FOOD RULES

The book Food Rules by Michael Pollan discusses the reasons why American's deal with obesity and why our eating habits have to change. Michael Pollan is the author of five previous books, including In Defense of Food, a number one New York Times bestseller, and The Omnivore's Dilemma, which was named one of the ten best books of the year by both the New York Times and the Washington Post.

Fact . Populations eating a remarkably wide range of traditional diets generally don't suffer from these chronic diseases. These diets run the gamut from ones very high in fat (the Inuit in Greenland subsists largely on seal rubber) to ones high in carbohydrate (Central American Indians subsist largely on maize and beans) to ones very high in protein (Masai tribesman in Africa subsist chiefly on cattle blood, meat, and milk), to cite three rather extreme examples. But much the same holds true for more mixed traditional diets. What this suggests is that there is no single ideal human diet but that the human omnivore is exquisitely adapted to a wide range of different foods and a variety of different diets. Except, that is, for one: the relatively new Western diet that most of us now are eating. What an extraordinary achievement for a civilization:to have developed the one diet that reliably makes its people sick! It has been shown that people who get off the Western diet see dramatic improvements in their health. In one analysis, a typical American population that departed even modestly from the Western diet could reduce its chances of getting coronary heart disease by 80 percent, its chances of type 2 diabetes by 90 percent, and its chances of colon cancer by 70 percent. If Americans made changes in their diet, and they don't even have to be major, we could see a total decrease in health issues that Americans suffer from every year. The health care industry makes more money treating chronic diseases ( which account for three quarters of the $2 trillion plus we spend each year on health care in this country) than preventing them. In an economy where we need to control our spending and where our money goes, an effort needs to be put in to not only treat disease and infection but help prevent. And all that is is just knowing what you're putting into your body and how this may effect you.

MTV Credited For Decline In Teen Pregnancy Rates

From the chaotic family dynamics to the aftermath of childbirth, MTV's hit show "16 and Pregnant" has illustrated that teen parenthood is not always an easy journey. These candid glimpses inside the trials of young parents apparently are making a mark on youth across America, as the series is being credited with helping to spur a decrease in teen pregnancy.
According to a new government study, U.S teen birthrates plunged dramatically in 2009 after a five percent increase from 2005 to 2007. And a report by National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy recognizes "16 and Pregnant," specifying that 82 percent of teenagers credit the hit show in helping them understand the challenges that come with unexpected parenthood.
Bill Albert, a spokesman for the National Campaign, believes that "16 and Pregnant" helps broaden insight into teen pregnancy. "Entertainment media is one of the nation's favorite punching bags, but we have to acknowledge that when we're talking about teen pregnancies media can be and often is a force for good, and that is particularly true when it comes to shows like '16 and Pregnant,' " he said.
While "16 and Pregnant" has received some media criticism for its apparent glamorization of its subject, Albert stands by the findings of the survey. "Some critics say these shows glamorize teen pregnancy, but our survey data shows that's not the case," he pointed out. "That not only do they not glamorize it, but teens who have seen it suggest it makes the realities of teen parenthood more real to them."
 I find it very interesting that the show has had such a strong impact on teenage pregnancy. When I first watched the show I found it to be yet another stupid MTV reality show that I felt glamorized these teenage girls and their boyfriends for having gotten knocked up. I still agree that the show glamorizes teen pregnancy as these girls have now become famous. Becoming famous by giving birth at age 16 and having it documented on MTV is totally ridiculous. I think the show is a waste of time, but if it actually has had an impact on a decline in teenage pregnancy then I support its entertainment only in an effort to show teens the challenges that come with unexpected parenthood.

Abortion

The pro-life argument is winning. The value of a human life has increased in the past decade. Society is recognizing how important a human life is, no matter how developed it is. Anti-choice people want to outlaw abortion, regardless of the woman's situation. They will stop at nothing to make it harder for women to access abortion. They even target the doctors who provide abortion care. Although this is extreme, it seems to be the path that many Americans who are pro-life seem to be supporting. Although support seems to be shifting to pro-life, I believe that the pro-choice argument is a better one. I believe it is a women's fundamental right to choose what she does with her body. Women, no matter what economic state they are in or what situation they have should be able to choose what they want for their future. But I still believe that the procedure must be done within a certain period of the birth stage, such as within the first 20 weeks.

I believe that a parent should be informed if the child is under the age of 18, but they do not have the right to consent to such procedure. I firmly believe that a women has the right to do what she wants to do with her body. The parents cannot be in control of this situation. Responsibility needs to be placed on the woman who is currenlty pregnant and wants to get involved in such procedure.

I believe that both parents should be notified. The mom especially, but the father should be notified too because he may be paying for  this procedure. If the father is not currently involved in the child's life then there is no need for his consent.

Illinois abortion laws strongly oppose abortion.  The state of Illinois position on abortion is evident on many of the restrictions the state imposes on women who want to get an abortion. For instance, Illinois prohibits certain state employees and organizations receiving state funds from counseling or referring women for abortion services. Illinois restricts insurance coverage of abortion for some individuals. Illinois allows certain individuals or entities to refuse to provide women specific reproductive-health services, information, or referrals. Illinois law restricts young women's access to abortion services by mandating parental notice. Illinois has an unconstitutional and unenforceable law mandating spousal consent before a married woman may obtain abortion care. All of these restrictions make it very hard for a women to be able to have an abortion in the state of Illinois. I am very pro-choice up to a certain date in the pregnancy and believe it is a fundamental right for women to be able to do what they want with their bodies. I find many of these restrictions ridiculous and are loop holes in the system of Roe v. Wade to prevent women from having abortions.  If I could change the laws I would make sure that women don't have to be put through all of these circumstances that make it difficult for them to have such procedure. I firmly believe in pro-choice, BUT it must be done within a certain time frame in the pregnancy. 

Death Penalty 3

There are many aspects of the stages in the Capital case that are designed to protect the rights of the accused.  The accused can't just be sentenced to the death penalty, there first needs to be sufficient evidence that this person could have committed the crime for a case to even exist. The accused is given a lawyer to defend him in court. He must plead his case and rebut the prosecutors statement in trying to prove him guilty. In the "Penalty Phase Trial" of the case, mitigating circumstances are looked over in order to give the accused the most fair fair trial possible. Mitigating circumstances are facts that do not justify or excuse an act or offense, but may reduce the degree or moral culpability, and thereby reduce the penalty. Ex: mental impairments, or deprived background, etc. The defendant has the opportunity if he loses his case to appeal to the U.S. Court of appeals, where his appeal will then be heard by a panel of three judges. These are just a few ways the Court system helps protect the rights of the accused. Without these aspect in a capital case it would be unfair to the defendant. I believe that the system is insufficient due to the statistic that since 1973, over 130 people have been released from death row with evidence of their innocence.
         Although none of the five ways to execute a convicted criminal on death row are humane, death by lethal injection is the most appropriate. I believe lethal injection to be the best method because the person being executed is knocked out due to drugs and usually does not feel the pain of death. Hanging, electrocution, and the gas chamber are methods that should be considered "cruel and unusual" punishment by the Eighth Amendment. The description of pain the executed feels during the process of these methods is morally unethical and very disturbing. If they are to be sentenced to death they should at least be put to death in a humane way that shows respect for life. For example, U.S. Supreme Court Justice William Brennan once offered the following description of an execution by electric chair : ... the prisoner's eyeballs sometimes pop out and rest on his cheeks. The prisoner often defecates, urinates, and vomits blood and drool. the body turns bright red as its temperature rises, and the prisoner's flesh swells and his skin stretches to the point of breaking. Sometimes the prisoner catches fire... Witnesses hear a loud and sustained sound like bacon frying, and the sickly sweet smell of burning flesh permeates the chamber. (Echenbarger, 1994) That is a perfect example of "cruel and unusual" punishment and should be banned along with hanging and the gas chamber from methods of capital punishment.
     From looking at the state by state death penalty data, I was able to find out some pretty interesting statistics.  There is a much larger amount of men on death row then there are women.  The difference between the amount of caucasian to african americans being put to death is very small. There are more whites being sentenced to death than there are african americans. California, Texas, and Florida are three states that have the most inmates being sentenced to death. Those are three of the largest states in America so it is possible to say that states with higher populations have a larger number of men and women being sentenced to death. Also states in the south have higher totals of inmates on death row. There are no juvenile statistics as of 2005 because of Roper v. Simmons. In this case the Court ruled that the death penalty for those who had committed their crimes as minors was cruel and unusual punishment and hence barred by the Constitution.
           The information posted by the Death Penalty Information center provided further detail into studies of race, the type of method preferred by states, and executions by region. The information here changed the way I thought about the death penalty in my previous response due to the statistics that were given about race. In my previous response that website showing the state by state death penalty date made it seem as if there is overall racial equality in the justice system. But from viewing the data put out of by the D.P.I.C. it seems as if there is inequality when sentencing black and white people to capital punishment. A comprehensive study of the death penalty in North Carolina found that the odds of receiving a death sentence rose by 3.5 times among those defendants whose victims were white. Also a study in California found that those who killed whites were over 3 times more likely to be sentenced to death than those who killed blacks and over 4 times more likely than those who killed Latinos. Public opinion of the death penalty was at 65% in May 2006. (Down from 80% in 1994). The same poll given by the Gallup Group revealed that when respondents are given a choice of life without parole as an alternate sentencing option, more choose life without parole (48%) than the death penalty (47%). A 2009  by the DPIC showed that police chiefs ranked the death penalty last among ways to reduce violent crime. Also considered death penalty to be the least efficient use of taxpayers' money. Looking at all the information I would say that the DPIC believes that the justice system in America in terms of capital punishment is not efficient and is biased. They are against the death penalty. The statistics they show in their report is convincing and gives good reason to believe that the death penalty should not be permitted.

 

    

DEATH PENALTY

Clifford Boggess should not have been executed for his actions. After being on Death Row for so many years he became a changed man. A  who let his faith take over his life and helped him come to terms with what he had done. If the death penalty is used to make an example of criminals who have done wrong, is it better to kill them or let them stay in prison for the rest of their lives?  Clifford Boggess changed over the course of time. One of the benefits of putting criminals in prison is that they are able to think about their actions and feel true remorse. Being on Death Row for so long helped Boggess think clearly about his crime and really helped him sort his issues out.  Thats why I think it's better to keep these men in prison and give them time to think about their actions and forgive themselves.  After listening to the victims families response to Boggess death sentence, it  did not appear that they found justice in his death. One of the relatives of the men who died said that after all this time Boggess had come to his senses and changed himself. He wasn't being truly punished because he accepted his death. It wasnt teaching him a lesson. He was fully prepared to die and had no problem with it. This is why the death sentence serves no justice to the family members. It takes so long when you have a person on death row that if they arent immediately killed then its not like they are learning their lesson.  I believe that a life sentence in prison is just as effective and better than the death sentence. How do we teach society it is not ok to kill by putting someone to death?

BULLYING

Watching the bullying film about Ashland high school student Jamie Nabozny really opened my eyes to the terrible bullying that takes place in public education facilities across the United States. Not only was the level of bullying inconceivable, but the lack of action taken by school administrators and people who are supposed to help students in these situations was even more shocking.  Jamie was beaten several times, urinated on, called names, and was violated in school. All public education institutions have the responsibility to protect each and every student from discriminatory behavior in school. When Jamie went to seek help from school officials such as the principal, he was told that "Boys will be boys" and that he should "stop acting so openly gay".  That was the most disappointing part of the whole bullying situation with Jamie. People were given the opportunity to make a stand and help but instead chose to keep silent and watch as horrible things were done to him.
       Jeffrey Johnston broke up with his lover in 7th grade and from that point on was labeled a stalker and was bullied online for the next three years. Somebody hacked into his online video game and filled it with nasty comments. He grew his hair long only to help out charity, Locks of Love. He was bullied for his appearance and his actions and felt that "the world would never change".  Jeffrey hanged himself in his closet. Jeff's death brought about Florida's "Jeffrey Johnston Stand up for Students Act," which requires public schools to implement anti-bullying policies.  Now Deborah Johnston, Jeffrey's mother, speaks to schools about the worst day of her life and discusses anti-bullying strategies with students for the new school year.
       I do not see bullying at DHS as being a major problem. When I was a freshman I remember having to walk by the heaters and all the seniors would be sitting there. I was never bullied, but for other students my age it was intimidating to walk by because comments were made that made people feel uncomfortable.  But bullying may be different in the eyes of others. How do we define bullying? Some may say that the pep rally is a form of bullying because the seniors and everybody else in the school chant "FRESHMAN BEDTIME". I don't see this as bullying but it all depends on the way the people who are being "bullied" feel.
      I think DHS should have a "Challenge Day" as shown in the TV show "If You Really Knew Me". Some people may think that she show was stupid and that our school wouldn't benefit from something like this, but in every school there are a lot of kids who have feelings that they never show. I think it would be really interesting to have some sort of day where we see kids who typically only show one side of themselves really branch out and trust others with their problems. It would do a lot of good for this school.

Drug testing of student athletes in high schools and universities is important to have. Schools are looking out for the best interests of the students who are participating in sports. In order to provide safety to the athlete and to promote a drug free environment drug testing should be permitted because the testing will have a positive effect on student athlestes and the way they behave. If drug tests are given student athletes will most likely stop taking drugs in order to purse their passions in sports.  It is not a question of whether it is fair for one school in the district to be giving drug tests, and another to not be admitting testing, but it is more that we need to look out for the well being of our students and give them the opportunity to play sports at the highest level possible. The invasion of privacy shouldn't be considered an issue because you are peeing in a cup in behind closed doors. Administrators to the testing will only be standing outside the bathroom stall listening for any tampering or straneg noises. Drug testing promotes a drug free environment and keeps our students safe from future harm. 
In the case of Stafford v. Redding the strip search performed by school officials to discover ibuprofen was unconstitutional. The strip search was not one that was reasonable. Redding was an honor roll student who had no history of and problems in school. Reasonableness was not enough to strip search Redding. In a key excerpt from the dissenting opinion Justice Stevens says " A standard better attuned to this concern would permit teachers and school administrators to search a student when they have reason to believe that the search will uncover evidence thaat the student is violating the law or engagin in conduct that is seriously disruptive of school order, or the educational process." This opinion is better suited in schools because now school officials can not just search someone based on suspicion. There needs to be good reason to believe that this search will uncover evidence. The strip search was a violation of the girls privacy as it went too far to the point where she was totally exposed. To a certain point search and seizure can be tolerated. In this case the school officials went too far and invaded this girls privacy.