Emotionless Obama. Emotionless Man.

 Recently, news about a tearful speech Obama made after being reelected has been circulating all over the web. Why did this speech gain so much coverage? According to USC Annenberg News, Obama shed tears by saying, "What you guys have done means what I have done means what I'm doing is important, and I'm really proud of you. I'm really proud of you."To read more click here Why did Obama receive so much attention about a speech where a tear was shed? 

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    Throughout our history it has been looked down upon and a sign of weakness for men to "cry or show emotion". In our society we have adopted this idea of men and these ideas are not only ridiculous, but also should be a concern to us. Our nation has come to define strength as being cold and disconnected, both of which are characteristics a President should not display. The president needs to be connected and approachable. I think by crying, Obama can be seen more as a human-being, rather than an emotionless-being. 

 What do you think? Do you think president Obama should show more emotion? In general do we have a skewed view on how we see men and emotions? 

Goodbye Hostess

  If you walk into any grocery store in the country, you'll find frantic costumers stripping the shelves of all hostess products. Five days ago Hostess announced that they would be filing for bankruptcy after they laid off 18,500 workers and closed 33 bakeries nationwide. In response to bakers union strikes from employees across the country, Hostess had no choice but to file for bankruptcy as they had no options to solve the strike. CEO Gregory Rayburn said, "We deeply regret the necessity of today's decision, but we do not have the financial resources to weather an extended nationwide strike". 

  The closing of this company will take a toll on the country as thousands of jobs are lost and according to CNN Money, "Hostess had annual sales of about $2.5 billion". 
  As products are limited across the country, many people have started to sell Hostess products on Ebay for up to $3000, which I think is crazy. I was never a Hostess fan, so I will not be upset with their departure. What do you think? Are you sad Hostess is going out of business? 

Dogs Violating Fourth Amendment?

     Recently, there has been many class discussions about civil liberties. A recent controversy has sparked much debate if dogs are violating the 4th amendment of rightful searches and seizures. Many DEA and police officers walk around with dogs trained to detect drugs. The U.S. Supreme Court has faced two cases in the state of Florida involving police sniffing dogs. According to the New American, "Each dealt with the question of whether the use of drug-detecting canines to obtain probable cause for a subsequent search is itself an unreasonable search and a violation of the Fourth Amendment".To Read More, Click Here.  

      If a dog smells drugs, wouldn't that create probable cause to search someone's house, car, or suitcase? What do you think? Do drug enforcing canines violate the fourth amendment? 

Legalizing Marijuana: Good or Bad?

   As many Americans anxiously watched the news to see who would be the new President elect, another topic sprang to subject. For the first time ever, two states, Colorado and Washington, legalized Marijuana. Marijuana (for the few that don't know) is a dry shredded green and brown mix of flowers, seeds and stems derived from the Cannabis plant. 

   While this new law has been set in place for only two states, many others will probably follow as they see the benefits that legalizing marijuana could have. Colorado and Washington could bring in up to 21 million dollars annually. Also, Marijuana "sales will require a license from the state department of revenue and will be taxed to fund school construction, at a rate of up to 15%", Time Magazine reports. To read more click here.  
   Only time will tell to see how this controversial drug will change these two states, but for now do you think marijuana should be legalized? 

Hurricane Sandy: Menacing Monster

Hundreds of thousands of people have started to evacuate the East Coast as Hurricane Sandy is moments away from approaching some of the most densely populated cities in the country. According to the National Hurricane Center, "We’re going to have a lot of impact, starting with the storm surge; Think, ‘Big’ ”. Winds are reaching 75 miles per hour and are being sustained for long periods of time. 60 people in the caribbean have lost their lives from the Hurricane. 1.1 million New York students are not going to school tomorrow and 70 public schools are being used as hurricane shelters. 

    Many of New York public transportations systems will not being running and the New York Stock exchange is closing the floor--For the first time in almost three decades. To read more, click here.  Before Hurricane Sandy strikes, I pose two question, do you think they are taking protective measures too far and how do you think this will compare to Hurricane Katrina?  All comments are welcome. 

4th Time's a Charm?

    As the third presidential debate came to an end last night, Candy Crowley followed the paths of Martha Raddatz and Jim Lehrer. All three moderators have had trouble keeping the candidates in line as they debate their way to presidency. The first debate was moderated by Jim Lehrer and many were upset with him for not intervening and letting the Governor and President "run" the debate. Conservatives were upset with Martha Raddatz as she has had previous connections with Obama and last night, According to the Washington Post, "Republicans pilloried moderator Candy Crowley for her attempted litigation of who was right and who was wrong when it came to how and when the White House had labeled the Benghazi attack in its immediate aftermath."To read more, click here. 

   Why is it that all three moderators have had issues on controlling the debate? Some say it is virtually impossible to be a moderator. When I was watching the debates I noticed that the candidates would answer the questions they wanted to answer, and not the questions that they were asked. Also, they ignored the alloted time they were given and spoke on their own terms. Do you think that people should be focusing so much on how the moderators do? Or should we just focus on what the candidates say and ignore the moderators performances? 

Case Closed: Lance Armstrong Doped

Armstrong holding up seven fingers to mark his seventh
 Tour de France victory.

     A man with cancer that spread to the lungs and brain, beat all odds and won seven consecutive Tour de France titles. A cancer foundation founder raising millions for cancer research. Many have looked up to him as a hero beating all life obstacles. This man is Lance Armstrong. Recently, however, Armstrong was accused of "doping" and has been stripped of all titles and banned from professional cycling. According to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, Armstrong had the most “the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen".
     26 people confirmed his drug use and testified. The report included financial payments, e-mails, scientific data and laboratory test results. According to the Washington Post there was “conclusive and undeniable proof” that Armstrong, used, possessed and distributed performance-enhancing drugs. To read more, click here.

    In response to riders coming forward with information, Travis Tygart, CEO of USADA said, “in some part, it would have been easier for them if it all would just go away, however, they love the sport, and they want to help young athletes have hope that they are not put in the position they were: To face the reality that in order to climb to the heights of their sport they had to sink to the depths of dangerous cheating.”
    Armstrong used EPO, testosterone, and blood transfusions throughout is momentous career. For now Lance Armstrong is seen as a liar and cheater in the eyes of America, but in ten years or so, do you think he will be remembered as the man who doped or the man, against all odds, beat cancer and won seven tour de france titles? All comments are welcome.