The Aftermath of Prop 8
As they walked the streets of Los Angeles, they ask for rights that were once taken away from them back. The right to get married should be between two people of any gender. Election Day, November 4, 2008 history was made; African American Barack Obama was elected president of the United States. But on that same historical day the right to get married was taken away from so many American citizens. Proposition 8, the ban on gay marriage was passed.
Marisol Lopez Zuniga, 28, is Mexican American and is a Lesbian. For Zuniga the outcome on proposition 8 was not a surprise, she says, “We live in a state where conservative minds dwell and the campaigning prayed on the fears of people who are too absent minded and closed minded to see that this was a civil rights case.”
After the disappointed outcome of this proposition thousands of gays and lesbians protested outside of the Los Angeles Temple of the Mormon Church in Westwood, who was a big proponent against gay marriage. In San Francisco and Sacramento more protesters gathered to fight for their rights.
Zuniga was not one of those protesters, “Protest make the issue look negative in my mind,” she said.
Fifty- two percent of Americans voted for proposition 8 to pass. But the shocking turn of events was the majority of the people who voted for proposition 8 to pass were African Americans and Latinos. Approximately 70 percent of African Americans voted yes on proposition 8, as well as 53 percent of Latinos, and 49 percent of Asians. African Americans and Latinos are more religious that is why the majority was so high.
Zuniga feels that the minorities who voted against her are entitled to their own opinion but she is disappointed that her own culture is so repressed and unwilling to be open-minded.
Gay activists are claiming that being gay is the “new black,” saying that it is a modern day civil rights movement. Zuniga believes that the discrimination against gays is fundamentally the same as the discrimination against African Americans because they are both fighting for rights.
Marriage is a social, religious, spiritual, or legal union of individuals, not just between a man and woman. In the religious definition marriage is union only between a man and a woman, but in May of 2008 the California Supreme Court ruled differently. The California Supreme Court ruled 4-3, the statues that limit marriage to a relationship between a man and a woman violated the equal protection clause of the California Constitution. The Supreme Court also ruled that same sex couples have a right to marry under the California Constitution. Proposition 8 over-ruled that decision.
By this turn of events Zuniga feels attacked, she says, “the people who were against the proposition will argue that they are trying to protect the sanctity of marriage (defined by a man and a woman). However, how can they defend the institution of marriage as a holy union when they allow drive thru Vegas weddings and justice of the peace weddings? Why can we as gay/lesbian couples not be allowed to honor the values of marriage which are to honor, obey and be loyal to a person just the same as the straight couple? We deserve the same rights that they have; the only difference is that they are a man and a woman. I am affected by this in the future if I ever decide to get married, but a civil union is not the same as marriage.”
After the California Supreme Court ruled in favor of same sex marriages approximately 18,000 same sex couples married between June of 2008 and early November before the 2008 election. Because of those who are close minded, the 18,000 same sex couples who married their marriages no longer exist.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Election Night Changed Everything
Election Night
On the evening of November 4, 2008 I watched history be made, I heard screams of joy made at the dormitories of California State University of Northridge and car horns were being honked as we all watched and listen for Democratic candidate Barack Obama, 47, elected president of the United States. For the first time in history an African American man was elected president of the United States. It was not only an historic night for the African American community but for everyone in America of all races.
This election was historic because not only did an African American run for president but there was a woman running for vice president. Governor Sarah Palin was Republican candidate Senator John McCain choice as vice president. Though many people did not agree with McCain’s choice it was nevertheless a woman possibly being a vice president of the United States and that in of itself is historic.
What were the reasons for Obama being elected president is it because he’s black, a democrat, or the best man for the job. Many speculated that African Americans would get his vote because he is African American. Though the percentage of African American voters was high this election year, Obama being black was not the reason he received those votes.
Nicholle Davis, 32, is a single mother of five from Syracuse, New York. She is African American, a first time voter, and she is a Democrat. Davis registered to vote this election year not because Obama was going to be the first African American president but because she was tired of living in a terrible recession. “The economy is horrible because of Republican President George W. Bush. I liked what Obama was talking about and the change he is going to make,” said Davis.
Davis also says that she could have voted when former President Bill Clinton was elected into office for both his terms but did not because she was not focused on politics at that time. And at the time Clinton was in office the economy was not in danger like it is now.
Over 250,000 Obama supporters joined him at Chicago’s Grant Park as he dominated over McCain on election night with 364 electoral votes, McCain with only 163. Obama also won the majority votes. He received 95 percent of the African American votes and two-thirds of Hispanic and Asian votes. Minority voters accounted for 26 percent of all votes compared to the 2000 election where there were only 19 percent of minority voters. Obama made history that night as being the first African American to be elected president but he also made history as being the first Democrat to receive 50 percent of the popular vote.
California State University of Northridge student Jessica Medina, 19, is a first time voter and she is also register as a Democrat. She was thrilled at the outcome of the election. “This was the most historic and important election and there was no way I would miss this. Aside from that, I was drawn to politics for the very first time, and it was all because of Barack Obama. I voted for Obama because he has inspired a whole nation to become united. He has given hope to many who lost faith, and made me believe in him as a politician. I feel his ideas will change America,” said Medina.
Like Medina many people had lost hope in this country because of President Bush being in office and Obama words made that hope change. The majority of young voters felt the same way Medina felt on election night, proud to be a part of this historic election. Obama received 66 percent of the 18-29 votes that night compared to the 53 percent in 2004.
Former student of CSUN Chace Cappello, 24, is register as a Democrat and is not a first time voter. Like most he believes that everyone should have a voice when it comes to voting. Cappello voted for Obama because he did not want another Republican in office. His other reason for voting for Obama was because he was concerned with the way the world views America and after eight years of having a terrible president its time for change and Obama brings that to the table. “The rest of the world views Obama positively, an intelligent person, and eloquent speaker,” said Cappello.
America is going through a recession and the economy is at a terrible state. America needs a leader that will pull us back up and Obama is that leader. All we can do as a society is wait to see the changes he will make.
On the evening of November 4, 2008 I watched history be made, I heard screams of joy made at the dormitories of California State University of Northridge and car horns were being honked as we all watched and listen for Democratic candidate Barack Obama, 47, elected president of the United States. For the first time in history an African American man was elected president of the United States. It was not only an historic night for the African American community but for everyone in America of all races.
This election was historic because not only did an African American run for president but there was a woman running for vice president. Governor Sarah Palin was Republican candidate Senator John McCain choice as vice president. Though many people did not agree with McCain’s choice it was nevertheless a woman possibly being a vice president of the United States and that in of itself is historic.
What were the reasons for Obama being elected president is it because he’s black, a democrat, or the best man for the job. Many speculated that African Americans would get his vote because he is African American. Though the percentage of African American voters was high this election year, Obama being black was not the reason he received those votes.
Nicholle Davis, 32, is a single mother of five from Syracuse, New York. She is African American, a first time voter, and she is a Democrat. Davis registered to vote this election year not because Obama was going to be the first African American president but because she was tired of living in a terrible recession. “The economy is horrible because of Republican President George W. Bush. I liked what Obama was talking about and the change he is going to make,” said Davis.
Davis also says that she could have voted when former President Bill Clinton was elected into office for both his terms but did not because she was not focused on politics at that time. And at the time Clinton was in office the economy was not in danger like it is now.
Over 250,000 Obama supporters joined him at Chicago’s Grant Park as he dominated over McCain on election night with 364 electoral votes, McCain with only 163. Obama also won the majority votes. He received 95 percent of the African American votes and two-thirds of Hispanic and Asian votes. Minority voters accounted for 26 percent of all votes compared to the 2000 election where there were only 19 percent of minority voters. Obama made history that night as being the first African American to be elected president but he also made history as being the first Democrat to receive 50 percent of the popular vote.
California State University of Northridge student Jessica Medina, 19, is a first time voter and she is also register as a Democrat. She was thrilled at the outcome of the election. “This was the most historic and important election and there was no way I would miss this. Aside from that, I was drawn to politics for the very first time, and it was all because of Barack Obama. I voted for Obama because he has inspired a whole nation to become united. He has given hope to many who lost faith, and made me believe in him as a politician. I feel his ideas will change America,” said Medina.
Like Medina many people had lost hope in this country because of President Bush being in office and Obama words made that hope change. The majority of young voters felt the same way Medina felt on election night, proud to be a part of this historic election. Obama received 66 percent of the 18-29 votes that night compared to the 53 percent in 2004.
Former student of CSUN Chace Cappello, 24, is register as a Democrat and is not a first time voter. Like most he believes that everyone should have a voice when it comes to voting. Cappello voted for Obama because he did not want another Republican in office. His other reason for voting for Obama was because he was concerned with the way the world views America and after eight years of having a terrible president its time for change and Obama brings that to the table. “The rest of the world views Obama positively, an intelligent person, and eloquent speaker,” said Cappello.
America is going through a recession and the economy is at a terrible state. America needs a leader that will pull us back up and Obama is that leader. All we can do as a society is wait to see the changes he will make.
How to Smoke Marijuana
How to Smoke Marijuana?
There are certain steps in life that our parents teach us, such as how to tie your shoes or how to be a gentleman or a young lady, but what our parents do not teach us is how to smoke Marijuana?
Because parents think that smoking marijuana is the bad. This article is going to educate people on how to smoke marijuana, so let’s begin.
There are many steps one takes before smoking pot. You can smoke marijuana, also known as weed or pot, out of a bong, pipe, roll a blunt or you can even put pot in a dessert of your choice. But knowing how to choose marijuana is of key importance. Before you choose marijuana you have to be sure your prepared.
Step one: Making sure your prepared before you smoke: When people get high they tend to have the munchies. Make sure you have a good snack prepared before you smoke. Otherwise you will fall asleep and that is no fun. A good thing to eat is fast food, it goes will with weed.
Have a couple of friends around, being alone when smoking is not exactly fun. Oddly enough, when people get high they have some insightful conversations. Make sure there is some sort of entertainment all friends can enjoy. A great music choice is Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. And most importantly make sure you’re in a safe place to smoke.
Step two: How to choose weed? Quality weed is something that has the scent of pine trees. But when a marijuana plant is harvested before reaching maturity, it will not taste as well as a fully grown plant. Quality weed is also light, soft, and sticky to touch. You can also tell if the weed is good if you have a high after smoking the first hit.
Step three: Choosing how to smoke it? There is smoking out of a pipe, bong, rolling a joint or you can even cook with pot. There are different steps to take with each of these methods.
Smoking out of a bong leads right into how to smoke from a pipe. The first step in this process is to pack the bowl. Put pinches of weed into the bowl, press the weed down gently into the bowl and repeat the process until it is nearly full. If you pack down too hard because the smoke will not have gaps in order to reach the bottom of the bowl and go through the hole.
Once the bowl is packed, have a lighter handy, light the top of the bowl, and than inhale through the mouthpiece. The flames will descend into the bowl and the marijuana will light up. There is a small hole on the pipe nears the bowl called the carburetor, cover this hole while lighting or inhaling.
Smoking out of a pipe is different. Smoke comes through the bong and surfaces up through a certain amount of water. Make sure the water is cold and clean. If the water is cooler than it will have a nice effect on the throat. Once you have pack the bowl put your fingers on the carburetor, light at the top of the bowl, and inhales. Continue until the weed has burned out.
Smoking weed out of a pipe versus smoking out of a bong is cleaner and is smoother on the throat because of the water. Where as a pipe you feel smoke on your throat, it has a stronger effect on your throat, and you taste the icky parts of the weed; because you are smoking weed without the water.
How to smoke a joint? Smoking a joint get’s you high more than smoking from a bong or a pipe; because it is nothing but weed with paper. Once the joint is rolled there should be two openings, light the closed end.
Your mouth should fill with smoke, inhale slowly wait a couple of seconds, and then exhale slowly. If with friends continue to pass the joint around until it burns out.
Making pot brownies is another way to get high but that is for next time. These steps will help in smoking weed and hopefully teach you something that parents will not teach. Remember if you’re not getting a high after the first hit than you’re doing something wrong.
There are certain steps in life that our parents teach us, such as how to tie your shoes or how to be a gentleman or a young lady, but what our parents do not teach us is how to smoke Marijuana?
Because parents think that smoking marijuana is the bad. This article is going to educate people on how to smoke marijuana, so let’s begin.
There are many steps one takes before smoking pot. You can smoke marijuana, also known as weed or pot, out of a bong, pipe, roll a blunt or you can even put pot in a dessert of your choice. But knowing how to choose marijuana is of key importance. Before you choose marijuana you have to be sure your prepared.
Step one: Making sure your prepared before you smoke: When people get high they tend to have the munchies. Make sure you have a good snack prepared before you smoke. Otherwise you will fall asleep and that is no fun. A good thing to eat is fast food, it goes will with weed.
Have a couple of friends around, being alone when smoking is not exactly fun. Oddly enough, when people get high they have some insightful conversations. Make sure there is some sort of entertainment all friends can enjoy. A great music choice is Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. And most importantly make sure you’re in a safe place to smoke.
Step two: How to choose weed? Quality weed is something that has the scent of pine trees. But when a marijuana plant is harvested before reaching maturity, it will not taste as well as a fully grown plant. Quality weed is also light, soft, and sticky to touch. You can also tell if the weed is good if you have a high after smoking the first hit.
Step three: Choosing how to smoke it? There is smoking out of a pipe, bong, rolling a joint or you can even cook with pot. There are different steps to take with each of these methods.
Smoking out of a bong leads right into how to smoke from a pipe. The first step in this process is to pack the bowl. Put pinches of weed into the bowl, press the weed down gently into the bowl and repeat the process until it is nearly full. If you pack down too hard because the smoke will not have gaps in order to reach the bottom of the bowl and go through the hole.
Once the bowl is packed, have a lighter handy, light the top of the bowl, and than inhale through the mouthpiece. The flames will descend into the bowl and the marijuana will light up. There is a small hole on the pipe nears the bowl called the carburetor, cover this hole while lighting or inhaling.
Smoking out of a pipe is different. Smoke comes through the bong and surfaces up through a certain amount of water. Make sure the water is cold and clean. If the water is cooler than it will have a nice effect on the throat. Once you have pack the bowl put your fingers on the carburetor, light at the top of the bowl, and inhales. Continue until the weed has burned out.
Smoking weed out of a pipe versus smoking out of a bong is cleaner and is smoother on the throat because of the water. Where as a pipe you feel smoke on your throat, it has a stronger effect on your throat, and you taste the icky parts of the weed; because you are smoking weed without the water.
How to smoke a joint? Smoking a joint get’s you high more than smoking from a bong or a pipe; because it is nothing but weed with paper. Once the joint is rolled there should be two openings, light the closed end.
Your mouth should fill with smoke, inhale slowly wait a couple of seconds, and then exhale slowly. If with friends continue to pass the joint around until it burns out.
Making pot brownies is another way to get high but that is for next time. These steps will help in smoking weed and hopefully teach you something that parents will not teach. Remember if you’re not getting a high after the first hit than you’re doing something wrong.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)