Fast Food Equals Fat Kids

Is it not obvious that the children of today are getting bigger and bigger? I blame it on fast food. Some may use the convenience of it as an excuse, but its simple laziness. Parents ask their children, “What do you want for dinner?” and the child simply replies “Chicken Nuggets or Cheeseburger!” If you ask any child what they want, majority of them are not going to shout of veggies or fruit. This is becoming a big issue because fast food is making our children FAT and unhealthy and nobody is trying to do anything about it. The parents are the blame. Your child can only eat what you allow them and that is the end of it. Some kids have gotten so out of control with it that they simply throw tantrums and fits because they cannot have their chicken nuggets and barbeque saw with their little toy. In Jeanie Lerche Davis's article Fast Food Creates Fat Kids studies show that on average, one-third of the nation’s children eat fast food, but not only are they eating unhealthy food, they eat more of everything else, too. Kids between the ages of 4 and 8 eat 6% more food than children who do not eat fast food and kids between the ages of 10 and 14 eat 17% more food. I believe that the fatness of these kids is the parents’ fault. They have become so lazy in their parenting that instead of cooking their child a healthy meal, at these young ages, they would rather take them to McDonald’s or Burger King and provide them with an unhealthy Kid’s Meal. Not only have these fast food restaurants sucked our poor children and parents in with toys and other gadgets, but they have upped their menus to Mighty Kids and Big Kids Meals which give them an even bigger dose of clogged arteries, high cholesterol and weight gain. And we, as people, have become captive to the enslavement of making our kids FAT. At this point we need to just learn to tell the kids “No you cannot have this or that, I’m cooking and you are going to eat it.” The End. Until they become adults, and are able to make their own decisions, parents should provide their child with their fair share of healthy food and a limited amount of snacks.

Death of Chocolate: A Case for Bio-Engineering



Cocoa pods -wikimedia commons

Being an ample person, it will come as no surprise to learn that I love chocolate. Chocolate is my pacifier when I’m upset, and I know that I’m not the only one. It comes of no surprise to me that Google results for chocolate extends beyond fourteen million, five hundred thousand references.  For example, Henrylito d. Tacio details in his article “Life is a Box of Chocolates” the history of cocoa and various physical effects of chocolate.  He gives words of wisdom on chocolate by many well-known people. One that I totally agree with is by cartoonist John Q. Quillius: “Nine out of ten people like chocolate. The tenth person always lies.” In another reference, Gloria Tsang, RD (Registered Dietician), reveals that chocolate may “lower blood pressure in people with hypertension. The research also found that levels of LDL cholesterol in these individuals dropped by 10 percent.” Certainly, no one argues that chocolate is often a necessary ingredient to satisfy the cravings of a pregnant woman, which is good as chocolate is believed to prevent pre-eclampsia. With all the history and benefits surrounding chocolate, I was horrified when I read that chocolate is in danger of disappearing!

Michael Moyer’s “Death and Chocolate: Disease Threatens to Devastate Global Cocoa Supply” provides one of the best arguments for mapping genomes and bio-engineering that I have read. Usually, when someone hears of gene mapping, it is the mapping of the human's genome to find the causes of diseases or the mapping of chimpanzees to find how closely they resemble us. These are admirable causes for gene mapping, but I cannot think of a more deserving pursuit than the mapping of the cocoa genome to save chocolate! If chocolate disappears, it will cause industries to disappear, not to mention the sanity of countless human beings, my sanity being paramount.

Who would have believed that witches broom and frosty pod, both plant diseases, would present a bio hazard of such worldwide proportions? With several warnings posted for the past several years, such as Gareth W. Griffith's 2004 article in Biologist, it is reassuring that gene mapping of cocoa is now being used to understand how to bio-engineer resistance to the dangers of these two plant pathogens. Hopefully, this will come in time to safeguard the emotional well-being of humanity. Whew! This is too close. Pass the Herseys please.

Same Sex Marrige

Same sex marriage is slowly approaching the states. It is already allowed in California so the question is which states are next? In 2003 the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that gay marriages were unconstitutional. The Senate of Massachusetts asked to propose that would bar same- sex couples from civil marriage. In May 2008 California's Supreme court ruled that homosexual couples should have the right to marry.

People should be able to marry whoever they want to when ever they want as long as it makes them happy. Why are people getting mad? It is not like they are getting mad. So what is all the commotion about? Every person is equal in his or her own way and have a certain preference. If many cannot agree then there should be a vote. Homosexual couples should have the same rights that everybody has seeing how we all go by the same laws. The first amendment states that a person's religion must be protected. Religion is the main reason all this commotion of gay marriage is going on. If people choose to be homosexual then others need to respect their decision and let them live their lives. If a person knows that they want to support same-sex couples let them do it. Some people that are fighting against it are just following other people and do not even know why they are fighting. Everyone deserves to be happy and if the person they are with is making them happy then they should be together. The only thing that really matters in a marriage is love.

Women .vs. Men: Who's Better?

Some people may say that men are better than women but I completely disagree. And I don't say that because I am a young woman myself. Men and women brains think differently. According to an article that I read, Men and Women: Differences, women have larger connections and more interactions between our left and right hemispheres in our brain. That accounts for our ability to have better verbal skills and intuition. Men have greater hemisphere separation which explains their abstract reasoning and visual-spatial intelligence. Women notice the obvious while men tends to take a while to catch on to everything. As said in Why Woman Are better Than Men, when women see a "caution" sign, they avoid it but when men see it, they try to be all hard like nothing scares them. Women observe their surroundings while men just go with the flow. Women can be understanding and admit when they are wrong. Men will come up with excuse after excuse until they realize that it's not working. It's plain to the eye that women are clearly better than men.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT)

It is apparent that the issue of Don't Ask, Don't Tell has become quite the controversy between The President and his fellow Congress members. The policy "don't ask, don't tell" has caused the President himself to choose between defending what he believes while going against the decison of Congress. A federal judge in California recently declared the policy unconstitutional. This ruling has put President Obama in a bind because he stated that he'll continue to support his decision and defend his decision in court. Most seem to believe that being gay or a lesbian can affect unit cohesion (organization) and military readiness. Even though this is causing conflict amongst military and civilian workers, the Obama Justice Department is considering an appeal. Although this may be a concern for most superior officers already serving, this conflict affects the number of people actually capable of serving in the military. The repeal of the policy has occurred in all branches of the military, including a sense of cooperation by Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James T. Conway. Generally, most are concerned with people who decide to express their relationship in uniform. Because of this, this tagged a current serving officer who is a veteran in the United States military, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell Snags Veteran Officer". Obviously protecting the country is not the primary concern of the United States. It is noticeable that more are concerned with the fact that their are gay people that have existed, still exist and will exist in the United States military. Not only does this take away from the protection of the country, but also it deprives cadets who are attempting to become future participants in the military, Cadet Resigns Over "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". Also, the benefits do not apply to same sex couples or marriages. In addition to this war within wars, President Obama has taken the responsibility of arguing the fact that Congress has the right to repeal the policy itself. Eventually, Congress and the people of the United States military will have to reach an ultimate decision. A battle can only be fought for so long.

Plastic Surgery

For some people, looking in the mirror is the hardest thing to do. Many people are always pointing out the flaws on themselves and over looking the natural beauty they have but may not see. As technology has advanced, so has the medical field. From television shows to magazines, it is very clear that doctors can manipulate the way people look. Plasic surgery is becoming more and more popular and demanding then ever.

Televesion shows could be the blame. Shows like "Nip Tuck" and "Doctor 90210" give viewers (who may be intrested in having plastic surgery) an idea of how the procedures are done. This may make the viewers feel more comfortable and help them make their decision. Plastic surgery is done to those who are uncomfortable or don't like how they look.

Some people who become "plastic surgery junkies" may have BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder). The mental disorder is in people who are obsessed about the way they look. They tell themselves they only have flaws and may suffer great depression due to the dislike of their image. Does plastic surgery possibly egg this on? Since it is so easy to go get plastic surgery, maybe people are starting to notice their flaws a little more. If it can be easily fixed then why not, right?

Should gay couples have the right to marry?

Marriage is a sacred event held between two people that are in love. So why should it matter what sex the individuals are in order for them to have to right to get married? Today's society has changed greatly compared to fifty years ago. Tattoos, peircings, clothing, woman in job fields, hair styles and more have all been on a path of being more accepted than they were in earlier generations. Gay marriage is still a heated issue though. Yes, gay marriage was not even an option to consider back in the day, but why is society still at a stand still when it comes to this issue? Most peoples arguments against gay marriage is a result from their religion. In an article by Steve Waldman entitled "A Common Missed Conception" a poll based on gay marriage is discussed and showed that "the opposition to gay marriage and homosexuality is highest among the most religious."

Growing up in an environment where religion was not a part of my everyday life or forced upon me(not saying that it is forced upon everyone), I was able to explore my environment of people around me with an open mind while also gaining an appreciation for others and their lifestyles without judgement. I have learned that not everyone is going to be brought up the same way, with the same views or even have the same morals. This is why I am a firm believer in the legalization of gay marriage.

To me it does not matter if you are black or white, gay or straight, or from two different countries with two different marriage arrangements, if you develop feelings towards someone, you should have every right be married and share your everyday lifestyle with that person, without restrictions. People are not defected if they are gay. They just have a different preference towards whom they are attracted to. It may not even be the physical appearance of a person that attracts them to that person. If someone is attracted to the person's personality, and have an immediate connection towards them, why are they punished when it comes to being able to share their lives with one another?

When couples get married, they receive marriage benefits. They can share a home, shared health insurance, receive sick leave to car for their partner, joint adoption, have tax benefits and many more advantages than just two couples that are "together". With gay marriage not being legal, gay couples are not entitled to these benefits and cannot receive them any other way. This is a discrimination matter. Everyone is suppose to be treated as an equal. Yes, gay couples are different than straight couples, but what makes them "not-normal"? They are no different from you and I. Being gay is not a handicap, they are not stupid or "freaks" or have the inability to take care of themselves, others, run a business, or be a CEO, they still have the ability to make everyday conscious choices, vote for who they believe in, and make mistakes(such as getting a speeding ticket) like everyone . They just happen to have a different lifestyle than others, and that is it.

At one point, it was inter-racial marriage that was illegal and looked at as if the people were insane, or stupid. Society (or a more larger selection of people) has come to terms with inter-racial marriage and has accepted it. How different is that from gay marriage? Whether it is two people from different races or two people of the same sex, it is the same thing. People want to be treated as an equal.

If we as a society can just let go of judgement towards others and their lifestyles and become more accepting towards one another, we become able enough to overcome more obstacles as a whole. Being able to make decisions based on everyone's different lifestyles without exclusions and being able to coexist within a society forms a better relationship within a society and calls for an easier, stress-free living environment when it is known that everyone is and equal, and is treated as one.

Should contraceptives be distributed in highschools?

Nowadays unintentional pregnancies among the teenage generation has increased an skyrocketed and 20% of female freshmen have dropped out due to pregnancy. http://liberalforum.org/liberalforum/index.php?/topic/23895-why-we-should-dispense-birth-control-in-schools/

Distributing contracteptives in highschools can bring this to a stop. Teenagers are going to do what they want to do regardless so why not cut the pregnancy rate while they are still in school? More will graduate teenagers instead of parents and they will be Std free.
Most teenagers think premarital sex is okay as long as its done within a loving relationship. With that said teenagers start believing they are in love as young as fourteen.
Students are brainwashed by their peers into thinking that sex is love and vice versa, when all in all sex could very well cause an unwanted increase of the human race. Many schools have decided that contraceptives should indeed be passed out in highschools. Not only that but there are parent groups pushing for the distribution of contraceptives to reduce the amount of teenage pregnancies each year.http://www.businessweek.com/debateroom/archives/2009/07/schools_should.html
Though there are plenty supporting the idea there are just as many refusing the idea. Every minute of refusal from parents is another son or daughter closer to having sex and having and unwanted pregnancy. There are 6 million unwanted pregnancies every year in the United States which accounts for eighty-seven percent.Many efforts have been made to educate youth about sexual activity and birth control, but what else can you tell a raging hormone infested hard headed teenager?

Children should definitely not be having children.