Book Review 1: Falling Apart in One Piece by Stacy Morrison

Hello, Everyone:

I decided to do sort of book-a-thon this summer. Meaning, I will read a book every about 2 weeks and do a review summarizing/outlining the main points, what I liked, didn't like (because that matters), and finally, what I learned. It will be a fun way to keep my mind fit and not get too caught up in summer laziness.

First book: Falling Apart in One Piece by Stacy Morrison, a biography of a Morrison as she bravely relives her painful divorce and while pondering what may have lead to the demise of her marriage.

Chapter 1:

A Life Lesson

Hello, Everyone:

Today I’m going to talk about a subject that is very sensitive to me. As liberal and open-minded I believe myself to be from my participation in interracial dating to my pro-choice view on abortion one would think homosexuality is something that I would not have an issue with. Reluctantly, I admit that until recently it was something that made me very uncomfortable.

I moved to the city of Chicago about 2 years ago from a small town in Michigan. During my job as a waitress I encountered more gay people in a single night than I possibly had my entire time growing up. Initially I was taken back and I thought it was something that was wrong. I always looked at life as a means to procreate (try not to cringe) and clearly being gay/lesbian doesn’t allow for that to happen. My biggest fear was having a gay child or possibly marrying someone that ended up being a closeted homosexual. It wasn’t that I hated gay people at all, I don’t hate anyone, it was more a less a dislike for the way they lived their lives. As hard as it is to come to terms with I think being from a small town has warped my perception of the world.

My best friend (a guy) and I moved to Chicago at the same time. Almost immediately following the move he grew very distant. Keep in mind all throughout high school and college we were attached at the hip, he was more like a brother to me than a friend. Any who, he began to go through religious/spiritual changes and almost completely withdrew from me and I got angry because I didn’t know what was going on. I thought maybe because I didn’t share in his new religious views that he couldn’t be friends with me anymore. About a year and a half went by without much communication between the two of us until about 2 months ago when he came out in a status on Facebook.

At first I didn’t take it well, in fact, I think my reaction was quite selfish in that I couldn’t get over how his “new-founded” sexuality affected ME! Instead of my first thought being how hard/confusing life must have been for him for 25 years, I assumed that the person I once considered a brother was no longer. While I don’t think it’s entirely wrong to fear that a person once coming out will be different than the person one has grown to love, it is selfish to not first consider the pain that your loved one has suffered keeping such a secret for so long.

My biggest regret has been and will likely always be that he didn’t feel like he could talk to me about it. Of course, I know why he couldn’t… because he knew where I stood on the issue and I thought he stood with me. Since coming out, we have spoken and contrary to what I believed, he is the same person I’ve known for the past 10 years. I’ve learned that our sexuality doesn’t define who we are it’s merely a characteristic of our being. Sometimes in life it takes something that you frown upon to affect your personal world to understand how foolish an issue it was to frown upon in the first place. I’m grateful to have been given a second chance with my best friend and I’m grateful that the uncomfortable feeling that was once so strong in me has subsided. Frankly, being gay makes one a part of the minority communities which should stick together. xoxoxo

This post is dedicated to my best friend, BJ. I love you.

To see the photo or NOT see the photo?

Hello, Everyone:

Many conservatives are adamant about the release of the slain Bin laden's photos as proof that he is indeed dead. However, there is more than enough information/proof that he was killed and President Obama doesn't feel it necessary to reveal photos of the body to the public.

One of the biggest complaints this country has had since 9/11 was to hunt down and kill Bin Laden, now that that has been accomplished there is another issue. In my opinion, Obama cannot get a break from the other side. Personally, I don't think it is a good idea to publish the photos at it may cause an uproar in the Islamic extremist community. It should be enough to know that he can no longer plot any more attacks against the U.S. rather than further stir the pot.

Chris Matthews from Hardball on MSNBC says the mockery that could be done with the photos from photoshoping to video production would only cause more controversy.

What do you think? Should photos of Bin Laden's body be made public?

Osama Done Died

Hello, Everyone:

By now most everyone should be aware of the assassination of terrorist group Al-Queda leader, Osama bin-Laden. Bin Laden was gun down by in the Pakistan city of Abbotabad in his mansion-like compound. Monday, May 2nd. President Obama gave the go-ahead to U.S. forces to invade the compound after years of surveillance and what he felt was ample evidence to go through with the attack. Americans are outraged that the people of Pakistan were unaware Bin Laden could be living so closely amongst them.

Many say being successful in tracking down and slaying Bin Laden has been the highlight of Obama's presidency as it was a task unaccomplished by former President George Bush. However, others haven't been impressed, claiming hypocrisy for the U.S. to retaliate to terrorism with more acts of violence.

It's an issue where many may stand divided. The first thing that came to mind for me were the values of the late Malcom X; "by any means necessary" vs. those of Martin Luther King; "peace not violence". It becomes very hard to know the right way to go about maintaining security and safety for the public when dealing with terrorism.

Let me know your thoughts. Is it hypocritical for the U.S. to react to terrorism with violence?

The Donald for President?!

Hola, Everyone:

So I'm sure you've all heard about the possibility of Donald Trump running for PRESIDENT in the 2012 presidential election as the Republican candidate. As a journalist I realize I need to be subjective but come on, I can't be the only one who thinks this a joke, right?

Trump recently jumped on the "birther" movement bandwagon by announcing in several on-air interviews his skepticism in President Obama's U.S citizenship despite Obama's many attempts of rebuttal by airing a 'live certificate of birth' from the state of Hawaii for the world to see.

If my memory serves me right, Trump who has filed bankruptcy on more than one occasion, is probably not in the best position to correct a country whose biggest problem is debt. According to CNN.com, the United States is over $14 trillion in debt...and filing bankruptcy is not an option Mr. Trump.

With more and more celebrities pretending to be politicians (i.e. The Terminator; gov of Cali.) I'm convinced that politics has become more about entertaining than the bottom line which should be people working together to improve the country.

On that note...make sure to hit the polls next November as the stakes are higher than ever in the upcoming election.

As usual, feedback is always welcome. What do you think? Would Donald Trump make a good President?