Kinggolden87’s Weblog

There was a bill vetoed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger that would have permitted condom distribution in California prisons. An article entitled “Reality and Denial in California Prisons” in The New York Times addresses the problem and says the Governor is in Denial and wrong for the veto of the bill. The article says, “The governor should have gone with what he knows and signed this bill.” I don’t agree with this statement because the distribution on condoms would be encouraging the acts of sex amongst prison inmates. If they let the inmates have condoms, they might as well start letting them rent out prison cells for alone time. Giving them condoms is the last thing we should do to try and control the growing AIDs problem in the prison system. More strict actions should be taken to try and stop the sex acts, rather then giving them tools to perform the acts more safely.

The United States is known for putting the least qualified and lease effective teachers in schools with the neediest children, this shameful tradition is being upended in New York City by giving incentives to teachers. “Rewarding Good Teaching” is a article in The New York Times that spotlights the new act. The proposal would reward individual teachers who improve their teaching credentials and meet other guidelines. Getting incentives will give teachers motivation to become a better teacher, and give their students a better learning environment. Growing up in a good school system is a very important part of life. A good, motivational, and dedicated teacher can have a positive impact on your life, and can steer you in the right direction for future educational and career goals. This act by New York City school system is a great way to improve student education, and it should be mimicked by other states.

New York Governor Eliot Spitzer is planning to issue licenses to illegal immigrants in the state of New York. Although the issue of immigration reform is a big problem, Governor Spitzer’s plan is a practical step to make the streets of his state safer. An article in The New York Times entitled “New York’s Fight Over Drivers Licenses” the issue is brought to attention. The article states that, “More than 40,000 people die in car crashes in the United States every year, more than 3,000 of them in New York State.” This quote shows that there is a serious problem in accident deaths that needs to be addressed. Making it possible to get a Licenses without having to have proof of being legally in this country will ultimately lower the number of accidents on the road. Making sure everyone behind the wheel has the proper training makes the road a safer place. Another upside to this proposal is that it will give a face and address to anyone operating a vehicle that is not here legally. The problem that people are having with immigration is with Washington, Gov. Spitzer is simply trying to make the best hand with the cards he were dealt.

Kobe Bryant has dominated the NBA for the past 11 seasons as a Los Angeles Laker. After 3 championship victories and numerous all-star selections, the future hall of fame shooting guard is ready to find a new home. After losing Shaquille O’Neal in 2004 the Lakers have been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs since. After a controversial off season about trade rumors the Lakers organization and Bryant came to an agreement that they wouldn’t speak to the media about the situation. An article written by Howard Beck The New York Times entitled ”It’s Show-and-Tell Time For Bryant and the Lakers,” trade discussion are fueled anew due to the owner of the Lakers (Jerry Buss) controversial comments. Beck quotes Buss in saying, ’”I would certainly listen to offers, At anytime I think you have to do that with anybody.”‘ This quote shows the blatant disrespect the Lakers owner showed toward his superstar, in speaking on the matter they both agreed not to address the media about. Kobe responded to the comment by not speaking to reporters on the matter, and sitting out for three practices. This attitude changed after rumors that Bryant cleaned out his locker were spread, Bryant spoke to the media and acknowledge that he was bothered by Buss’s comments. Kobe Bryant is one of the most feared and respected players in the NBA. For the owner of the team he has done so much for to break an agreement shows no class, and Bryant has the right to be angry with the organization.

Bipolar Disorder is growing in numbers of American Children, or is it? Bipolar Disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings, and until recently was mainly diagnosed in adulthood. A article in the New York Times entitled, “Bipolar Soars As Diagnosis For the Young,” by Benedict Carey discusses the disease and controversial method that is being used for diagnosis. Carey says, “Many experts theorize that the jump reflects that doctors are more aggressively applying the diagnosis to children and not that the incidence of the disorder has increased.” The article goes on further to say that almost any aggressive child is being diagnosed with the disorder. I personally feel that every child is explosive and aggressive, they are all little balls of energy waiting to explode. An energetic child seems to be normal, with all the candy and snacks that kids eat they are bound to have a lot of energy. Children now-a-days are also extremely spoiled, and when they don’t get their way they throw fits and tantrums. These acts by young adolescents are as normal as it comes, just the other weekend I witnessed these acts amongst children at my god daughters birthday party. Every Child that was in attendance at this party would have been diagnosed with the disorder according to these experts. Which would be a possible uncertainty, because even with the rising number of diagnosed children it is still only 1 out of 100 children who have it. I feel Bipolar Disorder should be diagnosed in adults, because a child is not a stable enough being to be able to positively determine if they have the disorder.

In an article entitled “Lifers as Teenagers, Now Seeking Second Chance” written in The New York Times, Adam Liptak analyzes Teenagers that were sentenced to Life in prison without the possibility of parole as 13 and 14 year olds. The article on introduced with a picture of a young and pretty black woman crying in a court room. This picture captivates the pity the article is trying to draw from the reader. The article then goes on to quote a retired social worker about a girl (Ashley Jones, the girl in the picture) who helped her boyfriend kill her grandfather and aunt. The social worker says, “I believe that she should have gotten 15 or 20 years, If children are under age, sometimes they’re not responsible for what they do.” This quote would makes anyone who was once a child connect with the story and feel pity for Ashley Jones, because we all have lived through Childhood and have done ill-advised things that we regret. I once lit a massive load of fireworks in my neighbors parked car, a forgivable offense. As for repeatedly shooting and stabbing my grandfather and aunt, I wouldn’t have been able to handle a firearm as a child, let alone turn it on my own family. As for Ashley, we have all heard the sang “kids will be kids,” no matter how sick, possessed, and a waste of oxygen they might be.

It is unbelievable that someone who grew up in a country would grow to hate that country. In an article entitled “An internet Jihad Aims at U.S. Viewers” they discuss a blog that is written by a man named Samir Khan. In his blog Samir attempts to spread the word of his fellow country men, like Osama bin Ladin, to Americans. He also post sites and videos of violent acts by Jihad officials translated into English, and puts slander to the U.S.’s name with links such as “The united States of Losers.” Although Samir was born in Saudi Arabia he has lived in America since he was 7, he is now 21. Not supporting the country from which he was raised is a mind boggling concept. I would expect one to support his culture, but to do so in the mannerism of which he is doing is wrong. Supporting violence against any soil, either foreign or domestic, is immoral. Why not support your country and culture in a productive manner? Why must he portray violence and ridicule America? There are better ways to show support and spread your views, and ignorance is not one of those ways.

In the New York Times there is an article called “Generation Q.” In this article they talk about how our college generation is so focused on achieving our goals that we don’t take action on the “real issues” in society. That we go about life talking about the issues but never really taking a stand to change the problems. I disagree with this article because our generation is effected by the issues and do take action. We might not go about it in the same way as our parents did, with totally right winged activism, but we do what we can to make changes. We are a more educated and civil generation that uses the resources we have available to take a stand. Rallies and protest don’t have the same effect they use to, so we have to approach problems in a different way. Whether it be the internet or television, we are always addressing the issues.