It is just Marriage

Jake McQuiggan

Third Paper

It is just Marriage

 

                Growing up, we are told to “treat others the way you want to be treated”. Unfortunately as we get older, we begin to hate what we don’t understand. Gay marriage has been a huge topic for the past few years as homosexuals fight for their right to marry. The federal government has passed laws to prohibit gays from marrying and from receiving marriage benefits. I think this is wrong and goes against homosexual’s civil rights.

                The Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, (Pub. L. 104-199, Sept. 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 2419) is a federal law that denies federal recognition of same-sex marriages and authorizes states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages licensed in other states. DOMA was passed out of the fear that a lawsuit in Hawaii would force that state to recognize same-sex marriages. Under the U.S. Constitution's Full Faith and Credit Clause (Article IV, Section 1), states are expected to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. Therefore, Congress was alarmed at the prospect of a gay or lesbian couple being married in Hawaii and then going to another state and expecting that state to recognize them as legally married. In addition, Congress did not want to grant same-sex couples the same federal benefits that are given to heterosexual couples who are legally married.1.Basically, the government has not banned marriage but it has not legalized it either. The DOMA act specifically targets homosexuals in a cruel way.

                The text of DOMA is very brief and contains only two provisions. The first provision states that no state, territory, or Indian tribe shall be required to legally recognize a "relationship between persons of the same sex that is treated as a marriage under the laws of another state, territory, or Indian tribe." This language tells these jurisdictions that the Full Faith and Credit Clause has no application to same sex marriages.1.

This means states legally do not have to allow gay marriage. I think that either gay marriage needs to be legal in the country as a whole or not at all. Having it legal in individual states will cause issues if people want to move from the state in which they were married. I also feel like it divides the country and causes tension between the states. Marriage between heterosexual couples is nationally recognized wherever you go. Having gay marriage be recognized on only on a state level is not fair. It makes it so that gay marriage is less significant than that of a traditional marriage.

The second provision directs the federal government to follow a definition of the word marriage that means "only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife." Likewise, the word spouse is defined as a "person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife." These definitions are meant to preclude a same-sex couple that has been married in a state from being eligible for federal benefits such as married Income Tax status and Social Security survivor benefits. In effect, DOMA bars federal recognition of same-sex marriages through the use of these definitions.1.

                DOMA also denies homosexuals benefits that heterosexual spouses would receive such as income tax and social security. This includes gay couples that are married in states that have legalized gay marriage. It is very idiotic that gay couples can only be married in specific states and do not even receive benefits after they are married. Being married entitles the couple to receive benefits and to be recognized by the government. If the government would allow them to marry but not allow them the same benefits are straight couples, then what was the point of letting them marry in the first place?

                With the growing support of gay marriage, I do not understand why the government will not go ahead and legalize it once and for all. Over the past eight years, every U.S. state has increased in its support for same-sex marriage, with an average increase of 13.6 percent, and if the public opinion trends continue at the same pace, eight additional states will be above 50 percent support by the end of next year.2.  I think the people of this country know that eventually gay marriage will be legalized and have accepted that .A LifeWay Research study released in March found that nearly two-thirds of Americans believe legalized same-sex marriage in the U.S. is inevitable.2.

                Knowing someone personally who is gay or lesbian appears to be an important factor in how Americans feel about the issue of same-sex marriage. While two-thirds of Americans with a close relationship to someone who is gay or lesbian think same-sex marriage should be legal, most without such a close relationship don't think so.3. Those who are not close to homosexuals do not understand what they go through and how they can be treated. Though the gay marriage debate has been in the media for years, most of the people who oppose gay marriage refuse to listen to the argument of homosexuals. I think most people practice a religion that causes them to disagree with the concept of gay marriage. Until a change can happen within the church, a change cannot happen in the people. I think some people may oppose gay marriage to appease the people around them such as family and friends.

                The poll suggests the extent to which people's views have changed. Thirty-three percent of Americans who now think same-sex couples should be allowed to legally marry say they once held the opposite view. When asked why they changed their minds, one in five volunteers that personally knowing someone who is gay or lesbian was the deciding factor (20 percent). Other reasons mentioned include being more tolerant now (17 percent), more educated now (17 percent), or that is the modern way of thinking about the issue (12 percent).3.

                Changing of the times and education has really helped people to see the bigger picture and support what is right. As people befriend gays they realize they are not bad people and view them as equal. The times are changing people are not as old fashioned as they used to be.  Within the past hundred years, African Americans and women have gotten the rights that they disserve. This has helped change the times and spread more tolerance among the people.

                Overall 53 percent of Americans think it should be legal for same-sex couples to marry, while 39 percent say it should not be legal.3. The government should listen to the voice of the people. Since the majority of the country agrees with gay marriage, the government should have no choice but to get rid of DOMA.       

                Homosexual couples want the same rights and benefits as that of a heterosexual couple. But only the people can spark a change within the government to make things right. Getting rid of DOMA would bring peace to the people and settle the dispute that has split a nation. As the people change so does the government, and the time for change is now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source cited

 

1) http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Defense+of+Marriage+Act+of+1996

 

) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/06/gay-marriage-support-williams-institute-_n_3029197.html

 

3) http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57576249/poll-53-of-americans-support-same-sex-marriage/

Poll analysis by Sarah Dutton, Jennifer De Pinto, Anthony Salvanto and Fred Backus

Family

Jake McQuiggan

Second paper

fam·i·ly

 

The word normal is defined as “conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected”. So many couples these days are interracial, age gaped, multicultural, gay and straight, that a normal couple is hard to define. With divorce, adoption, surrogates, and artificial insemination, a normal family is just as hard to define. I think that any person or couple should be allowed to have a family regardless of their sexual orientation. Whether a person is gay or straight, it does not hinder their ability to raise a child in a health and caring environment.

                Sometimes people are concerned that children being raised by a gay parent will need extra emotional support or face unique social stressors. Current research shows that children with gay and lesbian parents do not differ from children with heterosexual parents in their emotional development or in their relationships with peers and adults.1. I think that even though a child is raised by a gay couple, they would still receive the same love and affection as they would with a straight couple. Most kids these days grow up with divorced parents or only one parent and they turn out like kids raised by parents who are together. Gay parents would just mean that a child would have two dads or moms, just like some kids with divorced parents who have stepmoms and stepdads.

                Divorces have been proven to have negative psychological effects on a child and there are more divorces these days then there are gay families. One out of every two marriages today ends in divorce and many divorcing families include children. Parents who are getting a divorce are frequently worried about the effect the divorce will have on their children. During this difficult period, parents may be preoccupied with their own problems, but continue to be the most important people in their children's lives. While parents may be devastated or relieved by the divorce, children are invariably frightened and confused by the threat to their security. Some parents feel so hurt or overwhelmed by the divorce that they may turn to the child for comfort or direction. Divorce can be misinterpreted by children unless parents tell them what is happening, how they are involved and not involved, and what will happen to them. Children often believe they have caused the conflict between their parents. Many children assume the responsibility for bringing their parents back together, sometimes by sacrificing themselves. Vulnerability to both physical and mental illnesses can originate in the traumatic loss of one or both parents through divorce.4.

                I believe that a divorce can affect a child more than it would to have gay parents. At least if they had gay parents they would be in a stable home and not have to go back and forth from parent to parent. A child needs two people to care for them at the same time regardless of sex. If their parents do not live together or do not get along, then the child will never learn what a truly loving environment is and how a family should be.

It is important for parents to understand that it is the quality of the parent/child relationship and not the parent’s sexual orientation that has an effect on a child’s development.1. A child will understand they will have two moms or dads and that it is a little different from of the other kids, but that will not change their sexuality. A person is either born gay or straight and nobody can tell them otherwise. Whatever sex the child is attracted too is based on the child. If parents could change their child’s sexual orientation then more straight parents would try to stop their child from being gay. You cannot change what someone is attracted to and how they wish to live their life.

                Children growing up in same-sex parental households do not necessarily have differences in self-esteem, gender identity, or emotional problems from children growing up in heterosexual parent homes. 2. I think this is because gay parents raise their children the same way straight parents would raise their children. Just like any other child, a child of a gay couple would still have two people that love them and take care of them. The child would learn the gender roles that are acceptable in society as they grew up.

                Many people believe that children raised by gay couples will turn out gay to be like their parents. Research has shown that in contrast to common beliefs, children of lesbian, gay, or transgender parents are not more likely to be gay than children with heterosexual parents.1. Children of gay parents do not show differences in whether they think of themselves as male or female (gender identity) or show differences in their male and female behaviors (gender role behavior).1. Children learn what gender they are and are able to act upon that. I think that gay parents will let their kids be who they are and will accept them no matter what the child is sexually attracted to.

                Some studies showed that single heterosexual parents' children have more difficulties than children who have parents of the same sex. Same sex kids did better in discipline, self-esteem, and had less psychosocial difficulties at home and at school.2. I think the reason that kids of divorced parents have a harder time is because they did not receive the love and affection they needed. Children of same sex parents will not have the same challenges as those of divorced parents. Kids of divorced parents feel abandoned and alone, while kids of gay parents will always have two parents that are there for them.

                In the past few months, the argument of legalizing gay marriage has gone to the Supreme Court. During the case, Anti-gay groups were discovered using false studies in order to persuade the Court Justices. However, the court did not discover the information was fake until after the case was over. I think these groups knew that the court would rule on allowing gay marriage which would mean it would be easier for gay people to have a family.  A man named Mark Regnerus was the leader of the study and admitted to falsifying information after he already published his study for the public to see. Unfortunately, since his study was already published, anti-gay groups have been using his findings in their arguments against gay families and gay marriage.

                Mark Regnerus has admitted his “family structures” study didn’t actually measure gay parenting, comparing the children of separated parents who had same-sex relationships with those of married opposite-sex parents. An internal auditor of the journal that published the Regnerus study last year concluded its findings were “bullshit” because this false comparison doesn’t adequately measure same-sex parenting. Nevertheless, conservatives have repeatedly cited the study, even to the Supreme Court, claiming same-sex couples are unfit to raise children to substantiate their opposition to marriage equality, even though medical professionals have thoroughly debunked its claims. Now, documents reveal that the anti-gay conservatives who originally funded the study conspired before data was even collected to produce results that could influence “major decisions of the Supreme Court.”3.

                Even though professionals have proven the study is a lie, the damage is already done. Anti-gay groups are using this study to oppose marriage equality and the public does not know the information is not true. This study has tarnished the image of gay families and the good that they can do. I do not know why some people feel the need to intrude on others happiness and think they have the right to tell another person what they can or cannot do.

The American Independent collected internal documents through public-records requests from the anti-gay Witherspoon Institute, which funded the Regnerus study, and found that its president intended the study to produce a result against gay parenting before it was even conducted. This is not surprising, as both the Witherspoon Institute, as well as the study’s other funder, the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, are connected to Robert George, founding co-chair of the National Organization for Marriage and prominent legal opponent of marriage equality.3.

                It makes me sad to know that this study was intended to do bad things before the research began.  Anti-gay groups know there is no harm that can be done by a child having gay parents and instead of handling matters the proper way; they feel that cheating and lying is a is the correct way to handle things. I think anti-gay groups need to accept the fact that families of gay couples are just as productive as those of straight couples and should just leave the subject alone.

                The definition of family is “a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household”. The definition does not specify gender or sexuality; it just says a group of parents. Being a parent is not about giving birth. It is about taking care of, raising, and loving that child to the best of your ability. Everybody should have the right to have a child and have a family of their own. Because family is not about sexual orientation, it is about love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source cited

 

1)http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/children_with_lesbian_gay_bisexual_and_transgender_parents

 

2) http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20051012/study-same-sex-parents-raise-well-adjusted-kids

Study: Same-Sex Parents Raise Well-Adjusted Kids

 

3) http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2013/03/11/1697801/documents-reveal-anti-gay-parenting-study-was-manipulated-to-influence-supreme-court/

Documents Reveal Anti-Gay Parenting Study Was Manipulated To Influence Supreme Court by Zack Ford

 

4) http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/children_and_divorce

Children And Divorce

Mary Jane

Mary Jane

 

Legalization of marijuana has become a huge topic in government in the past few years. Although some may argue that it has medicinal benefits and is not addictive and is safe for consumption. I have seen no reason why marijuana should be made legal. I think there is no good that can come from legalizing marijuana; it stands to reason that it would hurt the people of our country more than it would add value to the medical world.

When marijuana is smoked, THC rapidly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream, which carries the chemical to the brain and other organs throughout the body. It is absorbed more slowly when ingested in food or drink. 1. I know I would not willing put harmful chemicals into my body because I would be afraid of how they could affect me. Marijuana does contain chemicals that go to the brain that cause it to be dangerous. Marijuana can induce euphoria and hallucinations, relieve pain and ease nausea. It can reduce anxiety, but it can also create anxiety. Marijuana increases a person's heart rate shortly after use, which is a risk for certain heart conditions. The drug can interfere with memory and learning for days, or even weeks, after the initial high.2.  I have never understood why people would want to lose memory and interfere with learning. I would not want to be mentally impaired for a few days or weeks. Also, people with high anxiety can cause others to do drastic things and act dramatically out of the ordinary. This could cause someone to be dangerous to themselves and to those around them.

            What worries me about legalizing marijuana is the effects it will have on people’s brains. A recent study of marijuana users who began using in adolescence revealed a profound deficit in connections between brain areas responsible for learning and memory. A large prospective study (following individuals across time) showed that people who began smoking marijuana heavily in their teens lost as much as 8 points in IQ between age 13 and age 38; importantly, the lost cognitive abilities were not restored in those who quit smoking marijuana as adults.1. This means that people who smoked actually lost points in their IQ as they aged due to the long term effects of marijuana. I know I would never want to smoke something that actually make me lose intelligence. If marijuana was legalized, the next generation would have lower IQ points just because they would have such easy access to the drug.

Marijuana raises heart rate by 20-100 percent shortly after smoking; this effect can last up to 3 hours. In one study, it was estimated that marijuana users have a 4.8-fold increase in the risk of heart attack in the first hour after smoking the drug. This may be due to increased heart rate as well as the effects of marijuana on heart rhythms, causing palpitations and arrhythmias. This risk may be greater in older individuals or in those with cardiac vulnerabilities.1.  If someone was to have a heart attack while they were high on marijuana, what are they going to do? Since they are under the influence of drugs, I think they would have a harder time realizing that they are suffering from a heart attack.

            I have wondered that if marijuana was legalized, what would the laws on driving under the influence be? Because it seriously impairs judgment and motor coordination, marijuana also contributes to accidents while driving. A recent analysis of data from several studies found that marijuana use more than doubles a driver’s risk of being in an accident. Furthermore, the combination of marijuana and alcohol is worse than either substance alone with respect to driving impairment.1. This means marijuana can be just as deadly as driving while drunk. How would marijuana be tested if someone was to get into an accident or be caught speeding?

            Because marijuana stays in the bloodstream for a short time, blood tests for marijuana are usually not used, except in the case of automobile accidents and some roadside sobriety check points. Blood or saliva tests can show current intoxication. However, unlike blood alcohol concentration tests, they do not indicate a level of intoxication or impairment. On the other hand, urine tests for marijuana metabolites can only show recent marijuana use, not intoxication or impairment, because of the time required between smoking and the metabolites being eliminated in the urine. However, because many employers have a zero tolerance for drug use, most workplaces use urine tests for any recent use of drugs.3. Since intoxication tests are not totally accurate, police would not be able to determine if someone was under the influence during an accident like they would if they were drunk on alcohol. This could mean that some people could get away with being under the influence while driving if the police could not prove it. If someone was killed during an accident and the police could not prove the driver was under the influence, then the driver could possibly get away with manslaughter.

            I think that both long term and short term effects of marijuana can be dangerous. A number of studies have shown an association between chronic or daily marijuana use and mental illness. High doses of marijuana can produce a temporary psychotic reaction (involving hallucinations and paranoia) in some users, and using marijuana can worsen the course of illness in patients with schizophrenia. A series of large prospective studies also showed a link between marijuana use and later development of psychosis. This relationship was influenced by genetic variables as well as the amount of drug used and the age at which it was first taken—those who start young are at increased risk for later problems.1.

            Marijuana not only causes problems within the brain, but also causes changes in a person’s personality and daily life. Associations have also been found between marijuana use and other mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts among adolescents, and personality disturbances, including a lack of motivation to engage in typically rewarding activities.1. Those who smoke marijuana have such an increases risk of mental diseases that I think it could be a danger to the American people. Legalizing marijuana would mean that more people would smoke the drug; this means more people would suffer from mental health problems caused by marijuana.

            Even though pro marijuana groups swear that marijuana is not addictive, many studies have found that it is just as addictive as any other drug. Estimates from research suggest that about 9 percent of users become addicted to marijuana; this number increases among those who start young (to about 17 percent, or 1 in 6) and among daily users (to 25-50 percent). Thus, many of the nearly 7 percent of high-school seniors who (according to annual survey data) report smoking marijuana daily or almost daily are well on their way to addiction, if not already addicted (besides functioning at a sub-optimal level all of the time).1. The younger that people start to smoke the more likely they are to get addicted. If they stay addicted into their adult life, then it is more likely that they will not be functioning members of society. If marijuana was to legal, younger people would smoke it which could cause them to become addicted which could lower their IQ. The generation after marijuana is legalized would probably be less intelligent compared to the generations before them.

            Just like alcohol and tobacco, marijuana should not be used if a woman is pregnant due to the effects it could have on the baby. Marijuana use during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of neurobehavioral problems in babies. Because THC and other compounds in marijuana mimic the body’s own cannabinoid-like chemicals, marijuana use by pregnant mothers may alter the developing endocannabinoid system in the brain of the fetus. Consequences for the child may include problems with attention, memory, and problem solving.1. Even though most women would not want to harm their child, some may not realize the harm that marijuana could have on their unborn child.

             The rate of testicular cancer has been increasing for several decades, but experts are not sure why. The study, published online Sept. 10, 2012 in the American Cancer Society journal Cancer, speculates that environmental causes, including recreational drug use, may play a role. In the study, 163 men diagnosed with testicular germ cell tumors and 292 men not diagnosed with the tumors were interviewed about their recreational drug use. The researchers found that men with these tumors were about twice as likely to have a history of using marijuana. Most of the increased risk was found in men with a germ cell tumor sub-type called non-seminomas. This type of tumor is harder to treat and usually occurs in men between their late teens and early 30s. 3. Legalizing marijuana would mean that more men would be diagnosed with testicular cancer as time went on. I think this means that marijuana could increase the risks of other types of cancer as well. This would endanger the wellbeing of the American peoples overall health.

            I think that marijuana has too many negative effects on the body to be legal. Long term effects can decrease IQ, cause certain forms of cancer and increase risk of heart attack. The short term effects can cause hallucinations, memory loss and even anxiety. America should not willingly be exposed to a drug that causes so many health related complications and poses a threat to the safety of its citizens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source cited

 

1)http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana

2)http://www.livescience.com/24559-marijuana-facts-cannabis.html

 

3) http://www.cancer.org/cancer/news/news/study-links-marijuana-use-to-testicular-cancer

Population-Based Case-Control Study of Recreational Drug Use and Testis Cancer Risk Confirms an Association Between Marijuana Use and Nonseminoma Risk. Published online Sept. 10, 2012 in Cancer. First author: Victoria K. Cortessis MSPH, PhD, University of Southern California, Los Angeles

My opinion is better!

So we watched a video today in class, and the main question was "Is the United States the greatest country in the world? Why or why not?"
So everybody thought of their answer and what they wanted to say. Almost everybody expressed the same opinion and the conversation continued for about a minute.

Then shit hit the fan.

What went from a simple conversation over a controversial topic turned into an angry debate. People were putting others down, some were saying comments without thinking if it made sense or not, others were just down right offensive and rude.
I was very shocked at how some people can not have a simple discussion without acting like children.

Thank the lord Mr. Sweeney made us play a game of Taboo. You could cut the tension in the room with a knife.
I am very disappointed in my fellow students.

Born Evil

http://msnvideo.msn.com/?channelindex=4&from=en-us_msnhp#/video/093405c1-8fc1-73d8-4fab-447f11856a70

The link above is to a video that I found with evidence that people may be born evil.

I believe your environment in which you are raised can make you more likely to commit a crime or evil acts. How you are raised and the morals you are taught have a huge impact on how you live your life. But what about those people that are just born psychos? Like Hitler, Stalin, Casey Anthony, OJ Simpson, Charles Manson, and many more.

I really do think some people can just be born bad. It is in their nature. Hopefully science will be able to help them in the future.

Third times the charm

Have you ever heard bad things happen in threes? I have.
I never really but now I am almost scared of it.

Today started like every other day and everything was going fine. Then, I check my email and realize I had missed a meeting for the Resident Advisor position. When I showed up, I was told I should have checked my email earlier and there was nothing I could do. Even though the meeting was not on the schedule and was made at the last minute, it still screwed me over and ruined my chances of being an RA. Then I get a call from a coworker and he told me that our hours are being cut at work. There is nothing I could do about that one except for finding another job. After that phone call I went straight home because I was worried something else might happen. So I have been at home, hoping and praying I do not get bad news. Because all bad things happen in threes...and I am just waiting on the next ball to drop

Procrastinating

why are college students the worst procrastinators? we always wait till the very last minute to do anything.
I am about to feel the full effects of my procrastination this weekend because I have english papers and an anatomy test.  But I think it is because students push lesser tasks to the back burner in order to complete the assignments that need to be done asap. Like in my english class, I have not written any of my papers because I was so busy with my other classes. Now I have to dedicate this whole weekend to writing some amazing papers.  I even told myself I would not do this to myself anymore at the end of last semester...but it seems I will always be a procrastinator. I am beginning to think that I work better under pressure.  So with that thought, I will continue to procrastinate in order to make my assignments better.

Philosophy?

Todays class was an open discussion that eventually led into a small writing assingment. The objective was to write whatever was on your mind for ten minutes. This is what I wrote...

     "When given too much freedom with no deadline or structure, people freak out and do not know what to do. It either will not get done or will be horrible. This is because people can not handle absolute freedom. Like at this moment. I am totally clueless on what to write about. My mind is going in ten different directions trying to figure out a topic. None of my ideas a similar, but I still feel like all of them are not good enough for the task at hand of which I have no structure. I have realized I would make a shitty philosopher."

Spongebob and the Bible

Recently I have started to look into my childhood from an adult point of view. All those movies with the hidden adult jokes I have begun to understand, the play on words like "Mary Jane" in scooby doo. I find it all funny and really enjoy finding those hidden messages.

But it has come to my attention that the writers of one of my favorite shows went a little bit deeper. Spongebob. Yes that annoying yellow sponge that lives in a pineapple under the sea actually has religious backrounds.  Each of the major characters in the show represent one of the seven deadly sins. After being told this I instantly realized it was true and it was quite a laugh. Here is the list of the characters.

Patrick the star is sloth for his laziness. Squidward is wrath for his anger. Sandy the squirrel is pride because well she is prideful. Plankton is envy for his jealousy over Mr Krabs. Gary the snail is gluttony for his excessive eating. Mr Krabs is greed for his love of money. Spongebob is lust for his love of everyone even though they may not love him back.

After finding this, I cant watch any kids shows without trying to look for a deeper meaning. If you have found any hidden adult jokes/interesting references in your childhood shows/movies, please share.