Many of us view the Confederate flag’s meaning in
different ways. This is much like cultural relativism. So what are we Americans
saying about what the confederate flag represents? Some people are saying that
the confederate flag is a symbol of national sham, slavery, and institutionalized
racism. Supporters of the flag say that it represents their proud southern heritage.
The article I found from CNN is about government free speech versus private
free speech when the confederate flag is displayed. Is the state of Texas implying
that the Confederate flag is a symbol of racism if they are banning displaying
the confederate flag on state license plate? Does this also mean that the
Supreme Court is saying that the Confederate flag represents racism when they allowed
Texas to ban the flag from the state license plate? Or is it, because it offends
some people. I personally don’t have an answer. I’m not for or against displaying
the Confederate flag and I’m completely unbiased. We can just agree to disagree.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Friday, June 12, 2015
Power Corrupts
The old saying “power tends to corrupt and absolute
power corrupts absolutely” by Lord Acton. The article I found is a good example
of how power corrupts. Zhou Yongkang was one of nine men who ruled China. Zhou
Yongkang was recently sentence to life for taking large bribes. As some people
gain power their morality will diminish because, power tends to corrupt those
who possess it. For some people that hold power cannot resist the temptation to
play god. There is a history of men seeking absolute power like, Hitler, Napoleon,
Caesar, Ramses, and so on. There are many leaders that stole money while in
power, people like Ferdinand Marcos, Mohamed Suharto, Alberto Fujimori, Mobutu
Sese Seko, and so on. I believe power reduces the fear of being persecuted and
can they easily get away with wrong doing.
Friday, June 5, 2015
Slavery
I have always believed that slavery
has been abolished until I saw this report from CNN. The United Nations has
report that an estimated 10% to 20% of the Mauritania people are enslaved.
Mauritania was the last country to abolished slavery in 1981 and has made it a
crime to own slaves in 1997. Even though slavery has been outlaw the practice still
exists in secret. The government of Mauritania knows that the practice of
slavery still exist in their country but does nothing to stop it. Not only are
these people force into slavery but they are also being abused by their master.
Slavery is now consider to be universally unethical as all countries have abolished
slavery. Why doesn’t the United Nations or the International Labor Organization
do something to stop this practices? Maybe with some help from everyone,
slavery can be abolished forever.
Friday, May 29, 2015
Dressed for the Occasion
A Pennsylvania mom is threating to sue the
Pennsylvania school board for sexual harassment when a dress code letter for
graduation was sent home. Many people believe that there is nothing wrong with showing
off your body and your sexuality. I don’t think there is anything wrong with it
either. I just think there is a time and place for it. In my opinion I don’t
think going to school in Daisy Duke shorts is professional or appropriate. You
wouldn’t go to church dressed that way. I’m
not saying that all schools should wear uniforms, I’m just saying we should
dress appropriate for the occasion. Some people will say that the dress code
will infringe on peoples freedom of choice. I agree, it probably does. When we
get married we wear tuxedos and dresses, when go for a job interview we wear
suits and ties, and when we go to the beach we wear bathing suites. I agree
that the letter is offensive in the choice of words, but the intent was for
everyone to dress appropriately for graduation.
Saturday, May 23, 2015
Flat Tire
This week I wanted to do something different from bad
news. Most often we only hear bad news of a police officer doing bad things,
but in reality police officers do more good than bad. This article I found in
Yahoo news talks about a mom that was very appreciative when a police officer
ensured that her son would be safe until he could get his flat tire fixed. Joseph
a Virginia Tech student was driving home when he got a flat tire and pulled to
the side of the road. Officer Okes stop to help and ensure that passing vehicle
would see Joseph on the side of the road. Joseph’s mother was so grateful that
she even shared the story on social media thanking officer Okes. These heartwarming
stories can bring tears to your eyes.
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Cheaters
In recent sports even Tom Brady, quarterback for the
New England Patriots was suspended four game for violating NFL’s integrity of
the game. The article I found is titled “Cheaters never win…or do they?” rises
ethical issue concerning cheating in professional sports. All professional
athletes are looked up to as good role models to emulate and do our best to win
and not disregard our integrity to win. Will Tom Brady be forever remembered
for is lack of integrity of the game or for his four championships? I believe
his four championship will always outweigh any wrong doing. Patriot fans will
never believe any wrong doing even when the evidence supports that they have cheated
to gain an advantage. Does the punishment fit the crime? In this case no, the
Patriots are still champions. The patriots only lose Tom Brady for four games
and one million dollars which is mere chump change to the Patriot's
organization. With lenient punishments, cheater will always win.
Norseman, C. (2015, May 13). Cheaters never win…or do
they? Retrieved May 15, 2015, from http://www.dailynorseman.com/2015/5/13/8603337/cheaters-never-win-or-do-they
Friday, May 8, 2015
Stereotyping and Theft
Joseph Rivers was an innocent traveler who fell victim to stereotyping by
law enforcement agents. Rivers ethnic background is African American, was the
only black person on the train that was searched and suspected as being a drug
dealer. Other passengers were only questioned. Why didn’t they ask to search
everyone one the train? This is in no doubt an unfair act by law enforcement
agents caused by stereotyping. From Psychology Today, “If I ask you what a
"typical drug user" looks like, who do you see — a Black person?” (Psychology
Today). Also according to Psychology Today, “African Americans are
disproportionately targeted, arrested, and jailed for drug related crimes.” (Psychology
Today). This clearly indicates that African Americans are being stereotyped as drug
user and dealers.
Rivers also fell victim to a legal process called civil asset forfeiture.
The civil asset forfeiture allows law enforcement agency to seize assets they
believe were obtained by criminal acts without even being charged with a crime.
I believe the civil asset forfeiture is against our four amendment to the
United States Constitution, which prohibits unreasonable search and seizer. This
is a complete hypocrisy, or a paradox of the judicial system and our
constitutional rights. During the search, law enforcement agents discovered
that Rivers had 16,000 dollars cash in his possession. The law enforcement
agents believed that Rivers obtained the money through drug dealing with no
other positive evidences. In reality Rivers earned the money by working and
help from family members, so he could travel to California to fulfil his dream
of producing music videos.
The monstrosity of all the unfairness has now caused Rivers to pause his
pursue of his dream as a music video producer and he has now has incurred legal fee to have
his money returned.
Wing, N. (2015, May 7). DEA Steals $16,000 In Cash From Young Black Man,
Because He Must Be A Drug Dealer. Retrieved May 8, 2015, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/07/dea-asset-forfeiture-joseph-rivers_n_7231744.html
Williams M. (2011, DEC 26). African Americans and
Pathological Stereotypes. Retrieved May 8, 2015, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/culturally-speaking/201112/african-americans-and-pathological-stereotypes
Friday, May 1, 2015
Deadly Dictators, Kim Dynasty
In a report from CNN, the North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un has recently ordered
the execution of 15 of his senior officials. Kim Jong-Un is also capable of
executing his family members. An Uncle Jang Song-thaek who was the
second most powerful leader in North Korea was recently executed. Kim Jong-Un has
become a murderer and a tyrant to his people. The people of North Korea continue
to live in tyranny under the Kim dynasty. Kim Jong-Un has become a product of
his grandfather Kim II-Sung and father Kim Jong-Il. His grandfather is ranked
amongst the deadliest dictators in history, credited with killing of 1.6
million of his people (Escoriaza 2010). These dictators have commit cruel and inhuman
acts towards their own people. According to German philosopher Immanuel Kant “there
is no doubt what evil is: the self-serving choice that individuals make freely,
even when they know full well the moral law they ought to be following.”(Rosenstand
2013). Are dictators above the moral law and do they understand the moral law?
Are people evil, or are they just doing what
they think is best, which benefits some, and not others? No one knows if
a political dictator will be good or evil until they become their leader. And
when they do become evil, the people of their country, needs to stand up to the
moral laws.
Rosenstand, N. (2013). The moral of the story: An
introduction to ethics (7th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Escoriaza, J. (2010, May 4). Top Ten Most Evil
Dictators of All Time (in order of kill count). Retrieved May 1, 2015, from http://popten.net/2010/05/top-ten-most-evil-dictators-of-all-time-in-order-of-kill-count/
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