Let's See How You Feel After Starring at This for a Few Hours

http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/03/08/texas.sonogram/index.html?hpt=T2

The above article discusses a bill that was passed in Texas that forces mothers seeking abortions to look at an ultrasound of their unborn child before they can make the final decision to have an abortion.

This is just wrong. I imagine most women that go in to have an abortion are there because they have no other options. They see an abortion as the best decision they could make for their fetus and for their self. To force them to look at an ultrasound and listen to a description is like adding guilt to a woman that probably already feels terrible.

Sadly, there is a second part to the bill that makes the situation worse. The video stated, "The House measure requires 24 hours to pass after the ultrasound before a woman can have an abortion, while senate version allows just two hours." Either way, this new bill will only hurt the woman seeking an immediate abortion. These lawmakers obviously want the ultrasound picture to marinate in the mind of the woman, in the hope that it will change it.

A lot of people are unaware of the situation that many women find themselves in. Some women who seek abortions have been victims of rape. Some are too young to even support their self, let alone a baby. But people are so concerned with decreasing the rate of abortion, they can't see how in some cases it might be the only option.

I am aware that some people are uneducated about what an abortion actually is and does to the fetus. In that case, those people should be taught the facts, procedure, and possible consequences of having an abortion. It is wrong to scare woman with fear tactics and guilt trips.

A Different Perspective: The Baptist Church in Need of New Eyes and Ethics

http://cnn.com/video/?/video/us/2010/10/07/am.seg.snyder.funeral.protest.cnn

I watched this video twice and both times there was one quote that stood out to me. It was given by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and it stated, "the protesters weren't breaking any laws."

Thinking about it legally, she is right. The protesters did not legally do anything wrong. It was in their rights to be at the funeral and express how they felt about American soldiers going to war. The father of the victim even stated, the protesters that were there in favor of the United States Army were welcomed, but the ones opposed to it, should have stayed away.

I don't think this is a question of what is legal or illegal. This is a question of what is ethical and unethical. And it was unethical for the members of the Westboro Baptist Church to stand outside of a funeral for a U.S. Solider, holding up signs that said "God hates America" and "America is doomed".

No matter what the law says we, as members of the same society have an obligation to respect the privacy and feelings of other Americans, especially in times of grievance. Margie Phelps, Atternory for the Baptist Church, Said, "When you have a public funeral and you broadcast to the nation that that dead solider is a hero, and that God is blessing America, we will be there and tell you, God is cursing America. It is a curse for your young men and women to be coming home in body bags. And if you want that to stop, stop sinning."

As entitled as she is to her opinion, I cannot agree with it. To think that because it was a public funeral the members of Westboro Baptist Church had the right to interfere with the services is an absurd thought.

I understand it is hard to step into someone else's shoes, especially when strong beliefs are the underlying factor causing actions. But imagine if this was a public funeral for a member of the Westboro Baptist Church and as the services were happening, an Atheist ran into the church and shouted, "This man is lying. There is no heaven," with a sign that said "Six Feet is as deep as it gets." Everyone would find this act to be inhumane.  

If I was the father or mother of the young solider that died, I would definitely seek justice for what occured at the funeral. It is not about freedom of speech. It is about crossing a line, and allowing yourself to interupt such a sacred ritual with negativity. And as members of a religious group, the Westboro Baptist Church should have understood this.

I'm Going on my Cellphone Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lVHZZG5qvw

A few months ago, I went without a cell phone for almost a half of a year. During that time I felt detached from everything and everyone in my life. Because of that feeling, I spent much more time on the Internet trying to find any way to stay connected.

In today's society, technology seems to be everything. I cannot imagine living in a world without my iPhone, Kindle, or laptop. I rely on these gadgets to help me fall asleep, wake up in the morning, remember important dates, and everything in between.

Photo Taken From Google.com

I would have to agree with the above video and say it is an addiction. In several psychology classes that I enrolled in, an addiction was defined as anything that delayed or prevented a person from partaking in necessary every day activities. As mentioned earlier, I can no longer even fall asleep without the use of some technology. Even worse, before I can make any purchase I must search the web for reviews to ensure that I am making the right decision.

Outside of my own personal experiences with technology, any where you turn you can see someone driving and texting or a student paying more attention to their phone than class discussions. These are definite signs of an addiction. There are times it seem as though what is happening on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, or Instagram is more important that what is occurring right in front of us.

Photo Taken from Google.com

It becomes reason to worry when  people can sit in the same room together and be more preoccupied with handheld devices than the other people in the room. Conversations circle around when a text is received or a notification is delivered. During that time the room is almost completely silent, except for the periodic beeps of a new message.

There should be a day in which everyone turn their cellphones off and leave all their devices at home. We need to relearn the basic concepts of face-to-face communication. The only way to stop an addiction, is to realize that one is present. This is my realization point.