The Men With the Masks

 

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/28/opinion/boylan-the-costumes-we-choose.html?ref=contributors&_r=0

 

 

This next article from the New York Times was written by Jennifer Boylen, a transgender individual.  She exposes American views on Halloween masks, and what your choice of costume can say about you.

 

 

She comments that as opposed to other eras, political masks are down, no one wants to dress as President Obama.  Could there perhaps be a direct correlation between sales and the public viewpoint?

 

The most popular costumes nowadays are unrealistic; sexy nurses, vampires, and other creatures of myth.  I believe this could say a lot about the state of American idols, people would rather delve into fantasy than dress as a real life person.

 

CONTENT: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/28/opinion/boylan-the-costumes-we-choose.html?ref=contributors&_r=0

PHOTO: http://mynorthwest.com/11/1829148/Halloween-masks-show-frontrunner-for-president

Faux News



Fox Planted False Information

 

To switch it up, this next article is from the Washington Post, written by Erik Wemple who often reports on news media.  Basically, this article claims that Fox News gave wrong information under false pretenses to a man reporting on their company.  Mathew Flamm thought he was corresponding with a member of the news team, getting inside information, instead he received false information.  Even though it was only from one source, he ran the article anyway and none of the information checked out.  Flamm was instantly discredited as a journalist.

 

Now it is thought that the executives at Fox News planted this information.  While that is immoral, I believe its a great survival strategy, especially if they wanted to take out reporters from competitor news companies.  In the end, its nothing but good business, even though a man's career was ruined.  It may be sad, but Flamm definitely should have checked the information himself before running the story.

 

CONTENT:http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2013/10/23/book-fox-news-planted-false-information-to-discredit-reporter-stifle-bad-news/

 

PHOTO:http://www.sodahead.com/entertainment/fox-cancels-americas-most-wanted-good-idea-or-bad-idea/question-1801943/?link=ibaf&q=&esrc=s

The Modern Woman

 

A Woman for all Seasons

This article focuses on the effects the new Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, has on women as a whole.  In the article it says that she has drastically changed stereotypes; such as that women are too emotional to be in power, or that they need a male guardian.  Well I would say its about time these cultural norms were laid to rest! 

Of course this article speaks to me because I am, in fact, a woman. It frustrates me to see that the world still views men and women as unequal, so I was ecstatic to learn that many leadership positions in Germany are held by women!

I found it funny, in the article, when it says that often men running against woman run into snags when it comes to bashing their opponent, because any dig they get automatically comes off as a dig against woman as a whole.  Its about time the tables have turned politically, and hopefully this will continue on a global scale!
 

CONTENT:http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/22/opinion/wergin-a-woman-for-all-seasons.html?ref=contributors&_r=0

PHOTOS:http://girltalkhq.com/happy-165th-birthday-womens-rights-movement/

The Exclusive Irish Heritage

 

Some Irish Need not Apply

 

This article from the New York Times is about the rise in racism in Ireland; that is, Ireland-born Irish folks having issues with Irish men and women born out of the country, or non-Irish born in Ireland.  One woman was attacked on the street by a gang of Irish men.

 

This article really stood out to me, because I am VERY proud of my Irish heritage, even though I was not born there, or have even been there, Irish blood runs through my veins and I am proud of it! Everyday I wear my Claddagh ring, and display my wild red  proudly.  I never would have thought that if I were to visit Ireland, like I have always wanted to, they might not take too kindly to my presence in their land. 

 

 

CONTENT:http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/16/opinion/some-irish-need-not-apply.html?ref=contributors

 

PHOTO:http://www.icollector.com/10k-Two-tone-Gold-Diamond-Accent-Claddagh-Ring_i11496479

Somalia's Newest Leader

 

 

Somalia's Leader

 

This article in the New York Times, written by Somali professor Nuruddin Farah is an assessment of the new Somalian leader.  He is widely considered to be a novice, many believe he isn't fit to be the leader of such a torn country. However, the US recognizes the Somalian government for the first time in years; perhaps because this leader is such a pushover?

 

 

In recent years Doctors Without Borders have been forced to leave Somalia due to two homicides of its members.  Death amongst officials and medical professionals has become common practice in Somalia. The man who committed these murders was caught and sentenced to 30 years in Somalian prison, however he was released three weeks later. This makes me feel like the leader they appointed isn't living up to his promises, HOWEVER I do agree that leading Somalia must be a difficult task.  It would seem that any leader appointed in third-world countries are destined for failure, just because the system itself is so corrupt. But I guess we will have to stay tuned to see what Ali Mohamed Gedi, the new Somalian leader, does with the position he was given.

 

 

 

CONTENT:http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/15/opinion/somalias-leader-look-past-the-hype.html?adxnnl=1&ref=contributors&adxnnlx=1382580672-ZXbaZc5uG4Qh57jTjRmdCw

 

PHOTO:http://www.somaligov.net/President.html

Declining Mating Standards

 

Evolution and Bad Boyfriends

 

This article suggests that a female's choice in a mate is directly related with how many resources she can gain from her parents.  In a study done by biologist Franjo Weissing and social psychologist Bram Buunk, they concluded that PARENTS have a lot more influence in mate selection that we may realize. 

 

 

A girl who's partner cannot provide as well as parents may like will receive more help(such as money, recourses, or support) from her parents than a daughter marrying someone who can provide better.  This viewpoint suggests that young females choosing a mate are more likely to pick someone who CANNOT provide  for them, as to gain resources from he parents.

 

 

CONTENT: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/13/opinion/sunday/evolution-and-bad-boyfriends.html?adxnnl=1&ref=contributors&adxnnlx=1382408205-XskWmoymQ0dLsJllifNdpA

 

PHOTO: http://ryandartist.blogspot.com/2011/03/bad-boyfriend.html

A Mind of it's Own



My Afro, Myself-New York Times

 

This article, written by former Afro owner, Bruce Handy, is about how one small aspect of a person can define them in the public eye.  Handy used to be a white man with a sizable Afro, which was a unique feature.  He goes on to explain how that became his identifier; he was "That Kid with the Huge Afro".  It got to the point where he despised his hair for making him into that individual, and he ended up cutting it off.

 

 

It got me thinking about other public figures with some memorable quality that defines them; like Donald Trump's hair, as mentioned in the article.  The model, Twiggy, was famous for being so thin, I wonder if she grew to hate her body? Did Marilyn Monroe hate her beauty mark?

 

 

 

 

CONTENT: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/09/opinion/my-afro-myself.html?ref=contributors&_r=0

 

 

PHOTO: http://www.last.fm/music/LMFAO/+images/64444951

Hey, It's In Our DNA!



 

 

 

Our Political Beliefs Encoded in DNA



This Op-Ed in the New York Times focuses on the new field of "Genopolitics", which is a field of study that indicates that genetics play a part in what political party a person sides with.  It gives a whole new perspective on the "Nature Vs. Nurture" debate.

While it is a new science, the benefits of these studies could be overwhelming in the political field.  It could even go so far as to become a defining factor in the outcome of elections.  In the article, it states that genetics and environment are sometimes hard to distinguish from each other.  I agree with this; my question would be, how could you tell if a persons political preferences come from biological factors, or their parent's beliefs? 


CONTENT: http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/01/are-our-political-beliefs-encoded-in-our-dna/?ref=opinion&_r=0
PHOTO:http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=why-genes-dont-predict-voting-behavior