Kevin Smith, movie director and supposed fat man.

after reading this article, i was shocked.  i find it sad that people are now being discriminated against for their weight.  like, seriously?? it’s like being treated differently because of race or sex.  people are not able to get to their destinations.  what if they need to go somewhere for important reasons, like a family commitment or something for work?  that’s just sad.  even though it is a safety issue, the guy in this situation still passed the armrest test, so he should be fine.  i mean, what do airlines want people to do, lose weight and THEN go for a job promotion??  hopefully that guy got his money back.  i can’t imagine the humiliation people must have felt being exported from the plane after being told in front of everyone that they are a risk because of their size.  it must have been a pitiful walk of shame down that aisle, bags in hand.

maybe THIS guy is a different story...

i wonder what crazy shenanigans airlines will come to next.

Football star Tim Tebow and his mom, Pam.

Abortion should be banished because people should celebrate life and family, at least according to this article. Tim Tebow, football hero (though will not be in the superbowl), is going to star in a commercial during the Superbowl with he and his mom, Pam, about their experience with abortion and the story of how Pam simply said no.  When pregnant with Tim, Pam slipped into a coma and was enduced with heavy drugs, which severely damaged the fetus.  Doctors reccomended her to get an abortion, for the fetus would probably end up stillborn.  Pam kept her faith in God, and refused to get the abortion, and today she has a healthy, successful son.  The message for their commercial is “Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life.”  The family feels that they were rewarded for keeping their faith in God and denying abortion.  They think that because they didn’t chose abortion, that was he reason they became lucky with a healthy son.

^This video discusses how some people are outraged, while other people are supportive of the ad.

I definetely don’t agree with this.  I mean, if they were being rewarded for keeping the kid, then choosing to abort it wouldn’t make a difference, because then there wouldn’t be a kid in the first place, which they obviously knew would be the outcome.  Also, the fact Tebow came out fine was just luck (and very good doctors).  He could have come out unhealthy, or worse, stillborn.  Pam says that abortion is wrong because it is important to celebrate family and togetherness, which makes me think of divorce.  billions of families get divorces, which is definetely not bringing a family together, so should that be illegal too?   Some things, like divorce, though they break a family, are for the best, so everyone is happy in the end.  That’s why i htink abortion should not be illegal.  Some choices are just for the best.  Also, Pam is very faithful to her religion, while some people are not.  Everyone’s opinions differ, and so the choices they make will be different.  If a woman is mad religious, and she believes abortion is wrong, then she can choose to not have the kid.  But, if another woman doesn’t believe in any of that stuff, then she can get an abortion.  Both women will be happy in the end.  There’s really no need to worry about anyone else’s life choices, people should jsut worry about themselves.  There are over a billion reasons women choose to get abortions, and it doesn’t make them heartless, horrible people.  Abortion is an issue women and their families have to deal with, and it is up to them, not the government, to make the decisions for their lives.

Hil making her speech on the cyber-bullying.

I think that if the U.S. were to hack into a widely successful search engine, or anything else, I would feel shame and mistrust toward my country.  Also, I would think other countries would feel similar.  Though they are in separate countries and it doesn’t directly affect them, it still does in a sense because they would make new judgements based on the  immoral actions.  Also, I agree that it defies human rights and freedom of speech.  Many countries have limited their internet access and even completely blocked popular social networking sites.  About 30 bloggers in Egypt were put to a halt.  That right there definetely defies freedom of speech, and although I know the U.S. would not actually hack into a company (hopefully), it would just be horrible because it goes against the first amendment. 

It says, "say no to internet control!" according to Claire.

Fortunetely, there is a new safety plan.  A new program called the “Spirit Program” will begin, which will serve as a way to resolve and prevent future racial conflict.  The school has also purchased 63 security cameras, 21 of which will be installed by the 4th, and the rest later on.  There will also be new school police officers.  The old police officers, who were there on the day of the attacks and I guess failed to do anything, have been assigned to other schools.  One new officer who is African-American even speaks fluent Cantonese from living in Hong Kong for seven years.  Hopefully he will be able to eavesdrop on some students to see whats going on (or a future Asian American revolution?!).

It doesn’t surprise me one bit that all this is occuring in Philadelphia.  Although Philly holds much history and is all-around the best, it is extremely violent.  My old school was a public school right outside the city.  there would be fights all the time– in the hallways, during lunch, even right before or after school.  People would videotape them, cheer people on, yell things, laugh, etc.  I was a person who stood there in horror or kept walking, as a teacher came to break them up, only to find the grainy cellphone video of it on facebook later that day.  We had maybe a few security guards, but neither them nor suspension is enough to stop future attacks.  Most of the fights that went on in my school were not based on race or ethnicity, unlike in this article.  They were just full of anger and hate, probably even bored.  It was really sad to see people acting that way.  The fights in my school were not even close to as bad as a repeating attacks in SPHS.   I kind of wish my old school would pay attention more to the prevention of fights, like this school has just started to do.  If they continue to hardly do a thing, students such as Chen could go to the press and the school would be in even bigger trouble.  It really is unfair that their education be violated because they are too afraid to return to school.  I definetely would be if I were them.  I’m glad those students know their rights in the 14th amendment and are finally taking action.  If they hadn’t, the issue could increase, and never go away.  

EQUAL RIGHTS TO ALL.

This article is so important to me.  My mom had breast cancer when I was 12.  So, I know that the alteration to the bill that women ages 40-49 must get mammograms and will be covered financially is a very positive alteration in the country.  Breast cancer affects millions of women and their loved ones each year.  Because healthcare providers will cover the cost, it makes it a lot easier for people to get checked, and also shows the importance in it, because they are willing to pay for them.  Especially for women 40-49, being diagnosed with breast cancer is even worse because they still have a lot of estrogen in their bodies, unlike a woman in her 50′s.  However, the age aspect is also kind of unfair to, say, a woman who has just turned 50 and needs to get a mammogram, or a woman who is 39.  Breast cancer affects women of all ages, not just a certain range.  so, that part is definetely stupid and unfair.  Still, it’s definetely a positive that yearly mammo’s are mandatory, because, in the end, it really makes a huge difference.

The symbol of breast cancer, which has helped raise awareness on the issue.

So, the main reason behind women suddenly overshadowing men?  They go back to college or get new degrees or specific training.  However, they still don’t get paid quite as much as men do.  Because of the recession, money is hard to come by.  Since the economic downfall, women have flocked colleges to get a better education in order to get better jobs.  For women, life is more difficult, but it makes them try harder than men typically would, because they know they have it tough.  Their motivation is what helped them to become great acheivers. 

This all came as a shock to me.  I know that in the past, women were not even allowed to work at all.  Along with that, they couldn’t even vote or do anything other than clean their houses and take care of their families (“women’s work”).  Now that more than half of the workforce is composed of women, it really shows the huge shift in society.  This is definetely a good thing.  It wasn’t too long ago when women were treated with less than half of the respect men get.  It makes me feel very proud of all the women that worked their butts off in order to achieve their goals.  With all their motivation, they were finally able to overpower men, which very rarely occurs.  This is definetely a first for the country.  Girl power!

This image shows women's struggle not even half a century ago.

America's favorite search engine.

Yes, it’s true– Google, the search engine that the majority of people depend on everyday is now hiring people to work for them from the comfort of their own home.  This article describes reasons for this new job path the company formed and exactly how it works.  Google is one of the fastest growing companies in the world.  The current economic recession has left thousands of Americans unemployed.  Now, many of those Americans have a career working for Google at their own homes.  Many of the new workers have benefitted amazingly..  One woman even earned $5500 a month, and is paid weekly.  The new “employees’” tasks are posting links.  To do this, they simply are given directions in the mail.  Absolutely no skill or experience are required to do this.  Then, they just receive their check in the mail.  And it’s as easy as that.. Not to mention they’re probably lounging on the couch while working. 

Want to work for Google?

 I think Google’s new employment method is really spectacular.  Especially during this recession, families all over the country are struggling like mad to keep their heads above water.  Now that thousands of people are being hired to work for Google everyday, those families no longer struggle as much.  This article was even entitled “breaking news,”  which I wholeheartedly agree with.  I think that this could really be an unbringing in American history.  With more and more people working for Google, the recession obviously wouldn’t completely go away, but it will certainly make an impact… Maybe even lead to a turning point in the economy.  The timing couldn’t be more perfect for such an opportunity.

What concerns Limbaugh the most is the fact that the country hasn’t seen such a radical movement such as the one Obama is creating.  First off, I disagree with this.  Of course this country has seen great change from a high level of power.  And the changes aren’t small details like the ones Limbaugh is concerned about.  What about Abraham Lincoln?  He passed the Imancipation Proclamation, abolishing all slavery.  At that time, slavery was a normal part of everyday life, so this certainly came as a radical change.  However, just because it is different does not mean it is bad.  Change is often good, as it can create a stronger society.  Especially current-day America, which I think could definetely can benefit from some serious change.  Change is what has always driven the country forward to new possibilities and advancements.  Without change, America would not be the great country it is today. 

I also think that although Limbaugh comes across as tough and hard-spoken, his main feeling is fear.  He fears change to his country.  Change is often scary because it’s unpredictable.   It can lead to endless possibilities, or it can lead to a complete downfall.There is no way to know the outcome.  Still, it is also a part of life, and I guess it’s a good thing he can convert his fear into blind rage towards the president.

The cell phone.  It’s a known fact that it’s the most likely the most popular gadget among teens.  Step into a regular high school, and pretty much every student will have a cell phone that stays glued in their hand constantly.  Teens mostly use them to text rather than actually call people.  Being a teen, I think this is partly because it’s just easier to type a quick message that only that person will hear.  Especially when in a quiet setting, like class, texting is definetely the preffered way of contact…  Not that I text during class or anything.

But is it possible one of the world’s greatest inventions has it’s downfalls, too?

The thing with all this modern communication technology, including Facebook, Twitter, etc., parents have no idea how to control their kids’ use of it.  Each night at the family dinner table, kids will be texting nonstop while shoveling their food in their mouth.  Even after they are told to put it away, they will just hold it under the table, mentally taking note to be more subtle next time.  Some parents handle it mildly and just tell them to turn it off.  Other parents will actually take their children’s phone away for a certain amount of time.  Texting is also a problem when it comes to being on the road.  Thousands die each year in car accidents due to cell phone usage by people who think they can send a real fast message.  But, if they’re looking down at their phone, who will pay attention to the road?  In addition to the dangers of cell phone usage, it also allows teens to be socially lazy.  Unlike the “old days” (a.k.a. before cell phones became widely popular) people would either call, or talk to the person directly.  Now, they’ll just drop a text, which requires no effort or though process.  Texting, however convenient, definetely has its downfalls when it comes to teens making a strong effort in communication.

I admit it, I love to text, and I do it often.  It does, however, get extremely annoying.  If I’m trying to sleep or get my homework done and someone is texting me, I’ll get really aggrivated.  As for the dinner table deal, I sometimes will text, though I try not to.  It makes me feel guilty when I’m spending time with my family, yet talking to someone else on the side.  I can talk to my friends at any time, but I don’t get to see my family often.  Also, when I’m trying to talk with a friend about something important, they’ll often be getting text after text.  It distracts them, and me too.  After half-listening, they’ll say, ”wait, repeat that?”  But at that point I’ll be so aggrivated/annoyed that I’ll just give up.  I just think it’s really rude.  Situations like these really make me try to cut back my texting.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my cellphone, Blue, with all my heart.  Without it, I would constantly be lost. 

Texting is great and all, but sometimes it feels good to just turn it off for a day!

my cell phone!

Blackmail is something so wrong, yet so right.  Since the 19^th century, it has been used by people in order to get what they want.  If someone discovers a wrong-doing of another person, they immediately want everyone to know.  So, they bribe them with a certain amount of money, or else the ugly truth will be exposed.  For example, someone recently attempted to blackmail David Letterman.  He was smart about it, however.  He worked with the Manhattan district attorney’s office and a jury and was able to arrest the man.  In addition, he admitted himself that he had affairs with several people of his staff.  If he had not come clean himself, the man would have exposed him… that is, unless Letterman paid him $2 million.

It was very noble for Letterman to confess his doings.  Normally, victims of blackmail strive for silence.  This was mostly due to his reputation.  Although he had illegal affairs, he had an even bigger problem on his hands when he was being blackmailed for it.  Blackmail is said to be a “wonderfully curious offense.”  This is because it is not typically wrong to ask for money, nor is it wrong to tell the truth.  However, when the money is only there to prevent the truth from coming out, then it is considered wrong. 

Isn’t it better to confess your own mistakes, rather than someone else?  Even if it was something bad or harmful; if you’re going to do it in the first place, it is necessary you take full responsibility (and perhaps punishment) for it.  I think blackmail is horrible, yet creative at the same time.  It is horrible because it almost always ends badly for the victim, because, no matter what, they are either exposed or have just lost a great amount of money.  It is creative because the accuser basically is dangling the truth over the victim’s head, saying, “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me, but oh, you have to give me $3 million.”  A process so simple, yet so complicated.