Amendment One: A political powergrab

By Jennifer Nicole Howard

Why is it that so many conservatives are afraid of gay people? Something tells me they aren’t.

The North Carolina General Assembly, largely controlled by Republicans, has passed an amendment to the state’s constitution which will be decided on by voters next month.  NC Amendment One seeks to establish marriage between a man and a woman as the only legally recognized union in the state.  This objective will preclude legal recognition for all other domestic partnerships in the process. Same-sex marriage is already illegal in North Carolina, so why are the bureaucrats so apprehensive?

It seems that these politicians have passed the point of concern to control gays and have a concern to control society at large. The men behind such a disastrous policy have one thing: the control of other human beings. These men hold a view of life that is so narrow-minded that they feel the need to control others in order to keep its tradition. Man has long lived under the rule of brute force and its religious counterparts. History proves that these ideals are misguided, yet these cynical men want to hold back the minds of those who wish to evolve.

Senator Daniel Soucek, a Republican sponsor of the bill said, “It’s not just the term marriage; it’s all of the societal communal building blocks that make up traditional marriage. We think that’s the healthiest way to raise children.” The comment here proves my point. This law is based on an arbitrary opinion. These traditionalists are afraid of change.

Studies show that child-rearing in a same-sex household does not affect their self-esteem, gender identity, or emotional health. The vast consensus of these studies is that children of same-sex parents do as well as children whose parents are heterosexual in every way. The supporters of this bill don’t care to know that such studies have been done. These types of people are simply stuck in their ways. They never care to seek the vast amount of information available to a human mind if one chooses to think. Instead they clench to outdated traditions, refuting new information that will contradict their premises, of which they are incapable of repudiating.

Swine flu sensationalism cause for control

By William R. Toler

As an adherent of alternative media and an employee of the mainstream media, I’ve heard enough about the swine flu to make anyone’s head spin.

With the rapid media attention and declarations that followed the initial outbreak in Mexico several months back, I began to question the whole scenario.

First off, the genetic makeup of the current strain contains elements of the regular flu, swine flu and avian flu. It seems a little inconceivable that this combination would manifest itself naturally.

Another aspect that seems mind-boggling is the media frenzy that ensued. Granted, the mainstream media is known for blowing things out of proportion, the public was whipped into mass paranoia of a virus that has killed less people than the regular flu. To top it off, those in America that died were already ill with something else.

Tobacco ban B.S.

By William R. Toler

Apparently the Sun Journal couldn’t find any smokers or anyone opposed to the ban on tobacco at Craven Community College for the article in Friday’s paper.

The article feautred several students and staff who seemed to be supportive of the ban, but the Independent Register has already reported on non-smokers who find the ban a little much.

The ban, approved by the board of trustees earlier this year, bans the use of all tobacco products. Not only that, but no advertisements are to be displayed anywhere on campus. Clubs are prohibited from taking donations from tobacco companies. It’s not like that was a common practice to begin with, but it completely outlaws it. Even student publications, such as the former Campus Communicator, can not accept advertising from tobacco companies.

So now, the Health Nazis have infiltrated CCC and are telling adults that they cannot smoke on public grounds…outside. One student interviewed for the puff piece (no pun intended) is a former smoker, but says now he can’t stand the smell of it. He went on to say, “People are going to have to realize that’s the way it’s going to be.”

Most smokers are courteous enough to go somewhere else if politely asked by someone who is bothered by smoke. But that doesn’t matter to those who want control.

Many non-smokers will say it’s for everyone’s health and it doesn’t bother me because it doesn’t affect me. Public health…isn’t that the line the Nazi’s used when they sent the Jews into the fatal shower rooms?

When will people draw the line?