Thursday, October 14, 2010

Time for Marijuana Reform? (Journalism Assignment)


Do you think it is time for a change as far as marijuana is concerned? Why or why not? I set out to the middle of Frostburg State University campus to find out how my fellow students felt about the idea of legalization and Proposition 19 that will appear on California ballots.

Louis Mozzano, a junior international business major and homecoming king hopeful from Middletown MD. said "It is already happening." Louis believes that the government is ignorant to believe that they can actually stop or control the underground business. He believes that the government should go with the flow of fully legalizing the substance for recreational use as well as medicinal and reap the benefits as far as taxes are concerned. No one person or group can stop the circulation and because studies are showing its medicinal benefits, it is time to let the people have what they want without the worry of prosecution.

History major/super senior, (5.5 years) Jen Gover from Carrel County said, "It would get out of hand." When asked "How would marijuana get more out of control than alcohol is today?," her response was " Alcohol isn't out of control." My follow-up question for her was "What does it matter if marijuana does get 'out of control' when studies show its medicinal properties?" Jen responded with "It's not dangerous, it will just make people stupid." Before I had time to write down her response in full, Louis Mazzono, who was still standing nearby, interjected with "Not going to provide names but, I know quite a few people who got here on academic scholarships who smoke marijuana daily."

Katherine Neubauer, a business major set to graduate in 2012, from Waldorf, MD. said, "Marijuana should definitely be legalized for recreational use!" Because of America's huge/growing debt. Katie feels that marijuana legalization can help with the increasing national debt issue. Instead of throwing people in jail for buying from drug dealers, why not tax it like alcohol and make a profit, instead of continuing to overcrowd our prisons?

In-school Counseling Graduate student, Ashley Ford, from Severna Park MD believes times are changing and the only way to stay ahead is to change with the times. The public view on the vegetation is changing and the medicinal qualities are becoming clearer. "I saw on the news about an ice cream shop in California where one bite of the dessert is equivalent to four to five puffs of a cannabis cigarette." said Ashley.

"People are getting into too much trouble over something that isn't harmful, violent, or dangerous." These are the words of Randy Ogu, a Freshman biology major from Prince George's County,MD. Ogu didn't have much to say because he was already late for class but, he wanted to add that "Yes, it is time for a change.


http://norml.org/

Monday, October 11, 2010

Tattoo Dreams VS Tattoo Discrimination

     I never really thought of about getting hand tattoo before, until now. I searched 'google image's for palm tattoos out of curiosity... and as the images loaded and as the "Marching Bands of Manhattan ", buffered simultaneously, I knew I wanted a tattoo of something Death Cab For Cutie. A pretty crazy image of a girl with a "LIVE LONG AND PROSPER" tattoo on her hand kinda stuck out. I already mentioned the word crazy in the sentence before, and that's exactly what I was thinking at first, but then I thought that I could maybe see myself getting a tattoo of a Death Cab For Cutie lyric in the same retrospect and am actually considering which one.

     I've been chewing over the tattoo idea for a couple years now but haven't been entirely sure but, do have a couple ideas as to which ones if any. I am probably going to run with this idea (not necessarily on the hand but probably somewhere.) Another strong possibility is the Stairway to Heaven album art (left in yellow outline) on one side or the other of my back and if I have that, then there probably will be no doubt that I will then have some kind of Beatles lyrics to add as well... probably "Let it be." There are a couple others but, I do think if I can figure up an idea for a really unique peace sign design, that will probably launch to the top of the list. Suggestions are welcome.

   Because I still haven't pinpointed which direction I wish to go as far as career goes, this could arguably bring up tattoo acceptance in the work place. I am not a person who likes to hide many things. At times I may even be too open, but that's just me. So with the tattoo idea, I do not want to have to 'hide' any of my potential body art. Tattoos are about self expression and shouldn't be hindered because of job restrictions. There is one particular case involving, Marine Corps and Firefighter veteran, Christopher Piggott, who was fired from Wood County Sheriff’s Office in West Virginia, on April 15th 2010 because of his forearm tattoo (right). The man served two tours in Iraq and faces discrimination after fighting for the very lives he still wishes to protect. Join the facebook groups to show support for this Marine!
 Two more sites containing petition details are included below.

Petition to End Discrimination Against Visible Tattoos in the Workplace
Tattoo Acceptance in the Workplace - Petition Site


Stairway to Heaven LIVE

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Here We Go (Glimpse of What's to Come)


Hello, Edward is the name and this new journey is the game.
I plan on making a difference in the world, no matter the scale. It doesn’t take a “BIG” voice to make a difference. These are the words I live by. In addition to my love for controversy, I feel it is my duty to bring attention to those topics that are sometimes over-looked and swept under the rug so to speak. “If you’re not part of the solution your part of the problem” a quote every one of us has heard at one point or another. These are also words that speak to me and making a difference starts with the individual. “Be the change you wish to see in the world” – Gandhi

Hey everybody, anyone... 8- )
I’ve really wanted to start this blog for quite some time but, I have never really jumped into action until a great friend of mine Kate Hostetler helped me pick out a new e-mail address to dedicate to this blog and that was the final push to get these wheels turning. allyouneedised@yahoo.com (her great idea by the way!) We both love The Beatles and that is where the idea came from. I am not a 100% how this blog is going to turn out or which direction I am going to be heading in, but I hope those of you who decide to follow me appreciate whatever bits of ramble I wind up publishing, along with some discussion on current and pressing issues, and recent events that I plan on calling into question.




It’s about discovery. Self discovery…. It’s about figuring out who you are, piece by piece, experience after experience. It’s not about looking; it’s about letting… letting the discoveries make themselves known. Much like Russian government attempting to “order” industrial revolution from the top of the government, instead of Europe for example, whose people pieced together industrialization for themselves. Ordered modernization wouldn’t come easy because of the lag in progression in Russian society back in the time of industrial boom and I use this example to explain that it’s not about pushing to find out who you are, instead you just have to let it happen with open eyes and open arm. Being open-minded is really the only true way towards self discovery. It’s about exposure to new ideals, concepts, and situations. It takes finding those moments that strike a personal chord within for a person to have truly stepped foot on uncharted personal self being. For me, the years in high school before the transition into the college atmosphere were when I would say that I was a fairly closed minded individual. Being a part of the free spirited environment where creativity is promoted has not only helped me progress into the person I am becoming, but has taken the steps for me so to speak as far as figuring out who I am. Even though the many shadowed corners of my personality are still yet to be illuminated, I do know that every strand of my beliefs and theories connects within a knot of peace.

Also I love music, so with every post there will be an added music video of the song I was listening to during the process of my post.

Days Difference - Radio Song
http://www.facebook.com/#!/daysdifference