On a NATO base in Afghanistan, US soldiers displayed deviance from the usual cultural relativism Americas TRY to portray when dealing with other countries by burning the Afghani holy book, the Quran. This caused a uproar in the Afghani community leading to a mass protest of over 4,000 people in Khost, Afghanistan alone. Its unclear at this point how far the protesting will go but already over 10 people have been killed, including American soldiers. The protesters can be heard shouting phrases like "DEATH TO AMERICA" and burning our flag, along with images of Barack Obama, who has issued an apology for the burning which the soldiers now claim to have done on accident. In another part of Afghanistan a suicide bomber let off a bomb within their airport killing nine, including women children and US soldiers. The group responsible has said that the attack was in response to the NATO Quran burning. (personally i find this terrifying.)

post by: Christina Craig

article: http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/24/10495662-12-die-as-afghan-quran-burning-protests-resume-despite-obamas-apology

Devious Politics

It seems that ever since the beginning of organized civilization the political world has been surrounded by scandals. Whether it be cheating on their significant others, stealing money, or simply not providing a birth certificate; the world seems to thrive off of the deviance of politicians. The most memorable act of deviance, "or scandal" as it is most often called, is the Watergate scandal. It all started with a story published in the Washington Post on Sunday, June 18, 1972 reported that burglars had been arrested inside the Watergate  complex in Washington. This led two young reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward to investigate the event further. The evidence they found with the help of an informant named "Deep Throat" revealed that one of the men arrested at the water gate break in was not only on President Nixon's payroll but also a GOP security aide. After years of investigation all signs led to Nixon who, to avoid impeachment, resigned on August 9, 1974 becoming the only President to resign from office.

By Devanna Deveaux

Convicted !

Deviance is an act or behavior that violates the social norms. A woman from Colorado Springs, Colorado was convicted for the murder of a tow truck drivers death. The tow truck driver was getting ready to tow the woman's illegally parked car when he got caught to the cable he was attaching to her car. She took off but apparently did not realize that she was dragging him because her side view mirrors were broken. Detra Farries was convicted of manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident. Allen Rew Rose died instantly. Accident ? I think not.

-Robin Sanders
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/02/24/4289090/woman-convicted-of-charges-in.html

Women Drowns Daughters in Bathtub

Thirty-two year old Lorna Valle is being accused of two murders, one of her daughter Lindsey (one year old), and of her daughter Marian (five year old). She allegedly drowned them in the bathtub of their home in South Los Angeles. Currently she is being held without bail. Prosecutors are even considering the death penalty. Both daughters were rushed to a nearby California Hospital then transferred to the California Children’s Hospital. One-year-old Lindsey was pronounced dead upon arriving. Marian was pronounced brain dead. KTLA reports “The children's father, Jose Lopez, made the decision to remove Marian from life-support earlier this week. She was taken off life support at Children's Hospital Los Angeles late Tuesday after her organs were donated.” The tragic incident occurred at 7:30 am on February 15, 2012. The father of the two girls had just gone to the grocery store to come home and find Valle drowning her daughter in the bathroom. “A neighbor told KTLA that when Lopez returned, he heard shouts of ‘My babies! My babies!’” Another neighbor Dina Ceballos told the Los Angles Times that she heard the father say, "If I didn't get out, my girls would still be alive…He was screaming and saying, 'Why didn't she kill herself instead of trying to kill my girls?'” When the fire department got to the home the two girls were already unconscious. The smallest daughter Lindsey was in really bad shape “the toddler was purple”, a bystander reported. Bystanders also reported “They also said they saw Valle with a look they'll never forget: "Blank face," one woman said. ‘She wasn't saying nothing. No expression, no crying, no nothing.’” The description of Valle from the bystanders, evidently characterizes her as a deviant among many who are recently terrorizing the lives of children in our communities. Valle is reported to have a history of a mental illness. "She was hospitalized for psychiatric evaluation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center." KTLA reports that, “Her arraignment has been scheduled for March 15.”

Posted By: Jenesis Lopez

You can find the whole article on the following web page,

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-children-drowned-south-la,0,329303.story

Rollin' on Dubbz

Edgar Allen James III is a 32 year old male from Castro Valley. He is known for stealing automobiles and breaking into homes located in El Cerrito and Kensington. He committed these crimes on Tuesday February 16 in the morning. James drove to Martinez where he entered a home and robbed a resident of $200 by threatening him with a revolver. He then reached Vacaville broke into an elderly female’s home and stole her Toyota Camry. This led to a chase from Richmond police. The police found the Toyota Camry at about 8 p.m. in the Belding Woods neighborhood located in Richmond. Lt. Bisa French, of the Richmond police said a few comments about what occurred. French said they found the Camry and suspected the thief was hiding in the house on the 700 block of 18th Street. The police searched the home James invaded, but he had already hopped into a patrol car and drove away. An officer shot at James in the patrol car, but missed. The chase went from east across Richmond. An officer finally stopped the chase by ramming the patrol car into Reid Court in south Richmond. James was finally arrested after being tased. He had to visit the hospital for some minor injuries. Luckily, he was the only one who was harmed. This article is an example of the term deviance. The suspect clears went against the norms and did it his way. He is defined as a deviant because he violated the normal rules of society.

For more go to: http://www.tremcopoliceproducts.com/richmondca.html

Edward Allen James III

Posted by: Alejandra Hernandez

A Life Cut Short

 By: Janeth Avila Del Real

Savannah Hardin, a 9-year-old girl from Alabama, died after being forced to run nonstop for 3 hours by her grandmother. An autopsy report showed that Savannah was extremely dehydrated and showed low levels of sodium. Savannah was forced to run because she had lied to her grandmother about eating a candy bar. The punishment was all her grandmother's idea and her stepmother did nothing to stop the cruel punishment that was taking place; that is why they are both being charged for the crime. They are currently being held in the Etowah County Detention Center and both with a 500,000 cash bond. Neighbors say that Savannah hardly ever played outside like the rest of the children in the neighborhood. Detectives suspect that Savannah might had already been maltreatment by her family before this incident. I hope this crime goes unpunished and the criminal justice system can give some justice for the rest of Savannah's family members that loved her. I hope they incarcerate her grandmother and stepmother for the rest of their lives. 

http://news.yahoo.com/2-charged-death-ala-girl-forced-run-082216169.html

The Person Before Gaga

Before Lady Gaga was Lady Gaga she was Stafanie Germanotta. At 19 years old she was just a waitress in a local restaurant not flaunting her talents. Her coworker, who aspired to be a photographer, asked her to do a photoshoot; Stefanie's (a.k.a. Gaga) first session. This was Lady Gaga's humble life before she comitted deviant acts, such as wearing a meat dress, and challenging the norms. Before being discovered, Gaga, according to the photagrapher, was a pretty and down to earth girl. 
It was interesting to find out that Lady Gaga was not always outspoken and bold as she is today.

Posted by: Estefania Giron
cnnphotos.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/24/before-she-was-gaga-the-unseen-photos/?hpt=hp_c1

Basketball & Drugs

Basketball & Drugs
By Nesrin Ahmed

Former NBA player, Chris Herren describes his horrifying “rock bottom” moments during his battle with heroine addition for fourteen years. At the age of eighteen, his primetime, his glorifying minute of fame as Boston College’s basketball star, Herren began using heroine. Soon later, he continuously remained hitting “rock bottom” by missing his first Celtic’s game as a starting line while waiting to exchange with a dealer or when he missed the birth of his son while getting drunk or when he attended his own mother’s funeral, non-sober and high. However he did not believe that those moments were “rock bottom” but rather "Addiction is rock bottom" he comments in a recent interview. Herren was motivated to move forward from his darkest moment of addition by quitting and attending rehab where his former NBA mentor and friend who suffered from being an alcoholic, encouraged him and financially supported him along with his family. Sober and healthy, Herren has taken his strengthen and power to financially help and support other drug addicts with his 2011 Herren Project. As a role model for society, Herren has inspired and helped many individuals in critical need with fighting drug addition.

Recently, in Santa Ana, California Alexander Lucas Barnes was sentenced to 25 years to life in a state prison (Criminal Justice System).  Barnes will be incarcerated for a good amount of time for committing a very heinous crime. 
According to the Orange County district attorney’s office, Barnes had been babysitting his girlfriend’s son, 9 month old baby Isaiah Prim-Ortiz. Apparently, he could not deal with the baby’s crying and so he “crushed Isaiah’s head against a wall, causing blunt force trauma and multiple fractures to both sides of the boy's skull”. When Barnes was done he simply placed the baby boy back into his crib and no one knew until the grandmother came home and noticed the Isaiah was no longer breathing. Although the baby was taken to the hospital, nothing could be done. He was sadly pronounced dead.  Barnes was found “guilty of felony counts of second-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death”.
         This caught my attention, not only because an innocent baby was brutally murdered, but also because it made me think “we really cannot trust anyone” and that is a sad truth.
 By: Yvonne Garcia
Article : http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/courts/

Matt Kemp - Happy Ryan Braun wasn't suspended ?

Ryan Braun from The Brewers tested positive for in his drug test last year. Matt Kemp a Dodger player was happy that he didn't get suspended, he stated" I was happy that he was not found guilty". Testing positive is seen as a bad thing in society and people avoid testing positive this is seen as Internalization. Furthermore, Matt Kemp didn't share any thoughts o the report on Ryan Braun. Ryan Braun lawyer stated that his sample urine wasn't handle properly and this was the cause of testing positive. Manny Ramirez was in a similar situation  but was suspended in 2009. I find it interesting that Ryan Braun wasn't suspended for the drug test while Manny Ramirez was.

by: Heather Orellana

www.latimes.com

Are Schools Safe?

Crimes occur every day throughout the entire world and there is not much we can do to stop them. Unfortunately crimes occur at schools as well, and some parents are not aware of them. Miguel Antonio Mendoza, a 21 year old after school aide at Villa Park elementary school in Orange County was recently arrested. Mendoza was sending nude images to three of his students and was trying to perform a sexual act with one of them. He asked the children to send him pictures of them naked, unfortunately the children were only 11, 15 and 17. The eleven year old mother noticed nude and distributing messages on her son’s cellphone and contacted the police. Mendoza was previously trying to meet with the 11 year old at a store in Fountain Valley. The police arrested him while he was with the child. The criminal justice system sentenced Mendoza to three years of prison, one year for each child. It is very imperative that all parents are aware of their children’s location and make sure that they are secured at all times.

By: Jenny Sanchez

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/02/former-school-aide-convicted-for-sending-nude-photos-to-minors.html 

Justified or Unjustified Killing?

On Thursday night, an LAPD officer ended the life of a criminal who was armed and had stolen two cars. It was a ridiculously long chase with a bad ending at the Shell gas station at Vermont and Wilshire; the suspect ended dead. An innocent man filling up his car was asked to drop down considering all the commotion that was occurring. He was able to crawl away and then taken away with the help of a police officer. It must have been a dreadful experience for the innocent witness.  

Why couldn’t the police manage to keep him alive so he could be incarcerated though? Or why couldn’t they let him survive to consider a retribution to his crime? Was shooting enough to kill him really necessary? I know he was supposedly aiming for people in the convenience store, but maybe there could have been an alternative. Who knows but what is done is done. 

This was also an example of negative deviance, by the way.

For  a short clip and more info, you may visit: 

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012/02/23/police-chase-armed-robbery-suspect-through-downtown-la/

Posted By: Jennifer Zesati

                                                                                                          Google Images

Armed individual suspected of steeling two vehicles

By: Jessica Vazquez: Sociology 1

This article can be found in the following link: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/02/police-shooting-video-slow-chase-koreatown.html

What is a crime? A crime is an act in violation of the law. In today’s ever-increasing population crime rates have increased for the worst. A man was suspected of steeling two vehicles, one in San Bernardino and the other in El Serano. Investigators caught him on footage while he drove into a gas station on Hollywood Blvd. According to the article, the suspect aimed his gun towards the people inside the store. The policemen then aimed their guns toward the man and eventually killed him. I personally believe that individuals who commit crimes like theft and robbery should be incarcerated. They should pay the consequences of their actions. Through incarceration people cannot commit crimes. In today’s society I believe that there should be more control and authority. For example, in today’s popular use of media teens and adults get the wrong idea of behavior. Some shows send the wrong message, leading people to commit unlawful crimes.

 

Unfair death

Savannah Hardin a 9 year old who died on February 17 2012 from a siezure of dehydration and low sodium level. Her stepmother Jessica Mae Hardin and grandmother Joyce Hardin Garrard have been charged for the crime. Savannah had to run outside for three hours as punishment because she lied to her grandmother about eating a candy bar. Her father was in Pakistan when he was told about his daughters death. The bail for the grandmother and stepmother has been set for $500,000 each.

 By: Elizabeth Cruz

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57384440-504083/jessica-mae-hardin-ala-stepmom-accused-of-running-9-year-old-girl-to-death-gives-birth/

School: Safe or Dangerous?

            Deviance in today’s school settings seems to be increasing or at least the numbers of cases recently reported have. In an article in the L.A. Times, a new case of a teacher having sexual relations with her students has been reported. In this case a Spanish teacher at Roosevelt High School, Gabriela Cortez, had sexual relationships with two male students. It was until a week ago, 2 years after the acts ended, that one of the students reported the situation. Cortez was detained “on suspicion of unlawful sexual intercourse” earlier this week.

            This is only one of the cases that have arisen in the past few weeks among LAUSD. Six employees have already been detained for allegations of “sex-related crimes”, while others are under investigation. One of the most heard about cases in the media was the case at Miramonte Elementary School; where a teacher was cruel and unmoral enough to feed students his semen (supposedly through cookies he handed out).

            These malicious acts have brought these communities together in their outrage and concern for their children’s safety. Schools  have always been seen as a place where students are supposed to be safe from outside danger; but what can be done when the danger is coming from inside sources?

By: Vanessa Torres

Article can be found at: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/02/teacher-sexual-relationship-boys-2-years.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+lanowblog+%28L.A.+Now%29

The Nun Who Kissed Elvis

               Mother Dolores is a prioress of Abbey of Regina Laudis in rural Connecticut. She is 73 years old and finds her life as a nun to be both comforting and peaceful. You may never guess, however, that Mother Dolores wasn't always a nun. Nope, before she was a nun, she was a famous actress in Hollywood most notably known for appearing alongside Elvis Presley in the 1957 movie, Loving You. She was was the envy of almost every young woman watching the movie as she shared a long passionate kiss with Elvis in the movie. She was only 18 at the time. Lucky girl, right? Back then she was known as Dolores Hart and went on to star in a nine more blockbusters. At one point in her acting career, she was feeling something was missing. She had always been a devout Catholic, but she grew up in a broken home and so she never felt a sense of belonging. At the age of 21, she visited a Catholic convent and made the decision to become a nun as soon as possible. It took years of convincing the sisters of the convent to accept her because of both her age and her past. Eventually, she became a part of the convent where she still resides today. She says living in that community gave her the sense of belonging that never got anywhere else. This year, she will walk the red carpet at the Academy Awards because she is the subject of a Oscar nominated documentary about her life called God is Bigger than Elvis. She is excited to take part in the awards show.

                This was a really interesting and enlightening article to read because it really dispelled some of the stigmas, or characteristics and behaviors assigned to someone in society, about nun and members of religious communities. I think many people view nuns and other members of religious community as people who may have always been that way and that they never were a part of mainstream society. This article shed light on the fact that you shouldn't judge a book by the cover, because clearly, Mother Dolores has quite a different past than you might think at first glance.

Post by: Audrey Tuna
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2105662/Dolores-Hart-Elvis-Presleys-flame-turned-Hollywood-live-convent.html

George Hughley, was a 22 year old lacrosse player at the University of Virginia with a beautiful girlfriend and seemly the world in his palms. But all of this changed, as he spun out of control in a cycle of sex alcohol and eventually violent rage. And one night his young girlfriend, Yeardley Love was found dead by her roommate. As violent emails surfaced and proof that Love had been murdered along with proof that Hughley was in her home that night, suspicions increased. For his allegated crime the jury has recommeded he spend 26 years incarcerated. The case is both sad and tragic as two lives that had so much potential are now coming to an end, one through death the other through jail.

(Yeardley Love)

By:Christina Craig

source: http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/23/justice/virginia-student-trial/index.html?hpt=ju_c2

Innocent or Guilty?

The article “Father: ‘My kid made a mistake’ in school” by Gene Johnson and Manuel Valdes published February 23, 2012 under Yahoo news. Informs the public about a 9-year old boy who is currently accused of shooting an 8-year-old girl, who is critically wounded in the hospital after she was shot with a .45 caliber handgun. According to the article, under the state law, children between the ages of 8 and 12 years old are already capable of facing charges if, a court makes such a determination. The boy, who is under the legal custody of his uncle Patrick Cochran, was just bailed out on Thursday with an amount of $50,000. While it is being determined if the boy should be incarcerated and placed in a juvenile division. However, according to the article, “Todd Dowell of the Kitsap County prosecutor's juvenile division said his office had enough information to charge the boy on Thursday. However, he will not be arraigned until the court determines if the boy has the capacity to understand what he did was wrong.” Meaning that the court has to first determine if the kid had a full understanding of the damages he had cause while, committing such crime.  

This article may be found: http://news.yahoo.com/father-kid-made-mistake-school-033856603.html

-Juana Bravo

The Royal Dutch Prince

In this article it talks about how the royal Dutch Prince Johan Frisco was buried by an avalanche while skiing off-trail in Austria last week. The royal Dutch has suffered a massive brain damage and may never regain his consciousness explain Dr. Wolfgang Koller, head of trauma at the Innsbruck hospital where the royal Dutch is currently being treated. The Dr. explains that it took nearly 50 minutes to reanimate the prince after he was pulled from the snow. He had been buried for 25 minutes before rescuers found him". The Dr. also explains how the oxygen starvation has caused massive brain damage to the patient and it can’t be predicted if he will ever regain consciousness. The royal Dutch is too to be moved at a later date to a rehabilitation clinic for further treatment. In my opinion I think that loosing you consciousness is a horrible thing to lose because that’s what makes you decide on decisions. Also if the royal Dutch awakens from his coma he would have to transmit through society in other words cultural transmission theory. Also he might be different and have a differential association theory which means deviant behavior. However, hopefully the royal Dutch will recover soon and not lose his consciousness.

Brandie Suncin
2-24-12
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-57384435-10391698/dutch-prince-may-never-regain-consciousness-after-skiing-accident-doctors-say/?tag=mncol;lst;3

NATO Troops Burn the Koran

One major event happening this week was the burning of the Koran in Afghanistan and President Obama apologizing for it. There were large crowds that watched NATO troops burning the Koran which took place in many places, even in front of a US Consulate.

Many Muslims were outraged that the event took place because for them, the Koran is extremely sacred and hands should be washed before even touching their Bible. Eight people were killed while twenty seven were wounded in the protests that happened because of this event. This is considered white collar crime.

Many demonstrators felt that these were extreme crimes that should be punished immediately. President Obama apologized and said "We will take the appropriate steps to avoid any recurrence, including holding accountable those responsible." 


The following article may be found at : http://edition.cnn.com/2012/02/24/world/asia/afghanistan-burned-qurans/index.html?hpt=ias_c1


By: Jocelyn Gonzalez

Driver’s License for Non-Citizens

On February 23, 2012, The Los Angeles Times released an article on a very controversial issue: whether illegal immigrants should be able to receive a driver’s license? The Los Angeles Police Department has developed this idea in order to lower the crime rate on California’s roads. They proposed to give illegal immigrants the opportunity to gain a driver’s license but must first fulfill certain requirements and must have no criminal record. Their plan is to issue them license’s that would be obvious to the stigma that they are labeled as: illegal immigrants. Many people debate that this would never go through because no one wants to be labeled the way they are planning to do so. However, many others believe that it is a good idea because it will further California’s revenue in gaining the state money with the insurance and license plates that will now be mandatory. People also seem to disagree because they claim that it is unconstitutional in allowing those who have already committed a crime live a more free life as an illegal. There is also a fear that it will only allow the government to track them, and some also fear that it will make things easier for terrorists to “slip through the cracks.”

By: Jazmin Gonzalez

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/02/sheriff-baca-drivers-licenses-illegal-immigrants.html

Another Crime in California

- Ariana Mendoza

According to the Los Angeles Times, Kirk Robert Lotzgesell, “a former La Habra police officer has been charged with stealing more than $60,000 from a law enforcement football charity…” This charity raised money to give scholarships to future football players.

He was accused of writing himself many checks and making many withdrawals from the organization’s bank  account through an ATM.

dont-commit-crime.jpg

This article relates to chapter 7 because this man committed a crime. He stole money from an organization for his own benefit, to pay his bills and do as he wished . This act was a violation of the law. This article also relates to chapter 7 because the crime he committed was considered a white-collar crime. He “was” a respectable person who committed the crime of stealing. Being a police officer gave him a respectable status because he was the one who was supposed to help stop crimes not start them.

For more information you can go to:

 http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/02/ex-police-officer-charged-theft-case.html

The streets of Sf

I am a big believer in relationships. Not just the ones between two people, in hope for something more in the future, like marriage. But the relationships that keep people going because of support. Over the past winter break I had encountered this relationship between a group of people. They were at a detox center in Downtown San Fransisco, where death rates, drug rates and homelessness is high. But on the corners you are able to find people who use their talents of patience, giving, and hope that change these people. They provide primary groups for these people in need of help.

The picture above is the front door of St. Vincent's De Paul Society. A place where Substance Abuse Groups are held, also known as small group size. They also provide amenities  such as showers, yoga classes, writing classes and  a help desk that provides clothes of the less fortunate.

There is nothing like experience this as a volunteer. Being able to work one on one with people of the streets and hear their stories, it's amazing. They provide you with happiness that can't be replaced.
To check out or donate to SVDS visit : http://www.svdp-sf.org/index.html

-Jessica Ruiz

Google's New Privacy Protection Terms

            A recent private researcher from Stanford University recently states that Google has sneaked tracking files onto iPhones and other various Mac Wi-Fi products. This has resulted in a conflict because Google is being accused of allowing advertisers to track on Apple users’ online while still believing such tracking was disabled on their mobile devices. There is no doubt that this private researcher has established a negative groupthink against Google Inc. Unfortunately, for this formal organization (Google), they have been fired previously for privacy protections issues, such as built in iphone trackers to obtain users information. I guess after all, social networking may not be safe in order to communicate with our fellow friends privately. If you visit the Google web, you will instantly notice below the search tab, “We’re changing our privacy policy and terms” this is a bit confusing, yet many of us may not ask, “what is this all about? “ because we conform to the new regulations of technology. 

              Post by: Stephanie Romo

     For more information visit La Times web: 

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-google-tracking-20120218,0,1621176.story

Charlie Sheen- Ashton Kutcher sucks " Two and Half Men"

Due to Charlie Sheen conflicts with show Two and Half Men recently he has finally stop playing nice. He states, "I'm tired of lying," he said, "I'm tired of pretending the show doesn't suck. I'm tired of pretending Ashton Kutcher doesn't suck. I'm tired of pretending that they're not completely adrift. Because when you take away the anchor of your show, which they stupidly did, you go adrift. And these guys are approaching salvage vessel." However Sheen stated in September  Ashton Kutcher  was "the best intro for a new a character on a TV show of all time." He still have things against the show for replacing him for Ashton Kutcher and he seems to not want to forget about the situation and move on. Since,  Ashton  Kutcher starred on the show the  highest ratings ever 28.74 million viewers and had higher ratings this season than the last few seasons starring Charlie Sheen. This shows that the show has been doing better without Charlie Sheen and has remained successful.

By: Heather Orellana

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com

Bureaucratic System vs. The New Generation
By Nesrin Ahmed

    Bureaucracy, an organization which implements rules, laws, and direction for countries such as Russia, which practices this system.Bureaucracy provides direction and guidance for conformists in society. However, since the fraudulent elections of the previous year, the citizens of Russia took a stand for their beliefs and justice. With over 60, 000 demonstrators this generation has shown an outstanding performance of opposing and going against the government since the collapse of the Soviet Union.  Their main target is focusing on Russia’s economy and bureaucratic system,  which allows inequality, decreasing wages, and opportunities  and disapproval of the basic free market fundamentals. Although Moscow’s delegation believes that there are possibilities of changes and developments by “Protecting contracts and intellectual property, ensuring judicial independence and ending bureaucratic corruption” says Pavel Ivlev. In conclusion, the goal is to end the corruption and make Russia open minded to competition and foreign investment, rather than isolating the county from others.

Obama Administration Asks for Delay in Legal Fight Over Contraception Coverage


There has been a lot of debate about new laws dealing with birth control over the last couple of weeks. Ideas reflect the want to make birth control available to all individuals no matter which hospitals. Most hospitals are in uproar about the ethics of making religious hospitals promote practices that are against their faith and the foundation they were built upon.
On Friday, February 17, 2012, an article on CNN was released about taking these new laws to federal court. The federal court counts as a formal organization that is together to complete tasks and goals relating to federal laws. Many say that this law is outrageous and some claim that it could just be part of the political campaign. Who knows who will stand up for their beliefs in risking to be an outcast or a part of the out group. This law and argument will mostly rely on group think and individuals may end up going with the flow instead of standing up for what they believe in.


Jordan Leach
Article found here: http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/17/politics/contraception-dispute/index.html

Whole Lotta Love

19 Kids & Counting is a reality TV series on TLC. It centers on the Duggar family. Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have been married for twenty-eight years and have been a growing family of nineteen.

The couple had their first child, Josh four years after the two got married on July 21, 1984. Now Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have nineteen children. The forty-five year old said she’s spent fourteen years of her life pregnant.

Their show on TLC reveals how religious they are. The Duggar family is considered to be conservative Christians. Michelle Duggar attended a conference to speak out to Christian women about marriage.

Some opposed her thoughts and beliefs to a successful marriage. "Husbands are commanded to govern their wives; God works through a man's decisions — good or bad; Bad decisions reveal his needs and allow the wife to appeal and demonstrate Godly character; The more a wife trusts her husband, the more careful he will be in giving her direction; Never ask others for counsel without your husband's approval; reassure your husband that you understand and believe that he is your God-given leader.”

She talked about what her successful marriage was based on. However, it raised some eyebrows. It may seem like she enables her husband to take control, but who are we to judge. Her family is successful and has stuck to their faith.

The Duggar Family is an example of the groups discussed in class. They are viewed as a primary group for being very close and helping each other stick to their beliefs. The Duggar family is also an example of a reference group, because the spouses motivate people of the same religion to achieve a successful marriage and family. The show reveals how positive they intend to be.

For more: http://celebs.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981122274

posted by: Alejandra Hernandez

Interracial Marriage

A recent study, by Pew Research Center, has found that interracial has become more publicly accepted. These are individuals who chose to marry outside of their racial social category. They do not feel it is necessary, or wrong, to not share this same social category with their spouse. In 2010, 8.4%  of marriages in the United States were interracial. In 1980, only 3.2% of marriages were interracial. Since the number of interracial marriages has gone up, so has the public acceptance. Furthermore, interracial dating sites have appeared suddenly and unexpectedly, spreading individuals social network to other races they would like to date. The study also found that only 10% of people found interracial marriage a change for the worse. The rest either agree it is a change for the better (43%) or are on the fence about it.

This is great, that a thing, such as race, is becoming less of a boundary and more acceptable. It is about time some disapproving thoughts shift and hopefully to something truly harmful.

Posted by: Estefania Giron

http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/16/us/interracial-marriage/index.html?iref=allsearch

   

    I recently read this article on a so called “King of Hearts”. He has apparently been leaving his signature / mark all over Beachwood Canyon in Hollywood. Hearts have been located day after day on curbs, lampposts, bus benches and on the beige telephone cross-connection boxes in front of many apartment buildings. This article seemed pretty interesting to me. Why would this person take his time leaving hearts all over Beachwood Canyon? What is he trying to get across? Then I thought, he is not conforming like the rest of us. He is going against what it right, he is apart of an out-group. He definitely not trying to cooperate with the rest of us who are just going with the flow. This may just be an article about some random guy with nothing to do, but it stood out to me as someone trying to just give the people in Beachwood Canyon a little something to think about other than themselves.

By: Yvonne Garcia

Found :http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lelyveld-20120214,0,7265161.column

Controversy Over Birth Control Coverage

On January 20, President Barack Obama announced that formal organizations that were religious-affiliated had to cover birth control free of charge for their employees. Religious-affiliated formal organizations include; schools, charities and hospitals. This sparked a conflict amongst the religious affiliated employers and the Obama Administration. They believed that providing their employees with birth control coverage was against their religious beliefs. They also believed that the policy that was being enforced by President Obama was violating their rights.  The President received attacks from the Republican Party. The Republicans promised emergency legislation to overturn Obama’s policy. After all the controversy, President Obama decided to conform with religious-affiliated employers and made changes to the policy. The new policy now states, that religious-affiliated groups are no longer required to cover birth control for their employees. Instead their employees will be able to get free birth control from health insurance companies. In my opinion, President Obama’s policy wasn’t violating anyone’s rights. Just because religious-affiliated groups had to provide birth control coverage for their employees didn't mean they had to go get birth control. However, I think the changes that were made was the right thing to do. It’s fair for everyone now. 

http://nbcpolitics.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/10/10371870-obama-revamps-contraceptive-policy

By. Janeth Avila Del Real