Whenever I sit down to write these final blog posts, I can never believe that another quarter has already gone by. You all make me realize why I love my job! I have enjoyed getting to know all of you, and I hope you can say you learned something from this class.
So for our last blog post, I would like to get your thoughts and feedback on the class. What did you like or dislike? What could I do to make the class better? Answers are due no later than Thursday, March 25th, 2010. After that, the blog will be down until the next quarter resumes. I wish you all much success and happiness in the future. Perhaps I will have you again in another course, if so, I look forward to it. Please stay in touch, enjoy the break and have a Happy Easter!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Are We Really One Nation Under God?
This week we will begin a discussion on First Amendment freedoms, which of course, includes freedom of religion. I make no secret of my faith. That being said, I believe strongly in the concept of everyone being free to practice their faith how they choose. I recognize that what I believe may not be what every other American believes. Having the freedom to practice our religion is one of the things that makes us uniquely American, and something that we often take for granted.
Last week the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the use of the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance and "In God We Trust" on U.S. currency, rejecting arguments the words violate the separation of church and state doctrine in the First Amendment. Writing for the majority, Judge Carlos Bea stated, "The Pledge of Allegiance serves to unite our vast nation, through proud recitation of some of the ideals upon which our Republic was founded". In a separate ruling, the appeals court upheld the inscription of the national motto "In God We Trust" on coins and currency, saying that the phrase is ceremonial and patriotic, not religious.
Locally, the valedictorian at Greenwood High School is asking a federal judge to stop a graduation prayer that the senior class voted to approve. His lawsuit argues that both the prayer and the vote unconstitutionally subject religious practice to majority rules.
So my question to you this week is, "Do you think commencement prayers violate the First Amendment? Why or why not? Would you have a problem being exposed to a prayer from another religion in school?" Answers are due no later than Thursday, March 18th, 2010. Being an Irish girl myself, I would like to wish all of you a happy and safe St. Patrick's Day! Erin Go Bragh!
Last week the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the use of the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance and "In God We Trust" on U.S. currency, rejecting arguments the words violate the separation of church and state doctrine in the First Amendment. Writing for the majority, Judge Carlos Bea stated, "The Pledge of Allegiance serves to unite our vast nation, through proud recitation of some of the ideals upon which our Republic was founded". In a separate ruling, the appeals court upheld the inscription of the national motto "In God We Trust" on coins and currency, saying that the phrase is ceremonial and patriotic, not religious.
Locally, the valedictorian at Greenwood High School is asking a federal judge to stop a graduation prayer that the senior class voted to approve. His lawsuit argues that both the prayer and the vote unconstitutionally subject religious practice to majority rules.
So my question to you this week is, "Do you think commencement prayers violate the First Amendment? Why or why not? Would you have a problem being exposed to a prayer from another religion in school?" Answers are due no later than Thursday, March 18th, 2010. Being an Irish girl myself, I would like to wish all of you a happy and safe St. Patrick's Day! Erin Go Bragh!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Can abortions be called genocide?
Next week in class we will discuss abortion, as well as equal rights under the law. So this week, when I heard a popular radio show discussing abortion in the African-American community, I knew I wanted to blog about the issue. To be honest, I’ve never really thought about abortion in terms of race. Abortion is controversial enough on its own. However, consider these staggering statistics:
• More African-Americans have died from abortion than have died from AIDS, accidents, violent crimes, cancer and heart disease combined.
• African-Americans comprise 13% of the population, yet African-American women have 35% of abortions in this country.
• The African-American abortion rate is three times higher than the national average and four times higher than the rate for Caucasian women.
• Since Roe V. Wade 17 million African-American babies have been aborted, reducing the potential African-American population by a third.
• Almost as many African-American babies are aborted as born.
Called modern-day genocide by some, many say African-American abortions are higher because organizations that offer abortions are mainly located in African-American neighborhoods. For example, Planned Parenthood has 80% of its facilities in minority neighborhoods, making it easier for some to access abortion doctors. Others say these young men and women need to take responsibility for their own actions. Just because abortions are available, shouldn’t make the need for one increase.
So my question to you this week is “Why do you think abortions are so much higher in the African-American community? Do these abortion clinics provide a needed service, or do they encourage stunted African-American population growth?” Answers are due no later than Thursday, March 11th, 2010.
P.S. Recently, I was asked to make the blog questions more controversial. I won’t call you out by name, but you know who you are. This one’s for you!
• More African-Americans have died from abortion than have died from AIDS, accidents, violent crimes, cancer and heart disease combined.
• African-Americans comprise 13% of the population, yet African-American women have 35% of abortions in this country.
• The African-American abortion rate is three times higher than the national average and four times higher than the rate for Caucasian women.
• Since Roe V. Wade 17 million African-American babies have been aborted, reducing the potential African-American population by a third.
• Almost as many African-American babies are aborted as born.
Called modern-day genocide by some, many say African-American abortions are higher because organizations that offer abortions are mainly located in African-American neighborhoods. For example, Planned Parenthood has 80% of its facilities in minority neighborhoods, making it easier for some to access abortion doctors. Others say these young men and women need to take responsibility for their own actions. Just because abortions are available, shouldn’t make the need for one increase.
So my question to you this week is “Why do you think abortions are so much higher in the African-American community? Do these abortion clinics provide a needed service, or do they encourage stunted African-American population growth?” Answers are due no later than Thursday, March 11th, 2010.
P.S. Recently, I was asked to make the blog questions more controversial. I won’t call you out by name, but you know who you are. This one’s for you!
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