Many things have changed over the past year, some for the good, while others are still changing for the worse. We live in an age where people are starting to be more accepting, and great “change” is happening, but if things are all supposed to change for the better, then why are the hate crimes against gays and religious groups steadily increasing?
Hate crimes based on sexual orientation have increased 11% and hate crimes based on religion have increased 9%. Just recently, Congress added anti-gay and anti-gender related offenses to the list of hate crimes, which is a major victory for the United States gay community.
More than half of all hate crimes are religious based and over 2/3 of those malicious crimes are directed towards Jews.
Among all categories of hate crimes, about one third are vandalism or property damage, while 30 percent involve intimidation of any kind, and another 30 percent were physical attacks.
Our society has become extremely racist towards Muslims since 9/11, and now that the United States has an African American as president, racial oriented groups such as the Ku Klux Klan and the Council of Conservative Citizens have seen a dramatic increase of interests from possible new members.
Why is this world so focused on shunning those away that are different? Why must people act upon impulse and hate others that don’t believe in the same things they do. Why should gays have any less rights than straight people? Are they really that different than us? People should get to know the person before committing malicious and demeaning hate crimes against them, chances are they have never done anything to personally hurt you, so why hurt them?
Monday, November 23, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
AIDS
AIDS is a disease that infects more than 1.2 million and kills 23,000 North Americans in 2007 alone. Africa has the world’s largest population of AIDS infected people, more than 22.0 million people suffer from this horrible disease and 1.5 million people die from this horrible disease. The first case of AIDS in the United States was reported in June of 1981 and since then every 9½ minutes, someone in our own country is infected with HIV.
AIDS is the final and most serious stage of HIV, HIV is a virus that attacks and weakens the immune system. AIDS stands for 'acquired immune deficiency syndrome' and stems from the infection of HIV. Once someone is diagnosed with HIV they wait until they develop AIDS can be either a very short time or up to 15 years.
President Obama’s Fiscal Year says that the government will give an estimated $25.8 billion for combined domestic and global HIV/AIDS activities. Federal funding for this disease has increased greatly throughout the epidemic and the disease is getting the attention it needs through many organizations and sponsorships such as the Gap brand (Product) RED. Since (Product) RED started a few years ago they have raised over $22 million to help fight HIV and AIDS by buying iPods, T-shirts, watches, cologne, and other various branded items. RED contributions have built more than 33 testing and treatment centers and have given enough medicine to help thousands of people. Helping fight this disease is easier than ever by simply buying the (Product) RED iPod rather than the blue one or buying an inexpensive tee-shirt. By doing these you will save lives and help make a difference in the world.
AIDS is the final and most serious stage of HIV, HIV is a virus that attacks and weakens the immune system. AIDS stands for 'acquired immune deficiency syndrome' and stems from the infection of HIV. Once someone is diagnosed with HIV they wait until they develop AIDS can be either a very short time or up to 15 years.
President Obama’s Fiscal Year says that the government will give an estimated $25.8 billion for combined domestic and global HIV/AIDS activities. Federal funding for this disease has increased greatly throughout the epidemic and the disease is getting the attention it needs through many organizations and sponsorships such as the Gap brand (Product) RED. Since (Product) RED started a few years ago they have raised over $22 million to help fight HIV and AIDS by buying iPods, T-shirts, watches, cologne, and other various branded items. RED contributions have built more than 33 testing and treatment centers and have given enough medicine to help thousands of people. Helping fight this disease is easier than ever by simply buying the (Product) RED iPod rather than the blue one or buying an inexpensive tee-shirt. By doing these you will save lives and help make a difference in the world.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Pakistan Suicide Bombers
On October 20th, suicide bombers attacked an Islamic university filled with foreign exchange students in Pakistan's capital. The bombers ruthlessly killed four students. It is apparent that the killing was done as retaliation on the Taliban and al-Qaida stronghold near the Afghan border. The bomb hit in a cafeteria at the International Islamic University and 30 seconds later, they attacked an academic building. In addition to the four people who were murdered by the bombers, 22 people were wounded and reports say that the two attackers were also killed. Authorities said they believed it was the work of revolutionaries in the northwest.
These are not the first suicide bombings and attacks against the Taliban. Terrorism is all over Pakistan, militants have killed over 175 people in a sequence of commando-style raids and suicide bombings. On October 5th, Five UN World Food Program workers were killed during a suicide bombing by a man dressed in military uniform. Four days later, on October 9th, a suicide car bomber killed 52 people and wounded more than 100 civilians in a crowded city. There have been many other attacks in Pakistan, in the month of October alone hundreds of people have been murdered in suicide bombings.
These are not the first suicide bombings and attacks against the Taliban. Terrorism is all over Pakistan, militants have killed over 175 people in a sequence of commando-style raids and suicide bombings. On October 5th, Five UN World Food Program workers were killed during a suicide bombing by a man dressed in military uniform. Four days later, on October 9th, a suicide car bomber killed 52 people and wounded more than 100 civilians in a crowded city. There have been many other attacks in Pakistan, in the month of October alone hundreds of people have been murdered in suicide bombings.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
New Navy Ship Honors 9/11 Victims
The USS New York, the newest navy ship, has been docked in New York City through Veterans Day then it will head back to base in Norfolk, Virginia. The $1 billon ship is made with 7.5 tons of steel derived from the wreckage of the World Trade Center. The USS New York has a crew of 360 people and its main mission is to carry Marines and is able carry an entire battalion and their equipment which includes a 38-ton amphibious assault vehicle, landing craft and an MV-22 Osprey aircraft. This ship weighs over 25,000 tons and is as lenghty as two football fields. Etched onto the crest of the ship are the words “Never Forget” along with a phoenix rising from the twin towers. The ship set sail past the World Trade Center on Monday and thousands of New Yorkers including firefighters and police officers who responded to the attack were welcomed aboard. Many family members of 9/11 victims gathered to witness the beautiful ship dock and it was truly an emotional sight to witness.
Avenue Q Review
The Tony Award winning musical Avenue Q has been traveling around the United States on their national tour and has recently made their stop in Providence, Rhode Island this past October. Avenue Q is based around Princeton, a college graduate who moves to the big apple, New York City with big dreams and a tiny bank account. He soon learns that the only neighborhood within his price range is the run down neighborhood of Avenue Q. Princeton makes friends with his quirky and different neighbors and with them he tries to find his purpose in life.
Avenue Q has been on Broadway at the Golden Theatre since July 11th, 2003 and performed their final Broadway performance on September 13, 2009. The musical is now being performed at the Off Broadway theatre, New World Stages. Avenue Q is a truly hilarious musical, though despite the fuzzy, Sesame Street-esque characters the show discuses mature content and is not recommended for children.
Avenue Q has been on Broadway at the Golden Theatre since July 11th, 2003 and performed their final Broadway performance on September 13, 2009. The musical is now being performed at the Off Broadway theatre, New World Stages. Avenue Q is a truly hilarious musical, though despite the fuzzy, Sesame Street-esque characters the show discuses mature content and is not recommended for children.
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