Open Letter to Bill O'Reilly

Dear Mr. O'Reilly,

Let me start off by saying how much I respect you and your show. I watch it with my parents every night, and enjoy every minute. I have read Killing Kennedy, Killing Lincoln, and I am currently beginning Killing Jesus. These were all great, historical, non-bias pieces of work. 

I am a senior in high school and am put in an environment where being conservative is looked down upon. My opinion is thought of as either racist, rude, or ridiculous. The three r's as I like to call them, AKA every liberals defense. They simply do not like the fact that they are wrong, and can be proven wrong with fact based evidence. This was a technique I learned from your show, and I will use it for the rest of my life.

However, I would like to use this technique to point out something incorrect you said on your show tonight(Monday July 28). I feel obligated, as a leader of my generation, to make sure you are informed on cannabis. 

(Your Claim) Cannabis has poisoned people and caused death(s)

(Evidence) None

(My Claim) "In all of recorded medical literature, no one has ever died from a marijuana overdose"

.

(Evidence #1) 

http://www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/Causes_of_Death#sthash.at5xs4FI.dpbs

(Evidence #2)

http://www.mpp.org/reports/faq-mj.html

I believe the point you attempted to make was in reference to the recent Denver deaths, however, you were not very clear about this.

 

( Source http://www.cbsnews.com/news/two-denver-deaths-tied-to-recreational-marijuana-use/). 

You made it sound like the cannabis plant was indeed the cause of these deaths, however, when you actually read the article you can clearly see that one man jumpedoff the building to his death after saying "This is a sign from God that this has happened, that I can't control myself

It's not because of the weed" (SeeSOURCE). 

Obviously this man already had poor mental health, and possible suicidal tendencies before even consuming cannabis.

And the other man shot his wife to death after he also "took prescription pain medication before the attack" (SeeSOURCE).Yes, they both consumed cannabis before, however, to say people are dying from cannabis is just a blatant lie. The common chemical found in cannabis, THC, had nothing to do with their deaths.

I know you do not lie Mr. O'Reilly, so that is why I am here to ask you to apologize and admit you were wrong. 

Their deaths were tragic, yet, indirectly related to cannabis. If you want to keep cannabis illegal, we should make alcohol, tobacco and prescription drugs illegal as well. Anything consumed in excessive amount is damaging for your body, but unlike nicotine or alcohol, you cannot die from THC (See Evidence #1/#2). 

The cannabis plant is peaceful, and when eaten in large quantities (which is the dumbest thing you can do in any intelligent human beings opinion) it can make you feel anxious and induce paranoia. But you do not die directly from the chemical in cannabis.

These people were clearly uninformed, and this should be another example of why cannabis should be taken off of the schedule 1 drug list. Cannabis needs to be available for the public in order to conduct legal scientific research. If they knew that eating a whole (400-500 mg) cookie would induce the anxiety and paranoia (which proper research could have concluded in a matter of hours), they would have just taken a small 10-20 mg dose. Like I said, any death is tragic, however they should be used as an example as to what not to do. It was not the plants chemical that killed them, it was the dumb decision making that they made while induced in an anxiety attack that killed them.

The general public (and yes, that includes you Mr. O'Reilly) needs to be better informed about edibles, and cannabis overall. You have the power to inform the public, sinceyou have the highest rated cable news show in America. And there are other intelligent, respected, well spoken youth such as myself who would be willing to stand behind you if you admitted you were wrong about cannabis.  

In short, please consider and read the full story before you skew it into your personal agenda, for we (the audience) deserve to know the full story. 

Sincerely,

Jack Oldfield

anamericanstudies: Overview

As the year comes to an end, and summer finds itself yet again at our feet, I must look back and reflect on the school year. I thought I would write this blog to discuss my experience with my Junior year American Studies class. I struggled during the beginning of the year to fully grasp the learning and teaching style my teachers presented to me. Never before had I been given so much freedom to do my own creative thinking and discovering. We no longer were "covering" material, but we were "discovering" it. But as time went on, and I became more comfortable with this learning style, I really felt I understood the premise of the class. And I appreciated it.

Memphis, Tricycle, Untitled

William Eggelston 

I never thought that this technique could aid my learning process to the degree to which it did. I can now look at the world through different lenses, and gather evidence through many types of sources. My ability to formulate my own opinion, with confidence and passion, is directly related to the evidence. Looking at the world in which you live, and the history of that world, can help you shape a better future. When we can look back and point out the flaws of our society, we can help better equip us with the knowledge to prevent these flaws in the future. In my opinion, history is not about numbers or dates, it is about learning from our previous mistakes, and using the lessons we learned to help make a better, fairer, more reliable world in the future. 

Bergdahl: Hero or Traitor

Here is the video of Bergdahl's release (May 31, 2014)

Over the weekend, Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, was released from nearly five years of Taliban captivity. CNN's Holly Yan, wrote this morning, "Bergdahl was handed over to the United States in exchange for the release of five prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba" (Yan). She also said, "Both Democrats and Republicans have criticized the deal, including the fact that the Obama administration failed to notify Congress 30 days in advance, as required by law" (Yan). Okay, I can understand wanting to negotiate with terrorists. We, as a nation, will only gain more enemies if we continue to declare War on Terror. However, the Guantanamo detainees could still be a major security threat. Oren Dorell, of USA Today, said "the Guantanamo detainees would be prevented from traveling or harming U.S. interests for a year" (Dorell). So, after a year, these men could travel and harm where I live. That makes me feel really safe. Plus, the Obama administration broke the law, and did not notify "Congress 30 days in advance" (Yan). It seems to me that there are many holes needed to be filled in.

Here's the real twist. According to Sgt. Matt Vierkant, a member of Bergdahl's platoon, "Bowe Bergdahl deserted during a time of war, and his fellow Americans lost their lives searching for him" (Vierkant). According to his fellow troops, Bergdahl was against the war, and wanted to desert his post. Now, after five years of supposed captivity, people are demanding a military tribunal. I absolutely believe he should be investigated, and should be punished to the full extent of the law. Innocent people lost their lives searching for Bergdahl. How would you feel if you lost a loved one who went searching for a soldier who willingly deserted his platoon? Where is the justice? More importantly, where is the peace? Unfortunately, both of those are very far off. Leave your constructive thoughts and comments below!

Big Data, Big Corporations, Big Problem

Have you ever thought about how we, as a social network based generation, over share? Phillip Atiba Goff is an assistant professor of psychology at UCLA and president of the Center for Policing Equity, and he thinks so. He recently wrote an article for CNN about Big (yes, capitol B) data, and how it not only helps corporations achieve massive profits, but it could help provide social justice as well. That means, we could use all of the data collected from our social media outlets, and actually use it for a purpose. In the sense that it could make certain aspects of online life fairer.

For example, if all police wore helmet cameras, it could prevent a large portion of police brutality, and harassment.  Citizen's would finally have an equal say, with video proof to back it up. He says, "big data can make the world a fairer place. But there is less immediate financial gain to be made from it, and some of the science is still in progress" (Goff, CNN).

Of course, since America runs off of capitalism and financial wealth, therefore the importance of economic progress comes far before social progress. When we discovered the profitability of human trafficking, we exploited the civil liberties of African's for a financial gain. Nowadays, major corporations like Facebook, Target, and Google all have one common goal, to publicize the information you give them for a financial profit.

When you create virtually any online account, you are required to give your name, e-mail address, and often home address. How frightening is that? You are telling a computer (and subsequently a stranger) where you live, what your name is, and how to contact you. Does that scare any one else? Surely all of this mass public data will bite us in the butt one day. Will it? Please leave your constructive comments and questions below. 

Elliot Rodger: Crazy People do Crazy Things

Security footage from the local deli during the shooting

After the most recent school shooting in Isla Vista, California, I think it is finally time to re-evaluate our current gun control laws. Not only that, but in order to stop this kind of massacre in the future, we need mentally ill people not to have access to guns. If you are a bad person, who wishes to do bad things, and hurt innocent people, chances are
being a law abiding citizen is not high on your priority list.

Prohibition of anything has always led to an increased black market trade of that item. The major gangsters in the 20's and 30's capitalized on alcohol being banned by distilling and distributing it themselves. The failed War on Drugs was an opportunity to keep the underground drug market strong, therefore giving the DEA ridiculous amounts of funding. Now, with the prohibition of guns, we are seeing a rise in youth gun violence.

Elliot Rodgers, the UCSB college student who murdered six people last week, felt like he was not getting the sexual pleasure he so desperately desired. He then posted videos to YouTube, which subsequently were removed, about how he was going to kill everyone who made him feel left out or lonely. (i.e. the popular kids). So, Rodger's was posting to social media websites weeks before he did anything, why was nothing done? Why did no one in the school's administration listen to this kid's cry for help? This is not the NRA's fault, but instead, the fault lie's directly on the way in which we treat the mentally unstable. We, as a country, have to realize that some people are just crazy, and at any point could be an endangerment to our society. Crazy people will do crazy things. I know that is bold statement, but it is what I believe.

Check out my other blog about the Sandy Hook shooting, and please let me know what you think.

Depression: Can Ketamine Be The Cure?

As I conducted further research on my junior theme topic, depression, I came across this interesting article about a new, fast acting, potential anti-depressant. However, it is not what you may expect. In a recent Newsweek article, Victoria Bekiempis, explains that "A new, fast-acting antidepressant that works like the infamous club drug ketamine could elevate mood in just 24 hours" (Bekiempis). Ketamine? Special K? It couldn't be...

Oh but it is. Anti-depressants are effective, but only to patients who are majorly depressed, and those results take up to a month to actually formulate. So, if a suicidal individual needs immediate medical care, how could they wait any longer before a possible, positive outcome with the usual anti-depressants? It appears, even though the research has only been tested on animals due to FDA regulations, that ketamine may actually be an overnight cure. Along with psychotherapy, ketamine may be the cure to depression...

Now I hate saying the word cure, especially for an illness as complex as depression. But the research looks optimistic, and there are not many people opposed. If someone can receive as much, if not more, progress in his or her depression within a matter of days, rather than weeks, I would consider that a plus. But, like most things related to mental illness, only time will tell. And only when the big pharmaceutical companies find a financial gain in supplying ketamine, rather than Prozac or Zoloft, will they begin to actually invest in it.

What do you think? Please leave your comments below!

Depression: Overview

I recently came across an article in the Medical Service Society of San Diego's archive. The article was an interview with a pharmaceutical sales recruiter, talking about how one can become a pharmacologist and begin their career. The recruiter said he thinks people should

"want to be in the pharmaceutical sales because of the excellent income potential, the outstanding benefits, industry stability and the oppurtunity to improve other people's lives" (Riley, MSSSD).

This is a key pitch line for potential pharmacologists. Being able to "improve other people's lives" has become a nessecity in our Western culture. Within the past forty years, we have seen the need for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness become a right that every American deserves. When the truth is, unhappiness is a part of the human condition, and there really is not much technology or pharmacology can do to fix your happiness problem. You need to figure out what makes you happy, and dissasociate yourself with people who make you unhappy. Diet, excercise, and daily meditation are also great ways of relieving stress and finding happiness.

However, there are many people who struggle with Major Depression Disorder (MDD), which is a real and possibly fatal disease. This disease is all within the brain, and is controlled by the amount of serotonin released into the brain. The more serotonin you have, the happier you will be. That much is a fact. And anti-depressant drugs, like Prozac and Lexapro, can be significant temporary relievers of the symptoms of MDD. But, since there is no 'cure' for depression, you have to be pro-active and create your own solutions to conquer depression for the rest of your life. 

This is just an over-view blog of what depression is, and ways one can treat their depression. But to each is their own, and depression is no different. What do you think about depression? 

Prom: Why all the Hate?

Chillin with some fellow gentleman at last years Prom

With the upcoming of New Trier's Prom, I have heard of a lot of kids re-thinking the hundreds of dollars they are going to put into the dance. If you take a step back, and not get all hyped up in the Prom Madness, it is actually rather pathetic how much time and money people put into just one night. The guys have to rent a tuxedo, or buy one, pay for the tickets, pay for the bus and event. The girls have to pay for their dresses, their manicures and pedicures, their makeup, their shoes and accessories. Prom used to be such a blast for teenagers, it was a night to let loose and have no shame on the dance floor. But now, dancing has become something 'awk' or 'lame' or 'stupid'. And is something that causes immediate negative judgement. Back before you were dropping fat stacks on buses, food, and the party, Prom's were the ideal place for a good time! Why has this changed so severely? And why are so many people opposed to Prom nowadays?


Buisness Insider correspondent, Caroline Moss, said "Kids don't need to go to a dance to interact with each other when they can sit in their bed with their laptop and phone and text them". This is sadly true, and something only our generation has experienced. We have become a society of people who would rather text or Facebook someone, rather than take the time and respect to converse in person. 30 years ago, if you wanted to talk with someone, you would have called them to meet up at the local cafe or bar. And now, it could take three clicks and some typing to see how people are doing.
Is this right?


I certainly do not think it is. The 21st century, and a  ll the technological advancements we have achieved within it, has been very potent to the way we interact with each other. However, are we seeing a social change in our society? Are people really more inclined to converse digitally rather than face to face? Why? Or why not? 

Please leave your thoughts and comments below!

Crimea: World War III?

Many of you may have heard about Russia invading Crimea recently. Although we have not heavily discussed the situation in my American Studies class, we have talked about how history repeats itself. It would seem that Putin's actions, and imperial mindset, is strikingly similar to those of Adolf Hitler's during the Third Reich. In the 1930's, Hitler invaded small Czech areas, and eventually Poland, leading to the beginning of World War II. Could this mean that Putin is actively encouraging World War III?

According to Liberty Voice correspondent, Wandola Amoth, "The wealthy peninsula [Crimea] is known for its great beaches suitable for tourism, strategic seaports and potential gas reserves" (via). So we can understand why Putin wanted to invade Crimea, for the economic exploitation, but just exactly what kind of repercussions will arise? Especially if there is gas and oil involved, since that means there is global wealth involved as well. I believe that Putin is encouraging WWIII, because that is what history has shown us in the past (via Hitler). Also, if Putin wanted to compete with the United States Navy (which is the largest in the world), he would need "strategic seaports" for Russia's ships. 

And just who would go and fight in World War III? Certainly not the wrinkly old fucks in Congress declaring the war. No, it would be fought by the young men and women who either volunteered or were drafted by those in Congress. This makes the hair stand on the back of my neck. Not only because I am afraid for our Country, but I am afraid for my life. As an American Citizen, I have always believed that it was your responsibility to fight when called upon. But, as I get older, and am tearing down the walls my parents have put up. I now understand just how corrupt and disgusting war can be. You, as a young American Citizen, should be scared for your life right now. And should be doing everything you can to protest any United States involvement in Crimea. 

Do you agree? Why or why not? Leave your comments below!

Big Pharma

Now I will start off by saying I have never, and most likely will not any time soon, be a supporter of Big Pharma. What I mean by this is that, for the most part, I will not support large corperations who exploit people by giving them medication they do not truly need. I am trying to decide on a Junior Theme topic, a major research paper we do Junior year at my high school. And I think talking about why pharmaceutical drugs have increased in the past thirty years, and how it has been and will continue to affect our society.

After doing some research, I am not a master in the topic, I found out that 

"Drug companies spend $4 billion a year on ads to consumers. In 1997, the FDA rules governing pharmaceutical advertising changed, and now companies can name both the drug and what it's for, while only naming the most significant potential side effects"

"Then, the number of ads really exploded. The Nielsen Co. estimates that there's an average of 80 drug ads every hour of every day on American television"

So what we see here is a significant change in the FDA advertising policy, allowing companies to choose the most "significant potential side effects"... Uh, no. This is not okay. If half of the commercial is talking about only the "significant" side effects. Just how many other side effects are there? And why is no one stepping up to demand answers? Because the Federal Government decided to increase revenue via more advertising, thus decreasing the amount of legitimate information available to the public. Does this seem fair? Why or why not?

Leave your thoughts below. 

Phillip Seymour Hoffman: The Failed War On Drugs

Over the weekend I was scrolling through my Netflix account, trying to find an interesting movie to watch... It was a lonely Saturday night. I came across the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman's, "Capote". The movie was set in the 50's and 60's in NYC and a small town in Kansas. It was based on the true story about author Truman Capote, who was an alcoholic writer extremely dedicated to his work and the people who read it. In the movie, he travels to a small town in Kansas to write about a string of murders that happened in the same house. Capote, a high pitched and very flamboyant man, is immediately judged by all the small town Conservatives, and the movie portrays the theme of small town rural conservative people vs. urban liberals. It was very interesting, and I found myself captivated by PSH's performance.

Recently, PSH passed away from a heroin overdose. A tragic loss to the entertainment community, specifically serious cinematography. Russell Brand, a recovering drug addict as well, wrote a very touching article in The Guardien describing why PSH parted this world the way he did. There is no denying it, PSH was addicted to drugs. But the stigma of drug addicts all being criminals is what Brand really talks about. 

"People are going to use drugs; no self-respecting drug addict is even remotely deterred by prohibition. What prohibition achieves is an unregulated, criminal-controlled, sprawling, global mob-economy, where drug users, their families and society at large are all exposed to the worst conceivable version of this regrettably unavoidable problem." 

Via


What kind of a society do we live in where we pin people with addiction to automatically being criminals? If someone's mental health is not well, they get help, right?! The doctor helps create a pharmaceutical cocktail of medication to help with the depression, anxiety, etc. But nooo, not drug addicts. Those people deserve to die because of the decisions they have made. I completely disagree, I think that if drug addicts are treated as people with a mental illness, they would feel more accepted in society and realize that they don't need to get that next fix.


If these addictive and harmful drugs (i.e. heroin, crack, meth) were regulated by the Government, giving addicts safe needles and or places to get high, you would see as significant decrease in deaths due to these drugs. We live a progressive world where people are starting to realize the war on drugs was a complete failure, and just a gimmick for the Federal Government to make more money off of the prison industrial complex. I am confident that with the decriminalization and regulation of all drugs, people would be able to seek help and treatment, rather than incarceration. Thus decreasing the amount of overall drug addicts.


What do you think about PSH's death? Was it just a tragic incident waiting to happen, or could it have been prevented with the loss of the drug addict stigma? Please leave your comments below.

Winnetka Police: Profiling, or Protection?

So on my morning commute to New Trier today I had an interesting experience. My friend, let's call him Zane, picked me up at around 10 AM because we had a late start. Our conversation on the way consisted of racial profiling in the North Shore, and specifically familial profiling. For example, if someones family has had a history with the police, the police are more likely to profile you as a bad person. Which is complete BS in my opinion.

Anyway, we are crossing the bridge to the East side of Winnetka and a police officer lights us up. Naturally, we wondered what we did wrong. But, being the lawful citizens we are, pulled over nonetheless. After he took our ID's and registration he walked back to his car to look us up in their system. We both have clean records, spotless. So, we are thinking to ourselves, 'okay, he just wants to scare us a little and make us more cautious drivers' (we eventually got a warning for "improper lane switching"... Once again, total BS, in my opinion. (They didn't even hand it to us, they just left it in the drivers seat)

Five minutes pass and he finally comes back.

 "You boys got any weed or anything you wouldn't want me to know about?" 

"No officer, we were just on our way to school" 

"So you don't mind if I search your car then, right?"

"No sir, go ahead"

We had nothing illegal in the car, and felt comfortable letting him search the car. So, now there are three, yes I said three police cars with their lights flashing all around our car. People are driving their kids to school gawking at these two teens, we were on a very busy road. And it was a very, very, very uncomfortable situation. The officer patted down Zane, but not me... Interesting. He then proceeded to search the car along with our backpacks, obviously finding nada. They spent close to fifteen minutes searching, and when they concluded that we were not the kids they were hoping for, they just said "OK, go". That was it. No handshake. No other explanation. Just an angry stern look, as if they had failed at their job. 

Isn't their job to be protecting citizens, not profiling them and trying to get them in trouble? Apparently not in Winnetka. 

If you were in this situation, do you think you would have let the officers search your car? Why, or why not? What do you feel about profiling? Do you think it is prevelent, even in a community like Winnetka? Please leave your comments below!

Girl Scout Cookies: A Stoner's Delight

Any girls out there selling those delicous Girl Scout Cookies, listen up! I'm going to let you in on a little secret as to how you can maximize your profit, while minimizing your time. Who loves baked goods more than the muffin man? Stoners. Stoners are the easiest group to appeal to when it comes to selling... really anything I guess. From baked goods to goods that get you baked, stoners are great costumers. 

"On Monday, Danielle Lei and her mother set up shop outside the Green Cross store with the cookies. With the store's blessing, Lei sold 117 boxes in two hours." 117 BOXES?? My sister would sell that many boxes for her whole time as a saleswoman. But, Danielle made that number in just two hours. Wow. This story proves two things: one is that Girl Scout cookies are a go to munchie, and two is that this mom wins most ingenious saleswoman of the year. Not only was she trying to sell cookies, she said she wanted to expose Danielle to the drug and let her understand what it is and who uses it. She asked not to be on camera, but she said she is using selling Girl Scout cookies to show Danielle around town, and give her real life buissness scenarios. 

I think it is brilliant, but there are others out there who disagree. How could you expose your child to something as harmful as marijuana? That parent should be shunned! But Mrs. Lei actually proved that the most harmful thing that happens when you smoke marijuana is you want to eat fatty foods. And then play some video games and or watch a movie while eating said fatty foods. My hat is off to you, Mrs. Lei, thank you for brightening my day. 

What do you guys think about this? Do you care? Would you let your child do it? Please leave your comments below!

Politics: How Much Do You Care

As I stumbled around the Interwebs, I came across this video of CNN's Jake Tapper interviewing Obama. He (Tapper) uses a very casual interviewing process, by conducting the interview in a factory. Tapper also began the interview by discussing how Obama's daughters choose to not talk about politics, an interesting start to the conversation. I pondered as to why Tapper would have started it this way. I may be wrong, but I think Tapper did this because he was trying to connect with a wider audience. It let the younger audience, especially those not interested in politics, stay engaged because they saw the smiling President admitting his own daughters do not care about politics. Hey! Since the Presidents daughter's don't care about politics, why should I?

When you make the audience think in this way, you actually further engage their attention. You let them connect their own lives to someone famous, and therefore they listen more to what that famous person has to say. I think it is a brilliant tactic, and it kept me engaged as well. In my American Studies class, we discussed how to interview people earlier this year. Everything is about appealing to your audience. If you can do that, then you will make the most out of the interview.

Do you, like Obama's daughters, not care about politics? Why, or why not? If you have a neutral position, what did you think about Tapper's choice of entrance? Was it effective? Why, or why not?
Leave your comments below!

Don't Do It

As many of you probably know, something tragic happened over the weekend. 

Sarah McCausland, 19, of Winnetka, and Evelina Martin Brown, 20, of Seattle, were struck and killed by the car in Tivoli, NY. 

Words cannot describe the pain and sorrow I am feeling right now, and will be for quite some time. Sarah was such an incredible woman, talented beyond anything you could imagine. I had the opportunity to become close with Sarah last year, since we were in Lagniappe Potpourri together, and ended up spending a lot of time with the same friend group. Her warmness and affection spread like a wildfire, and everyone loved Sarah. Honestly, I cannot find a single person who had something negative to say about this amazing human being. Sarah loved music, spending time with her friends, and living life in the present moment. Like me, she never worried about he past, and tried not to worry about the future. Her kind heart and open arms were always accepting of me, and everyone around her. No words can describe Sarah McCausland. She was beyond anything I could formulate into a single sentence. The only thing that brings me comfort is that I will see her again soon. Just to sit down, over a pot of earl grey tea, and discuss the hypocrisy of humanity. Sarah, you will be missed, and I will cherish the fond memories we've had together forever. I know your soul lives on, and I know you are singing your heart out with Frank and the boys.  

This tragic incident happened because of a single persons misjudgment, and down right idiocy. The woman who hit Sarah was driving while intoxicated, and it was not the first time. Carol Boeck, 63, of Red Hook, N.Y., struck Sarah at around midnight Friday night. Police later arrested Carol after she fled from the scene. She will be facing felony charges, and her bail is currently set at $100,000.

This post is directed towards Carol, and others who think drinking and driving is "okay". 

It simply is not. And if you decide it is "okay", or that you are an exception. You are not. The decisions you make directly affects innocent people, and the loved ones of those people, and the people around them. Think twice the next time you go out and drive drunk, you will regret it.

Rest In Peace Sarah. I love you, always have, and always will. 

Thank you for all the happiness and joy you brought to my life, and the lives of everyone around me. 

Civil Rights: A Controversy for Generations to Come

As an American, what do you think your number one civil right is? Take a second to think about it, make sure to consider all types of civil rights... Now think about that right, and gain an understanding as to why you considered that as your number one choice. What would you say if someone suddenly, without reason, took that right away from you. Stripped it away forever. How would you react? I would be furious! Well, time and time again, we have seen this happen in America. Now, America is not the only country guilty of limiting civil rights, some countries don't even allow their citizens any rights. 

Well, in 1942 during the heat of WWII, President Roosevelt executed Executive Order 9066. This was essentially a deportation of Japansese Americans to internment camps for the duration of the war against the axis powers. In class, we learned that an Executive Order is a temporary law that the President creates when he feels neccessary. Congress may either choose to veto the order with a two-thirds  vote, or not. And then the Supreme Court may or may not review the order to decide if it's Constitutional or not. This order lasted the duration of the War, and it left many innocent Japenese-Americans homeless and without jobs or income security for generations to come. 

How would you justify that order? It was time of War, then it's okay, right!? Or was the President and Congress merely afraid of political disruption? Targetting the Japenese-Americans just to create a scapegoat for the public to deem an enemy. Please leave your comments below!

Chakra Mediation and Balancing

Chakra meditating may be the best thing I have ever done. Over the past two years I have been in deep research about the seven Chakras what they do to the mind, body and soul. Check out the attached photo!

Chakras are points of contact in the body where your sub conscious focuses massive amounts of energy. These energy points can control everything from your attitude, and emotions, to your physical ailments and indigestion. In order to open these chakras, you must find a guided meditation video to lead you through the steps of deep chakra meditation. Each Chakra has its own designated musical note on the C major scale. When you open your Chakras you feel an immense amount of relaxation, and numbness. Your whole body is working together, and you slow down to focus on your breath. You realize that you are just a speck in a much larger universe, and all energy flows through you before passing on to another person. Therefore, you must focus on positive thinking, and positive outlooks on life, because the love you put out into the world you will receive ten fold. After you have opened your chakras, you feel re-energized and enlightened. It helps with depression, insomnia, relationship problems, etc... And is especially helpful when you are stressed out in school (New Trier).

The point of opening your Chakras is to open your subconscious to the endless possibilities that you are not aware of when you are awake and conscious. You slow down your thoughts, and are able to sort things into boxes and understand why things are the way they are. If you are struggling with what the meaning of life is, or just want to experiment with meditation, I highly suggest you try out some guided Chakra meditations. You will not be disappointed. 

Please leave your comments below!

What's Up With Rodman?

Before reading this, you will need to watch this three minute video. You will be just as baffled as I am, and it will engage you in this blog post.

Okay, your back. WHAT IN THE HECK?! Dennis, my man, you can't be doing that, can you? The White House most definitely does not think so, in fact White House Press Secretary, Jay Carney expressed his anger earlier this week, "I'm not going to dignify that outburst with a response," Carney said during his daily briefing. The Obama Administration claims they have no ties with Dennis Rodman, and are incredibly upset with his outburst. The man brought in question further on in the interview, Kenneth Bae, is an American Citizen who was sentenced to a North Korean Labor camp without any legitimate reason. Rodman, who later apologized and said his outburst was because he was drunk, replied, "I don't give a shit. I don't give a rat's ass what the hell you think." Not only did Rodman make himself look like a fool, he also is putting an American Citizen's life at risk. By talking trash about Kenneth Bae, he is only hyphening up North Korean officials to do worse things to Bae than put him in a labor camp. 

Rodman claims to be friends with the North Korean Dictator, Kim Jung Un. Clearly, Kim Jung Un does not care much about family, so I guess he should take all the friends he can get. But I would be careful if I was friends with such a powerful person, powerful people tend to be compulsive and do things without thinking them through. The next time Rodman tosses back a couple of screw drivers, and decides to be interviewed by CNN, I'm afraid he will say something bad about North Korea. What will happen then? How will Kim Jung Un react? I would air on the side of caution, and say not well.

What do you think about Rodman's spectacle? Do you think he just wants publicity, or is he genuinely friends with the dictator of the most feared nation in the world?