News Log #2

 

"Gray, Gay...And Worried"

http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/30/gray-gay-and-worried/?ref=health 

Summary:

          Two gay men, David and Paschal, have been married for more than twenty years and reside in California. The two got married when same-sex marriage was allowed in California, but are now facing new problems as they get older. Many of the homosexuals that are in their older years came out at a time when being gay wasn't as widely accepted as it is now. David and Paschal aren't estranged; it's just that their nieces and nephews live far away. However, if the couple were to retire to the South, where Paschal used to live, and where it is less expensive, senior care facilities would be less likely to accept them, also. Furthermore, federal policies including married couples leave gays and lesbians out; Paschal's Social Security benefits outweigh David's, but the survivor and spousal benefits available to widowers would not be available to David. Thankfully, there are some associations and homes that support and provide care for aging homosexuals.  A few are Sage (Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Elders), Openhouse, Rainbow Vista, and Rainbow Vision. Sage, the oldest gay-servicing organization, is introducing a federally financed National Resource Center on LBGT Aging next month. Hopefully, services and organizations like these will brighten futures for aging gays. 

Response:

    Personally, I believe that this is astounding; aging homosexual couples are denied and alienated health care from nursing homes. Some gays and lesbians have to hide their sexuality because they won't be accepted. Gays are also denied financial support if something happens to their partner. I simply don't understand why the gay community is being singled out like this. However, there are organizations to help and stand up for aging gays' rights. The tolerance for homosexuality in our country will hopefully rise, and maybe even inspire other countries to increase their tolerance for homosexuality. We're all equal, and sexuality shouldn't be the reason to decline someone their right for care.

News Log 1

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/22/movies/22tulip.html?ref=arts

"A Director's Many Battles to Make Her Movie"

Under constant threat of the Afghan militants, Sonia Cole struggled to finish making her movie, "The Black Tulip." The film is a love story, set in 2001, right before the Taliban took power. It's about the Mansouri's, a Kabul family that opens a restaurant named The Poet's Corner. In the restaurant, artists and writers were motivated to use the open mic. However, they are not as safe as they think they are, and the Taliban punishes them, showing that they are not gone from Afghanistan. The whole movie was filmed in Afghanistan; miraculously, even with daily warnings and risks, no one from the crew or cast was killed. Ms. Cole says, however, that there was one incident that will forever remain in her memory: Zarifa Jahon, the woman who was supposed to play the lead, was taken in by militants, who cut off her feet. Other crew members left by choice, nervous and fearful of the threats that they were getting nearly everyday. Said threats went so far as a bomb blast at the hotel that Ms. Cole was staying in. Thankfully, she survived, and played the role of the mother of the Mansouri family, replacing Jahon. "The Black Tulip" is premiering at the Ariana Cinema Theater in Kabul on Thursday, September 23rd.

Response:
Ms. Cole was right to continue filming her move in Afghanistan, even after receiving threats and being attacked. She stood up to everyone opposing her, and finished her film. She overcame the obstacles and even after crew members left, Ms. Cole worked hard on the film. She had to leave behind her son, and her home in Los Angeles. She was confident and determined, and completed her job. While others may believe she is wrong to have done this, I believe that she took the right stand.

Top Ten Things That Make Me Happy

1.  Nutella cookies my sister makes
2. walking outside during autumn and hearing the leaves crunch under my feet
3. chicken noodle soup
4. the miso soup and tofu my dad makes
5. thunderstorms
6. the feeling that I get when I go to concerts
7. Christmas morning
8. being with my family
9. having talks with my friends late at night
10. when I make someone else's day

Practice Blog

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/15/phys-ed-can-exercise-make-kids-smarter/?ref=health

"Can Exercise Make Kids Smarter?" 

Summary: During an experiment last month, researches asked kids ages nine to ten years old living in the area surrounding the University of Illinois to run on a treadmill. These scientists were testing to see if exercising will make a child more intelligent. Before this, animals had been tested; after running on wheels, the baby rodents brains were indeed larger.
After the children were scored on their runs on the treadmill, they were then tested on cognitive skills. Following the test, the kids' brains were scanned using resonance imaging technology. In both this study, and an even newer study focusing more on complex memory in relation to exercise, the results showed that the children that were more in shape were indeed smarter.

Response: I believe that this study is extremely helpful. Most of today's kids barely go outside or exercise; they stay in the house, go on the computer, or sit for hours in front of the TV. Hardly do they study or put enough effort into their schoolwork. They develop this habit and stay with it. Their IQ drops, and their chances in the future are slim.
This article will hopefully inspire parents to tell their kids to get out more often and play outside or go to the gym. It shows that even ten minutes a day outside could give you an extra academic boost.