For as long as I've had the cognitive ability to process ethical and moral issues, I've had to hear discussions about whether same-sex marriage or homosexuality should be permitted or not. I've been exploited to the subject of homosexuality through just about every media outlet available. Homosexuality is so frowned upon in our society, a gay man or lesbian can be potentially discharged from the armed forces just for being gay. That's some serious business huh? The issue of homosexuality has been amplified to a monumental issue in our society today, but does it really warrant this much attention?
In an editorial titled Do You REALLY Believe God Hates Gay Marriage...?, written by one of my bright and intelligent classmates, Priscella Brandell, Mrs. Brandell gives her take regarding homosexuality. Her viewpoint is that the nature of homosexuality is taken way to seriously. Mrs. Brandell personally feels that it is lunatic that the country is "so stuck on old, tired (and faulty) traditions." She argues and gives a rebuttal to the debate of whether homosexuality essentially violates the word of God,which could be considered the foundation of our nation. Brandell believes that we might just have conveniently "cherry picked" through the Bible to decide what and what not to live by. She gives specific examples of this by listing interesting verses from the Bible such as Deuteronomy 22:13-21, Deuteronomy 22:22, Mark 10:1-12, and Leviticus 18:19-23, which are all seen as verses that are commonly disobeyed today. According to Mrs. Brandell, she describes our society as highly "hypocritical", using religion as an explanation and excuse to why homosexuality should be prohibited, but to condone "biblical laws" to be breached without any major repercussions.
I must say on this particular issue, I agree 100% with Mrs. Brandell. Homosexuality is something that people take WAY overboard. I personally believe all members of society are entitled to equality. Just because someone's sexual orientation is different, doesn't grant everyone else the green light to ostracize them. I myself am completely straight, yet I don't look at my counterparts as inferior in any sense My personal opinion is diversity is what makes this nation so superior. The diversity and blend of different cultures, ideas, and value allow America to set itself apart.
However, over the course of history, we have demoted "gays" on the social ladder and for kicks, even slapped on some completely unwarranted nicknames for them. We've made it impossible for "gays" to come out the closet without being worried about humiliation and rejection. I'm personally embarrassed by people who make ignorant statements like "gays" are a disgrace to our society and mankind. My question to them is what are you doing to better society except sitting back and bickering? And really WHO CARES?!?! If "gays" are allowed to wed, is that going to stop you from doing what you want to accomplish in life? Is it really going to hinder your enjoyment of the world? All sarcasm aside, probably not. So lets just stop being so judgmental, and grant the "gays" of the world what anyone else is entitled too, the ability to join in union with a loved one. And for all the hardcore Jesus lovers out there who completely despise of me and Mrs. Brandell at this moment in time, I believe in the bible it also says not to judge, so does that make you in the wrong too?
For my grand finale, I want to recite a fascinating quote by James Baldwin, " Everybody's journey is individual. If you fall in love with a boy, you fall in love with a boy. The fact that many Americans consider it a disease says more about them then it does about homosexuality." Riveting stuff I must say.
Power Of The Sheeple/ Do You Really Believe God Hates Gay Marriage...?/ http://powerofthesheeple.blogspot.com/2011/04/do-you-really-think-god-hates-gay.html/ April 4th, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
Education On a Rainy Day.
Lets us start by taking a famous quote from John f. Kennedy. "Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation". Let's just sit for a minute and appreciate the true beauty in those words, because its those same words that are taken for granted today. Sadly, our state legislators fall into that category, the same people that are entrusted to lead Texas into prosperity which makes it that much worse. What citizens expect from their legislators is the courage and bravery to take leadership in the face of adversity, to meet a problem head on by finding a solution for the greater good regardless of the circumstance. From my personal viewpoint on what has happened this year, I believe our state legislators have not exuded any of these qualities.
The year of 2011 for the state of Texas has not been a pleasant one thus far. An astronomical budget crisis has resulted in devastating consequences around Texas. The state's hand has been forced to cut spending on a multitude of programs. While I understand that obviously not enough money can be spread around to please everyone, its time the state takes a stand and prioritizes. It's disheartening to see how the state has decided to go about handling the state's education system. According to proposals, education funds will be cut by the billions which will send a crippling blow to public schools statewide. Embarrassingly, we are watching what is already a lackluster education system go from bad to worse. Likely scenarios include classes being forced into contraction, extra curricular programs being cut, and teachers handed pink slips. Due to larger class sizes, students might find that getting help from teachers for any needed assistance might become increasingly difficult. Smaller classrooms also hold the advantage of letting teachers better understand their students strength and weaknesses. It allows for a stronger teacher-student relationship, where instructors can get a better grip on what topics need further addressing. Additionally, extra curricular programs are in danger which comes at huge misfortune for students.. Extra curriculars provide a chance to find particular interest in a subject, whether it's athletics, arts, drama and theater, or any academic groups. The chance to pursue a desired passion should not be put into dollar amounts. Higher education is also bracing for significant cuts. In an article posted on Yahoo News, it states that up to $ 772 million will be cut from Texas colleges and universities. As a result, students will find it much more difficult to find financial aid to pay for college classes. Almost sounds like a script out of a horror movie.
The daunting reality that the future generation WILL be uneducated and unprepared to fill gaps in the most important fields is worrisome. While I by no means declare myself a merit scholar of any sort, I genuinely know the power that an education can provide, not just in the context of grades and book knowledge and statistics, but the advancement of human character and the maturation of individuals with limitless potential. We are unrighteously robbing the "future" of quality education, we are ridding of one of the most significant professions in teaching, and we are simply dismantling the well being of our state for years to come.
The time has come for the state to tap into the Rainy Day Fund. It is utterly unfathomably why the state has been so hesitant thus far to allocate some of the funds to public education. The state has made it clear on their agenda that the education of our current students is not a priority which is a considerable mistake. The Rainy Day Fund is set aside for emergency purposes and if the potential consequences of having a vastly under educated population isn't an emergency, quite frankly I don't know what qualifies as one. Using a portion of the Rainy Day Fund will not solve every problem with our school systems, but by saving teacher jobs, its definitely a step forward, not five steps back. The government found a way to bail out Wall Street and faltering titans such as General Motors, yet we simply do nothing as we face a problem of epic proportions. At this point, all we can do is sit back and watch the farce going on in Austin. Hopefully somewhere along the fiasco, good hair Perry and his goons will do the right thing or we might just see plenty rainy days in the future forecast.
YahooNews. http://news.yahoo.
The year of 2011 for the state of Texas has not been a pleasant one thus far. An astronomical budget crisis has resulted in devastating consequences around Texas. The state's hand has been forced to cut spending on a multitude of programs. While I understand that obviously not enough money can be spread around to please everyone, its time the state takes a stand and prioritizes. It's disheartening to see how the state has decided to go about handling the state's education system. According to proposals, education funds will be cut by the billions which will send a crippling blow to public schools statewide. Embarrassingly, we are watching what is already a lackluster education system go from bad to worse. Likely scenarios include classes being forced into contraction, extra curricular programs being cut, and teachers handed pink slips. Due to larger class sizes, students might find that getting help from teachers for any needed assistance might become increasingly difficult. Smaller classrooms also hold the advantage of letting teachers better understand their students strength and weaknesses. It allows for a stronger teacher-student relationship, where instructors can get a better grip on what topics need further addressing. Additionally, extra curricular programs are in danger which comes at huge misfortune for students.. Extra curriculars provide a chance to find particular interest in a subject, whether it's athletics, arts, drama and theater, or any academic groups. The chance to pursue a desired passion should not be put into dollar amounts. Higher education is also bracing for significant cuts. In an article posted on Yahoo News, it states that up to $ 772 million will be cut from Texas colleges and universities. As a result, students will find it much more difficult to find financial aid to pay for college classes. Almost sounds like a script out of a horror movie.
The daunting reality that the future generation WILL be uneducated and unprepared to fill gaps in the most important fields is worrisome. While I by no means declare myself a merit scholar of any sort, I genuinely know the power that an education can provide, not just in the context of grades and book knowledge and statistics, but the advancement of human character and the maturation of individuals with limitless potential. We are unrighteously robbing the "future" of quality education, we are ridding of one of the most significant professions in teaching, and we are simply dismantling the well being of our state for years to come.
The time has come for the state to tap into the Rainy Day Fund. It is utterly unfathomably why the state has been so hesitant thus far to allocate some of the funds to public education. The state has made it clear on their agenda that the education of our current students is not a priority which is a considerable mistake. The Rainy Day Fund is set aside for emergency purposes and if the potential consequences of having a vastly under educated population isn't an emergency, quite frankly I don't know what qualifies as one. Using a portion of the Rainy Day Fund will not solve every problem with our school systems, but by saving teacher jobs, its definitely a step forward, not five steps back. The government found a way to bail out Wall Street and faltering titans such as General Motors, yet we simply do nothing as we face a problem of epic proportions. At this point, all we can do is sit back and watch the farce going on in Austin. Hopefully somewhere along the fiasco, good hair Perry and his goons will do the right thing or we might just see plenty rainy days in the future forecast.
YahooNews. http://news.yahoo.
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