6. May 2010 by student.

Humans are being written prescriptions for their own mental zombification and ignorance. They bottle apathy and sell it in orange bottles with names like Xanax, Zoloft, Valium, and Kolonopin. It’s everywhere, with Florida at the epicenter of the epidemic. How can we fall for such an obvious ruse? Those who we trust with our biggest shortcomings and fears give them to us with promises of quick, lazy, American relief.

In the US, more people are now abusing prescription medication than heroin, cocaine and ecstasy combined. Pharmaceuticals like OxyContin, Xanax, Hydrocodone, Demerol, Adderall and Robitussin (Robo’s) are the new hipster drugs. Just as globalization is on the rise so are the pharmaceutical companies. In our society, it seems we are always in a hurry these days looking for our get rich quick schemes or seeking out a quick fix to a tough day. Today, this increasing norm of unrest, quick thinking and impulse actions get soothed by prescription meds instead of actual treatment since even the doctors and therapists are just as corrupt as politics in the sense that they’re in just as much as in a hurry to make their dough and die rich.

Since when is depression, heartache and even pain not part of being a normal functioning member of society. Conflict surfaces when we ask questions like where are these drugs coming from? And who do they really help succeed? Doctors in Florida prescribe oxycodone at five times the national average. Florida has 50 of the top 50 oxycodone prescribers in the country, and 35 of them are in Broward county. It’s effectively legalized drug dealing, motivated by greed. Doctors have an incentive to prescribe these addictive painkillers. People from all over the country flock to Florida’s countless walk-in ‘pain clinics’, ready to pay cash, often $300 or more, for their fix. With this many individuals on drugs in Florida no wonder our economy is unstable since most of our money remains on the black market but instead its in the pockets of the elitists once again, the doctors.

Majority of the time, crime can be linked to drugs therefore wouldn’t it be the dirty doctors and lazy therapists who are perpetuating the cycle of crime, poverty and addiction. Now why don’t these individuals get thrown in jail instead of the drug abuser? Simple, social stratification, the doctor has higher status in society and has affiliation with the ever increasing profit of pharms therefore he remains untouched, while the drug abuser get thrown into jail, instead of rehab. A lot of these individuals either return home with no money, no drugs and no cure therefore without any resources to stable themselves within society capitalism so they turn to crime once again. Rehabilitation and elimination of these clinics is the answer.

Drugs happen to dismantle ones control of actions, often times manifest paranoia, and even manipulate the mind. The psychological effects of drugs take a toll on our interaction within society. As prescription use becomes widely accepted norm we see changes in collective behavior. It is my belief that the Government could want nothing more than this. The drugs fortify the thought ignorance is bliss, you don’t have to think about the social problems of today or even your own if you pop a Xanax, how enticing right? Wrong, these selfish feelings of and separation from reality don’t improve the quality of life one bit, they simply destroy any unity we have as a community, as a nation. This is perfect for the world to take a turn for the worse, as we’re distracted by being happy up on our cloud 9 or in our fishbowl we loose awareness.  Over a short time these drug begin to subdue our consciousness with prescriptions that everything is going to be alright and become distracted from the world around us with addictions. America now more than ever has a chance to apply more power over our well being and make profit at the same time with the drug trade crops. They do all of this by feeding us a pill form of American pride and we tend to wash it down with a swig of ignorance in order to make it though a day in the instant fix society we live in today. 

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

6. May 2010 by student.

Humans are being written prescriptions for their own mental zombification and ignorance. They bottle apathy and sell it in orange bottles with names like Xanax, Zoloft, Valium, and Kolonopin. It’s everywhere, with Florida at the epicenter of the epidemic. How can we fall for such an obvious ruse? Those who we trust with our biggest shortcomings and fears give them to us with promises of quick, lazy, American relief.

In the US, more people are now abusing prescription medication than heroin, cocaine and ecstasy combined. Pharmaceuticals like OxyContin, Xanax, Hydrocodone, Demerol, Adderall and Robitussin (Robo’s) are the new hipster drugs. Just as globalization is on the rise so are the pharmaceutical companies. In our society, it seems we are always in a hurry these days looking for our get rich quick schemes or seeking out a quick fix to a tough day. Today, this increasing norm of unrest, quick thinking and impulse actions get soothed by prescription meds instead of actual treatment since even the doctors and therapists are just as corrupt as politics in the sense that they’re in just as much as in a hurry to make their dough and die rich.

Since when is depression, heartache and even pain not part of being a normal functioning member of society. Conflict surfaces when we ask questions like where are these drugs coming from? And who do they really help succeed? Doctors in Florida prescribe oxycodone at five times the national average. Florida has 50 of the top 50 oxycodone prescribers in the country, and 35 of them are in Broward county. It’s effectively legalized drug dealing, motivated by greed. Doctors have an incentive to prescribe these addictive painkillers. People from all over the country flock to Florida’s countless walk-in ‘pain clinics’, ready to pay cash, often $300 or more, for their fix. With this many individuals on drugs in Florida no wonder our economy is unstable since most of our money remains on the black market but instead its in the pockets of the elitists once again, the doctors.

Majority of the time, crime can be linked to drugs therefore wouldn’t it be the dirty doctors and lazy therapists who are perpetuating the cycle of crime, poverty and addiction. Now why don’t these individuals get thrown in jail instead of the drug abuser? Simple, social stratification, the doctor has higher status in society and has affiliation with the ever increasing profit of pharms therefore he remains untouched, while the drug abuser get thrown into jail, instead of rehab. A lot of these individuals either return home with no money, no drugs and no cure therefore without any resources to stable themselves within society capitalism so they turn to crime once again. Rehabilitation and elimination of these clinics is the answer.

Drugs happen to dismantle ones control of actions, often times manifest paranoia, and even manipulate the mind. The psychological effects of drugs take a toll on our interaction within society. As prescription use becomes widely accepted norm we see changes in collective behavior. It is my belief that the Government could want nothing more than this. The drugs fortify the thought ignorance is bliss, you don’t have to think about the social problems of today or even your own if you pop a Xanax, how enticing right? Wrong, these selfish feelings of and separation from reality don’t improve the quality of life one bit, they simply destroy any unity we have as a community, as a nation. This is perfect for the world to take a turn for the worse, as we’re distracted by being happy up on our cloud 9 or in our fishbowl we loose awareness.  Over a short time these drug begin to subdue our consciousness with prescriptions that everything is going to be alright and become distracted from the world around us with addictions. America now more than ever has a chance to apply more power over our well being and make profit at the same time with the drug trade crops. They do all of this by feeding us a pill form of American pride and we tend to wash it down with a swig of ignorance in order to make it though a day in the instant fix society we live in today. 

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

6. May 2010 by Mr. Andoscia.

And that’s the end. Thanks for participating, folks.  Of course, feel free to continue commenting and checking out the feelings of your peers.

Posted in Mr. Andoscia | No Comments »

6. May 2010 by student.

Bullying can exist between social groups, social classes and even between countries. Bullying can occur in any context in which human beings interact with each other. Bullying consists of three basic types of abuse: emotional, verbal and physical. Forty-Three states in the United states of America has signed the Anti-bulling Bill.

Both public and private schools are now required to develop detailed bullying prevention, intervention, and notification plans and to publish those plans in student handbooks. There is also a requirement that each school district will begin to provide targeted professional development to all staff members in schools, including teachers, administrators, custodians, athletic coaches, and bus drivers to prevent, identify and respond appropriately to bullying incidents.The law also extends beyond the classroom to include incidents that occur in the community and online bringing a new focus on cyber-bullying and extending rules and penalties to apply to electronic and other communications.The new law also designates the fourth Wednesday in January as “No Name Calling Day” to increase public awareness of the effects of verbal bullying, to encourage students to use positive dialogue, and to promote tolerance and respect for differences across the United States.Many parents will be able to have the tranquility that their children will arrive at school and not worry about any distractions that prevent them from participating in class and studying. There are different support groups and clubs that are assisting parent on how to handle these circumstances. Even if it’s their own child who is doing the bullying. For parent out there and children that do not follow the anti-bulling law, will suffer many consequences such as going to jail. Parents will also be reported to the Department of Children and Family investigation unit to investigate the actions of these children. This is an important issue that many should be aware of and learn from, so that society may have an impact to make a change!

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

6. May 2010 by student.

America is unique in many ways. And one of these unique characteristics is the constitutional right to bear arms. Many countries citizens are faced with oppressing leadership and offer little resistance due to the arduous task of acquiring firearms and securing them. Also, the U.S. mainland has never been officially invaded by any other foreign nation. One reason i love to embrace is the fact that any invading army will not only have to face the world’s best Army, but also the most enfuriated citizens armed to the teeth. Oh, how we would love to have a reason to legally shoot our guns. The Supreme Court has recently heard two major cases regarding gun control, as District of Columbia v. Heller ruled, the U.S. Constitution grants every citizen the individual right to bear arms. So long as the 2nd Amendment is protected, i know America will always be what we love about it. (think About it)

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

6. May 2010 by student.

Papers! Sounds like a sound clip from Schlinders List, Nazi police rummaging the towns and villages for Jews and other minorities to persecute and send to concentration camps. Fast forward to 2010 Arizona, imagine a redneck cop with a messed up accent asking for documents proving you are legally in the U.S., but instead you end up going to jail for other offenses not related to your immigration status. Might not be so alarming since Ft. Myers is about 2300 miles from Arizona were the new law states that anybody can be stopped and questioned about their migratory status and police dept.’s can be sued for not enforcing the law. Ft. Myers, is far away from Arizona but history has indicated that immigration laws impact communities with big agricultural industries that depend on laborers, which in most cases are illegal and work for minimum wages, such as is the case in Ft. Myers and Andosciaville. My disagreement with this law is that through out the early 21st century, immigration reform was being pushed that would allow immigrants to come and work legaly in the U.S., now that the ballon burst immigrants are being used as a scapegoat to blame for the misuse of credit and monies that led to the eventual economic crisis. Think about this, Ft. Myers did open its door when cheap labor was needed to construct the city, now that the constructing is done Ft. Myers would like to get rid of immigrants like Arizona. But, by being a social agent i will voice my discontent and fight for reform on reform.

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 2 Comments »

6. May 2010 by student.

Many  health experts in the United States and all around the world are raising concerns about smoking in the workplace. The days when smoking in the workplace was as accepted as a normal smoking break are now long gone for many states. Due to many studies and researches concerning second-hand smoke have prompted many cities in the United States to enact laws that severely restrict smoking in the workplace. Many should be aware that Smoking and tobacco can affect a person’s health, including the heart, circulation, and lungs; its effect on unborn babies; and how it affects the risk of cancer and other diseases. Millions of dollars are being spent for treating patients with related diseases due to Smoking or being a victim of second hand smoke. After knowing these facts, many people will argue that they have equal rights to do with their bodies as they want.  

Many laws have enable states to prohibit smoking in all workplaces, public and private. Other states have  laws that restrict smoking, such as limiting smoking to designated areas, prohibiting smoking in only public (not private) workplaces, or prohibiting smoking in only certain types of workplaces such as hospitals and restaurants. As part of owner’s rights any employer is free to ban smoking in its workplace, even if state law allows it: There is no law that protects your right to smoke at work. Many states, however, have laws that prohibit employers from discriminating against smokers in work-related decisions. An example of this is: making hiring or firing decisions based on whether an employee or potential employee smokes. Many employers are encouraged in making a decision to whether or not prohibit smoking in the workplace and have employers sign a contract giving them directions of smoking areas. The Department of Health recommends that employers post the100% Smoke free poster, which is available to download. The Quit at Work kit is also available for employers seeking to help link employees to free quit smoking resources.

 

Due to many people being addicted, having these laws could help us prepare for a healthier future. Instead of a smoking break, we could encourage a snack break so that social interaction among co-workers do not change. Many that are addicted will argue against these laws, but many that value their lives are standing up so that they may have a healthier future.

 

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 4 Comments »

6. May 2010 by student.

David R. Bravo

Pedophiles is something that people hate talking about. Of course people hate talking about it, because the nature of these people. They are people who have an illness according to many psychologists. Before continuing , I would like to explain what is a pedophile. A pedophile is a person with pedophilia ( sexual attraction to pre-pubescent children) people with this are attracted to children. Why? Some suggest its just a random sexual deviant in the brain and others say its perhaps from having a bad childhood. So, to bring it to terms. A Pedophile is someone who acts on their pedophilia. Now, when researching this topic i have found that many people use this word incorrectly. They use the word to describe people who had relationships with a minor. For, example someone who is not a minor that is with a minor (ex. a 21yr with a 17) isn’t a pedophile; this type of interaction is considered a predator. Now, people with pedophilia could be completely non-disruptive. They may feed their fantasy by just being around kids. Now, knowing this people may say that people who are good with kids have this. We cant claim this. To say people with pedophilia like to be around kids so, teachers, priest, and any kind of worker that deals with children are these people isn’t the right way to look at it. Its as if stereotyping someone because they look like this so you will assume this about the person. Don’t judge a book by its cover i guess is the right way to think about it. So, know this bit of information what should we do?? These non-disruptive people are they ticking bombs?

This type of behavior is seen as a deviant behavior. The punishment for such an act is what i like to call a mark of shame or Megan’s law which is a bill passed to have all sex offenders to be registered in a data-base for the rest of their lives.

http://wings4help.tripod.com/id17.html

http://www.minddisorders.com/Ob-Ps/Pedophilia.html

http://www.cpiu.us/statistics-2/

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 3 Comments »

6. May 2010 by student.

Drinking and Driving is a decision made by an individual that can change their life forever. It is considered drunk driving when your blood alcohol level reaches a 0.08. Every single injury and death caused by drunk driving is totally preventable. According to Mothers Against Drunk Drivers on average someone is killed by a drunk driver every 45 minutes. In 2008, an estimated 11,773 people died in drunk driving related crashes. These are scary statistics when ALL 11,773 deaths are 100% preventable.

     Drunk driving like other social problems, resists simple solutions. However, there are a number of actions, each of which can contribute toward a reduction to the problem. The  Addiction Research Foundation to a study and found out that over 1.49 million drivers were arrested in 2008 for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. This is an arrest rate of 1 every 139 licensed drivers in the United States.  I think the laws of drinking and driving should be harsher! I think that more classes should be required, and more fines should be given! If people can’t follow the laws, and proceed to get caught more than once drinking and driving than automatic jail time should be given to the offenders! There is NO reason why there are so many deaths related to drinking and driving! Call a cab.

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 3 Comments »

6. May 2010 by student.

     Childhood obesity is increasing at an alarming rate.  The number of children considered to be obese has more than tripled since 1980, it is time to evaluate its effects on quality of life.  According to the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey, 16 percent of children ages 6-16 are overweight.  Also, children are heavier in recent years than previously shown in surveys.  The risks of obesity are carried throughout adulthood.  Some of these risks include, but are not limited to:  high blood pressure, respiratory problems, Type 2 diabetes, depression, and various behavioral problems.  Low socioeconomic status, heredity, poor eating habits and lack of physical activity contribute largely to the ever-increasing numbers of overweight children.

     Low socioeconomic status plays a significant role in the development of a child.  Obesity affects minority families differently than white families.  African-American and Hispanic children are more likely to become overweight than white children by nearly 10 percent.  Children of lower socioeconomic status have less access to resources that provide foods higher in nutritional value.  Larger grocery store chains are rarely found in lower income neighborhoods leaving its residents to purchase smaller amounts of groceries from corner stores or cheaper meals from fast food restaurant chains.  Sure, the fast food restaurants are not going to change their product to benefit its consumers, they’re making money.  The consumption of such high fat foods combined with a more sedentary lifestyle has proven to be disastrous for the future lives of today’s youth’s.  Children, today, spend more time watching television, playing video games, and sitting at a computer than participating in physical activities.  The increase in caloric intake at the expense of physical activity will lead to weight gain and eventually obesity.

     Prior to the school age years, children are less aware of the impact that the extra poundage makes in creating the image that is strived for by all.  Today, children struggle with the idea of the “perfect body” as presented by magazines and television.  Based on these false perceptions of beauty, a child’s sense of self worth is diminished.  Obese children are more likely to suffer from poor self-esteem, depression, and negative social interactions as a result of being overweight.  Bullying is prevalent during the school age years, which only leads to the internal turmoil of an overweight child.

     Family and other adult authority figures are the most powerful influence in affecting the preferences of a child.  It is time for that influence to start standing for health, nutrition, and activity for the well being of our children.  Families must take a stand, make a change for the better, not only to save the children of today but also the adults of tomorrow.

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 2 Comments »