Marijuana Legalization in Alaska

In this article it discusses the legalization of marijuana in the state of Alaska. This state is now the third state in the country to legalize this substance following Washington State and Colorado.  In the beginning the history of marijuana is discussed, it talks about how the substance has grown to be accepted as a recreational and medical drug. Since the legislation was passed it now makes it legal for people 21 years or older to be in possession of it. But there are even more limits to this law such as driving while under the influence of marijuana and there is also a one ounce restriction on the amount of marijuana in a person’s possession. Although the law was passed that made it legal to use the substance it has not been cleared yet for people to open stores in the state the sell marijuana. One fact that is said in the article is that marijuana is still under federal law a crime.  The article basically discusses the marijuana movement across the nation. Washington State was the first to legalize marijuana and has since been followed by Colorado and Alaska maybe in the near future several states will follow in their tracks.  

This article seems to show how laws change with the years and how states are in a way independent from the country. It talks about the passing of legislation by election in states. Voters of a community gather to vote on issues that affect their region or state and usually the majority wins rule is applied to come to a decision or choice a winner. The legalization of marijuana such as other laws has restrictions and limits. This piece of legislation also seems to show part of the American free enterprise system and how businesses begin to flourish. The passing of this law has now created many businesses and jobs for people. Entrepreneurs have the freedom to set up shops and sell marijuana after it is cleared that they can and there is no doubt that this business will grow in the state like the others. Something that this article shows is how the states listen to the citizens opinion and make decisions based on them. With this situation although some people didn’t agree with the passing of this law the majority who voted did, which shows that voting is a great way to be heard by the government.

The legalization of marijuana seems to a growing trend especially in the United States with now three states making it legal to be use marijuana whether  its for recreational use or medical use. This is such a large step for the country when a couple years ago marijuana was seen as a harmful and illegal drug substance. Although the laws of marijuana in each state comes with restrictions, I now believe that most people are starting to see marijuana as a substance such as alcohol. To me that should not be the case because people need to know that this substance is different and therefore should be categorized with alcohol. It has different effects than alcohol and affects people differently. A fact that stuck out to me was the one about how the use of marijuana is still a federal crime. The issue in my opinion should be dealt with on the federal level before state legislation is passed. I hope that people are well informed of the substances effects before they start using and purchasing it in stores.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/24/us/alaska-marijuana/index.html

NFL football player Benjamin Watson speaks up about his views on Race

In this CNN article we read about Benjamin Watson, a football player and his opinion about the racial debates and issues currently in America. When interviewed Watson discussed a post on his Facebook account in which he shared and displayed his views on several recent cases in our country that has brought up the issue of racial relations. He posted the message on his Facebook as a way to simply express his opinion on the subject when he posted it he hadn't expected it to create such a discussion. In his post he expressed his solution to the problem and his take on it was that if we honestly and freely discuss race then that will help our nation to move forward. Benjamin Watson is said to be the tight end for the New Orleans Saints. During the interview he talks about being blessed to be football player. He then goes on to discuss how he sees his position as an NFL player as a platform to honor and worship God. In his post he also discusses how he believes that the issue of race relations is a sin problem and not a skin problem.

This article seems to be a perfect example for the first amendment, to be more specific, freedom of speech. Through his social media Benjamin Watson has the right to express his opinions and feelings on issues that are affecting our country. Although his post went viral he did also receive some criticism about what he wrote, but at the end of the day he had the right to say what he felt and he can’t be prosecuted for what he said. Critics of the post didn't like it simply because of his suggested faith-based solution to the national problem.

I believe that Benjamin Watson had the right to post his opinion and also that he should not be judged or punished for having an opinion on a subject that is affecting our country because after all he is human and is entitled to his rights as such. I agree and seem to share similar views as Watson and therefore agree with most of what he post says. Another thing that I like about him is that he is using his platform as a professional athlete in a good way. He says in his interview that as a husband and father of five that he lives to worship God and serve as a good example to his children like his father did him. In fact he has the reason as to why he and his wife started the organization called One More Foundation, the purpose of this organization is to help communities and set an example for children. With this mind I believe that he is a great father to his children and by posting his opinion of important issues on his social media is a great way to set an example for his young children. There are many lessons to be learned from this article one of them might be to never be shy or scared about voicing your opinion. He is truly not only an example to his children but to many others around the country.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/17/living/ep-benjamin-watson/index.html

America Unsafe? Mall Shooting

In this article a recent shooting at a Pittsburgh area mall is talked about. According to Yahoo the shooting happened on Saturday at around eight in the evening and left three people wounded. As reported by CNN the shooter is said to have known only one of the victims, but the other two are said to be innocent bystanders. In the recent days that have followed the shooting that left two people in critical condition and suspect has been found. The motive for the shooting has not been found and at this there is an ongoing investigation in the case. People seem to now believe that the incident might just be about gangs.

The suspect in this case is said to be Tarod Thornhill, a 17-year old. He was identified and arrested the day after the incident after police used the help of surveillance footage and social media. He now facing adult charges of attempted homicide and three counts of aggravated assault. Tarod Thornhill is now set to attend his court hearing on February 18, 2015. At this trial it will be decided if he is convicted of the charges against him.

This article is relative to the government's branches and how the judiciary branch works in America. Although there seems to be striking evidence against the suspect he is still entitled to the due process of law and if not guilty of the crime until it is proven in the eyes of the law. Mr. Thornhill although suspected of this crime is still protected by the fifth and sixth amendments. These amendments give him the right to due process of law and the right’s of the accused such as the right to have a lawyer. Either way the suspect must be convicted of the crime in order to be guilty of the crime.

My opinion on this case is that safety in public places is starting to become a huge issue that is threatening many people’s lives in the United States. In my opinion something must be done in order to help make our country a safer place for all it’s citizens. This seems to just be one case out of dozens this month that have disturbed public places and have threatened people’s lives. An incident that just happened on Thursday was the Chapel Hill Shooting that ended with three innocent people dead. As crime as increase citizens begin to fear more for their lives. When I first heard that the suspect in the mall shooting case was a teenager I was surprised because as a teenager I am beginning to fear for the lives of my own generation. As a country we must unite and find a way to bring an end to the recent increase of violence. 

http://news.yahoo.com/shots-fired-pennsylvania-mall-several-people-hit-local-015211003.html
http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/08/us/pennsylvania-mall-shooting/index.html

Vanderbilt Rape Case

This article discusses the trial and conviction of two former Vanderbilt football players. According to CNN the two former college football players have each been convicted of four counts of aggravated rape, one count of aggravated rape and two counts of aggravated sexual battery. One of their charges aggravated rape comes with a minimum sentence of fifteen years. Corey Lamont Batey and Brandon Robert Vandenburg both twenty-one years old are the two men that have been sentenced in connection with this brutal crime that happened in 2013. There is evidence of the crime being commented, a video, but both men have argued that they were extremely drunk that night and therefore they were not responsible for their actions.

The two defendants have already faced the punishment at Vanderbilt as they have been kicked off the football team and they have been expelled from the school. Although the school has served it’s form of punishment the court system has yet to finalize what their punishments will be. They are one step closer to deciding on the punishment of the two defendants after three hours of jury deliberation they have finished the part of conviction. Now it is time for the part of sentencing which will take place on March 6, 2015.

This case seems to be the perfect example of individual responsibility which is part of the five elements that create the political culture of America. In the United States it is believed that a person is responsible for their actions and must be held accountable. In this case it is proven that although the college students might have been drunk they were still responsible for the crimes they committed. They are responsible for what they do to their bodies and alcohol and intoxication can not be used as an excuse for poor decision making. Their actions no matter what state they were in are their responsibility and the crime they committed that night will follow the legal procedure. In this case they have been charged with what the jury saw was fit from the evidence that was shown and also by their action in the video of the incident.    

I was attracted to this article because there has recently been an increase in crimes on college campuses around the country. As a high school student preparing for college I have become interested in the statistics and articles of the happenings in schools and how crimes are handled by the school officials and in court. Reading this article, I felt that the two defendants were trying to make an excuse for their awful actions. Truly I believe that what they have been charged with is fair and just for the evidence presented and the crime committed. It is sad to know that all these crimes from the Florida A&M University band hazing death to the Vanderbilt rape case are happening in colleges across the United States. But it is also satisfying to know that college officials are working constantly to decrease the numbers of college crimes in this country and are taking the correct disciplinary actions when crimes like this occur on their campuses.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/27/us/vanderbilt-rape-case/index.html