Condoms vs. Catholicism

Chelsea Lennox, a junior at Boston College, has long been a part of The organization Boston College Students for Sexual Health, a group that regularly spreads information regarding  "S.T.I. facts, birth control choices...and Planned Parenthood locations and resources." However, just recently, Ms. Lennox and her fellow students received a letter from their administration urging them to cease the group's distribution of condoms to students, a note signed by the Dean of Students and the Director of Residential Life at Boston College. As a Catholic university, school officials argued that such a distribution was "not congruent with [their] values and traditions."

In the letter, Boston College's administration acknowledged the group's harmless, potentially beneficial aims to aid their student body, yet it also advised that the group stop their distribution of condoms immediately, or else face disciplinary action by the university. While a meeting between the group and their administration has been reserved for April 29, a conflict has arisen concerning "how sexual health practices and Jesuit teaching should coexist in contemporary college life." 

Jack Dunn, a spokesperson for the college, stated, "As a Jesuit, Catholic university, there are certain Catholic commitments that we are called to uphold." 

Lizzie Jekanowski, a senior and a group chairman, responded, "Students are going to be having sex regardless, and unless they have the education to know that you need to use a condom every time...and unless they have them available, they're not going to use them." 

Whereas some conservative Boston College students have opposed such actions writing letters against the distribution of condoms, arguing that  "hand[ing] out condoms on campus...puts an idea in their head," other students, like former student Scott Jelinek, think the distribution "help[s] normalize the presence of condoms, whereas before, they were super taboo." 

Regardless, current leaders of the organization were shocked by the letter, considering the many previous years without any serious trouble. The question became: "Why the threat now?" 

As of now, however, Ms. Jekanowski and Ms. Lennox are planning on continuing their practices into the next week. 

Questions: Why do you think Boston College has all of a sudden cracked down on student-run condom distribution? Do you think that Boston College's administration has overreacted? How do you think sexual health practices and Jesuit teaching should coexist in contemporary college life at Catholic schools? What's should be more important at Boston College: retaining Catholic tradition and conservatism or adapting to fit widespread college hook-up culture? 

NFL Players and Brain Disease: Are They Really Connected?

Everyone knows the risk of getting a concussion when playing football. Yet, how often does a concussion, or multiple concussions, lead to a serious brain injury? More often in the National Football League, than anywhere else...

Just recently, a government agency compiled a workplace safety fact sheet which was based on a study of degenerative brain disease in retired NFL players. While many suggestions were made, one comment stood out: a request that chronic traumatic encephalopathy (also C.T.E.), a disease resembling Alzheimer's, be removed from the list of ailments linked to repeated head trauma in NFL players. 

Despite spreading awareness and making rule changes regarding head injuries in past years, the NFL was hesitant to accept the link between injuries incurred by NFL players and C.T.E., a serious, life-threatening condition. An NFL doctor, who expressed doubts over the validity of the connection due to a lack of evidence, proposed that a substitute, traumatic brain injury (T.B.I.), be used instead. 

Jeffrey Kutcher, a neurologist at the University of Michigan, responded with disapproval, stating that the proposed change was a digression from the results of the original Niosh study. 

Richard Ellenbogen, the chairman of the University of Washington’s neurological surgery department and a co-chairman of the NFL’s head, neck and spine committee, also agreed to proceed with caution, stating that T.B.I. was a clinical diagnosis that could be observed in living patients where as C.T.E. is a pathological diagnosis that is relatively difficult to identify.

Whether C.T.E. or T.B.I. is included on the list, it should be noted that several thousand retired NFL players have accused the NFL of purposefully downplaying the dangers of head injuries.

Questions: Do you think it's important to provide information regarding not only concussions but also other serious diseases which stem from repeated head trauma to all football players, especially NFL players? Do you think the NFL is doing more harm or good in spreading awareness while simultaneously hushing severe illnesses in NFL retirees? Should C.T.E. or T.B.I. be placed on the list of diseases / disorders linked to NFL head injuries / concussions? What's more important: medical accuracy or addressing a potentially serious condition?

Gay Marriage: Is the Time Right?

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court weighed the question of whether or not it should be constitutional to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. However, six of the nine justices questioned whether now was the right time to make a decision regarding the issue.

Justice Anthony M. Kennedy stated, "I wonder if the case was properly granted."

Justice Sonia Sotomayor voiced a similar concern, stating, "If the issue is letting the states experiment and letting society have more time to figure out its direction...why is taking a case now the answer?" 

Many justices who appeared to support same-sex marriage understood that there was no way to issue a ruling that could apply only in California or only in the nine states with strong civil union or domestic partnership laws. 

Unfortunately, such justices feel, at the time being, that they are left with an all-or-nothing choice. The options: allow same-sex marriage in all 50 states or allow all states to do as they wish. 

Five court members indicated that they might dismiss the case on the basis that supporters of Proposition 8 lacked standing to appeal a decision granted by a lower court. Interestingly, when justices  have second thoughts about agreeing to hear a case, they sometimes dismiss it as "improvidently granted." 

Mr. Charles J. Cooper, a lawyer arguing on behalf of opponents of same-sex marriage stated that, "the key to marriage...is procreation." Rebutting his argument, Justice Stephen G. Breyer pointed out that there are plenty of married couples incapable of having children -- does that insinuate that the government could ban a man and a woman who are over 55 from marrying because they would not be able to have children? 

Even if the case isn't dismissed, Justice Kennedy commented, "We have five years of information [concerning gay marriage] to weigh against 2,000 years of history or more [concerning traditional marriage]." It should be interesting to see whether or not the justices follow through hearing the case, and, if so, what their explanations are given their ruling. 

Questions: Do you personally feel that the time is right for the Supreme Court to decide the constitutionality of marriage equality? If so, why? If not, when will a better time arise? Do you think the justices are really left with an all-or-nothing choice? If not, what are some better solutions? Do you agree with Mr. Cooper that marriage is centered around procreation? Is the comparison between gay marriage and traditional marriage really that one sided as Justice Kennedy mentions above? 

Obama visits Israel for the first time during presidency

President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu

President Obama is finally visiting Israel for the first time during his two terms as president. Today, he met with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and "expressed an unusual degree of solidarity" as the Washington Post described. The two leaders have never strayed from disagreeing publicly before, so it's fair to say that this gentility may be more than just show.

Aww, see? They're friends!

Obama and Netanyahu mostly focused their discussion on the threat of a nuclear Iran. Both are advocating for a diplomatic solution. Netanyahu appeared to be more willing to accept Obama's estimation that Iran is currently one year away from developing a nuclear weapon. This is a major step forward; last fall, Netanyahu stated that Iran's development would cross the line at which Israel would feel compelled to take military action by spring or summer of this year. Both agree that it is an international priority to prevent a nuclear Iran.

President Obama has also agreed to open talks on extending the U.S.'s annual $3 billion military aid package to Israel for another 10 years. The current agreement will expire in 2017.  

Additionally, the two discussed the prospect of al-Assad employing chemical weapons in Syria. While Netanyahu has already accepted this as fact, Obama is still speculative and described this revelation as a "game changer" for U.S. policy if ongoing investigations confirm the allegations. He also stated, "We have to make sure that we know exactly what happened, what was the nature of the incident, what we can document, what we can prove...I won’t make an announcement today about next steps, because I think we have to gather the facts."

In short: Obama and Netanyahu agree on Iran. What does this mean for the future of U.S. foreign policy? Also, feel free to discuss the implications of chemical warfare in Syria.

Equality House making a statement across from Westboro Baptist Church

The recently-painted Equality House stands out in the snow.

After making a name for themselves through hate speech, public protests, and generally being disagreeable people, the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) is being sent a message straight from  their front porch. Aaron Johnson, one of the founders of nonprofit Planting Peace, purchased a house that lies directly across the street from WBC. Today, he led a group of activists as they painted the house with the colors of the pride flag.

Aside from the Equality House, Planting Peace is primarily involved with charity work involving rainforest preservation, de-worming, and constructing orphanages. The following is their statement on the background and purpose of the Equality House:

"For too long, the Westboro Baptist Church has been targeting the LGBTQ community with messages of hate and discrimination. Often, protesting American soldiers’ funerals and organizations that support equality. This faction preaches extremism in our communities and directly targets our youth. To combat their messages of hate and to support equality and anti-bullying initiatives in schools and in our community, Planting Peace has established the Equality House in Topeka, KS.
  
    Located directly across from the Westboro Baptist Church, the House is a symbol of equality, peace, and positive change. The house, which is painted the colors of the Pride flag, will serve as the resource center for all Planting Peace equality and anti-bullying initiatives and will stand as a visual reminder of our commitment, as global citizens, to equality for all."

At this time, it would appear that WBC has not made a statement yet regarding the Equality House.

In short: A new anti-protest targets the WBC to promote LGBTQ rights and support equality. Do you view this as a sort of novelty or a more powerful message?

For too long, the Westboro Baptist Church has been targeting the LGBTQ community with messages of hate and discrimination. Often, protesting American soldiers’ funerals and organizations that support equality. This faction preaches extremism in our communities and directly targets our youth. To combat their messages of hate and to support equality and anti-bullying initiatives in schools and in our community, Planting Peace has established the Equality House in Topeka, KS.

Located directly across from the Westboro Baptist Church, the House is a symbol of equality, peace, and positive change. The house, which is painted the colors of the Pride flag, will serve as the resource center for all Planting Peace equality and anti-bullying initiatives and will stand as a visual reminder of our commitment, as global citizens, to equality for all.

We invite you to support our movement and encourage you to donate today to these equality and anti-bullying initiatives. - See more at: http://www.plantingpeace.org/equality.htm#sthash.NBYYcNxB.dpufFor too long, the Westboro Baptist Church has been targeting the LGBTQ community with messages of hate and discrimination. Often, protesting American soldiers’ funerals and organizations that support equality. This faction preaches extremism in our communities and directly targets our youth. To combat their messages of hate and to support equality and anti-bullying initiatives in schools and in our community, Planting Peace has established the Equality House in Topeka, KS.

            Located directly across from the Westboro Baptist Church, the House is a symbol of equality, peace, and positive change. The house, which is painted the colors of the Pride flag, will serve as the resource center for all Planting Peace equality and anti-bullying initiatives and will stand as a visual reminder of our commitment, as global citizens, to equality for all.

            We invite you to support our movement and encourage you to donate today to these equality and anti-bullying initiatives.

For too long, the Westboro Baptist Church has been targeting the LGBTQ community with messages of hate and discrimination. Often, protesting American soldiers’ funerals and organizations that support equality. This faction preaches extremism in our communities and directly targets our youth. To combat their messages of hate and to support equality and anti-bullying initiatives in schools and in our community, Planting Peace has established the Equality House in Topeka, KS.

Located directly across from the Westboro Baptist Church, the House is a symbol of equality, peace, and positive change. The house, which is painted the colors of the Pride flag, will serve as the resource center for all Planting Peace equality and anti-bullying initiatives and will stand as a visual reminder of our commitment, as global citizens, to equality for all.

We invite you to support our movement and encourage you to donate today to these equality and anti-bullying initiatives. - See more at: http://www.plantingpeace.org/equality.htm#sthash.NBYYcNxB.dpuf

For too long, the Westboro Baptist Church has been targeting the LGBTQ community with messages of hate and discrimination. Often, protesting American soldiers’ funerals and organizations that support equality. This faction preaches extremism in our communities and directly targets our youth. To combat their messages of hate and to support equality and anti-bullying initiatives in schools and in our community, Planting Peace has established the Equality House in Topeka, KS.

Located directly across from the Westboro Baptist Church, the House is a symbol of equality, peace, and positive change. The house, which is painted the colors of the Pride flag, will serve as the resource center for all Planting Peace equality and anti-bullying initiatives and will stand as a visual reminder of our commitment, as global citizens, to equality for all.

We invite you to support our movement and encourage you to donate today to these equality and anti-bullying initiatives. - See more at: http://www.plantingpeace.org/equality.htm#sthash.NBYYcNxB.dpuf

Paul Rand announces path for Illegal Immigrants

In this speech at the United States Hispanic Chamber on Commerce, Rand Paul has announced his views on the pathway for illegal immigrants. He said, “I think the conversation needs to start by acknowledging we aren’t going to deport 12 million illegal immigrants. If you wish to work, if you wish to live and work in America, then we will find a place for you.”

Paul's plan has two phases to it. The first one includes heavily securing America's borders to keep the number of illegal immigrants from expanding more. This involves getting bi-partisan congressional support for greater border patrol. 

The second is to create a path for illegal immigrants to have a more permanent status. “After ensuring border security, I then would normalize the status of 11 million undocumented citizens so they can join the work force and pay taxes. I would normalize them at a rate of about two million per year.” Interestingly enough, in his speech he never used the word citizen, rather, it seems like he has something like a long term green card in mind.

Although it has not been announced yet, Rand Paul seems to be starting his campaign for the 2016 presidential elections. This speech shows a more progressive view then typical Republican platform, showing how Paul seems to be trying to attract a wider band of constituencies that has not been popular with the Republican party in recent years, such has Hispanics.

What do you think of Paul's plan for immigration reform? What do you think is the best solution to the 12 million illegal immigrants living in America?