Policy Papers

Policy papers were due this week. I just turned in my final binded copy. I am very happy to have finished with it. It was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I was afraid to type thirty pages worth a paper but it was sort of a breeze. I attempted to make sure that I continued to do every section of it when it was due. Completing every section at a time, made it much more easier for me. The hardest part of the paper was placing everything together and going to get it binded. My binded booklet came out pretty thick in width but it did not cost more than $5. I really do not enjoy typing papers but It is something we all have to do in class. It is apart of school. I learned a little more about my topic. My topic was Equal Employment Opportunity. I did not think that I would find much information on it but it turns out the EEOC plays a major role in our society. In this day and time, people still have their personal opinions and these opinions may not be as pleasant. Job discrimination can be considered a serious crime. The EEOC protects individuals on the job or applying for a job against those who have rude, bias opinions of other people. The EEOC makes it fair for everyone to attain a job or work in a tense free environment. Even though I did not want to write the paper, I did learn a little bit more about the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Blood, Sweat, and Diamonds (Blood Diamonds-Required Reading)

I just finished reading the article "Blood Diamond." The article reminded me of the movie "Hotel Rwanda." The movie really shook me up and I was completed disturbed after watching it because it was something that happen. This article gave me that same chill. When I was become aware of the blood diamond situation, I was watching rapper Kanye West's video "Diamonds are Forever." The video gave a little exposure into the tragic siutation in Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone is rich in diamonds. After watching so many stars with beautiful jewelry, I think about the innocent children who lost limbs and body parts because of diamonds. I think about the innocent children forced to fight in the wars or had to die because of it. The rebels in the war would launch attacks on people from Sierra Leonea during the 1996 elections in order to scare them into voting against and they could then control the diamond mines. They would cut of hands and feet of people and even small children and infants. The rebels would even cut off civilian's hands and feet. The war also caused many people to move from their homes. More attention has to be set into this situation to save innocent people.

Pass the Bill Please!

I am really happy to know the Health Care Bill passed. It is truly a accomplishment and little hope for this country. Sitting back and listening to the debate on health care, it sounds as if some of us are still in Kindergarden. I think people who have a problem with healthcare, have it and really do not care if anyone else has it. So it seems we are teaching people to share with others or be considered of others. One of the topics that was holding up the bill was abortions. Im not against or for abortions. I think it is wrong to have them but then again who am I to judge someone one else for a decision that they make. This bill was very important and I am proud to be apart of this history to see it pass. The bill is historic and not all because it was a black president that helped push it. But because it was something that this country needed. The bill came through with the House voted 219 to 212, and "urprisingly" with no republican votes. This bill passing just showed me that it is hope for anything. If one stands faithful and determined in what they fight for, anything can happen. Working in a nursing home, I learned the effects of what not having health care can do. There are plenty people in this country suffering and its not their fault. It is plenty of families, children, and the elderly that need help.

Posters, Posters

Today was the offical due date for Poster # 3. By taking a look at the posters, everyone did a great job with their posters. I really thought my poster came out nice, I also became lucky on getting some colored ink for my pictures. So my pictures on the posters really popped. The hardest task was placing the information on the poster. I always fear that the words on my poster will not be able to be seen, so I am careful of how much information is given on the poster. I try not to decrease the font to much. The poster this time mostly focused on our topic in the class. I most know the answers to the questions for the poster. We also had the opportunity this time to peer review each other's posters. Every student had to peer review on at least four posters. The people who I chose to review, had mostly great posters. Every student has a flaw here and there. The next poster is the last poster, I am pretty excited about that. I hope that this last poster can top the rest of my other posters. I was happy this time to find a place closer to print my poster, going to Montgomery was hard on gas.

Evictions-Required Readings

I read the NY times article, "A Sight All Too Familiar in Poor Neighborhoods." When I first show the picture of the woman standing next to her belongings that were placed on the side of the street, it was difficult to look at. I think placing someone's property on the side of the road is harsh. I think there should be laws in place to handle evictions better than how it is now. People mostly do not pay their rent because they simply do not have the means of doing so. But placing someone's whole life on the side of the road like trash can be heart wrenching for the person being evicted. It can be extremely hard for anyone to lose their home, especially to eviction. Home is suppose to be a place where peace and love dwells. Eviction is something that is common for most cities, as in this article. In the article, around 25 occupied homes are evicted each year. With black communities it is one in fourteen. Black women from large neighborhoods make up thirteen percent of that. Blacks and hispanics appear to make up the most in evictions. Typically the issues targets black women. People who are unable to pay for the rent, have seeked help in assistance. Sometimes the threat to losing a home can lead to depression and perhaps families spliting up.

Just Briefly...

During the last few weeks there has been a multitude of work that has to be done. The greatest project right now is the policy paper. The policy paper takes some work to perfect. My biggest struggle with the paper is trying to get the paper right as a whole. The next assignment that was due the last class was a worksheet about a social problem. The class was divided into two groups. The groups were all to come up with a social problem that meant something to them. My group social problem was geared toward dog fighting. I did not know much about dog fighting until the whole incident with Michael Vick. I was watching one of his shows which airs on BET, and he was explaining how they would treat the dogs. It was horrible to listen to it. I think that with this assignment, I will be able to learn a little bit more about dog fighting.

Political Institutions-Chapter 9

The two senators are Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions. Alabama’s representatives include Rep. Jo Bonner, Rep. Bobby Bright, Rep. Mike Rogers, Rep. Robert B. Aderholt, Rep. Parker Griffith, Rep. Spencer Bachus, and Rep. Artur Davis. Alabama Governor is Bob Riley. “The Alabama House of Representatives is comprised of 105 members. Each member represents a district of approximately 40,000 people. The members of the House are elected to four-year terms. Members of the House must be 21 at the time of their election, and must have been citizens of Alabama for three years, having lived in their respective districts for at least one year immediately preceding their election.” (House of representatives. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.legislature.state.al.us/house/house.html.) The Governor’s website was appealing and provide videos to watch along with great information.

The websites that I research were interesting. Every website provided great information and resources. Senator Shelby website included area of missing children from Alabama. I also saw an area of the listing of colleges in Alabama. Senator Shelby had an area for bill information and it gave information on how a bill becomes a bill. There was an area to send the Senator an email. Senator Jeff Sessions had a more appealing site. His site featured videos, pictures, legislative resources. Senators Session provided headline news around Alabama and as Senator Shelby, Senator Session can be contacted through email. I found the senators websites to be more appealing and informative. I had a small problem finding the Representative pages at first.

Richard shelby. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://shelby.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactSenatorShelby.EmailSenatorShelby
Jeff sessions. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://sessions.senate.gov/public/
U.s. senate. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.senate.gov/g House of representatives. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.alabama.gov/sliverheader/Welcome.do?url=http://www.house.gov/ eneral/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=AL
House of representatives. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.legislature.state.al.us/house/house.html