GLAAD

Current Issues
http://www.glaad.org/eye/stories.php#ucc_ejector

I think what is so great about our country is being able to have the freedom to believe in what you choose, however in regards to the issue in the above link I believe you must also be kind and respectful of others, even if you don't believe in what they do. I don't believe an individuals sexual preference should have anything to do with being in the army. If someone is willing to put their life on the line and fight for their country they should absolutely NOT be ridiculed, but praised for their heroics.

GLAAD Eye on the Media
http://www.glaad.org/eye/index.php

I think it's a good thing ABC has created this transgender character on Ugly Betty, because I think the more exposure people have to something the more likely they are to accept it. When people aren't exposed to certain things I think they tend to shy away from it, because they aren't educated about the matter, so the more common it is the less foreign it seems and hopefully less people will ridicule. Dirty Sexy Money, a new show on ABC this fall, also has a transgender character. So, I think by having these characters on prime time television shows people will see they're human too and should be treated as so.

The Influence of Hip Hop

Regarding the article For Clues on Teenage Sex, Experts Look to Hip-Hop in the New York Times.

I'm curious to know if the researches took into account the home life of the teenagers studied. My personal belief is the more unstable the home life of the teenager the more susceptible they are to being influenced by any amount of things, in this case hip hop. I have not only wonderful parents who have provided me with the necessities and so much more, but I've always been surrounded by role models. I can listen to hip hop music and not be affected by it - I don't grind up on men on the dance floor, do drugs, or have promiscuous sex. I think teenagers are confused enough as it is and if they don't have a stable home to keep them grounded and level headed then they can be influenced by the lyrics of hip and hip and think something like doing drugs will give them a better life.

So, yes I do think music should be censored and so should the videos that go along with it. And I think if something is illegal then it should NOT be allowed to be shown in music videos, movies, etc., on television.

Responsibility is the word that comes to mind, people have got to start taking personal responsibility for themselves and the people they effect.

Reporting for Ratings

In regards to article "Compelling murder mystery didn't have made-for-TV ending" in the Dallas Morning News by Jacquielynn Floyd.

I understand that people make mistakes, but I don't think this is an issue about making a mistake, but rather an issue about making ratings. This isn't an attack just on Jacquielynn Floyd, but FOX, CNN, Greta Van Susteren, Geraldo Rivera, and all the other media outlets that partake in reacting before investigating. If the media reported there has been a murder and we're unsure of the facts at this time it would be very cut and dry, but by reporting it like FOX did as "[a] bizarre murder mystery in Texas[,]" they've created hype and people become more compelled to hear the story. The more people interested the better the ratings. I think it goes back to the basic principle our mothers taught us growing up think before you speak. Earlier this week I was beyond irritated when NBC and ABC were reporting breaking news about a women in a doctors office holding people hostage - they were both reporting the story, but had conflicting story lines, were showing different places at where the incident was occurring and what was supposably happening. It ended up NBC was correct and it was occurring at my doctors office. I think because media is so determined to be the first to report and to get on the scene they don't actually take the time to report accurately.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/localnews/columnists/jfloyd/stories/101607dnmetfloyd.341673a.html