Class Colors

Class colors are for some reason a very huge issue. Why is it that kids were so frustrated by the change of colors? The fact that kids and factuality started to talk about how legally they can’t do it is pathetic. All the students and factuality new that the students were going to wear their class colors. I believe that the reason they were leaning towards the red and grey sprit wear was because of hazing. Although shouting "freshman bedtime" is stupid and pointless it’s pathetic that people take offense to it. When I heard that chant I never thought anything of it. Society and people have become way too sensitive. People need to lighten up and just embrace the experience. I was told that its unfair that people were looking forward to wearing black for four years, if that’s true than you should probably be thinking about other things.  

Burning the Flag

Recently we talked about the importance of the American Flag. When immigrants come into America and see the red, white, and blue flag flapping in the wind it represents something more than the people of America it represents freedom and opportunity. This is why I don’t understand why people think it’s a good idea to burn the flag. Burning the flag is disrespectful and a gutless act. You’re destroying something that represents something bigger than yourself, your destroying the symbol of hope. To many the American flag represents a loved one fighting for their country, or the idea of freedom. If you have something against what the people in the government are doing don’t show your opinion in such a disrespectful act. There are many ways to show your passion other than burning the flag. If you don’t like living in the United States then you have the option to leave. I believe the flag is the single most important symbol. Burning the flag is the most disrespectful thing you can do to the people and the beliefs of the United States.

Speech Code

The actions that were accounted for at Auburn University were discriminating and the punishments that were distributed were right. These types of actions should be outlawed and banned from campuses. What they did was hurtful and lawful. Kids should not have the right to display raciest beliefs and flaunt them in public. What was conserved as funny should not be allowed on any campus or any ground. America is said to be equal and a land of opportunity, these kids were showing that we are still not yet equal and we should punish the racism that was displayed.  People should not be allowed to display these kinds of acts because it is raciest and condescending. The sad truth is that there is a lot of racism still left in this country no school wants to be known for  that, and laying down strict punishments will hopefully help people from displaying it on campus.

The University of Missouri does have policies on freedom of speech most of which are very respectable. Although I believe that they could use room for improvement at least. One of the policy that was not present was one about sexual harassment. I honestly do not feel uncomfortable nor do I have any worries of being sexual attacked physically or verbally but I do believe that this could be a problem for women. I understand that it is a possibility I could be affected, but having visited college 99% of the verbal abuse is performed by males. Most of the verbal joke is made for good fun, but college students can quickly take a simple joke overboard, therefore I believe more restrictions should be made to help the students of the college.

None of the restrictions or lack of restricts persuade my view on the University of Missouri. With the rules that are made I don’t believe that many students will abuse there right of freedom of speech. The rules and regulation don’t lack much, and will allow for a great atmosphere. They don’t shut down anything that will prevent people from supporting their opinion, and they restrict enough rights to allow the actions to become overboard.

The University of Missouri I believe would not allow the actions of the Auburn students to go unpunished. If they ever found out about what was going on, I believe the fraternity would face strict punishment and legal actions would take place. They would do what is necessary to earn the trust and dignity back of the community, and I would support there decision.

FIRE is a very respectable institution that is doing the right thing to support the students at different universities. Not many people that I know of know what FIRE is, but I think what they are doing is great and I support their beliefs. They believe in serving justice and creating equal rights for all students and I agree with them. Fire has a very strict definition of speech code although I believe it should be looser I also agree with what it stands for. Their codes are only harmful to you if you’re the one performing the wrongful acts; otherwise they are just trying to protect the kids and employees of the universities.

FIRE is a great organization that all colleges and universities should look into. It helps the people of the community and is only there to protect their rights. Many kids especially now days need restrictions and I believe they have a great idea of what is right and what is wrong. Many people walk a fine line and FIRE prevents the abusive ways.

Judicial System

Recently in Deerfield and Highland Park we have had tragedy’s that have hit the hearts of the community. Two weeks ago in Highland Park an 18 year old girl driving under the influence hit a family of 4 killing the little daughter. During the summer two Deerfield students tried to arm rob someone’s house at 7:00am in the morning using a stolen firearm. The gun that was stolen had no ammunition, but it was stolen in the attempt of hurting someone. I am not supporting the decision the two kids made from Deerfield but I don’t understand how both these kids can spend up to 100 years in jail, but the girl that killed a 1^st grader will only spend at most 14 years. She was under the influence and should be convicted in manslaughter. The kids from Deerfield never caused any physical harm to the family or any property. This makes me raise the question is there something wrong with our judicial system? To put this in terms of the media a couple years ago a football player named Plexico Burress shot himself in the leg by accident and went to jail for 2 years for not having a permit on the gun, but another football player ran over and killed a man walking home, the man who killed an innocent citizen spent only 2 months in jail. You would think Burress, who shot himself, inflicted enough pain on himself. Why is that we don’t punish people for killing? Our judicial system is not benefiting from allowing these things to happen. We need to really rethink our punishments because these decisions do not make scenes.

Should Abortion Mean So Much

Today the United States of America is 16 trillion dollars in debt, so why do we focus on small details like abortion. I agree woman should have the right to get an abortion and there should be some controversy on it, but people’s feelings on abortion should not make or break there candidacy. We should truly be focusing on their tax plans and the way they are going to get us out of debt. We are in a great recession that needs fixing. In some cases when people state their feelings on abortion it has killed there chance at becoming a president or a candidate for an election, and I believe the only reason that abortion is such a big deal is because the media takes a small story and makes it into a controversy. We all act like the Medias puppets and give into everything they tell us to believe. If voting I would not let abortion persuade your opinion but rather the way the candidate will represent your state country out community.

Are Athletes Good Role Models?

In the United States professional athletics is a multibillion dollar business and have hundreds of icons. Whether it’s the NFL, MLB, NHL, or the NBA athletes can’t stay out of trouble. In the NFL alone 14 different players got DUI’s in the off season. Why is it that our athletes and our icons can’t stay out of trouble? Millions of kids look up to these athletes, and not many set a good example for the kids. Whether it’s Sammy Sosa taking steroids or Allen Iverson being charged with assault athletes everywhere is struggling and have been struggling to stay out of trouble. When my Father was growing up athletes were still American icons but they weren’t making 20 million dollars a year, they were just playing for the love of the game. My Fathers childhood idol was Gordie Howe of the Detroit Red Wings and even though Gordie was the face of the organization in the summer he would work on the farm just to make ends meat. He never had to play hockey he never asked for the fame but he embraced it and set an example for kids to look up to. Now day’s backup kickers make enough to buy a mansion. Personally I don’t have a problem with an athlete making a lot of money as long as they earn it, and give back to the community, and accept that they need to make smart decisions. As a huge hockey fan I can say Jonathan Toews fits the perfect athlete. Toews is an amazing athlete and leader for the Chicago Blackhawks. Toews stays out of trouble works hard and gives to the community. He has his own charity called the Toews foundation where he gives donated hockey gear to inner city kids that cannot afford it. In my mind he is amoung a few athletes around that will inspire the next generation.