Giving Thanks!

It's been a weird quarter.  From having my class switched to Tuesday nights, to needing a sub two weeks (thank you, Steve!) to missing another week due to Veteran's day, I feel like it has been a crazy quarter.  Don't gt me wrong - I enjoy missing class every now and then as much as you do, but as an instructor, it always makes it hard to catch up.

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'm healthy and generally happy, and I am surrounded by people who love me. I have two jobs that I really enjoy, and a great class this quarter.  Yes - when all is said and done, I have it pretty good.  I hope I never lose sight of that, and always continue to be thankful for what I have.

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 Monday, December 2nd, 2014.  I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday full of good food, good friends and good conversation! Enjoy your break!


P.S.  And for those of you who are wondering....she's having a boy!  My little nephew is due to arrive in early April, and I'm already in love with him!  Just one more thing I'm thankful for!

10 Fingers and 10 Toes

This Friday, I will be going with my sister to her ultrasound appointment to find out if I have a little niece or nephew coming soon. I’m super excited!  I don’t have children of my own and my sister’s kids are the closest I’m probably ever going to get, so being able to be there for this moment is priceless to me.  However, I’ll be honest – I can never see anything on the ultrasound pictures.  To me, it just looks like the static on the old black and white televisions, but my sister always stares at it intently and swears she can see all the baby’s facial features.

Which is why I’ve been interested in the recent debate that has sprung up in which some states have moved to make ultrasounds part of the abortion service provision.  Currently, 12 states require that a woman undergo verbal counseling and receive written materials on how to access ultrasound services.  3 states mandate the provider to not only perform an ultrasound, but show and explain the images to women prior to performing the abortion.  10 more states require the provider to perform an ultrasound and then ask the woman if she wants to see the photos.

Those that are pro-life feel that if a woman sees a sonogram of her unborn baby, she’ll want to carry the baby to term.  A recent study by the Obstetrics and Gynecology Association partially supported that theory.  Although the study found that sonogram photos did not sway the decision of those women who said they were “certain” they wanted an abortion, it did sway the decision of those women who said they were “uncertain” if they wanted an abortion or not.  In the majority of cases, those that said they were uncertain prior to seeing the sonogram photos, ended up carrying the baby to term after seeing the photos.

Those that are pro-choice say this is an attempt by the pro-life side to “shame” woman who seek abortions.  They also argue that this is a major violation of the women’s right to privacy and that whether or not to have an ultrasound performed should be the decision of the woman and her doctor.

Next week, we will be discussing our Constitutional rights and freedoms (my favorite class, btw!).  We will learn why the right to privacy in America is an implied right rather than an enumerated one. I’m interested in knowing your thoughts on the topic, so my question to you this week is, “What do you think about requiring ultrasounds to be performed and shown to women seeking abortion?  Does it help save the life of an unborn baby, or does it violate a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body?”  Answers are due no later than Monday, November 24^th, 2014.  As for me, I don’t care whether I have a niece or nephew coming – I just want a healthy baby, which I love already – even if I can’t see anything but static!

 

National Coming Out Day - Part 3

We've talked a bit about same sex marriage in class.  It usually  coincides with National Coming Out Day which is October 11^th. This year, because of the schedule changes, it didn't work out as nicely as it has in the past.  I got busy, other topics came up, and before I knew it - November had arrived!

National Coming Out Day, which began in 1987 promotes a safe world for LGBT individuals to live truthfully and openly. You can read about the controversy that happened here in Indianapolis several years ago on National Coming Out Day and what your fellow students had to say about it here: http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2010/10/celebrating-national-coming-out-day.html
This year, in honor of National Coming Out Day and in support of a more tolerant America, I decided to blog about the rise of bullying due to sexual orientation. In a previous class, we discussed the issue of cyber-bullying. You can read my thoughts and the student comments here: http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2010/09/cyber-age-of-bullying.html

The first time I remember hearing about this issue was in 1998, when Matthew Shepherd was targeted, tortured and murdered because of his sexual orientation. I’m sure other hate crimes such as this had happened prior to this event, but it was Matthew’s murder that sticks in my mind most. Tomorrow marks the 16^th anniversary of Matthew Shepherd’s death. Today, hate crimes and bullying based on sexual orientation remain on the rise. Consider the following:

• According to the Gay Lesbian Straight Educator’s Network, students hear anti-gay epithets over 25 times a day and teachers fail to respond 97% of the time.
• According to the Task Force on Youth Suicide, gay youth are 3 times more likely than straight youths to commit suicide. In fact, 30% of all youth suicides have been linked to issues the youth faced concerning their sexual identity.
• The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force reports 28% of gay students drop out of high school.
• In a survey done by the National School Climate Task Force, 64% of gay students feel unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation.

So my question to you this week is, “What do you think can be done to prevent bullying or hate crimes against homosexuals? How should students, parents and the community raise awareness of this issue? Be specific!” Answers are due no later than Monday, November 18th, 2014.

Thank You Veterans!

Next Tuesday, there will be no class (for real this time!) in observance of Veteran’s Day.  I’ve devoted many posts to veterans during the 5 years I’ve been blogging. I’ve blogged before about the mental health issues many veterans face: http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2011/08/do-we-really-support-our-troops.html  I’ve blogged about how many veterans in this country wind up homeless, which to me, happens far too often: http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2014/09/home-is-where-your-heart-is.html   I’ve even blogged about the true meaning of Memorial Day, which is often lost on younger generations: http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2014/05/celebrating-three-day-weekend-thank.html   If you’re interested in reading my thoughts or your fellow students’ comments on any of these issues, you can click the links above.

I make no secret about the fact that I despise war and violence.  I might even go as far as to consider myself an anti-war activist – especially in my younger days.  That being said, I will always have nothing but respect for the men and women who sacrifice so much for the freedoms we often take for granted.  It used to be that everyone felt that way.  Serving in the military was an honor.  Veteran’s returned home to big parades and celebrations and there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that they were true American heroes.  The Vietnam War changed all of that.  Suddenly, because people disagreed with reasoning of the war, they disagreed with those who fought in the war.  Soldiers went from “heroes” to “baby killers,” and although our attitudes have softened slightly since Vietnam, many soldiers returning today still face a lack of appreciation from their country for their service.

No one has served in the military in my family since both of my grandfathers served in World War II.  I’ll be honest, if someone in my family decided to serve I would be scared for them.  I’d be really curious about what was prompting their decision.  However, ultimately I would also be really, really proud of them.  I would support their decision and respect their sacrifice.

So, my question to you this week is, “1) For the veterans: what made you decide to serve?  For everyone else: Would you support a family member who decided to serve?  2) For everyone: What do you think America could do to better support our troops?”  You must answer both questions for full credit.  Answers are due no later than Monday, November 10^th.  To all of our veterans:  Thank you for your service!

Want to know a great way to honor a veteran?  VOTE! If you have questions about where to vote today, please click on the following link: https://indianavoters.in.gov/PublicSite/Public/FT1/PublicLookupMain.aspx?Link=Polling  

 

 

Trick-Or-Treat-Or-Not

Is anyone else excited that Halloween falls on a Friday this year? 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 Monday, November 3rd, 2014. Have a happy and safe Halloween!

The Freedom to Offend

I was shocked when I read over our last break that a Texas Court of Appeals had legalized “up skirts,” a form of photography that involves individuals taking photos up the skirts of unsuspecting women.  I knew immediately that I needed to investigate further and that I wanted to blog about it for my next class.

The photographer in the case was initially charged with a violation of “improper photography.”  I had never heard of such a thing, but my research revealed that the Texas statute: “Forbids photographs, video and other electronic means in a location that is not a bathroom or private dressing room a) without consent and b) with the intent to arouse or gratify sexual desires.” 

Last month, the Texas Court of Appeals struck down this law.  Presiding judge Sharon Keller wrote in the court’s opinion which stated in part, “Protecting someone who appears in public from being the object of sexual thoughts seems to be the sort of ‘paternalistic interest in regulating the defendant’s mind’ that the First Amendment was designed to guard against.”

I strongly support the First Amendment and the right to free speech or expression.  I know censoring any speech, particularly those that you don’t agree with, is a slippery slope to start down. However, I understand why many Americans were outraged that individuals can now take public photographs, without consent and with the intent to gratify sexual desires.  Want to know the real kicker in this case?  The photographer who was initially charged, Ronald Thompson, was taking underwater pictures of children’s private regions in swimwear, without parental consent, at a San Antonio theme park.  Apparently, that is now perfectly acceptable in America – or at least in Texas.

Some of you plan on making a career out of photography.  I’m sure all of you resent censorship of your work in any form.  So, my question to you this week is, “What do you think of this of this case?  Were the photographer’s Frist Amendment rights infringed upon when he was charged? Should there be a limit to “free speech?”  Answers are due no later than Monday, October 27^th, 2014.

Blame Canada!

Okay, don’t really blame Canada.  I found out that it’s actually a great place.  After much trepidation based on my last encounter with Canadian Board Patrol which resulted in my deportation, I breezed right through without incident on this occasion.  Since I was at Niagra Falls which has both an American and Canadian side, I came back and forth through customs every day, and each time it was just as easy as the first.  It’s not that I want to visit Canada repeatedly, but I resented the fact that they had actually forbid me from entering.  So I’m glad we can finally bury the hatchet. 

In fact, since we spent so much time going through customs, it gave us time to really study the process.  It actually made our mindset shift – suddenly we didn’t think they were checking us enough!  On more than one occasion, we were asked if we were carrying guns or weapons.  When we answered no, we were waived through.  Now, before the government monitors this blog post, and thinks I’m alluding to anything – let me clear: We really didn’t have any guns or weapons.  It’s just that we wondered why you would take our word.  Is that all it takes to get though U.S. border security?  Our cars were never checked, and we were never personally searched.  Our longest wait time was probably 20 minutes.  Keep in mind; we were at one of the largest entry points between the United States and Canada, in which thousands of tourists travel back and forth repeatedly throughout their stay.

Recently, there has been much in the news about the hundreds of undocumented children showing up at our Southern borders.  I don’t support entering any country illegally, but my heart breaks for any individual that would sacrifice everything to gain the freedoms we so easily take for granted.  I support giving people who want to become American citizens a chance.  We are a nation of immigrants.  That being said, we are also a country with a target on our backs.  It seems risky and utterly ridiculous to me that a nation as powerful as ours would have unsecured boarders.

I’m interested in knowing your thoughts on the issue, so my question to you this week is, “Do you think America does a great job of securing our borders?  Do you support illegal immigrants having a path to American citizenship?”  You must answer both questions for full credit.  Just for fun, if you’ve been out of the country before, share your experience with border patrol!

I hope you guys had a good class this week, and I apologize about the schedule changes.  As a reminder, we will have a short quiz over chapter 1 next week, and your project topics will also be due.  Thanks to those who have already emailed me theirs!