What is safety?

Is There an Answer?

The massacre in Newtown marks an important difference between the United States and the rest of the West, where gun ownership is severely restricted and tightly regulated. There are 270 millions guns circulating in America, and 40 percent of the population owns at least one, despite the fact that dozens of studies show that having a gun in your home raises your risk of dying in a homicide or suicide fivefold.

But when one considers what is happening in the rest of the world, where the circulation of small arms is extensive and out of control, there is nothing strange about this. There are at least 650 million small arms circulating on our planet, one for every ten people, which kill at least 500,000 human beings a year. That's one death every 60 seconds: 300,000 per year in war, and 200,000 in murders or suicides.

http://worldmeets.us/ http://www.worldmeets.us/larepubblica000021.shtml#.UNEjeW_m4s4#ixzz2FSbBk2IW

Republicans Open to Gun Control Idea

More Republicans are becoming open to gun controls. Some are deciding and talking about regulating weapons.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/18/usa-shooting-connecticut-congress-idUSL1E8NII7A20121218

Obama Bans Assault Weapons

http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2012/12/18/obama-backs-assault-weapons-ban-town-buries-more-shooting-victims/

Nation Needs Sensible Gun Limits

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/os-ed-newtown-gun-control-121912-20121218,0,5562392.story


If there were laws that prohibited gun use or possession, would that make people stop? Would that cease events from happening like Sandy Hook or the Movie theatre in Colorado????

No one could have said it better. I give my deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones on Friday 14, 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut.

U.S Education Declining

http://blogs.ajc.com/bob-barr-blog/2011/02/11/u-s-education-continues-decline/

Past years, young Americans were so competitive in education. Where did that edge go?

Education and Healthcare Need to Go

Education Olympics

"Money Without Reform" Won't fix U.S Education System

Some argue that money plays a huge factor in education and some not. There are schools that are in need of money and those that are not. Money towards education can help with resources such as text books and computers and a bunch of other things, but are they eally necessary? Does money in education determine whether a student passes or fails? Up to date text books and fancy computers or not, students should be passing. Funding is not necessarily the solution to fixing the U.S education system.


http://articles.cnn.com/2010-09-27/politics/obama.education_1_math-and-science-president-obama-reform?_s=PM:POLITICS

Israel Picks a Fight

Israel fires warning shots as Syria violence spills over border | euronews, world news

Israel has fired warning shots into Syria, which happens to be the first direct military engagement bewtween the two countries since the war in 1973.

What Can Be Done to Improve the Education System in this Country?

http://m.sodahead.com/united-states/what-can-be-done-to-improve-the-public-school-system-in-this-country/question-1221761/

One of the few things Republicans and Democrats agree on is that the educational system in this country sucks. We rank 5th in the world in the amount of money we spend on education, but we still manage to rank 21st in science and 25th in math. What should--or shouldn't--we change to improve?

Obama is a Rock Star!

http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/05/14949915-obamas-final-campaign-day-takes-on-rock-star-feel?lite

Texting Says it All!

One would think that Romney would have higher campaign donations than Obama. On the contrary, Obama out raised Romney by a 73 to 1 ratio in campaign donations, just by the usage of text messages. Shocking! I believe the text donations shows whose in favor. The text says it all!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/24/barack-obama-text-message-donations_n_2011518.html

"Ground Zero Mosque" Debate

Yesterday, the class had a debate on the topic of the Mosque near Ground Zero. I think the debate went very well. It was obvious to see that some were for it, against it and even neutral. I was happy to see that not everyone had the same views on the topic. I did not say much because I am doing my WHIP on this topic. So I wanted to save my thoughts for later on today when I present my WHIP. This debate actually helped me add more thoughts and ideas to my presentation. Hopefully I will do great.

9/11 Conspiracy

It is safe to assume almost everyone knows of 9/11. Those who were born before and in the 90's most likely have a better memory of the tragedy. The event changed America forever. It changed the perspectives of Americans. These changed views were targeted at Muslims or the Middle Eastern. There have been many theories on what went down that day. One common theory is that the destruction of the World Trade Center  and the killing of thousands of innocent people were done by Muslims ( the Middle Eastern). Another theory being the Muslims (the Middle Eastern) had nothing to do with it. I would have never thought of this theory until discovering the article, "Ground Zero Mosque and 9/11" on The2012Scenario.com. The sentence that caught my attention was "Muslims of America have been falsely blamed for nine years for something they had no hand in." For the article, click the link below. 

http://the2012scenario.com/accountability/911-essays/ground-zero-mosque-and-911/

The 3 Ss

Monitor correspondent Liz Marlantes suggest 3 beneficial ideas for Romney's preparation for the presidential debate. These ideas known as the "3 Ss", might be the key to boosting Romney's campaign. 

California bans gay "conversion" therapy for minors

Is this a good thing or bad thing?

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/30/us-california-gaytherapy-idUSBRE88T0DR20120930

Park51 Islamic Center Opens Its Doors Near Ground Zero

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/22/park51-islamic-center-ope_n_975585.html

Park51 Code-name: Mosque

Park 51 Islamic Center opened it's doors September 19, 2012 to the Lower Manhattan Community. Its first exhibit was held Wednesday. The exhibit was a way of showing the community what the Islamic Center was about and what it had to offer. The idea of having a mosque near the site of 9/11 was and still is a idea that many cannot bear. You are either for it or against it. One of the main arguments for not wanting a mosque near Ground Zero is that building a mosque symbolizes victory and by building the mosque near Ground Zero it will give Muslims a ultimate victory. Many people see victory as the purpose for the mosque, but one man has a different purpose. Sharif El-Gamal is the center's developer. His purpose of the mosque is completely different.

For more videos on Park51
click here http://park51.org/2011/01/video-sharif-el-gamal/

New Leaked Video From Fundraiser Looks Horrible For Mitt Romney

Lately, Romney's campaign has not been looking good. He has been criticized for his criticism and comments. And recently he has been criticized for his "47 percent" comment. And unfortunately, Democrats are using his "47 percent" against him. One place being used at is Ohio. 

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/23/us-usa-campaign-ohio-idUSBRE88M0GV20120923

"Shoot first and aim later"

In response to Mitt Romney's criticism of the Obama administration, President Obama tells CBS News that Romney "seems to have a tendency to shoot first and aim later. Here is President Obama's Response to Romney's Criticism

Film Creates Rage for the Muslims

    A film produced in the United States did not exactly get the usual attention most movies do. The movie, Innocence of Muslims, created rage among followers of the Muslim religion. The film mocked the Prophet Mohammad and the Muslims see it as an attack on the Muslim Religion. Because of the film, Protesters expressed their fury in several Asian cities. Police had to break crowds that marched on the U.S Consulate in the Pakistani city of Karachi, meanwhile people in Afghanistan and Indonesia burnt U.S flags and chanted "Death to America." In Indonesia, Police used tear gas and water cannons to disseminate hundreds of Protesters who scattered outside the U.S Embassy in Jakarta, capital of the most populous Muslim Nation. Also in Kabul, Protesters set cars on fire, shops and stoned police officers and buildings.
    This incident pertains to Foreign Policy. When I first heard of this, the first person that came into my mind was Obama. I wonder would this incident play a huge role in the election? Will Obama lose poll votes or followers in general? It depends on his response.

Harooni, Mirwais. "Muslim protesters rage at United States in Asia, Middle East."

NBCNews. n.p, 17 September 2012. Web. 17 September 2012. 

Bachelard, Michael and Doherty, Ben. "Embassy under attack as protests

 spread." TheAge. n.p, 17 September 2012. Web. 17 September 2012.

   

In Class Discussion #1

Today in Government class we had our first discussion. Many topics were discussed and different points were made. Although I did not talk much, I was definitely listening. I heard different point of views regarding the Upcoming Election,Abortion, War, the Economy and etc. I never really looked at any of the issues from others' views other than my own. Today's discussion was a learning experience and I will surely be more involved in the next discussion.

Words of the Republican and Democratic Convention

                                                                    Romney's Cloud

Obama's Cloud

Both Romney's and Obama's speeches addressed many issues. As you can see in the word clouds, the President and his Opponent discussed a variety of things. The only difference between Romney and Obama was the depth of their speech. In my opinion, I thought Obama went more into detail. He was more specific when describing topics, such as Education and Taxes. As for Romney, not so much. In Romney's speech, I felt that all he did was put Obama down. Although in Obama's speech, there were a few comments referring to Romney. I have to admit, these two sure know how to get the attention of the people. One way, was their repetition of the words "America" and "Americans". Even though their ways are different, their minds are focused on the right things. They both had a way of telling the people what they want to hear.

Marriage: Act of Love or Act for Show?

According to Dictionary.com, the defitiniton of marriage is the social institution under which a man and woman establish their decision to live as husband and wife by legal commitments, religious ceremonies, etc. My definition of marriage is the union between two people who love each other unconditionally.  

Among the many top issues, Same Sex Marriage is one of them. The issue of it is that Gays should be able to marry. I support Same Sex Marriage. I have family members and friends who are of the Gay Community. I believe people should marry who they want and that goes for everyone including the Gays. In my eyes, they are hurting nobody. Let them be. 

I believed that all Gays hoped for the same thing to be able to marry, but I was wrong. Last week, my eyes were opened to a whole new perspective. A perspective of the meaning of marriage. Most people see marriage as a event that bonds two lovers and wedding rings to show everyone they are in love. In this case, there are some who think marriage is pointless that people should not marry and wear rings to show they are in love. And surprisingly this perspective came from someone of the Gay Community. I would have never thought a Gay would be against it, but the reason for it was astounding, people don't need to prove their in love to others (by getting married).  

Public Opinion Project Reflection

For this project, I was asked to survey ten people. I asked them questions pertaining to the upcoming election. I surveyed people of different gender, age, religion, ethnicity and education, so I could have answers from various point of views. I thought to myself because of the many differences, the responses I would get would be very different. I was wrong. I learned that I cannot make assumptions based on the differences, but to be open to the possibilties of similarities. My favortie question was the one pertaining to the number one issue in the United States. Half of the people said the economy and the rest ranged from Abortion to Racism to Same Sex Marriage. Just from question 1 I was able to see different point of views. Some of the repsones even persuaded me in changing my own. The question that surprised me the most was the one about Same Sex Marriage. For this question, I thought religion would play a big role in the people's response, but shockingly age was the key factor. Older age groups were not to fond of the idea of Same Sex Marriage. They were very conservative because of their generation. In their generation, it was considered immoral.They believed marriage is a bond between Man and Woman. As for the younger age groups, especially my generation, were very open to the idea. They approved it. They believed that eveyone has the right to marry who they want. The younger groups seemed to be more liberal and open minded. From this project I gained the insight from Christians, Muslims, Catholics,Senior Citizens, High School Students, African-Americans, Polynesians, Hispanics, Asians and Caucasians. The interviews with people of different factors allowed me to see the many point of views, different and similar. Because of the interviews, I was able to create my own point of view of the upcoming election as well as topic related issues.