Civility- Text Response (Last One!)

     In Chapter 19, Mark Davis writes an article titles 'A Little Civility, Please'. This article discusses First Amendment rights and how they are implicated or should or shouldn't be used in schools. Davis uses a few examples in his text that involve what some kids have worn to school and what they represent. Most times, he jokes about agreeing with the shirts, but also states that agreement or not, schools should indeed ban them. One of his main points is that although something on a shirt or arm band may be true or within freedom of speech, that does not mean it should be allowed in schools. He says they should be banned from schools because although the attire may not be physically offensive, it is in other ways and rules should be followed to not create other disruptions. He says atmospheres must follow order to avoid other behavior extremes.
     With that being said, I can understand his focus. Schools should indeed allow freedom of speech where it is appropriate, such as some supervised classroom debates, but wearing specific shirts or advertisements of beliefs can create an uproar. Once rules are broken or the envelope is pushed, it does seem to create an atmosphere of hostility due to everyone pushing the limit. As mentioned by Davis, some ways to demonstrate beliefs may be true, but causing an uproar within the atmosphere by either forcing the child to change or switch the shirt inside out, or by irritating many people, the provoking attire is not worth it. The First Amendment is a good thing to be utilized, in an appropriate manner without being taken advantage of.

Ending the Semester

As the semester comes to a close, most of us college students are freaking out. Not because our grades are not sufficient, but mostly because we would like to keep it that way. Besides how our grades are, there is so much to be accomplished with only a few weeks left. I mean, next week is our last blog! With only a few weeks left, there are papers, quizzes, speeches, exams, and more to be completed. Getting these things accomplished, and accomplished well, is the difficult task. The weather is becoming nicer and the college version of senioritis is hitting. I'm not sure about everyone else, but I know I am becoming more exhausted and over school. However, I keep exciting events in mind to keep me pushing through. What do other students do to keep going? I am curious because maybe it would help me as well. The stress is continuously high as most of us are completing our last projects and assignments. The annoying part, though, is having a big exam the week before finals. It is so irritating! Studying for finals happens way in advance, so finding time to study for another exam on top of it just adds to the already existing stress. I can deal with these things, as many others can, but the irritation is still there. Students have to continue school work and professors have to keep grading. Not only are the students ready for a break, but I believe the professors are too!

Text Response- "Left Behind, Way Behind"

     In chapter 18, Bob Herbert writes an article called "Left Behind, Way Behind". In this article, the author discusses the issues at hand that our country faces with education among kids. He discusses how although we have the No Child Left Behind Law, we still have issues that need to be addressed better if we want to increase our nation's education. The U.S. was ranked 24th out of 29 in problem-solving abilities of 15-year-olds. In addition to that, reading proficiency scores is not doing well either. Knowing the issues is not enough to change anything. Something must be done to fix this lack of education. It has been shown that the poorer children have less of an education and are further behind than the other kids. As a citizen, I feel as though all children should be able to receive a proper education regardless of money. I understand education costs money, but there must be some other plan out there that will do more than the No Child Left Behind Law. One thought mentioned by Herbert is to have highly qualified teachers in all classrooms as well as possibly increasing the school day. I feel as though increasing the school day depends upon age because of attention spans, but I do agree that teachers should be highly qualified. There should also be a way for almost all children to receive worthy education to continue on in life. A plan for this would be challenging to make, but that does not mean it is impossible. I did not come from a poor family, but I feel like I was deprived of a better education and that some of my grade schools were too far behind as well.

Birth Control Nonsense

Although a contraceptive is referred to as 'birth control', this does not represent the only meaning or purpose it has. Birth control can be used as preventing pregnancy or family and financial planning, but it is also used for other medical purposes. Some women use this contraceptive to help prevent ovarian cysts, help relieve intense menstrual cycles and symptoms, and help prevent diseases. With this being said, the new Obama care health system should require all companies to provide birth control included insurance policies regardless of religious belief or affiliation. Places like Hobby Lobby and Chick Filet would like to be exempt from Obama Care similar to places like OSF. This should not be happening just because of religion. Although we have freedom of religion, that does not mean one's religion should effect others in such a vital way. Women's health is just as important and what women do with their health and bodies should not be dictated by an employer. Not only is health legitimate, but many companies or insurances would ultimately save more money by providing free contraceptives. Many women can relate to this. Studies have shown that when it comes to the religion factor, approximately 98% of Catholic women do or have used some form of birth control. That seems to be a double standard. If religion is a main reason as to why companies should not provide it for their employees, then why are so many Catholic women using it then? If people who are not as religious should not get it for free, then why are the religious people the ones using it just as much?

Text Response

In Chapter 15, Jacquielynn Floyd writes an article called "On Facebook, Biggest Threat to Your Private Data May Be You". In this article, Floyd discusses the privacy aspect of social media. Floyd brings up good points regarding people "sharing" large amounts of information about themselves on Facebook including when they purchase something or even what they are wearing. Basically, each person signing up for Facebook or other social media, is responsible for their own privacy. I completely agree with this. If someone does not want their boss seeing their partying hot mess express photos from the weekend, do not post them and allow all of Facebook to see it. In addition to this, if you do not want to be creeped on by strange people, or anyone for that matter, do not go accepting every friend request you ever receive just to have the most amount of friends (yes this happens). If someone is okay with talking about which gym workout they did, or which chicken they ate, then that is fine. However, people should not have a cow when Facebook wants to change their privacy Terms and Conditions. The only way to fully protect yourself is to only provide the information that is acceptable to be viewed by anyone and everyone. I do understand that social media does randomly change settings and users do not become aware until things go haywire, but besides this, no one can blame anyone besides themselves when their partying or half naked pictures are viewed by all.

Spring Running Is a No Go

As Spring and summer are quickly approaching, I am usually very excited to begin going on long runs outside. To me, pushing myself to keep running along side with my brother-in-law in the nice fresh air is the best. As winter comes to a close, or hopefully, I become excited to stop running on the awful treadmill. However, this year is a bit different. This year I do not get to look forward to running outside because I am having hip surgery. Not only is the timing not so great, but neither is the recovery. For this surgery, the doctor will be shaving off part of my femoral head. In addition to this, he will also have to fix a labrum tear and cartilage tears. I have to go to Tennessee for this because this doctor helped in creating this surgery and because if a doctor is not careful, a slight misjudgement can fracture my whole hip and result in needing a replacement. After surgery I cannot walk or run for a good amount of time and physical therapy takes an eternity. Because of my limitations, I obviously cannot run or work out like I usually do. Although I will have severe restrictions, I still do not want to get fat. I will crutch  my happy self into the gym with  my restrictions paper and make someone help me. I cannot bear weight and my waist or hip area cannot be bent more than 90 degrees. With this being said, I would love to know what I can do to try to stay in shape at least a bit. I know I will not be running four miles on crutches, but I am still currently researching what people with this surgery do to not lose all muscle. Any help would be fabulous!

Text Response- iWorld

In chapter 15, Andrew Sullivan writes an article called “Society Is Dead: We Have Retreated Into the iWorld”. In this article, Sullivan discusses how most everyone is tuned into their ipods and tuned out from the real world. He speaks of New York City and ho it appears quieter than it used to be. Everyone seems to be more spaced out, ignoring basic social cues. I feel that this argument can go both ways. I can see ho someone would make the claim that he is, especially considering most people cannot have a conversation without having their noses deep into their iphones. I can’t say I am not guilty of these things because there is an alternate side as well. People should have the courtesy and manners toward others, but also be allowed to enjoy the world and music however they so choose to. There are still concerts and dances and more bringing people together to enjoy music. People can and should still take some time to experience the natural world around us, but also be able to enjoy music daily in any way they want during their free time. I know I do both. I attempt to maintain being observant, but sometimes I also enjoy being able to escape the hustle and bustle of day to day life and plug in my favorite tunes. There is a happy medium that can be reached in my opinion. The matter is just to find it. My hope is that people will eventually go back to being capable of having regular conversations without being nose deep in a cell phone, but when it comes to music, that is a whole new place of debate. People escape reality or enjoy music in all different ways. 

Speeches- Free Choice

Speeches are a terrible invention, especially when an entire class is based off of them. Do not get me wrong, I completely agree with being a well rounded individual or having some business and education majors requiring it, however, I plan to be a nurse. I will very rarely, if at all, have to present anything to a large group. This goes for many other majors as well. Now, if you are a business or education major, well then i hate to break it to you, but you probably should be required to take a communications class. That makes perfect sense, but why should everyone have to if it does not apply directly to one's career path. This clearly is not an equality type of debate because you do not see accounting majors or education majors taking microbiology to be "well rounded". Most of us can agree to leave that to the medical involved majors. With that being said, can we not leave this dreadful speech class to those who will utilize it more. Majors geared toward the medical field are typically tolerable of dealing with disturbing bodily functions, but put most of us in front of a class staring at us talking about something random and it does not tend to go well. Many of my nursing major friends, along with myself, are tired of speeches. I would love to understand the relevance. I do not dislike it because it does not pertain to my major, but because speeches crank up my blood pressure and nerves. I feel that most students can agree with this and empathize with this.

Schools Destroying Freedom of Speech

In chapter 19 of our text, John W. Whitehead writes an article called 'The Schools are Destroying Freedom of Speech'. He speaks about how high schools have lacked education in the Constitution and rights. He also discusses how schools typically don't respect student's legal rights for the Constitution and amendments. The first example he uses is when a graduating senior speaks of the school as a "prison" in his speech and is not awarded his diploma. Another girl spoke of the Lord and her microphone was unplugged. These are just a few examples of how student's rights are not followed in schools. Most students are not entirely educated on their freedom of speech, nor are they very respected anyway. Each school appears to try to justify their reasons, but I these reasons are not really justifiable. As well as the schools not supporting students, the courts also seem to allow the education systems to do this as well. Freedom of speech is being ruined by false reasoning and excuses for justification. I know first hand I never felt like I could say how I felt in school. Yes students should have respect and maturity, however, graduation speeches about God or how they felt throughout high school should be accepted. A speech is a speech for a reason, to talk about what you think you should. Students freedom of speech will continue to be disrupted as time goes on because no one is putting a stop to the current issue with it now. If people do not support students and their freedom of speech now, it will eventually continue to go downhill.

Designing Children

Not everyone has heard of the term "designer babies", however, this scientific study is increasing very frequently. This study involves basically creating how you want your child to be. First, they are studying the possibility of preventing diseases such as Down's or various forms of cancer. Although this may sound great, they are taking it a step further. They are also now studying the possibility of choosing specific traits or characteristics such as height, intelligence, physical ability, and so on. Although some people may be able to be understanding about the desire to prevent diseases within their children, studies have also shown that some folks would prefer to give their child specific attributes  rather than prevent a disease like Down's. I can understand how parents would want the best for their kids, especially when it comes to preventing awful life long diseases, however, this can create issues as well. Creating a little robot child with specific traits or characteristics also causes issues. This type of advancement in the medical field and technology could most likely create a whole new class of people. The rich would continue making brilliant and talented individuals, and the poor would continue having regular humans. This would create another difference in class than what already exists. Another issue would be the amount of money that would go into this. Who pays for what and how is this decided. Does extra come out of taxes from the poor, so that rich people can continue designing babies. Or do the rich have to pay for it in full. Although this study is extremely interesting, it brings upon many many pros and cons as well. How do you decide?

"My Daughters Have No Mother"

     In chapter 21, Max Mutchnick writes a blog post in 2009 with the title "My Daughters Have No Mother". Max was the co-creator of the show Will and Grace. Throughout this post Mutchnick discusses how his daughters do not have a real mother because he refers to their surrogate as an oven. Along with this, he discusses how difficult it is to have children being gay. He refers to making children the gay way as "building a yacht". He briefly goes through various aspects of trying to have a child and what it involves or how it feels emotionally.
     Some sympathy can be had for this man because I can not imagine how it would feel to have this much struggle to have a child. On top of the assumed difficulty, there are so many people in the world to judge it or be negative toward it. Many people say that children may no develop emotionally or in any other way fully if they have two same sex parents. Now, I am not disagreeing that having two different sex genders helps a great deal. However, I do not believe that it makes gay parents incapable of raising a child. Emotionally, a child needs love, support, and understanding. If these things are provided, that is what really matters. Other gender related issues can be worked upon.
     I understand there are many outlooks concerning gay parents, and I do not disagree with all of them. I do feel though, that America could be less judgmental and harsh. I know there are pros and cons to having same gender parents, but there are also issues with two different sex parents as well. Not all parents are perfect, and gender should not be what decides that.

Gym Problems

I am sure everyone has heard of the typical gym rants on Facebook and various other social networking sites, or even in person. This is not meant to be a rant, but a simple request. I am not opposed to people going out and getting some exercise. You go girl. I am also not opposed to the folks that fill the gym for the first couple months of the year with New Year's resolutions. However, if you are a work out junkie, or an occasional gym visitor, or anything for that matter, do not be irritating to everyone trying to get a work out going. Am I the only individual that feels slightly irritated going to the gym?  I know I cannot be the only person that knows the common courtesy rules. There are common courtesy rules everywhere, such as males not using urinals right next to each other, or girls not awkwardly browsing at the same rack in clothing stores, or opening a door for the old lady with a walker. Just like in those examples, the common courtesy rules still apply in the gym as well. Is it not common sense to put your weights back where you found them? Or maybe not to hog the squat rack for forty five minutes because you would like to go back and forth across the weight room and keep your weights on the bar the whole time. Just because I am  a girl does not mean I don't require the squat rack now and again as well. Along with those, please do not leave your ginormous plates in places where less muscular people cannot pick them up and move them. So to all of my fellow work out folk, can we all come to a common ground and be courteous individuals?  Or am I the only one feeling this way?