Final Paper

You can find the full text of Iraqi Constitution at the Washington Post.

http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/12/AR2005101201450_pf.html

Final Paper

I haven’t had a history or political class in a very long time, very long time, so before I begin to look at another countries constitution maybe I should look at ours first. I need a quick 101 class on the Constitution and Bill of Rights and I found a website where you can even teach elementary and high school students on the subject.

The following is the website: http://uscontitution.net/constteach.html

Fahrenheit 9/11

When I was finished watching the movie Fahrenheit 9/11, I couldn’t understand some of the controversy or statements made in class regarding the movie. While I agree that the movie did contain some fallacies, the parts that evoked the most opinion for me came right out of Bush, US troops and other participants, not the narration of Michael Moore. While I am aware that editing can take out of context what someone says, some comments made were simply black or white. The movie did have a lot of emotional appeal especially when they showed the troops and mother. When I watched the movie I had a more critical ear because I had heard the discussion in class before watching it, but before I watched it I believed we shouldn’t be in war and by time the movie ended I still thought the same. My perspectives on Bush, our government and Michael Moore did not change with an hour and a half of television. I simply did what I do with everyone else trying to get their point of view across: listen, try to understand their perspective, and accept or not what they said.

Gun Control

I am for gun control, however, in evaluating the arguments in the articles of “Next, Comprehensive Reform Of Gun Control” and “Gun Laws Are No Answer”, I feel the argument against gun control was stronger. The first article, “Next Comprehensive Reform of Gun Control”, uses some fallacies and gives nothing concrete until the 4th paragraph but then in the last three paragraphs it seems its only the writer’s ideas. I think the article “Gun Laws Are No Answer” is stronger than the first one because it uses more statistics and gives the example of Bonnie Elmasri. There were a few sentences in this article such as, “And that a 1989 ban on “assault weapons” in that state has also resulted in increased violent crime” that left me with the question “how can you directly link the ban to increase in crime?” Every time it mentioned crime going up due to laws, bans or waiting time, I wondered how they were able to link the increase solely on the bases of laws, bans or waiting time.

Ch. 7 Free Needle Programs

Salinas offers a needle exchange program that has been successful. Although Peter B. Gemma Jr. author of “Programs Don’t Make Sense” feels its stupid for government to sponsor dangerous illegal behavior, I think it’s a good idea. There seems to be two big issues regarding needle exchange: 1. It reinforces illegal behavior and 2. Uses taxpayer’s money. Regardless of ones opinion on drug use, we must realize that substance abuse is a very difficult addiction to easily overcome. The purpose of the needle exchange would be not to reinforce the behavior but to prevent further exposure too more factors that can lead to infection, virus, diseases and death through dirty needles. Once someone does get a virus, such as AIDS, out of sharing dirty needles then it would cost taxpayers more money to get expensive treatment for those infected instead of the cost of a needle.

The reading “Programs Don’t Make Sense” is found on page A-23 in the Critical Thinking Book written by Brooke Noel Moore and Richard Parker.

Ch.6 Gay Marriage

Marriage is the union of one man and one woman for life, so says the No Gay Marriage website. While this website gives several reasons for their beliefs, which I disagree with, one reason that stood out for me was sexual morality. However, how can someone in this society condemn same-sex sexual behavior yet be a society where the porn industry is successful. If people have issues with sexual expression it should be directed toward this group not the ones who are private behind closed doors. I think the only difference between a heterosexual and homosexual relationship is sex. Even though they are the same gender they go through the same hardships and joys any relationship does, therefore, gay marriage should be allowed. Being married doesn’t guarantee your relationship well be a happy, loving and healthy one but it does mean you are entitled to more legal rights such as health insurance and so on. The real issue is whether homosexuals should have equal rights or not and any human being should be entitled to them regardless of sexual preference.

To read more on No Gay Marriage go to:
http://www.nogaymarriage.com/kansascity.asp

Ch.5

The flag of the United States is considered patriotic, pride and symbolic, that is, to some. I am thankful and fortunate that I live in this country where we have the right to free speech. Therefore, if someone wants to desecrate the flag regardless if it is right or not, they should be able to. Dr. Pilon, Director of the Center for Constitutional Studies Cato Institute, would agree with me.
Dr. Pilon testified against an amendment to the constitution of the U.S. authorizing Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag (Pilon). Dr. Pilon said “In a word therefore I am here not to defend flag desecration but to defend the right to desecrate the flag, offensive as the exercise of that right may be to so many Americans.” He’s right, as I already mentioned, whether it’s wrong or right what we think on desecration of the flag as individuals, we should have the right to do with it, as we want. What stood out the most for me from his testimony was when he said, “The protection of our right is tested, however, not when what we do or say is popular but when it is unpopular.”(Pilon). I agree with this statement since it has been seen happened so many times in the past. We are a better country for having freedom of speech, just as it is.
To read more on Roger Pilon’s testimony go to: http://www.cato.org/testimony/ct-rp032399.htm

Ch.4

My roommates and I argue on some Sunday mornings about who is going to open the door to the Jehovah’s Witness or whether we should open it at all. I could understand there being safety issues if every stranger comes walking up and knocking at your front door, however, you fortunately have the option of opening the door or not. I am a believer of the first amendment and don’t enjoy having “canvassers” whether they’re trying to sell me a product or whatever the case might be but, it is there right to go door to door and my right not to answer.
I read an article calling on Christianity Today that in the ruling to strike down the law for “canvassers” the court concentrated on free speech, not religious freedom-all canvassing, not just religious canvassing was okay (Olsen). However, William H. Rehnquist argued the decision saying, “renders local governments largely impotent to address the very real safety threat that canvasses pose.”(Olsen). What one should remember is that the beauty of speech is you can accept or not what is said or offered. If you don’t want canvassers at your front door don’t open it.
To read more on this article go to: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2002/123/22.0.html

Ch.1

It seems I find myself surprised each time by what I consider to be attractive, not to mention they are my same sex. You can say that you find someone to be beautiful or handsome when they meet certain physical features, however, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you well be attracted to them. Who I found myself attracted to were women. Was it a choice? Of course not. The only choice I made was to accept my sexuality and live an open life with no shame of who I am. I’m a low-income Mexican female in love with another woman attempting to become a first generation college graduate, in all I’m a minority. Why would I choose to add more pressure to my life by choosing to be gay in a society that isn’t accepting of homosexuality? It just doesn’t make since to me how you could choose whom you are attracted to. I know of people who have had one or two homosexual encounters out of curiosity, or whatever their reason might be, and that is by choice. I think the only time you choose which sex you are attracted to is if you’re curious for a homosexual encounter. People who are bisexual are attracted to both sexes and I don’t think that is choosing either rather than being with whomever they are attracted to.
Many times I have said to my friends their girlfriends or boyfriends are ugly and they think they are heaven sent. Just the other day I met for the first time my sister’s boyfriend who she had said was so good looking. The only thing good I saw was his wristwatch. What she finds cute in him I don’t know but as she replied to me “ I’m dating him not you.” She was more right than ever, regardless of whom you are attracted to why should it matter to anyone else if they’re not the ones dating them.