1. I am studying to learn about abortion.
2. I am studying/trying to learn about abortion, because I want to find out whether or not it is a safe procedure for the mother.
3. I am doing this in order to help my readers better understand the consequences of having an abortion performed.
11.17.2011
11.10.2011
One man's sins; An entire community's problem
In the past week, being a Penn State student has lost its glamour. A university once commended for academics and sports is now booed for terrible acts committed by one man that affected many others. With news crews running rampant and students rioting, our college's reputation is quickly declining. Unfortunately our school is going to always be remembered for the Jerry Sandusky scandal and how it led to the termination of Jerry Sandusky, the iconic head coach, Joe Paterno ("JoePa"), President Graham Spanier, and others (and probably more to come). To make matters worse, many students seemed to have forgotten what this is all about as soon as they heard the words "Joe Paterno has been fired."
This should be a time to reach out to the victims and their families. They are the ones that matter and how dare students act like firing Joe Paterno is the worst part about this case. The news teams haven't made matters any better. Every time you turn on the television you get a brief background and then BOOM! "What about Joe Paterno? What do the students think? Why would they fire JoePa??????????????"
AHHHHHHHHHHH!!! I will say it once more. This is not about how upset the students are to lose Joe Paterno. This is about the victims of Jerry Sandusky's perverted ways.
Take a step back and take a look around you, people! Yes, JoePa is a Penn State legend. Yes, he has led our team to many great victories over the years. And yes, it is sad to see him go under these circumstances. BUT... How would you feel if you had a child that was molested and somebody knew about it and didn't do anything? This is not to say that Mike McQueary shouldn't be punished. He was a grown man that also knew of, even witnessed, one particular assault and did nothing. The fact of the matter is, anyone who knew about the incident and did nothing should be punished.
I want to note that it is not all of the students here at PSU that are soiling the reputation of us all. However, there are many that are thinking selfishly. The riots that have been going on, especially the one last night on 11.09.11, are out of control. Students protesting the fact that Paterno was fired is out of hand. A news van dumped on its side, the back window of a police car being smashed out, things being thrown on the streets, and so much more. It has to stop. You can be upset about whatever you want, but do not belittle the main issue. The students that have chosen to act out aren't genuinely concerned about Joe Paterno because if they had listened to anything he was saying they would know that he thanked them for the support, but asked them not to destroy property and act out. Personally, I think many of these students just want to get a shot in the newspaper or on TV.
To sum it up:
1. This is more than just the termination of JoePa. It is about justice for the victims.
2. If you are one of the students that are acting out - stop. You are not making Joe proud and you are not getting your point across. You are making it easy for spectators to judge and think less of our school as a whole.
3. What Sandusky did is wrong and should not be swept under the rug by the termination of anyone at this university. Focus on the real issue and maybe you'll understand why some sacrifices have to be made in order to better the situation.
Revising my Revisions
Original: As modern humans we often take things for granted. Only a couple centuries ago a pregnant woman could fill her day worrying about the child she was carrying. Infant mortality rates were very high in the early to mid-nineteenth century. According to ilt.columbia.edu, nearly 25% of all infants born died within their first year of life. Oh, but we have come a long way. We were once terrified of losing an unborn child; now we can choose if we even want it. Abortion rates have climbed since abortions first began in the 1920’s, numbers have skyrocketed. According to Wm. Robert Johnston from the Abortion Statistics and Other Data in the Johnston’s Archive, millions of abortions have been performed, hitting a huge boom between 1975 and 1996 with over a million per year. The decision of Roe v. Wade in early January of 1973 greatly impacted the choices made by women. Roe was a single pregnant woman that wanted an abortion so she challenged the constitutional laws in Texas. She won and it was decided that women had the choice of whether or not they got an abortion. Are women abusing this right?
Revised: As people living in modern society, we often take things for granted. Only a couple centuries ago pregnant women could fill their days worrying about their unborn children. Infant mortality rates were at an all time high in the early to mid-nineteenth century. According to ilt.columbia.edu, nearly 25% of all infants born died within their first year of life. We have come a long way since those sad times, but have we gone in the wrong direction? Women used to stress over if the child they were carrying would live. They now think about if they want the child inside them to live. Since abortions began in the 1920's, the rates of procedures have grown. According to Wm. Robert Johnston from the Abortion Statistics and Other Data in the Johnston’s Archive, millions of abortions have been performed, hitting a huge boom between 1975 and 1996 with over a million per year. Even though abortion is still opposed by many, it has come to be a more acceptable solution when it comes to dealing with unwanted pregnancies. Many pregnant teens are actually pushed to choose abortion by their own parents. This should not be considered a solution when there are alternatives like adoption and early prevention such as the use of contraceptives. Abortion is an irresponsible and unsafe procedure that can be avoided and should not be used for the "correction" of a "mistake."
Revised: As people living in modern society, we often take things for granted. Only a couple centuries ago pregnant women could fill their days worrying about their unborn children. Infant mortality rates were at an all time high in the early to mid-nineteenth century. According to ilt.columbia.edu, nearly 25% of all infants born died within their first year of life. We have come a long way since those sad times, but have we gone in the wrong direction? Women used to stress over if the child they were carrying would live. They now think about if they want the child inside them to live. Since abortions began in the 1920's, the rates of procedures have grown. According to Wm. Robert Johnston from the Abortion Statistics and Other Data in the Johnston’s Archive, millions of abortions have been performed, hitting a huge boom between 1975 and 1996 with over a million per year. Even though abortion is still opposed by many, it has come to be a more acceptable solution when it comes to dealing with unwanted pregnancies. Many pregnant teens are actually pushed to choose abortion by their own parents. This should not be considered a solution when there are alternatives like adoption and early prevention such as the use of contraceptives. Abortion is an irresponsible and unsafe procedure that can be avoided and should not be used for the "correction" of a "mistake."
11.04.2011
You'll see my name in the New York Times
This article, found in the New York Times, is about the author, Drucilla Cornell, and her experience adopting a daughter in 1993 from Paraguay, two years before international adoption was banned. The author also talks about how international adoptions are being banned country by country and how fears of trafficking children for adoption and taking children from the biological mother without consent is a fear that she has.
I feel that the author is quite obviously open to international adoption and feels that for some children it may make the difference between life and death. However, she states repeatedly that she wanted to make sure that her adopted daughter’s biological mother consented fully to giving up the child for adoption so from that I can draw that she supports international adoption as long as it is completely legal.
Cornell makes her argument by providing facts and telling her own story. She first begins with telling the reader about her adoption of a girl from Paraguay and then moves on to why it was such a big ordeal due to citizens protesting against the adoptions of babies from that country. She also talks about different adoption situations and how it affects the children and their views of their culture, which I thought could have been left out because then she goes back to talking about why countries oppose the adoptions and finishes with how she wants her and her daughter to meet her daughter’s biological mother. I feel that the way she argues for international adoption is very subtle. At no point is she disrespectful or biased. She seems to keep an open mind throughout the article. At one point she provides an example of Madonna’s adoption of a baby from Malawi and how it sparked a lot of controversy and how the parents of that child supposedly did not actually give the baby up for adoption. It shows that adoption trafficking can be a huge problem and is one of the main reasons why so many countries are banning it.
Since the argument is so subtle, it is hard to agree completely on one thing. I share her support in adoption from other countries because I think it is beneficial to children who may otherwise have died or lived unsatisfying lives. I also feel that if I were to adopt a child I would want to be sure that the biological mother consented to adoption and that the child wasn’t taken from her. I think it’s awful that some countries are completely opposed to it, but they must have their reasons. I know that there are still many children in this country that are waiting to be adopted too, so even if international adoption does get completely banned someday, we will still have many children here that need loving homes and a second chance.
I really liked that the author had her own experience with international adoption. It made the article more interesting to me and I feel that it made her qualified to be writing about the topic. I feel that she could have left out the part when she talks about couples that are not heterosexual because she didn’t really elaborate on it so it felt like it was just thrown in there.
I would like to stay fairly unbiased in my paper, although it might be harder because where I will be clearly arguing a point, she had a more subtle approach to how she expressed her position on the subject. I also like that she used her own personal story, I think that it is a great way to capture a reader’s attention and show that you know what you’re talking about.
I feel that the author is quite obviously open to international adoption and feels that for some children it may make the difference between life and death. However, she states repeatedly that she wanted to make sure that her adopted daughter’s biological mother consented fully to giving up the child for adoption so from that I can draw that she supports international adoption as long as it is completely legal.
Cornell makes her argument by providing facts and telling her own story. She first begins with telling the reader about her adoption of a girl from Paraguay and then moves on to why it was such a big ordeal due to citizens protesting against the adoptions of babies from that country. She also talks about different adoption situations and how it affects the children and their views of their culture, which I thought could have been left out because then she goes back to talking about why countries oppose the adoptions and finishes with how she wants her and her daughter to meet her daughter’s biological mother. I feel that the way she argues for international adoption is very subtle. At no point is she disrespectful or biased. She seems to keep an open mind throughout the article. At one point she provides an example of Madonna’s adoption of a baby from Malawi and how it sparked a lot of controversy and how the parents of that child supposedly did not actually give the baby up for adoption. It shows that adoption trafficking can be a huge problem and is one of the main reasons why so many countries are banning it.
Since the argument is so subtle, it is hard to agree completely on one thing. I share her support in adoption from other countries because I think it is beneficial to children who may otherwise have died or lived unsatisfying lives. I also feel that if I were to adopt a child I would want to be sure that the biological mother consented to adoption and that the child wasn’t taken from her. I think it’s awful that some countries are completely opposed to it, but they must have their reasons. I know that there are still many children in this country that are waiting to be adopted too, so even if international adoption does get completely banned someday, we will still have many children here that need loving homes and a second chance.
I really liked that the author had her own experience with international adoption. It made the article more interesting to me and I feel that it made her qualified to be writing about the topic. I feel that she could have left out the part when she talks about couples that are not heterosexual because she didn’t really elaborate on it so it felt like it was just thrown in there.
I would like to stay fairly unbiased in my paper, although it might be harder because where I will be clearly arguing a point, she had a more subtle approach to how she expressed her position on the subject. I also like that she used her own personal story, I think that it is a great way to capture a reader’s attention and show that you know what you’re talking about.
Topics of Interest
Teenagers & Abortion - Clark, Charles S. "Teenagers and Abortion." CQ Researcher Plus Archive. SAGE Publications, 5 July 1991. Web. 1 Nov. 2011. .
This article is about the debate of whether or not parents should be involved when a teen decides to choose abortion. Many politicians that support abortion rights also favor the idea of parental involvement. Others believe that parental involvement can force young girls to resort to illegal abortions due to fear of abuse from the family.
My personal belief is that if a girl decides to have an abortion under the age of 18 years old she should notify at least one parent. The parent should not be able to force their child to have an abortion, but should only give or not give their consent if the child decides she does want an abortion. I feel that this will help the girl think more clearly when she has a parent/guardian helping them with decisions like this.
Eating Disorders - Prah, Pamela M. "Eating Disorders: Is Societal Pressure to Be Thin to Blame?" CQ Researcher Plus Archive. SAGE Publications, 10 Feb. 2006. Web. 3 Nov. 2011..
This article discusses eating disorders such as anorexia and bulemia. It covers everything from celebrity and social media influences to what the disorders actually are and how many people suffer from them and so much more. One issue it covered that really made me think was that some insurance groups won't cover anorexia or bulemia as serious disorders. The article told the story of a family whose daughter committed suicide after finding out the insurance would not pay the bills for the hospital treatment for her anorexia. The daughter thought she was a burden to her family and killed herself.
I feel that insurance should be listing anorexia and bulemia as high priority diseases especially since anorexia has one of the highest mortality rates of all mental disorders. I think that these disorders should be taken more seriously because it is something that affects a large percentage of people. These disorders are not necessarily self-inflicted. It can be something that stems biologically or from a trauma or major life experience/change that the person had happen to them.
Food Safety - "Food Safety." Current Issues: Macmillian Social Science Library. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 4 Nov. 2011.
This final article is about foodborne illnesses such as salmonella and many more. It tells the reader where the various types of illnesses can be traced back to. For example, listeriosis, often associated with miscarriages and meningitis can be from eating ready-to-eat foods such as soft cheeses and hot dogs. The article also dicusses the standards that FDA uses and talks about the different food safety departments and what they monitor.
I feel that since roughly 5,000 people die a year due to foodborne illnesses that there is room for improvement when it comes to the safety of food. I think that restaurants should be more careful and organized when it comes to cleaning utensils and areas where food is stored and/or prepared. As far as the FDA and other departments go, I think that they are doing the best they can by checking meat and other products before and after slaughter and monitoring what foods come in and out of the country. I believe that foodborne illnesses are inevitable and that it would be very difficult to perfect the system, but as long as they are trying to improve it step by step I see no problem in how the government regulates food safety.
This article is about the debate of whether or not parents should be involved when a teen decides to choose abortion. Many politicians that support abortion rights also favor the idea of parental involvement. Others believe that parental involvement can force young girls to resort to illegal abortions due to fear of abuse from the family.
My personal belief is that if a girl decides to have an abortion under the age of 18 years old she should notify at least one parent. The parent should not be able to force their child to have an abortion, but should only give or not give their consent if the child decides she does want an abortion. I feel that this will help the girl think more clearly when she has a parent/guardian helping them with decisions like this.
Eating Disorders - Prah, Pamela M. "Eating Disorders: Is Societal Pressure to Be Thin to Blame?" CQ Researcher Plus Archive. SAGE Publications, 10 Feb. 2006. Web. 3 Nov. 2011.
This article discusses eating disorders such as anorexia and bulemia. It covers everything from celebrity and social media influences to what the disorders actually are and how many people suffer from them and so much more. One issue it covered that really made me think was that some insurance groups won't cover anorexia or bulemia as serious disorders. The article told the story of a family whose daughter committed suicide after finding out the insurance would not pay the bills for the hospital treatment for her anorexia. The daughter thought she was a burden to her family and killed herself.
I feel that insurance should be listing anorexia and bulemia as high priority diseases especially since anorexia has one of the highest mortality rates of all mental disorders. I think that these disorders should be taken more seriously because it is something that affects a large percentage of people. These disorders are not necessarily self-inflicted. It can be something that stems biologically or from a trauma or major life experience/change that the person had happen to them.
Food Safety - "Food Safety." Current Issues: Macmillian Social Science Library. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 4 Nov. 2011.
This final article is about foodborne illnesses such as salmonella and many more. It tells the reader where the various types of illnesses can be traced back to. For example, listeriosis, often associated with miscarriages and meningitis can be from eating ready-to-eat foods such as soft cheeses and hot dogs. The article also dicusses the standards that FDA uses and talks about the different food safety departments and what they monitor.
I feel that since roughly 5,000 people die a year due to foodborne illnesses that there is room for improvement when it comes to the safety of food. I think that restaurants should be more careful and organized when it comes to cleaning utensils and areas where food is stored and/or prepared. As far as the FDA and other departments go, I think that they are doing the best they can by checking meat and other products before and after slaughter and monitoring what foods come in and out of the country. I believe that foodborne illnesses are inevitable and that it would be very difficult to perfect the system, but as long as they are trying to improve it step by step I see no problem in how the government regulates food safety.
10.20.2011
Compare & Contrast: Water Bottles
It's a hot summer day and you stop at a convenience store on your way to the beach. Your mouth now feels like the Sahara and your body is sweating worse than it ever has. You're parched and the only thing that will satisfy you is water. Once you get to the cooler in the back you see many different types of water. What catches your eye looks like an oasis in the desert and in big letters across the front, it says FIJI. Fiji water comes in an interesting bottle. It is rectangular and on the inside, there is a picture of jungle leaves and a pretty, pink flower. The rectangular shape makes for a modern and possibly more "high end" look. When you look at the picture through the other side of the bottle it relaxes you. You imagine yourself in a tropical paradise being doted on and fed fruits by the water while being fanned with large palm tree leaves. Not only does Fiji water quench my thirst, but it takes me to a place where I can only dream to go. It is not only a water bottle, it is a teleportation device to Fantasy Island.
Now imagine that you're in the same situation. You reach into the frosty cooler and the water bottle you grab now is completely different. This time you grasp a cylindrical bottle. Running up the side of the bottle you see the word VOSS in big, spaced out letters. Voss water has a simple, yet appealing design. This cylinder shaped bottle has a much simpler design than that of the Fiji water bottle. Voss has no image displayed inside the bottle, it has really no color at all. It is a clear, tall bottle with a silver colored cap and lettering. Voss's water bottle also gives it a modern, almost futuristic, look. It's rounded shape makes it easier and less awkward to hold in your hand. When you look at a Voss water bottle it also has more of a "high end" look than that of any other ordinary water bottle. The height of the bottle alone makes it appear to be a nearly endless supply of pure H2O. Everything about this bottle makes it an easy choice when it comes to replenishing your thirst. It's height, simple colors and shape all make it a water bottle worthy of being chosen.
10.14.2011
Don't You Just Love the Smell of Cologne in the Morning?
Walking down the street the last thing you would expect to smell is bacon. Where could it be coming from? You are nowhere near a restaurant and it is not breakfast. As you stop at the crosswalk you notice the smell get stronger and then you realize that it is coming from the person next to you. How can anyone smell like that? And then it hits you. He’s wearing bacon… cologne.
Bacon cologne is new cologne designed for both men and women. Designed by a butcher named John Fargginay in 1920, it was a “magical elixir” made to boost the moods of his customers. After a fire in 1924, the recipe was lost until now. The cologne comes in Bacon Classic (which has more maple) and Bacon Gold (contains a touch of citrus). There is no doubt about this product being new. What about controversial? Some people think that this is an insane idea, while others love it. When Fargginay first used his elixir, he had heads of state and celebrities that came to get the product just for a whiff to put them in a good mood.
This would quite obviously fall under the category of cologne, even though it is not your typical fragrance and it is one of the oddest colognes I have ever heard of. I suppose you could call the product aesthetically valuable. I mean, nothing seduces men more than the smell of bacon, right? Like I said before, some people are all in for the idea of bacon-scented cologne. Although it may come up short in comparison, it could be compared to unisex colognes such as Ck One, Roger Gallet Cologne, and 4711. Other food colognes and perfumes include Burger King’s Flame, Whopper-scented cologne. Also, a cologne called Que, which is Pork Barrel BBQ scented cologne. Wearing all that would make people hungry… or nauseous. I suppose out of any of those odd colognes and perfumes, bacon would be the least repulsing. It would be better than smelling like you lived in a Burger King for 20 years.
The five criteria I would use when evaluating cologne would be this:
1. A pleasant smell – are you or the people around you choking?
2. Packaging – does it have a nice label, name, etc.?
3. Variation – how many different fragrances in the line?
4. Accessibility – how easy is it for the customers to buy the product?
5. Popularity – how much is selling and how fast?
To briefly evaluate this cologne I would say that although I find the smell of bacon to be a pleasant smell, I think it is better suited for breakfast and wrapped around scallops, not sprayed onto my neck and wrists. The packaging does seem nice and aesthetically pleasing. The design of the bottle is curved and the colors used are simple, but eye catching and are easily recognizable as bacon strips. Since there are only two different fragrances in the Bacon line (Classic and Gold) I would say that their variation is lacking. I have not seen Bacon in any cologne and perfume stores, so I would say its accessibility is limited to online for now, which means that it is not a available to everyone at the moment. Finally the popularity of the product seems to be low. While it may be a funny gag gift, I don’t know a single person who wants to walk around smelling like bacon. In conclusion, I would have to say that Bacon does not make good cologne. Funny idea, but who in their right mind would buy it?
Bacon cologne is new cologne designed for both men and women. Designed by a butcher named John Fargginay in 1920, it was a “magical elixir” made to boost the moods of his customers. After a fire in 1924, the recipe was lost until now. The cologne comes in Bacon Classic (which has more maple) and Bacon Gold (contains a touch of citrus). There is no doubt about this product being new. What about controversial? Some people think that this is an insane idea, while others love it. When Fargginay first used his elixir, he had heads of state and celebrities that came to get the product just for a whiff to put them in a good mood.
This would quite obviously fall under the category of cologne, even though it is not your typical fragrance and it is one of the oddest colognes I have ever heard of. I suppose you could call the product aesthetically valuable. I mean, nothing seduces men more than the smell of bacon, right? Like I said before, some people are all in for the idea of bacon-scented cologne. Although it may come up short in comparison, it could be compared to unisex colognes such as Ck One, Roger Gallet Cologne, and 4711. Other food colognes and perfumes include Burger King’s Flame, Whopper-scented cologne. Also, a cologne called Que, which is Pork Barrel BBQ scented cologne. Wearing all that would make people hungry… or nauseous. I suppose out of any of those odd colognes and perfumes, bacon would be the least repulsing. It would be better than smelling like you lived in a Burger King for 20 years.
The five criteria I would use when evaluating cologne would be this:
1. A pleasant smell – are you or the people around you choking?
2. Packaging – does it have a nice label, name, etc.?
3. Variation – how many different fragrances in the line?
4. Accessibility – how easy is it for the customers to buy the product?
5. Popularity – how much is selling and how fast?
To briefly evaluate this cologne I would say that although I find the smell of bacon to be a pleasant smell, I think it is better suited for breakfast and wrapped around scallops, not sprayed onto my neck and wrists. The packaging does seem nice and aesthetically pleasing. The design of the bottle is curved and the colors used are simple, but eye catching and are easily recognizable as bacon strips. Since there are only two different fragrances in the Bacon line (Classic and Gold) I would say that their variation is lacking. I have not seen Bacon in any cologne and perfume stores, so I would say its accessibility is limited to online for now, which means that it is not a available to everyone at the moment. Finally the popularity of the product seems to be low. While it may be a funny gag gift, I don’t know a single person who wants to walk around smelling like bacon. In conclusion, I would have to say that Bacon does not make good cologne. Funny idea, but who in their right mind would buy it?
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