But what about the "secure" part? Isn't a security service supposed to, I don't know...secure something? I'm curious to see the definition of "secure" in Olympic Security Service's contract with their employees. If you haven't heard of or seen the video leaking all over youtube, Facebook, and news websites...well, I'm glad you've emerged from underneath your rock. The Feb. 10th Seattle bus tunnel security camera shows footage of a brutal fight between two 15 year-old girls. I know, I know- kids are kicking each other's asses all the time. Aside from the huge and underestimated storm of youth bullying, -which we'll get into later- here's the kick of this video: three Olympic security officers stand there watching, or in their language, "observing and reporting", the fight. No effort is made to separate these two kids while one girl kicks and stomps on the other girl's head about seven times, after continuous blows to the face, all of this rendering her unconscious. The dirt on the street (rather what was reported from the victim and witnesses) was that she knew she was going to be "jumped" and stayed around security guards assuming they would mediate the situation to some degree. But after the attack and apparent robbery from the assailant's crew, Olympic security defended their employees by saying their job is to observe and report, and that's what they did. As they are an unarmed security force, it would be safer for them to stay out of it. Good thing Seattle is looking out for the safety of grown-ass men rather than the local children.
Seattle Video
Monday
Don't Ask, But Let Me Tell...
Tope 5 Pros and Top 5 Cons of President Obama's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal
Pros
5.) Improves the integrity of the American military
4.) Tears down homophobic walls in ranks, units, and divisions of the military
3.) Will retain the future number of soldiers that would otherwise be lost for breaking the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy (31,000 men and women were dishonorably discharged in the war against Iraq)
2.) Greatly marks progress of the fight for gay civil rights
1.) Follows through with America's promise of equal rights to all people regardless of race, sex, gender, religion, sexual preference, etc.
Cons
5.) Military retention will be difficult, considering the vast amount of conservatives who serve and denounce this lifestyle, at least the "knowledge" of it
4.) Recruiting and retaining gay soldiers will also be harder for the military, as they might not want to tell, but they can certainly be asked and or accused, leading to uncontrolled inappropriate behavior from their colleagues
3.) Unit cohesion will be tested. After being interviewed about the repeal, straight soldiers have commented on how they're uncomfortable (or afraid) of showering and bunking with gay soldiers... I promise, young soldiers, we are not contagious.
2.) As previously stated, it's not just the "don't tell" part that's being repealed, but also the "don't ask" part. Tell away, but if you're trying to maintain your sexuality preference under wraps... anyone can ask you, however they damn well please.
1.) Safety of American militia is a general concern for the nation. Especially if it is corrupted violence from a fellow bunkmate because they are homophobic and don't like the way Private Williams was staring at him. The safety of outed military officers is the biggest concern of this repeal. Not all servicemen are liberal democrats and will be so understanding of a homosexual's legal rights as a human being. And we've all seen what happened to Private Pile in Full Metal Jacket. And that was sugar-coated Hollywood.
Good luck, Mr. President.
p.s.- Don't assume I've personally picked a side. For me, it's become one of those things where you just close your eyes and pray to God that it's the right decision.
Pros
5.) Improves the integrity of the American military
4.) Tears down homophobic walls in ranks, units, and divisions of the military
3.) Will retain the future number of soldiers that would otherwise be lost for breaking the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy (31,000 men and women were dishonorably discharged in the war against Iraq)
2.) Greatly marks progress of the fight for gay civil rights
1.) Follows through with America's promise of equal rights to all people regardless of race, sex, gender, religion, sexual preference, etc.
Cons
5.) Military retention will be difficult, considering the vast amount of conservatives who serve and denounce this lifestyle, at least the "knowledge" of it
4.) Recruiting and retaining gay soldiers will also be harder for the military, as they might not want to tell, but they can certainly be asked and or accused, leading to uncontrolled inappropriate behavior from their colleagues
3.) Unit cohesion will be tested. After being interviewed about the repeal, straight soldiers have commented on how they're uncomfortable (or afraid) of showering and bunking with gay soldiers... I promise, young soldiers, we are not contagious.
2.) As previously stated, it's not just the "don't tell" part that's being repealed, but also the "don't ask" part. Tell away, but if you're trying to maintain your sexuality preference under wraps... anyone can ask you, however they damn well please.
1.) Safety of American militia is a general concern for the nation. Especially if it is corrupted violence from a fellow bunkmate because they are homophobic and don't like the way Private Williams was staring at him. The safety of outed military officers is the biggest concern of this repeal. Not all servicemen are liberal democrats and will be so understanding of a homosexual's legal rights as a human being. And we've all seen what happened to Private Pile in Full Metal Jacket. And that was sugar-coated Hollywood.
Good luck, Mr. President.
p.s.- Don't assume I've personally picked a side. For me, it's become one of those things where you just close your eyes and pray to God that it's the right decision.
Oaxaca Rubies
Last August, a close friend approached me with a story Time magazine had recently published. It was an article conveniently titled, "Can A Mother Lose Her Child Because She Doesn't Speak English?". I was skeptical, especially since Time magazine and I do not have a good relationship. But I read the article (which you can find under featured links). And I couldn't believe it. In Mississippi, a newborn named Rubi is taken away (in either foster care or adoption) from her legal migrant-working mother because the mother's inability to speak English was considered an endangerment to the baby. I was caught off guard. I felt that there was a loophole that even Time magazine missed. But I did my research and this story was one of many hidden injustices in America. My friend was extremely passionate about this story and while both of us share the cultural pride of being Mexican, we also make an effort to stay tuned in on social issues in America such as this. While she expressed her frustrations, I encouraged her to take a step. To become a "do"er. Not just an identifier. Then I realized I wasn't really doing enough either. Hence the blog's title. This was an opportunity to honor people like Oaxacan-native Cirila Baltazar Cruz and her daughter Rubi; to focus this blog on not just immigration and racial issues, but social issues all together; to maintain awareness and self-education and perhaps to evoke a little action. My friend's e-mail signature is a quote she kind of lives by- Immortal Technique's, "My revolution is born out of the love for my people, not hatred for others." So, out of the love for Rubi, her Oaxacan roots, and the justice they deserve, I present to you: Oaxaca Rubies.
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