Hopeful

I am beginning to realize that the time has come to write this actual thing and that it's going to be a lot of writing! I am hopeful that it will turn out just the way I like it. Time to begin! I hope I don't get writer's block....

Going smoothly

My research so far has gone pretty good. It is keeping me intrigued and I am allowing myself to view a wide range of views on my topic, same-sex marriage. The most interesting, or exciting part for my exploration so far was browsing through various pictures relating to gay marriage and Proposition 8. The photos are all so creative and is a really good way to pull in an audience. Hopefully my research continues this way!

Celebrate!

In the article titled Gay Mardi Gras parade attracts 300,000 revelers, an event is celebrated that shall not be forgotten! On Saturday more than 300,000 people showed up in sequins and feathers to celebrate the annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Along with colorful outfits and personalities, there were over one hundred and eighty floats decorated with all sorts of attractions. The spirits of the people throughout the crowd were filled with pride and laughter. Each person who participated was described as having "ear-to-ear grins as the waved to the crowd". If everywhere in the world could be as accepting as the people in this parade then there would be a lot less hatred in the world. We need to stop being judgmental and learn to accept people, of all kinds. I loved reading this article because of the excitement and passion that was presented throughout. My research topic is focused on gays and lesbians. I think that same sex marriages should be allowed in every state and that Proposition 8 should not have passed. This article links into my argument by providing as an example as to the benefits of acceptance. If we just learn to embrace our differences rather than to fear them our world would be a much better place.

This article links to what I am proposing to advocate for. I think that celebrations, such as these, should be simply that, a celebration. Having a good time does not have to be altered just because of the people one is with and their love interests. I hope that one day gays and lesbians will be considered just as typical as straight people.

Chapter 6

Chapter 6 is all about research. "Research is used to add depth to what is already know." One can find research by going out into their community or by conducting a web search. The types of research and the ways you can communicate with people through your research. I think that it was interesting that Chapter 6 provided steps to follow to complete your task. Step one was to develop an initial question. This is the easier part of the steps. Then one is supposed to figure out what it is exactly that needs to be researched for the specific topic. Following that, one would then carry out the research by all the ways discussed. After, Chapter 6 tells us "that we should carry out a plan and design a test". This was surprising to me because the example that was displayed was something I never would of thought to do. The final step is to then produce and test communication skills. One would do this through peer review. It was also very intriguing to me that section two discusses written, visual, and oral communication. It went into depth on the various ways we as communicators can reach others and also how we recieve and comprehend things. This chapter can link to Ibm Reseach. This website shows all about how IBM conducts their research. This is just one of the many types of ways that research can be preformed. This site demonstrates nicely how to communicate accurately just like Chapter 6 tells us we need to. Basically, after when writing our research report we need to make sure that we have solid support for what we are advocating for.

Firefighters harassed

I have chosen that the topic for my research paper is to accept and embrace gays and lesbians and to allow same-sex marriages. This also links with the hope that Proposition 8 will be overturned. In this new article I found titled, Jury: SD firefighters were harassed in gay parade, the discrimination of gays continues. It is almost impossible to say that gays and lesbians will be accepted by everyone. Regardless of the changes that may come over the decades, there will still be people who are "homophobic". If not accepted, however, they should not be taunted. This article touches upon an event where four firefighters were harassed in a gay parade. The firefighters got an attorney to plead for them but were not taken seriously. These firefighters did not volunteer to be in the parade, rather, were forced to participate. After expressing their distress and issue with what had occured, the head of the department apologized and stated that next time they would not force anyone to join the parade. The article closed with a quote from one of the captains of the fire department stating that "there was wrongdoing that day,. We all agreed on it. We felt that unless we stood up for ourselves, it would happen again."

This should not be tolerated. Yes, people can disagree with loving someone of the same sex. Yes, people can be disgusted by it. Yes, people can think that it is wrong. But no, those people do not have the right to subject gays and lesbians to harassment. People will think what they want but as the simple saying goes, "If you do not have something nice to say, then don't say it at all."

Lets make this greenprint a reality!

A blue print has been laid out on how Silicon Valley can become more environmentally friendly. This article, "Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network lays out green vision for region" states that we can benefit from the climate crisis we are currently enduring. We have the opportunity to innovate and invent new technologies that will help Silicon Valley prosper. Many green jobs are becoming available because of the economic crisis we are in. The formation of the Silicon Valley Climate Prosperity Council has also just been announced. This group is funded by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the nonprofit Global Urban Development. The purpose of this association is to make the "greenprint" a reality! Along with this, a forty four page document was composed based primarily on "four areas where Silicon Valley's technological expertise and innovative business style can lead to cleaner skies, green jobs and an expanded market for green services and products. And it offers suggestions on how those areas can be improved." The four areas include; renewable energy, building efficiency, clean transportation, and green infrastructure. The article closes with the idea that in order to make this area more environmentally friendly, we will have to spend even more of our government dollars. However, like the mass amount spent on discovering the internet, this amount of money will be worth the end product.

I agree with the ideas and actions wanting to be taken in this article. If we don't realize the condition that our environment is in now and that we need to repair it, what could happen decades or even years from now? It seems that a full proof plan is being laid out and if the right people put it into action, I think Silicon Valley will benefit immensely from this greenprint.

The "AVODAH" Website

People who are very passionate about their beliefs usually want others to agree with theirs and to convert to their religion. The "AVODAH" website is a place where the program is introduced and explained. It also includes excerpts from participants on their experiences with AVODAH. The home page is filled with color and faces with smiles. This immediately has the reader thinking, "Hey, if I join the Jewish Service Corp I'd have a good time." In this program the participants have a year long commitment to social change. They work at anti-poverty locations to benefit people of the effects of poverty in the United States. Based on what you believe will contribute to what you advocate for. I think that being religious would shape advocacy in a negative way. In a religion, you have the way you think everything should be and aren't open for suggestions. This in turn would form strong advocates of certain beliefs but would completely ignore other ideas. These religious affiliations encourage people to become part of their religious community because in their eyes it is the best choice. Included in the website is Alumni Profiles. Each passage had a beneficial outcome and ended with their path towards embracing the Jewish culture. For example, the Alumni stated that they were interested in becoming a rabbi after this program, or studying at the University of Judaism. These paths lead us to believe that anyone who participates in this needs to be Jewish or has a yearning to become Jewish. As a final note I think that this website is a good way to reach others about becoming involved!