DC Sniper Executed

I remember that our field hockey game was cancelled because we weren't allowed to be outside. And I remember the nervousness of everyone in my small Maryland hometown, even though we were a Bay away from the disaster in the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia snipe fiasco. But the terror created by those events was enough to stir the waters in my neck of the woods as well.

On Tuesday night, John Muhammad, murderer of 10 in a 2002 shooting spree, received lethal injection in a Virginia state prison.

My reaction is ambivalent towards such a primitive, controversial means of execution; typically I am torn over whether or not to support it as a means of justice. However, after personally feeling the tightened grip of my own mother's arm during those few days, years ago, I do receive a certain amount of satisfaction for Muhammad's death. An eye for an eye almost, which is something I've never been quite comfortable saying about this practice before.

I typically consider myself a compassionate person - have considered myself against such a penalty as well. But this eerie sense of retribution leaves me more uncertain than in the past. Regardless, I remain unsure.

Fort Hood

Yesterday, in Fort Hood, Texas, President Obama reads the eulogy at the mourning of 13 active and retired soldiers who were killed by gunfire of Army psychiatrist, Major Nidal Malik Hasan.

I don't know how much I have authority to say about this subject, other than that it is a major tragedy for the American people and will be forever remembered.

Haunting questions arise from this horrific day in U.S. history. Is the government doing enough for soldiers returning from the battlefront? Not only with physical medical attention, like at Walter Reed Hospital in DC, but also the deserved mental attention that comes with returning to a "normal lifestyle" after extreme levels of stress and anxiety for months on end. What is the country to do? Hopefully this will be a big enough indicator to the military and government forces that change is needed as innocent and heroic lives could be at risk, and have been lost.

Further Abortion Restrictions

A late addition to the health care bill  in the House this past Saturday is probably making some or most abortion opponents throughout the world stand even more fervently in their pro-life shoes.

Now, federal subsidies for insurance will be denied when covering elective abortions. This is a HUGE deal for this controversial, long running debate. It seems that the provision was largely pushed by Roman Catholic bishops and conservative Democrats. According to the New York Times, however, "The provision would apply only to insurance policies purchased with the federal subsidies that the health legislation would create to help low- and middle-income people, and to policies sold by a government-run insurance place that would be created by the legislation."

Pro-choice supports argue that this change is a threat to women's rights and their coverage. However, the Obama administration and major Democratic leaders have said from the beginning that taxpayers would not be liable to cover elective abortions with the new health care bill, statements that he has received a lot of crap from and continues to. State laws are becoming more scrupulous on abortion practices and this new addition to the health bill will only fuel the fire for more restrictions.

Too Fat to Kill?

Really? Really, America???

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2009/11/jury_in_toofattokill_case_hear.html

Maine Rejects Gay Marriage

The rocky wave that has been gay rights took another dip this week with the rejection of gay marriage in Maine, a state assumed to pass such legislation.

Although they raised more money than their opponents, the money and the message didn't connect as state residents overwhelming rejected the bill, becoming the 31st state to deny such unions. Four of the legalized five are in New England, which leave many confused as to why Maine went the way it did.

Another blow that will rock but not stop the movement.

Poppin' Gats

Here's a frightening statement from the Washington Post today...


"In a year of job losses, foreclosures and bag lunches, Americans have spent record-breaking amounts of money on guns and ammunition," and, "At points during the past year, bullets have been selling faster than factories could make them."


Not exactly a trend I was hoping to see. 


I suppose with a struggling economy, crime and burglary probably have increased. Maybe also suicidal tendencies? (I digress.) But regardless, this is definitely a scary trend. The breakdown of people's bank accounts, stability and happiness is not something that should be directly correlated with increased ammunition sales. Maybe the influx in consumption has nothing to do with the gloomy economic times but rather a fear from Conservative, millimeter/shotgun-toters that the new "liberal," black President is going to take their gun rights away. Something that our previous Texan never would have allowed. 


Who knows. I just don't like knowing that extensive amounts of bullets are piling up in certain peoples homes.

World Series Shenanigans

I'm not going to lie; I truly have no knowledge or understanding of baseball. And I didn't know that the World Series only included two teams, or that they played each other so often back and forth between their two cities. I didn't know the records of either the Phillies or the Yankees in years past, nor do I know a single player on either team other than Derek Jeter and A-Rod (and I only know of them because of their past and present celebrity counterparts).

So tell me...why do I find myself intrigued this year when in times past I couldn't give two hoots?
Is it because of the overwhelming hype that has enveloped the eastern seaboard?
Or is it because my university neighbors Philadelphia?
Or is it because the Yankees sound cool because Jay-Z likes them?

Regardless, this year's playoffs are nothing but intense and exciting. I can't decide who I'm rooting for but either way, I know all of you are stoked.

P.S. Please don't violently bash this blog solely for my ignorance of an American past time. Let's just pretend I'm on your team's side. I'll try to take notes in the next game and by next year I'll be on the ball.