North and South Korea Easing Economic Tensions

After 17 hours of negotiating, North and South Korea agreed to restore some of their joined humanitarian and economic projects that were suspended years ago. North Korea, which focused largely on their nuclear weaponry, had brought on a tension between the two countries. The breaking point happened when a North Korean soldier shot and killed a South Korean tourist in 2008, then refused South Korean authorities to conduct a proper investigation. Surprisingly though, it was North Korea that first suggested having a government-to-government dialogue with South Korea last week. South Korea is adamant that North Korea follow steps to stop their nuclear weapons program, and they refuse to appease the North any longer like they have done in the past.
I think it's really good that the two countries are working to fix their differences. Especially now, when North Korea is threatening to bomb everyone, perhaps South Korea can help to bring peace. There are still years and years of discrimination between both countries from previous wars that they will have to find a way to end. But, I think there will be a day when Korea will join together again.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/10/world/asia/north-and-south-korea-to-discuss-restoring-economic-and-other-ties.html?hp&_r=0

IRS Official suspended

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/24/us/politics/irs-official-who-refused-to-testify-is-put-on-leave.html?hp&_r=0

Following the IRS scandal from a couple of weeks ago, Lois Lerner was suspended yesterday after refusing to testify before a member of the House. An investigation of the IRS harassing conservative groups is still going on. Though, Lerner was merely suspended for the time being, many other IRS officials and senators have asked for her resignation. Two other people have already lost their job because of the scandal. Steven Miller, the acting commissioner was let go, and Lerner’s supervisor, Joseph H. Grant, is retiring. Lerner claims that she had no prior knowledge of scandal, but the Lawmakers are continuing to interrogate her.
Although I think it's about time, something was done to make amends to the scandal, I find it a bit unfair to pin it all on Lerner. Whether of not she had any knowledge of the scandal beforehand, she's surely not the only one left to blame. Yet, she was the one who had to apologize to the Tea Party.

Teacher Fired from Catholic School because of 'spousal relationship violations'

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/21/opinion/bruni-one-schools-catholic-teaching.html?src=me&ref=general

In Columbus, Ohio, a 57 year old gym teacher was fired from a Catholic high school. Carla Hale was a woman who was passionate about her job and loved by her students. But, after being seen with her partner Julie at her mother's funeral by one of the parents from the high school, a letter was sent saying 'women like Carla' will not be tolerated to teach their children. Soon after that, Carla Hale was let go from her job of more than 18 years. Still, Carla does not understand what she has done wrong by simply being in a relationship with another woman.
The Catholic church in general is rather hypocritical, in my opinion. While they hate on homosexuals, they still went to great lengths to cover up the crimes of priests who were involved sexually with minors.  Also, many of the teacher in the high school Carla Hale taught at used birth control, which is frowned upon in Catholicism, didn't suffer any repercussions. Though what's probably the most heartbreaking is that the federal government has made no laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, so there's really nothing Carla Hale can do about her situation.

More Police Stationed in Schools

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/12/education/with-police-in-schools-more-children-in-court.html?hp&_r=0

An increasing number of schools across the nation are considering stationing more police officers on campus grounds. For what purpose, though? And how effective is it? Some reports showed that having armed officers in the building prevented violent students with weapons to do further harm. But, at the same time, police in schools have also increased the number of charges and arrests against petty nonviolent behaviors such as skipping school or talking back to teachers. Is this really necessary?
Personally, I don' think it is. I understand the safety of the students is protected with officers placed at schools. One or two police are acceptable, but a whole force of police is simply outrageous. While cursing at teachers and playing hooky is frowned upon, in the big scheme of things, it's not that bad at all. If anything, arresting students for such small offenses would only frustrate the students and make them do more rebellious things, not to mention these arrests would go on while and affect the rest of the kid's future.

Supreme Court Same-Sex Marriage Debate

 

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/26/us-usa-court-gaymarriage-idUSBRE92P04820130326

Yesterday began the two-day Supreme Court debate over the legalization of same-sex marriage. While throngs of people stood outside the court house, confidently supporting their sides of the cause, the Justices weren't so sure. Some of the nine Justices seemed hesitant, even afraid, to make a decision. One Justice, Anthony Kennedy said, they were weary of diving into 'uncharted waters'. Today, they will be discussing the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a policy that refuses federal benefits for same-sex married couple, and decide whether or not it should be overturned.
While I firmly believe same-sex marriage should be legalized, I can understand the Supreme Court Justices' hesitation in their decision-making. If gay marriage was to be legalized, it could open up a whole new window for discrimination and hate crimes upon other issues. But, marriage is decision made only between two people and preventing it would just be cruel. Same-sex marriage would not affect anything in the country other than have more people get married.

Sex Ed in Kindergarten?

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/chicago-proposes-sex-ed-start-kindergarten-article-1.1275328

As an area with the highest rates of sexually transmitted diseases in the country, Chicago recently proposed a policy to start sex education at an early age. Beginning in kindergarten, 5 year-old kids would learn about things like sexual orientation and gender identity. Then through second to fourth grade, they would learn about body growth, puberty, and HIV.
The policy is wrong in so many ways. Children should be able to enjoy their innocent lives for as long as possible before delving into the world of sex education. Being aware of sexually transmitted diseases is important, but pushing it onto kids at such an early age is simply crossing the line. Children are naturally curious beings. Teaching them about things like this would only lead to more curiosity which would result in 'experimenting'; the exact opposite of what anyone wants for their kids. Besides, if I was a 5 year-old learning things like 'good touch vs. bad touch' I'd be super weirded out, also resulting in social awkwardness, which, again, isn't something anyone wants for their kids.

New Pope Elected

                                 

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/14/world/europe/new-pope-theologically-conservative-but-with-a-common-touch.html

Cardinal Bergoglio was elected as the new pope on March 13, 2013 after the previous Pope Benedict XVI resigned. Basically, this article gave a brief history of Bergoglio, now Pope Francis's, past; what he did for the poor, the controversies that revolved around his beliefs, ...etc. A journalist said this pope is expected to be 'extremely conservative' based on his ties with Argentinian military rulers.
I have a hard time understanding why the pope even exists at all. I mean, he's supposed to be a holy man and preach goodness to society, but he's just a figure head, right? A figure head that gets to live in luxury, eat the best foods, and get the best healthcare. He comes out a couple times a year during public events and says inspirational things in Latin. Yes, historically speaking, the pope did play a significant role for hundreds of years, with Catholic and Christian leaders all over the world practically bowing at his feet. Now though, the times are changing. Things like same sex marriage that are typically frowned upon by religious societies are becoming more common. Pope Francis, in one instance, described a law that legalized gay marriage as 'a war against God' and 'a maneuver by the devil.' Instead of bringing people together, he's actually victimizing a  large part of society today.

Bold Pink Strip Labels the Drivers' License of Young Illegal Immigrants

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/06/us/north-carolina-to-give-some-immigrants-drivers-licenses-with-a-pink-stripe.html?ref=immigrationandemigration

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program is an 'equal-opportunity-for-all' program introduced by the Obama administration to help young illegal immigrants who were brought to the US by their parents. As a response to the program, North Carolina agreed to issue drivers' licenses for these youths. These drivers' licenses, though, did not look like your typical 'State of North Carolina' drivers' license. Instead, they had a blatant pink strip with the words 'NO LAWFUL STATUS' printed across the little plastic card. Many people found this humiliating, The fact that their immigration status was visible by strangers when they were required to present their ID in bars, supermarkets, and other public settings, made them targets in their community. As a result, North Carolina agreed to make changes to the license; putting the words, again 'no lawful status', in small print on the back instead of on the front.
I thought they did the right thing in finally changing the appearance of the license for illegal immigrants. Some people are attacked simply because they look different, but to openly tell everyone on their ID that they are indeed an illegal immigrant? That's just asking for more trouble. These licenses are for people who were brought here from a different country a children, not knowing they'd be an illegal immigrant. Information that private shouldn't be announced on something as public as a drivers' license.

The mentally ill can buy guns, too

http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/30/health/mental-illness-guns?c=&page=0

Time and time over, innocent people have been killed by mentally ill people carrying guns. That's one of the contributing factors in the proposal for the new gun restriction law. But really, how effective are these laws in protecting us? Gerald Hume, who was obviously a bit 'off' in his behavior (later discovered to actually be schizophrenic) was still able to buy a gun from licensed gun dealers. They even ran his name through the Federal System. This resulted in him shooting his mother in the chest several times before cutting her up and storing pieces of her in the freezer. A similar case happened at a Virginia Tech mass shooting when Seung-Hui Cho killed 32 people. He also purchased his gun from licensed dealers. The problem with the system is that it's way too easy to pass. Both Cho and Hume were diagnosed with a mental disorder but they both managed to buy guns. Also, the Federal System is incomplete and lacking in a lot of medical records. I think the idea of enforcing a background check on people before they're allowed to buy a gun, but before that happens, the government should really work on improving the Federal System, or it would be useless. 

Boy Scouts Single Out Homosexual 12 Year-Old

http://www.theonion.com/articles/boy-scouts-to-try-out-single-gay-12yearold-before,31194/?ref=auto


The Boy Scouts of America, an organization that's been around for a little over a century, recruits boys around the country. They participate in activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, knotting tying...etc. and other survival skills. Most importantly though, the Boy Scouts of America teaches and train young boys on their trustworthiness, character, and the ability to rely on themselves.
On February 6th 2013, the organization announced that they will give 12 year-old Corey Lenivan a three month trial period until the Boy Scouts make a decision as to whether or not to allow him membership. Under normal circumstances, attaining membership for the Boy Scouts is not a difficult process. In fact, one does not have to even be an American citizen to join. The only reason for such 'complications' in regards to young Lenivan joining the Boy Scouts is because he is a homosexual. The Boy Scouts organization stated that Corey Lenivan would have to achieve a certain number of awards and rank before he is considered an official boy scout.
It sickens me to see this kind of discrimination happen in this day and age. As Corey Lenivan said in the article, he only wants to have fun with his friends like every other normal kid. The most offensive part of the article was reading what a spokesman of Boy Scouts said, "Obviously, there are numerous things that Corey will have to do to prove to us that gays are ready to be included in the Scouts." He talked about gay people like they're another species, as if they are inferior to everyone else. People need to realize that sexual orientation isn't a choice. Gay people don't just decide one day, "Hey! I think I'm going to start liking boys from now on!" It's something they realize over time and nothing can change that. Sexual preference does not diminish anyone's ability to do anything and it's completely irrational and stupid to let such trivial matters ruin the childhood of a 12 year-old boy.