The Controversy Over Birth Control

     One of the biggest controversies today is over whether or not companies and businesses should provide their workers with coverage for birth control. Many Catholics in the U.S. are standing up against this ruling, but as of thus far, birth control is required to be in employee health plans. Religious institutions and many private employers are filing suits against this plan, and most of them are probably lashing out at Obamacare and bringing up religious freedom. The Supreme Court will likely have to resolve this fight. Even though the future looks bleak at this point, there may be some hope. The government does say that it hopes that the burden will be transferred from organizations to insurance companies in the near future.
     As a proud Catholic and American, I am ashamed that our government is forcing employers to cover birth control and other contraceptives in their employee health plans. It is disgusting that they are doing this, seeing as it goes against our religious ideas and beliefs. Uh, hello? This is America! Whatever happened to religious freedom?!?! I understand that every religion (and at that, every person) has different beliefs, but if you are worried about becoming pregnant and giving birth, why not be more responsible with your sexuality? That seems like a safer idea to me. And certainly one that doesn't cost any money. Some times, I have to wonder what our government is thinking of when they make some of these laws. Hopefully we will be able to get through this controversy in a way that everybody can tolerate.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/27/health/religious-groups-and-employers-battle-contraception-mandate.html?hp

In a recent article in the Omaha World Herald, the stories of two young people murdered by hate and racial discrimination are being brought to life at Brownell-Talbot in light of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. One of these stories, that of Anne Frank, is very widely known, but the other, that of Emmett Till, is not. As we all know, Anne Frank was killed during World War Two by the Nazis for being Jewish. Her diary, which has been read all across the world, tells us of her spending her final months living in a secret room on the top floor of a warehouse with her parents, sister, and another family. But the story of Emmett Till is less commonly known. He was a fourteen year old African-American boy from Chicago, who, while visiting some relatives in Mississippi, was kidnapped, beaten, and shot in the head by two white men after supposedly whistling at a white woman. His mutilated body was found three days later floating in the Tallahatchie River and sent back to Chicago. His mother insisted that he have an open casket so all could see what had happened to him.
In light of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I think it is a good idea that these stories are being told. We need to know about these hate crimes, and realize that we are not perfect. Though we don't hear much about segregation and hate crimes happening in America any more, they are still happening, though not always to the extent of when Dr. King was alive. Today we build stereotypes and racist ideas about other cultures, races, and religions. If America is such a great country, one that the poor and oppressed of other countries dream of coming here to be free to be whomever they want to be, then why do we have these stereotypes? If America is all about equality, than why are the minority groups living in the ghettos, afraid of being taunted and abused by others on a constant basis? Sure, we have abolished slavery and segregation and have set up the freedom of religion in our country, but that does not mean that we do not have problems concerning racial and religious differences. When I read about hate crimes, I certainly don't want think of America at being towards the top of the list of countries with most racial hate crimes. And I most certainly do not want to live in a country like that.

http://www.omaha.com/article/20130119/NEWS/701199939/1685#tale-of-two-youths-killed-by-hate-brings-king-s-legacy-to-life

My first blog entry!!

Some things I like to do are hang out with friends, listen to and play music (I play the saxophone in the Concert Band and Jazz Band, as well as basic piano and oboe), do genealogy, and go for long walks and hikes. Some of my favorite music artists are Journey, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and similar artists. I really enjoy acting, singing, and dancing, and participate in the Prep/Marian musicals. As part of being an actor, going to plays and movies are especially entertaining to me. I enjoy nature, and love visiting national parks, the mountains, and the ocean. One of my interests in school is history, particularly U.S. History. As part of this, I enjoy studying the Lincoln and Kennedy assassinations.  I enjoy doing volunteer work, especially with my friends. I own a cat, whose name is Nudge. I live with my mom, dad, brother, and sister on an acreage in the Ponca Hills area of North-East Omaha.