On January 1,2014 the first legal purchase of recreational marijuana occurred, spurring the concept of decriminalization and legalization to center stage of the national debate. The idea of taking marijuana off of the illegal substances list has been an idea for decades, but with this recent action in Colorado the debate is becoming mainstream. I know it might seem like some sort of irrational potheads dream, but the idea of decriminalization and/or legalization of marijuana is supported by many with very logical reasons. Reasons I fully support. One of the main ones is that these pot smokers are not criminals. Smoking pot is not on the same level as murder or theft, yet both get jail time and sometimes perpetrators of these crimes are even jailed together. Alcohol and tobacco are drugs currently being sold by the government; both more deadly than marijuana. I don’t think its right that people are allowed to drink themselves into a stupor but marijuana use can get you a fine or even prison time. How can the government draw the line at what its citizens use to get “turnt”, especially when the illegal substance carries no threat of death? There are also the all-important medical uses of marijuana, which many say to have healing properties. Decriminalization means that weed could get to people who wish to use it as a treatment. It has been found in multiple cases to treat seizures, as well as calm the symptoms of chemotherapy. This drug that is currently classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, the highest classification under the legislation, is used for medicinal purposes throughout the nation. Did you know that it is extremely difficult to actually study marijuana because of its illegal nature; universities that usually do such research are restricted in associating with the drug. I also think it must be noted the monetary gains that would come from the legalization of marijuana; for both the government, who would save money on police activity and incarceration funds, as well as the corporations that are just waiting to pop up to work in the estimated $1 billion industry that would appear. This would be an entire new industry for our nation to build upon, talk about job creation. The lowering of police activity is not just a monetary plus, it would lower police activity involving marijuana and give the police time to pursue more dangerous crimes, possibly saving the lives of these men and women. Another thing I believe is an issue in this nation; the incarceration rate (highest in the world) would also be affected positively by the decriminalization or legalization. If weed were legal that would mean fewer citizens being sent to jail with charges based on the plant. What is crazy is the lingo our nation exists in now. There are 16 states that have already either decriminalized or legalized marijuana, and in others there are police officers dying in their duty to confiscate it. And you know what, maybe if its legalized weed will be too mainstream for all the hipster stoners and marijuana will start dropping in sales. I think that decriminalization is the first step towards national legalization.
The First Draft of History
The Government Shutdown of 2013
This is an event that will live on in history. The government of a country that thinks itself a superpower was put on pause for more than two weeks while politicians stomped their feet and held their breath. Costing an estimated $24 billion, this was not a minor incident in any way. The effects were felt throughout the nation, with many Americans out of work and the rest growing in resentment towards the government. How can any country think they will keep respect from other nations when they cannot negotiate amongst their own? The US is now being looked at differently by foreign nations who see the shutdown as weak. This new reputation will not just go away. The shutdown brings to the table questions of the rising partisan movement of the government, which will surely create more issues in the future. History loves to look back on the failures of the past, sometimes to learn and often to feel superior, and this failure is one that will not be forgotten.
Science of Rejection
About a week ago the University of Michigan Medical school released their findings on their study of rejection. The experiments, which involved volunteers, online dating, and PET scans, found that the body’s reaction to emotional/social pain was similar to the reaction to physical pain. When physically injured, the body releases chemicals called opioids that dampen pain signals. It was found that these opioids are also released when a person experiences social rejection.
The experiment involved participants going through fake online dating profiles and choosing ones they would be interested in. Then, while laying in a brain scanner, they were told that these people were definitely not interested in them. The scans revealed a opioid release in the part of the brain associated with pain. These opioids dull not just the physical pain, but also the emotional. The more opioids released the less the participants complained about being in a bad mood.
It was also found that this emotional pain was experienced differently by different participants. Those who scored as resilient on a personality quiz were found to have higher opioid release during social rejection. This discovery opens doors to finding cures for many social disorders such as anxiety or depression. Perhaps, it is hypothesized these social disorders are a result of less opioid release during social interaction. The hope is that an opioid medication without the addictive potential can be produced.
Official report: http://www.uofmhealth.org/news/archive/201310/opioid-social?tidrss=research
Tattoo Television, The New Trend?
In the last three years, there have been more than 10 tattoo oriented shows on television, a few of which have been on for more than one season. There are shows about the tattoo artists and their shops, such as La Ink and its spin-off Miami Ink. There are competition shows to find the best tattoo artist, such as Best Ink and Ink Master, which has been on for 3 seasons. There are also two shows currently running about finding and fixing terrible tattoos: Bad Ink and Tattoo Nightmares. These shows can be found on Spike, A&E, TLC, Oxygen and VH1. All these programs offer a look into a normally exclusive world. Only 14% of the US population has a tattoo. This small minority has a culture all ita own; a culture that draws in the intereat from the surrounding population. These shows offer a portal into a worlthat has been private for so many years, and that’s what makes them so popular.
stats from:
What’s New in Television
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon will soon be transitioning to Late Night with Seth Meyers.
Only two more weeks and two more episodes left till the series finale of Breaking Bad.
Fall Television premieres are starting up and summer show finales are finishing, which new shows will replace the old.
What will the new SNL cast look like after the loss of so many main actors?
Dancing with the Stars released this coming seasons competitors, which includes Bill Nye and Snooki.
What the Heck is That?!?
You may have noticed the large colorful object in the courtyard across from the FCS hallway and wondered just what it was; well we have the inside scoop from Mr. Sneddon himself. The large outdoor sculpture was created at the end of the last school year by Mr. Sneddon’s Sculpture 2 & 3 students to give some more beauty to the school.
After years of petitioning the school, permission was finally given for the creation of a artistic monument to the spirit of Henderson High School. The sculpture was designed and built by our very own Henderson students! Each student came up with a design for a piece that would capture the essence of our school, and then the class narrowed it down to their top 4 designs. These designs were then turned into miniature models, or maquettes, which were then presented to Dr. Sokolowski to make the final decision.
The sculpture is not just a pretty face; it has meaning as well. The four main posts represent the administration, the teachers, the students, and family. The large mirrored ring symbolizes all the ideas coming together and reflecting out. The smaller colored pieces coming out of the sculpture is meant to portray the diversity of the Henderson community.
The piece took around three months to complete and was constructed of steel, mirror, plywood, styrfoam, paint, and cement. If you haven’t yet seen the “smart art” that is now “beautify[ing] the boring court yard” make sure to make a detour through the FCS wing, it is surely worth your while.
“Someday you’ll…
“Someday you’ll find a boy who makes you feel like televison”
~Grace Connolly
Emily McTiernan 