I remember asking my mom if she thought there would be a war in my lifetime and at the time she thought absolutely not, but here we are ten years later and counting going around in circles. Paul Roberts launches his article with several valid points about the war on terror that the majority of society is unaware of. He claims, "Does anyone remember that just prior to the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the U.S. government declared victory over the Taliban in Afghanistan?" Did the United States have the opportunity to end this "war on terror" and instead found another issue to only further escalate it? His facts certainly raise some questions for the American people. According to Roberts, "The U.S. government creates terrorists by invading Muslim countries, wrecking infrastructure and killing vast numbers of civilians." The point Roberts is a attempting to make is, naturally these actions would cause a rise out of any given country and is mostly blaming the United States for our countries current position. He goes on to state that, "Most Americans cannot see what is happening because of their conditioning. Most Americans believe that their government is the best on earth, that it is morally motivated to help others and to do good..." Roberts wants you to think how much truth is actually in the positive perception so many naive citizens have of our government.

Over all, Paul Roberts' article is a bit cynical yet he speaks the truth and provides readers with many facts about the war on terror that we have been fighting for years.

More Guns, Less Crime...Right?

UT Shooting Reignites Debate Over Guns on Campus

Mark Ward, staff member of the American Statesman, writes about what happened on Tuesday, September 28th at the University of Texas at Austin. The article itself makes me really think about the pros and cons of concealed handguns being allowed on campuses. "Coincidentally, the high-profile shooting occurred just hour before John Lott, a nationally known author and advocate of concealed-weapons laws, was the speak at UT." No one knows for sure if the two incidents are related but it certainly is ironic. Mark Ward appears to support concealed weapons on campuses even though he discusses both sides of the spectrum. "Governor Rick Perry said Tuesday that he supports allowing properly licensed students to carry concealed weapons on campus; his challenger, Bill White, said he favors letting each campus decide whether or not to ban licensed guns." He goes on to discuss how the bill was opposed by Texas' colleges and universities and was passed in the Senate yet died out once it got to the House. Senator Dan Patrick and other lawmakers are claiming that an incident like the UT shooting pinpoints exactly why we need to make a change in state law. Ward quoted Lott, "Would you put up a sign in front of your house saying, 'This is a gun-free zone'? This simply informs the criminal, "hey, there is no one here that could defend themselves if you decide to open fire." Wards intended audience is directed to American people as a whole, everyone has an opinion on whether or not guns should be allowed in public, and especially on university campuses. 

My opinion changed on the subject after reading the article due to Wards points. My first instinct was to oppose against carrying concealed weapons on campus but when i really thought about it, if an unstable individual wanted to carry a gun onto campus he is going to whether the law permits it or not. Yet if the bill is passed and concealed weapons are allowed for licensed holders, those potential victims could turn the situation around and become heroes.

Patriots or Detractors?

This Saturday, September 11th marks the ninth anniversary of a very tragic day in our nations history, September 11th, 2001. It's unbelievable to think back to that day, I was in my 7th grade math class when the news broke and did not understand the magnitude of the situation considering at the time I didn't even know what the World Trade Towers were. As the day went on I slowly began to realize how much of an impact this terrorism act would have on the United States.

Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck are planning a benefit Saturday, September 11th in Anchorage, Alaska for "patriots who will never forget" the attacks on our nation nine years ago. Featured speakers will be present at the $200 a head event which I find absolutely ridiculous. It seems as though they are using this tragic day which should always be remembered and the lives of the ones lost should be celebrated and turning it into a political extravaganza. Sarah Palin claims that "some Americans are patriots who remember while others are detractors who forget." This statement is flawed in my eyes, just because a citizen cannot afford a $200 ticket to a benefit does not mean he or she is a detractor who will forget the events of 9/11. Family members of the ones lost are even claiming that this is the most "heart-breaking anniversary so far" due to the massive amount of politicization. What are your thoughts on this so-called "benefit"?