Blog Stage 8

Rating women, its a huge NO!

Of course as a woman I agree with you that women should not be judged or rated based on there outer appearance. A persons inner beauty should of course be most important. The part of your post I don't agree with though is that sex appeal is shoved down our throats and that being the only reason it seems to be so prominent in the media. Sex is a natural basic human instinct. And girls wanting to emulate those they see on covers of magazines is normal. In your about me bio you state your love for fashion and Elle magazines; every part of fashion and those types of magazines are filled with women who are beautiful and by all standards perfect. People in general are drawn to attractive people what is a problem is that girls don't seem to have the capacity to know that those women in the media aren't real; airbrushed pictures and unrealistic better versions of themselves. I think those who let people they don't even know such as celebrities effect their own lives and psyche are that way because no one told them as children that thats not the way to think or behave. No matter how many feminists types there are protesting be judged on their looks its still going to be a fact of life. And there is nothing wrong with women idolizing those who are beautiful and wanting to be the best they can be. At the same time still staying true to themselves because no matter your hair or make up people are still unique because you are you and no one else can come close to that.

Arizona Immigration Law

Arizona is on its way to getting a new law passed SB1070, an immigration law that the state has come up with to fight illegal immigration into Arizona. Living in Texas we hear about illegal immigration all the time, we watch the shows Border Wars and others and it seems as hard as the US works to keep illegals out the influx of those coming in is constant. Immigration is of course a federal matter but I think states such as Arizona, Texas, any border states if need be should be allowed to enforce as a state as well. This new law brings stricter ways of identifying aliens and how to deal with them. But how can we determine at first glance who is a non-citizen? This question is causing those to say this will encourage racial profiling, seeing as most of these immigrants are hispanic. But I dont think this is so, Mexico is our neighbor and our country has millions of hispanic cictizens along with millions of illegal ones. I think if you come from a border state you know diversity and racial profiling is not what anyone would want because those are our friends, in my case our family, and neighbors. No one wishes to see those wrongfully accused, but there is a job to do and I think those who seem suspicious as the SB1070 law states will be questioned, and if there is nothing to hide you have your papers and its understood that this is the law there shouldnt be any hurt feelings. Living abroad in China last year I knew as a visitor on a work visa I had certain papers to carry on me at all times, its the law and I didnt feel singled out when asked for said papers, obviously Im American but I had every right to be there. And those who have rights in this country, citizens should see this as a way to make our states, our country a better place for all. Those who do illegal things like coming here illegally should be removed, because the worst people are the people who feel that the law doesnt apply to them. President Barack Obama has criticized the Arizona law, calling it a threat to “basic notions of fairness.” Pretty sure Obama is looking out for these hispanic citizens, not for fairness but for votes. I think Federal laws against immigration can and should be paired with states laws to prevent illegal immigration.

Yes, Really and Ridiculous

The War on Drugs, Really?


Halleluiah my friend, to everything you’ve said and more, it is time for a new approach to the war on drugs, since Nixon first coined the slogan, the amount of drugs in and consumed in the U.S. has only increased. Along with profit for the cartels and outrageous over flow in our federal prisons. Right now the U.S. is second in the world for highest incarceration rate, but we are most definitely going to soon take over that title. With the majority of these prisons inmates drug offenders as you said the focus is not where it should be on rehabilitating these people. Its seems to me that enforcement is the main focus not the social problem of drugs in our society. Arresting small-time dealers does little but create business opportunities for others. Its time for something new, first like you said marijuana is not a drug; you will never hear of someone dying from smoking too much pot. I swear its amazing the focus on prohibition. Its like wake up that is never ever going to happen. What would be so wrong with legalizing something that is so commonly used be a wide range of demographics; creating billions of jobs and revenue for our country and at the same time undermine criminals and their illegal activity.

Every thing I have ever read on the subject says since the war on drugs began things have only gotten worse, I have even read and I’m almost certain it could be true that some of our own national government institutions make some sort of profit on the drugs brought into the US. And even if that’s not so think of how much seizing of these drugs it would take to hurt the cartels something like 75% to even hurt their profits. Its ridiculous having old fashioned views and ways of dealing with something that is evolving and most definitely not going away maybe instead we could have regulated legalization, along with rehabilitation for those who need it. Just something new, because the way things are going now there is only more violence, more drugs, and even more prisons to hold these drug offenders to come.

Contraception Controversy

Controversy has been on going over the health care mandate including contraception as part of preventative medicine.This new law taking effect August 1, 2012, makes contraception available free of charge for women which I believe is an extremely positive thing. I think alot of women and young women especially put off getting birth control because it isnt free or easily accessable. With teen rates high and the problems that come along with it I dont see how anyone could be opposed. But the catholic church along with others have rallied against this mandate saying it conflicts with their religious beliefs. Obama plans to include an exemption for those affilated, I think this is reasonable enough, although Im sure those who are religious employees would too enjoy free contraception. Alike people who cant afford or choose not to use birth control are the very same who would carelessly become pregnant adding more financial burden on the government. I know I along with many young women would benefit from this law. And society as a whole would benefit from parents who are ready for that role; preferrable those who are married, educated, and with the means to support a child.

Obesity Epidemic

I think everyone would agree that the obesity epidemic is a problem that has been increasing in its severity for years nows. With diabetes having become the leading health problem in America most people would agree that something needs to be done about this nationwide health concern. Two common opposing viewpoints on the issue have constantly come to the debate of whether or not the government should step in and take action. In the article Fat Chance: An Analysis of Anti-Obesity Efforts authors Michael L. Marlow and Sherzod Abdukadirov take the stance that the government should take some sort of action against this health crisis. Marlow and Abdukadirov make good opposing arguements to the intervention/education approach. They state, "Obese Americans do not lack knowledge, rationale, or motivation to improve their health. Therefore, government intervention when it comes to health risks will not provide incentives for change." True that as of yet educating the masses on unhealthy eating habits such a fast food along with the popular diet of the week; these tactics arent working. People know the consequences of their actions but continue to put themselves at risk for the many heath problems caused by obesity, and those problems arent just hurting these individuals but affecting the nation as a whole. "$168 billion in health spending. If the market fails to provide the right circumstances for change, some argue that it’s the government’s job to step in and enforce what is in the best interest of the individual, even if they are fully able to make good health choices on their own."

Personally I've always believed that education should be the solution to this problem and should start with children, preferrably by parents, but school systems too should take the initiative to teach the importance of healthy eating and exercising habits. If people grow up learning about a nutritional diet as adults they should have the capacity to make well informed personal decisions. Unfortunately this leaves room still for people that become overweight and unhealthy adding to a statistic that turns into billions of dollars in health care spending, so these people should be held responsible. I dont really think we can expect the government to step in on an issue so personal as what we put into our bodies. And this is why the obesity epidemic is up for so much debate and the topic of many of articles like this one.The authors' intended audience would be conservative blog readers, I think this article is worthwhile to anyone interested in this national problem that in recent years has been recieving more and more attention. But I think most liberals who read this would think the government taking any sort of control over what food choices would be availabie to citizens is nearing socialism. Both of the authors of this article I believe are crediable, both are affilaited with Mercatus Center at George Mason University and Marlow is the author of the book The Myth of Fair and Efficient Government: Why the Government You Want Is Not the One You Get, Abdukadirov's research has been published in recent journals. I feel they make good points that something new and different needs to be put into works because obesity in this nation is such a fast growing epidemic.

Dr. Seuss' The Lorax: "Indoctrination?"

Dr. Seuss' The Lorax is an animated kids film coming out March 2nd, 2012. An adventrous tale of a little creature, "The Lorax" who encourages eco friendly living. Believe it or not this movie is causing controversy! In the article "More 'Indoctrination' Paranoia: Fox Attacks Dr.Suess' The Lorax" author Todd Gregory quotes Lou Dobbs who bashes the childrens movie on his live Fox Business show. Gregory's article seems to be mainly a mockery of Lou Dobbs and his panel who discuss the movies underlying "tree hugging" message to kids. Or as Gregory puts it subtle forms of anti-business indoctrination that brainwash your kids into hating capitalism? This articles intended audience is obviously those who read left leaning blogs such as this one on Media Matters. Todd Gregory comes across as credible since majority of the article is quotes straight from the show itself.Yet it is hard to get a sense of what Gregory really has to say on the "issue" or concern because a sarcastic tone through out  leaves the reader a little one sided. I feel maybe this is because with the video of the Fox show included its enough to make you agree Dobbs and his collegaues are nuts. He makes pretty outrageous claims linking The Lorax to some sort of liberal agenda because in his opinion, "The movie is reminiscent of President Obama's recent speeches on taxes." With the movie not even being in theatres yet I find it hard to prove this link. I think its pretty clear that this man Lou Dobbs along with other right wing conservatives actually do have some sort of panaoia as the author calls it when it comes to the beloved Dr.Suess story. How The Lorax could be percieved as Dobbs says, "Plainly demonizing the so-called '1 percent' and espousing the virtue of green-energy policies..." I dont really know. Especially since this was a story written in 1971, it sure would be taking those liberals some time to let the brainwashing commence. Personally I cant imagine how a movie that encourages environmental appreciation and respect could be viewed as anyting but a positive message for children. A message seen throughout many of the most famous kids movies.

Compromise on birth control

This week the White House is revising the health care rule Obama put in place in the Affordable Care Act insurance policy concerning contreceptives for employees. The health care rule requires guaranteed coverage for women from their insurance companies for contreceptives including birth control and the morning after pill. This requirement caused major upset for religious employers saying it violates their teachings. This article by the Washing Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/white-house-to-announce-adjustment-to-birth-control-rule/2012/02/10/gIQArbFy3Q_story.html?hpid=z1 goes into detail how Obama plans to satisfy both sides of this issue. Those like myself would believe that this birth control rule is a great addition to health care policies because as we've seen teen mom rates are high and while abortion, which is a bigger issue, could be avoided with contreceptives being easily available and affordable to those women who need it. As of now these religious employers are mandated to subsidize the cost of contreceptives. These institutions argue that this isnt a fair request when they believe it is intrinsiclly wrong. These institutions mainly the Catholic church have berated Obama with a firestorm of critism. The Obama administration is now going to "modify" their position. I think this article is important not only to all American women that it directly affects but everyone, with the election coming up its telling to see how Obama quickly decided to satisify the Catholic church by including some sort of exemption for religious employers. Under political pressure and of course the upcoming election looming Obama is in a position to try and please all. Whether you agree or disagree with the original policy it will be changing to give leeway to to accomodate all religious organizations.