The Journalist

Another obvious indication of the overall decline in consideration, common sense, and manners can be readily observed on just about any public street. A case in point is the use, or rather lack of, turn signals. Not only is it dangerous and illegal it also requires such a miniscule amount of effort on the driver. You really can’t be bothered to move a couple of your fingers a few inches off the wheel to click on your turn signal indicator? Oh, that’s right- you’re probably too busy texting or talking on your cell phone while you’re driving to be bothered with such mundane things as traffic safety. Better yet, you’re stopped at a traffic light and have a full thirty seconds to a minute of doing absolutely nothing and yet STILL can’t find the time to activate that little blinking light that as a licensed driver you are required by law to activate. Do you even have a driver’s license? Let’s not forget that many of your fellow motorists’ psychic abilities are probably not developed enough to read your mind to determine which way you are planning on turning. My favorite is observing a driver weaving in and out of traffic on the highway at a high rate of speed. As if this isn’t reckless and dangerous enough- fellow motorists aren’t even aware that you’re doing something so stupid because you don’t have your turn signals on. I know, I know. You’re the most important person in the world and you have very important places to be. Just do a small favor, a tiny act of magnanimity for those who share the road with you. Humble yourself enough to get down off your pedestal of self absorption for one tiny act of consideration.

In an effort to correct one of the many Bush administration debacles, the Obama administration is working to correct the flawed and counterproductive educational plan that Bush put in place. The Obama administration is working toward facilitating progress with positive incentives for achievements particularly in school districts with a high poverty level and/or high minority populations.

The No Child Left Behind Law under the Bush administration has focused more on punitive measures for lack of academic progress and achievements and has wrongfully focused more on testing than actual learning. This perpetuates an overall negative agenda and has used standardized test scores as a means of measuring academic achievements, attaining grade level proficiencies, and teacher ability. This is a flawed and unfair means to gauge academic progress and does not necessarily provide the knowledge for students to become a productive member of society. Some students do not test well and simply regurgitating information for the standardized tests does not facilitate critical thinking skills which are imperative for students to learn. Teachers are also pressured by the district and the federal government to meet benchmarks that may not be attainable for various reasons. There have been some instances in which teachers have provided the test answers for their students in order to secure federal funding for their district or secure their very jobs- the very antithesis of teaching and learning.

This does not foster an environment for genuine knowledge attainment and academic achievements. The minds of students should not be a statistic. The Obama administration appears to be aware of this and is working toward modifying the law in a way that will prepare those students who are not college bound for a vocational career. This will give students the opportunity to be self sufficient and autonomous in their adult lives even if they do not possess a college diploma.

The Bush Administration criteria for meeting federal benchmarks focus primarily on reading and mathematics. This exclusive focus on these two subjects deprives students of a well rounded education and other important subjects such as science, history, and the arts are neglected. Modification of the law would permit academic success to be measured by other subjects in addition to reading and mathematics.

Perhaps the most important aspect of the proposed changes is to have all graduating high school students prepared for college or a vocation by 2020. This is an important change from the current law that calls for all students to perform at grade level in reading and mathematics by 2014. This criterion does not ensure that a child will be a successful and productive member of society. This means that a 9th grader may be completing reading and math assignments at a 9th grade level, that’s all. Again, these types of federal education mandates do not foster an environment of critical thinking which is imperative for students to be successful in other aspects of their life.

The Pentagon will soon review the U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. Legislation has already been introduced that would not only lift the ban it would also specifically prohibit sexual orientation discrimination against U.S. servicemen and women. Sen. Mark Udall defended the legislation: "We need all the qualified service members we have to fight.We shouldn't be dismissing them just because they're gay."

Fighting simultaneous wars in two countries as well as providing disaster relief to countries like Chile and Haiti who are still reeling from natural disasters has stretched the military to the limit. Dismissing a qualified and much needed soldier because of their sexual orientation is not only unfair to the soldier it is detrimental to the country's military as a whole. Why would a soldier's personal sexual preferences have an bearing on their desire or ability to serve their country? Many who oppose the repeal of the ban believe that "a unit's morale and sense of cohesion could erode if the unit included an openly gay member." (Associated Press)

True comradarie and soldier professionalism should supersede any kind of personal issues  that one soldier has with another soldier in their unit including sexual preference. These types of laws are reminiscient of the civil rights movement. Replace the words "gay and lesbian" with "black and Hispanic" and you will find that it  is the same type of bigotry with new targets. The parallels between the civil rights movement and the current issue with gays and lesbians in the military are undeniable. Like race, I believe that sexual orientation is genetically inherent and that a person is indeed "born gay." I find it hard to believe that someone would willingly choose to live a life of ridicule and ostracization and "choose to be" or "become" gay. As history and hind sight has shown this country, it was asinine to segregate troops according to ther ethnicity and treat them as inferior soldiers.

Minority soldiers have shown there abilities and prowess to defend this country just a well as their Anglo counterparts. The same principle applies here. Gay and lesbians have a right to serve their country and be open about who they are while doing so.

In Philadelphia, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals presided over arguments to determine the Constitionality of tracking cell phone location and records without warrants. It is likely that the case will make its way to the Supreme Court. In the age of terrorism- domestic and international- it is prudent that the Justice Department have access to the cell phone records of a terrorist suspect. With the records the Justice Department can pinpoint the location of a suspected terrorist or access possible terrorist networks through cell phone records. However, this should not be permitted without a warrant.

The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states: " The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

According to the Fourth Admendment, a warrant can't even be issued without establishing prior probable cause for the warrant.  A reasonable expectation of privacy is not ensured when the government is scrutinizing and tracking your phone calls without a warrant or even notification that you are being monitored. Warrants are a crucial way to ensure government transparency- as much transparency as possible anyway, and to prove to the suspect that there is probable cause and the reason for the seizure is justified and valid. Catherine Crump of the ACLU  told the Philadelphia Inquirer: "We agree that cell phone tracking is lawful and appropriate in certain situations. The question is whether the government should first have to show that it has good reason to think such tracking will turn up evidence of a crime."  Absolutely agreed.  In a court of law the "burden of proof" is the responsibility of the prosecution. In this case, the prosecution is the U.S. government and the burden of proof lies on their shoulders. Warrants are an excellent way to demonstrate the validity of the investigation and also serve as a means to uphold the Fourth Amendment. The government should be able to access cell phone records for the sake of national security- but a lack of a warrant allows for arbitrary and invalid searches that have not been legitimately substantiated.

The likelihood of governmental abuse is assured. A lack of a warrant is  synonymous with a complete lack of  outside governmental controls.Thanks to bills like the Patriot Act, the U.S. government has been running amok. Tracking phone records without warrants is another symptom of the diesease of nefarious government control and a direct violation of Constitutional Rights and civil liberties. A frightening but possible outcome is the Supreme Court ruling in favor of the government. If that happens every citizen can kiss their reasonable expectation of privacy good bye.

People don't want to think anymore and the mass media is eager to accomodate. How many channels of mindless garbage do people willingly pay money for?  People are so eager to enjoy the humiliation and misfortune of other people in the name of trashy entertainment. What's even more perverse is the fact that the these people on "reality" TV shows willingly put themselves in the position to be humilitated.

Degradation is now the most sought after form of American entertainment. Jerry Springer may very well become the next U.S. president. How about all of those commercials - the insidous manipulation of human insecurities for commercial gains. Are you fat? Ugly? Bald? Bad teeth? Stinky feet? Buy this product and all of the insecurities that have been pounded into to your head by your television set will be gone forever for only three payments of $99.99. Your self worth can only be measured by your physical appearance- just ask any of the soap opera gods and goddesses.

People are willing to obey their media gods without question so long as they keep shoveling out the idiotic drivel to keep them passively entertained. It's so much easier to laugh at that guy on American Idol who sounds like a chipmunk in a blender then to think about issues that affect you on a grass roots level. Paying attention to the things that actually affect you would make you start thinking that maybe you should do something to change these things and that would require thought and effort. Me? Be proactive and make an effort to add something meaningful and positive to the macrocosim? That sounds scary- quick change the channel! That's right just keeping worshipping your media god- they'll take good care of you as long as you remain a good little placid, mindless sheep that continues to make them obscene profits through TV ratings and the purchases of products that are utterly useless.

Let them keep control of you through fear and let them keep thinking for you. You want to fit in don't you? You want to be up on all of those shows that everyone else watches- you don't want to be different do you? Different is, well different and that can be scary. What even scarier is the fact that so many people choose to let the media dictate their life. Scariest of all is the soulless money grabbing, rampant corporate greed that has come to define the media and that people live their lives by what the media says. Do yourself a favor- kill your television.

Obama Health Care Address

President Obama’s recent decision to make health care compulsory for the majority of Americans had created quite fervor in Washington and around the country. Republican lawmakers, unanimously opposed to the plan, claim that the bill is too expensive and endows the government with too much control. Will Obama’s health care plan level the playing field and make health care more affordable for the average, middle class American, or will the plan allow Big Brother to have control over one more aspect of the American people? What about those religious sectors like the Order of Mennonites and the Amish who believe that it is the responsibility of their community and church to care for the sick and will not seek medical care assistance outside of their communities? Would these people be forced to go against their religious beliefs and ideals because a government that they don’t recognize as an authority said that they must?

The current version of the bill in the Senate imposes a $95 fine on those who do not obtain health coverage by 2014. The fine would be increased to $750 for those who do not obtain insurance by 2016. Without a doubt, the current health care is flawed and there is a vast majority of Americans who fall in the gaping crevasse between subsidized health care and those lucky enough to have health insurance through their employer. Modification of the current American health care system is far overdue, and Obama should be lauded for his ambitious and unwavering efforts to extend health care to the majority of Americans, but the civil liberties of the American people must be protected and preserved above all else.

Roller Derby Is Back

Many athletes, particularly those who play full-contact sports, often suffer from chronic pain due to sports related injuries. Most full-contact sport teams such as roller derby leagues often suffer from back pain, spine pain, and neck pain due to the nature of the sport and the injuries sustained while playing. The long term physical impact of roller derby players often manifests as spine pain, neck pain, and back pain due to constant falls on that particular area of the body. Roller derby players will often fall onto hard surfaces such as concrete, sport court, and wooden flooring at a high rate of speed. The impact of these falls can lead to chronic pain in the neck, back, and spine areas of the body.

Chronic pain is something that can be treated and alleviated through pain management techniques such as acupuncture, chiropractors, therapeutic massage, and medical interventions and treatments. Chronic pain is also prevalent in those patients that suffer from certain debilitating illnesses and disease.

Pain management and pain relief for these patients can often be obtained primarily through medical specialist recommendations. Some patients also take a more holistic approach to pain management and will also utilize non traditional pain management methods such as herbal remedies, aromatherapy, crystal healing, meditation, yoga, and faith healing methods to help remedy chronic pain in conjunction with traditional pain management methods. Those that suffer from chronic pain can find pain relief through traditional and non traditional methods of treatment. Pain relief can be obtained through the simultaneous utilization of pain management techniques from fields of study that encompass the physical, medical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of pain management.

Roller Derby's New Look