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).
Friday, October 29, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, October 1, 2010
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.
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.
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