Fast Food and Obese Kids

It is believed by many people that fast food has nothing to do with the fattening of our children today. Though, evidence shows that these restaurants are a huge factor in child obesity, the blame is being put on other things as well. As revealed in my previous posts, fast food provides families with not only convenience but also health issues, and children are the main targets. Parents play a big role in making their kids obese simply because they are the ones taking the kids to the food and a giving choice in what they want to eat. Either you can eat a healthy home cooked meal where all of the proper nutrients will be provided or you can eat Mickey D’s or Burger King where you get a toy and fattening food that causes clogged arteries, high cholesterol, and unhealthy weight gain. After researching this topic numerous times, I came up with the conclusion that parents are easier to blame because the kids are theirs and they have an option to cook or take the lazy route to a fast food restaurant. This is true but also unfair because yes, the parents are taking their kids to these restaurants, but they aren’t providing the food. The restaurants slide through the loop holes and get away with taking responsibility for their actions because they are a business and have to make their money however they can no matter who they harm or kill in the process. Some commented that “the occasion cheeseburger” doesn’t cause obesity or because these restaurants offer “fruit and milk instead of Coke and fries”, they should be off the hook. This is absolutely wrong. Yes, these things are being offered, but they are not being advertised in the way that the Big Mac or Whopper is, and the parents aren’t ordering it. One also used the excuse that “Parents are busy!” This is may be true but if you are so busy that you are neglecting your child’s health due to laziness, being tired, and convenience then maybe you shouldn’t have a child at all. I believe that when the health of children becomes the first priority of families and businesses then we will become a much more healthier world and the generations to come will not be as fat.

Hybrid Cars: Good v. Bad

It was brought to my attention that the cons that I presented in my first blog were only things that could go wrong with the car if the driver was not responsible. So I decided to research somethings that were wrong with the vehicle it self. One con, which was given to me was the cost it takes to replace the battery, which ranges from $5,000 to $8,000. Also, hybrid cars tend to accelerate at a slower speed than a gas powered vehicle, this means you can't attain your expected speed within the same time period in a hybrid car. In a article, Sorting Out Hybrid Brake Issue: Safety Issue or a Different Feel?, it is stated that some hybrid vehicles have issues with accelerator pedals sticking, which caused a massive recall of 4.5 million Toyota vehicles. It is also said that hybrid vehicles often have higher fuel consumption and the battery life of these cars only range from 80,000 to 100,000 miles, therefore replacement of the battery pack is on a hybrid happens more often than that of a gas powered car. Are you really saving?

KEEP YOUR HANDS ON THE WHEEL!!

In response to my second post of my blog, I agree that it is very hard for the law of banning texting while driving to really be enforced. How would police officers know and really have proof that people are actually texting while driving? As Kendall Baxter commented on my last post that, police officers state that drivers are more discreet now. This is very true, they can never really tell whose texting or not, being that people dont hold their phones where they could be seen. Sen. Abel Tapia, D-Pueblo stated, " I think the law is largely symbolic. The whole purpose of the law is to bring awareness to the fact that people need to pay attention while they are driving." This law is only being enforced to provide people with safety and protection on the road. Why not obey it? Therefore, there are alternatives or solutions to help decrease the rates due to texting while driving, or even talking on the phone while driving. Bluetooth is one alternative for talking while driving. Why not use it? Now there is a more advanced device brought about called the, FDIHandsfree or FDI voice. In using this device you can, send and receive emails, text messages, make phone calls, and more, all without using your hands. These both are great alternatives that can help reduce crashes and save lives. So I say, think twice before picking up the phone and talking or texting while driving. It's your life in danger.

Eating Ethically

In conclusion, the fast food industry is manipulating the public; they give us inferior products and hide behind a curtain of mystery. Their products can lead to heart disease, obesity, and diabetes and aren’t these consequences that deserve to be kept in check?

If we can put tabs on alcohol and cigarettes, I can feel comfortable advocating control over fast food. In addition to this, the government should adjust subsidies on corn and perhaps provide incentives to organic farmers and local grocers. We need to discourage this fast-food mentality that gets applied to everything; a mentality that promotes mega-marts, preservatives, and homogeneous lifestyles. It endangers our mentality and our bodies.

I want to applaud the media for bringing these issues to light. Documentaries like Food, Inc., Supersize Me, and Fast Food Nation bring issues like this to light. However, it’s still not enough. The media has a responsibility to shine the light on these issues; they need to give the public the information to make an informed decision.

Spending a few more dollars on dinner can make such a huge difference. It’s a small commitment that provides a healthier lifestyle and benefits the planet and global community. If we all just ate a little less meat and replaced the meat that we do eat with a higher quality, free-range, grass fed alternative, we could take a huge step forward in regards to the environment. To be honest, it’s a lot easier than recycling.

Homeward Bound: Journey From Afghanistan

In the two previous installment of Homeward Bound: Journey From Afghanistan, I further discussed the reasons for the decline of American support for the war in Afghanistan. In the first installment, I discussed the role that time played in the decline of support for the war. In the second installment, I explained the role war controversy, such as war crimes, played in America’s decline in support. However, these are not the only reasons for decline in support. Another pressing issue, which affects support for the war is the recent state of the economy. With the United States continuing to fund a war in the midst of a recession, American support continues to drop. Many Americans would rather stimulate the economy as opposed to funding the war in Afghanistan.

Specialist in U.S. Defense Policy and Budget, Amy Belasco, presents the total figures for the war to the date of September 2, 2010 in a report entitled The Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Global War on Terror Operations Since 9/11. From September 11, 2001 until September 2, 2010 the United States government has spent a cumulative $336 billion to fund the war in Afghanistan. Though this total is not as larger as the $751 billion spent over the same time period on the war in Iraq, it does raise the question as to whether this money could be put to better use at this time.

As the United States is suffering from one of its worse recessions, the need for government funding is great. According to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, national unemployment, as of September 2010, was 9.6% a figure which insures that millions of Americans are out of work. That being the case, the money that is being pumped into the war in Afghanistan could very well be used to help the millions of Americans who have lost jobs as a result of the sluggish economy. Therefore, many Americans want the war to end and the troops to come home in order to help the economy get back on its feet.

To bring the war in Afghanistan to an end would mean less divisions of government spending. The U.S. government would be able to help more jobless Americans and even boost the economy. While many Americans want the war in Afghanistan to come to an end, the reasons why vary. Some believe that the war has been going on for far to long; others fear the dark possibilities that can come from remaining at war; and many more consider the war effort a strain on the economy. For these many reasons, Americans want United States soldiers to come back home. The time is now.

World of Dance acceptable outlet for provocative behavior?

In my previous blogs I stated the inappropriateness of dancing done by young girls aged 7-9. The first blog was about a video the girls had done to Beyonce's "Single Ladies." The other done by a few of the same girls to the song "My Boyfriend's Back." Both videos were outrageous, showing the talent of the young girls through mature eyes. Little girls should remain little girls. The maturity level based on the dance was nowhere near age level. The parents, let alone the choreographer should have never let these girls believe the way they are dancing and are dressed is acceptable.In Beyonce's music video, the backup dancers along with Beyonce are more covered than the 7,8, and 9 year old girls; Beyonce is 29.

The girls in the controversial videos have disgruntled the view of young girls in dance and the dance community. A dance studio owner named Katie Hignett stated, "I am disgusted that this smut receives high scores at competitions. It gives dance a bad name." Why should these young girls receive praise with high scores at competitions?  According to dance executive vice president, Larry Peters, for the Hozman group and the dance completion the girls did nothing wrong. “"It was the very first WOD event I had ever attended, and I can tell you the cheering and screaming you heard on the video was from other parents and dance teams that were just blown away by their dance performance and precision. There was NOTHING provocative about what they were doing."How can a grown man openly admit that? It really makes you think about just WHO the girls were performing to. If a grown man from the dancing community has nothing bad to say about the performance, who do the children go to know their actions aren’t appropriate? The amount of desensitization in the adult community, for example Peters, is what is wrong with this whole picture. If the choreographer and parents would have put their foot down against the inappropriateness of the situation there would be no controversy.

Same Sex Marriage

Most of society have issues with homosexuals marrying, but the question is why? Everybody is the same and should have the same rights.

Nearly 70% of the people in the United States oppose same sex marriage. Legalizing homosexual marriage would represent culmination of the nation's commitment to equal rights. As of right now the America is not treating everybody fair. Homosexuals should have the same rights as everybody else.

Same sex relationships is not something that just recently, in fact it has been around since the ancient Greece and roman times although the term homosexual was not created until 1869. The practice of homosexuality has not always been stigmatized, but accepted into many cultures. Why cant we accept other peoples happiness??

Allowing same sex marriage can provide guarantees of many important human relationships. For example if a couple has a medical emergency and they need a spouse to sign are the doctors going to tell the other spouse he/she cannot marry. This would also be a big problem if they are not married and they need a signature some where on dotted line and they are not able to sign. All I am trying to say is that people should accept one another for who they really are despite there differences. Whether gay, straight white, black etc. it should not really matter. If a person is really happy with there significant other then let them be happy. Ever body should have equal rights.