http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28415602/
New research provides information that adolescents who take an abstinence pledge as part of a program are just as likely to have premarital sex AND they are LESS likely to use protection.
I, of course, support abstinence. It is still, and as far as I can tell, the only form of 100% always safe sex.
However, especially after this study, I cannot support abstinence-only programs. To me, NOT stressing the importance of protection could be just as detrimental as no sex ed whatsoever.
Our country is supposed to be one of the greatest in the world. Let's try our best to act like it.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
English, the Greatest Language in the World
During a segment on Lou Dobbs, Governor Matt Blunt, (R) Missouri, on a state constitutional amendment making English the language of all governmental meetings:
“The public discussion and public votes, those will be in English, that’s the language that Americans use to follow democracy.”
Ok, I know it makes sense to use English in government because that’s how we’ve been doing things for generations. But following democracy does not become like climbing Mt. Everest just because of a language barrier. The Governor said there were reports that council meetings were being held in another language. Oooook. Evidence? Be more descriptive? Until proven otherwise, I’m assuming he means that people were speaking in Spanish. Most people can at least say “hello” and “yes” or “no” in that language. Spanish-speakers have lived and worked in this country for a very long time and hearing said language should not provoke intimidation. I also have a problem even believing that a legitimate, open town council meeting was being held entirely in any language but English. Perhaps there was a portion held in another language so the hard workers of the town (citizens or not) who are employed by American citizens could understand what was going on. That may not have been the case, it could have been any other language(s), but I can’t help but imagine.
Now, to his credit, the Governor did say that making English the official language of the state did not mean that people could not have translators. But still, as smoothly as the Governor spoke and composed himself (unlike his presidential candidate) I think the amendment a bit unnecessary and boorish. I have no problem with Missouri conducting all governmental meetings in English, I wouldn’t assume otherwise, but worrying that democracy will not be followed because another language is being spoken, well, unfortunately for the Governor, the best word I can use to describe such an amendment is mal-educado.
“The public discussion and public votes, those will be in English, that’s the language that Americans use to follow democracy.”
Ok, I know it makes sense to use English in government because that’s how we’ve been doing things for generations. But following democracy does not become like climbing Mt. Everest just because of a language barrier. The Governor said there were reports that council meetings were being held in another language. Oooook. Evidence? Be more descriptive? Until proven otherwise, I’m assuming he means that people were speaking in Spanish. Most people can at least say “hello” and “yes” or “no” in that language. Spanish-speakers have lived and worked in this country for a very long time and hearing said language should not provoke intimidation. I also have a problem even believing that a legitimate, open town council meeting was being held entirely in any language but English. Perhaps there was a portion held in another language so the hard workers of the town (citizens or not) who are employed by American citizens could understand what was going on. That may not have been the case, it could have been any other language(s), but I can’t help but imagine.
Now, to his credit, the Governor did say that making English the official language of the state did not mean that people could not have translators. But still, as smoothly as the Governor spoke and composed himself (unlike his presidential candidate) I think the amendment a bit unnecessary and boorish. I have no problem with Missouri conducting all governmental meetings in English, I wouldn’t assume otherwise, but worrying that democracy will not be followed because another language is being spoken, well, unfortunately for the Governor, the best word I can use to describe such an amendment is mal-educado.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
No Reservations
Anthony Bourdain:
Chef turned celebrity-chef who gives it his all not to make fun of Rachael Ray and Rocco DiSpirito every 15 minutes and even then it’s just not good enough. Host of the Travel Channel show “No Reservations” which I can’t get enough of. In a nutshell he travels around the world [without having to learn a lick of the language spoken in that country] and meets with in-country hosts to try the regions best food. The one-hour show is a fun and enlightening view of places I have never seen and may very well never see in person. Most of all, it’s about food and travel, perfect combo.
Bourdain appreciates eating barefoot almost as much as he loves eating pig and drinking beer. As strange and true as this description is, it’s not even appropriate to share the kinds of things I would sacrifice for that man. Of course I’m obsessed with him; he’s the older guy, the restaurant-type, the writer, the world-traveler. And most of all, the bad boy. Alas, the bad boy. Like a Batman band-aid, it seems so bad-ass, not matter how old you are, but then, of course, it doesn’t last and disappoints you and you realize you should’ve ripped it off and tossed it into the bottom of the dumpster yesterday. And even though we see this coming, it’s as though we feel we NEED to make this bad decision to rack up some life experience. We flip the switch of common sense to “OFF” and realize when it’s too late that we’ve totally cut the power! Or, so maybe it’s just me.
Or WAS me. Not anymore, I’ve racked up enough “life experience” in that department and my diploma is signed by the Deans, me and God. I have received many compliments from girl friends of mine who say they wish they could be straight-forward like I am, or not be bothered by certain things, or just tell a guy what I think. And I appreciate that, because I’m glad the girls who care about me approve of such qualities. But those are not easy to always uphold and even a girl who is straight-forward still WISHES the guy would call her. Yup, that jerk who screwed her over 2 weeks ago and then again last week. But temporary is not worth your time. YOU are worth your time. And someone else will be, the right person. Someone who will understand that he must EARN it and who will know that all relationships are partnerships.
GUYS: ALL relationships are PARTNERSHIPS. That includes friendships. I can name a handful of guys who I was once great friends with whose names now make me roll my eyes. Not [necessarily] because they met some other girl (or got married), but because I felt disrespected on a constant basis, even at a friendship level. My current incessant distrust of men stems from friendships with males going sour. It goes beyond that but roots grow deep and it takes more than one person to get to the bottom.
I don’t hate men and I love all my friends, male and female. But what I used to take with a grain of salt, I now take with a tablespoon. Or a whole sack. Or two.
Oh, you thought this would be about some celebrity-chef obsession? So did I…
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Music Rave Numero Uno
Even though I wasn't supposed to eat it (story for another day), my fortune cookie last week said "Your love of music will be an important part of your life." My last fortune before that said "You will have a party," so how'm I gonna be skeptical? But I already agree, music is a big deal in my life. If you know me, you know my car stereo is gonna be playing R&B/hip-hop or something in Spanish 99% of the time. And if you really know me, you know I love me some mid to late 90's music. I've got to MOVE, or I at least have to FEEL it. You bring an artist to me and I promise I will not diss it before I hear it. But that's just FYI, I digress. I like sharing music that I love and after doing so and having discussion about it with friends recently, this is just to share about an artist I love and to share some tracks I love.
A-a-l-i-y-a-h.
Fly female R&B artist, cool demeanor, always positive (check out interviews and videos), determined, and accomplished. Died young, 22 years old, in an accident no one could have predicted, and with a life that only continues to bring positivity to others. I would never ask for more in an artist. I don't have "idols" but she's the closest I would have in my past, besides the elementary days of falling in love with JTT and Brad Renfro (RIP). I could talk about her and that style of music for days. I could also get into deeper thoughts and emotions regarding her music and her death but a public blog is not my way of doing that. Last thing is that I think it's important to note that much of her music that I love was produced by Timbaland. But anyways, here are some tracks I like, from her as well as some other artists. ENJOI:
One in a Million Album:
"Hot Like Fire"
"One in a Million"
"A Girl Like You"
"Choosey Lover (Old School/New School)"
"Got to Give It Up"
"Everythings Gonna Be Alright"
"Ladies in da House"
Self-Titled Album, Aaliyah:
"We Need a Resolution"
"Rock the Boat"
"More Than a Woman"
"I Care 4 U"
Others:
"Are You That Somebody?"
"Up Jumps da Boogie" - Timbaland, Magoo, Missy, Aaliyah
"Make It Hot" - Nicole Wray and Missy Elliott
...more music to come
A-a-l-i-y-a-h.
Fly female R&B artist, cool demeanor, always positive (check out interviews and videos), determined, and accomplished. Died young, 22 years old, in an accident no one could have predicted, and with a life that only continues to bring positivity to others. I would never ask for more in an artist. I don't have "idols" but she's the closest I would have in my past, besides the elementary days of falling in love with JTT and Brad Renfro (RIP). I could talk about her and that style of music for days. I could also get into deeper thoughts and emotions regarding her music and her death but a public blog is not my way of doing that. Last thing is that I think it's important to note that much of her music that I love was produced by Timbaland. But anyways, here are some tracks I like, from her as well as some other artists. ENJOI:
One in a Million Album:
"Hot Like Fire"
"One in a Million"
"A Girl Like You"
"Choosey Lover (Old School/New School)"
"Got to Give It Up"
"Everythings Gonna Be Alright"
"Ladies in da House"
Self-Titled Album, Aaliyah:
"We Need a Resolution"
"Rock the Boat"
"More Than a Woman"
"I Care 4 U"
Others:
"Are You That Somebody?"
"Up Jumps da Boogie" - Timbaland, Magoo, Missy, Aaliyah
"Make It Hot" - Nicole Wray and Missy Elliott
...more music to come
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