Comments to...

http://sharni-tc.blogspot.com/2007/04/abortion.html. Concerning the issue of abortion.

I agree with you that life is a "gift", but I think it is only so much so in the right circumstances. I see that you think rape is the only situation in which abortion can be justified, but I must disagree. Many pregnancies can be the result of a form of birth control failing; so in this case the couple would have been practising sex with contraception to prevent conception. When the couple discover that a baby has been conceived they may not want the child (because of issues such as being too young or not having enough money to support the child), else they would have been trying for a baby and not using contraception. I think a couple in these circumstances have just reason for an abortion, as it is in the best interest of the child and the parents; at the end of the day it is their choice. Did you think about cases such as where the mother can undergo complications during the months of carrying the child? If it is life threatening, should an abortion be justified in your opinion?

Comments to...

http://beingverybad.blogspot.com/2007/05/drugs.html. Concerning the issue of drugs.

I would just like to point out that the police do still take "weed" seriously. Recently on the news there have been many stories about the police raiding houses that are believed to contain "weed" nurseries. So I think the government are still trying to diminish the drug suppliers even if "weed" is not a life threatening drug. So I don't think that "weed" is that "silly", it still kills brain cells and is serious enough for the police to take action.

Comments to...

http://donnie22.blogspot.com/2007/04/smacking.html. Concerning the issue of Smacking.

I agree that children need to be disciplined, but I don't know whether smacking is often the right way to go about it. You talked about "crossing the line" when referring to beating a child, but I think that line is difficult to place. Where is the line between smacking and abuse? This is what worries me, a parent could claim that he or she was simply disciplining the child when others could see it as beating; this difference in opinion is what is dangerous.

There is also another point. When a parent believes their child to have done wrong when they in fact haven't, the child faces injustice at the hands of their parents and looses trust. When children are smacked undeservedly the child begins to resent its parents, so I think that smacking should be a last resort and that other forms of discipline (ones that don't include violence, such as taking away the child's favorite toy, or grounding them etc) should at least be tried first before resorting to smacking.

Homosexuality

Homosexuality is perhaps not so much of an issue as it has been in the past, but I feel it is still worth mentioning. Before its legalization in the 1960's (the time of sexual freedom), people accused of being homosexual were jailed (such as Oscar Wilde). It has been found in all cultures at all periods of history (just like heterosexuality) but has undergone thousands of years of prejudice, due to strict religions and fear. Homosexuality has often been subjected to violence and oppression, but I think that things are eventually beginning to change. This is probably due to many alterations in English society, such as a decline in beliefs; the country is not as religious as it once was and the church no longer holds any power over society, allowing people to be more open minded and accepting. I also think that the appearance of homosexuality in the media, such as TV, films and books, has allowed the gay community to be broadcast (and has become desensitised in a way) so that society can accept it and not think it so unusual.

I actually have no issues with homosexuality, but I think that's due to the generation I am part of. I have grown up seeing it on TV and in films, and since I have been around it has been legal. I realise that it is perhaps difficult for people of older generations to accept it (like my parents), since they have been brought up with the prejudices of their parents. But it is good that same sex unions are now possible, even if it is not through the church. Many religions have problems with homosexuality since they consider it to be a sin (look at picture below!), but I think it is wrong and I believe it to be another example of control through organised religion. People should be who they really are and not feel pressurised into being someone else.

Click on the link below to learn more about the history of homosexuality and religion.

http://www.vexen.co.uk/religion/homosexuality.html

Abortion

I myself agree with abortion, but I do realise that in certain situations it is unjustified. The fear is that many women use abortion as a form of birth control, but should we take the choice of abortion away from them as a result? If abortion were ever to be banned or have limitations placed on it - depending on the situation - I think that it would be dangerous and that people would find other methods, such as backstreet abortions.

Women generally get abortions when contraception has been at fault, because they feel they are not ready for a child (too young or have financial difficulties), or when a child will have disabilities the parents feel they will not be able to support; and there are the more sensitive cases of rape victims who choose not to have their rapists babies. These are a few examples - in my view - of the right situations in which to have abortions, but there are those that abuse the system and these cases are what is causing the act of abortion to seem wrong. If the law changed, causing each case to be assessed to judge whether the abortion should take place or not, would mean taking away a woman's rights. I think that all women should have the choice to abort or not because it is their body, their decision.

A lot of people (especially those of a religion) would say that adoption is always another option, which I would agree it is, but there are some children that do not get adopted and are sent to foster home after foster home or spend most of their life in an orphanage. I think that with adoption and the issue of abortion, it all comes down to the quality of life the child will have.

I believe that adoption should be imposed when necessary, but it is not always practical for every case. I think that women should have the choice to have an abortion no matter what, although I (and many others) may not agree with some women's reasons for having one, they should not be penalised for this - it is their body, their choice and no-one should attempt to control it.

For more information and opinions, visit the link below which contains arguments for all sides of the issue of abortion.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/abortion.htm

Binge Drinking Youngsters

Underage drinking is a bit of an issue at present. The government fear that drinking underage will possibly cause alcohol dependency in later life, and so they are trying to prevent it. Most people I know started drinking before they were 18, myself included; its almost expected today, but the age people are starting to drink at is getting younger and younger.

I was 14 when I first started going out and hanging around the streets, drinking. There used to be a really big group of us that would meet up on a field by where I live and just get drunk. At the time when I was doing it I didn't think much of it, the police would often come to us and try to move us on due to complaints from people who lived near by, but we would have none of it. When I think back to the fights and arguments that took place and how loud we must have been, it was bad really. Its scary how much alcohol can change you, hence the reason why a lot of the times our weekly binge sessions would turn to violence.

This kind of behaviour that I once indulged in is the kind that can get you an ASBO nowadays. Hooliganism and violent acts such as rape and murder, take place because of underage drinking, where people get out of control. When I think about what I and others have put our livers through, it was probably not the most sensible thing to do, but I think this kind of behaviour is getting much worse.

I don't really regret hanging around the streets drinking, because I think its just part of growing up, almost like "a right of passage!", although its not really acceptable.

Click on the link below for information on health risks caused by binge drinking.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1930417.stm

Gambling

Gambling is considered a sin by most religions, and a waste of time by others, but some people really get addicted to it. I think I have gambled once in my life, I brought a lottery ticket (nothing really very big, I know) and I lost and so I've never really bothered with it since. My parents religiously buy a lottery ticket every week, and they'll win the odd £10, or sometimes even more, but I always think that if they added up all the £1's they have spent on the lottery, it would probably equal the amount of the jackpot! So as you can see, I think it's pointless....but am I wrong to do so?

Gambling has always seemed a bit desperate to me, but to be honest its not just people who need money that gamble, wealthy people gamble also. There is something seedy about going into your local betting shop, or the arcade in town - probably because the windows are usually covered up - but I must admit that I have never been in either.

Casino's have given gambling a glamorous edge, in films and adverts the places appear to be full of wealthy, beautiful people and not your average Joe Gambler. Its dressed up in this way so as to appeal to people and to try and abolish views that people like me have about gambling. No doubt it would be fun to go to Las Vegas, but I think I'd get bored if I lost, and I'd know not to keep going if I won.

People really get adicted to gambling, but most the time I think its just a lack of self control. I used to know someone who would think nothing of putting £50 into a bandit machine a few times a week, and if he won he would usually get less than what he had put in! It's absolute madness, I'd much rather spend my money on something more reliable. Fair enough it would be great to win lots of money, but the way some people go about it is just crazy. I won't say that I don't think i'll ever gamble because who knows what the future holds, but I hope that I'll never get into that situation where I feel i have to.

For more information on gambling and tell tale signs of addiction, visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onelife/health/addiction/gambling.shtml.

Bad Cinema

When I first found out that we were doing a lecture on bad cinema, I was thinking of badly made films, that were awful and didn't do too well. But when we watched Kids I realised that it is bad because of the issues it tackles. Kids is about a group of teenagers in America, who get drunk, take drugs, have unprotected sex and contract sexually transmitted diseases - already you see that the issues are many. The film caused great controversy when it was released in 1995 and as a result it was certified an eighteen, which meant that its target audience could not see it.

The worst part of the film (which is why it was made an 18) is when Casper rapes Jennie - with sleeping children in the room - who is in a drug/alcohol induced stupor. Another reason why it shocked people was because it almost seems real, as if it is some kind of documentary, because the camera wobbles at times, and some of the camera angles are unusual (almost unprofessional).

I know violence and rape scenes are difficult to watch, but i feel that the director, Larry Clark wanted to purposely shock the audience and try to show them just how horrifying a teenagers life in America can be. I think it was solely aimed at the teenagers it was about, because it serves as a warning....."don't take drugs and always use protection!". With kids it is also about not being afraid to show reality, Clark does not shy away from the sex scenes or the violence which made this film so controversial at the time. But now i think it has become some what less shocking, considering films that have been released since. I believe that society has become almost desensitised, with censorship not being as strict as it once was, the viewer can almost witness anything in a film. If Kids were to be released now, I don't think it would cause as much fuss as in 1995, although no doubt people would still feel uncomfortable when watching it. But i think it is effective in what it does and it certainly gives you an insight into how bad a teenagers life can be.

For more information about the films contraversy and critism, visit

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kids_%28film%29

Bandits and Outlaws

Robin Hood was considered a hero in the 16th Century, the "noble robber" who robbed the rich to give to the poor. It seems odd how sometimes people who break the law can be admired, and immortalised through films and books to become infamous. Robin Hood broke the law for the good of others and not in self gratification, unlike Jesse James who stole for himself and killed a lot of innocent people in the process.

Despite Jame's selfish acts towards fame and fortune he was still idolised by many, so much so that his life has been turned into films. I think that violence is a big part of modern life, whether it is through films, books or the news. The bad guy good guy is a popular character of many films and I think it originated from the outlaws of the past. There are various films that I have watched where I have been rooting for the bad guy throughout, this is because I perceive the bad guy as the good guy. For example, in the film Pirates of the Caribbean, the character Jack Sparrow, played by Johnny Depp, is a bad pirate who plunders and fights, yet we are drawn to him because of his exciting character and his quirkiness. I know the lovable fictional character of Jack Sparrow is perhaps not comparable to the likes of Jesse James, who really did kill and plunder and probably didn't drink rum, but I believe that the reason the public of America latched onto him was because of his exciting life and lets face it everyone loves a bad guy!

Visit http://www.legendsofamerica.com/WE-Outlaws.html. For information on the outlaws of the American West.

For a detailed examination of the history and legend that is Robin Hood, visit http://www.robinhood.co.uk/robin_hood.php

Being too religious

Religion has been the cause of many wars since its origins and I think it is the basis for a lot of problems in today's society. I believe it is possible that people can be too religious, and I think it scares society since it has always been there, causing problems. In recent years there have been the ongoing troubles in Northern Ireland, and more recently the terrorist attacks in America on 9/11 and the attack in London on 7/7. Religious extremists have forever been an ongoing issue, whether it was the Catholics during the 16th Century, who burned the nonbelievers at the stake , or the Muslim extremists who are now attempting to do the same kind of the thing today. I am not really religious myself, and I think in part this is what makes extremely religious people intolerable to me. I don't really have a problem with religious people as a whole, I just get annoyed when I am approached whilst walking down Dudley Street by preachers who try to convert me!

I find it difficult to accept that people believe in something that there is no solid proof for . I think its because I’m part of the science generation, and I require proof before I commit myself to anything. It does worry me that people can be taken in so easily by beliefs that have been proven wrong by science, and feel so strongly about it that it makes it OK to take the lives of innocent people. This is just part of the contradictions that make up religion because one christian value is that murder is wrong and yet what about the crusades?

Religion is fine as long as the people who follow it accept that other people have their own beliefs too, and they should not be penalised for this. I just find the idea of extremists threatening because looking at the past you can see the unlawful acts that religion has gotten away with.

There is a story on the Times Online, about a Female Pakistani minister shot dead for "breaking Islamic dress code". Link below...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article1414137.ece.

Extreme Dieting

I know this subject pretty much comes under the whole body modification issue, though it wasn't really tackled during the lecture I consider it a problem worth discussing.

There have recently been some TV programmes about extreme weight loss, where people have attempted to reach size zero or less. The first programme I watched was the one where Louise Redknapp attempted to reach size zero. This was so she could be monitored by health experts to determine whether the "get slim fast" diets that celebrities rely upon are actually healthy? The dieting regime that Louise took part in actually proved so unhealthy that her doctor begged her to stop the experiment.

The issue is that many of these diets are appealing to young teenagers (mostly girls) who aspire to be as slim as Paris Hilton or Lindsay Lohan. It seems that many women feel pressured to be skinny since all the stars are slim, and its fashionable at the moment, just like shapely figures were in the 1930's. Although normal people like you and me might feel we have to slim down because we want to look like the stars, it seems there is also extra pressure on the celebrities to slim down, more so than there has ever been before. For example, Gwen Stefani has lost a lot of weight since her early days in the band No Doubt, this is most likely because she is expected to land film roles, such as the part she played in The Aviator. In an interview Gwen even admitted to "starving" herself to lose that extra pound! It seems that in this generation we are trying to fit into clothes rather than the clothes fitting us.

If you look in any glossy magazine you are bound to see stars that you know and admire flashing their ribs at the world. Actors that were once considered role models are now stripped of that status because of the size of their waist. Just last year, the South American model Luisel Ramos, died of a heart attack at the age of 22 because she had been living on a diet of green leaves and diet coke. It seems that she was starving herself to gain a successful career.

To read more on this story, go to http://community.sparknotes.com/index.php/2006/09/

The picture of Angelina Jolie above, is an exaggerated example of weight loss - hopefully it will never get that bad - I think it shows us just how stupid the need to be ridiculously skinny is. Soon, if they don't be careful, the glamorous people of the world will begin to look more like charity cases than people to be admired.

Lying with Integrity?

Well to begin with I wasn't sure whether the two words, LYING and INTEGRITY, could be linked together in the same sentence. Surely they contradict each other? Lying with integrity, the possession of firm principles: the quality of possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles or professional standards? But we talked in the lecture about lying for the "right reasons", or "white lies" as we call them, lies that we tell for the good of others, or do we?

It is true that when a lie is told it is often difficult to determine who's best interest it is in. White lies are apparently lies which we tell to prevent our loved ones from getting hurt - or is it to save our own morals from being undermined? I believe that there are some rare examples of selfless lies, but I also believe that a lot of the time lies are being told for our own satisfaction. For example, if a four year old child's mother died of an overdose, it would be up to the family to explain to the child how his mother died, but they would have to use a euphemism and not go into detail on what caused the parents death. This to me would be a selfless lie, as it is in the interest of the child, because he is too young and innocent to possibly understand the circumstances of his mothers death.

Some lies can be completely selfish or even have the cover of being selfless when really they are not. Some lies can appear to be in the interests of others when really the teller of the lie is also receiving something from it. There are also malicious lies, lies which are told with the sole purpose of hurting someone. These type of lies I find unnecessary and evil, and I think they hold no real purpose except self gratification. For example, the protagonist of the play, Billy Liar is a complete pathological liar, who tells lies for his own good and lies that are completely nonsensical.

I have to admit that I have lied - but who doesn't? - and I still do in certain circumstances though I know I am no pathological liar, if anything i can be too honest at times, but i think throughout life lying is needed. There is no denying that lies, even of the "little white" variety still cause pain somewhere along the line - though there are the few that "slip the net", so to speak and are never discovered. Like my earlier example of the child who's parent had overdosed. The child will eventually discover how his mother died and will quite possibly resent the people who failed to tell him when he was younger. Some lies are an essential part of your survival kit through life. If your girlfriend asks you if you think she looks fat in her new dress, you reply "NO!" as if it is a reflex because you know what will happen if you don't! Honesty isn't always the best policy, but lying can sometimes be no alternative either! I think we just have to know where to draw the line.

To learn more about lying and reasons for doing so, visit http://webhome.idirect.com/~readon/lies.html.

Body Modification

I found it strange that in the past, in many ancient traditions, body modification has taken place to increase attractiveness. Tattoos were tribal in some cultures and in others men would be tattooed all over their bodies to even out the pain felt in child birth by the female members of the tribe. Tattoo's in modern western society have lost their link to such traditions and have become a fashion accessory, for example, the "emo" star which has it origins with sailors.

Piercings also originated in tribal communities and were considered strange when they were brought over to western society. When asked in the lecture held on body modification, whether i had purposely modified my body I immediately thought no, not considering my ear piercings to be anything of the sort. This is because our society has become used to piercings, we do not consider them as something which modifies us drastically. It is the same when you cut your hair or when you colour it is just a less extreme form of modification.

Above and below are examples of more extreme forms of modification which cause shock and disgust, and of which we may soon become immune to.

To see more pictures and information, visit http://www.bodymod.org/home.asp or http://www.vanishingtattoo.com/

Infidelity

Infidelity can be considered a terrible breach of trust and companionship. But is it just nature at work? Many members of the animal kingdom, such as birds and some species of mammal, go through life having many partners to increase the state of reproduction and continue the species. This idea of reducing human relations into attempts of continuing the human species, degrades the purpose of humanity and leaves us to appear no more intelligent than animals.

I think that infidelity is unacceptable and cannot be blamed on our "animal instincts" for we are still beings who are able to reason, a distinguishable feature as suggested by Descartes, which sets us apart from the animal kingdom (or our ape like past). Our ability to think and feel emotions is what makes human relationships more than just breeding - so why can't couples be faithful?

There are some exceptions to the rule of fidelity in my mind, for example, an unhappy marriage where someone is being abused or in the instance that a partner is in a coma or in a vegetative state.

For more opinions on infidelity visit, http://www.channel4.com/health/microsites/0-9/4health/teenlife/rel_infidelity.html which contains case studies and tell tale signs.

Masturbation!

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Shoplifting

I can honestly say that i have never shoplifted. I could claim that it's because I've never been desperate enough, but i could then point out that you haven't necessarily got to be desperate or poor to steal. The Hollywood actress, Winona Ryder was caught shoplifting a few years back. I'm certain that it wasn't because she was poor, so then why would a Hollywood star sink to petty theft when she had so much at stake? I think it's because shoplifting draws in the thrill seekers, looking for a free thrill that comes with rewards, as well as an adrenaline rush! It's true that many criminals get an addiction to stealing and can't give it up, and accordingly the dictionary states that Kleptomania is "an obsessive urge to steal, especially when there is no economic necessity".

I work in retail, and i had not realised how bad the shoplifting situation was. I regularly walk round the store and find empty boxes of expensive creams and make-up, or the odd packs of tablets with a few removed. Some of the theft appears pointless and sometimes it seems as if the store has become a "free for all". But I think about, not the ones who steal for the "buzz" but the ones who are desperate and how bad their life must have become to force them to steal.

Some people steal because they are desperate and need to feed their families or themselves. I still don't think it's right, but if i needed to steal to survive, I would. Shoplifting is different to stealing someones possessions, for example, going into a house and stealing their new plasma TV or mugging someone on the street is different because its stealing someones actual possessions, where as shoplifting is not. Other forms of stealing can also be violent where as shoplifting tends to take the discreet approach. I am not suggesting that shoplifting is acceptable, but I am not condoning it as the worst criminal offence either.

For more information and statistics visit, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4477596.stm. What do people shoplift? WHO, WHAT, WHY?

Smoking, cool or not?

I was shocked to discover in last weeks lecture just how much smoking has been a part of society through the years tobacco has been manufactured. I have never been a smoker, and i don't really agree with it but it's weird that in many films where i have idolised characters, a lot of them have been smokers. Such as Brad Pitt's character, Tyler from Fight Club who is cool and kind of quirky, i never realised that a lot of his "coolness" resides in the fact that he smokes. It is funny because Fight Club is not such an old film yet it still depicts smoking in this "snazzy" way despite the health risks being fully known in today's society.

For more information on smoking in films, take a look at the website, http://www.tobaccofree.org/films.htm, where there is an in depth discussion about the issues of smoking in media.