Analysis 2

 The title of the article in which I read was “Abortion Is a Woman's Right.” It was written by Ed. Christine Watkins.
 Ed. Christine Watkins is and educationist on various situations. She is known to be out spoken on her view points. Her purpose in writing is to inform all who are willing to learn about various situations. Her purpose is to also expose the view point of mankind in various situations. Christine Watkins is a well educated female who went to school and obtained a degree in sociology and within philosophy. By Christine Watkins obtaining these degrees she is able to professionally analyze various issues that humans face on day to day bases.
 Within the article “Abortion Is a Woman’s Right” it touched on various subheadings. The first was based upon the title, how abortions are the right to every woman. She explained how the International human rights agreements support a woman's right to make decisions that affect her own body. Among these rights are the right to physical integrity, which entitles her to decide if she will or will not carry a pregnancy to term; the right to privacy, which allows her to decide to have an abortion without government interference; the right to life, under which she should have access to a medically safe abortion that will not endanger her life. If a woman decides that an abortion is in her best interest, governments should respect that decision and recognize that she is exercising her basic human rights. She included facts on how each year; seventy-five million women have unwanted pregnancies. Each of these women has her own household relationships, hopes for the future, economic concerns, and health needs. These and other factors will influence her decision either to carry a pregnancy to term or to seek an abortion. Given the complexity of this decision, the only person equipped to make it is the pregnant woman herself. Neither family, nor clergy, nor community, nor government has the capacity to make that decision for her. She explained how the governments should respect a woman's human right to make decisions regarding her reproductive life.
 Within her next subheading she discussed how it the choice of a woman to have her unborn child aborted due to the laws that states women chooses what take place within their bodies. She also talked about Women's Right to Health Entitles Them to Safe Abortion. She explained how the International law guarantees women the right to "the highest attainable standard of health.” Unsafe abortion can have devastating effects on women's health. Where death does not result from unsafe abortion, women may experience long-term disabilities, such as uterine perforation, chronic pelvic pain, or pelvic inflammatory disease. Safe abortion services protect women's right to health.
 Based on the reading of her analysis she is neither for abortions, nor against them. By the style of her writing her stand is natural. Her purpose and intentions were to inform others of the rights of women, and how those whom have abortions look at the situation.
 Christine’s evidence within her paper was all very informative. However when she included laws that support abortions and also included factual numbers of women who have in wonted pregnancies a year was truly a significant peace of evidence. Her strong points are located throughout the paper. She made sure her wording was consistent, and her statements were direct and blunt, straight to the point.
 Christine’s writing is not directed to a specified race, sex, socio-economic
background, educational level, however her audience appears to be of an older more mature crowed. Those whom are more so open minded, willing to listen and learn. By Christine’s style of writing, and her phrasing she was most likely prompted to write this due to the women’s rights movements, the physical, and verbal abuse that women who have abortions receive just to name a few. The most important thing I have learned from this article is the specified and detailed rights that women have in regarded to their bodies and as women as a whole. Coming from a personal stand point I do agree that women should be in control of their own body. However; when a life is involved MURDER IS NOT AN OPTION. Taking the life of an unborn child is murder and should be disciplined as such. When it comes to the life of a conceived child, his or her should NEVER be taken.

In Response to Rasheedah Peters
 Same Sex Marriages

Your article was interesting and had many different angles to view Same Sex Marriages. I do agree that society should recognize that there are gay couples that want to be acknowledged legally as committed couples. But at the same time when marriage was brought into the world it was intended to be between a man and woman. I believe that the word “marriage” should only be used for male and female legal committed relationships. I believe that the biggest controversy is trying to break tradition. Why not just change the word of a legal gay union to a “legal union”? By doing so the gay couple is acknowledged as being legally and respectfully acknowledged as a couple in a committed relationship. Personally I was been around several gay people and have learned that they are still people just like you and me that deserve to be treated with respect. We are now hear to judge them but are just here to love them. But anytime a group of people set out to change a tradition that isn’t harm to the masses you are going to be up for a battle.

In response to Dequilla Baker
 “Abortion Is a Women’s Right”
Abortion has been a legal woman’s right for several years now. I believe that our government should make it harder for women to make that choice. For example personally I know three women who chose to have an abortion within one year of their abortions each women was pregnant again and gave birth to a child. Do you agree that if women can afford to pay for an abortion she could also find it within her budget to put herself on some type of birth control? There are so many different methods of birth control that there shouldn’t be any unwanted pregnancies this day in time. But you do have different situations where a woman could have been raped or a doctor might see the need to abort a child based on medical concerns for the child or mother. At that point I believe the woman should have the right to have an abortion. There are some many women that are using abortion as a means of birth control.

In response to Djeyelumbuku I understood his thoughts on a traditional husband and wife marrige possibly working better based on their "innate roles". My only critique was that this article didn't seem to stress the changes in society taking place, where women are increasingly earning more money, and becoming greater participants in this new knowledge-based economy. I believe that this fundamental change is going to force Americans in particular to re-examine what those traditional roles are for each participant in marriage. A question that reality raises for me is wheather we as humans will adapt to the changes and change our views of the roles of each persin in the marriage, or ignore this change and accept the divorce rates as being caused by something else. One question I had was wheather or not he thought that there were other things that played roles in marriages not working, and also if he thought they were more detremental to marriage.

In response to Sdebelao, the article is about the spread rate of aids in developing countries as well as in third world countries. These include Africa, Asia, Caribbean Islands, and Latin America. The author's focus is mainly in Africa.
   The article written by Ed Susman shows great concern for the spread of aids, claiming millions of lives and taking an economic toll. The article intends to reach as many people as possible to remind them of the dangers of contracting aids. The many orphan children left behind that have already been exposed to aids and many do not have a home to live in. We need to educate these children.
   As per the author, 40 million people are infected with aids in the world, and these numbers will continue to multiply if we don't stop the epidemic. So far, we have not found a medical solution to this problem. The only way to go is to use condomns or practice abstinence.
  I find that the author's concern for aids is informative and should give people awareness of the dangers of aids. In order for people to take responsability for their actions, they need to change their live style. We are no longer free and safe to behave irresponsibly.

In response to Rasheedah Peters, on the issue of same-sex marriage, I agreed with her analysis of the issue. It seems to me that many gays and lesbians are in favor of the same-sex marriages for a two fold reason. One part pertains to the fact that marriage has many financial benefits, like filing taxes together as well as being on your spouses health insurance. The other reason hinges on the fact that they feel society needs accept change, and come to terms with the fact that marriage is not only between a man and a woman, but that the only criteria is that two people love eachother. One thing I noticed was that I wanted to hear more about where she personally stood on the issue. My first question was if she was for ar against same-sex marriage, and what were her reasons for her position. Ultimately this will be an issue that the American public either in the states or on a national level will have to deal with.

In response to Rasheedah Peters:
After reading your response on “Society Should Allow Same-Sex Marriages,” I was very interested. This seems to be a hot topic in the media right now. I agree with your opinion on the issue. I believe everyone is a human being and we all share and have feelings. Who are we to judge people just because they are gay? A lot of people do believe that it is a sin, but at the same time I don’t believe god would have made them that way if he wasn’t going to accept them. I don’t believe being gay is a choice. I personally believe that is how they were born. You brought a new thought to my head when you mentioned that we let rapists and child abusers get married. I never looked at it that way, but it’s a good point. At the end you stated that a lot of people believe that people would get married for the benefits, which might possibly be true, but at the same time who said different sex couples aren’t doing the same thing? So overall, I agree with your opinion and really enjoyed reading your response.

In response to Patrick McNulty:
After reading your response on “Animal Experimentation is Necessary,” I totally disagreed. This is probably because I do not believe in animal testing. You said in your response that it is imperative to use animals in continuous studies. I believe there are many other useful ways to conduct studies without using animals. I don’t believe in this article the author said anything about all the studies that have been done on humans that have harmed people more then they have done good. So I was just wondering if you have ever looked at articles stating the reasons why animal experimentation is not necessary? You also commented that the author called mice dirty creatures, which leads me to believe she doesn’t think very highly about animals in the first place so she wouldn’t care what was really happening to them anyways. I am aware that millions of animals are put down because they have no homes, but that is a different subject all together. I do respect your opinion but I also hope that you have looked at the opposing side, as I have.

In response to Djeyelumbuku, I agree with you that men and women should play their traditional roles in the family. This idea works in my family, too. My parents celebrated their 30th anniversary last year and they have a very good relationship. Although my mother make almost as much as my father makes, he is still in charge of how we spend the money for the family. On another hand, my mother is not the only one prepare the food for us. They go to grocery stores together all the time. However, my mother decides what to cook most of the time. Therefore, even thou our society value on this topic are changing, it is still possible to maintain the traditional role in this family. I think the key to do that is the respect and support between the husband and wife. They also set up a perfect example for me since I was a child.

In response to Patrick McNulty, I think your topic is very interesting and I never thought to explore this issue before. I agree with you that it is acceptable to test the latest vaccine on laboratory animals. It is because it will greatly benefit the human race. In fact, I think it is ok even they use other animals as long as that type of animal is not extinction. This idea may sound merciless and evil. My reason is that all animals are equal. I don’t see any different between a chicken, which rises at the farm and end up on a grill, and a chicken, which rises in a lab for scientific research. I think people sometime are over sensitive when they hear this issue and just against it. I think it is better for the public if the scientist be more open and show how they handle those animals.

Sabrina Sutton: Response
      I completely agree with your topic. I personally believe that abortion is wrong and I agree with your statement that abortion is just another term for murder. I understand that there are some women that are victims of rape and incest, and these are horrible acts of crime. But if one life is destroyed in this act, why should another? Why should an unborn child have their life destroyed because of the actions of another? Secondly, on the grounds that it is the woman’s right to choose, I disagree. Yes, it is the woman’s body and the unborn child is a part of her; However, the child also is an individual and has its own rights. Some may argue that while the child in within the mother he is still just another body part of the mother. But an unborn child is still a living being that has just as much right to live here on this earth as you and I do. How many unborn children do you think we have murdered have been the next Eddison or Enstien?

Kimberly Caldwell: Response
     Your article really opened my eyes about gambling. Just as you stated in the article, I think that gambling is over looked as an addiction; most people do not realize that gambling is a high as well as drugs and alcohol. The numbers that you gave were staggering; it is hard to believe that most gamblers start before the age of 14. Well if you really think about it as an addition is does make sense. For example, most people who smoke start smoking in their early teens. Which makes the addition that much worse because when you start something that young you are creating habits that will stick with you for the rest of your life. I agree with your statement that gambling is a problem that needs to be dealt with, and people need to realize that gambling is a disease.

In response to Dequilla baker article.
Dequilla, I found your article on “Abortion Is a Woman’s Right” written by Ed. Christine Watkins, to be a little interesting in that the writer remained neutral, yet was willing to be out spoken on the topic of women rights and how abortions should be left up to the woman. I did not see anything being discussed on teenage pregnancy, or was that intentionally omitted? I agree that this subject is and has been a touchy subject for people to discuss I won’t to know how do you think the writer would respond had she been writing this article to a younger audience? Dequilla, you also stated that , “Christine’s writing is not directed to a specific group, but that the audience appears to be of an older more mature crowed. Those whom are more so open minded willing to listen and learn.” Learn what, may I ask? For me to skirt around an issue it to condone it. I agree with you MURDER IS NOT AN OPTION

Edited by author 05-26-2008 03:15 PM
In response to Djeyelumbuku, response reader 2&3
I agree with the author and you, however I feel one must first deal with the issue of not be unequally yoked as the Bible speaks of. If a man is unwilling to provide and protect his family before marriage he’s not likely to change after the fact. 40-years ago marriages did not end in divorce as we see it today. Couples prayed together, each one loved, honored, and respected the other. I think women and men today have gotten so far away from the will of God, not to mention our priorities, values and morals have declined and it continues to impact the family in a negative way. Women and men have been forced to leave the home and children to maintain the life style that the family has grown accustomed to. I agree with the author also in that the roles of the husband and wife will get along better if they knew their roles and stayed in them.

In response to Katie Logue on the topic of same sex marriages:
I agree that the targeted audience is the ignorant people who do not understand homosexual relationships. I also agree that religion is an appropriate reason to keep two people from being together just because of their sex. I really liked that she brought up the separation of church and state. That was a strong point that I feel is very important. I wished there was more in depth information in her writing but I understand that it was not apart of the assignment. I suppose it was a plus, because it makes me want to read more and learn as to why the government feels two women or two men are not as equal as a man and woman are. This is a good subject that has ever changing information. Even as dated information, it is an excellent example of religion being too big of an influence in peoples’ personal lives. Maybe when the older generation dies off and the more desensitized generation makes the decisions all the states will overturn the ban of same sex marriages.

In response to Patrick McNulty on the topic of animal experimentation:
Before reading the article I had never really given much thought towards animal experimentation. I just thought that it was cruel and a misuse of animals. After reading Patrick’s response I feel it is not as bad as people make it out to be. I agree that her strong argument is that a lot of dogs and cats do die from lack of homes, but by using them for science it saves other lives and is a good use of their own. Although the killing of animals still rubs me the wrong way I feel more positive towards it after reading more into it. The intended audience, animal activists, should rethink their opinions and ask themselves if it would be more humane and ethical to test it on humans. How would they feel if they were to come down with a disease and there was no cure for it because it was illegal to test on animals? I am sure they would feel differently if it were their death bed apposed to the animals that could have helped treat them.

Edited by author 05-26-2008 03:49 PM
Tulsi Patel:
  I found your review of the “Television Viewing May Encourage Youth Smoking” article to be interesting for the simple fact that I can’t really think of any contemporary television shows off of the top of my head that depict cigarette smoking in a positive or neutral light. There was Mad Men on AMC, but that was a period piece and the rampant smoking and drinking was part of the program’s social commentary. I think Dave Chappelle may have been seen smoking in between a few segments on his show, but I don’t think even he, at the height of his show’s popularity, could influence 3 million kids who hadn’t previously considered smoking to light up. Reality television shows sometimes depict smoking, but if the youth of today are taking their social cues from disgraced child stars, disgraced adult stars, dead-behind-the-eyes super models, creepy stage moms, and morons willing to eat pig vaginas to score dates with equally moronic pseudo-celebrities, we have far bigger problems on our hands than smoking. I can’t recall any popular music videos where the artists are smoking cigarettes (the only video I can think of off the top of my head is the Replacements “The Ledge” video, and that was in 1986). Major motion pictures shouldn’t really count because they’re not made for the small screen. I see more of those annoying Truth commercials on television than people smoking. I don’t think the relationship between smoking and television viewership among teens is as big an issue as it may have been in the past.

Line Khiev:
 I found your review of the “Art Form for a Digital Age” article interesting because I, too, believe that video games should be accepted as an art form. But the comparison between video games and movies doesn’t work so well, as movies were never aimed exclusively at children the way video games were. The reason adult games have taken off in the past few years is that all of the kids who played Pong and Super Mario Bros. and Burger Time are all adults now and video games are just a part of their lives. Young people today have never lived in a world where video games did not exist. By the time the first generation of gamers starts to round 50, video games will probably be accepted as a valid art form.
 As for video game violence, isn’t it interesting that the only time video games are lumped in with accepted forms of art like cinema and television is when it’s over something negative?

In response to Nakia Johnson regarding domestic violence. The author believes that mandatory arrest may not be the only way to end domestic violence. He believes that rehabilitation would help a person deal with anger and violence. I disagree with Nakia Johnson and the author. I believe that a person that is violent will remain violent for the rest of his life. When he/she is put under a certain amount of pressure the person will act with violence. A person that is violent was probably abused during his/her growing up years and experience a great deal of hurt when he/she was young. This is the only behavior that he/she knows. When this person is put under pressure the behavior of abuse will surfice. Serving jail time and rehabilitation I do not believe will change an angry person.

I am responding to the article I read about ‘AIDS Is Still Spreading in the Third World’ by Ed Susman, written by Samuel A Debela. I truly believe this is a horrendous plague that is doing all types of harm to countries all over the world. I feel the author didn’t write a tough enough article. I wanted to hear where the virus originated from and why it is spread so much faster in one continent than another. My opinion and argument is a controversial one. Is it a chance that the virus was lab manufactured and injected into people in order to cause racial genocide? It has been done before in our United States of America. Remember the Syphillis experiment in Tuskeegee,Al. in the 60’s? For those who don’t know, the government injected the virus into a group of black men to see what symptoms it would cause and how long they could live with it. One could also argue whether there is a cure and is it being withheld for monetary gains for the pharmaceutical companies. Did the author or anyone who read the article consider that argument?

     I wanted to respond to the hidden addiction. That is very interesting. I didn't know that so many people were addicted to gambling. I know some like to gamble a lot but when do you know if it is an addiction or just a habit. I do believe that a lot of the time many people enable others to keep there habit going. Whether it be because they don't want to upset them or they may be in a relationship with them or some other reason. They may not even realize that there is a problem. Sometimes because they may have the same problem or they have been around the situation so long that they do not know there is a problem. Especially if it is a child that may have grown up around this behavior. They may feel that this is normal or acceptable behavior because there older people are the ones doing it. What do you do if you do recognize the behavior? Sometimes the person may not be willing to go for help. It can be very difficult. You cannot just tie someone up and take them somewhere. Where do they go for help anyway ? I think that America makes it more easy for people to gamble by advertising to play the lottery and different casinos.