Please forgive me; all my words are falling short

Rosa Parks

2005-10-27T11:15:00.000-04:00

Rosa Parks passed away this Monday, October 24, 2005. Millions are remembering her and her influence across the nation. On December 1, 1955 she refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama. Rosa Parks’ simple action of maintaining her seat on the bus sparked a bus boycott that lasted three hundred and eighty-one days and caused Congress to declare segregation laws unconstitutional. Rosa Parks inspired many to stand up for their rights regardless of any fears that they may hold. I think it is amazing that to this day this woman is not forgotten and remains in the minds and hearts of many people. This past Wednesday, October 26, 2005, more than two hundred people marched through Montgomery, Alabama in memorial of Rosa Parks. I can think of no better way to commemorate this woman's life and life's work. I only hope that Rosa Parks remains in the hearts of these people for years to come since the reach of her work is still extending to today’s generations and will continue throughout tomorrow’s.

Halloween Precautions Taken Across the Country

2005-10-26T12:00:00.000-04:00

With Halloween approaching, the nation is going wild over what to do about trick-or-treating and sex offenders. Across the country, sex offenders on parole or probation are being given one night curfews, restricted from Halloween festivities including family gatherings, and some even have to attend a four hour educational program on Halloween night. Mostly all were told not to answer their doors to trick-or-treaters if they knock. After the amount of crimes committed this past summer throughout the country by known sex offenders, the country is bracing itself for Halloween night. Personally, I feel that this is a good thing. Finally, someone is stepping up and doing something proactive toward the prevention of sexual offense against children. While these steps are in collaboration with Megan’s Law, which is considered unconstitutional, I say “So what!” You shouldn’t be touching children in the first place. I don’t understand why sexual offenders have such little sentencing and most are released into the community again. We need tougher punishments and consequences for sex offenders.

Body Worlds at the Franklin Institute

2005-10-18T22:01:00.000-04:00

I think that the Body Worlds display at the Franklin Institute is an interesting and creative way to learn about the human body out of the traditional classroom setting. I was outraged at the rejection of the anatomy classes’ request to visit this display by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Apparently, they feel that the display is immoral. Is it maybe as immoral as what happened to the remnants of St. Teresa of Avila’s body upon her death? For those who don’t know Saint Teresa of Avila’s story, she was a prominent figure within Spain. When she died all the little towns within Spain wanted her body to be buried in their town. To satisfy everyone, they sent a piece of her to everyone to be buried within their town. In other words, they chopped up her perfectly intact body, since she died of natural causes, and sent the parts across the country. I think that scenario is just as immoral as the Body Worlds display being available to anatomy and biology students and majors at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

Should Congress pass an amendment eliminating the limit on presidential terms?

2005-10-17T21:27:00.000-04:00

Should Congress pass an amendment allowing presidents to run for more than two presidential terms? Americans need to seriously consider the advantages and disadvantages, or pros and cons, of this groundbreaking attempt. If a president is allowed to run for more than two consecutive terms, an advantage would be that efficient presidents could be kept in office. Presidents like both Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt, Kennedy (circumstances permitting), and Clinton. These men would have the time needed to fully accomplish their political ideas and goals for the good and improvement for the American society, economy, and country. The down side, or disadvantages, to the unlimited number for the amount of terms a president can hold office would include the possible development of a tyranny or dictatorship. While the people would be choosing this, since the president would still have to be elected by the people, the candidate could have developed friends within the Electoral College over the course of his years and they could ensure his reelection. As previously stated, Americans need to carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of an unlimited number on presidential terms. The previous were just a few examples of the effects of this possible amendment.

What's wrong with gay marriage?

2005-10-12T09:20:00.000-04:00

Within recent years, gay marriage has been in the media more than ever. Massachusetts became the first state to allow gay marriage to be legal as well as recognized. The Church has been up in arms over actions promoting homosexuality. While the Church does not necessarily condemn homosexuality they do not support acting upon one's homosexual feelings. Basically, if one is homosexual, one should outcast themselves from the world of love and romance and just form close friends, nothing more. A dictionary definition of marriage is wedlock; also found: the state of being married. If this is true, why should it be strictly secluded to a man and woman? Why should two men or two women not be able to enjoy in the same happiness as a married man and woman? Why are people so quickly to condemn this, when this is something that is good? As American law currently states, Americans would rather kill an unborn child, since abortion is legal, than allow to people to find happiness because they are homosexual. I see this as America choosing an evil over a good.

Intelligent Design- Should It Be Taught?

2005-10-10T19:18:00.000-04:00

Should intelligent design be taught in a classroom within a public school? I do not think that intelligent design should be taught in a classroom within a public school because it crosses the line of separation between Church and State. While teaching intelligent design does not call for anyone God to be the true God and the creator of heaven and earth, it still calls for a creator. The notion of a creator hints toward a God and therefore religion enters the classroom. I think intelligent design is appropriate for a psychology, philosophy, or a government class but not at all appropriate for a science class. An intelligent design lesson is not appropriate for a science class because there is no evidence that points toward a creator, other than the factors of evolution, and the belief in a creator would not be the same as belief in evolution- it would be faith.

Grand Jury Release of Sexual harassment within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia

2005-10-04T18:51:00.000-04:00

Okay, I go to a Catholic school. I have gone to a Catholic school for the past twelve years of my life. I do not know anything else. I would honestly feel weird if I did not have to attend a religion class as part of my day; however, I am sure I'll be able to make the transition in college. How do I know this? I know that I will be able to adjust because my need for religion class originates from routine. There is no hiding the fact that I am not a profound Catholic. I cannot even say that I know one; well, besides my religion teacher but that is beside the point since not even the priests are devout Catholics. Why should I give up an hour of my life every Sunday when a man who has been “chosen by God” to be His Son on earth is actually a child molester? Honestly, when someone can answer me that, I will seriously reconsider my statements but until then this is where I stand. Maybe I paid too much attention to the DaVinci Code but what else can you say when you find out priests that performed your First Holy Communion have been discovered molesting boys? I reiterate the word performed because that’s exactly what these priests had been doing, performing. Do not misunderstand; I do know that there are true priests out in the world and my heart goes out to them during this troubling time within the Church.

Harriet Miers to Replace Sandra Day O'Conner

2005-10-03T20:14:00.000-04:00

What a surprise, Bush appointed a friend to replace Sandra Day O'Conner. He replaced the most influential woman in the judicial system with a friend, a friend that lacks the experience one might add. Not only did he appoint a friend that is not a judge, he chose a friend that helped to cover up his DUI during his first term as governor in Texas. While, yes, she did donate $1,000 to Al Gore's presidential campaign, it makes no difference now since Gore isn't president, Bush is. Bush is continuously surrounding himself with friends by appointing them to high government positions. I want to know why he needs this protection. One would think that Bush would somehow learn the first time it backfired in his face when he appointed a mutual friend that lacked the experience for the task at hand to a high government position. Apparently, he did not. What would one really expect? It's Bush.