Look out behind you

My colleague has made an integral point when it comes to the view of our American policies in his Blog 1984 in 2013. Why should we the people have to sacrifice our privacy to "Big Brother". we have our freedom and we should keep it as such correct?
This entire situation, and their predecessors, remind me of the wire tapping enacted by former president Bush on telephone conversations. It was an invasion of privacy and felt as if we were being watched at every turn for anything mildly suspicious or even strange. However there are those that take the view of if I have nothing to hide why should I care? and true law abiding citizens have nothing to fear from these events but it is still is breaking down the fabric of freedom which we are founded upon.
While I don't agree with those that view it as harmless I understand there point of view... I still don't like people watching over my back as I surf the internet for you know... stuff

The Only Thing We Have to Fear

    Fear has always been a mortal object that drives us. It keeps us alive in moments of true danger and takes advantage of our brains to keep us on edge. When used properly its one of the more useful emotions. However when played on, when it is manipulated it turns from a helper to a crippling vice. It can destruct our sense of security, break down our minds, and fray what little sanity we start out with.
    I understand that the bombing in Boston was a terrible tragedy and i would agree with that. I feel for the family's of those lost in the explosion. I am truly sorrowful of the events that transpired. This does not give the media the right to play to footage of the bombing, of people dying on the news multiple times in one single hour. Even now it s a focal point of the media's investigation. You can Google any national news website and find multiple articles detailing graphical maps, computerized reenactments, and other similar showings. For an unknown amount of time shortly after the bombing that was a picture circulating on national website of one of the cameramen before it a disclaimer that the following picture was not appropriate for sensitive viewers. If you ignore that  a picture of the man with his legs literally blown off is shown. They display him like some kind of monster without legs as if this will help us understand further that this truly was a tragedy.
     I know the situation, I understand people died, but shouldn't we then give them respect and mourn them without having to be bombarded with news coverage and media drivel at every single turn. To look at it from the stand point of a family who lost someone in the bombing. Every time you turn on the TV go on the internet and even pick up a paper, all you see is more pictures and words detailing the carnage that took your loved one away.

An Art worth living for

     My colleague Alec Bainter has made a very interesting point in his blog of political insights. In his article A Need for Art he discusses the issue of the lack of art teachings in colleges. Art for me has always been an integral part of life. I love music and sketching and every form of individuality of human life. However a living to be made by these forms is hard to come by. It is simply not prudent to teach children the arts and tell them to go make a living that way. At least that what Ive always been taught. My own family doesn't support my art endeavors.
     Shouldn't that be all the more reason for schools to have programs and events that teach those that truly want to make a living with their talent. I don't believe that just small colleges and communities should have these but the larger institutions as well. With so many young people in the world desiring to spread their individuality through their arts why not teach them how to do so and give them an education they could truly use. That way we would have more students and more people living a life they are truly happy with.

One Nation For All

      The subject of gay marriage being legalized has been a hot button issue for nigh-on forever now. Whether or not it is truly constitutional is the question and many people more eloquent than myself have made far stronger cases. However, I believe my background in religion, particularly conservative Christian, gives me a unique view on the matter which i would like to share.
      Since i can remember the ethics of homosexuality has been ground into my brain as that of a mortal sin. It was one of the single most important rules of Christianity and quite difficult to break myself out of that thinking pattern. As I have lived my life i have found several flaws with those teachings. The subject of morality is not the main focus to this particular discussion. it merely mirrors the same opinion i take with constitutionality.
      I developed my own personal view on religion shortly after my falling out and had a realization. I as  a Christian can not tell people how to live their lives. What I believe or don't believe is UN-important to how people go about from day to day. The same can be said for our government. Gay marriage is a lifestyle choice and one that our forefathers didn't choose to think about at their time although I'm sure it existed. the government should accept and give the same rights to people regardless of their sexual orientation. this is so simple its nearly makes me brain dead. Our institution should not have the ability to say no these two consenting adults can not get married or have the same rights as a straight man and woman. this does no warm to us as a country in fact it makes us stronger. I cant believe that we even argue about this today.

The Powers of a General

     Recently in the New York Times an author by the name of Mark Bittman wrote an opinion entitled Our M.I.A. Surgeon General. This article entails out current surgeon general Regina Benjamin and her job. It discusses the proposed job of the surgeon general and what role she should play in her position. However in modern time the part of surgeon general has be put  on the back burners so to speak. He discusses the jobs done by previous surgeon generals and the impact they had on our world. He believes that the surgeon general should once again be in the lime light, and be able to influence the American people especially in regard to the overweight population that is becoming a major issue. He believes that by becoming involved once more Regina Benjamin could become one of the great surgeons just like those of the past. I agree with Mr. Bittman in all but one category, in General Benjamin's document she "Lays the blame directly at the feet of the american people". I don't believe that it is solely the fault of the population. they are mostly to blame for their own life choices but we should also change the advertisement of these lifestyles that encourage weight gain. It is only by combing these two elements that we can hope to make a difference. If she can succeed in this manor she really could be one of the greats.

The Syrian Dilema

        The U.S. as a country needs allies. We need friends who can help us when we need them. Recently we had the option of giving weapons to Syrian rebels to aid in their fight against an oppressive government. However i don't believe that giving weapons to rebels in another country is the correct way to help. Supplying these weapons would put these rebels in our dept but only if they win their war with their government. If they fail we are out these weapons and Syria would view us as potential enemy for supplying weapons to their rebels. We should help fight immoral and tyrannical governments but only through smart choices. I believe that the situation is indeed dire and we do need to do something to help but supplying these weapons of war is not the answer.