Filed under: Family/Relationships
*Considering the age of the typical reader and the seriousness of this threatening issue, I trust that everyone will exhibit maturity while reading*
An attractive design grabs the attention of anyone sexually active. Two shades of blue are the dominant colors. A medium turquoise acts as the base and a dark turquoise gives color to the silhouetted couple on the lower left-hand side of this 3″x3″x1″ box. In the middle of the small box on the right-hand side lies a black, horizontal, and rectangular strip with white capitalized lettering spelling “lubricated”. Just above this is “trojan-enz” in large, white, and bold letters. A tab with a center opening stems from the top of the box allowing it to be easily stocked . On this tab the manufacturer boasts in capitalized white letters “America’s #1 condom, trusted for over 80 years”, and prints a golden Trojan warrior helmet, it’s prominent logo, in the upper right hand corner.
Opening this box yields three 2″x2″ connected aluminum square packages. The packages, however, are designed to be easily separated. These medium turquoise wrappers also sport “trojan-enz” in capital letters and the Trojan logo, in white, on the upper and lower right-hand corners. Opening one of these packages reveals the prize: a well constructed, 7.9″ long 2″ wide, cylindrical latex sheathe that acts as a male contraceptive.
Condoms are a fairly inexpensive ($3.99 gets you a box of three) form of birth control and are available at many convenient stores, gas stations, large store chains, and even online. They are extremely easy to use and even come with instructions. Not only that, but the knowledge of their existence and advantages (a 98% success rate for protecting against STIs and pregnancy) is widespread among American society. So, one really must ponder, why are there so many unintended pregnancies each year?
What’s the price of having an unplanned child? Really, go ahead and calculate the expenses. It adds up to be a pretty hefty price, right? Now, factor in the emotional and societal pressures and you’ve a large amount of stress with which to cope. This combination of mental and financial strain coupled with an increase in responsibility is obviously the leading cause of the community crumbling epidemic: paternal abandonment.
Sadly, fathers unable to bear the burden of such a life altering event relinquish their parental duties and opt for a much less intimate relationship (be it support from afar such as child support or complete disertion) with the child, which truly causes confusion and instability. I’ve personally witnessed the devastating effect this has on not only the children, but the mother as well. My sister, Jessica Pope and her three children–Demetrius, Dorian, and Danielle Chatman–live in a fatherless household; and, although the children are well provided for, the effects of an absentee father are evident. Upon observing Demetrius’ slightly feminine behavior, Dorian’s questioning of his father’s whereabouts, and Danielle’s unruly manners toward male authoritative figures, one can begin to acknowledge the consequences that fatherlessness creates.
Many individuals would deem my niece and nephews’ case as mild. To them the repercussions of fatherlessness extends much further. It is generally believed that the lack of fatherhood in our communities attribute to the rise in crime, teen pregnancies, and overall deterioration of our culture over the last few decades. Many also feel that if we, as a nation, can eliminate teen and unplanned pregnancies then we can effectively reverse the trend of paternal abandonment and regain a grip on delinquency in our communities.
So, if you’re sexually active, please take heed! Commit to using birth control each and every time you have sex and we can invert the progressively upward curve of fatherless homes in America. In the words of BET, “Rap it Up”.
The .45 Caliber
My goal for this blog is to make people aware that it’s not guns that kill people. It’s the idiots who are allowed to have guns that do. When have you ever heard of a gun being charged with murder? Never, but you do see them show up as evidence in murder trials everyday.
A pistol, gun, strap, or piece is merely just melted steel molded into a sleek shape that when pieced together with an aircraft aluminum frame can be combined to form a lethal weapon. The weapon being described in this blog is my Ruger .45. My 45 is about 8 inches long and has a weight of 34 oz. it holds 8 bullets comfortably in its clip but if you know like I know you’ll keep dat extra one in da chamber. When being held you’ll notice the comfort of the nearly indestructible black synthetic polycarbonate grips which reaches out to you just begging you to hold on just a lil while longer.
The rate of violent crimes committed by guns in the United States is increasing. It seems more now than ever that guns are at the forefront. Everyday I wake up and cut on the news I see a report of somebody being shot. I chose to talk about my gun because it is as useless as any gun, unless the owner choose to operate it.
Guns play a major part in media violence and its effect on music. It used to be a time when a violent crime was a person being beaten or robbed, in the new age we live in people are quick to pick up a gun and take the life of another. Gone are the days in which an artist could have a problem with another artist and settle their differences in a battle of words.
This issue of guns burns to my very soul because it was a decade ago when two of the greatest Hip-Hop entertainers ever, were slain. Cause of death gun shot victim. Did the gun take the lives of Tupac Shakur (2-Pac) and Christopher Wallace (Biggie Smalls)? No, it was the idiot operating the gun that robbed the word of such a talented pair.
Close your eyes and think for a second. 2-Pac or Biggie could have been someone you know if you substitute the name. What if that night on Casino Blvd it was lil Corey, or Chris or Shaun or even Ken. All I’m saying is that it could have been one of your loved ones taken and are you gonna look at the gun and say give it 25 to life. Hell naw, your gonna hope they find the individual responsible so he can do the time.
My mission is not to make you like or dislike guns, that’s really up to you. What I do want is for you to open your eyes for a minute. When you see the movies filled with all this violence and a guy shooting up the town, know that the character is the idiot with the gun. When you see a news report about a kid going on a rampage at a school or church again know that is an idiot with the gun. So instead of making up all these gun law regulations after offense like these bottom line is stop letting Idiots get guns.
Filed under: Family/Relationships
It’s suspended teasingly, perhaps even a bit threateningly, above the crib. At first there’s silence, but then with a gentle flick of her wrist two sounds fill the room–one of which melts her heart completely. The soft clash of the beads in the star shaped rattle evoke joyous giggles to escape the infant’s lips. Alone, she relishes the sound; and for a moment allows her mind to be pleasantly distracted from the frightening images of her and her child’s future.
She looks down at the two eight pointed stars–one a vibrant orange with a transparent orb filled with small colorful balls in the center and the other a brilliant yellow with a solid orange orb in the middle. Her fingers grasp tightly around the two intertwining tubes connecting the stars and shakes again. Once more the baby happily kicks, coos, and laughs. She smiles at the innocence…at the innocence that she has yet to realize can, regardless of her situation, be molded into prosperity.
There exists devastating statistics in circulation. For instance, supposedly 75% of children and adolescents in chemical dependency hospitals are from single-parent families. Not completely horrified? What if I told you that children in single-family households are allegedly three times more likely to have emotional and behavioral problems? Well, that’s just a beautiful and promising outlook to paint for single parents, eh?
Personally, I think these depressing statistics are a bit askew. Sure, it may be stressful balancing finances and providing emotional support, but if any of the statistics formerly mentioned has any credibility the negative effects would stem from poor parenting skills and technique. Being raised by a single parent has absolutely no bearing on a child’s behavior. Think about it–if you take the unequipped parent of these unadvised ‘delinquents’ and couple them with some random unfortunate soul, wouldn’t the end result be the same?
Many of my friends and associates are from single-parent households and are successful on their chosen paths; not only that, but they all inspire me, a product of a two-parent family, to constantly self-improve. Add that my sister is a single mother of three blossoming children, and you can see why I’m offended by such ridiculous claims. So, I ask–instead of condemning the poor little children, how about we try and teach single parents how to rear kids correctly?
Filed under: Politics/History/Business/News
The First Amendment to the Constitution is supposed to protect religion and government from each other by forbidding laws that promote a religion or hinder its private worship.
So what about swearing on the Bible?
To me, swearing is meant as an affirmation of one’s honesty and integrity that places something the swearer holds dear equivalent with the swearing in the event. Just as someone would not forsake the thing they consider sacred, they would not forsake the honesty required for the event. In that case, forcing people to swear on the Bible, promotes Christanity, unless the court provides equal substitutes not only for various religions, but anything else that someone might revere.
In America we are a diverse nation with many freedoms, including the freedom of religious expression and the freedom not to practice religion at all. Therefore the court should posses a Quran for a Muslim, a Torah for a Jew, a Satanic Bible for a Santanist, a Book of Shadows for a Wiccan, a Sceintology Bible for a Sceintologist, and all other texts for recognized religions. So what about Atheists and unrecgonized religions, like Rastafarianism and Voodoo?
I believe the court should produce a non religious law text, or should just have people sign some sort of contract to tell the truth, rather than having to produce what ever substitute that someone may recognize as sacred.
Filed under: Uncategorized
A sheet of paper may seem to be meaningless to you. But, what if this paper would be the key that unlocked infinite doors for you? What if this paper created opportunities that would allow you to become a millionaire, a teacher or anything else that you may have dreamt about as a child? Would you do anything possible to gain this wondrous paper? What would you do after you obtained it?
You are probably wondering what paper I could possibly be talking about that is so special. But, many of you all probably have this exact paper hung up on display or in a box collecting dust somewhere. You probably never thought that it was as special as it really is.
Okay, enough of the suspense, the paper that I am speaking of so dearly is a high school diploma. If you don’t understand why this is so important then let me explain. Sit down, grab a snack and let me give you a piece of my mind as to why a high school diploma is the fist step towards success . O yeah, all potty attempts should be taken now; I’d really not like any interruptions okay?
In America, we go to school for thirteen years…. For what? To gain a diploma that will allow us to make something positive of ourselves. A lot of teens these days pursue a college degree after they get their high school diploma. A high school diploma is very important for someone who wants to attend an institution of higher learning; it is the building block that allows high school students to climb towards success in college.
Many teens may not know the importance of obtaining a high school diploma. So, I will explain it for those who may be unaware. In today’s society an individual can’t get too far without a college degree. The only way in which to get a college degree is to obtain a high school diploma or either a GED. For those who do not receive one of these two certificates they are left with performing menial jobs.
If someone gains a high school diploma they have the chance to successfully finish college which will allow them to have a good job. The funds from this job will take care of their needs and wants and will also show their children the importance of getting and education. Because of this, their children will more than likely go on to pursue a high school diploma that will allow them to also have such successes.
Now, please do not get me wrong, I am not saying that once you get a high school diploma life will be easy and flawless. Obtaining a high school diploma is only the first step towards great success in America. You can not get to the top without traveling the path to success and laying down the proper framework.
Any goal that someone sets has steps that must be completed before someone can make it to the top. Gaining a high school diploma is the first brick laying down the foundation for a successful future in America. Obtaining such diploma is important because it opens other doors that can push you even further towards your dreams. America will be a much better place if every citizen completes the first step and then moves on to successfully complete college.
I encourage you to spread the word and help out a young person who may feel as if they just can’t do it anymore. Explain the importance of gaining an education and how it will greatly benefit them. Also, reach out to those who have finished high school and encourage them to go on further with their education and lastly, if you yourself are in college….. GRADUATE!!!! The best way to influence someone is by example.
Filed under: Uncategorized
It has a unique design, almost like a bulging rectangle or an oval with corners. The two tone case is approximately 4 inches long by 3 inches wide and 1/3rd inch tall. From the off-white color bottom, a large circle indentation is visible as if the base for a turning apparatus. It has a peachy pink lid with a small shield emblem towards the bottom having “ORTHO” written above it.
Yes, it is a birth control pack. Upon opening the case, one can see 28 individual small round, peachy pink pills perched perfectly upright in plastic covering. These pills are arranged in a circle with a double wheel in the middle. The outside wheel has the abbreviations of days “SUN, MON, TUE, WED, THU, FRI, SAT…” four times in a repeating fashion. The inner wheel is mobile and has a perfect arrowhead shape pointing to a day on the outer ring.
The item I speak so vividly about is extremely important. It affects millions of Americans for various reasons. It is a relatively new form of contraception and one of the most effective forms. Although condoms are probably more widespread, I chose birth control because of its complexity and intricacies. Also for a college classroom, talking about birth control pills will be taken much more seriously than a condom.
Birth control is related to the topic of abortion quite closely. The simple use of a birth control pill by those who do not want children could prevent millions of abortions per year. A woman can avoid the possibility of the male making an error in using a condom and getting her pregnant by simply using a birth control pill for her own piece of mind. The safeness and ease of birth control would be a much better alternative to paying for abortions if one is adamant about not having a baby.
Abortion is important to me because I see it as an unnecessary evil. There are ways to prevent pregnancy if one does not want a child. Also if a woman is pregnant already and does not desire the child, she could have the baby and give it up for adoption instead of aborting it. Those who want abortions seem careless to me and simply do not take the time for a cheaper and easier alternative than abortion. Either adoption which is no cost or birth control which is low cost.
I hope my viewpoint can enlighten others. Hopefully those who consider abortion alright will see that birth control is a wonderful alternative for pro-choice people. I want people to understand how to better save lives and make decisions. I think anybody could relate to preventing unwanted pregnancies in the first place, that way the stance on abortion is really irrelevant if no unwanted child is made in the first place.
Filed under: Entertainment, Politics/History/Business/News | Tags: Election 2008, Ron Paul, The New Republic
At first glance, the glossy front cover of The New Republic tells you to expect politics. Blue, red, black, and white all make it look quite patriotic. In a collage layout on the cover are eight pictures of the front-runners of the presidential race. A smiling Mitt Romney is looking content next to an even happier Mike Huckabee. An angry Fred Thompson is raising a finger in the air as if he desperately wants to command attention. Below him is a joyful Hilary Clinton complete with big hair and pearls. Barack Obama has big lips, large ears, and a closed left eye. A white-haired John McCain is saluting with his left hand. Not included on the cover: Ron Paul.
As part of the mass media, magazines play a great part in determining our views presidential candidates. Compared to other politically charged magazines, The New Republic has done many in-depth articles on most, if not all, of the presidential front runners with an intimacy that no other publication has done. Although they’ve only written about a handful of stories on Ron Paul, they’ve caused their share of controversy to his campaign.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say that Ron Paul is important to me, but his involvement in the campaign will greatly impact the next wave of libertarian politicians. Although it should be obvious that Ron Paul has no chance whatsoever at the presidency, he has started a sort libertarian movement among young voters that are dissatisfied with the direction the country is going in and would much prefer a limited, constitutionalist government. He has paved the way for more grass root movements to emerge with a sense of confidence that they can make a difference.
Although Ron Paul might not seem to be so relatable, chances are anyone can agree with at least one thing he’s said in the past. Young people might agree that the war on drugs in outrageous because the government has no right to tell us what is and is not good for us. Older adults struggling to get by might like his idea that high taxes don’t benefit the common people and, under a Ron Paul administration, will lower taxes and never again raise them. Parents worried about their children’s education would see light in Ron Paul’s idea to take away the government’s control of education and put it in the hands of the parents and the states.
Even if Ron Paul’s ideas seem outlandish compared to other frontrunners that have a real shot at becoming president, his ideas are quite different and some even welcomed in a time when people seem to have lost all faith in their government and country. What other Republican do you hear talking about limited government? His biggest problem might be that he’s not so mainstream friendly. Some of his ideas are not the norm. Most people don’t want their dollars to be replaced with gold coins, to get rid of most government departments such as the Department of Education and the Department of Homeland Security, or to make it legal for everyone to use and sell drugs. They want to play it safe. People would have to take a big risk if they voted for him to be the next president, and in these uncertain times, I just don’t think they’re up for it.
Filed under: Politics/History/Business/News
26 February 2008
The House the object of Foreclosure
Today Foreclosure is extremely important; it is the subject of choice: in congress, the media, with family and friends. It does not discriminate everyone has been affected directly or indirectly. For some this tragedy has been positive; because this is a buyers market for investors and families that are looking for a home. However, a lot of homeowners have had to make tough decisions, some of which were not pleasant. Because buying a home is personal I will describe the home my family built in 2002, the beginning of the first phase of interest only home loans.
All home buyers should put a lot of valuable time in choosing the house for their family and the best loan package that fits the family income. Prepare a five year budget that includes a savings account balance that totals a minimum of six months house payments.
This house must meet certain needs to accommodate each member of the family, in order to make the house a home. The needs of each family are different and your home should meet the main needs at the time of purchase. Items that can be done later must be included in your floor plan for future growth.
Our loan is structured to allow us to adjust the interest rate with out applying for a new loan because our lender owns our mortgage, they do not sale mortgages. Therefore we are not having a problem in making our house payments.
Do to the many different floor plans and family needs and wants the home of choice is unique to the home buyer. Therefore, I will describe for you the house that my family built to accommodate our current physical and medical needs:
· It is a three-sided brick ranch with three levels complete.
· The main level has all of the everyday necessities: bedrooms, kitchen, a walk in closet, alarm system, 2 ½ baths, living room, dining room, family room, garage entrance, washroom and front door entrance.
· The top level is complete with one bedroom and bath; future design is to add a theatre room with a mini bar.
· The lower level is the terrace level for entertainment.
· There are three decks on the back of the house.
· The location of the home is critical to maintaining its value. The DeKalb County’s marketing study indicated the types of homes and businesses that are scheduled for this area, which are positive.
· It is in an area with other homes of comparable price and size.
· We live in a subdivision, with a homeowners association, that has covenants and by laws in force for all homeowners. This structure forces owners to maintain their property.
· Our home site is in a cul-de-sac for privacy on an acre lot.
All of these amenities secure our investment for the future.
We worked hard to find what we needed and what we could pay for now and after retirement. Also, we made provisions for items that we have in our five year plan that will be added later. We missed some things, made a few mistakes that we will have to live with.
It is my prayer that the current foreclosure situation never occurs again. Homeowners need to be totally informed concerning their loan package; the worst that can happen and the best that can happen. Then make their decision being prepared to handle the good and the bad with their current income. Always be able to make your mortgage payment when you cannot do anything else. Your home is your most valuable asset.
Filed under: Uncategorized
You pass many buildings as you go to work, school, or visit friends. A lot of the time, our busy lifestyles disguise our quiet environment. No one may care about the buildings and companies around them but some of these building may affect the air you breathe, your environment and even your daily life. What kinds of building are these that can affect the way you live now and in the future? These buildings tower above others because they house dangerous gases, fumes, carbons and chemicals that can hurt people. They are nuclear, coal, and manufacturing factories and they control a big part of the way you and the rest of the world live.
Buildings such as steel mills, nuclear plants, coal manufacturing mills and the like contribute to global warming because they produce dangerous chemicals such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and even nuclear waste that damage our earth, water and air. In fact, carbon dioxide (CO2) is the largest known cause of air pollution and global warming in Georgia and Atlanta has large amounts of it.
Air pollution is the presence of harmful gases, liquids, or solids in the atmosphere. Air pollution, known as smoke pollution for many years, resulted from coal combustion which was aided mainly by coal mining mills. Today there are more gas emitting companies like these all over Georgia and they emit even more dangerous gases than their predecessors.
Factory pollution includes carbon monoxide, which is mainly produced in combustion processes. Nitrogen oxides combine with hydrocarbon gases to produce what is known as ‘smog’ which is released in large quantities into the air every hour and every day the factories are in operation. Factory pollution also includes chlorofluorocarbons, which have been shown to destroy the ozone layer. The destruction of our ozone layer causes global warming to occur at a much stronger, faster and more dangerous rate.
Factory related pollution is the number one source of pollution in the United States. Factory pollution accounts for more than half the volume of all water pollution. More than 365,000 manufacturing factories consume vast quantities of fresh water to carry away waste of several different types.
Many things we build today are helpful to us in our domestic surroundings but end up hurting the atmosphere that we live in. By destroying the outer layer of our earth, CO2 endangers the lives of people living today and tomorrow unless the problem is changed. If factories such as nuclear plants, carbon emitting coal manufacturing companies and the like were to reduce or stop the large amounts of CO2 they emit every day on our earth then the issue of air pollution and global warming would reduce in great numbers.
Is it fair to the children of the future to have to suffer the consequences that pollution causes? Why not take care of the problem now? We owe it to our environmental community and children of the future to conserve the earth and protect it from extinction. A lot of our animals and plants are forced to die off because they cannot survive in their familiar environment due to the production of nuclear and coal factories on their environment.
Although air quality has improved in many areas of Georgia over the past 15 years, air pollution still poses a health risk for millions of Americans living in Atlanta. Adopting stricter national air quality standards for particulate matter and ozone would help clear the air by giving Georgia a stronger tool to force polluting companies to clean up.
The solution of global warming and air pollution is not that simple but it’s not impossible. Factory and business owners have the ability to prevent air pollution. To reduce air pollution, the carbon dioxide emission (CO2) has to become less. That means that there should be very strict rules given to these companies on how they produce these chemicals and gases as well as how they get rid of them.
Hopefully readers will understand the huge devastations factories have already caused in Atlanta and they will be able to figure out that factories that emit a lot of carbons, gases, and fumes from their factories are huge contributors to global warming and that they have to be reduced or stopped all together in order to conserve our beautiful city, air and environment.
Filed under: Medical/Health
“Stay with me! Stay with me now! Her heart rate is slowing down people. Let’s hurry we’re losing her!” I see their faces but they are becoming gloomy, I hear their voices but the sound is fading away. It’s becoming harder for me to breathe and I’m feeling cold. Is this really the end? Did I allow domestic violence to take my life?
Reading the introduction how did you feel about the short story being told? Let me guess, sympathetic, sad, or even determined to help. It’s easier to read a story, watch a movie, or know someone else in an abusive relationship but if you experience it reality about the subject will emerge. I know that domestic violence is a serious topic to discuss but discuss we must because a victim can end up in a predicament that could have been prevented.
An object that can best describe the issues concerned with domestic violence is a hospital bed also called an operating table. A hospital bed is made for only one person to occupy because the mattress is twin sized. It’s equipped with wheels to help move a person around the hospital. Operating tables have metal rails on the sides to also help the doctors move the bed and support the weight of the person seeking medical attention. Patients often need assistance while in the hospital so they made it simple for these clients to push buttons on or near the bed.
Choosing a hospital bed to symbolize the violent behavior associated with abuse was effortless because when many people think of abuse they think of a casket or the hospital. I wanted to use the hospital bed rather than a casket because it represents that although a person is in the hospital there is still a chance of hope and survival. People in situations like this just have to go through the hospital stage to show them that if they don’t get out as soon as possible a casket is where they will end up in.
So how does the hospital bed relate to the topic? A hospital bed relates to the topic because when a person is hurt they typically go to the hospital to get better. The bed is there to help those in need of a cure and for those facing challenges in life that may cause them to get an injury.
Domestic violence is important to me because I have a close friend who went through it. I encouraged her to go to the police and even the hospital but she refused. I felt helpless but she finally realized how he was when she found herself in a hospital bed.
I feel it is important to inform people on the consequences that can occur. We may not know how cruel this is until we have experienced it. So, it’s best to alert people and have them determined to fight against abusers or a hospital bed is where they’ll find themselves.
Readers can relate to this topic because they may know someone, had a family member who was abused, or watched a movie about domestic violence. Domestic violence is nothing new. People hear about it daily and they need to be knowledgeable about its harmful demeanor.
I want my readers to think of a hospital bed when ever they hear the words domestic violence or abuse. Even if they only obtained a little amount of information it’s best to inform others about issues concerning domestic violence. It’s too serious to not know about.
Be aware! Don’t be that one to allow domestic violence to put you in the hospital or take your life. Educated minds make educated choices.
