The DREAM Act-For or Against?

This video is a YouTube interview with President Obama, post-State of the Union Address, concerning the issue of immigration. He advocates the DREAM Act, which is designed to help individuals who meet certain requirements. This act was proposed to help such individuals to have easier access to opportunities such as enlisting in the military or going to college and have a generally easier path to citizenship. Those who support this act believe it would be vital not only to those people, but the United States as a whole as well. It would allow those illegal immigrant students who have been living in the United States to, in a sense, contribute back to their respective home countries. President Obama answers a student's question, "Will you help us make sure there is a moratorium to stop the deportation of innocent students who qualify for the DREAM act?"
I personally believe that immigrants should be documented before coming to the United States. What are your thoughts on the issue and President Obama's comments?

For it, or Against it

In researching for my town meeting I learned a lot about David Horowitz and I have been very impressed by his work to preserve the freedoms and opportunities America boasts. He is a Jew, born to communist parents and has moved across the political spectrum from the far left to the far right. He helped to organize protests against the Vietnam war and was extremely influential in achieving equal rights for all Americans through the Civil Rights movement. This is the mission statement video from his website called "Freedom Center."

NCAI State of Indian Nations address

Those of you interested in Native issues may find this of significance.

“Sovereign Indian Nations at the Dawn of a New Era”
9th Annual State of Indian Nations Address Remarks
by Jefferson Keel, President National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)
Thursday, January 27, 2011, 10:30 AM ET
Newseum, Knight Studios, Washington, DC

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2011/01/2011-state-of-the-indian-nations-address-by-jefferson-keel/

Video:

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/291735-1

Chick-Fil-A is Anti-Gay?

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/us/30chick.html?_r=1

After hearing a bit about this story, I decided to look up an article about it and learn more.
Chick-fil-A, one of the most delicious fast food restaurants in the US, and one of the staples of my diet growing up, has found itself in the middle of a hot bed of controversy. This fast food chain, founded by a devout southern Baptist family, has been known to incorporate Christian ideals into its business decisions. This causes upset customers who are turned away on Sundays when the restaurants are closed for a day of rest. Personally, I've always admired Chick-fil-A. Not only for its delectable chicken sandwich- no pickles- and waffle fries, but also for the good values it advocates. How many businesses these days stay closed on Sunday?
But now, Chick-fil-A has offended gay rights activists across the country. One Pennsylvania restaurant decided to sponsor a February marriage seminar hosted by a very outspoken group against homosexuality. Now the entire chain is being associated with anti-gay beliefs. College kids and gay rights activists everywhere are calling for a boycott of the chicken chain.
Although Chick-fil-A does associate itself with a conservative religion and a focus on marriage, I wouldn't go as far as to say that this is an "anti-gay chain." Just like any business, Chick-fil-A is one that wants customers and thus treats any customers with respect to keep them coming back for more. Not to mention, this whole controversy erupted because Chick-fil-A was asked to cater an event. They were asked to cater because they have good food and they said yes because it's good business. I don't think it's necessary to make everything, including fast food, about politics. Chick-fil-A has good food and good service. To me, that should be reason enough to eat there. Take the politics out of fast food.

To Be a Woman

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/23/world/middleeast/23iht-letter23.html?_r=1

The above is a link to an article in the New York Times on women's role and rights in the conflict in Tunisia. Given the information contained therein and the snapshot it gives of women in strongly patriarchal and conservative countries what are your thoughts on the the patriarchy that exists within our own society? Do you feel like we have plateaued in our progress? More importantly do you think that the changes happening there will carry over here?

Last Year. Today. Immigration Unresolved. Topico Muy Caliente. Still.

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
The Word - No Problemo
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive

I would hope that most of you were able to watch this great episode last year when this bill was at its peak in controversies. I believe this is a now monumental explanation of what was happening and was is still now at hand. The controversies of the Arizona Senate Bill 1070 were strongest last year when it was ready to be put into effect.  The most controversial parts of the bill where blocked by a federal judge in a preliminary injunction after many civil rights suits against  it. (One of the of them was filed by the US Department of Justice). Here Stephen Colbert pokes fun and brings into light the true reality of what this bill demanded. The best part (in a cynical way) is that most of these points that he makes have not been dealt with and it has already been a year. Yes, there have been many immigration reforms presented but none have actually brought a real, realistic solution to the hot topic of immigration. Here he brings up points of racial profiling, the economy without immigrants, and overall what most immigration reform bills now could be doing. This link http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_arizona_immigration is a new article posted just a couple of days ago on this same issues on the Arizona immigration laws.

Poverty on Native American Indian Reservations

This reservation is one of the poorest in our country. It doesn't necessarily represent all Native American reservation life however it does give us a good idea of some of the problems that occur with the reservation system. I think that one of the main problems is that the majority of our country has never been exposed to the conditions that our Native tribes are living in. Instead of "preserving their culture," giving them their own land, we have removed them essentially putting their people "out of sight, and out of mind."

Fellow Americans are almost completely unaware that their poverty, unemployment, and alcoholism rates are far worse than the general American population. I doubt it is a lack of care, compassion, or that it is racism. America is just unaware or ignoring the issue. At this point the Sioux and other Native American tribes have no hope, training, or way of getting out of this life cycle by themselves. They need publicity, service, and help from outside the reservation to come out of the circumstance that have been handed down to them without choice since the Indian Emancipation era.

Generations past have done little to nothing to help these people progress, however, if we go out and make a difference like the couple featured in this video, we can make a change. perhaps we can end the poverty and unemployment rates, teach them how to make their lives better, and decrease hunger and alcoholism. It all depends on us, and I think the first step is spreading the word.

Gender Differences and Flowers

We are not talking about this in class right now, but I thought that this Huggies advertisement was interesting. It shows how gender differences are inferred because of anatomical differences. At the beginning of the semester in class we looked at this book that showed the stereotypical differences in gender. It seemed so over the top and crazy. Yet there are still things in our everyday society that generalize that boys have to like blue, trucks, and playing in the dirt while girls have to like pink, baby dolls, and baking.

Also, to jostle the idea of stereotypes, with Valentine's Day just behind us I thought that these stats were interesting.

 It says that a good majority of men say that they would like flowers for Valentine's Day. However, only 40% of men have actually received flowers. So 21% of these men have never had the blessing. It is also interesting to see the varying opinions based on age groups.

So what do you think? Do any of you guys wish that you could get flowers for Valentine's Day?

Racism

"Racist people are stupid.
Think about it...they call Mexicans lazy, yet also claim they are taking American jobs.
Which is it?

Lazy people don't steal jobs: they don't even show up for the ones they have.
Racist people are stupid, their stereotypes don't even make sense."
~John Roy, on Comics Unleashed!~

Shocking 1950's educational video on homosexuals.

The Future of Gay Rights in the Federal Govt.

My personal view has been in line with the LDS Church as discussed in class. As we are all God's children and loved equally, all people should have basic rights regarding medical emergencies and health insurance, Social Security and tax benefits, inheritance, jointly held finances, etc. I fully support the idea of state/federal civil unions that legally grant equal state/federal rights such as the ones listed.

Gay Rights Groups Angered by Justice Department's DOMA Defense

With the recent repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in the military, gay rights continues to be at the forefront of the national political scene. When the Justice Department recently defended the Defense of Marriage Act as part of its legal responsibility, the LGBT community responded by lobbying President Obama to give his full support to same-sex marriage. What is interesting is that Obama used to have this view, but has instead been in favor of civil unions at least since his 2008 presidential campaign. Rulings of legal documents like the DOMA being discriminatory and unconstitutional leave us wondering if the eventual outcome will be similar to the Civil Rights Movement. While it is very possible that same-sex marriage is legalized in the future, will people ever fully accept it into American culture? There is no doubt that along with the economy and foreign affairs, a candidate's position on gay rights will play a major role in the 2012 presidential campaign.

I found an article talking about whether or not people are born gay. I found it very interesting. This is the link.

http://www.godandscience.org/evolution/genetics_of_homosexuality.html

Until our class discussion I honestly felt as though being gay was a choice. AFter hearing so many testimonials and hearing so many examples of people having those inclinations from a young age, I changed my thought on it. I felt so badly for having judged people who were born with this unfortunate thing. Being a member of the church I cannot imagine how hard that would be having to with stand that temptation and being challenged my whole earth life. I would not want to get married if I were in that position and I cannot wait to hear about life from the student that is coming to talk to us. I admire him in the fact that he still got married and withstands the temptations he must feel every day. That would be the hardest struggle for me ever and I was unaware of how many BYU students struggle with this.