Same-Sex Marriage

Many consider marriage is between a man and woman only.  However, such a statement is found to be offensive and discriminatory against same-sex couples.  The decision to allow same-sex marriage has been an ongoing battle for years in our nation. As the years go by more heated debates on same-sex marriage arise. And at times Politicians take part in the same-sex marriage issue in hopes to gain some votes.

Proposition 8

“Proposition 8 was a 2008 California ballot measure that outlawed same-sex marriage.” With this measure wanting to be passed by the majority, the minority fought back. Proposition 8 has been a controversial issue ever since it was brought up.

Those who support Proposition 8 believe:

•  Marriage should be between a man and woman.
• Don’t want their children to be taught that same-sex relations are normal.
•  It is wrong and immoral because marriage is a fundamental bond in history.

Religious groups truly oppose to recognize same-sex marriages or even condemn it. California will be leaving this issue up for the Supreme Court to come to a decision on. If a law was to be passed that allowed same-sex marriage in one state, then the rest of the states across the board would have to allow it as well.

Those who oppose Proposition 8 believe:

• It is unconstitutional because infringes upon their rights as an American.
• This isn’t an issue of religion.
• This issue is about allowing same-sex couples or unions being allowed the same rights as everyone else.

Those who oppose Proposition 8 don’t think such a law could be passed because it would be unconstitutional and no one would want to see such a law in a constitution that is supposed to promote freedom.

An On Going Issue

The question of allowing or not allowing same-sex marriage has been an ongoing issue for a few years now. Even back in 2004 Laura Bush called gay marriage: 

"an issue that a lot of people have a lot of trouble with."

The Boston Globe stated, “but she stopped short of endorsing a federal constitutional amendment to ban same-sex unions.” 

Even this year in March, Washington D.C. just began to allow same-sex marriages. This now brings the total in the nation to six.

Places in the nation that allow same-sex marriage:

• Washington, D.C.
•  Connecticut
• Iowa
• Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• Vermont

It’s Up to the Voters

When the issue is brought forth to a state to allow same-sex marriage or to ban it, typically it has been left up to the voters to decide. This then creates a lot of feedback from same-sex couples. Many same-sex couple agree that they are the minority, and then a question arises.

Why should this issue that involves the minority be left up to the majority?

New England’s Success

This is why New England remains the core of same-sex couple movement success. The decision to allow same-sex marriage is not left up to the voters; the decision is left up to courts and legislatives.

Joe Miller Interview

Republican Senate nominee, Joe Miller of Alaska, said in an interview on Tuesday that he would vote for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

Millers Views:

• It’s ultimately up to the people.
• It’s a state issue.
• Miller believes homosexuality is left up to the individual.

With all this being said, anytime a state makes same-sex marriages legal same-sex couples rejoice and "rush to wed". Same-sex couple hurry for many reasons. Some same-sex couples fear the state will then ban same-sex marriage shortly after it being approved. Like heterosexual couples they do love each other, and love cannot be questioned. 

Facebook's Privacy Policy in Question

Since the beginning of Facebook its privacy policy has always been in question.

Recently this privacy policy has been in question even more so. On Monday, Facebook had discussed with its application developers on how they were handling users information. It was then brought to Facebook’s attention that these applications were improperly using the data they had been collecting.

Mike Vernal, one of the Facebook engineers, states in a blog post that they are aware of this situation. Such improper use of the information is in violation of Facebook’s privacy policy. However, Vernal claims that the press has “exaggerated” the use of sharing the User ID (UID). Even though these applications have shared the UIDs it doesn’t mean anyone can see private information without any user approval.

On the bright side, Vernal does claim that Facebook is committed to ensuring that all applications adhere to Facebook’s privacy policy.

It was only after The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday night that Facebook came out with their statement. It was discovered that even popular Facebook applications such as Farmville and Mafia Wars were sharing User IDs to third parties. Not only were they sharing specific User IDs, they were sharing their friends information as well.

For anyone concerned with Facebook’s privacy policy, it is recommended that you review the privacy policy. In the meantime, practicing good internet use etiquette wouldn’t hurt either. In other words, don’t share any information you don’t want just anyone knowing.

Some tips:

• Ensure your computer doesn’t have viruses
• Pay close attention to your payments
• Or just don’t allow any applications

Hopefully in the end Facebook focuses on this problem and ultimately ensuring privacy for their users.

Facebook becomes a little more like the real world.

"Groups"

Facebook has been developing a feature for a few months that is supposed to help users organizes who sees what information they post. The new feature will be called "Groups". According to Mark Zuckerberg, "Groups" isn't the company's first attempt in allowing users to share information selectively. Only 5 percent of people have been using the "list" tool. Which was basically organizing friends in lists.

"Groups" should be more user friendly and increase the amount of people allowing to share information selectively. Essentially the idea of "Groups" is making a group and allowing to include others in it. So, someone could make a group for an organization at school and put every member in it. Thus, making the percentage of users sharing information selectively to go up.

Zuckerberg also explains that anyone who shouldn't really be in the group can easily be removed as well. When someone joins the group every member will be notified. Then any member could flag that person if they shouldn't be a member.

Augie Ray, an analyst with Forrester Research, called Groups “a big step forward to allow Facebook to reflect the same social norms that we have in the real world.”

I personally am really looking forward to this new feature. I see that it has a lot of potential in making my life easier. I can also seeing this being very beneficial to business, organizations, or any kind of function.

Facebook the Phenomenon

Facebook.

Saying the word sparks interest for anyone of this day and age. This popular social networking website has been practically programmed into everyone's brain. Facebook has become “life” for many around the world. According to, New York Times Facebook currently has 500 million users, doubling in users since 2009.

Facebook is now the leader in social networking and has replaced many former popular social networking sites, such as, MySpace. It has achieved this in multiple ways, one characteristic that has set it apart is by limiting users on changing the appearance of their page Mark Zuckerberg, a Harvard Sophomore, founded the popular social network. Facebook was only open to Harvard to students, and then later became available to all high school and college students.

Facebook has even rivaled against the ever so popular Google. Unlike Google where the user has to search for information, Facebook has the capability of connecting users. This is made possible through personal relationships and recommendations. Users don’t even have to go to different pages; users can easily “like” something. This can easily be viewed by friends of the user or those within the user’s network.

However, many people question Facebook’s privacy policies. In response to people’s concerns on the privacy policies Facebook unveiled a set of new controls. These new controls help users maintain their privacy. What Facebook didn’t realize though was with the addition of these new controls that it was confusing to users. This meant for some unused controls by the users.

Facebook is a dominating social network of today’s age, by a wide range of users old and young.

This is a test

When you travel a lot, it's not always easy to remember where you are. Bands have had their "Hello, Cleveland!" moments, when they call out the wrong city from the stage, and this appears to be what happened to referee Carl Cheffers in the fourth quarter of the Dallas Cowboys' 27-13 win over the Houston Texans. Then again, Cheffers didn't seem to be too clear on the penalties he was calling after a Texans kickoff, and return by Cowboys rookie cornerback Akwasi Owusu-Ansah(notes):