Immigration

There are some heartbreaking stories on immigration about loving parents that are ripped from their children’s lives. I don’t think that there is one solution for the immigration issue. The current legislation on immigration states that if someone is here illegally for more than 180 days they need to leave and wait three years before they can apply for re-entry or if it has been more than 365 days they have to wait for 10 years before they can apply. That is a long time to be away from your U.S. born children.  The real issue for me is I don’t want anyone coming into the United States and committing crimes or living off welfare for an extended period of time. Some people come here to escape poverty and they may already have children. I think we need to work with these people to help them get on their feet and not ”let” them just live off of welfare. They need more than we give them, they need our real help.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/02/08/us/pew-report-second-generation-americans.html?ref=immigrationandemigration

20 Afghan Police Officers Killed

In Kabul, Afghanistan twenty policeman were killed in two attacks on the 27^th of February, as well as a mass poisoning in southeastern Afghan. In Ghazni Province, a group of 17 Afghan policemen who had been trained by Americans were drugged, while on duty. In Kandahar Province, three policemen were killed in what the Taliban said was an attack carried out by one of its supporters, although police officials recognized the killings to a relative of one of the victims. Authorities have already arrested two policemen, descried as Taliban infiltrators who had carried out the attacks. The local police often include groups of armed men who had formerly sided with the Taliban. The attackers poisoned the dinner food of the officers, shot them at close range to ensure they were dead, stole their weapons and fled after setting a police car on fire. 

The people who live in this city desperately fear for their safety. If the policemen can’t even control their own force, how can they protect the lives of the people living there? This interferes with the communication and interaction people have between one another, especially if everyone is living in fear. The police are the people we are supposed to look up to as the “perfect citizen” but everywhere I look they are mostly corrupt or poorly taught. “Locals in the area were tired of the atrocities and crimes of these arbakais, and their lives and property were not safe”

Republicans Supporting Gay Marriage...

As we all know it has been a constant battle between conservatives and liberals when it comes to gay marriage. I would argue that the law should have no say in who people want to marry, but it does. This article in the New York Times states that some republicans are beginning to support gay marriage. The Defense of Marriage Act is a federal law that defines marriage as one man and one woman for interstate recognition. For years mostly liberals have been fighting to repeal the act. Up until recently this cause didn't have hardly any support from conservatives. Homosexual people are not being allowed to form connections with each other because of DOMA. In my opinion, as long as people are happy it should not matter who they're with. This law is getting in the way of true happiness for some people and taking away their sense of belonging. Maybe now that some conservatives are starting to suuport gay marriage we will see some changes.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/26/us/politics/prominent-republicans-sign-brief-in-support-of-gay-marriage.html?ref=us

Should we shun people for being into bondage?

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/28/fashion/bondage-domination-and-kink-sex-communities-step-into-view.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&src=dayp&

There are many people out there that love in different ways. Some people like to take things slow and easy and others are almost animalist when it comes to sex and relationships. We all know it and everyone has a different opinion on it but normally just say, "to each their own." What I don't understand is why people judge others on the extent of their sexual preferences. Like people into bondage or domination. What is wrong with someone liking to get a little freaky, why are these choices being thrown against them in custody cases and such. Isn't that against freedom of expression

"The human right to freedom from any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on sexual orientation, gender, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, language, religion, political or other opinion, age, or any other status, which has the purpose or effect of impairing the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms; and the human right to effective protection against such discrimination." taken from http://www.pdhre.org/rights/sexualorient.html

 Parenting has nothing to do with your sexual choices and it should not make a difference what your preferences are. Why are people losing friends and family members because of their sex life. I don't understand what the difference between people that regularly go to strip clubs and use their private rooms, and people who go to bondage clubs or are into it privately? As long as no one is being hurt, more than they are asking for, then what's the problem.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/14/us/to-lower-suicide-rates-new-focus-turns-to-guns.html?pagewanted=all

Do we need stricter gun laws? I think yes. But what? The federal and state gun laws don't always protect the ones who need it most. Our children. I am against guns for myself. I would not care if they were banned completely, however I realize that cannot speak for someone else. I know that there are responsible people who are gun owners. I don't think that every gun owner should make that decision on their own. I know people who have guns and think they are responsible, but I have my doubts. I would like to see mental health evaluation for any one buying a gun, new or used. I would also like to see mandatory training and laws that hold them responsible if they do not follow the proper safety measures.

Go for Gold!

Gold production has become very popular in the past few years. Of course everyone has always tried to find gold for oneself, but a few countries are really hitting the jack pot with gold production. I found it interesting that Russia is the fourth-largest gold producer in the world, after China, Australia and the US. Russia produced 254 tons of gold in 2012, including a heart shaped nugget weighing 2.4 pounds! Russian production has also increased year-on-year gold production by 8.3% and has higher numbers for 2013. 

When other countries see how well Russia is at producing gold it makes for good competition, because it proves that there is still so much gold to be found. Russia is not only good at production but they stockpile gold as a hedge against international financial instability. In 2007 the Russian government held 443 tons of gold in its strategic reserves; by fall the number increased to 1,028. The more gold found between the countries, the more we can use gold to fix not only our American economy but the worldwide economy as well.

 

Americans forced to leave the country to be with the one they love

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/02/18/us/doma-audio-slide-show.html?ref=us
For straight couples if you fall in love with someone that was born in another country, you can apply for a green card based on your relationship. For same sex couples they do not have the same rights even if they are legally married. Many couples are being forced to make a very hard decision; Give up on the love of your life, or to leave the country they have always called home. Is this wrong? This subject has been causing a lot of controversy. In my opinion I think that no one should be able to tell anyone else that they are wrong for loving someone. If you don't like it then maybe you should not worry about it. Years ago women were not aloud to vote and had very little rights. Was that right? Of course not. I believe that as a country we need to stop worrying about the petty little things and start worrying about more important things, like the people out there killing each other. The states legislatures have been going back and forth on this issue for quite a while now. President Obama's proposal, which was followed by a bill was brought to the house of representatives this month and is introduced to try and help resolve making people choose their loved one or their beloved country.

Guns Destroying Society?

Another gunman kills four people. We have been seeing headlines like these for months now. Because of these twisted people who continue to take innocent lives, the federal government is currently debating enacting restrictions of an assault weapons ban. Which could also be seen as taking away our 2nd amendment rights. Various states already have their gun laws into place, however with these recent events the federal government is "taking the matter into their own hands" in a sense. What I wonder is, is it really gun control that we need? Isn't the problem that there are so many people out there that have serious mental or emotional issues and are not getting help? I'll agree that guns are not that hard to come by, however neither is any other weapon. We should be looking at why people in our society have these issues.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/20/us/shooting-spree-in-california.html