Fraternity Hazing

I would usually chose to write about politics (in which case I'd probably write about the re-election of Bush), but I saw this on the internet and found it interesting. As a recently iniated member of a fraternity, hazing is a widely discussed topic. Hazing, or making someone do something they do not want to do, is common among SOME campus fraternities. However, at North Carolina State University, the Sigma Phi Epsilon is being accused of a hazing incident. http://newsobserver.com/news/story/1839333p-8158086c.html This marks the 3rd fraternity at North Caroline State to be accused and suspended do to rumors of hazing. The two fraternities preceding the Sigma Phi Epsilon to be accused of hazing are Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Delta Sigma Phi.

2004 ELECTIONS

There I was....sitting in the booth voting in the 2004 elections. I quickly filled in the circle confirming my Republican vote for George W. Bush and then I began to read the other catagories I would place my vote in. Suddenly I figured out I had no idea about any other people running for any other office. I was familiar with a view names I saw (ie. Cleaver and McCaskill), but aside from that I had no idea who I should vote for. I decided to vote totally Republican, but had I made the right decision? I drove back to the dorms and asked other people about the elections and how they voted. I asked one of my friends about how they voted and they replied, "I voted Democrat because I want to see Bush out of office." I heard another girl in the cafeteria say, "I didn't know who to vote for so I just picked all females." So I guess I wasn't the only one really confused about who to vote for. As a young adult (and part of the future of America), I feel we should be informed about the candidates and the issues involving our cities, states, and country. I've heard the President candidates discuss their issues numerous amount of times, but I never once heard the issues of the Mayoral candidates for Kansas City. As a country, it should be a priority for everyone to be more informed about who to vote for so the wrong people don't get put into the wrong positions.

GO BUSH!!!

¡Necesito una vacunacion, ahora!

Many Americans are traveling far and wide for this year's scarce flu shots, some even crossing the border to Mexican border towns. The story, http://news.yahoo.com/fc?tmpl=fc&cid=34&in=health&cat=influenza, reports some Americans are going across the Rio Grande river to by flu shots and other drugs, at up to 60% off the retail prices. The U.S. supply of flu shots is very limited whereas the demand is extremely high due to contamination fears that lead to the closing of a factory that supplies many vaccines to the U.S. Personally, I think it is unfortunate that United States citizens have to go to such great lengths for a vaccine. Vaccines, and other medicines, should be readily available and for all citizens, but when people have to travel to other countries to get these vaccines at discount prices, there is a problem. Not only is there a shortage on these vaccines, but the prices are often outrageous. In a society that prides itself on "having the best and most of everything", we are lacking when it comes to the wellness aspect.

Bush, Kerry, or Neither?

As the Presidential election of 2004 nears, the hype about the election increases. The debate tonight (Friday October 8th) is another example of the hype. As I watched the debates, with most of the members of my fraternity, I honestly saw the same situation over and over. First Bush saying what he promises to do if elected in the next elections, and then Kerry opposing and then talking down upon Bush's comments and plans. Now, I understand there should be trash-talking...I mean, afterall this is a debate. But the level of trash-talking at the St. louis debate was more than I have seen during other debates. As I watched, I saw Bush physically becoming angry, as well as Kerry putting in his own remarks. (For more information about the debates for those of you who did not watch them, go to this website: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/10/08/politics/main648157.shtml) The deal is: the debates should not be about how much the candidates can talk against eachother. but rather what they will do. I want to know what my future president will do for me and my country, and not whether or not he believes in his opponents views. Hopefully the next debate I watch will be more informative and less of trash-talking.
After viewing the debates, I will say I favor Bush's plans for the upcoming Presidential term (although I don't fully agree with 100% of his plans). We will see how the next elections go...and as of now (via CBS.COM) the polls are: tied Bush 47% and Kerry 47%. (To view the CBSNEWS.COM polls visit http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/10/04/opinion/polls/main647342.shtml)

Round 2...

After reading an article about this topic and trying to do this blog several times...every attempt failing...I'm going to try this again. My topic of exigence: Mary-Kate Olsen. Of course everyone has heard the ongoing story about her "anorexia" or "cocaine" problems...but I think this is too far.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/eo/20040923/en_celeb_eo/14997
A retailer made shirts that said "Save Mary-Kate" and included a picture of the "sick" Mary-Kate Olsen. The topic of Mary-Kate's disorder has been in and out of the news and I think the whole story has gone too far. She obviously had a problem, whether it be an eating disorder or a drug addiction, and the fact that the media/t shirt designers are feeding off of an illness is unbelieveable. Granted, Mary-Kate is in the public eye, but the t shirt designers that designed the crude shirts shouldn't of designed them. Mary-Kate's problems are HER own problems, not anyone elses problems. She obviously needed professional help for her problem/addiction and the fact that a company is making shirts about someone's weekness was unnecessary. I honestly can't believe people/a company would prey on an innocent disturbed teenager like that. I don;t think the shirt is funny or tasteful, and instead mocks the problems of a young lady. Whats next for this and other t shirt companies?...?

Definition of Terrorism

Terrorism-

As defined by The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, terrorism is, the unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons. Yes, terrorism is the use of physical violence against another group or people or government usually politically motivated, and it is also the emotional and psychological damage that follows in the path of terrorism. As seen in the past few years regarding the unnecessary war in Iraq, both sides, Iraq and the United States, both used emotional and psychological tactics in their combat against each other. Both sides of the war used tactics such as imprisonment, starvation, and public humiliation as well as the physical tactics used such as physical combat.
In general, the public tends to believe terrorism only exists via Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries. In reality, terrorism is a world issue that even exists within our country. Such events of terrorism in the United States include the Oklahoma City bombing and the many acts of terror against abortion groups.
To make a long story short- What I'm trying to get with this definition is that terrorism is much more than the conflict in Iraq spurring from the attacks during September 11th. Terrorists exist throughout the world (such as the terrorist group that held the civilians captive in the Russian school) and the terrorists that even exist here in the United States.