Blasphemy in the UN

blas·phe·my

 [blas-fuh-mee]

noun, plural blas·phe·mies.

1. impious utterance or action concerning God or sacred things.

2. Judaism .

a. an act of cursing or reviling God.

b. pronunciation of the Tetragrammaton (YHVH) in the original, now forbidden manner instead of using a substitute pronunciation such as Adonai.

3. Theology . the crime of assuming to oneself the rights or qualities of God.

4. irreverent behavior toward anything held sacred, priceless, etc.: He uttered blasphemies against life itself.

 

 

      The controversial anti-muslim video that his been enciting countless riots and protests accross the middle east has now been cause for debate in the UN as it is considering enacting an anti-blasphemy law. From the western world this is not being met well; as the U.S. government refused to demand the elimination of the video, insulting Mohamed, they will not stand to have their first amendment, the freedom of speech impeeched. Anger from the muslim community with the world is bumping heads with the Americans; as serious as murders at embassys, though many peaceful protests have ensued also. The debate is whose rights must be protected and how should the UN respond to bullying on a global scale?  

 

Photosource: http://heresalink.com/search/atheism 
[US President Barack Obama speaking in the UN earlier this week]
Definiton cited from http://www.dictionary.com

Same Love for Mackelmore

       A new song on hip-hop artist, Mackelmore's, newest album, The Heist, is anything but the same from this genre of the music industry. Same love is a song promoting marriage equality comes from a refreshing angle because as Mackelmore says himself within this piece, "if I was gay I would think hip-hop hated me". This song contrasts with the word "faggot" that is embedded in many popular hip hop songs, along the bandwagon of macho-ism. As for the song itself, Same Love, is a fantastic! As usual Mackelmore impresses us with his word play and rhyme and in this piece Mary Lambert's voice is a perfect addition; few reviews of the song disagree. The song's message, in addition to the proceeds, are in support of marriage equality so from this gay Mackelmore fan it receives 3 thumbs up!

Buy the song here! Proceeds going to the Music for Marriage Equality Campaign!

Stepping Forward With The CB Graduated 2013

This is a link to a photojournalism piece on the graduating students of Colonel By High School! Completed with Sarah Fox.

Photo: Preview from set; 2013 graduate Kyla Germain.

Photographer: Myself; Erin Strawbridge

LSC

     Just around the corner is Colonel By's biggest event of the year, leadership camp. This year it is titled #SWAG camp (students working to achieve their goals) out of some ironic, topical humor. I am ecstatic to be planning camp this year as it is such a major event and amazing weekend. I've been perfecting the schedule for weeks now and in a few days it will really be happening. Will everything go as planned? Probably not. Knowing my  luck it will probably rain everyday with a possibility of a fire tornado. However, I know that because of the amazing teachers and students involved it will be amazing anyway. That is what is so special about LSC, you get to spend time with people you spend everyday with but to see them in an entirely different light. LSC allows you to see your classmate as silly as ever and then open their heart up to you, it's so human and the weekend is so filled with love.
     Stay posted for a podcast summary of LSC when we return!!!

Photo source: Erica Guy (leader from LSC 2012)

WE WANT OUR EXTRACURRICULARS.

     Without a doubt you've heard about the teachers strike that's currently affecting schools across Ontario, including my beloved Colonel By Secondary School. The summary of the situation is that, due to Bill 115, which includes a wage freeze and less sick days for teachers and more controversial, negating the right to stirke, teachers across the province may be protesting through "Work to Rule". This, as you probably know, would cut clubs, school events, sports and more. Basically, students are becoming the pawns in this argument that we're told we just don't understand. I heard it put well on teh radio this morning, the kids are acting as adults and the adults acting as kids. The bill, entitled "putting the students first", is causing quite the opposite. Fortunately students are coming together to protest and write letters to politicians, anything to stop the mess our "grown ups" have created.
     The work to rule strike would impact every student, each in a different way. The extra curriculars I've been lucky enough to be a part of have shaped me into the person I am today and arguabely saved my life.  We need our extra curriculars. We want our extra curriculars.

Photo source & PETITION: http://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/protest-bill-115-the-putting-students-first-act-and-support-teachers

Breaking Reality TV

     Let me set the stage for you, it's 10 o'clock on a Sunday night and even though it's the first week of school I have some math homework. Given the situation, I turn on the television, hoping to ease my math pains with the some mindless show on TLC, ironically "the learning channel". I'm oh so fortunate enough to tune in right on time for the series premiere of "Breaking Amish". It seems to be an expose of sorts on the hardships behind growing up Amish, following 6 young adults who are chosing to leave this strangely oppresive lifestyle. This concept really fascinated me but as the show progressed I grow more and more uncomfortable with the show itself. The producers of "Breaking Amish" offered the participants and all paid for trip to NYC to experience the real world, but the viewer has to realize this is for TLC's benefit not the participants as you hope. To say this experience will be a culture shock is an understatement.The show takes these sheltered people and hands them a Jersey Shore lifestyle, they've been thrown into a celebrity like status that they may never escape after the season airs. They also will never be able to return to the amish as they have broken their rules and are now shunned, by those closest to them, members already recieving hatemail. My stomach felt uneasy last night because though I was happy they were given a choice for the first time in their life, I cringed that a TLC executive took advantage of it. I'm not sure how the season will progress but by this first episode one girl has already recieved a DUI and the previews for the next episode showed a bar brawl and "slut" scream off. I plan to follow this series as it progresses despite my discomfort of the show's dehumanizing marketing tactics. The only thing for certain is these ex-amish's lives will never be the same and someone at TLC is getting a promotion.

Photo Source: http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20617303,00.html