"Senate Votes to end Military ban on Gays"

Obama's campaign promise to repeal the "don't ask don't tell" policy of 17 years will shortly come into effect. Last Wednesday, the House passed the bill 250-175, and Saturday the Senate passed the same bill 65-31. Obama is expected to sign the bill sometime this week. The change will not be instantaneous though, Obama and the top military advisers must prove that the troops' fighting ability will not be harmed by lifting the ban, then there will be a 60-day waiting period. This is a very significant step for our country. Passing this bill will mean that "for the first time in American history, gays will be openly accepted by the military and could acknowledge their sexual orientation without fear of being kicked out."  
Personally, I think this is great. I never really understood why troops were/are not allowed to say if they are gay or not, I don't see how it really changes anything. They are still there for the same reason; they want to fight for our country. It should make no difference whether they are gay or not. I guess now the only problem I can see arising is that some will make fun of those who are gay, which is really childish, but even as adults, I know it still happens. Even if they get made fun of though, it's nice to know that even if a person is gay, they don't have to lie about it in fear that they will get kicked out which is great, they have the exact same rights to be there as any other person does. I think it is kinda stupid that Obama and his top military officials have to "certify that lifting the ban won't hurt troops' fighting ability." It goes back to one of my beginning sentences; I don't understand how saying that you are gay is going to change anything. I'm not exactly sure how I feel about gays myself, but I do think that they have the right to live their life the way that they want to, just like the rest of us. I guess I would say that I'm on the same page as many Americans are; I'm coming to terms with accepting them. All in all, I'm glad to see that the "don't ask don't tell" policy will shortly just be a part of our past.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40715888/ns/politics-capitol_hill/ 

"Jurors Convict Juvenile in Chicago Teen's Beating Death"

On Semptember 24, 2009, 16 year old Albert was killed when he got caught in the middle of a fight between two factions of students from Christian Fenger Academy High School. The two factions were said to have been fighting about an earlier gang-related shooting. "Albert was approached by two members of one faction and struck in the head with a long portion of a wooden railroad tie, then punched in the face." A 15 year old student was convicted in the beating death of Albert. A video of the fight showed the 15 year old was the one who punched Albert. This punch caused some of Albert's brain trauma of which he died, but the 15 year old's punch was not the blow that killed Albert. The 15 year old was the first of five defendants charged for Albert's death, and was the only one tried as a minor. Because of Albert's death, President Obama sent the Education Secretary and Attorney General to Chicago to speak with schools, and the community about school violence.
It's very sad to hear of these situations, but I guess we could think of it in a different way; because Albert was killed, President Obama stepped up to the plate and increased speakers on school violence. Then, because of the speeches, it is possible that other students' lives could be saved. So while a death did occur, it may have inspired actions to prevent more in the future. This situation (of gangs and fighting and shooting) has always scared me. Living in a gang free town (as far as I'm aware anyway) I don't really have to experience this type of situation (thankfully), but hearing stories on the news and watching movies, etc. I get the picture. It was from those stories and movies that my fears developed. Most people don't like that they have fears, however I'm glad for this one, I would rather be scared than be oblivious. My prayers go out to Albert's family and all those who are living in threatening and/or gang related environments.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/12/09/illinois.teen.beating/index.html?hpt=Sbin

Accused Teen Hit Man

Last Thursday, a 14 year old child was arrested in Mexico City, on suspicion of working as a drug-cartel hit man.The police were able to catch him from an anonymous caller who said he was at the airport. The teen was an orphan, and joined the Pacifico Sur drug cartel at age 12. One of the group's leaders, Julio "El Negro" Padilla, threatened the teen saying that either he works, or gets killed. The teen allegedly killed four people, saying that he slit their throats. When asked if he was aware of his actions when killing, he said he was under the influence of drugs and was unaware of his actions. The teen has a birth certificate from San Diego, California, but his identity and citizenship are under investigation. The teen was paid weekly. Experts say, this is not the first time we will hear of stories involving younger kids killing people and being involved with the drug cartel, because they get paid, or because they think it is cool.

Eighth graders are 14 years old. Sixth graders are 12 years old. I have a really hard time imagining or thinking of a sixth grader going and joining a drug cartel. I have an even harder time thinking of an eighth grader going out and killing people. I understand that the kid was an orphan and, since he wasn't adopted, that he may want/ need some extra cash, but you think he could make the same amount or more money by babysitting or mowing people's yards or something. They didn't say how much he was getting paid, but still doing these jobs must be comparable, not to mention they would be much safer! He is threatened that he has to go kill people, otherwise he will be killed. I just can't see how some people can completely take advantage of kids this way and corrupt their lives. The kid said that he was under the influence of drugs, that means an eighth grader is doing drugs... how sad is that. I don't know much about the drug wars going on in Mexico, and I don't think I want to know some of the details, but I hope police can get at least enough control over it to stop this from happening - stop kids from getting pulled in. I can't picture many kids, if any, thinking that being high on drugs, then going out and killing people is 'cool.' However, I can see them (especially in poverty ridden places around the world) thinking that joining a drug cartel would be an easy way to get some extra money, but not knowing what they are getting themselves into. This needs to stop. This kid may have ruined his life, and he may not even understand why or how. It's the guys behind this kid who persuaded him, and the ones who need to be caught.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/12/05/mexico.teen.hit.man/index.html?hpt=T2