Speaking of Downloading..

After one of the groups presentations on downloading music, I've been thinking more about it. In high school I would download and also a little in college, but now I use itunes. One of my friends just had her whole computer crash, so she took it to get fixed and they had to change the whole hard drive. In doing this they had to delete all her music, pictures, and other downloaded things. When something like this happens it makes me understand more why you would want to download illegally. Who would want to pay for music all over again. I think she has most of her music backed up, so it's ok, but what if you didn't? Also I think that paying for music is good, but there are some artists who have plenty of money, and spend it on cars and mansions. Should we really have to pay them?

Buying Locally

So this is going to be kind of a random post, but I still think it's important. This is one of my favorite times of the year because things are blooming. It's so beautiful to drive around the hills of Salinas and into Carmel Valley. I know strawberries and other fruits are available at grocery stores all year long, but right now is when the season is starting. I recommend checking out local farmers, little stands on the side of the roads always have great produce and you're helping out local farmers. You gotta love the smell of strawberries in your car.

SlingShot!

Lately at work we've been getting the slingshot newspaper, and if you're interested in events that are making a change I definitely recommend it. Slingshot is a totally nonprofit all volunteer ran newspaper that has been coming from Berkeley for many many years. All kinds of really interesting activists write for it, and it lets you know what you can do. It has a calendar of events of different protests that are going on in the area. I'm sure lots of you have heard about it. One thing that I thought was really neat about it is that it delivers all the papers totally free, and the deliveries also go to different jails as well, it seems like a good thing for inmates to be able to read. A lot of great writers working towards social justice.

A Word About Recruitment

I really enjoyed listening and taking part in the last class discussion. Like most people, I believe it is absolutely ridiculous to recruit only certain area's, but at the same time I see why they do it. My friend just signed up for the Navy, because it will pay for his school, and right now it seems like an only option. I'm proud of him for making a decision like that, but I think it's sad that that's the easiest way to get an education. 

The Government needs to put more money in a cheaper education. The cycle is so sad. The more money you have the more of an education you get, so the more likely you are to get a successful job. The less money you have, the less likely you'll get a good education and a successful job. Where does it end? I realize that there are a lot of good scholarship opportunities, but there should be more.

The other thing that stood out to me in class was that one student brought up the point that if there isn't recruitment, than who will go? If not enough people join the army then would there have to be a draft? So if recruitment has to happen, it should be fair, and not just with more poor individuals. Wouldn't it be cool if everywhere an army recruiter was there was also a college recruiter?

I really could not see a draft happening now. I believe any kind of War is horrible. It's one thing for a draft to happen if we're being attacked and war is the very last option, but it is a whole other thing if we're going somewhere else to do the attacking.

Hollywood bringing some awareness..

About a week ago I went to see the new movie Stop-Loss. It's about the military and their right to call back soldiers to war even though their time is served. I was pretty surprised that they put out a movie about the War in Iraq, even when it is still going on. Normally that takes a while, although, it's got a really powerful point. I guess I'm sort of torn when it comes to movies like that. Part of me is like yeah! see how messed up that is? they just got sent back, even though their time is done! The other part of me realizes that it is a "Hollywood" movie, so it's played up quite a bit. And then the last past of me feels like a movie like this really shouldn't be used for entertainment value. This is a real thing going on.

So I researched what a stop loss really is, and HERE is a pretty good article about it.

The article states, "In military terms, "STOP LOSS" means not letting a military member separate or retire, once their required term of service is complete." I really wonder how this is legal? But I think it is all different once it comes to military law.

The next part of the article explains how it works:

"STOP LOSS, on the other hand, means extending a military person in the Guard or Reserves, or on active duty, beyond what their normal separation date would be. Those who join the military agree to this provision under paragraph 9c of the enlistment contract states:

In the event of war, my enlistment in the Armed Forces continues until six (6) months after the war ends, unless my enlistment is ended sooner by the President of the United States.

That, is the basis of STOP LOSS. The Department of Defense maintains that the term "war" means anytime America's Armed Forces are engaged in hostile conflict, and not just "war declared by Congress." Would that stand up in court? We don't know yet, as STOP LOSS has never been challenged in court. However, there are eight Guard and Reserve troops who have banded together to file a class-action lawsuit against the Department of Defense for calling them to active duty, and then keeping them on active duty past their separation date, under the authority of STOP LOSS, so perhaps we'll soon find out."

I'm really interested to see what happens in these new stop loss cases! I feel like if a soldier did their duty, than we should honor them, and not be able to call them back.

Rights and Roommates

For this post I was thinking of telling a personal story that's kind of funny. 

So my freshman year of college I lived with my best friend from high school. For most the year it was really fun, we had a few tiffs here and there, but all roommates go through that from time to time. The town that we are from is super conservative and Republican. So as a Democrat I was so excited to get to be in a new atmosphere. I love that people have different beliefs and different views, I just hate when they won't listen to the other side. I think it's  interesting to hear about all different political sides, and each have strong points.

My roommate was very Republican, and I think missed being in a conservative town. She is one of those people who didn't like listening to opposing views (no cooperative argumentation). Don't get me wrong.. she's very nice and still a good friend; we just don't talk politics. By the end of the second semester we would get in a few more tiffs (it's tough living with two people in a small box room). So one day I came home from class and there was a very large poster of President George Bush on her side of the wall. It was so strategically placed so that it was the first thing I saw when I woke up in the morning.

I know she has the right to free speech, and should be able to put up what she wants on her side of the room, but that was pretty much just lame. It was quite the learning experience, we're still friends, but probably won't live together anytime soon.

Hating on the Internet

The internet can be one of  the most helpful tools and resources people have, but what happens when that tool gets taken advantage of in a negative way? You can find almost anything on the internet, and I mean anything! On one side, it's so great to be able to type in what you're looking for, and find a plethora of information on it. But, on the other side it can be extremely dangerous.

I can remember reading stories in magazines about times the internet was used for hate speech. I read something on a young girl who posted blogs (on myspace or something like that). She used it to talk to her friends, like most people. Then some students who didn't like her started threatening her on the page. They would call her horrible names and make her afraid to go to class. Even when she closed her account they were able to find her normal e-mail address and send letters. I couldn't imagine how scary it would be to find such things in your inbox.

That's just a sample of one girls experience with hate speech, but there are also sites that are filled with a whole group portraying their hate against something.

Click Here: to read an article on how the web can fuel hate speech.

The article discusses groups that can show their intolerance to minorities. One of the biggest online hate threats is to the Jewish community, and other minorities alike. It really scares me that there are actually websites and chatrooms where people can release all their hate. The article says there are even games one can play that are filled with violence and hate to a minority.

I know that even hate groups have a right to free speech, but when hate speech turns into hate crimes, where can we draw the line?

Censorship

So I've been thinking about some of our last class discussions on censorship, and I find myself really torn at times. When discussing issues surrounding pornography arise my initial reaction is do what ya want, you have the right, and if you enjoy it and aren't hurting anyone else then what is the problem? 

It's really tough though when magazines have pictures of women in their underwear or men in a speedo, with a sexual look on their face, and that magazine is being displayed in a local store like target, or even a grocery store. To be honest, if I had children I wouldn't want them to see it. That might be censoring my children, but seeing a woman or man with a "perfect" body would put ideas of what is beautiful in a child's mind.

I wonder if there is way that people can be as creative as they want, but at the same time not imposing that creativity to people who would rather not see it. Having sections for magazine's that might not want to be seen by children seems to work out well.

I find myself going back and forth on these issues.

Movie Ratings

Inspired by our most recent class discussions I decided to investigate more on movie ratings, and how they figure it out. One thing that was the most interesting to me was, even an NC-17 rating is not considered "obscene" or "pornographic." NC-17 movies can be really sexual or violent, but still aren't obscene. So then when does a film become obscene? I think it's when the entire film is pure sexual content.

Here is the rating system (to view the website it's from CLICK HERE):

A G-rated motion picture contains nothing in theme, language, nudity, sex, violence or other matters that, in the view of the Rating Board, would offend parents whose younger children view the motion picture. The G rating is not a “certificate of approval,” nor does it signify a “children’s” motion picture. Some snippets of language may go beyond polite conversation but they are common everyday expressions. No stronger words are present in G-rated motion pictures. Depictions of violence are minimal. No nudity, sex scenes or drug use are present in the motion picture.

A PG-rated motion picture should be investigated by parents before they let their younger children attend. The PG rating indicates, in the view of the Rating Board, that parents may consider some material unsuitable for their children, and parents should make that decision.

The more mature themes in some PG-rated motion pictures may call for parental guidance. There may be some profanity and some depictions of violence or brief nudity. But these elements are not deemed so intense as to require that parents be strongly cautioned beyond the suggestion of parental guidance. There is no drug use content in a PG-rated motion picture.

A PG-13 rating is a sterner warning by the Rating Board to parents to determine whether their children under age 13 should view the motion picture, as some material might not be suited for them. A PG-13 motion picture may go beyond the PG rating in theme, violence, nudity, sensuality, language, adult activities or other elements, but does not reach the restricted R category. The theme of the motion picture by itself will not result in a rating greater than PG-13, although depictions of activities related to a mature theme may result in a restricted rating for the motion picture. Any drug use will initially require at least a PG-13 rating. More than brief nudity will require at least a PG-13 rating, but such nudity in a PG-13 rated motion picture generally will not be sexually oriented. There may be depictions of violence in a PG-13 movie, but generally not both realistic and extreme or persistent violence. A motion picture’s single use of one of the harsher sexually-derived words, though only as an expletive, initially requires at least a PG-13 rating. More than one such expletive requires an R rating, as must even one of those words used in a sexual context. The Rating Board nevertheless may rate such a motion picture PG-13 if, based on a special vote by a two-thirds majority, the Raters feel that most American parents would believe that a PG-13 rating is appropriate because of the context or manner in which the words are used or because the use of those words in the motion picture is inconspicuous.

An R-rated motion picture, in the view of the Rating Board, contains some adult material. An R-rated motion picture may include adult themes, adult activity, hard language, intense or persistent violence, sexually-oriented nudity, drug abuse or other elements, so that parents are counseled to take this rating very seriously. Children under 17 are not allowed to attend R-rated motion pictures unaccompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Parents are strongly urged to find out more about R-rated motion pictures in determining their suitability for their children. Generally, it is not appropriate for parents to bring their young children with them to R-rated motion pictures.

An NC-17 rated motion picture is one that, in the view of the Rating Board, most parents would consider patently too adult for their children 17 and under. No children will be admitted. NC-17 does not mean “obscene” or “pornographic” in the common or legal meaning of those words, and should not be construed as a negative judgment in any sense. The rating simply signals that the content is appropriate only for an adult audience. An NC-17 rating can be based on violence, sex, aberrational behavior, drug abuse or any other element that most parents would consider too strong and therefore off-limits for viewing by their children.

Day of Silence

This past couple of years I've learned a lot about the LGBT community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender). One really important event that takes place for this community revolves around a day of silence. We think of free speech as voicing our thoughts and opinions. When I picture protests I see men and women with a megaphone yelling encouraging words, as the crowd cheers. Sometimes police get involved and a protest gets violent. We've seen people hit and physically moved from their place of protest. We've seen protests where two sides argue, yell, and sometimes get violent. But what about the times when no one says anything? What about silence?

I encourage you guys to check out this site so you can read all about the group that helps to put on the day of silence.

Day of Silence

The silence that people practice here is to raise awareness and protest the silence that many LGBT are faced with. People are faced with oppression, prejudice, and hatred. It's also to fight homophobia in schools. Anyone who supports this cause vows to a day of silence and hands out cards when they want, or when someone tried to talk to them. 

The cards says:Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights. People who are silent today believe that laws and attitudes should be inclusive of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. GLSEN'S Day of Silence is to draw attention to those who have been silenced by hatred, oppression, and prejudice. Think about the voices you are not hearing. What can you do to end the silence?

I believe that CSUMB puts on this event, I read online that one of the upcoming days for it is April 25, but I'm not sure if that's totally correct. I will try to find out to let everyone know!

A day of silence is such a strong form of protest. I feel like if I walked up to a person I knew to say hi and they handed me one of these cards, it would make me really think and be an extremely powerful act. It would also motivate me to join in and be a part of this amazing thing! Sometimes practicing silence is one of the strongest rights we have.

A lil story for ya

With all the readings we've been doing lately it's made me think about evolution, and how or if one should go about teaching it. I personally think it's a very interesting theory, and would be beneficial to learn about, even if you choose not to believe it. With some people it's not that simple. So here is my evolution experience. My sophomore year of high school the biology teacher has evolution on the syllabus, so we knew it was coming. One girl was very serious about her Christianity faith and was determined to prove the teacher wrong. She came to class with papers all about the issues of evolution and the opposing side with facts. Before the teacher had a chance to say more than three words, the girl started her debate. The teacher didn't handle it very well either. She interrupted the girl and rudely said something a long the lines of she could try as hard as she wanted but she was the teacher and knew more than girl. I think she even said something like sit back little girl and try to learn something. Pretty ridiculous. Obviously, neither of these two were going to learn anything from one another. I understand that we all have a right to our opinions, but why not be willing to look at the other side? One might believe in the story of creation, but isn't it interesting to learn about other ideas? Even in school sometimes we learn about other religions, and I think we should appreciate all these different ideas, and learn. The debate over evolution is complicated and there are a lot of views.

So that's just my experience, and thoughts for now :)

Citizenship

After reading chapter 3 in the book Outspoken, I've gained more perspective on the idea of free speech. Margaret Randall is a very talented auther with strong opinions that she has a right to speak about. The part that stuck out to me the most was when she talked about how if you want to be a citizen somewhere else you must give up your American Citizenship, and then they wouldn't let her get it back, mostly because of the things she wrote about and said against the government and policies in America. I can't imagine how it would feel to talk into a room and see all your work spread out in front of you, then be questioned about why you wrote what you did. First of all, to have to answer why you think a certain way isn't fair, and then to have it held against you, is pretty ridiculous. She must of felt intimidated, but now she should feel so brave for standing up for her rights. There are definitely limits to free speech, especially when it makes the government look bad.

July 4th, 1798

When we think of July 4th, we think of Independence and Freedom. As years pass.. we also think about fireworks and barbeques. But it is so important to remember how we earned those "fireworks." I've always thought of it as this glorious day! But the article we read for class "Order Vs. Liberty" by Larry Gragg, made me think a little bit differently about it. It also made me think history classes in highschool need to be improved. I learned how, yes we did celebrate freedom from Britain, but at the same time passed the Seditition Bill, preventing the publishing of statements that would hurt the government by being scandalous or false. By doing this I think it also made people really careful in everything they wrote, worry of it being taken the wrong way. This goes against the First Ammendment, and I'm thankful it's not like that anymore. It makes you think a little bit differently about all that went on on that July 4th.

The Safety Zone!

One thing that I really enjoyed talking about in our seminar yesterday revolved around the idea of a "free speech zone." We discussed how the free speech zone at school is in front of the DC in the main quad. They can regulate what we choose to protest, so my guess is if you wanted to protest something about CSUMB, it wouldn't be allowed. The idea of free speech being limited is very knew to me. I always assumed we could voice our opinions virtually wherever we wanted. The video I attatched is of a group of students that are protesting their right to free speech. Their school put up a fence blocking them from the trees, and making it the spot where they can voice their opinions. My question is if they have gone too far by jumping fence and "trespassing." Can you really arrest these students for speaking out and protesting?

Click to see video!

I couldn't figure out how to directly add the video, but I really recommend watching it, it's very interesting!

Church and State

After reading the introduction of the Outspoken book, it made me wonder how someone censors when it comes to the difference of church and state. If we have the right to free speech, how does that right disappear if church has the power to "claim censorial powers official or divine," (Levinson 3). It really is just a battle over who holds the control. And when is censoring appropriate? And when is it really just over the line? An example is how some private schools only teach abstinence in their health classes. They censor out ideas of birth control in case students choose not to abstain, which really just leaves students uninformed, but they have the right to do it because it is a private school. Public schools seem to have a little bit more of an option when it comes to teaching health. I'm interested in learning more about where the line is drawn. If it were simple, we could just say everyone has an equal right to free speech, but there are many more factors than we think about.