More Marital Progress

In this article the author primarily discussed how the topic of gay marriage is growing as an issue, even extending to more conservative states. The article references former court cases and compares them to today's ever changing standards pertaining to marriage. In relation to Oklahoma it reports that a judge there has ruled any ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional earlier this week.

There's not an active stance taken in the article, although it's inferred that the author is in support of gay marriage, which is something I am completely in support of as well. Gay marriage should be legal in all states because it is unconstitutional (as many states are beginning to determine) to ban same sex couples from marrying, even if it's for economical benefits only. Beyond that it is my own personal opinion that, as human beings, gay couples deserve federal and social approval of their marital choice. This issue is comparable to the former issue of interracial marriage and really shouldn't be an issue to begin with.

Repulsive Slime Ball

I read an article detailing the Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio and his repeated abuses of power. In addition, due to the recurring class action law suits and the Justice Department suing him for civil rights violations, he has cost the county tens-of-millions of dollars. The article can be found here, and a Wikipedia article about him can be found here.

Joe Arpaio claims to be "America's toughest sheriff." Indeed he often imprisons criminals in internment style tent cities in the blistering New Mexico sun at the height of summer. That is cruel and, unless we are living in the Dark Age, unusual punishment. In addition, he is guilty of unprecedented racial profiling and many other violations of fundamental constitutional rights.

By far the most egregious aspect of Joe Arpaio's service (or rather disservice) is the lack of "toughness" in any other area of the law other than immigration, conventional violent crimes, and property crimes. Specifically, Arpaio consistently fails to adequately investigate sex crimes, which is in my opinion the most pernicious form of crime. 

For example, Sabrina Morrison, a thirteen year old mentally challenged individual, was raped by her uncle. The next day she informed her teacher, a rape kit was taken and sent in for testing, and a detective was assigned to the case. However, the detective, disregarding the rape kit, concluded that there was no signs of rape so therefore it didn't happen.

The rape kit detected signs of semen and was sent to the sheriffs office requesting a blood sample from Sabrina's uncle, Patrick Morrison. The detective, with authorization from Arpaio, ignored the semen sample and closed the case for four years. The uncle continued to rape and otherwise sexually assault Sabrina.

Four years after the case was closed the sheriff's office gathered the blood sample from Patrick Morrison. It was a DNA match with the four year old semen sample from the original rape kit. So, Patrick Morrison was charged with one (that's right only one) account of sexual conduct with a minor (not even rape). The sheriff's office then closed the case. 

It wasn't until a victim's advocate got the charges increased that other charges were included. Patrick Morrison pled guilty. He was sentenced to 24 years in prison. Currently, Sabrina Morrison is filling a lawsuit against the sheriff's office and Joe Arpaio for gross negligence.

So, not only does Joe Arpaio violate people's constitutional rights and cost the county he works for tens-of-millions of dollars, he also isn't even a good sheriff.

Blockaded Nominees

I read about a judicial nomination blockage by Senator Marco Rubio. In 2012, Rubio recommends a openly gay black justice to serve on the federal court seat in Florida. Disregarding his own recommendation, Rubio then refuses to submit his blue slip (a courtesy signifying his approval) to the Judiciary Committee. Do to this lack of cooperation, the Obama administration withdrew the nomination from the 200 or so pending nominations.

Judge William Thomas would have been the first openly gay black federal judges. It is a shame that he was blocked for no apparent reason. 

I don't see the point in the amount of judicial nominee blockage occurring under the Obama administration. Bush nominated a whole slew of extremely conservative and sometimes reactionary judges while he was in office, so when Obama nominates moderate liberals they shouldn't get blocked.

Colorado Cannabis Continuation

So, cannabis sales were officially legal in Colorado on January 1st. Many have proclaimed that this will lead the U.S. to become a second-rate nation, others still claim that this is a great step in the direction of progress. I read an article that addressed the legal ambiguities inherent in state-by-state legalization of cannabis. This is due to the nationwide prohibition on the federal level.

In response, Rep. Dianna DeGette (D-Colo) introduced a bill that would enable the states to have complete sovereignty with regards to the legality of cannabis. It is called the "Respect States' and Citizens' Rights Act." This is a good example of both liberties in our society and federalism.

In my opinion, it is ridiculous how it took this long for a state to legalize weed. The past three presidents have all smoked cannabis in addition to a slew of other politicians and influential people (see). Cannabis is far less dangerous than alcohol and cigarettes. Cannabis is also less addictive than both alcohol and cigarettes in addition to being less addictive than caffeine. 

Reduced Benefits

I read an article about the approaching cut in unemployment benefits. 1.3 million Americans have already been cut from the program and an additional 3.6 million Americans may also have their unemployment benefits cut. The long-term unemployment rate is at 2.6%, which is twice what it has been when long-term unemployment benefits have been cut in the past.

There is no reason why we can't extend unemployment benefits. From an economic standpoint, for every dollar we invest in unemployment benefits, one-and-a-half dollars is added to the GDP. But more importantly, from a moral standpoint, how is it ever okay to stop supporting people who are in need? Even if there are those who abuse the system, there still isn't a large problem with providing for them too. Lazy people deserve to eat too. There is enough altruistic people in this country that everyone regardless of everything ought to have a basic income. In fact, Switzerland recently passed a living wage; a wage which is entitled to everyone that guarantees low levels of income.

Shady Exposures

The article I read, found here, describes a burglary that occurred in the early seventies which exposed the FBI spying on protest groups. The FBI had apparently been spying on reform groups since at least 1956 and even went so far as to send an anonymous letter to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. threatening to expose his extramarital affairs if he didn't commit suicide. It appears the U.S. government has been spying on its own citizens since far before the Patriot Act.

I'm not actually that surprised. Perhaps a bit outraged, but not surprised. It seems to me that when our government is in the midst of a cold war, they will naturally try to minimize the amount of controversial free-speech that takes place in their country. After the cold war ended, I don't see any possible way in which our government - or any government for that matter - would give up all of that control it had over us.

First (not real) Post

I apologize to my gov class who has yet to see a real post from me but I actually have a personal experience I'd like to share with you all that, in a way, relates to our class. You see, I am really quite ill and at a loss of what to do. I've gone to the school administration (or "school government officials" if you will) to see what they have to say about my dilemma. This is what I sent:


Dear Mr. Neild,

Upon recognizing that I am under your administration by last name, I thought it most fitting to come to you about my question, or rather, needed advice. I am a senior who is exhaustingly ill, so I pose the question: should I remain home and do my best in resting away my sickness while also doing my best in keeping up with my homework while home-bound, or should I run the risk of not only infecting other students with a violent cough and simultaneously stuffed and runny nose (among other flu-like symptoms) but also acquiring a series of all important absences which I will later have to make up in an (asinine) absence school session where I will still likely be ill, impeding on a large portion of my computer related, AP homework and again running the risk of spreading my symptoms to even more students? I look forward to your insight!

Thank you so much,

Kaylynn Farley

So! To my genius peers, I'm curious as to how you think our administration should handle this situation and if their response could potentially alter my trust or mistrust of their claimed intentions of supporting the well being of all students. Thank you so much guys! And I promise I will post an actual current event soon. 

P.s. Yes, I am aware of my ridiculously long run-on sentence. I'm secretly hoping he'll get lost in it a couple times and have to re-read and eventually understand my plight throuroughly :)