You may have recently heard or seen the news regarding the case of Daniel Hauser, a 13 year old, who has been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Hodgkin’s lymphoma is one of the most curable types of cancer, however Daniel and his parents are denying further standard treatments saying the treatments would violate their religious beliefs. The family are members of Nemenhah, a American Indian organization that prefers natural healing methods.
Back in February, Daniel underwent one round of chemotherapy, yet when he became ill, his parents refused to send him in for a second treatment. For the past several months, they have ignored the advice of cancer specialists and turned to natural therapies, such as herbs and vitamins.
A judge ruled the parents have medically neglected Daniel and ordered Daniel to have updated chest x-rays as well as see an oncologists for re-evaluation. After the x-ray showed the tumor in Daniel’s chest had grown, the mother and son left town. At the time of this writing, both Daniel and his mother have returned, but are still refusing to comply with any court orders that would require Daniel to undergo chemotherapy.
Cases like Daniel’s are often presented as issues of “health freedom”, parental rights, or the right of a minor to control his or her body. The court seems to have only three options: to try and convince Daniel’s parents to allow Daniel to have the treatment, to force Daniel to undergo treatment by taking physical custody of him, or to let Daniel pursue his own course of action and possibly die.
My question to you this week is, “What do you think the court should decide? Should it be the court or the parents decision?” Answers are due by Monday, June 1st, 2009.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Celebrating a 3 day weekend? Thank a veteran!
I have been looking forward to the three-day weekend coming up for a long time. We always get together as a family and have a big cook-out. The pools re-open, I get a free day off of work and more importantly, summer begins!
It dawned on me as I sat down to write this post, that the true meaning of Memorial day is often lost. Most people know that Memorial Day is to honor soldiers who have died in combat, but did you know that a national moment of remembrance, in the form of a moment of silence, takes place at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time? Another tradition is to fly the flag at half-staff from dawn until noon local time. Many people observe the holiday by visiting graves and cemeteries to honor family members who have died. Hundreds of volunteers place American flags on veteran grave sites across the country.
Both of my grandpa's are WWII veterans. I remember how seriously my grandma took Memorial Day and her responsibilities to honor my grandpa, the flag and our country. I realize that those duties have been lost on my generation, in lieu of BBQ, beer and the Indy 500. It made me realize that it is time to step up to the plate. So, this weekend, I pledge to do something to honor my grandpa's and others who have died in service of this country. My question to you this week is "How do you celebrate Memorial Day? Do you do anything to honor it's true meaning?" Answers are due no later than Sunday, May 24th, 2009. Have a happy and safe holiday weekend!
It dawned on me as I sat down to write this post, that the true meaning of Memorial day is often lost. Most people know that Memorial Day is to honor soldiers who have died in combat, but did you know that a national moment of remembrance, in the form of a moment of silence, takes place at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time? Another tradition is to fly the flag at half-staff from dawn until noon local time. Many people observe the holiday by visiting graves and cemeteries to honor family members who have died. Hundreds of volunteers place American flags on veteran grave sites across the country.
Both of my grandpa's are WWII veterans. I remember how seriously my grandma took Memorial Day and her responsibilities to honor my grandpa, the flag and our country. I realize that those duties have been lost on my generation, in lieu of BBQ, beer and the Indy 500. It made me realize that it is time to step up to the plate. So, this weekend, I pledge to do something to honor my grandpa's and others who have died in service of this country. My question to you this week is "How do you celebrate Memorial Day? Do you do anything to honor it's true meaning?" Answers are due no later than Sunday, May 24th, 2009. Have a happy and safe holiday weekend!
Monday, May 11, 2009
It pays to have friends in high places...
Last week in class, we discussed campaign finance reform. This past Presidential election was the most expensive race in history, with candidates literally raising millions of dollars to finance their campaigns.
During the primary contest, then candidate Obama pledged not to accept campaign contributions from lobbyists. In fact, Obama returned thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from registered federal lobbyists during the course of his campaign. However, Obama did take money from individuals who while not registered lobbyists, were still employed at lobbyist firms. This activity, along with Obama's past contributions from lobbyists in previous races drew criticism and charges of hypocrisy.
The top spenders in the 2008 Presidential election, ranked in order from highest to lowest, were as follows: US Chamber of Commerce, Exxon Mobil, AARP, PG&E, Northrop Group, American Medical Association, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, American Hospital Association, General Electric and Verizon Communications. It is no coincidence that one can see two of our countries' biggest domestic issues reflected in this list; health care and energy.
For more information on who gave what to whom, check out the Center for Responsive Politics at: http://www.opensecrets.org/. This website will give you the full details on campaign finance and show you who has supported your politicians in the past.
My question to you this week is, "Do you think it is okay for candidates to take money from lobbyists? If it were up to you, how would you reform our campaign finance laws?" Answers are due no late than Sunday, May 17th, 2009.
During the primary contest, then candidate Obama pledged not to accept campaign contributions from lobbyists. In fact, Obama returned thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from registered federal lobbyists during the course of his campaign. However, Obama did take money from individuals who while not registered lobbyists, were still employed at lobbyist firms. This activity, along with Obama's past contributions from lobbyists in previous races drew criticism and charges of hypocrisy.
The top spenders in the 2008 Presidential election, ranked in order from highest to lowest, were as follows: US Chamber of Commerce, Exxon Mobil, AARP, PG&E, Northrop Group, American Medical Association, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, American Hospital Association, General Electric and Verizon Communications. It is no coincidence that one can see two of our countries' biggest domestic issues reflected in this list; health care and energy.
For more information on who gave what to whom, check out the Center for Responsive Politics at: http://www.opensecrets.org/. This website will give you the full details on campaign finance and show you who has supported your politicians in the past.
My question to you this week is, "Do you think it is okay for candidates to take money from lobbyists? If it were up to you, how would you reform our campaign finance laws?" Answers are due no late than Sunday, May 17th, 2009.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Obama's Presidential News Conference
This week's blog will be a short post. As you all know, President Obama held a prime time news conference last Wednesday. Hopefully, some of you caught it live, but if not, you can access a full transcript of the address at the following link:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/04/barack-obama-news-conference-text.html
My questions to you this week are, "What do you think President Obama answered best? What did you think he could have done a better job on? Was there an issue that wasn't addressed that you wish would've been?"
Answers are due by Sunday, May 10th, 2009.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/04/barack-obama-news-conference-text.html
My questions to you this week are, "What do you think President Obama answered best? What did you think he could have done a better job on? Was there an issue that wasn't addressed that you wish would've been?"
Answers are due by Sunday, May 10th, 2009.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Just say no...to strip searching?
The Supreme Court will be deciding a case soon that could redefine student privacy rights and outline important guidelines for school officials on contraband such as weapons, drugs or alcohol.
Savana Redding was a 13 year old honor student, when she was called into the principals office one day. Another student had been caught with unauthorized medication and fingered Savana as the one who gave them to her. The principal questioned Savana, who denied any knowledge of how the other student acquired the pills, or why she would accuse Savana. A search of Savana's backpack turned up nothing, so Savana was told that a strip search would be conducted.
A female administrative assistant and the school nurse conducted the search. Savana says that after forcing her to strip down, she was told to pull out her bra and shake it and then remove her underwear. Savana says that several times during the search she asked that her mother be called to no avail.
School officials said their first priority is keeping all of their students safe, and that means absolutely no tolerance for weapons, drugs or alcohol of any kind. In this day and age, school officials feel they must use every possible resource and method to secure their school and students.
So my question to you this week is, "Should schools be allowed to strip search students to look for contraband? What rights should students expect regarding their privacy?" Answers are due no late than Sunday, May 2nd.
Savana Redding was a 13 year old honor student, when she was called into the principals office one day. Another student had been caught with unauthorized medication and fingered Savana as the one who gave them to her. The principal questioned Savana, who denied any knowledge of how the other student acquired the pills, or why she would accuse Savana. A search of Savana's backpack turned up nothing, so Savana was told that a strip search would be conducted.
A female administrative assistant and the school nurse conducted the search. Savana says that after forcing her to strip down, she was told to pull out her bra and shake it and then remove her underwear. Savana says that several times during the search she asked that her mother be called to no avail.
School officials said their first priority is keeping all of their students safe, and that means absolutely no tolerance for weapons, drugs or alcohol of any kind. In this day and age, school officials feel they must use every possible resource and method to secure their school and students.
So my question to you this week is, "Should schools be allowed to strip search students to look for contraband? What rights should students expect regarding their privacy?" Answers are due no late than Sunday, May 2nd.
Monday, April 20, 2009
In Memory of.....
This weekend I attended the funeral of my cousin. Although I was grieved and saddened at the loss, I was also hopeful that out of her death would come something good. My cousin had made arrangements prior to her death to donate her body to medical research. Scientists will use her remains to look for cures for cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and many other diseases that affect millions of Americans. For more information about donating your body to medical research, visit the following link:
http://www.medcure.org/
We have probably all been to the BMV and been asked if we wish to donate organs. I have been an organ donor since I have been old enough to make the decision for myself. Did you know that 92,000 people are currently on the waiting list for organ transplants and another 3,700 candidates are added each year? 18 people die everyday, waiting on organ donations that could save their life. If you wish to make a decision regarding donation, please visit the following link:
http://www.indianalastwishregistry.org/Default.aspx
Still, organ donation is a controversial issue. There is a lot of misinformation out there, and even knowing all the facts, some people still don't feel it is ethical or moral to donate organs. Some people are scared of organ donation. Some individuals may wish to donate, but their family opposes their decision after death. So my question to you this week is, "How do you feel about organ donation? What about donating your body to medical research? Do you think family members should have the last say?" Answers are due by Sunday, April 26th.
http://www.medcure.org/
We have probably all been to the BMV and been asked if we wish to donate organs. I have been an organ donor since I have been old enough to make the decision for myself. Did you know that 92,000 people are currently on the waiting list for organ transplants and another 3,700 candidates are added each year? 18 people die everyday, waiting on organ donations that could save their life. If you wish to make a decision regarding donation, please visit the following link:
http://www.indianalastwishregistry.org/Default.aspx
Still, organ donation is a controversial issue. There is a lot of misinformation out there, and even knowing all the facts, some people still don't feel it is ethical or moral to donate organs. Some people are scared of organ donation. Some individuals may wish to donate, but their family opposes their decision after death. So my question to you this week is, "How do you feel about organ donation? What about donating your body to medical research? Do you think family members should have the last say?" Answers are due by Sunday, April 26th.
Monday, April 13, 2009
All You Need is Love?
In this class we will discuss same sex marriage, and whether or not gay and lesbian couples should have the same rights when it comes to marriage as everyone else. For this week’s blog, I would like to expand on that issue and discuss same sex adoptions.
Efforts to ban gay and lesbian couples from adoption are heating up all across America. Florida has banned same sex adoptions since 1977. In Mississippi, gay singles can adopt but gay couples can not. In Utah, all un-married couples are banned from adoption. Currently, sixteen additional states are considering bans of same sex adoptions, including Indiana.
Opponents of same sex adoptions, often say that children being raised with same-sex parents will have psychological issues, be bullied or teased at school, have unclear gender role models and perhaps even become gay or lesbian themselves.
Supporters of same sex adoptions include the National Adoption Center, the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association and the American Pediatrics, all of which state that adoptions by gay or lesbian couples do not negatively affect children.
The issue of same sex adoption is one that inspires debate across America and will probably be left up to the courts to decide, however one thing is clear: we all want what is best for our children. So my question to you this week is, “What do you think of same sex adoptions? Why do you feel the way you do?” Answers are due by Sunday, April 19th.
Efforts to ban gay and lesbian couples from adoption are heating up all across America. Florida has banned same sex adoptions since 1977. In Mississippi, gay singles can adopt but gay couples can not. In Utah, all un-married couples are banned from adoption. Currently, sixteen additional states are considering bans of same sex adoptions, including Indiana.
Opponents of same sex adoptions, often say that children being raised with same-sex parents will have psychological issues, be bullied or teased at school, have unclear gender role models and perhaps even become gay or lesbian themselves.
Supporters of same sex adoptions include the National Adoption Center, the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association and the American Pediatrics, all of which state that adoptions by gay or lesbian couples do not negatively affect children.
The issue of same sex adoption is one that inspires debate across America and will probably be left up to the courts to decide, however one thing is clear: we all want what is best for our children. So my question to you this week is, “What do you think of same sex adoptions? Why do you feel the way you do?” Answers are due by Sunday, April 19th.
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