Nowadays, few parents choose the home schooling for their children because they believe that they can only focus on their children and choose the right instruction for individuals. From the functionalist perspectives, the home schooling does not perform enough manifest function. Through the manifest functions of education, the students learn how to be socialized, cultures, social control, social placement, and change and innovation. However, since home schooling is not open, it does not fulfill the manifest function well. Instead of the manifest function, the home schooling can perform strong latent function. The home school students could find their talent or potentiality earlier and keep trying on it because the system or instruction is for specific individual, not for everyone.
From the conflict perspectives, the home schooling is one of the good education methods because it may reduce inequity. The people who are home schooled does not have much time to interact with people other than family, so it may be easy to think that everyone has to be equal, if they are taught that way. In public school, the students often look each other with different views based on their race, gender, or class, and even teachers may treat the students differently by race, gender, or class.
The home schooling is gaining popularity across the Unites States now. However, the current home schooling has to be fixed for improving the manifest function. If the manifest function is not performed properly, the people who are home schooled would have difficulty with people who are socialized, and they would not succeed in real world.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Hunger Crisis
I first saw a story about a program called “Feed the children” on television and was really interested in doing something to help. I found the website online with the intention to donate something and was shocked by what I found. When I started reading about the Feed The Children program I thought that it was a program for third world countries. I was amazed to see that millions of children here in the U.S. are starving. I am not that naive to think that everyone in the U.S. has everything they need to survive but it was a little disturbing to me to see that so many children so close to my own home are going to bed hungry. It is estimated by a number of different websites that more than 13 million of our youth are affected by this hunger crisis. It boggles me that we are considered to be among the wealthiest countries and yet we have such high numbers of children living in poverty.
Hunger and malnutrition are the number one risk to health worldwide, said to be 1 out of 7 people by the UN World food project. That is greater than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. America is not the worst case of hunger crisis by any means. Kenya, Nairobi, Darfur, Ethiopia, Korea, China, and many more have crises more severe than here in the U.S. Each of us could do something, be it big or small, to make an effort to help. Tell a friend, pass the word, make a donation, run a marathon, many of the websites have information about how to start a fund raiser and become the hero. Whatever it may be, something needs to be done. As many of us eat very well each day we can forget about all of those people that are lucky to eat in a week what we may have in a day. Working in a restaurant I could probably feed a village on what is thrown away in a single day. We can’t ignore what is going on around the world. Equally important, we need to be sure that more people know how serious it is locally. I don’t think that I would be the only one surprised.
Hunger and malnutrition are the number one risk to health worldwide, said to be 1 out of 7 people by the UN World food project. That is greater than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. America is not the worst case of hunger crisis by any means. Kenya, Nairobi, Darfur, Ethiopia, Korea, China, and many more have crises more severe than here in the U.S. Each of us could do something, be it big or small, to make an effort to help. Tell a friend, pass the word, make a donation, run a marathon, many of the websites have information about how to start a fund raiser and become the hero. Whatever it may be, something needs to be done. As many of us eat very well each day we can forget about all of those people that are lucky to eat in a week what we may have in a day. Working in a restaurant I could probably feed a village on what is thrown away in a single day. We can’t ignore what is going on around the world. Equally important, we need to be sure that more people know how serious it is locally. I don’t think that I would be the only one surprised.
Legalizing Marijuana
Marijuana has been seen as a social taboo in America. It is known as a gateway drug, meaning it leads to the abuse of other drugs. However, what many Americans do not know is that marijuana is actually impossible to be addicted too, impossible to overdose on, and is the main reason for gangs in America. If marijuana were to be made legal in the United States, it would decrease the number of people in jails, mostly eliminate gangs, and could make money for the government if taxed.
In San Francisco, there is a three strikes rule when it comes to possession of marijuana. If you are caught with marijuana three times you are charged with a felony and could possibly be incarcerated . The reason why this government made the three strikes rule is because of the extreme overpopulation of jails because of marijuana possession. Because marijuana is no more dangerous than tobacco and alcohol, by legalizing it, it would decrease the overpopulation in jails.
The main reason for gang and gang violence in the United States is almost directly related to the distribution of marijuana. By putting it under government supervision, there would be no need, essentially, for gangs. They would not have any product to sell because it is legal and can be safely bought through drug stores. Drug trafficking from Mexico would also decrease, and maybe illegal immigration into this country would decrease as well.
Last, the government could tax marijuana and use those taxes for other things like social security or Medicare/medicaid. By taxing alcohol and cigarettes, the government makes a profit which is distributed into taxes. If marijuana was sold like cigarettes, it could be managed.
Marijuana is no more dangerous than alcohol or cigarettes, and if managed could actually benefit the U.S.
Gay Marriage
There are now places in the United States where having a same sex marriage is legal. There are more places who still feel gay marriage is wrong but atleast there is some improvement. In my personal opinion I feel that there is nothing wrong with gay marriage. I am not personally gay myself but I think that people should be allowed to love and marry who they want to. People try to say that marriage is a religious thing and people who are the same sex being together is not religious. There are so many judgements that go around about other people these days. I feel if people spent a little more time focusing on themselves or trying to better the world then we would live in a completly different place. There is a lot of misunderstanding about what homosexuality really is, as well as the erroneous assumption that gay people enjoy the same civil rights protections as everyone else. There are also a lot of stereotypes about gay relationships, and even a great deal of misunderstanding of what marriage itself is all about and what its purpose is.
Alot of people view gay people as very out there and having a lot of sex with random people but as they get older and marture they wants something more meaningful. Some people also feel that people were brought on the earth to reproduce and have babies. In a gay marriage with men this is not possible but now with woman they have egg donations so they can have babies. I think people need to be less judgemental and let people chose their own path.
Alot of people view gay people as very out there and having a lot of sex with random people but as they get older and marture they wants something more meaningful. Some people also feel that people were brought on the earth to reproduce and have babies. In a gay marriage with men this is not possible but now with woman they have egg donations so they can have babies. I think people need to be less judgemental and let people chose their own path.
Child Birth
Having a baby in my opinion one of the biggest decisions in a persons life. Not only are you responsible for another human being now but your entire life will be changed because of it. There are so many different factors that go into having a child. Being able to make sure you are able to finiancially support the child is a huge factor. You don't want the child growing up in a bad area where they can possibly go to a bad grade school or make friends with kids who aren't making very good decisions.
Your entire life will not be all about yourself anymore. This means not being able to have as much social time with your friends and sleeping soundlessly through the night. You will have another person in your life that means the world to you. I am in a life span development class right now and I knew that having a baby was a big deal but I had no idea there were so many important aspects to think of when you are having a baby.
Getting a little bit of exercise is good even when you are pregnant. Also rubbing your stomach helps you to connect with the baby. Taking deep breath and doing meditation helps to but yourself and your baby in a peaceful mind. After the baby is born having physical contact with your baby is important so the new born feels loved and cared for. Also playing music for a new born baby helps its brain to develop. Having a child maybe stressful but it can also be a wonderful experience for yourself and others
Your entire life will not be all about yourself anymore. This means not being able to have as much social time with your friends and sleeping soundlessly through the night. You will have another person in your life that means the world to you. I am in a life span development class right now and I knew that having a baby was a big deal but I had no idea there were so many important aspects to think of when you are having a baby.
Getting a little bit of exercise is good even when you are pregnant. Also rubbing your stomach helps you to connect with the baby. Taking deep breath and doing meditation helps to but yourself and your baby in a peaceful mind. After the baby is born having physical contact with your baby is important so the new born feels loved and cared for. Also playing music for a new born baby helps its brain to develop. Having a child maybe stressful but it can also be a wonderful experience for yourself and others
Voyeurism: Invasion of privacy Part 2
“Voyeurism is a psychosexual disorder in which a person derives sexual pleasure and gratification from looking at the naked bodies and genital organs or observing the sexual acts of others. The voyeur is usually hidden from view of others. Voyeurism is a form of paraphilia. A variant form of voyeurism involves listening to erotic conversations. This is commonly referred to as telephone sex, although it is usually considered voyeurism primarily in the instance of listening to unsuspecting persons”.
The predator usually observes unsuspecting individuals who are naked, in the process of undressing or engaging in sexual acts. The person being observed is usually a stranger to the observer. The act of looking or peeping is undertaken for the purpose of achieving sexual excitement. The observer generally does not seek to have sexual contact or activity with the person being observed. The voyeur’s may also fantasize having sex with the victim, but may not consummate his or her fantasy. Majority of voyeurs usually male start this as early as 15 years old and may get treatment through counseling or psychotherapy. Although these are characteristics of a typical male, it becomes a disorder when it’s obsessive to the extent where it develops into an addiction.
As far as legalities, it is hard to apprehend a voyeur since there are no laws against it in most states. It is also hard to provide evidence stating the amount of emotional distress the victim undergoes, after discovering the invasion. “A number of states have statutes that render voyeurism a crime. Such statutes vary widely regarding definitions of voyeurism. Most states specifically prohibit anyone from photographing or videotaping another person, without consent, while observing that person in the privacy of his home or some other private place”. I believe this is a crime that needs to be taken more seriously due its psychological nature and it’s degrading feelings the victims are succumb to, in their quest to enjoy their private moments.
The predator usually observes unsuspecting individuals who are naked, in the process of undressing or engaging in sexual acts. The person being observed is usually a stranger to the observer. The act of looking or peeping is undertaken for the purpose of achieving sexual excitement. The observer generally does not seek to have sexual contact or activity with the person being observed. The voyeur’s may also fantasize having sex with the victim, but may not consummate his or her fantasy. Majority of voyeurs usually male start this as early as 15 years old and may get treatment through counseling or psychotherapy. Although these are characteristics of a typical male, it becomes a disorder when it’s obsessive to the extent where it develops into an addiction.
As far as legalities, it is hard to apprehend a voyeur since there are no laws against it in most states. It is also hard to provide evidence stating the amount of emotional distress the victim undergoes, after discovering the invasion. “A number of states have statutes that render voyeurism a crime. Such statutes vary widely regarding definitions of voyeurism. Most states specifically prohibit anyone from photographing or videotaping another person, without consent, while observing that person in the privacy of his home or some other private place”. I believe this is a crime that needs to be taken more seriously due its psychological nature and it’s degrading feelings the victims are succumb to, in their quest to enjoy their private moments.
A.I.G (Whose To Blame)
President Barack Obama and his top aides expressed outrage at reports that AIG went ahead with $165 million in bonuses even though the company received more than $170 billion in federal rescue money. Obama directed Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to see whether there was any way to retrieve or stop the bonus money -- a move designed as much for public relations as for public policy. "I mean, how do they justify this outrage to the taxpayers who are keeping the company afloat?" Obama said Monday in announcing a plan to help small businesses. As finger pointing was raging around washington, report sour that congress was awared of the bonuses that A.I.G executives were schedule to get. Dodd, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, acknowledged Wednesday that he, as Bloomberg News put it, "weakened a provision dealing with executive pay in last month's stimulus legislation at the request of the Obama administration." The provision inserted in the bill instead expressly allowed companies that received taxpayer bailout money to pay retention bonuses that were part of employment contracts signed before Feb. 11, 2009. That would include the AIG bonuses, although Dodd has said he didn't know about the AIG bonuses at the time. The senator told the bloomberg news that he was told to change the amendment voted on by congress by officials of the administration.
So my question is who are those officials and why aren't they held accountable for that yet? It seems like politics all over again. It doesn't help that Dodd is the top recipient of campaign contributions from AIG employees since 1989, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Dodd told the Connecticut Post that he will return any contributions that can be linked to the bailout money. "I don't want those contributions he told the post." President Obama has said he takes full responsibility for everything that happen with A.I.G since he is the president. This is one difference with the current president and the former. The president is always ready to admit to the American people when he and his officials are at fault. That's the leadership of a true president. The Treasury Department was supposed to be minding the store. It was Treasury’s responsibility to watch how these funds were used. Obviously, they fell asleep on the job. Well, they need to wake up. Americans are fed up with their hard-earned tax dollars going to the people who got us here. They deserve to know how this happened. And the Administration and the Treasury Department needs to assure the American people that this will never happen again. The chairman of the insurance giant should make sure we tax payers get more of that money back or else the government should not give them the 30 billion more they are requesting. We too need help.
So my question is who are those officials and why aren't they held accountable for that yet? It seems like politics all over again. It doesn't help that Dodd is the top recipient of campaign contributions from AIG employees since 1989, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Dodd told the Connecticut Post that he will return any contributions that can be linked to the bailout money. "I don't want those contributions he told the post." President Obama has said he takes full responsibility for everything that happen with A.I.G since he is the president. This is one difference with the current president and the former. The president is always ready to admit to the American people when he and his officials are at fault. That's the leadership of a true president. The Treasury Department was supposed to be minding the store. It was Treasury’s responsibility to watch how these funds were used. Obviously, they fell asleep on the job. Well, they need to wake up. Americans are fed up with their hard-earned tax dollars going to the people who got us here. They deserve to know how this happened. And the Administration and the Treasury Department needs to assure the American people that this will never happen again. The chairman of the insurance giant should make sure we tax payers get more of that money back or else the government should not give them the 30 billion more they are requesting. We too need help.
Internet Piracy
The Internet provides people with more information and connections than ever now. Basically if you want something, it's at your fingertips. For example, if you like a song and simply google it, chances are you can download it in the first couple links provided. Additionally, it's free. So if it is illegal, why is it so easy? Programs like BitTorrent and Limewire are among the top programs used to pirate by connecting with other users who already have the music or programs and simply transferring it between computers. Internet piracy is not limited to just music however, with movies and software programs such as Photoshop growing in popularity.
Most who pirate claim that it is so easy, they don't even give a second thought to the problem. The fact that the product is digital rather than physical also contributes to the idea that it has less importance. Companies are trying to make it so their products are easier to attain legally, but are having trouble keeping up. For example, iTunes released DRM-free music a while ago because people were angry they couldn't share their music. Most people are happy to pay for music as long as it is the most convenient method.
Another issue with piracy is the "astronomical" loss that music artists and companies are losing due to their products being given away. Record companies are a rip off to artists in my opinion. The money they lose is nothing compared the the 80% of profit they get compared to the 20% given to the artist. One artist who fought this was Radiohead with their most recent album "In Rainbows." They quit their record label and released their CD online with a new concept. Pay as much as you want for it. Essentially, it was free if you desired. Sales showed that on average, most people payed around $9.99 for it. The profit for the artist was a great deal more than what it would have been should they have been signed to a record label. This inspired a slew of other artists to do the same in hopes of changing things.
The biggest group of offenders as of now seems to be college students. Despite the government and other threats of being caught, the rate of piracy has barely flinched. Napster was the biggest crackdown on Internet piracy I remember with the dismemberment of the company and numerous people charged and sued for stealing. So is Internet piracy rebellion or just convenience? When the subject is brought up among friends the reactions are very different. So what is your reaction to this problem? Is it right or wrong? Have you done it? Will it ever be solved? And how could people be deterred from piracy besides fear of punishment and greater convenience of products?
Miserable comeback for Lance Amstrong
The seven time Tour De France American champion was knocked off his bike during a pileup in the first stage of the Vuelta of Castilla and Leon race and was taken to a hospital by ambulance. The American, who crashed about 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) from the stage's finish, was grimacing and trying to hold his right arm as he entered the ambulance. "The collarbone is broken and I have a little bit of road-rash abrasions," Armstrong said as he left Valladolid University Hospital. "I've never had this happen before, it's pretty painful. I feel really miserable." Armstrong said he would fly to the United States and meet with medical experts to decide whether he needs surgery, leaving in question his participation in the Tour de France in July. He should have stayed in retirement in my opinion. Sometimes it's better to stay away from a sport once you retire because comeback can sometimes be regretable. The 37 year old is schedule to participate in the Tour De France in july.After winning the competition seven times he is still trying to win it for the eighth time. After a three-year retirement, Armstrong started his comeback at the Tour Down Under in Australia in January, where he finished 29th overall, 49 seconds behind winner Allan Davis of Australia. He then finished seventh in the Tour of California in February. X-rays confirmed that Armstrong fractured his right collarbone. The fracture is said to be clean and according to experts he could come back sooner than expected. The guy is old and worn out and I think he should remain retired. He has made history for coming back before after being diagnose with cancer and he is widely respected about that. Some body please tell this guy enough is enough and that too much of everything is a mess. It's time for him to leave the sport to other young atheletes who looked up to him as their hero. He has made his mark on the game and in my opinion should finally call it a quit. I love you man but it's time to go. A lot of proffesional atheletes retired from their respective sports and alway try to make a come back. I think this is childish because if you are not ready to leave the sport you love don't be fool. It is always good to leave a sport in honor and stay retired. Most atheletes who make a come back always leave in a dishonorable favtion and so my advise for Lance will be stay away my good friend.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Capital Punishment & Religion
Last week in class, we had a pretty spirited discussion on the death penalty, and what is and isn't considered cruel and unusual punishment. I had some things that I wanted to say, but I thought at the time that this would be a better forum for the discussion. I get one of my blog entries out of the way, and everyone can get a few of their blog replies done. A win for everyone!
Anyway, this is all opinion, and based mostly on how things were for me growing up in the southern states.I think that at one time, Capitol Punishment was a very viable deterrent for violent crime. It had its place in time, and I believe now that it is mostly outdated.
The main problem, for most, is the execution of those that are innocent, or the prolonged jail stays of death row prisoners. In the more "religious" states, read Southern states, this isn't as big a factor as it is in other parts of the country. Putting a person to death wasn't the judgment of man; it was merely quickening the judgment of God. If a person was truly innocent, then they would be absolved before God, and their soul would we sorted accordingly. If the person was guilty, they would be judged by God, and as a bonus taken out of the general population.
A death row guard was interviewed once in Mississippi (we watched the interview for a class) and his take on execution was very different than the pastor we saw in the videos in class. I can't quote exactly, as I viewed the video close to 15 years ago, but the question posed to him was this: How do you feel knowing that you are taking a man’s life. His reply was: I've prayed and I've talked to my pastor. God is using me to do his work, and he will give me His strength. This isn't my judgment; I'm just helping the Lord so He can make His final judgment.
We have all noticed a decided decline in organized religion over the years. "Non-religious" is the third largest religious group in the United States, behind Christianity and Islamic. Executions are losing the "Speeding up God's Final Judgment" aspect, and are taking on a "We are playing god" aspect. I do believe that as we separate church and state more and more, the issue of Capital Punishment is something we need to have a look at a little closer.
Anyway, this is all opinion, and based mostly on how things were for me growing up in the southern states.I think that at one time, Capitol Punishment was a very viable deterrent for violent crime. It had its place in time, and I believe now that it is mostly outdated.
The main problem, for most, is the execution of those that are innocent, or the prolonged jail stays of death row prisoners. In the more "religious" states, read Southern states, this isn't as big a factor as it is in other parts of the country. Putting a person to death wasn't the judgment of man; it was merely quickening the judgment of God. If a person was truly innocent, then they would be absolved before God, and their soul would we sorted accordingly. If the person was guilty, they would be judged by God, and as a bonus taken out of the general population.
A death row guard was interviewed once in Mississippi (we watched the interview for a class) and his take on execution was very different than the pastor we saw in the videos in class. I can't quote exactly, as I viewed the video close to 15 years ago, but the question posed to him was this: How do you feel knowing that you are taking a man’s life. His reply was: I've prayed and I've talked to my pastor. God is using me to do his work, and he will give me His strength. This isn't my judgment; I'm just helping the Lord so He can make His final judgment.
We have all noticed a decided decline in organized religion over the years. "Non-religious" is the third largest religious group in the United States, behind Christianity and Islamic. Executions are losing the "Speeding up God's Final Judgment" aspect, and are taking on a "We are playing god" aspect. I do believe that as we separate church and state more and more, the issue of Capital Punishment is something we need to have a look at a little closer.
Greed Kills Safety
A few days ago I came across a video of a police chase in San Diego. The driver of a black truck really did not want to get caught by the police so that person (supposed drug dealer) threw out a bag of money onto a busy freeway.
Now this isn't exactly "money growing on trees", but it's close enough. So many motorists decide to pull over on the side of a major freeway and get out and collect the cash. Now what perplexes me is the fact that these people didn't think twice about getting out of their car and putting themselves in danger. The news article did report that over $17,000 was collected, but in the end, isn't living better than getting run over by a car that's probably going over 70 miles an hour? Another thing that bothered me was that this drug dealer is trying to create an obstacle so that the police can't catch him/her. So the smart thing for these drivers to do is to pull over to the side of the road and let the cops continue their pursuit. However, these people want to stop in the middle of the road and make a payday for themselves. I'm making this sound bad although it wasn't all bad. Some people did actually turn in the money that they found. The police are saying that the money is evidence, but I wonder where it will go? Anyway, that's another story for another time.
But the point of this is what's more important? Your life? or a few hundred bucks?
This link is the actual news article and the video: http://www.10news.com/money/18986563/detail.html
Google Street View: An Invasion of Our Privacy!
The launching of Street View feature for Google Maps in 2007 has brought about both positive and negative consequences. An obvious advantage of this feature is that it is somewhat helpful, especially getting to places in dense city areas where one has never been before, to be able to go and look at the destination or at complicated intersections ahead of time.
However, there are also several considerable drawbacks of Google Street View. Since it was launched, major privacy issues have been raised about the appropriateness of some images. One of the large privacy threats is that the technology allows users, viewing photographs of cities in the US, UK, Japan, France, Italy and others, to zoom in close enough to even see inside front windows. Yet, the larger concern is for people who were captured entering and leaving certain places, including strip clubs, sex shops, abortion and fertility clinics, and domestic violence shelters.
Even though Google Street View feature provides tools for removal of inappropriate or sensitive images, it does not solve the entire problem. Many victims do not know that their images are on the site. By the time they find this out, thousands, or even millions, of users may have seen the security- or privacy-compromising images.
Some users may take advantage of this information and, further, use it in some illegal or criminal ways. Perhaps, Google Street View may be a perfect robbery and stalker tool. A burglar can figure out how to get into one’s house or pick out a window or bush to hide behind at night, and then plan a decent escape route all on the internet.
As technology gets more advanced providing all this readily discoverable information, it gets harder for individuals to remain invisible. Maybe, in the future, everyone will be able to track everyone all the time.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
The "A" word.
Abortion seems to be a very touchy subject with many women, but let's finally talk about it. I personally think it's wrong, as i'm sure many women do. How do abortions mentally affect women? How big of a problem is this issue? In the past 5 years, pro choice rose 33% to 43% and pro life declined from 56% to 48%. Every year, an average of one million women have abortions. There are alternative way for women to avoid unwanted pregnancies, such as Plan B. Plan B is known as "the morning after pill". For about $50.00 per pill, any woman can walk into a pharmacy and ask for this pill if they fear they could possibility of being pregnant after having sex. Plan B must be taken shortly after sex to terminate the pregnancy. Religon has a lot to do with abortion, with Catholics vocally protesting the right for a woman to choose.
My question is : when do women's morals come into play? How much can we really control? Research states that 95% of women get abortions as a substitute for birth control, why don't these women just buy REAL birth control? With all the new birth control's out now, it's easier than ever to get it. I feel that women just need to think about the consequences before they have sex and the abortion rate would decline. Abortion can be avoided in several safe, sensible ways.
My question is : when do women's morals come into play? How much can we really control? Research states that 95% of women get abortions as a substitute for birth control, why don't these women just buy REAL birth control? With all the new birth control's out now, it's easier than ever to get it. I feel that women just need to think about the consequences before they have sex and the abortion rate would decline. Abortion can be avoided in several safe, sensible ways.
HIV and AIDS Education
An incurable, deadly, rapidly spreading disease throughout the world known as HIV and AIDS is continuing to wreak havoc. As we are well aware there is no cure for this horrifying epidemic. HIV and AIDS is a disease we have become very familiar with although we remain ignorant to many ways of preventing and educating the world’s population. As the numbers of men, women, and children with HIV and AIDS persists to rise at an alarming rate, we need to provide education throughout the world.
One of the most basic questions people should know the answer to is, what is HIV and AIDS? HIV is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The virus is particularly infectious due to the way it metabolizes itself, by feeding off cells in the body to multiply and spread. HIV attacks the human immune system by bombarding white blood cells which affect our ability to fight everyday infections. When the disease is contracted a short flu-like bout may occur, but not always. After this period, 6-12 weeks after infection the body will have made an abundance of antibodies to try and fight the HIV. This is the point where one can be tested and found to be HIV positive. Persons who are HIV positive will go on to feel perfectly well for a long time. Over the course of time the virus will continue to destroy the immune system until the infected individual will start to show the symptoms of AIDS. If no treatment is being given during the HIV Positive stage the AIDS infection may take around nine years to appear. This is when things start to rapidly deteriorate. AIDS is the disease which eventually appears several years after contracting HIV. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. This condition sets in once the immune system has been exhausted by HIV, which attacks the white blood cells in the body. HIV also is able to attack the body's nervous system which causes many other problems in the onset of AIDS.
Unfortunately AIDS is not curable at the moment. Many sophisticated drugs are available to help keep the infection under control, such as anti viral treatments. Drugs are given to help fight infections that may be contracted due to having AIDS. Some infections that may occur are the flu and pneumonia, which left untreated, may have fatal results in patients of all ages. AIDS doesn’t discriminate. The amount of time that passes from contraction to the onset of AIDS is around 5 to 15 years. With treatment the extension of life can be increased to further years, however the virus will eventually be fatal.
Providing people with simple, accurate information people may understand that knowledge is available to everyone and described in ways that anyone can understand. There are a vast aray of methods people may obtain information such as the internet, library, doctor office, health clinics, and even mobile health clinics. The more information and awareness we spread the greater chance we have at curing this diabolical, lethal disease.
One of the most basic questions people should know the answer to is, what is HIV and AIDS? HIV is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The virus is particularly infectious due to the way it metabolizes itself, by feeding off cells in the body to multiply and spread. HIV attacks the human immune system by bombarding white blood cells which affect our ability to fight everyday infections. When the disease is contracted a short flu-like bout may occur, but not always. After this period, 6-12 weeks after infection the body will have made an abundance of antibodies to try and fight the HIV. This is the point where one can be tested and found to be HIV positive. Persons who are HIV positive will go on to feel perfectly well for a long time. Over the course of time the virus will continue to destroy the immune system until the infected individual will start to show the symptoms of AIDS. If no treatment is being given during the HIV Positive stage the AIDS infection may take around nine years to appear. This is when things start to rapidly deteriorate. AIDS is the disease which eventually appears several years after contracting HIV. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. This condition sets in once the immune system has been exhausted by HIV, which attacks the white blood cells in the body. HIV also is able to attack the body's nervous system which causes many other problems in the onset of AIDS.
Unfortunately AIDS is not curable at the moment. Many sophisticated drugs are available to help keep the infection under control, such as anti viral treatments. Drugs are given to help fight infections that may be contracted due to having AIDS. Some infections that may occur are the flu and pneumonia, which left untreated, may have fatal results in patients of all ages. AIDS doesn’t discriminate. The amount of time that passes from contraction to the onset of AIDS is around 5 to 15 years. With treatment the extension of life can be increased to further years, however the virus will eventually be fatal.
Providing people with simple, accurate information people may understand that knowledge is available to everyone and described in ways that anyone can understand. There are a vast aray of methods people may obtain information such as the internet, library, doctor office, health clinics, and even mobile health clinics. The more information and awareness we spread the greater chance we have at curing this diabolical, lethal disease.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
How old are you?
A recent study, done at the University of Virginia, found that "our mental abilities begin to decline at age 27". The study showed that performance was lower at this age. While the reader is given a reasonable amount of information, we know that Statistics are not Facts. We have to divulge into ourselves to determine whether or not to believe the results of the study. Some would say that age is a state of mind. People who are open to all aspects of life and are willing to try new things, are least likely to say "I feel old today". And they are more likely to utilize their brains more so than "couch potatoes".
My grandmother is the perfect example. She will be turning 61 this year. But after seeing her in action, you would never know it. She is very open-minded and loves to have fun. If you ask her how old she is, she will tell you she is 25, without any hesitation. It seems that if you "act" old, you will feel old.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,509362,00.html
My grandmother is the perfect example. She will be turning 61 this year. But after seeing her in action, you would never know it. She is very open-minded and loves to have fun. If you ask her how old she is, she will tell you she is 25, without any hesitation. It seems that if you "act" old, you will feel old.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,509362,00.html
Teenager pregnancies
I am so proud of Bristol, the 18-year-old daughter of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and her mother. I am not saying that is ok to have sex at a young age, but once they did they need someone to support them with any decision they make. There are many teenagers who don’t have anyone to support or help them with their babies and financial problems that come with it. Then some of them they ended giving up their babies to foster families, which is not good for the mother nor the babies. When they don’t have their babies with them they face many situations everyday of their lives. For example; these cause them to have sex with more than one person and exposes to have transmitted diseases. Most of the time the teenagers’ parents, don’t openly or honestly teach them or tell them the consequences they will get when they make stupid mistakes.Even though they try to help their children, they do that when the children are already in the situations that they can’t control anymore. I was watching a TV show called “Sex With Mom and Dad” I think it is good for teenager’s parents to talk about sex. However; parents should not become friends with their kids; I believe that becoming a friend and being open are very different. They should have some boundaries between parents and their children. Because the more the parents become open with their kids when they have challenging problems, like pregnancies, more likely the kids are to come out and tell how they feel about it. Then the teenagers try to get help without any body’s pressuring them. For example; in the community they live in they could get some kind of help they more likely to attend, because they in their mind they know they have someone support their decisions. Also parents should not try to control their kids, because every time when parents try to control them the kids want to do mote bad things. For instant, they want to go out in the middle of the night without their parents knowing and the next thing the parents will know she is pregnant. Who is fault is this and who should we blame for this mess?
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Man Bear Pig
Thought of as a mythical beast, chimeras are creatures made up of multiple species, but in fact these creatures are a reality. This deeply disturbs some people, while others embrace a science of the future. What would be going too far, though, for society? In december 2007, people were in an uproar in London over the proposed human-pig hybrid over a fear of a sort of sci-fi mutation. An abomination of a man with hooves was feared, but this isnt the case. A egg comes from a pig, and the nucleus comes from a human, but the resulting chimera has only .1 percent pig DNA. These embryos will never be implanted in a human, and are for the scientific study of disease.
Chimeras may seem shocking, but it's nothing new. Places like the U.S. and china do not have to release their projects to the public for approval first, so many creatures have been created. Shnaghai Second University combined rabbits and humans, and pigs with human blood have been created by the Mayo Clinic. Stanford researchers have created mice with a brain that is 1% human, and are aiming towards a fully human brain.
So is it considered degrading to have humans mixed with pigs and mice, or at what animals do you draw the line? What could a mouse with a human brain be capable of? One day there may be super agent mice spies, and cancer may be cured at the same time. Obviously, I'm exaggerating, but is this price acceptable for society or would it completely change all the norms that have been set? With the industrial revolution came filth and pollution, but it has shaped everything we do in our lives, so there may be monstrosities associated with these chimeras for the advancement of science and medicine.
http://science.howstuffworks.com/genetic-science/human-pig-hybrid.htm
Chimeras may seem shocking, but it's nothing new. Places like the U.S. and china do not have to release their projects to the public for approval first, so many creatures have been created. Shnaghai Second University combined rabbits and humans, and pigs with human blood have been created by the Mayo Clinic. Stanford researchers have created mice with a brain that is 1% human, and are aiming towards a fully human brain.
So is it considered degrading to have humans mixed with pigs and mice, or at what animals do you draw the line? What could a mouse with a human brain be capable of? One day there may be super agent mice spies, and cancer may be cured at the same time. Obviously, I'm exaggerating, but is this price acceptable for society or would it completely change all the norms that have been set? With the industrial revolution came filth and pollution, but it has shaped everything we do in our lives, so there may be monstrosities associated with these chimeras for the advancement of science and medicine.
http://science.howstuffworks.com/genetic-science/human-pig-hybrid.htm
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
President Obama Housing Plan
President Obama is not wasting time on the housing plan. He is really taking a big step and action in address the housing plan. He stated that "the plan is go to be into effects in two week, was necessary because the problems in the housing market threaten families, and communities, and lower home values even for people who make payment without trouble. He said the plan rescues "families who played by the rules and acted responsibly, but would not give aid to greedy land speculator, or to families who foolishly borrowed far more than they ever could afford, or to manipulative lenders who tricked those families into taking those loans and now refusing to be accountable. The program creates guidelines for the morgage industry that encourange lenders to modify morgages on primary residences. The package will offer government cash to get to mortgage companies to cut interest rates, and therefore monthly payments for people in danger of losing their houses. The president is also, backing legislation to give bankruptcy judge the power to alter morgage terms. More than one million people in the US have lost their homes in the housing crisis, and President Obama said a further six million homes were at risk of foreclosure.
"All of us are paying a price for this home mortgage crisis," he said.
The plan is designed to assist "underwater" homeowners - those who owe more on their mortgages than their homes are now worth, as well as those on the verge of foreclosure.
President Obama said it could provide a buffer of up to $6,000 against declining values on the average home.
He also revealed a further $200bn in Treasury funding to mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which underwrite more than half of all US mortgages.
I think, this housing plan is a very good and brilliant idea of help homes buyer stay in their home.
"All of us are paying a price for this home mortgage crisis," he said.
The plan is designed to assist "underwater" homeowners - those who owe more on their mortgages than their homes are now worth, as well as those on the verge of foreclosure.
President Obama said it could provide a buffer of up to $6,000 against declining values on the average home.
He also revealed a further $200bn in Treasury funding to mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which underwrite more than half of all US mortgages.
I think, this housing plan is a very good and brilliant idea of help homes buyer stay in their home.
Causes and Risk of Adolescent Pregnancy
Monday, February 23, 2009
Causes and Risk of Adolescent Pregnancy
How often do we hear that teenager pregnancies have dramatically increased on Tv, radio and newpaper. Teenager pregnancy is as aresult of traditional roles and early marraige in our world today most especially in developing country. Because teenager pregnancy is seen as blessing and a proof that the young woman is fertile. Poverty contributes to teenage pregnancy in most cases. A teenager who does not have someone to take care of her at her early age would get engage in sexual activity to support herself, and will end up get pregnant as a result. In the developed world, the cause of teenage pregnancy is various in the sense that it is mostly outside marriage and carries lot of social stigma. Adolescent sex behaviour is one of the causes too. Having sex before twenty years is the thing among teen around the world. This brough about high levels of adolescent pregnancy which created sexual relation among teenagers without the privision of comprehension information about sex. the in take of drugs and alcohol also contributes a lot to teenage pregnancy . Teenager sometime may not be ready for sex intercourse at that moment, but being intoxical with drugs and alcohol makes than to be involved in unintended sexual activity. At that time sex is less emotional painful and embarrasing.Sexual abuse is also one other causes. Rape as a sexual abuse has more effect on the life our teenage girls causing unwanted sex and teenage pregnancy. Child hood sexual abuse and adolescen pregnancy are troubling social morbidities in our current world. As we all know that domestic violenc, both sexual and physical is associated with an increased risk osf adolescent pregnancy involvement.How ever, parent's influence is the most important key for young people to look up to make their decision. More than one million teens , most under the age of eighteen , run away from home every year with in the US and around the world. Lack of communication with parent's is the reason. Somtimes teenagers just want their parent to listen to their needs. They feel very hopeless when their don't pay no attention or show concern. They get very discourage that their parent's would never understand. As a result they would run away from home and try to stay away from their parent's. An adolescent who run away from home with no money or no source of income will start living with friends and hanging out with them. Along with this they would drop out school, sell drugs, smoke, drink acohol and engage in criminal activities.
Posted by BRIGGDELL at
Causes and Risk of Adolescent Pregnancy
How often do we hear that teenager pregnancies have dramatically increased on Tv, radio and newpaper. Teenager pregnancy is as aresult of traditional roles and early marraige in our world today most especially in developing country. Because teenager pregnancy is seen as blessing and a proof that the young woman is fertile. Poverty contributes to teenage pregnancy in most cases. A teenager who does not have someone to take care of her at her early age would get engage in sexual activity to support herself, and will end up get pregnant as a result. In the developed world, the cause of teenage pregnancy is various in the sense that it is mostly outside marriage and carries lot of social stigma. Adolescent sex behaviour is one of the causes too. Having sex before twenty years is the thing among teen around the world. This brough about high levels of adolescent pregnancy which created sexual relation among teenagers without the privision of comprehension information about sex. the in take of drugs and alcohol also contributes a lot to teenage pregnancy . Teenager sometime may not be ready for sex intercourse at that moment, but being intoxical with drugs and alcohol makes than to be involved in unintended sexual activity. At that time sex is less emotional painful and embarrasing.Sexual abuse is also one other causes. Rape as a sexual abuse has more effect on the life our teenage girls causing unwanted sex and teenage pregnancy. Child hood sexual abuse and adolescen pregnancy are troubling social morbidities in our current world. As we all know that domestic violenc, both sexual and physical is associated with an increased risk osf adolescent pregnancy involvement.How ever, parent's influence is the most important key for young people to look up to make their decision. More than one million teens , most under the age of eighteen , run away from home every year with in the US and around the world. Lack of communication with parent's is the reason. Somtimes teenagers just want their parent to listen to their needs. They feel very hopeless when their don't pay no attention or show concern. They get very discourage that their parent's would never understand. As a result they would run away from home and try to stay away from their parent's. An adolescent who run away from home with no money or no source of income will start living with friends and hanging out with them. Along with this they would drop out school, sell drugs, smoke, drink acohol and engage in criminal activities.
Posted by BRIGGDELL at
Rush Limbaugh on Obama
Rush has become the most powerful man in the Republican Party. With the country in so much trouble he is taking on the president as his greatest rival even wishing his administrative policies a failure. I can’t seem to understand why this guy is so naïve and ill responsible. Some republicans are even upset with his vocal, arrogant and somehow stupid and loud mouth talking. He tried so hard to demonize Obama since the primaries up to the general election but did not succeed yet he is still on his mission of seeing the president fail. While Obama is trying to bring people together from all races, ethnics backgrounds and parties, Rush on the other hand has opposite of that.
He is determining to pull the country apart if that what it takes to see the president fail. Someone needs to step up and tell this guy enough is enough and that he now needs to shut up. This is exactly what Rush said when he was asked to write a four hundred word note on the hope of the Obama presidency “If I wanted Obama to succeed, I'd be happy the Republicans have laid down. And I would be encouraging Republicans to lay down and support him. Look, what he's talking about is the absorption of as much of the private sector by the US government as possible, from the banking business, to the mortgage industry, the automobile business, to health care. I do not want the government in charge of all of these things. I don't want this to work. So I'm thinking of replying to the guy, "Okay, I'll send you a response, but I don't need 400 words, I need four: I hope he fails." (Interruption) What are you laughing at? See, here's the point. Everybody thinks it's outrageous to say. Look, even my staff, "Oh, you can't do that." Why not? Why is it any different, what's new, what is unfair about my saying I hope liberalism fails? Liberalism is our problem. Liberalism is what's gotten us dangerously close to the precipice here. Why do I want more of it? I don't care what the Drive-By story is. I would be honored if the Drive-By Media headlined me all day long: "Limbaugh: I Hope Obama Fails." Somebody's got to say it. Were the liberals out there hoping Bush succeeded or Were the liberals out there hoping Bush succeeded or
He is determining to pull the country apart if that what it takes to see the president fail. Someone needs to step up and tell this guy enough is enough and that he now needs to shut up. This is exactly what Rush said when he was asked to write a four hundred word note on the hope of the Obama presidency “If I wanted Obama to succeed, I'd be happy the Republicans have laid down. And I would be encouraging Republicans to lay down and support him. Look, what he's talking about is the absorption of as much of the private sector by the US government as possible, from the banking business, to the mortgage industry, the automobile business, to health care. I do not want the government in charge of all of these things. I don't want this to work. So I'm thinking of replying to the guy, "Okay, I'll send you a response, but I don't need 400 words, I need four: I hope he fails." (Interruption) What are you laughing at? See, here's the point. Everybody thinks it's outrageous to say. Look, even my staff, "Oh, you can't do that." Why not? Why is it any different, what's new, what is unfair about my saying I hope liberalism fails? Liberalism is our problem. Liberalism is what's gotten us dangerously close to the precipice here. Why do I want more of it? I don't care what the Drive-By story is. I would be honored if the Drive-By Media headlined me all day long: "Limbaugh: I Hope Obama Fails." Somebody's got to say it. Were the liberals out there hoping Bush succeeded or Were the liberals out there hoping Bush succeeded or
Consumption Tax?
What if when you worked and picked up your paychecks you received all the money you earned? Instead of the government withholding a high percentage of your money, you could spend it exactly the way you wanted. This is an idea that has existed for a long time now, but has not been experimented with recently. Instead of income tax, what if there was only consumption tax? I believe this would be a better system for a couple reasons. First, everyone would have more money to spend than with the previous system. For example, even transferring money from one account to another in some instances is taxed heavily. That's your money, and you're just moving it. Why do they need some of it? Secondly, problems such as immigration would be greatly affected as well. Everyone has to eat and buy things right? Now they would pay taxes just like everyone else.
Also, this form of taxing would promote economic growth since everyone would have more money to spend, and would be able to save easier. The only downside I can think of is the government would have less money overall and they would have to find it elsewhere. Honestly, I'd be okay with that though considering the amount of money they waste already.
Anyway, this is just a random idea that occurred to me while I was doing my taxes. So what do you think? Will it work better or worse than the current system? I'd be especially interested in any negative aspects regarding this problem if you have them.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Tracking(Ability Groups) in Education
Schools are dividing students into separate groups based on their test scores and previous grades. The main stated purpose of tracking is to permit students to study subjects that are suitable to their skills and interests. More and more schools are starting this system, and the practice of this tracking system continues from elementary school to high school. Elementary schools call tracking system as ability group, for groups are to be divided with people who have similar abilities. However, some people say that the tracking system is separating students by gender, class, and race, bringing a social inequality.
From the functionalist perspectives, tracking system fulfills the manifest functions of education. One of the five major manifest functions in society is a social placement which states that schools are responsible for identifying the most-qualified people to fill the positions available in society. By dividing students with similar abilities, students in one group could find similar interests and promote and develop their areas of study. Also, in some ways, it even prevents dysfunctions of education. Comparing to other countries, U.S. education is not promoting high-level skills in reading, writing, mathematics, and science. This is resulting low scores on the international tests. However, when groups are divided on the basis of grades and test scores, the group with highest test scores and best grades would get more promoted on studying, and their high-level skills can be developed easily when they are separated with others on an average level, but together with people who are also extraordinary on studying skills.
From the conflict perspectives, tracking system is not a good idea of learning, for the problem of tracking system could lead to a social inequality. Tracking affects students’ academic achievements and career choices. People in a low level group might think that they are not smart enough. They could get frustrated and even drop out of school, thinking that they cannot succeed academically. People in a high level group might be too proud of themselves, thinking that they are so special and that those in lower level groups are stupid. Also, since low-income students have fewer opportunities to study, such as getting a tutor or attending a private school or an academy, there are fewer possibilities for low-income students to be in a high level group. Eventually, there would be a gap between low-income students and other students. Not only these, but when dividing students in groups by similar interests, it is likely same gender or race to have similar interests. Groups would be separated by gender, race, and class, and because of their thoughts and some teachers’ different treatments on different groups, there would be an inequality which would lead to a bigger problem in a society, like a social inequality.
As more schools are beginning a tracking system, before the problem becomes worse, the system would have to be improved to prevent the weaknesses which can be viewed by the conflict perspectives. If the system remains the same, there would be more conflicts, and it would make discrimination between groups; students would acclimate themselves to a social inequality on the basis of genders, race, and class and bring it to the real world.
From the functionalist perspectives, tracking system fulfills the manifest functions of education. One of the five major manifest functions in society is a social placement which states that schools are responsible for identifying the most-qualified people to fill the positions available in society. By dividing students with similar abilities, students in one group could find similar interests and promote and develop their areas of study. Also, in some ways, it even prevents dysfunctions of education. Comparing to other countries, U.S. education is not promoting high-level skills in reading, writing, mathematics, and science. This is resulting low scores on the international tests. However, when groups are divided on the basis of grades and test scores, the group with highest test scores and best grades would get more promoted on studying, and their high-level skills can be developed easily when they are separated with others on an average level, but together with people who are also extraordinary on studying skills.
From the conflict perspectives, tracking system is not a good idea of learning, for the problem of tracking system could lead to a social inequality. Tracking affects students’ academic achievements and career choices. People in a low level group might think that they are not smart enough. They could get frustrated and even drop out of school, thinking that they cannot succeed academically. People in a high level group might be too proud of themselves, thinking that they are so special and that those in lower level groups are stupid. Also, since low-income students have fewer opportunities to study, such as getting a tutor or attending a private school or an academy, there are fewer possibilities for low-income students to be in a high level group. Eventually, there would be a gap between low-income students and other students. Not only these, but when dividing students in groups by similar interests, it is likely same gender or race to have similar interests. Groups would be separated by gender, race, and class, and because of their thoughts and some teachers’ different treatments on different groups, there would be an inequality which would lead to a bigger problem in a society, like a social inequality.
As more schools are beginning a tracking system, before the problem becomes worse, the system would have to be improved to prevent the weaknesses which can be viewed by the conflict perspectives. If the system remains the same, there would be more conflicts, and it would make discrimination between groups; students would acclimate themselves to a social inequality on the basis of genders, race, and class and bring it to the real world.
Sunday Tiger
There is no person in the world to have such an impact in their own respective sport as Tiger Woods. He has resurfaced in the golf world after a knee injury. No one, not even Tiger, can be happier about this than the television networks (specifically Golf Channel and NBC).
While he was out of commission, the golf world took a hit in viewers. Many people only watched golf simply to see what kind of miracle Tiger would perform. Can you blame them? He hit a putt on the 17th at TPC Sawgrass comprising of three breaks! The only thing scarier than that is the fact that he read all three of those breaks.
So no wonder golf networks took over a 50 percent drop when he was out. But that's all changing now. Tiger Woods is back from his injury and trying to reach his way back to the top. Although his first match back was a disappointment (he got knocked out in the second round of the WGC Accenture Match Play Championships), the atmosphere around the golf network seemed to make people forget about the economic state of their lives and get back to enjoying golf. His energy spreads throughout whatever golf course he is playing on and roars reverberate whenever he hits a shot. It may be a new era of golf, which is traditionally a quiet and serene game, but in my opinion, it is all because of Tiger.
His influence on society is overwhelming. I remember growing up thinking golf was the most boring thing in the world. None of my friends played golf, my parents didn't even play. I just played the "popular sports". But then comes along a man that changes the game. I began watching him, not golf, just Tiger. Then soon enough, I was out at the driving range and golf courses trying to get my Tiger on. Too bad I'm not good, but the point is that his talent is bringing in more and more people to this game. Soon, golf matches may need to make some sort of Tiger rule or handicap for his competition.
There is a commercial out where some of the best players in golf are smiling and playing happily and having the times of their life, then the music stops and the smiles fade as Tiger Woods walks into the clubhouse and people timidly say, "Welcome back Tiger". That's quite the impact of a single person where his opponents even know that they come second best in this game.
So no wonder everyone in the golf society wants to be like him. Maybe one day there will be someone who comes along and knocks him off the top, but for now there is only one Tiger.
Abnormal Behavior
ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR
There is a thin line between normal and abnormal. Human beings are quick to judge others and hasty in putting labels and assigning stereotypes to behaviors they deem abnormal. What really is abnormal behavior? What criterion is used to determine whether behavior is acceptable or defiant?
Before passing judgment on your neighbor’s mannerisms, use the following questions to help you analyze their behavior and then make your conclusions.
1. Does the behavior appear unusual?
Unusual behavior is behavior that is experienced only by a few individuals. Michael Jordan is an exceptional basketball player who’s physical abilities were beyond what every average player could endure. Does that make him abnormal? How about an individual who runs around claiming he can hear voice?
2. Does the behavior go against societal norms?
All societies establish standards or social norms that define acceptable behavior. Deviance from them is usually labeled abnormal. But behavior considered abnormal in one context may not necessarily be abnormal in another. For instance the shouting vulgarities to strangers in the street verses shouting them at a football game to a biased referee…. the latter may be considered normal to society even though it may be offensive to people around and to the recipient.
3. Does this person appear to be in emotional distress?
States of abnormal distress are considered abnormal when inappropriate, excessive, or prolonged, relative to a person’s situation. For example grieving a dead relative is normal but when the process takes years and leads to depressive state, then its abnormal.
4. Does the behavior seem to be maladaptive?
Behavior that is self-defeating or associated with significant health social or occupational problems is considered abnormal. This kind of behavior in advanced stages threatens an individual’s life and ability to function in meeting life’s responsibilities. A good example is alcoholism.
5. Does the behavior appear to be dangerous?
Engaging in behavior that is dangerous to ones self or to others is abnormal. Controversy comes in cases like war and sports. If the behavior is erratic during wartime or during a game, it is considered “normal”, but at peacetime or when the game is over, it is considered a problem. One certainly cannot go around killing people or beating people up!
6. Is the individual portraying faulty perceptions or interpretations of reality?
If a person is delusional or has hallucinations, it’s not normal. Hallucinations is when you see things that are not there, whereas delusions is having unfounded beliefs like being haunted or the FBI are tapping my phone (if they really aren’t), just to name a few. We have to be careful with this one too because in some cultures like the American Indians, hearing voices of departed relatives is considered normal.
To sum it up, we should be careful when categorizing the bounds of normalcy. Medical professionals are bound to encounter the issue and should gather all the facts of an individual before diagnosing abnormality, and thus mental illness.
There is a thin line between normal and abnormal. Human beings are quick to judge others and hasty in putting labels and assigning stereotypes to behaviors they deem abnormal. What really is abnormal behavior? What criterion is used to determine whether behavior is acceptable or defiant?
Before passing judgment on your neighbor’s mannerisms, use the following questions to help you analyze their behavior and then make your conclusions.
1. Does the behavior appear unusual?
Unusual behavior is behavior that is experienced only by a few individuals. Michael Jordan is an exceptional basketball player who’s physical abilities were beyond what every average player could endure. Does that make him abnormal? How about an individual who runs around claiming he can hear voice?
2. Does the behavior go against societal norms?
All societies establish standards or social norms that define acceptable behavior. Deviance from them is usually labeled abnormal. But behavior considered abnormal in one context may not necessarily be abnormal in another. For instance the shouting vulgarities to strangers in the street verses shouting them at a football game to a biased referee…. the latter may be considered normal to society even though it may be offensive to people around and to the recipient.
3. Does this person appear to be in emotional distress?
States of abnormal distress are considered abnormal when inappropriate, excessive, or prolonged, relative to a person’s situation. For example grieving a dead relative is normal but when the process takes years and leads to depressive state, then its abnormal.
4. Does the behavior seem to be maladaptive?
Behavior that is self-defeating or associated with significant health social or occupational problems is considered abnormal. This kind of behavior in advanced stages threatens an individual’s life and ability to function in meeting life’s responsibilities. A good example is alcoholism.
5. Does the behavior appear to be dangerous?
Engaging in behavior that is dangerous to ones self or to others is abnormal. Controversy comes in cases like war and sports. If the behavior is erratic during wartime or during a game, it is considered “normal”, but at peacetime or when the game is over, it is considered a problem. One certainly cannot go around killing people or beating people up!
6. Is the individual portraying faulty perceptions or interpretations of reality?
If a person is delusional or has hallucinations, it’s not normal. Hallucinations is when you see things that are not there, whereas delusions is having unfounded beliefs like being haunted or the FBI are tapping my phone (if they really aren’t), just to name a few. We have to be careful with this one too because in some cultures like the American Indians, hearing voices of departed relatives is considered normal.
To sum it up, we should be careful when categorizing the bounds of normalcy. Medical professionals are bound to encounter the issue and should gather all the facts of an individual before diagnosing abnormality, and thus mental illness.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Modern Day Slavery
People tend to think of slavery as something as cut and dry as a group of people being oppressed because of their skin color. These days, slavery isn't that exclusive anymore. Take our economy for example. Our government aims to monopolize the world's resources and force people into employment, earning only enough to scrape by, and in many circumstances, not enough to even do that. Of course this affects the wellbeing of people living under the monetary system in the most obvious ways: poverty, starvation, death from treatable illnesses, etc. You can see the massive effects that propaganda of an "economic crisis" can have on millions, not realising that our entire economic system is in fact, the crisis. Since our country is run by corporations, profit of course outweighs things such as decency, safety, and the condition of our planet's environment. It is not uncommon for beneficial ideas and implications such as clean energy to be banned from use, in the name of profit. Of course this also renders human life as expendable, in the name of profit. As the corporations that rule the United States own nearly half the World's wealth, this also has a DRASTIC effect on people in other countries. There have been many circumstances in the history of the U.S. Empire, in which it has sent people into other countries such as Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador, Colombia, and, the most recent, Iran. The primary goal is to corrupt the leader of another country into selling their resources for essentially nothing. If that can't be done, their leader will generally be assassinated and someone willing to play ball will be put in his place. In extreme circumstances, such as the most current, we even resort to full invasion and pillaging for resources, under the guise of a "war on terrorism". When a country has sold out it's resources, it is rendered with the inability to care for its people. Many times, this is the reason certain countries become labelled as "third world" in the first place, forcing people to work in sweatshops and other dead end situations. As despicable as this is, it SHOULD mean that the people of the United States would flourish at the expense of other nations. The only problem with that is that the profits all go to the corporations and people here are also forced into working for a slave wage.
Friday, March 6, 2009
"Job losses were everywhere and there's no hope for a turnaround any time soon."
"There is no light at the end of the tunnel with these numbers," said Nigel Gault, economist at IHS Global Insight. "Job losses were everywhere and there's no hope for a turnaround any time soon."
February's net job loss came after even deeper payroll reductions in the prior two months, according to revised figures released Friday. The economy lost 681,000 jobs in December and another 655,000 in January.
Employers are shrinking their work forces and turning to other ways to slash costs -- including trimming workers' hours, freezing wages or cutting pay -- because the recession has eaten into their sales and profits. Customers at home and abroad are cutting back as other countries cope with their own economic problems.
Since the recession began in December 2007, the economy has lost 4.4 million jobs, more than half of which occurred in the past four months.
With employers showing no appetite to hire, the unemployment jumped half a percentage point from 7.6 percent in January. That was the highest since December 1983, when the jobless rate was 8.3 percent.
All told, the number of unemployed people climbed to 12.5 million. In addition, the number of people forced to work part time for "economic reasons" rose by a sharp 787,000 to 8.6 million. That's people who would like to work full time but whose hours were cut back or were unable to find full-time work.
If part-time, discouraged workers and others are factored in, the unemployment rate would have been 14.8 percent in February, the highest on record.
The pain hit blue- and white-collar workers, those without a high-school diploma and those highly educated. The jobless rate for people with a bachelor's degree or higher jumped to 4.1 percent last month from 3.8 percent in January. That's the highest on records dating to 1992.
Meanwhile, the average work week in February stayed at 33.3 hours, matching the record low set in December.
On Wall Street, stocks regained some ground as many market participants had braced for even grimmer unemployment data. The Dow Jones industrial average added about 25 points in morning trading. Broader indexes were mixed with the Standard & Poor's 500 up slightly, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite slid a bit.
Job losses were widespread last month.
Construction companies eliminated 104,000 jobs. Factories axed 168,000. Retailers cut nearly 40,000. Professional and business services got rid of 180,000, with 78,000 jobs lost at temporary-help agencies. Financial companies reduced payrolls by 44,000. Leisure and hospitality firms chopped 33,000 positions.
The few areas spared: education and health services, as well as government, which boosted employment last month.
Disappearing jobs and evaporating wealth from tanking home values, 401(k)s and other investments have forced consumers to retrench, driving companies to lay off workers. It's a vicious cycle in which all the economy's negative problems feed on each other, worsening the downward spiral.
A new wave of layoffs hit this week.
General Dynamics Corp. said Thursday it will lay off 1,200 workers due partly to plummeting sales of business and personal jets that forced it to cut production. Defense contractor Northrop Grumman Corp., and Tyco Electronics Ltd., which makes electronic components, undersea telecommunications systems and wireless equipment, also are trimming payrolls.
The country is getting bloodied by fallout from the housing, credit and financial crises-- the worst since the 1930s. And there's no easy fix for a quick turnaround, economists said.
President Barack Obama is counting on a multipronged assault to lift the country out of recession: a $787 billion stimulus package of increased federal spending and tax cuts; a revamped, multibillion-dollar bailout program for the nation's troubled banks; and a $75 billion effort to stem home foreclosures.
Even in the best-case scenario that the relief efforts work and the recession ends later in 2009, the unemployment rate is expected to keep climbing, hitting 9 percent or higher this year. In fact, the Federal Reserve thinks the unemployment rate will stay elevated into 2011. Economists say the job market may not get back to normal -- meaning a 5 percent unemployment rate -- until 2013.
Businesses won't be inclined to ramp up hiring until they are sure any economic recovery has staying power.
The economy contracted at a staggering 6.2 percent in the final three months of 2008, the worst showing in a quarter-century, and it will probably continue to shrink during the first six months of this year.
February's net job loss came after even deeper payroll reductions in the prior two months, according to revised figures released Friday. The economy lost 681,000 jobs in December and another 655,000 in January.
Employers are shrinking their work forces and turning to other ways to slash costs -- including trimming workers' hours, freezing wages or cutting pay -- because the recession has eaten into their sales and profits. Customers at home and abroad are cutting back as other countries cope with their own economic problems.
Since the recession began in December 2007, the economy has lost 4.4 million jobs, more than half of which occurred in the past four months.
With employers showing no appetite to hire, the unemployment jumped half a percentage point from 7.6 percent in January. That was the highest since December 1983, when the jobless rate was 8.3 percent.
All told, the number of unemployed people climbed to 12.5 million. In addition, the number of people forced to work part time for "economic reasons" rose by a sharp 787,000 to 8.6 million. That's people who would like to work full time but whose hours were cut back or were unable to find full-time work.
If part-time, discouraged workers and others are factored in, the unemployment rate would have been 14.8 percent in February, the highest on record.
The pain hit blue- and white-collar workers, those without a high-school diploma and those highly educated. The jobless rate for people with a bachelor's degree or higher jumped to 4.1 percent last month from 3.8 percent in January. That's the highest on records dating to 1992.
Meanwhile, the average work week in February stayed at 33.3 hours, matching the record low set in December.
On Wall Street, stocks regained some ground as many market participants had braced for even grimmer unemployment data. The Dow Jones industrial average added about 25 points in morning trading. Broader indexes were mixed with the Standard & Poor's 500 up slightly, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite slid a bit.
Job losses were widespread last month.
Construction companies eliminated 104,000 jobs. Factories axed 168,000. Retailers cut nearly 40,000. Professional and business services got rid of 180,000, with 78,000 jobs lost at temporary-help agencies. Financial companies reduced payrolls by 44,000. Leisure and hospitality firms chopped 33,000 positions.
The few areas spared: education and health services, as well as government, which boosted employment last month.
Disappearing jobs and evaporating wealth from tanking home values, 401(k)s and other investments have forced consumers to retrench, driving companies to lay off workers. It's a vicious cycle in which all the economy's negative problems feed on each other, worsening the downward spiral.
A new wave of layoffs hit this week.
General Dynamics Corp. said Thursday it will lay off 1,200 workers due partly to plummeting sales of business and personal jets that forced it to cut production. Defense contractor Northrop Grumman Corp., and Tyco Electronics Ltd., which makes electronic components, undersea telecommunications systems and wireless equipment, also are trimming payrolls.
The country is getting bloodied by fallout from the housing, credit and financial crises-- the worst since the 1930s. And there's no easy fix for a quick turnaround, economists said.
President Barack Obama is counting on a multipronged assault to lift the country out of recession: a $787 billion stimulus package of increased federal spending and tax cuts; a revamped, multibillion-dollar bailout program for the nation's troubled banks; and a $75 billion effort to stem home foreclosures.
Even in the best-case scenario that the relief efforts work and the recession ends later in 2009, the unemployment rate is expected to keep climbing, hitting 9 percent or higher this year. In fact, the Federal Reserve thinks the unemployment rate will stay elevated into 2011. Economists say the job market may not get back to normal -- meaning a 5 percent unemployment rate -- until 2013.
Businesses won't be inclined to ramp up hiring until they are sure any economic recovery has staying power.
The economy contracted at a staggering 6.2 percent in the final three months of 2008, the worst showing in a quarter-century, and it will probably continue to shrink during the first six months of this year.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Immigration
Immigration is a very controversial topic. We all have different opinions and thoughts about the situation. I am not trying to offend anyone and I understand that some may think differently and that’s alright with me. I will just express my feelings and opinions regarding the topic. I think that having people migrate to this country is a great thing. Immigration brings diversity to the United States, one thing that it is very well-known for. I believe we should allow people to legally come into this country. Of course not everyone should be allowed to but people who just want a better life for themselves and their families or who don’t have a criminal background should be able to. The way we feel about immigrants should also be handled differently. There have been so many hate crimes committed against Hispanics and that is no way to deal with the issue. In the last two months approximately, there have been at least 3 hate crimes in New York. Although this may not sound alarming it can become a habit. Also I don’t remember exactly where but I read about how although immigrants do “take” jobs, they also make some. The article that I read talked about how many immigrants put up businesses which produce more jobs for those who need them. One thing that really bothers me about how immigration is being handled is when families become separated due to deportations. Almost every day on the news I see a family who has been separated or worse, children who are now left to live in this country without their parents or any other support. Overall I think the government should implement “rules” for entering the country such as background checks and such, but also do something for those who are already living here and have a life here. Immigration does affect us all whether directly or indirectly, I think something should be done about it soon.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Bipartisanship...is it a myth?
Bipartisanship, according to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, is anything of, relating to, or involving members of two parties ; specifically : marked by or involving cooperation, agreement, and compromise between two major political parties. This past week Rush Limbaugh, at the CPAC, was not a proponent for bipartisanship. He stated that he “wants everyone in the US to succeed, that he wants the US to succeed.” But my question is how can we succeed as a country when he makes quips about the Democratic Party such as:
Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen of America, if you were paying attention, I know yowere, the racism in our culture was exclusively and fully on display in the Democrat primary last year.
Rush Limbaugh for the most part is described as a conservative republican. He addressed that most people in this country think of conservative republicans as: sexist, bigots, and homophobes. But what I get from him are disturbing propaganda about the president and the direction that he plans to approach the final crisis that this country is in. Instead of seeking new solutions and presenting his new ideas; he wants to point out that our president is not authentic enough. He made note that Obama didn’t have any slave blood in his roots and that he wasn’t “down for the struggle.” Why in this particular time should he be concerned with Barack Obama’s blood roots or his ideology concerning the African American struggle? Lately, conservatives like Limbaugh want to represent the president as a socialist. That he would tear this country apart. I see this as a negative perspective. We should rally and support a new, fledgling president. That means both democrats and republicans should reach out across the aisles to work for a common good of the American people.to reach
Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen of America, if you were paying attention, I know yowere, the racism in our culture was exclusively and fully on display in the Democrat primary last year.
Rush Limbaugh for the most part is described as a conservative republican. He addressed that most people in this country think of conservative republicans as: sexist, bigots, and homophobes. But what I get from him are disturbing propaganda about the president and the direction that he plans to approach the final crisis that this country is in. Instead of seeking new solutions and presenting his new ideas; he wants to point out that our president is not authentic enough. He made note that Obama didn’t have any slave blood in his roots and that he wasn’t “down for the struggle.” Why in this particular time should he be concerned with Barack Obama’s blood roots or his ideology concerning the African American struggle? Lately, conservatives like Limbaugh want to represent the president as a socialist. That he would tear this country apart. I see this as a negative perspective. We should rally and support a new, fledgling president. That means both democrats and republicans should reach out across the aisles to work for a common good of the American people.to reach
Body Image
We live in society that body image is more important than health. Today they are many women and girls want to lose weight which most of the time unhealthy weight loss. For example; fasting, skipping meals, excessive exercise, laxative abuse, and self-induce vomiting. The reason that so many women and girl so oppose with their body is the great impact on this situation is that the media has huge influence in their lives. The way the advertising things, skinny models, and the pictures on magazines, newspaper etc. they have a big different when we compared between men's magazines and women's magazines. Those women’s magazines have ten and one-half times more ads and articles promoting weight loss than men's magazines do. Also over three quarters of the covers of women's magazines include at least one message about how to change a women's bodily appearance by diet, weight loss products. I don't think most women's do become skinny for their health. I think most of them they do this because they have some low self-esteem, and the commercials drive them crazy with many skinny models that frustrated them, and make them to do something with their body. I also think that makes it worse for them because they want to fit the way that societies think is perfect body. They compare them self with others which is bad because everyone has different body and that the way should be anyway. This makes me think do people live for themselves or for others? It’s good to have an average body mass but not to become out of control and ugly. Loving, caring, eating health food is nothing to do with becoming super skinny trying to make people love just the way you are without doing any harm to your body...............
Weight Obsession.
Jessica Simpson's weight abuse!
For the past couple of weeks, everywhere you turn there is pictures of singer, Jessica Simpson, where she looks a bit curvier than she used to be. How much pressure are these stars under and how much can the media affect the way they feel about themselves? Do all women have to be a size 0 now or they are considered "fat"? Isn't there way more important issue's for the media to talk about? Why is America so obsessed with weight? As long as your healthy that is all that matters. This issue put's a lot of pressure on young women to be super thin, which can lead to eating disorders.
-Research says that 80% of 13 year olds have attempted to lose weight
-Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any psychological disorder.
-1 in 5 women struggle with an eating disorder.
Jessica's sister, boyfriend Tony Romo, and even her ex-husband Nick Lachey are all supporting her and think that this is ridiculous, and they are right! This is becomming a very serious issue, she is a role model to many young girls and the media is calling her fat when she isn't. The media has this non-realistic image of what a woman should look like. My hope for the future is that the media can rise above ridiculing women's weight.
For the past couple of weeks, everywhere you turn there is pictures of singer, Jessica Simpson, where she looks a bit curvier than she used to be. How much pressure are these stars under and how much can the media affect the way they feel about themselves? Do all women have to be a size 0 now or they are considered "fat"? Isn't there way more important issue's for the media to talk about? Why is America so obsessed with weight? As long as your healthy that is all that matters. This issue put's a lot of pressure on young women to be super thin, which can lead to eating disorders.
-Research says that 80% of 13 year olds have attempted to lose weight
-Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any psychological disorder.
-1 in 5 women struggle with an eating disorder.
Jessica's sister, boyfriend Tony Romo, and even her ex-husband Nick Lachey are all supporting her and think that this is ridiculous, and they are right! This is becomming a very serious issue, she is a role model to many young girls and the media is calling her fat when she isn't. The media has this non-realistic image of what a woman should look like. My hope for the future is that the media can rise above ridiculing women's weight.
Does this look like a fat woman to you?
Domestic Violence, Starring... Women
In 2005 there were 1,181 women murdered by their partner. That’s 3 women being murdered a day. In essence 1/3 of the women murdered in the U.S are victims of domestic violence. Those numbers are staggering. Over the years violent crimes against women have increased. The upward trend in this crime is disturbing. Domestic violence has a huge impact on many aspects of ones life. Those areas include: relationships, job, self-worth, confidence, mental health, just to name a few.
Domestic violence is defined as a pattern of abuse in a relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power over an intimate partner. the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control reported, women experience about 4.8 million intimate partner-related physical assaults and rapes every year. Less than 20 percent of battered women sought medical treatment following an injury.
Sexual violence in a relationship is also a crime which is on the rise. According to the National Crime Victimization Survey, which includes crimes that were not reported to the police, 232,960 women in the U.S. were raped or sexually assaulted in 2006. That averages more than 600 women a day being assaulted and not reporting it. A significant number of crimes are never even reported for the main reasons including the victim's feeling that nothing can or will be done and the personal nature of the incident is too intense to share with anyone let aone a srtanger.
The women being targeted are not in anyway limited to a certain race, social stature, geographical location, or age. Young women, low-income women and some minorities are disproportionately victims of domestic violence and rape. Women ages 20-24 are at greatest risk of nonfatal domestic violence. and women age 24 and under suffer from the highest rates of rape. The Justice Department estimates that one in five women will experience rape or attempted rape during their college years, and that less than five percent of these rapes will be reported. Income is also a factor, the poorer the household, the higher the rate of domestic violence, women in the lowest income category experiencing more than six times the rate of nonfatal intimate partner violence as compared to women in the highest income category. When taking race into consideration, African-American women face higher rates of domestic violence than white women, and American-Indian women are victimized at a rate more than double that of women of other races.
In 1994, the National Organization for Women, the NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund, which is now called Legal Momentum, the Feminist Majority and other organizations finally secured passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which provided a $1.6 billion to address issues of violence against women. VAWA was reauthorized in 2005, with nearly $4 billion in funding over five years.
As women become more independent and gain the confidence they need in order to report these crimes the numbers will continue to rise. This is a problem that we as a society need to address and correct. No one deserves to be put through the mental and physical hell domestic violence unleashes on people.
Domestic violence is defined as a pattern of abuse in a relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power over an intimate partner. the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control reported, women experience about 4.8 million intimate partner-related physical assaults and rapes every year. Less than 20 percent of battered women sought medical treatment following an injury.
Sexual violence in a relationship is also a crime which is on the rise. According to the National Crime Victimization Survey, which includes crimes that were not reported to the police, 232,960 women in the U.S. were raped or sexually assaulted in 2006. That averages more than 600 women a day being assaulted and not reporting it. A significant number of crimes are never even reported for the main reasons including the victim's feeling that nothing can or will be done and the personal nature of the incident is too intense to share with anyone let aone a srtanger.
The women being targeted are not in anyway limited to a certain race, social stature, geographical location, or age. Young women, low-income women and some minorities are disproportionately victims of domestic violence and rape. Women ages 20-24 are at greatest risk of nonfatal domestic violence. and women age 24 and under suffer from the highest rates of rape. The Justice Department estimates that one in five women will experience rape or attempted rape during their college years, and that less than five percent of these rapes will be reported. Income is also a factor, the poorer the household, the higher the rate of domestic violence, women in the lowest income category experiencing more than six times the rate of nonfatal intimate partner violence as compared to women in the highest income category. When taking race into consideration, African-American women face higher rates of domestic violence than white women, and American-Indian women are victimized at a rate more than double that of women of other races.
In 1994, the National Organization for Women, the NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund, which is now called Legal Momentum, the Feminist Majority and other organizations finally secured passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which provided a $1.6 billion to address issues of violence against women. VAWA was reauthorized in 2005, with nearly $4 billion in funding over five years.
As women become more independent and gain the confidence they need in order to report these crimes the numbers will continue to rise. This is a problem that we as a society need to address and correct. No one deserves to be put through the mental and physical hell domestic violence unleashes on people.
Alcohol and Drinking
Many people think drinking one or two beers or other alcoholic beverages are okay and still drive. What people don’t think about is what may happen to others around them or themselves if they go above the limit and drive. More and more people are drinking and driving. The drunk drivers are getting into accidents where some turn deadly. Early this morning, one of my dad’s close friends was killed in an accident, where alcohol was suspected. This man had a wife and kids, how should his wife tell their children? What if his family was in the car, would they all have been killed?
I hate to think like that, but it’s true. Many adults don’t think about the people that would get hurt if this situation ever happened to them. I’m sure no one thinks about getting into accidents when they go out to drink. Alcohol impairs one ability to react in a timely manner, impairs ones vision ability, as well as other things.
I leave with this, it is okay to go out and have a good time with friends, family, or whoever you are going out with. If you and the others plan on having drinks and don’t think you can drive, don’t tempt it and call someone to come and get you. That is a lot safer and more responsible. You’re not only saving your own life but the others as well.
I hate to think like that, but it’s true. Many adults don’t think about the people that would get hurt if this situation ever happened to them. I’m sure no one thinks about getting into accidents when they go out to drink. Alcohol impairs one ability to react in a timely manner, impairs ones vision ability, as well as other things.
I leave with this, it is okay to go out and have a good time with friends, family, or whoever you are going out with. If you and the others plan on having drinks and don’t think you can drive, don’t tempt it and call someone to come and get you. That is a lot safer and more responsible. You’re not only saving your own life but the others as well.
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