Social Chat

Today’s ARTICLE focuses on the topic of justice within the criminal justice system. The article addresses a Louisiana Court that is attempting to execute an offender for the offense of rape. I’ll let you read the article and find out the rest. I have two questions for you:

1. Do you believe we should execute convicted offenders for offenses other than murder and why?

2. How do you feel the role of our JUSTICE system plays into this situation and why?

This week’s article focuses on the increases in fuel and food. As you must have noticed by now, both gas and food prices have been increasing. Read this ARTICLE to find out more.

This article brings up a couple of interesting points regarding our dependence on fossil fuels as well as our responsibility to the poor. What I find interesting is many world leaders are proposing the West’s (that’s us) obsession with oil is directly taking money out of individual’s mouths. The idea is essentially (I’m majorly paraphrasing) that our obession with oil (especially our need to consume so much energy) results in food price increases that essentially takes food away from people who will starve to death without it. One quote I heard yesterday on NPR was that “Our [The West] need to fuel our SUV’s is taking food out of the mouth of starving countries”.

What do you think? Which is more important?

So this is the last blog for the semester (yeah, I know you crying). Hope you’ve had some fun reading and writing on it. By the way, check out quarterlife.com if you like blog sites. They also have a cool new show you should watch.

Today’s blog is about Don Imus. He was a syndicated radio/tv show host who was kicked off the air 7 months ago for his comments about the Rutgers women’s basketball team. Well he’s back with WABC, a radio station in NYC. You can get the story HERE So what do you think? Should he be given another chance? Let me know.

This week’s subject focuses on the use or continued use of grocery bags in shopping markets. Check out the VIDEO. Now some of you may be saying “This issue is stupid and a waste of time.” However, I disagree (besides it’s my blog and I’ll cry if I want to).

Most of you probably don’t even remember using paper bags, but when I was growing up it’s all we had. These days plastic bags are used by overwhelmingly by stores due to their cheaper price. Some cities want to outlaw these bags as they are not bio-degradeable (you can’t get rid of them). The cities want to return to paper or go with a newer biodegradeable material. The problem? Cost. Paper and biodegradeable bags cost more, which in turn means that the customer may experience rising costs.

What do you think? Should we go to paper or biodegradeable? Moreover, should the customer have to pay for these costs? Let me know. Also, if we begin in the grocery store, won’t this trend continue to the malls?

The blog entry for today will not focus on political affiliation, poverty, or crime (some of you are cheering about this). Maybe I’m giving you a week off from that or simply changing the tone of things…I don’t know (and am not really that concerned). Anyway, here are my two questions for you to answer:

1. Currently, what 1 or 2 songs do you find yourself playing all the time on your mp3 player (or CD player, etc.)?
2. What’s one movie you’ve seen and liked this year and why (doesn’t have to be a “new release”)?

I’ll share mine, which actually go together:

1. Song I’ve been listening to alot on my IPOD:

The song is entitled “Cold Water” by Damien Rice. Not really sure why I like it. Parts of it are a bit unusual, but I do find myself replaying it often.

2. One movie I really liked this year is entitled “The Girl in the Cafe”. This movie focuses on the power of one individual to change the world (A thought I think is pretty cool). Incidentally this is where I first heard the “Cold Water” song.
What about you? What song(s) do you most often like to hear and what’s a really good movie you’ve watched lately?

Last, you should definitely check out “The Girl in the Cafe”

I just have to blog on this ARTICLE, as it simply baffles my mind. You may or may not follow politics closely enough to understand the context, but it’s an interesting story of two unlikely bedfellows.

My main question is why would Pat Robertson jump into cahoots with R. Giuliani? I mean Robertson has built an empire (he’s been an integral part of the Christian Coalition, which is a powerful right wing political organization) on specific values: mainly anti-abortion and anti-gay rights. So why does such a seemingly brilliant man suddenly “turn to the dark side”?

Giuliani, on the other hand, seems to be the individual to positively benefit from this situation. A moderate republican, this may enable him to garner some needed support from the republican party. Obviously, it could have a reverse effect, as he could lose support from moderate democrats (who knows)

Still I must admit I’m somewhat baffled by this pastor who has seemingly traded his two-value platform (no abortions and no gays) for a very moderate republican. He says safety and judicial appointments were crucial; however, I’m only convinced that the latter has much genuine importance.

Somebody shed some light on this subject for me…

The next blog will be posted on Sunday, November 4 so relax.

Last week I downloaded Radiohead’s newest album entitled “In Rainbows”. You might be saying to yourself “Why is that blogworthy news?” Well, the interesting part of this story lies in the details. Check out this ARTICLE.

So what do you think? Should more bands (especially the popular ones) be following Radiohead’s lead? Now don’t just give me the consumer answer (yes, I like free stuff); what about in relation to the music industry? Is such a practice going to positively affect?

I’m not sure I have a definite answer, but I’m starting to think free albums just sound better!

The ARTICLE I’m blogging about today focuses on religion and politics. Recently Presidential Candidate Barack Obama has been visiting (campaigning) in South Carolina, which is a state that has historically been republican (and quite conservative). The Obama Campaign is targeting this state due to its high percentage of African Americans.

I wonder what type of relationship there should be between religion and politics? More specifically, do you feel that local churches should bring in politicians to speak (pray or give small presentations) in their pulpits? This issue shouldn’t be considered a democratic one only, as many conservative republicans are doing the same thing.

What do you think? Would you like to see more politicians “showing their faces” on Sunday mornings in local churches and why?

I recently spoke with a couple of students prior to one of my classes about drinking and drinking ages. One particular student was telling me she going to be celebrating her 21st birthday and was going to finally be able to drink legally. Another student sitting nearby commented that her 21st birthday was a bit disappointing. This student explained that the fascination with drinking decreased after her/his 21st birthday. I guess part of the fascination with alcohol lies in the fact that the behavior (when you’re under age) is considered deviant.

The ARTICLE I read this weekend addresses this topic, as it proposes that the USA should (as many countries do) allow teenagers to moderately (and w/ supervision) drink alcohol. Among others, the article proposes that such a practice takes away the fascination of doing something that’s forbidden. What do you think?

Now I’m well aware of the horrible affects alcohol can have on persons (and families) who abuse alcohol. Alcohol-related deaths are staggering in the US and this doesn’t even begin to address other issues (treatment costs, insurance rates, criminal justice costs, etc.). Still, I wonder if as many college-aged students would be so fascinated with alcohol if they had been allowed to drink in moderation at a younger age.

Any thoughts?