Narrowminded Alabama Cheif Justice causing menance

   Just last week, Alabama passed a marriage equality law stating that marriage was no longer just limited to a heterosexual marriage. This, I believe should be a basic right that one shouldn't even vote on, no one votes on heterosexual marriage and there is no difference here; love is love. However; this biblical ultraconservative junkie believes that this law should not have passed. He is taunting the people of Alabama saying that he was chosen to uphold "traditional Christian values." I however; believe that anyone who opposes two people being in love is no model Christian. This man is deeply angered and mad that he is not getting his own way and he states he is going to do anything in his power to oppose this newfound law. My hope is that the people of Alabama fight back and stand up for their brothers and sisters that have waited much time for this law. I wish all the best to all the couples now able to get married in their current location of Alabama.



Michael Brown will not be forgotten

     There is no doubt that heartbreak occurred in Ferguson on the day Mike Brown was killed. No matter what side you view this tragic incident from- this was an awful tragedy. Mike Brown and his family and friends should not be forgotten now, just because it’s not as present in the news. There were many riots at the time of the incident and there continues to be riots and uprisings across the nation daily.

       At first, when Officer Darren Wilson was not indicted, I could see the reason behind the need to riot. A group of people felt discriminated against and that is never okay. Whether one believes that the case should’ve been looked at more closely and that Wilson should’ve been indicted or if they agreed with the results, we can all agree that this was a terrible happening. I personally do believe that Darren Wilson got off too easy, there were too many things looked over, I think. And at first, I was a hard-nosed believer in these riots and what they stood for which was equality and putting an end to discrimination in all its forms. However; now I can see that some of these protests are getting a bit out of hand. At first, the purpose was there and it isn’t that the purpose behind these protests doesn’t exist anymore, because it definitely does but I don’t believe these protests are very beneficial anymore.

         We should come together to remember Mike Brown and all the good things he did and we should never forget this idea of police brutality in the workplace because across the nation- it is definitely there. Instead of protests that aren’t really changing things anymore, I think everyone should stand up and raise awareness of this incident and of other incidents involving possible police brutality. I think, we should fight to get on-body cameras put on every police officer. Even if one stands by the police, I think all can agree that these cameras would have helped in this incident and they would provide clearer evidence. I hope the United States makes it a priority to get these body cameras put on our officers. I think we should focus our energy more on this instead of the protests because this will do more good. However; I do recognize people’s individual rights as a citizen and if they choose to protest even if it isn’t doing anything- that is there choice and they are free to do so unless they are causing unrequited harm to others around them. I think it would be easier to judge these ideas if one was on hand in Ferguson (even now or in the months following the shooting.) I respect the right of one to riot for something they believe is wrong but I think everyone that believes the outcome of Wilson’s non-indictment was wrong should come together to remember Brown and try to fight future incidents of police brutality taking place. I hope we can someday say everyone in this world is truly treated equally because that should be the most important priority no matter what. Rest in Peace Michael Brown, you will never be forgotten.

Mourning together with France (question 3)

 An unfortunate and excessive terrorist attack took place in Paris, France on January 7^th 2015. Charlie Hebdo fell victim to this planned attack. Hebdo was a journalist that wrote for an upper-class but controversial magazine called the Satirical. This magazine patronized and angered many religious groups with its articles poking fun at Muhammad and other religious leaders. It is said that the terrorist group was angry about the taunting and retaliated by attacking the leading journalist.

          The assassins have now been killed. France is desperately seeking unity in their time of need. In times of great emotional crisis, it is common for the people surrounding to come together in solace and mourn as one and it is no different in Paris. Parisians and people around the world are deeply saddened by the death of this credible writer. Truthfully, I personally, would not be deterred by this awful incident enough not to go to Paris. It is a sad world we live in but unfortunately (although it shouldn’t be this way…) you take your chances when going somewhere. Ideally, there wouldn’t be anything to be afraid of in a perfect world but in the world we live in, anything could happen, anywhere and at any time. I would still travel to Paris at this time, admittedly with less rashness. I would take extra precautions, yes, but I would still travel to Paris.

       This is a tragedy that we all mourn together for and I support France in their time of struggle but we must remember that these terrorist groups cannot hide behind the excuse of “religion.” By this I mean that, these groups are not following anything Islam or the Muslim faith encourages. The Muslim faith is not a bad one and I feel that because of terrorists being confused with the faith, it is seen in a bad light. There is a big difference between these terrorist groups and traditional Muslim teaching. Being Muslim is perfectly okay. Al Qaeda itself in other incidents have attacked innocent Muslim people and I believe the victims should never be grouped with the assassins. Once again, however; I stand with Paris and I hope they will find solace in their happy memories with Hebdo. I hope another tragedy like this won’t happen again as it has shattered both people close to Hebdo and people all around the world.

The Amazing Race (question number one.)

“The Amazing race”

 

Elections are fast paced and hectic. The results can change at a drop of a hat. Who is in the lead at the beginning could fare badly at the end. This is what happened in the chaotic Senate race in Kansas. I was shocked to see how fast the “leaderboard” changed, likewise the Republican candidate Pat Roberts has his “ups and downs” and it was a Wild ride for everyone. The senate race was more important than one would think because it determined who would be on the United States Senate and who would be passing our laws.
         
        Greg Orman was another fierce competitor in the race. Orman was of the Independent party and due to the high conglomeration of Republicans running, Greg attempted to appeal to the Democrats of Kansas. Orman was already starting at an undesirable place though, because Kansas was a highly Republican populated state. At one point in the race-to many people’s unabashed glory and to other’s sinister glares- Orman moved his way up to the lead. Orman was ahead for a small amount of time with a two point lead over Pat Roberts. Kansas received snarky and thoroughly unneeded comments from angered citizens that ran along the lines of “Kansas you are a Republican state, for goodness sake!” In the end Pat Roberts prospered and won the senate seat for Kansas. The Senate had been taken over by Republicans this year, so it did not come as too much of a surprise in the end. Kansas was a hard-nosed Republican state so really, it was a miracle that Orman was even close to Roberts in the running.

          Personally, I do not agree with the voters at all. I believe that with the overbearing presence of only Republicans in the Senate, it will be almost impossible for any of Obama’s (or if we have another democratic president following him in his departure from office) to be passed. The all too Republican Senate will be biased in their decisions and I do not believe this is fair. I think the voters made the wrong choice. I think they should’ve went with independent candidate Greg Orman as he would’ve supported neutral ideas to the two parties and would’ve worked harder to please everyone. I honestly cannot believe that the entire senate has been taken over by the Republican Party and I hope they will seriously view the ideas given to them with the full intention to help the nation.

                            

The lush Louvre

The Louvre is one of the biggest and most paramount art museums in the entire world. The Louvre houses meticulously painted works and garish photographs and the famed Mona Lisa. New reports say that the Louvre was declared most visited museum in the world which is no easy stride when taking into consideration the myriad of art museums and galleries in the world. The museum is located in the heart of Paris and exhibits its glory through its almost phosphorescent feel. The sublime museum is only expected to go up in rating from here. One thing is for certain; the museum looks as gorgeous outside as the it does inside.







Secrets from a valiant reporter

         It is a common wondering among many people at home- how do news journalists put themselves at the hands of fury to report to us from places of war struck chaos. Robert Pelton had no choice but to report from sinisterly dangerous hot spots across the world because when news happens, it cant wait- no matter what the circumstances. In order to fully capture and express the ordeals and mix-ups happening across the globe, journalists must rise to action and travel to the dangerous places in which the problems are occurring. Pelton learned many new and surprising things pertaining to the Taliban. Firstly Pelton in retrospect, realized that being the first reporter on the scene of the war struck area is actually safer than not making it a goal to be there first. He further explains that once many journalists and reporters make a stand at the scene, this revokes the enemies and they are more likely to open fire on the innocent newscasters. Pelton also learned to never travel to a place like this unarmed. He states that he always carries a ballpoint pen with him and he has had to stab assailants repeatedly at times to get them to leave without tragically harming him. I guess the pen is really mightier than the sword. In addition, Robert learned that surprisingly terrorists want to talk to you because of your position as a newscaster but only under certain conditions. The terrorists want to know your viewpoints and angles on the topic at hand before they let you in on any future plans of their group (rarely) or their ideals. I guess there are many shocking revelations that you can conclude from being at the scene but fortunately because of brave reporters like Pelton, we are able to attain the information quickly and efficiently. Now that's something to think about next time you're wondering about the absolutely "lobotomized reporters" you reporting live from areas of great distress.

     

The Job world in India

       Everyone knows that there are many prominent differences in each continent, country or even city one travels to but it appears that India's job market differs in many crucial ways. The jobs available there are stark different than the jobs many U.S. citizens hold. In Mumbai the profession of professional meal deliverer exists. The people that withhold this job are called Dabbawallas. They carry and deliver a variety of foods in paint cans and versatile containers to people at work or people who just want to order-in. Perhaps a job with a center point even more foreign to us than the last is the actions of the job of the Rudaalis. The concept may seem sinister or even unethical to our ever-changing booming U.S. job market but what these people do is go to funerals (typically those of wealthy men) and get paid to mourn. Yes, mourn. They attend these funerals and weep and shed tears that are basically conducive to monetary benefits. When one reflects on a wedding, they may remember their close friends, coworkers and families attending but in India there is actually a service that hires seventy people at a time to attend weddings for money. These people; called Baaratis, pretend to be related to the bride or groom in question. They act like close relatives and celebrate with the family and on the way out instead of getting the ever traditional wedding favor, they get a large sum of multi-colored rupees (the Indian currency.) While on the topic of weddings- being a Hijra is another choice profession. Hijras are essentially "lucky dancers," these dancers are paid to attend weddings and dance as the belief that they bring good luck wherever they dance is tradition. It is clear to see that there are many differences between Jobs around the world and it is quite interesting to document how different the jobs in India are than the jobs in the United States.

           

Saddening paroxysms lead to a colorful surprise

   Serendipity can be defined as "finding something sublime when least expected or when not looking." Shelby Swink is the human epitome of "making the most of what is given to you." Swink just weeks before was a love-struck, doting bride to be until her ex-fiancée sat her down and delivered the cold hard truth; that he was not in love with her. Instead of mourning away, eating her weight in ice cream and watching cliché, all to garish rom-coms, on the day that her wedding was supposed to be Shelby let out all her emotions in an immaculate aesthetic display of fury. Shelby and her effervescent bridesmaids, close friends and family got together on the ludicrous day and fabricated a work of art with sinister emotion behind it. Swink and her bridesmaids gathered together with bottles of scarlet, jade, cerulean and citrine paint and splattered her alabaster and once "perfect wedding dress." Swink and her friends took the news by storm with their unprecedented ways. Swink also managed to get her multi-colored dress on display in a popular bridal shop nearby. Maybe this wasn't the picturesque end to a fairy tale but Swink sure made the most of the situation and had a good time with her friends along the way.