Well Informed #3- Religion 3.0

When the U.S. Constitution was being written in the 1700's, the Founding Fathers sought to declare what would be some of the most important building blocks for which America would be able to stand on throughout time. These fundamental truths would be what separated the United States from many countries, if not all, around the world. America would be looked at as the promised land, so to speak. Right now in our country, several of these fundamental building blocks are being challenged by members of society and government officials. Among those, religion seems to be the topic everyone has some sort of opinion on.

According to the First Amendment, it states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." This means that citizens of this country are guaranteed the right to worship whatever they wish and they shall not be persecuted because of it. If one wishes to practice religions such as Buddhism and Judaism, they are entitled to do so. This simple idea of worshiping one's God(s) is the very reason why America exists today. The Pilgrims sought to settle in this land after they left their homes due to religious persecution. They wanted a land that would promise them religious freedom.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/first_amendment

In today's society, there has been a massive separation between church and state. Separation of church and state means that the government does not recognize or favor any particular religion/faith over another. If this country was founded on the principle of religious freedom, one religion should not be favored or disfavored any more than the rest of the religions. The idea of separation of church and state does have its gray areas. According to Dictionary.com, it states that the Supreme Court has banded prayers from being said in schools but has displayed Christian Nativity scenes on government grounds. The topic in my mind seems to be nothing close to black and white when it comes to the idea of separation of church and state. 

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/separation-of-church-and-state

Religion to me, no matter the faith one practices, teaches correct principles. It strives to help individuals become kind and loving. It teaches people to strive for what is good in life: to simply be a good person that treats others with love and respect. You have faiths that preach the gathering of saints in church buildings on designated days. There are faiths where individuals practice their beliefs to themselves. No matter the style that is practiced, good principles are being taught and followed. 

I am a very religious person. I was raised in a LDS household and was taught simple principles such as treating others with respect and love. As I have grown older, I made the conscious decision that religion to me was something that made me a better person. When I chose for myself that I wanted to live my life within the LDS lifestyle, it filled a whole in my soul. I served a two year mission in London, England. Since London is the melting pot of the world, I came to to meet wonderful people from all different backgrounds. I spent many hours talking and getting know people within various religions like the Muslim faith. The Anglican faith is the national religion for England in which many citizens associated themselves with. These two religions are just two of many that I came to understand while living among those people. Due to this experience, I have come to appreciate, understand, and love people from different backgrounds with different religious practices. In my mind, I felt that if I wanted to share what I believed in with others, I needed to be willing to listen to what others believed. I am amazed by the amount of similarities various religions have throughout the world. 

Today's society has taught individuals to become offended if something around them is different from what they are accustomed to. If people choose to not believe in a God and or follow any certain denomination that is entirely their choice. I understand and accept the theology of those individuals. If I strive to do that for others, I should have the ability and right to worship in the way that my faith teaches me to do so. People should not be offended when others strive to live by what their religion teaches them. America is a religious free country and should remain that way. Things like removing the phrase "One nation, under God" from our Pledge of Allegiance takes away from what our Constitution teaches us. 

Religion gathers people. Religion teaches individuals good principles. Religion is a constitutional right.   

On the Media #3

Pestilence In A Warming World

Global epidemics have always thwarted planet earth with their ugly faces and disastrous intentions. They sweep across the land bringing panic, sheer horror and ultimately death. The last epidemic that swept across the borders into the United States was that of Ebola. It murdered approximately eleven-thousand people through its short tenure. Now, in 2016, we meet a new face that has disastrous intentions to bring more pain and suffering to humanity. That new face is called the Zika Virus. This virus, like the West Nile Virus, is being transported about by mosquitoes. Yet, the hosts of the two viruses happens to be different types of mosquitoes. 

In the audio clip I chose from On the Media, Bob Garfield introduces the idea that climate change is the root problem for this epidemic breaking loose. He states near the start that due to the earth's climate temperature rising, it is proving to be the perfect breeding ground for the mosquitoes (Aedes Aegypti) who carry the virus. 

Garfield then introduces David Hasemeyer, staff writer for Inside Climate News, who recently spoke about the connection between climate change and the uproar of the Zika Virus. Hasemeyer spoke of the finding of this mosquito back in the year 2013 in Central Valley. He said scientists were puzzled because these mosquitoes were normally found in hot and humid climates. They later identified Central Valley to be an ideal location for these mosquitoes to breed because the temperature there was on the rise and the area was in drought. Bob Garfield, like many others, associate the birth place of mosquitoes to be in pockets of standing water. Hasemeyer agrees with this idea that Garfield has but identifies that these particular mosquitoes were able to populate because humans were storing their water in open containers or barrels and the mosquitoes had access to that water. 

Hasemeyer also made mention of two other diseases that have been thriving due to the rise of our climate's temperature. Those diseases are Lime Disease and West Nile Virus. 

People have become very skeptical in believing the information that has been put forth to the public about climate change. They feel that it is all a hoax and are not sure where to turn for correct information. Garfield asks Hasemeyer to give a credible description from the scientific perspective for the public to believe. Hasemeyer explained that climate change is a key element in the outbreak of the Zika Virus. He goes on to further explain that the Zika Virus needs to be treated as an opportunity to teach the public about the reality of climate change.    

Both issues discussed in the audio clip are real problems that our nation and world are facing. There is a global epidemic with this Zika Virus spreading rapidly throughout the human population. People's lives are at stake and not enough people care to know about what is going on. Issues like this never phase people till it strikes close to home and it may be too late to search for solutions. Climate change is a key element to this spreading epidemic and yet people don't seem to care about it either. This issue has been proven to be real. It’s no longer some made up story told by our government to scare us, but an actual issue that is affecting our way of life. If issues like these don't shake humanity to its core, what will? Apparently disasters like Hurricane Katrina didn't have the effect it should have.

As I wrap up my post, I want to give a few last thoughts pertaining to my feelings in regard to the Zika Virus outbreak. I have come to notice that humanity loves to claim that ignorance is bliss. People love to hind behind the curtain of innocence because they feel safe and can use it as a crutch to avoid knowing what it happening out in the world. The problems we face, like this epidemic, scare people. They would rather live their life not knowing what is going on around them so they can live their lives with no problems and worries. Yet, the world needs people to be aware of what is happening. People need to understand that climate change is presenting new possibilities for diseases to spread, etc. We contribute to the very problem we are scared of. Sooner or later people will come to realize that ignorance is not bliss because all of humanity, sooner or later, will face the problems the world is presented with.   

http://populationgrowth.org/climate-change-here-and-now/

Well Informed #2- Learning 2.0

What is happening to American education? People all across the country are pointing their fingers at a number of different so-called causes to this national dilemma. All I heard growing up was how far behind America was in educating its young people. Countries like Japan and South Korea reigned when it came to having supreme educational standards. They left countries like the United States behind in their wake, not giving them much of a chance to catch up. Is there much that can be done from our point of view to help the aching and suffering school system of America?

As I reflect back on my grade school, middle school, high school, and university years, I find myself imagining specific teachers that I gravitated towards when I attended those specific institutions. I bonded with these teachers because I felt they cared about me and my education. Yes, they had their handful of students, like myself, who they looked out for. Yet, I made certain connections to teachers who I felt where genuine in their teaching and sought to help me get the education I needed. These teachers wanted me to be the next Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Warren Buffet, etc. of the world. When I think of the success I've had so far in my education, I resort back to those teachers and the lessons they taught me.

If there are good teachers/professors out there who care for and do everything within their power to help an ailing student, why does the education system suck? I mentioned earlier that people are pointing their fingers at all sorts of sources for this problem: teachers, funding, lack of interest of students, priorities, etc. These are just a handful of possible reasons why schooling results tend to be withering away. I just want to give my thoughts on a couple of these reasons and share whether or not I believe what is being said.

In an article posted by Forbes.com, it said the reason why so many students struggle in areas like reading and writing is because the teachers teaching them are "not very good themselves."  The author, George Leef, continues in his article by convincing his audience that the requirements and standards to become a teacher are not as high as they should be. He went as far as to say that a good portion of the teachers hired on are near the lower end of the totem pole. Leef then states another problem he found, "But if the product of these schools is so poor, why isn't there any pressure for serious change?" His response to this question taints the appearance education executives by saying they are happy with where they are at and don't want change to come. In Leef's viewpoint, the solution would be to change the standard for those who can teach and those who can't. He references the route Japanese teachers take in order to teach. There are no education degrees. People graduate in specific fields and then seek to try to be an educator. A solution that seems to be working.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/georgeleef/2013/10/24/a-key-reason-why-american-students-do-poorly/#54e9c8d84753

The other possible problem I wanted to address is a lack of interest coming from the students. These thoughts won't necessarily be backed up by articles or facts, but as a current student, I feel I have a smidgen of  credibility. Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to do well in school no matter what. I worked my butt off to earn all the A's and A-'s shown on my report cards. I have wanted and still want to see what I reaped from the my own blood, sweat and tears. Yet, I look at others and I don't see that same will to succeed in school. In middle school and high school, a good portion of kids just desired to get a high enough grade to pass so they could move onto the next grade and play sports. This just wasn't the typical amount of students who struggled with this problem, it was a great deal of kids, who I knew to be smart, but just didn't care for school. Whether their focus was on making as much money as they could or other reasons, I just didn't understand why they did what they did. The importance of education can be taught from all sorts of people: parents, teachers, friends, etc. All someone needs is just an individual who is willing to show a sense of love and commitment to those students.

After I have harped on the education system for the last hour, I desire to share my final thoughts on the topic. I know that this country is struggling when it comes to educating its citizens. Results continue to fall for whatever the reason may be. I know there are solutions out there, but the real question is are people willing to make an effort to fix this problem? Maybe it is as simple as increasing the wages of the teachers, to give them more motivation to perform their best work. Or maybe, the solution is to change to workplace so that educational degrees, and specifically college degrees, have more of an impact when hiring employees. That would require for degree standards to raise, but if one is to have success in real life, effort and hard work are required. Learning is an essential aspect of life. No one can go anywhere or really do anything without it.

#learning

On the Media #2

DETECTING TERRORISM ONLINE RAISES LEGAL QUESTIONS

The War on Terror is being fought on many different fronts. Men and women have been fighting in the Middle East for over a decade, trying to crush the heart of those who attacked us on 09/11. Self-claimed members of radical groups have popped up all across the country committing terrorist acts and making the general public afraid of what could happen to them. Then there is the front which takes place on every electronic device owned in this country. Terrorists have moved the war onto a new battlefield and that field is the World Wide Web. Just as the leaders of this nation have devised plans to counter-attack across the other fronts, they seek to find solutions and strategies to this epidemic that has been started on the social web.

In January, top executives of companies such as Apple and Twitter met with officials from the U.S. Government to discuss the threat of online terrorism. These leaders were aware of the dangers that could and were already happening online. They sought out answers to this complex scenario that the country had found itself involved in. A proposal was made that would allow for the creation of an algorithm that would search the public social sites for signs of those who could be associated with radicalization. To help those who would be tracking the data collection, a sort of "credit score" would be assigned to individuals, indicating where on the threat meter one would reside. This algorithm would be set up to dissect the content of individuals across the country, identifying certain trigger words that would add or take away from one's score. The issue the leaders were finding could be summed up into one question: was it illegal? 

Bob Garfield discussed this meeting between the government and top executives with Karen Greenberg, Director of the Center on National Security at Fordham University School of Law. He begins the interview by asking Greenberg her opinion about whether the algorithm is legal or not and what the government could really do if a threat was detected. She begun by referencing the Edward Snowden dilemma and how the government has already started implementing programs to counter-attack terrorist threats. She continues on to talk about what kind of information the government can gather with or without a warrant. 

Greenberg later identifies what the judicial system has identified as followers of ISIS here in America:  troubled youth who desire to be called terrorists and who want to shed the loneliness they feel. She goes on to state she feels the courts will strive to avoid "laying down the hammer" on the individuals but seek to give them rehabilitation as a way to deal with the radical ideals they have. Yet, when there is always push back against ideas like this algorithm being put into place. She did say the government will not go down without a fight. They, the government, want to maintain this idea of gaining and maintaining control. She finishes by stating if people would be more willing to understand and make good judgments regarding the interpersonal relationships they have, there would be no need for this algorithm. 

In identifying the meaning of this audio clip, I interpreted it be that while the federal government is searching for ways to prevent terrorist attacks, they are looking for ways to gain more power over the citizens they are supposed to serve. It is the same concept as wire tapping American citizens' electronics to gather intelligence. They have a desire to do good and serve, but the way they go about it is unlawful (if considered parallel to the wire tapping issue). There was a solution given to this idea which would eliminate more power given to the government. The solution is that American people need to stick up for their rights and be aware of what is going on around them. If people would simply be willing to understand and seek to develop their relationships, possible threats could be avoided. 

As I listened to this audio clip, I tried to understand both sides of the coins. I wanted to understand what an algorithm would do in helping this country. If the government went about obtaining the information they gather legally, would I be okay with? From the other perspective, do I actually like the government having their meddling fingers in almost every aspect of my life?  There are so many factors that can contribute to the veracity of the story. I would like to think I'd try to make a difference and follow the suggested ideas made mention by Greenberg.

It is difficult to takes sides on such an issue, but I associate my feelings and opinions for this situation to similar thoughts I have about the Edward Snowden scenario. I try to make a fair assessment of whether or not the government would be doing good by putting the algorithm into practice. Yet, do they do it legally? Do they really obtain that many warrants for all the intelligence they collect? I have to say that I side against giving the government the power to operate such a tool. I just see the government inserting themselves to much into my personal life and into the personal lives of those around me. I desire to feel safe when I turn on my computer and not have to wonder if the government is tracking my every move. As an American citizen, I desire to feel free. I want to have the liberty that is promised to me and not be secretly enslaved by an algorithm.