Your Thoughts And Feedback Are Appreciated!

I love the quarters that are followed by a three week break. That being said, I always feel excited to come back to the school and kick off another great year. I hope you can all say that you learned something in this class, and that you keep in touch, and continue to post on the blog whenever you want.

The holiday season is already in full swing. I hope this season you remember all thing things that are truly important. I wish you a wonderful holiday full of good rest, good food and good friends.

With that being said, my final question to you is, “What did you like or dislike about the class?  What could I do to make the class better?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, December 12^th, 2012. For those of you who are graduating this quarter – congratulations! Your hard work has finally paid off!

 

The Best Part About Censorship is @*!

This week in class, we will discuss freedom of speech and what kinds of expression are not protected under the Constitution, including obscenity and pornography. Since you should all be working on preparing the visuals for your final project, I thought this would be a good time to discuss censorship.

Did you know that the school often regulates or censors what types of student work can be displayed in the hallways? In the past, I’ve been told not to display student projects that reference drugs or sex and/or have graphic images. Some would say that the school has an interest in protecting their image. Parents and prospective students tour the hallways and it’s important not to offend anyone. Still others would say that the school is practicing a form of censorship. Political art makes a statement and pushes the boundaries of what is appropriate. How can a school that promotes creative and artistic license, censor student work?

So my question to you this week is, “Do you think the school has a right to censor student work that is being displayed in the hallways? Why or why not?” Answers are due no later than Wednesday, December 5^th, 2012.

Giving Thanks!

Now, I have made it clear in class that Thanksgiving is not my favorite holiday. I don't like the way schools fictionalize a story that sounds good, while ignoring the sad facts about how we really treated Native Americans in this country. That being said, I have learned to treat Thanksgiving as a reminder of all the things I am thankful for.

 

This year, as always, I am thankful for my faith, my family and my friends. I am blessed to be surrounded by people who love me. I am also thankful that I have two jobs that I really like, in an economy where people often can’t find one. I really enjoy being surrounded by the crazy, creative energy that is all of you.

So, in honor of the holiday my question to you this week will be an easy one. "What are you thankful for this holiday season?" Answers are due no later than Wednesday, November 28th, 2012. I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday full of good food, good friends and good conversation! Enjoy your break!

Land Of The Free, Home Of The High?

Last week, Massachusetts joined 17 other states that allow the medical use of marijuana.  Going even further, Washington and Colorado passed initiatives that would make them the first states in the country to allow the recreational use of marijuana – a direct violation of federal law under which marijuana is still classified as a Schedule I narcotic.  A few years ago, I blogged about the financial impact that legalizing marijuana could have on our economy.  You can read my thoughts and your fellow students’ comments here: http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2009/10/can-marijuana-save-te-economy.html

Supporters of these new initiatives say the government should set up a system that licenses, regulates and taxes commercial distributers of marijuana.  Some point out that marijuana may be less harmful that other legal drugs such as alcohol or cigarettes.  There is a growing movement pushing for the government to reschedule or de-schedule marijuana as a schedule I narcotic.  Schedule I narcotics also include heroin, LSD, and MDMA, commonly known as “ecstasy”.

Opponents argue that the drug impairs memory and coordination, limits driving ability and therefore endangers the public.  Legalizing marijuana could cause an increase in teenage use of the drug, and serve as a “gateway” to other hardcore drug use.

Regardless, these new laws have put the federal government, specifically President Obama in a bit of a bind regarding how he should handle the situation.  It’s a great example of how federalism can work or not work in our country.  So my question to you this week is, “What do you think of these new initiatives?  Do you think legalizing marijuana for recreation use is good for our country?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, November 21^st, 2012.  Also, please note that there will be NO class on Thursday, November 22^nd due to then Thanksgiving Day holiday – however, there WILL be a new blog post, so don’t forget to post!

I Am What I Am Because of Others

This week our nation elected President Barack Obama to a second term.  As I watched President Obama give his second victory speech, it brought me back to when he was first elected.  I started this blog the week of his inauguration, almost four years ago.  I have loved reading your responses and learning more about you each and every quarter.

Those of you who know me, know that I’m a big believer in volunteerism and giving back to your community.  I grew up relatively poor and I know first hand what it's like to humble yourself and ask for help.  I remember all the people who donated time and money so that I could dream big, and I feel a responsiblity to pay that forward.  I want my life to be dedicated to service of some kind.  I know I may not be changing the world, but at least I’m leaving my little corner a little better than I found it. 

Sooner than you think, you will be graduating from college and entering what I like to call the real world.  As an educated, creative member of society you have a responsibility to leave your mark somehow.  So my question to you this week is, “If money were no object (meaning that you didn’t have to worry about how much money your project would cost) what is one thing you would do for your school, or your community, or your planet?”  Really think about it.  Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest ideas.  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, November 14^th, 2012.  Sunday, November 11^th is Veteran’s Day.  To all those who serve in the armed forces – thank you for your service.  You are true American heroes!

You've Got To Fight For Your Rights!

Last week, I was leaving AI on my way to my other job, when I passed by Planned Parenthood on 86^th street.  As usual, a group of “Right to Life” protesters were standing out by the road with posters encouraging people to choose life. Like many of you, I’ve seen these protesters many times outside Planned Parenthoods across the city.  What was different about this time was that they had a boy, approximately 10 years old with them, proudly holding up his own sign.

Now I must confess that I’ve been known to protest a few things in my day, but something really bothered me about that little kid being a part of it.  I believe in the people’s right to peacefully assemble and protest. However, I also remember being in college, having no health insurance, and going to Planned Parenthood for all my female health needs.  They offer so many other services besides abortions, but nevertheless, I still had to walk through a horde of protesters, screaming insults at me and putting graphic photos of aborted babies in my face.  It was very traumatic and I can only imagine how young women who are actually getting abortions feel.  It seems that they’re making what is already a traumatic situation, much, much worse.  So when I saw this little boy actively participating, it made me wonder what he was actually learning from the process.

All of that being said, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that in America everyone has the right to speak their mind.  The rights of free speech and freedom to assemble are some of our greatest liberties.  To suppress someone’s free speech is to suppress all of our voices.  I don’t have to agree with what is being said, to agree with their right to say it, distasteful as it may seem.

So my question to you this week is, “What do you think of the “Right to Life” protesters?  Do agree with protesting in this way?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, November 7^th, 2012. To find your polling place for Tuesday’s election, please go here: http://maps.indy.gov/VIP/  To those of you with family & friends affected by Hurricane Sandy, my thoughts and prayers go out to you.  To donate to the disaster relief efforts, please go here:  http://www.redcross.org/

Trick-or-Treat-or-Not

Halloween is just around the corner.  I love Halloween.  It’s definitely one of my top three favorite holidays along with New Year’s Eve and the 4^th of July. There is nothing better as a kid, than running around in costume in the dark getting tons of candy.  As an adult, I love getting dressed up and waiting to scare the children that come to my house.

Which is why it really disturbs me that some public schools aren’t even allowed to celebrate Halloween anymore.   According the Seattle Public School district, “costumes could offend or upset students who come from other cultures”.  The pagan origins of modern Halloween can be found in the Celtic celebration of Samhain, or "End of Summer." The Celts believed that on this agricultural harvest festival the dead revisit the land of the living and communal fires were needed to ward off evil. Many feel that celebrating Halloween is somehow promoting paganism, witchcraft and the occult.

I’m not sure how dressing up as a comic book hero and knocking on doors for candy is related to paganism, but it did get me thinking.  In a few weeks, we will be discussing our First Amendment rights, and the separation of church and state.  Halloween isn’t the only holiday that schools have banned in the interest of not offending anyone.  So my question to you this week is, “What do you think of school’s celebrating holidays?  Should they celebrate all holidays, some holidays or none at all?”  For an added twist, “What are your Halloween plans?”  I’d love to hear what you’re dressing up as!  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, October 31^st, 2012.  Have a happy and safe Halloween!