The Past Haunting The Future

On Saturday, two explosions occurred in an area full of shoppers in central Stockholm and it’s being reported that it was an act of terrorism. The issue with the story lies not with the fact that it happened, but that it is happening again.  On 9/11, the U.S experienced a horrible act of terrorism and now Sweden may be facing similar circumstances. Reported as Sweden’s first suicide bombing, this attack is perhaps taking Sweden down the wrong path, which could be potentially very dangerous. Although nobody was hurt, the act itself was symbolic of trying to inflict hurt to a large population. E-mailed threats were saying things like “now your children, daughters and sisters will die like our brothers and sisters and children are dying,” explaining a link between the explosions and the presence of Swedish troops in Afghanistan.  

America is a country which we like to think we are leading the way in many positive things, however, this may be a time in which America is leading the rest of the world down a very scary path. Regardless of your political beliefs, there should be no disagreement in the fact that our conflicts with other countries have been large, long, and seemingly everlasting.  Each country does not act independently, with no regard or affect on others.  Everything that happens in one place somehow affects another, whether it be through policies and procedures or ideas and mindset changes. Everybody knows about 9/11 and all the pain America has endured from that terrorist attack, along with the ongoing war we are part of. The attacks in Stockholm were in a very populated area and had the explosions been successful, it could have been very catastrophic...the same way the terrorist attacks on the twin towers were.  

It’s unlikely that these attacks were planned because of 9/11, yes, but there’s no question that this wasn’t just a random act of terrorism.  Whether we want to admit it or not, the attacks that day have changed the world and given others ideas that perhaps are small, but nonetheless are there. Although it failed, this was a well-thought out plan to plant an explosive in a populated place, with someone having enough hatred and emotion that they were willing to take their own life for it. There are many conflicts going on in the world, but it is no coincidence that tension has risen and acts of terrorism are more of a threat after the attack on 9/11 and the presence of the U.S in the Middle East. And I can't help but think that perhaps our countries horrible past is leading other countries into horrible futures.  

The Faces Behind Online Bullying

A website commonly known among college students, collegeacb.com, is a place where students can go and post anonymously about anything they want.  Supposedly meant for students to be able to engage in "deep conversation" and say whats on their mind without exposing their identity, this website is actually encouraging people to partake in hateful conversations about their peers. People are posting horrible things about others they don't like, starting false rumors and ruining peoples reputations.  Hiding behind the computer, these people are the epitome of online bullies.  

Online bullying has been an issue for a long time, especially becoming known when a mother went online and bullied a girl in her daughters class, which in turn made her commit suicide.  There are many ways of which online bullying can occur, however, this website seems to have been created solely for that purpose.  There is not one college board on which people are having deep intellectual conversations. The only things being talked about on this website are mean things and crap about fraternities and sororities. Having unfortunately been the subject of many conversations on this website,  I can personally say that there is nothing worse than people having conversations about how much they hate you or how ugly they think you are.  Of course knowing that people think this way about you is devastating and the fact that its anonymous makes it even worse.  But the thing that makes me the most angry is that a website like this even exists.  

The owners of collegeacb know the things that people are writing, however, they continue to keep their website up.  They are enabling these people to tear other people down verbally and it is because of them that online bullying still exists.  They need to be held responsible for all of the pain that they are causing these helpless people, and somehow they need to be made aware of how hurtful their website really is. What is it going to take before they realize this? 

We as a society are supposed to be lifting each other up, not tearing each other down.  The owners of collegeacb are singlehandedly responsible for the pain many people are feeling because of the numerous anonymous and hateful posts on their website. They have the power to change this and without a doubt should take down their website and help fight the war against online bullying.  

Four Loko Will Make You Loko

I have not been exposed to this drink, nor do I ever plan to have an experience involving one.  On one of the days that this drink made the news, my mom called me in an utter panic begging me to stay away from it because it can cause very serious side effects, especially if you take certain medications. However, I had no idea how dangerous it really was.  

On November 18, Washington was the latest state to follow in the trend of banning Four Loko, which is becoming more and more popular due to its controversial combination of alcohol and caffeine.  One can of Four Loko contains 12% alcohol, along with caffeine in an amount that is equal to an average cup of coffee, which is basically having 5 beers and one cup of coffee all at the same time. As abc.com reports, the drink commonly known among college students as "blackout in a can," Four Loko has been making quite a few headlines recently due to the high amount of dangers it has presented for people, particularly students on college campuses.  

Phusion Projects, the manufacturer of Four Loko, maintains: "Our products contain less alcohol than an average rum and cola, less alcohol and caffeine than an average Red Bull and vodka, and are comparable to having coffee after a meal with a couple glasses of wine," regardless of all the health problems it has presented for many people. So many college students are getting ill from consuming Four Loko’s and it is becoming banned in many states, so why would they want to continue to endorse a product that is seemingly only causing harm to the public?

Perhaps there is nothing wrong with the actual drink itself and perhaps there are other drinks out there that contain similar substances, however, no matter what their excuse is, there are ethical issues that stand behind the endorsement of this drink that its corporations cannot escape.  Like the tobacco companies continuing to market their products when they know they only cause health problems for people, it has to be asked whether Phusion Projects is “loco” for thinking this drink is a good thing to sell to people. 

With ten different flavors under its belt and the fact that it is only $2.50, this drink is understandably welcomed by college students, a majority of which are looking for the cheapest way to get drunk fast. The fact that they are endorsing this, and still trying to figure out more ways to get more people to buy this drink, shows that this company really doesn’t care about the greater good of the people.  Phusion Projects has marketed this drink in such a way that makes it almost impossible for it not to be a hit with college students. The only thing they care about is making money, ironically off of something that could kill the people that are putting the money in their pockets.  Although it could be argued that people are responsible for themselves and they are to blame if they abuse this drink, its not fully correct for the blame to sit with the users because there is still a company behind the scenes that is allowing the public to have access to a drink like this. 

However, if you believe this, then there needs to be a warning put out to current and potential Four Loko buyers: On every corner you turn, there will be a product that is dangerous and perhaps detrimental to your health.  And each one of these products has a corporation standing behind it in hopes of making a profit, no matter what the consequences for you may be. 

Creepy Flyers

A 20 year old lady was sexually assaulted while she was sleeping on her plane ride by the 61 year old man she was sitting next to.  This makes me sick.  There are so many aspects to this that make it horrible and inappropriate, but the fact that this man was doing this to her in such a public and confined area shows that people really are crazy and we never know what they are thinking. As shocking as this story may be, its shock value isn't what made me want to share it. It made me think about the way people act in public and how they are perceived by others around them. 

I want to feel as safe as I can in my surroundings and I will do whatever I believe I need to, to feel that way. As important as it is to be aware of your surroundings, its equally important to express yourself in an appropriate way. Whether any of us want to admit it or not, we all judge people based on their outward appearance. We also act and dress in certain ways in public that gain the attention of certain groups of people. Men that stare a tad too long or act in a very mysterious manner will gain the attention of people believing that they should stay away from them. Women that dress in scandalous outfits will get attention from the wrong type of people, exhibiting a persona that may be far from the way they want to be perceived. There are all types of in betweens, but the point I am trying to make is that everybody is expressing themselves and putting on a demeanor in public, positive or negative, whether they want to admit it or not, that people are judging them from.

This story is a perfect excuse for women to continue to watch their surroundings and steer clear of the creepers. It also made me think about how I dress and act in certain situations, and how careful I try to be when it comes to judging people around me.  Ever since I starting flying alone, I have been more aware of my surroundings and the people around me. I find myself choosing my seat on Southwest based off of who an open seat is next to, tending to gravitate towards women that seem friendly.  This isn’t something bad that I am doing, nor is it something that I am ashamed of. Especially when you're young, and alone, at the airport, it’s easy for people to think they can take advantage of you.

"Boaz Hoe"

Never in my entire life did I ever think I would see so many girls running the halls naked. Before coming to SMU, I was a bit nervous about living in Boaz because of all the late nights and loud neighbors, but never did undressed girls cross my mind.  When you're living around other people there are just some things you have to change, but I feel like wearing clothes is a no brainer.  I would never in a million years walk around undressed in front of complete strangers.  Is this something that is just part of the “college experience,” and something that I need to get used to? I hope not, because it’s not right. Something needs to be done so that these girls are no longer walking the halls in less than nothing, because I am sick and tired of seeing random undressed girls whom I do not know.

These girls walk around in front of whoever, whenever, not caring who sees them unclothed. The first night I saw one girl walk down the hall topless and wearing just panties and from then on it all went downhill.  I know trends catch on and spread quickly but I never thought that something like this would become so popular so fast, nor did I think that there were that many girls with such little self-respect to think that walking around in front of guys wearing little to nothing or nothing at all was okay. 

Girls in Boaz have unfortunately claimed the nickname of "Boaz Hoes" due to their infamous sleeping around and nudity.  Unfortunately a majority of girls living in Boaz are proud of this nickname they have been given.  And to be honest I am disgusted with it, and very embarrassed to be put into that category.  When I told my mom about all of this, she was stunned and said that while she was in college, never would any girl even think about walking around a public place unclothed.  

What has changed so much in girls and their perception of themselves that it has become acceptable to them to expose their bodies so freely?  I am all for women empowering themselves, however, things like this cross a boundary and place the perception of women in a whole other category where instead, they are seen as degrading themselves.  By walking around naked without a care in the world, these girls are being perceived as having absolutely no self-respect, which in turn makes others have no respect for them.  

No More 'Poking', Please!

I am currently in an everlasting poking war with a friend on facebook and I think it is the dumbest thing that I have ever been apart of in my entire life.  What is poking anyways? What on earth is the point of it? And if I think its so damn stupid, why am I continuing to partake in it? Facebook has many positive aspects to it, but some very stupid ones as well.  I would say I go onto facebook at least once a day, which is on the lighter side than many of my peers, and I honestly feel like I am wasting my life away. 

We spend so much time on the internet and different networking sites, but is there really anything good that comes from it? So many people spend time on facebook rather than listening to their teachers during class, or instead of going outside and getting some fresh air. For such an advanced world we live in, I feel as though we are extremely lazy and becoming more stupid and a huge part of that can be thanked to networking sites such as facebook. Today I am officially stopping my poking war and from now on I am choosing to no longer be just another facebook addict.

Bristol Palin

It seems like Bristol Palin has been in the news everyday lately, all because she had a baby when she was a teenager.  I looked on CNN the other day, and she was one of the top stories.  This is somewhat disconcerting to me. I don’t go to CNN.com to check out what new baby tips Bristol Palin is giving the world. I go to news websites so that I can see whats going on in the world, so that I can get a better grasp on whats going on in other places. Of course, that news is still there, but as my curiosity took the best of me, I clicked on the tab that says “NewsPulse,” and what do I see but six of the top articles being read are about celebrities like Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman and health tips. 

We as a society are becoming more and more obsessed with Hollywood and fitness and what we can do to conform to the stereotypes being pressured upon us.  Aside from that, Bristol Palin, somebody who isn’t even newsworthy in my opinion, is taking up space on the internet and in our minds, by giving out her “words of wisdom” for single parenting.  Are we really entertaining the fact that people are taking parental advice from this girl? And the fact that we think people are genuinely interested in what she has to say is beyond me. It seems to be that health care and governmental policies are taking a back seat in the news world, with diet tips and celebrities making more of a statement. Why is this? 

Since When?

When did people start thinking that it was okay to publicly humiliate another person because of their practicing religion? Is it because they are racist? Is it because they are just plain mean? or is it because they are scared of something different, something foreign to them? We see in the story of Kathy and Zietoun that they practice their Muslim faith both publicly and with pride. While Kathy is at the mall, a young girl tries to sneak up behind her and take her hijab off of her head.  The idea of trying to hurt somebody that you don’t even know, just because they are wearing something on their head is beyond me.  Did our younger generations learn that from their parents? or is it something new that has been developing more drastically since the nine-eleven attacks? Doesn’t everybody know that not all Muslims are terrorists? With the religious prosecution aside, the other aspect of this cruel act that perhaps makes me the most angry is the fact that somebody thought that was okay. Somebody thought that yanking Kathy's hijab off of her head and dismissing her religion was okay. But worst of all, somebody thought that was funny.  

Which leads me to my next question, since when did people start thinking that hurting people was funny? This doesn't only happen in religious instances such as this one, but in other places too, such as high school.  Girls, especially, go out of their way to make others feel some sort of pain or shame, just for the hell of it.  Bringing someone else down doesn't make you feel better. So why do we do it? I think its because we are scared. Maybe we are scared of foreign religions, or we are scared of foreign people, but perhaps were just scared of ourselves.