Choice Blog: Marilyn Manson's tribute to Paris

  In the article Marilyn Manson simulates wrist cutting in bizarre ‘tribute’ to Paris Jackson it depicts the situation on rocker Marilyn Manson, making a tribute to Paris Jackson, daughter of Michael Jackson, by simulating the suicide on stage with a fake knife.
  The article includes quotes from the author himself and suicide prevention advocates. One quote that stood out to me was when when a suicide advocate declared: "Everyone in the suicide prevention field agrees that graphic depiction of self-harm is a provocative act that does impact people who are in distress in a manner that is very counterproductive and harmful." This quote stood out to me because I agree that it was indeed was a very dangerous stunt/act that he pulled.
  I think that this was a vrey dangerous and wrong thing because there are many suicidal people in the world and by doing this might have encouraged them to harm themselves even more. Even if it was a tribute to Paris it was wrong. There are plenty of other ways to go about it. We don't want people to start cutting themselves just because some other famous star did. Their supposed to role models to encourage their fans. Not make them want to harm themselves just to be like him.
  This article makes me me wonder if, after people at the concert saw him cutting himself, they decided they wanted to cut themselves too. Especially if they were a very devoted fan of his. Are people really so avid to be a follower that they would even hurt themselves to keep being one? It makes me wonder and it makes me mad. People in the business are supposed to be a role model, someone to look up to and like. Not someone to harm their own fans.

Will North Korea Start Another War?

  In the article, "Korean War Part 2?" by Choe Sang-Hun, she gives us an insider on North Koreas recent activities on preparing military weapons. Threats from North Korea are being taken very seriously since they have a history of "provocative actions and bizarre behavior.
  The article includes quotes from Choe, Government officials, and former NBA Basketball player Dennis Rodman. One quote that stood out to me was when Donald Gregg, a former U.S. ambassador to South Korea. He stated, "The Korean peninsula is heading into a difficult and very dangerous period." This quote stood out to me because even if they are heading into tough times, why does North Korea lash out on people instead of trying to be peaceful with people so they have allies and people who will help them? By threatening people and saying things about making bombs and all that, nothing good will come out of it for them.
  I think that North Korea trying to start a war is a absurd idea because it doesn't make any sense for them to start a war against everyone and no one has said or done anything towards them. I do agree with the U.S Government saying to take extra precaution because they could potentiallly hurt another country and the U.S. would be ready to respond.
  This article makes me think that countries threatening each other for war are acting like a bunch of little kids. I mean really, think about it. When little kids are about to or threatening to fight each other, they go back and forth, back and forth. They could be fighting over the most pettiest of things! That's what this article makes me think. That people can act like a bunch of kids fighting back and forth like that over such trivial things.

Minimum Wage Going Up: My Opinion

  In the article "Time For a Raise?" by Patricia Smith she describes how President Obama has a plan to have the minimum wage raised to $9 an hour by 2015 and telling the good, bad, and interesting aspects of this change he is trying to make. In the article Smith stated "Obama wants Congress to raise the federal minimum wage to $9 an hour from $7.25, which would be the first increase since 2009."
  The article includes quotes from Patricia as well as other working people and people who work for the government. One quote that stood out to me was when Rajeev Dhawan stated "What matters for people earning minimum wage is how much money they take home in total in their paycheck. Their hourly rate may go up, but their number of hours may come down, so it's not an overall increase." This stood out to me because the statement speaks true. If the wage goes up that means the employers have to pay more and they may not have the budget for that to happen. So they would fire workers, shorten their hours, and raise prices, which could end up bad for everyone.
  I think that raising the minimum wage is a fairly good idea. Though it would take a lot of work and thinking through for it to workout the way Obama sees it. Something like this is delicate especially with the economy we have today.`
  This article makes me think about the calculations people have to make when they get their paycheck. Like, what they have to buy for the month, how much everything will cost, and then add the tax that goes along with it. Basic living essentials cost a lot today so they have to think about that plus other things that they need or may want. Maybe it is a good thing Obama is raising the minimum because plenty of people are struggling these today. I hope that if the minimum wage does go up everything gets better, including the economy.

Found Poem- Wise Men Turn Into Mad Men

To live within a clock, counting the hours of the day away, listening to sweet sounds of music.
Thus' the music, is efficacious to an idiot such as I, who continues to count each stroke, each day, each hour.
Tis' the melodious sounds of music sound no more as a wise man spoils the music.
"Music can turn wise men into madmen" a wise gentle men once said.
Thus the person suddenly starts up dancing and moves his body in a way no wise man would move.
He has become a mad man like I.

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=FB0811FA3D5D17738DDDAF0994D9405B8784F0D3

Lifting The Ban On Army Women

  In the article "Sisters In Arms" in upfront magazine by James Dao, he describes how the U.S. military is lifting the ban on women in combat. In 2007, Staff Sgt. Stacy Pearsall and her unit came under attack. Her unit, including herself, began to fight back. This shows that women can fight in wars just as good as men.

  This article includes quotes from officials who are in charge of how the war goes including Leon Panetta, Greg Jacobs and Captain Jaime Phillips of the Canadian army. One quote that stood out to me was from Panetta who stated, "They're fighting and they're dying together, and the time has come for our policies to reflect that reality." This quote stood out to me because it is a true statement. Even though I don't agree with the idea of war in general, the quote speaks true. If women are dying and fighting just as the men do, the law should be lifted and let women have the right to fight if they want.

  I am neutral about women getting the right to fight in combat. I just don't really know how to react. It is good for women who have been serving the army for years and finally get the chance to fight legally; then I am also not because I believe we cannot have the women die because they are also mothers and without mothers we cannot really have a U.S.

  This article makes me think that if women were already fighting and dying for the army, why wasn't the ban already lifted before now? I understand that they wanted to protect women; which I believe as well; but I also believe we can't hold back different sexes back just because of what we want. Women are strong and can handle things so they should have let them fight from the start. Who knows, maybe women will be the better fighters anyway.

Cyber Attacks: The Up and Coming New Type Of War

  In the article "Cyber Wars" by Patricia Smith, she talk about cyber attacks going on between Iran and the U.S. over via the web. Iran has already issued some attacks on the U.S.. One attack outside of the U.S. that was major, was on the company Saudi Aramco. This line on the attack reads "They knew that last August 15, more than 55,000 Saudi Aramco employees would be at home preparing for a Muslim holiday. So that morning, at 11:08, a computer virus began erasing data on 75% of Aramco's corporate PCs-documents, spreadsheets, e-mails, files-replacing everything with an image of a burning American Flag." This shows that Iran could do some serious damage over a computer.
  The article includes quotes from people of congress, the government, and the white house. One quote that stood out to me was from Defense Secretary, Leon Panetta who stated "An aggressor nation or extremist group could use these kinds of cybertools to gain control of critical switches, they could derail passenger trains or even more dangerous, derail passenger trains loaded with lethal chemicals. They could contaminate the water supply in major cities, or shut down the power grid across large parts of the country." This stood out to me because it surprised me that over a computer a country could do so much damage and it could all be done with just one click.
  I think that any kind of war is wrong and that war over the computer seems quite petty really. War to me is just petty in general. Though I'd rather prefer there be no war at all, at least with cyber war, the U.S doesn't have to send out any more of our men and women who have served the country before.
  This article makes me think that countries will fight over the most absurd and petty things just to get their way. Sometimes yes, there could be a serious cause for war. Though I haven't seen any in my short lifetime. There are other ways to go about things other than war. Wasn't the goal of the U.S was to event or keep peace in the world? If so, war is not helping that cause. I hope that in the future, we can all just live in some form of peace with each other and stop these frivolous wars.

Rapper Kenneth Cherry Jr. among dead in Las Vegas

  In the article "Rapper among dead after shooting. fiery crash on Las Vegas Strip" by Miguel Marquez of CNN news, he talks about the catastrophe that happened on the Las Vegas Strip because of seemingly a disagreement between the rapper and other unknown people. The fact is that three people died as a result after the altercation when the rappers car collided with a taxi when he got shot.
  The article includes quotes from family, some on-lookers, witnesses, Cherry Jr's. attorney and one of the detectives that is looking into the case. One quote that stood out to me from out of all of these people was from Kenneth's attorney Vicki Greco who said, " Out everyone I know in the rapping industry there is no way I would have ever, ever expected to find that he was shot on the Las Vegas strip in such an aggressive manner. He has two kids, and he didn't have a criminal record or history. He was just a good kid trying to make it and be a good father." This stood out to me because it makes me ask and wonder, then why did the killers confront and kill him and make other people die in the process if this guy had no history and was a good guy? This shows just how cruel people, humans can be.
  I think that whoever made this whole thing happen, the killers with the range rover, should all be caught as soon as possible. This whole thing is just plain ridiculous. this should have never happened and the killers cost other people live as well even though I doubt it they care.
  This article makes me wonder if Kenneth had something to do with the man before this little incident or if he just came out from the casino and got into a tiff with a random guy. Either way, shooting Kenneth's car, was the wrong way to go about whatever happened. Why do people think the only way to handle things is to shoot someone and just get rid of them? There are plenty of other ways to go about things without involving violence. I think if criminals and just regular people, get into their head that violence isn't the way to go, then maybe we would have less trouble for them, and the rest of us.

The Big Surprise Behind Valentine's Day

  In the article "Historically Incorrect Canoodling" by Stephanie Coontz, she explores the history behind Valentines Day and finds some things that may surprise some people. In the article, Coontz states, "Valentine's Day was originally created by the Roman Catholic Church as a limit on sexual passion." This for sure is not what most people would have thought.
  The article includes quotes from Coontz herself, and quotes from people in that century that shows what most people thought in that time. One quotes that stood out to me from Coontz was when she greed to a point of which the church said saying, " They had a point. High Expectations of married love can lead to huge disappoints," It stood out to me because I think the statement is false. If you have the highest expectations from a marriage that means you are looking to have the best out of your marriage and a person can only want the best.
  I think that Valentine's Day being a day that didn't stand for love before in the earlier centuries is pretty absurd. I mean, people should support people who are in love because they are seemingly happy together. Even if it lasts for only a little while. Love can be a beautiful thing, even if it can turn out ugly in the end. People fall in love and sometimes you can't help it. The church should have supported the marriages if they wanted what was best for the people.
  This article makes me think that the Church maybe didn't want other people to marry because they were not allowed to or they fell in love once and it just didn't work out. If that was the case then why ruin other peoples experience of love? The church may believe that it was the wrong thing but what about the soldiers that wanted to get married? They work for them during the wars they should at least be able to come home to some type of happiness. Some Grown-Ups are even like that today. Maybe they should stop getting into other peoples relationships and let them do their own thing without their control. Marriage shouldn't have been banned, It should have been encouraged. To keep all of their people happy in some sort of way.

Gender Based Pricing: Is it Fair or Not?

  In the article " Is gender-based pricing fair?" written for The New York Times "upfront", Mike Durant and Jonathan Mintz each give their own opinion if gender-based pricing is fair or not. In the article Mintz states that in New York since 1998, giving different prices for services to men and women is illegal. If the action is illegal then why do some businesses do it?
  The article includes quotes from both Mike Durant and Jonathan Mintz who give their opinion on gender based pricing. Both Durant and Mintz use data to support their points. One quotes that stood out to me from Durant who said, "Sometimes it's completely fair to charge men and women different prices." this stood out to me because i agree with this statement because it is true. Men and Women may be getting the same services but they aren't all exactly the same. Different ways of distributing can call for different prices. Though, only sometimes when it is necessary as Durant said.
  I think that gender-based pricing is not really a big deal and that the government should not be getting involved. I understand the business's reason behind different pricing because for different genders, services are different as well. Many people may disagree with me but it is the truth and people may have to accept it one way or the other. If u don't like the prices in a business, just take your business elsewhere.
  This article reminds me of when women were fighting for the right to vote. Both men and women had their own views and arguments on why the other was wrong about their view. Men thought that women should not vote due to them "not having a mans wit" and that they should keep their power status. While women thought they should have the right to vote because they felt inferior and wanted to be an equal citizens of America just as the men. Both sides have an opinion and both sides are wrong and right in ways. You cant really get a handle on which side is right...though in this case women won.

Should Lance Armstrong get another chance?

  In the article "Give Lance another chance?" many proclaimed columnists for newspapers and magazines speak out on their views of Lance Armstrong's admission to doping before the races and whether he should get another chance or not. Lance Armstrong has already been banned from professional cycling for life and he was stripped of his seven Tour de France trophies.
  The article includes opinions and quotes from columnists, from a range of different magazines and newspapers. One opinion that stood out to me from all the rest was when Frida Ghitis columnist for The Miami Herald, said " He should make a new career of speaking out about the cost of living a lie." It stood out to me because I think, I'm not sure, that she was being serious when she said that. Though I completely agree with her about it. To make it up to everyone he should teach other people about how living a lie can affect your life in the worst way in the end.
  I think that the whole situation was blown out of proportion. Yes he did cheat but why end his career and ban him from cycling for the rest of his life because of that? There are probably more than half of the athletes out there doing the same thing. You can't fire and ban all of though can you? Or else there would be no entertainment or drama left in the nation to gossip about. So I say at least let him keep cycling because that's what he really loves and give him a second chance to redeem himself.
  This article makes me think that people love to gossip over the most foolish things and then put all their attention onto that. Yes he was cheating, and yes and it was for more than a decade. Though like I said before, most of the athletes out here are probably using performance-enhancing pills to win but nobody has figured it out yet. I say give Lance another chance! People should start showing some sympathy. He did it for you guys, for the fans. He wanted to make them proud.
 

Minorities Becoming Major-Minorities in U.S.

  In the article " The New Face Of America" by Veronica Majerol she shows us how the minority ethnicity's are now becoming major-minorities due to more childbirths of different ethnicity's. The article states that " Minor populations now outnumber whites in 348 of the more than 3,000 countries."
  The article includes quotes from kids themselves who are of all different ethnicity's.  She also uses graphs and surveys to illustrate her point. One quote that stood out to me was "People our age don't care where you're from" from Moises Morales who moved to the U.S from Mexico. this quote stood out to me because it is a true statement. Younger generations these days don't care what race you are. The thing is if your cool your cool. We don't define who you are because of your race or skin color. Why can't other people think the same?
  I think that the minority races becoming major-minority will make the U.S better because we will then really be a multi-cultural nation. By doing this we can have more diverse people of all ages and cultures to befriend and not just have one culture dominating.many people in the nation may not even be aware that there are so many other cultures.
  This article makes me wonder just how many type of ethnicity's are out there. There could be a whole lot that I do not know about. I have heard that there are festivals that are for the many ethnicity's out there and maybe I could try going to one and find out more about a culture.

Questions Concerning Syria War

  In the article "Civil War in Syria Raises Questions About When to Intervene" by Ja'anai Delaney who works for NewsHour Extra, talks about the war going on in Syria and how the U.S. is trying to find ways to help the people there who are suffering. In the article it states that " The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that over 200,000 people have fled their homes" This shows that the war in Syria is really serious that people have had to leave to get away from all the troubles going on there.
  This article is in the first person so the quotes are from the author themselves. Though they do site their data from other sources such as surveys. One quote that stood out to me was "While some members of the government continue to support the regime, others, including many higher-ups, defected in protest of the violence." This shows that the people who don't support the regime aren't really looking out for the people if they started a whole war against them.
  I think that this war, any war, is foolish and uncalled for and that there needs to be more being done by the U.S to stop this war as soon as possible. I understand that they are waiting for more information and the right time but we need to take action before it gets even worse. If things get worse things could end up badly for the U.S especially if we have a alliance with Syria and then they will attack us since we did not help sooner.
  This article makes me wonder if all the wars that have gone on and are going on in the world are even necessary. They surely don't help in the end since all of the town is in ruins. Why have a war when in the end you have to pay for the damages and it doesn't even really work out in the end. They may have peace treaties but they are only as good as promises. Promises can very easily, be broken. I hope when someone has a war and then they notice the non-benefits of having it then they will stand up and speak out on wars and why they are not necessary.  

Child Depression and Anxiety due to No Play-Time

  In the article "All Work and No Play: Why Your Kids Are More Anxious, Depressed" Esther Entin explores a professors five main causes and effects of children having no free play-time to themselves. In the article the professor says that "Since about 1955... children's free play has been continually declining, at least partly because adults have exerted ever-increasing control over children's activities."
  This article includes quotes from professors and the author themselves. Entin also cites data from surveys and researchers. One fact that stood out to me was "As children negotiate both their physical and social environments through play, they can gain a sense of mastery over their world." This was a statement that stood out to me because it could be true due to it saying that basically if the child gets to play and gets to control their emotions and the environment that they do better and can master their world on to a new level. This shows that play time to children can be really beneficial to them.
  I think that play time to children while they are still young and developing is really important because they get to experience self-independence and get to be in their own world with their own rules. Many parents may not know that their children need play time to develop because they are so focused on the future and aren't focused on the present.
  This article made me think that parents can sometimes be quite oblivious to what their children really need and want in their life. Children don't want someone who plans every second of what they're going to do everyday. Parents do have some control over what their children do but that some can turn into always. The parents should be the one to give the child that free that they need in their life since for most of their life they are going to be in school. I wish parents could see and take action on what their children need to fully develop in their young lives.                          

Superintendent Chosen School Closings Announced

  In the article "Philadelphia superintendent identifies schools he intends to close" by Kristen A. Graham, she examines the issue of school closings and what good and bad things will come out of it as a result. She also interviews the Philadelphia school district superintendent herself and gets quotes from other interviews as well. In total, Four middle, 11 high, and 22 elementary schools are closing in the city in almost every neighborhood. That means that there will only be 200 schools remaining in the city of Philadelphia.
  The article includes quotes from the superintendent and deputy superintendent, the president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, and The Mayor. One quote that stood out to me was when the districts superintendent said "These data are simply unacceptable" when the article stated " The district is struggling academically, with the vast majority of schools failing to meet state standards. Eighty-two percent missed the mark on either math or reading goals, and 68 percent failed in both." The statement he made is shocking. The test scores are low but he made it seem that the whole world revolves around test scores with the statement.
  I think the school closing and the combining of schools could make things harder on the students. They have already adjusted to the school they were in and now they have to get used to another one due to schools closing and combining. Students now have to adjust to a whole different school, curriculum, and the other students along with them.
  This article makes me think that most people in the school district only pay attention to the test scores and that's what holds are overall grade for the year. I'm a student and even some of my teachers I've had and have, have said it themselves that our grade is also rounded up with the state tests and counts for most of our grade. I see it as true since each year we have so many tests do in any grade your in. I wish that we wouldn't have to take so many tests and that they weren't the most important thing in our school lives.