Georgia's New Approvals

I heard some very interesting news this morning while driving in the car and immediately knew that I had to blog about it. The state of Georgia has placed to laws in effect. The first one is to ban texting or surfing mobile Internet while driving. The other law is to allow more weapons in places that they are normally not allowed such as around the airport and in school parking lots. This news struck me by surprise. I am extremely happy that there is a band on cell phone usage because it has gotten out of control lately but this entire idea about allowing weapons in restricted areas is placing more harm on individuals in my opinion. School has always been a safety zone and to allow children to bring weapons inside of parking lots on within the area of the school is simply outrageous to me. Parents have enough trouble and worries now a day's thinking about their children’s safety without us adding furry to the fire. I believe that this law could only hinder us as a state. Could allowing more weapons in prohibited areas advance us or hinder us? I believe that it will ultimately be a hindrance.

Jones Apologizes for Jewish Joke

this photo was obtained along with the quote below

from http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20100428/us_time/08599198499400

I had to blog about this because I found it very interesting how nowadays little simple things are being down in government that people are taking to be offensive... Is it because the people are getting to sensitive or is it because government is getting to relaxed? According to time magazine National Security Advisor General James Jones made an offensive joke about the Taliban and Jewish individuals. A quote directly from time magazine:

"Under better circumstances, the joke about a Jewish merchant and an angry Taliban militant told last week at a Washington think tank by National Security Adviser General James Jones might have passed as a failed, mildly offensive attempt at humor and nothing more. The stereotypes are objectionable and the punch line not clever.

But the joke, told at a moment of heightened tension and mutual suspicion in the delicate relationship between the governments of Israel and the U.S., runs the risk of reinforcing all the wrong elements of the troubled relationship." Although Advisor Jones has apologized for his racey joke it only makes the government of Israel question America's position."

Jones, the President's top foreign policy aide, has become a target for right-wing Israelis because of this joke that lacked in humor.

Are we risking to undo the ties between the United States and Israel or are we simply attempting to be humours with a negative approach? Should National person's be more aware of these things or should they simply be allowed to have slip ups considering that they are human? What does this say about our national powers? Are they losing focus or simply targeting to make President Obama's term more demanding then needed? It would seem that Mr. Jones would have known better but its clear that even high esteemed political leaders have moments of uncertainty.

Watergate

This image was obtained from
http://www.thewatergatehotel.com/images/pic-watergetehotel.jpg
Watergate Hotel

In my history class this week we had a very interesting discussion about the Watergate Scandal involving former President Nixon... Now I'm sure we have all in someway or another heard about this scandal but for those who have not, the Watergate Scandal was basically a burglary that took place in the democratic headquarters where files were tampered with and most people directed it back to the white house. Many individuals believed that President Nixon was fully aware of the matter but resigned before it got "too hot."

A student in my class made the point that although Nixon resigned from office before any truth could be proven to his involvement, federal charges against him were dropped by President Ford even though he deserved some type of punishment. My professor simply responded by saying that America was experiencing a lot at the time. They were going through the Vietnam War, and having to deal with Watergate was too much of a hassle.


The student in my class then posed the question of whether or not a president should not be held to the same level of responsibility. He questioned whether or not Nixon should have not been accused simply because he was president. The student felt that it was simply a double standard that has lead to the corrupt form of government in America today.

I agree 50% with the student. The fact that ethics and moral code were not involved in the decision being made on behalf of Nixon it does cause me to woner if the government just took the "Sell out" route to keep things cool. The fact that Nixon was not punished for this capital crime makes me wonder just how the government might be today if he had been convicted. Would it have made a difference? Or would we simply still be in the positions that we are in today? Could Nixon's prosecution during the Watergate Scandal have been an added bonus or hindrance to American government?

Bullying In Schools

When should bullying in school be a serious problem? Should things simply be left alone until serious injury or possible death is to occur? Bullying is a very serious situation. Especially now when bullying is causing children to take their lives away or them trying to avoid living in the real world. We have all in some way or another experienced with bullying. Whether doing the bullying or being the person bullied. Neither position is a good one to be in. The situation to recently occur with the young lady in Massachusetts found hanging by a rope inside of her home is one that saddens me. But I believe that I'm more saddened by the fact that the adults around were not more active in seeing the signs of this thing. I know that sometimes it can be very difficult to see things like this but the young lady's parents argue that several attempts were made to try to inform the administration at the school about this very thing. When does the line get drawn? Should legal action take place regarding the matter and if so what kind?

Hateful Slurs to target a specific group

Racism…what does it mean to you? There are several definitions to describe this word, but there are two definitions that stick out the most to me. The first definition is that racism is a prejudice belief that members of one race are intrinsically superior to members of other races. The second definition that racism is that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and racial differences.

My religion professor brought up a good point today. He asked the class to give an example of one time in history where people were given a name to represent them that did not exactly explain who they were. A student in class said the “N” word. He stated that because the word was used to characterize Africans so often, that it kind of became a word to represent them collectively but did not explain to people who they were. My professor agreed 100% with him and used the word “queer” as an example as well. He said that because the word "queer" was used as a hateful slur towards homosexuals, it has now become a word that most people identify them with.

I do believe that using these words as examples or racial slurs can be offensive and demeaning to an individual. It is never okay to constantly demean or through racially insensitive remarks at an individual no matter how often you hear them do it to themselves. If I encounter a homosexual who refers to themselves as a "queer" I would not be offended because they are using a word that is so often used to represent them by everyone else. So if anyone is granted the right to use it, it should be homosexuals themselves.

This also is true for the “N” word. Racial demeaning is never ok, but considering the nature and extent to which the “N” word has been used in history, if anyone should be allowed to use the word it should be African Americans. I do not use the word because I do not like it, but if I ever felt the need to use it I believe that I have the right to do so, because my race was targeted through its creation. It’s the same situation with the word “queer” and even the word “slut”. I have encountered so many double standards where women will say that it is ok when a woman calls another woman a “slut” but if a man uses the word is goes against all things. This is a belief for many women because for so long the word has been targeted towards them. When you feel like you have ownership or the most involvement with something you feel like it is your right to use it.

Like I stated earlier I do not use the “ N” word because I just choose not to, but if I ever do feel like it I believe that it is my African American right to use it. As an African descent living in America I have the right to use the "N" word because it was targeted towards my race. Homosexuals should be allowed to use the word "queer" because as homosexuals living in America they have been targeted because of their sexuality. Unless you have any personal emotion or connection to a word you should not be allowed to use it because otherwise you have no idea how deep of a meaning on connotation is possessed by the targeted individual because of it.

President Obama's Health Care Reform Bill

This Image was obtained from http://assets.nydailynews.com
/img/2010/03/24/alg_bill-signing_obama.jpg

After a century of trying to establish some type of health care insurance for all Americans, I am so happy that President Obama was able to pass his health reform bill. We will all benefit in some way from this health reform bill that seeks to bring down health care costs for American families and small businesses, while expanding coverage to millions of Americans.

I am however saddened by the struggle in which President Obama faced to too see this much needed plan turned into a law. I heard a gentleman say that it was almost as if President Obama paid people off to have them vote in favor of his plan. Yes the votes were very tight and some democrats did not even vote in favor of the plan, but this plan benefits us all and I have yet to understand why anyone would go against it. This plan will strengthen consumer protection, and ultimately provide Americans more say so in what their health care can do for them.

Although it will take a while for all of his plans to be put into action I believe that President Obama has proven himself to us all. He entered into his presidency at a time when America was at its worst. His ability to slowly but surely make change in this country is insurance to us all that he is striving for a brighter and more prosperous America. Barely halfway through his second year President Obama has achieved something that most people living today have never experienced!

Dan Rather Speaks- Obama's articulate but....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO-xqiG9LOc

The above and video comes from Dan Rather who recently spoke about President Obama’s inability to get the health bill passed by congress. I found his comments to be very disrespectful and politically incorrect. You might find it surprising because it was not the watermelon comment that I found most appalling. The fact that Mr. Rather stated that President Obama was “very articulate,” as if proper speaking goes against being African American was my issue!

Not all African Americans are expected to talk like “ we’s a be’s and he’s a be’s!" I mean is it not ok for an African American to speak properly? Is it just to much for an African American to have a general understanding of a verb and subject agreement?

Our president is a college graduate who knows how to speak standard English! He’s able to hold a descent conversation with a person without getting lost in the shuffle. Is that wrong? If I had to pose a question to all of you my question would be is it wrong to be African American and be able to “articulate” words without it being a highlighted problem? If I articulate my words am I less black?

Statements like the one from Dan Rather are those things that constantly make African Americans feel like they are belittled by people of different races in America. The fact that President Obama has been unsuccessful with passing his health bill in congress is merely because the republicans are outweighing the democrats and disagreeing. I highly doubt that his ability to sell watermelon would sway congress’s vote! Mr. Rather was out of line with his statement!