Music Piracy

Music piracy may not be as bad for record companies as they think.  While more people are illicitly downloading music than ever before, this has no direct correlation with lost record sales.  Instead, many people use music downloading as a way to test the market.  If they find something that appeals to their specific taste they may go out and buy the physical copy of the track.  The main problem with record companies is that they think every download is a lost sale.  They need to see internet downloading for what it is, a new marketing tool.

Tea Baggers

This cartoon is an accurate depiction of the fairly new political party, the Tea Party.  It shows the Tea Party as a tea pot blowing off a lot of steam.  This mirrors the political party because they have been known to gather in large groups to blow off steam together.  The reporter is telling the audience that the plume of steam could be around for months.  The cartoon shows that while the Tea Party may be a nuisance now, they may run out of steam soon.

Labor Day

This political cartoon depicts two homeless men talking.  One says to the other that Labor Day is no longer important now that they do not have jobs.  Because of the massive loss of jobs in our country, many people are feeling this way.  Should we continue acknowledging Labor Day if a lot of our country doesn't have jobs?

Gender Roles

Women have been making strides in gaining an equal voice in marriage.  Due to higher education, better jobs, and more accepting husbands, they are finally gaining the respect they deserve in a marriage.  Although people still use gender roles to shape their marriages, more people are stepping out of the cultural norms and becoming a more equal partnership marriage.

Should controversial speakers be allowed on college campuses?

I believe that controversial speakers should be allowed on college campuses.  I say this because no matter what topic, or however extreme the topic, people will always have the right to choose whether or not to listen.  At the same time, I feel that students should have the opportunity to witness controversial speakers in order to think more critically about issues in the world.

Should prayer be permitted in public schools?

I believe that mandatory (or voluntary) prayer should not be permitted in public schools.  There is a time and place for everything in life, and this applies for prayer in school as well.  People have the right to choose what to believe, and if a certain religion is what you choose to believe in, then believe in it outside of school.  When students are forced to participate in religious activities in the classroom that they do not believe in, they are no longer in a helpful and healthy classroom environment.

English Class

This is my blog for English.