Comments for Living Text of Sociology

Comment on Tiffany Viola (Edison) Death Ratings on the Rise Among Teenage Drivers by student

student — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:27:39 +0000

Katherine Blackford (FGCU)
I also have a problem with this blog. The data is based on a large grouping 15-20 years old. How would the data of this group compare to those driving of the age65-70 years old? I feel that the elderly pose more of a risk than the young drivers. I live in a retirement area and the horrible crashes we see are from the older people driving when they should not be. Just last weekend an elderly woman drove off the road and into a canal and died. This is a sad story that is repeated almost every week around here. So I personally would like to see a comparision of these age groups.

Comment on Patel (FGCU): Another View on Immigration by student

student — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:13:35 +0000

Katherine Blackford (FGCU)
Are you taking about legal or illegal immigrants because that determines what we are talking about. Legal immigrants work hard and want to make a better life for themselves and their families. They take jobs on the book and pay taxes and usually participate in community activites and help support the communities they live in. Illegal immigrants still want to provide a better life for themselves and their families but they are doing it on the backs of everyone esle. They take jobs off the books and work for cash. They do not pay taxes and they still use the services provided by the community, like the hospitals, schools, and often they drive and have accidents without insurance. This burdens the communities that support these people when their are plenty of hard working leagal immigrants and natural citizens of this country who can’t get by as it is. Communities are cutting services everywhere because we do not have money to support all that we do. Our country needs to find a balance to help those who are here but we also must stop illegal immigrants from walking into this country. We need more border security and tough laws for deporting illegal immigrants who choose to be hard core criminals. This is a complex topic and has many interconnected topics…education, crime, social services, health/hospital services,etc.

Comment on Serge Sanon (Edison) The Truth About Nationwide Crime by student

student — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:02:18 +0000

Katherine Blackford (FGCU)
I do believe that crime is slowing in my area, SW Fla. I think people have become more alert to crime and try to do what they can to prevent it. People do not generally leave their house or car unlocked anymore and many have homeand car alarm systems. Also, our sheriff has a website that you can look up crimes and people arrested daily. This type of information can be helpful to expose criminals and help the people become more aware of what is happening in their local community.

Comment on Serge Sanon (Edison) Depression and Suicide by student

student — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:47:47 +0000

Katherine Blackford (FGCU)
I agree depression is a serious problem in this country. According to depression.com this is a result of a chemical imbalance in the brain. They say to identify it, treat it and live day by day. That sounds like good advice, people need to realize that they could be happier and they need to look for medical advice. Reports say you have to be patient and try many medications but eventially you should be able to find something that works. I can’t imagine living my life under a cloud of depression. I know I would seek help and I hope anyone else suffering from this disease seeks help. Life is too short!

Comment on FGCU (Harrison): Tipping by student

student — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:31:20 +0000

Katherine Blackford(FGCU)
I always like to tip 20% when I eat out. I know that the person serving me is only making $2.40 an hour or so and that they work hard. Being a waiter requires you to hustle and keep moving at all times. I know people can be rude and so quick to judge a server. However, I think a lot of the problems in a restaurant probably come from the cooks and the kitchen not so much the waiters. I know this job is usually for younger people but when I see an older person as a waiter I feel sorry for them. I know they must not want to be on their feet all day and listening to people making demands. Especially today when people in general have no patience! Please leave a good tip for good service…its only fair!

Comment on Kim Ludovissie (edison) SIDS by Katherine Blackford (FGCU)

Katherine Blackford (FGCU) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:13:24 +0000

SIDS is a heart breaking condition for any parent. I can’t imagine having a healthy baby one minute and then the baby never wakes up for a nap. It would be so cruel!
I hope that we can continue to do research into this disease and also autism. Autism seems to really be on the rise in this country. I think that I heard 1 out of every 400 babies has some form of autism. my parents say they never heard of this disease when they were young but now it is way too common. Lets hope we continue to make great strides in these childhood diseases.

Comment on Kim Ludovissie( edison) Living Together by Katherine Blackford (FGCU)

Katherine Blackford (FGCU) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:08:39 +0000

I think people today like to feel like they know each other before marriage. Long ago couples did not divorce and people generally just staied together if they were unhappy. Now people feel they deserve to be happy and want to make sure its a good fit. I don’t think I will move in with someone before marriage but I guess you never know until the situation arises. I am just encouraged by the fact that people can make it to 10 years these days!

Comment on Beth Allen (Edison) child abuse/neglect by Katherine Blackford (FGCU)

Katherine Blackford (FGCU) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:04:22 +0000

I find this subject to be heart breaking. Who would want to hurt an inoccent child? I know that over 300 million children are abused each year worldwide. That stat comes from UNICEF. It is hard to believe that most of the time children are abused by their parents or guardians. You would think that these are the people who are going to protect their child. Child abuse and neglect must be punished and we can not turn our backs to these victims. When I was young, my parents did foster care in Florida. We took in abused and endangered children and the situations these children came from would shock you. Many were abused by drug addicted parents and still the state sought to reunite the families whenever possible. It was sad for us to see eventhough you hope for families to work it out and be together. I believe drugs play a huge role in this problem.

Comment on Cheri Wine (Edison State College): Concerned about 2010 Census. by Katherine Blackford (FGCU)

Katherine Blackford (FGCU) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:55:59 +0000

My parents just received a letter from the 2010 Cencus board. They thought it was the census but it was a notice advising them that the census is coming soon. I just wonder in these economic times if that letter was even necessary? I think everyone knows the census is coming, at least everyone who lives in a home and has mail service. How much did we as a nation pay to send out these notices? It would have to be millions of dollars. I just don’t understand why. I also heard the census is asking if you have a mortgage on your home or if you rent, etc. All of this information is not their business. The census is about counting physical people and that should be it. We will send ours in but you can bet that it will only have answers to what is legally required. I don’t believe my parents care to give any person information out just because the white house is curious!

Comment on Stephanie Jones (Edison): Frivolous Lawsuits by Katherine Blackford (FGCU)

Katherine Blackford (FGCU) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:47:51 +0000

It does seem that people these days look for quick cash and fame. People sue for the craziest reasons and clam mental anguish to get millions. One women in our county sued a department store because her child slipped while climbing inbetween the racks. Her lack of supervision lead to the child getting bruised and she felt it was necessary to sue. My parents would have come down on me for wondering and playing where I was not suppose to be. I guess these days it is everyone else’s fault if something goes wrong.I defently could not be a defense lawyer for there seems to be to many heinous crimes and to many stupid people suing each other.