Artwork Disturbance In Georgia School

By:Andrew Hall

Quote by artist,Federico Zuccaro states "Rules serve no purpose; they can only do harm. Not only must the artist's mind be clear, it must also be free. His fancy should not be hindered and weighed down by a mechanical servility to such rules.
"A Newton County parent would disagree with this statement because the artwork that is displayed at her tenth grade daughter's school she is saying is disrespectful and not acceptable to be displayed in a public school setting. 

"God Is Dead" a quote from the popular book, The Crucible, is what parent Crystal Mitchell is referring to. She believes that this sends the word religious message throughout the school. The school system has made efforts to make public schools a non religious atmosphere. With this being displayed Mitchell argues that this is a contradiction to the school's rules on religion, "

Reported from Fox 5 Mitchell argued. ""If my child can't pray in school and they've taken religion out of school, for this to be plastered on the walls of the public school is a huge concern to me." As well as it should be because the statement is a strong statement and could cause disruptions like the current one with Ms. Mitchell.

Jonathan R. Herman, a professor at Georgia State University suggest in his research that through older literature and social studies material that it is difficult to avoid religious influence. The frequent references to religion are taken out of schools where authorities think that is apparent to the public but schools are going to have to go to great lengths to 100 percent free public school systems of religion.

Although, I do not feel as though that this should be displayed because this can be offensive to others. For the administration not to allow prayer but to allow artwork that says "God Is Dead" , this hypocritical enforcement of rules does not show consistency and angers parents.

More and more parents have been expressing their concerns to the school making this a big issue that the school system needs to handle in a respectful manner. These concerned parents have even created a Facebook page about the artwork sharing their opinions and disapproval of the artwork.

According to Fox 5's reports,earlier this month, other Georgia Counties such as the Bulloch County Board of Education have decided to take all religious icons and items from their school. This in my opinion was not the right decision based on the" TRUE" meaning of  Christmas , but it did draw a clear line on what is acceptable in the school system. 

Newton County should take into consideration the majority and hold meetings with PTA to get this situation handled so that the students, parents, and faculty will be on the same page. Some may not agree but just as long as they are not offended by the guidelines set and able to follow these rules agreed upon, Newton County schools can resume school in constructive manner.

Students should not have to go to school in a n uncomfortable environment and  with this artwork the school system is doing just what they were trying to avoid by connecting their learning material with religion. There should be a clear line that is set by the school system that would make the learning material acceptable to all religious parties.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/19/georgia-school-god-is-dead_n_3781239.html

"Christ" Not Being Involved In Christmas In Georgia School

A Georgia father is upset about the permission slip that he got back from his child's charter school. This permission slip said that songs in the child's music class about Christmas will only be taught if it does not have religious value. This has been an issue for companies and schools since 1923 when they gave the (X-mas) alternative for the holiday Christmas. The ending result was to take Christ and christianity out of the holiday and make it a holiday not about the birth of Christ. I believe that it should be in the schools because how can you change the meaning of holiday. Then there are facts that were acquired that pointed to the fact that they openly celebrated Halloween with ghosts and devils but dont show the same respect by not allowing baby jesus and religious christmas songs being taught.

Women In Georgia Could Be Criminally Charged For Miscarriages

Pro abortion activists are in outrage because anti abortion lawmakers propose a law that would criminalize miscarriages. Miscarriages in Georgia, according to newrepublic.com "Among women who know they are pregnant, the miscarriage rate is about 15 percent to 20 percent."Its often hard to find out the cause of miscarriage, so this could be a reason that lawmakers are this situation into question. I do not believe the government should punish women for miscarriages because criminal activity is not always the case when babies are lost through the pregnancy process. With the anti abortion lawmakers not being able to determine this, they plan to take advantage of this unknown factor and eliminate it all by the miscarriage penalty. The law is not applicable because this is a natural process that happens due to the women's body condition through her pregnancy. Georgia's citizens should not have to face penalty after already suffering the loss of a child. I think that if they do acquire a penalty that they would have to research every situation individually to determine each cases miscarriage causes.

Georgia's Efforts To Legalize Weed For Medical Use

By:Andrew Hall

The legalization of weed in Georgia and how we need to make better efforts and get more doctors to research this medicine. Which could be looked at as amazing discovery in medicine if it were able to treat severe diseases such as cancer or glaucoma. Given this chance and opportunity they should be looking for ways to legalize marijuana for this cause.

Illinois just recently was the 20th state to legalize medical marijuana with Governor Pat Quinn signing the legislation papers. Georgia has put forth efforts to be the 21st state to make this legal for patients who are prescribed this medicine for their sickness.A lot of individuals do truly use this medicinal weed as a medicine to help them get through severe diseases such as cancer.

The Internet based news article, The Daily Chronic, reported that " James Bell, director for Georgia Campaign for Access, Reform & Education , said Georgia is ready to consider historic legislation allowing for medical marijuana." This is a big step in the plan to legalize this medicine in a republican conservative state.

The Georgia Campaign for Access, Reform & Education  also known as the Georgia C.A.R.E. program is a program of the Georgia Taxpayers Alliance, Inc., a project dedicated to the reform of Georgia’s antiquated marijuana laws.Their mission goals is to seek to allow medical access, decriminalization and legalization of marijuana.


Cancer can have different effects and with this medicine provided this will lengthen some individuals life expectancy. Since the law has been passed 1980 in Georgia to use marijuana for medicinal purposes there hasn't been any progress with this program because of the DEA in the later 80s.

With republicans in the driving seat of Georgia's government the efforts for legalizing medical marijuana has been a slow process. With other republican states such as Vermont falling in line Georgia feels that with its activists and government officials who are pro medical marijuana they are in the process of becoming the next state to legalize it.

Georgia's C.A.R.E program put together a seven page report "A Guide to Enacting Medical Marijuana in Georgia" . This detailed report outlines the steps Georgia must take to remove criminal penalties, so that they can allow doctors to recommend  medical marijuana for therapeutic use and provide for a legal and safe source for it.

These efforts are being made because the effects of marijuana are positive when it comes to the medical effect. Marijuana contains a chemical called beta-caryophyllene, and scientists have researched and proven that it could be used to treat pain. 

The efforts are far from over when it comes to legalizing marijuana in Georgia but with Georgia C.A.R.E program and other activists for medical marijuana I believe that Georgia is moving in a positive direction. With this process the Georgia government will allow doctors and physicians to put the hours and research necessary into the effects and preventions of negative effects of medical marijuana.

Georgia Efforts To Legalize Weed For Medical Use

This article talks about the legalization of weed in Georgia and how we need to make better efforts and get more doctors to research this medicine. This story is newsworthy because a lot of individuals do truly use this medicinal weed as a medicine to help them get through severe diseases such as cancer. Cancer can have different effects and with this medicine provided this will lengthen some individuals life expectancy. Since the law has been passed 1980 in Georgia to use marijuana for medicinal purposes there hasnt been any progress with this program because of the DEA in the later 80s. Now since there is a reemerging concern with the marijuana use for glaucoma and cancer there should be doctors and reasearchers there to reveal findings about how this will better help these patients health because by just ignoring the medicine just because its a drug is hurting our citizens and remotely giving early death sentences to these diseased patients.

Civil Right Groups Want Boggs Up nd Out

Questions have been raised when it comes to the nominees of federal state bench. Michael Boggs, a supreme court judge, nominee selection has been problem for the Civil Right groups of America. Civil Rights leaders have made it their agenda to get this nomination striped from Judge Boggs.  In 2001 Boggs voted to keep the confederate represented flag also known as Georgia's original state flag. Civil Rights leaders have reached out to the highest hierarchy of the White House to make this plan a success.

Boggs has been appointed numerous judicial positions in his career throughout Georgia. While holding his position as State Representative to the General Assembly in 2001, Judge  Boggs was one of the 82 voters in the situation to keep the confederate symbol on the Georgia flag. This made the minorities most of all ,African Americans, suspicious of Boggs decision making as judge in the court system. 

Although the topic in the media has been the negative on Michael Boggs, I believe there has to be a  reason that he is even considered for the position on the bench. The Georgia Court of Appeals Judge and former Georgia House of Representatives member for three consecutive years has undoubtedly qualified himself for the position nominated to him.

 Civil Right Groups have made attempts to the White House to see that Boggs does not become a nominees to the federal bench in Georgia. I believe that the civil right group are doing the right thing in speaking up for this cause because that vote right there could have made an impression on a lot of African American Georgians that could not put their trust in Boggs knowing he is a judge and state leader for Georgia.

The public should have a say so in all the positions chosen in the State government that affect their well being. If not this may well give citizens the idea that our government leaders are not really " For The People".

White House cut a deal with the state's Republican senators on judicial nominees , this is why The White House is taking so much heat from the public and Civil Right groups. Civil Rights leaders have made attempts to speaks with President Obama as well as Michael Boggs himself but have failed on both attempts. No comments have been reported from the White House concerning this event but the media spotlight on the subject will not go unheard by The White House. 

The daily report news article reported that , "Nominees for federal judgeship's usually avoid public comment under protocols set by the White House and Congress."

The Republican deal put Georgia's minority citizens at an uneasy state because they know the goals of the Republicans are not set up to work in their favor. Michael Boggs' republican influenced decision back in 2001 has came back as a negative affect on his career.

I believe that the state citizens' opinions should be taken into consideration because with Boggs on the federal bench in Georgia this would make citizens uncomfortable with his decision making. I think that if these Civil Rights groups took this time out to contact the White House then this was a heavy issue in their opinion, and it should be handled as such.

http://www.dailyreportonline.com/PubArticleDRO.jsp?id=1202624356073&Civil_Rights_Groups_Dont_Want_Boggs_On_Federal_Court&slreturn=20130921111600

Civil Right Groups Want Boggs Up nd Out

This article is about Civil Rights groups speaking out and acting against the nomination of  court of appeal Judge Micheal Boggs. The civil rights groups are adiment about not allowing Boggs his seat on the bench. In 2001 Boggs voted to keep the confederate represented flag also known as Georgia's original state flag. This shows to the people that he is for the confederacy ways and is not about making a Georgia a better place for all. Civil Right Groups have made attempts to the White House to see that Boggs does not become a nominees to the federal bench in Georgia. I believe that the civil right group are doing the right thing in speaking up for this cause because that vote right there could have made an impression on a lot of African American Georgians that could not put their trust in Boggs knowing he is a judge and state leader for Georgia. I believe that the public's opinion should be taken into consideration because with him on the federal bench in Georgia this would make citizens uncomfortable with his decision making. I think that if these Civil Rights gropus took this time out to contact the White House then this was a heavy issue in their opinion. 

http://www.dailyreportonline.com/PubArticleDRO.jsp?id=1202624356073&Civil_Rights_Groups_Dont_Want_Boggs_On_Federal_Court&slreturn=20130921111600

Government Shutdown Affects Georgia's Infants

By: Andrew Hall

Georgia federal funded companies have taken a hit in this current government shutdown. The government shutdown has affected road work, jobs , and WIC are programs in Georgia that are being affected greatly by the government's actions. Unlike SNAP, otherwise known as "food stamps" program the government will not be providing funds for parents of infants needing WIC assistance.

No new applicants may apply to the program, while the clients who are already approved will be provided with services through the reserve funds until those funds run out. This will put a lot of new parents in a difficult position when it comes to providing proper nutrition for their children.

The WIC program that is being cut off due to the government shutdown affects many women, children, and infants that need this service to provide nutrition.. The WIC program allows families to get free nutritional foods for their children and infants. These healthy food choices are expensive and not always able to purchase due to individual financial standings. 

I believe that for the government to be taking things away from the citizens shouldn't start with taking away nutrition from our children because they sure did not cut the prison systems food or the government officials pay.

According to library.clerk.house.gov/reference-files, House Of Representatives report an average salary of $1,446,009.10. They should think about taking a cut in their pay other than taking nutritional foods out of the mouths of upcoming American infants and babies. Obesity is at an all time high in America and this is doing nothing but enabling the problem. 


Georgia Health News, a nonprofit health journalism group, reported in August that Georgia was 20th in obese states in America. Taking nutrition out of the children's diet early will give them no future knowledge of proper foods to eat for those who cannot afford proper nutrition. 


How does the government take away a service funded by the state and then strip citizens of their state jobs, just does not feel like justice and proper decision making.


This WIC program being cut affects Americans from infants to adults when the goal for the government is to provide the public with a better life not a more difficult one. So in the end I feel that the government could have found a better program to cut other than this one because I do not see any good concluding from out of work employees, struggling parents, and unhealthy children.

Government Shutdown Affects Georgia's Infants

This article is about the WIC program that is being cut off due to the government shutdown. This effects many women, children, and infants that need this service to provide for their family. The WIC program allows families to get free nutritional foods for their children and infants. These healthy food choices are expensive and not able to be purchased due to individual financial standings. On average formula milk cost $15 dollars a can and when you use more than 2 per day this can start to add up and be a problem as in most cases. I believe that for the government to be taking things away from the citizens shouldn't start with taking away nutrition from our children because they sure did not cut the prison systems food or the government officails pay. But America needs to know that each state will have different process. Georgia is saying that they will take on no new clients but will provide for their existing clients until their resources run out. But in places as Utah that have a safety net fund being used after the government cuts their WIC program. This also affects the workers of these Georgia WIC programs, who will be sent on a leave until the government gets things together. So in the end I feel that the government could have found a better program to cut other than this one because I dont see any good coming out of out of work employees, struggling parents, and unhealthy children.




http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/01/wic-shutting-down_n_4023284.html

Disability On DeathRow Article

Warren Lee Hill was set to be put to death on July 19th by the State of Georgia . Albany Herald reported that the execution did not happen because his lawyer came with an injunction.This injunction was regarding the new law, which stated the new drug used to execute prisoners is unknown to the public or defendant; and if it is unknown then the inmates attorney is able to challenge the execution. This injunction bought his lawyer time to bulk up his real reason for stopping the execution, which was Mr Hill's mental state of mind. Hill's lawyer argues that it is unjustifiable to execute a person that is mentally disabled and have little to no control over their actions.

Hill was sentenced to life in prison in 1986, for shooting his then girlfriend eleven times and killing her. Hill was again on trial in 1990, as he was sentenced to death by execution, for killing his cellmate in his sleep with a board. The first incident in my opinion should have been a reason to report his mental state and send him to a mental hospital rather than a prison. Since this did happen in 1986 they might not have had the facilities to house specific inmates, but in 2013 they should take this problem into consideration.

Huffington Post reported, Mr.Hill was reported to only have an IQ of 70 which would be mentally challenged on a common scale.

The Supreme Court made it illegal to sentence mentally challenged people to death by injection but left the choice up to the states to determine which inmates are eligible for this exception. In my opinion there should be requirements for every state that are agreed upon by all the states with requirements made by the Supreme Court and Intellectual Disabilities Committee.

The President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities was founded in 1966 by President Lyndon Johnson with hopes of giving extra efforts to support mental disabilities community, while determining people intellectual disabilities.

The alternative that should be brought to the attention of the judicial system is that these mentally disabled inmates should have a separate facility and form of punishment for their actions. These facilities would be used to teach the inmates how to prevent themselves from getting into situations as well as getting them the right medical help to assist their mental condition and let them live a life progressing. In the current justice system the inmates are punished and are not made aware of their wrong doings; this causes a risk of them repeating the same mistakes, I believe putting them to death is not helpful because you are punishing a person who knows not of their wrong doings.

I believe that the advocate groups should raise money and get support from our government to make a tax to build facilities to help these inmates learn while being punished with their mental disabilities. These facilities would be beneficial to all parties. Inmates families would get to stay in contact and see them progress from their mistakes in life and the Justice system would not have to worry about cases like Mr.Hill's, because he would not have been housed with the ability to commit such a crime.

The washington post reported, " The average inmate in minimum-security federal prison costs $21,000 each year." This projects that it will be a financial hardship for the government but I feel that it should be taken into consideration, because of the positive aspects that can result from these facilities.

There should always be punishment for a crime committed, but different mental states should have equal consequences. Just as you do not punish a child for an adult crime, there should be alternatives for adults with child mindsets that commit adult criminal activity.










http://www.walb.com/story/23434787/group-aims-to-change-part-of-ga-death-penalty-law

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/16/warren-hill-clemency_n_1676205.html

http://www.albanyherald.com/news/2013/aug/26/ga-supreme-court-to-hear-warren-lee-hill-appeal/

Using The N Word As A Convience/Payday

This story consist of a lady who part of a organization named STRIVE and in this organization one of the creators and bosses, Rob Carmona, called one of his employees ,Ms. Brandi Johnson, the "N" Word. My argument with this article is that black people use the "N" word to be offensive only when its convenient for them. I do not think the jury should have awarded her 280,000 dollars over a "Racial Slur" that comes from someone of your same decent. I feel that if her personal friend was to call her the N word she would not take this any kind of way this was all a ploy to get her free money. This is newsworthy because the N word is a still a national issue that's why i feel this an relevant to write about because I feel that the word is just a word but others take it to offense. The question is this word that big of an issue to the price of 280,000 dollars , I don't think so. I think that it was unjust to try to make an example out of Mr. Carmona and it shows how our justice tries to settle national issues by making examples and over punishing individuals. People use this word daily not to offend others but as a greeting and term of endearment so who is to say what is offense and what is not.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/ny-case-puts-word-blacks-trial-20139860

People Get Offended By The "N" Word Conveniently

Ms. Brandi Johnson, was awarded $280,000, because she was the victim of a racial slur incident that occurred while she was working at STRIVE, a nonprofit organization.  Rob Carmona, the founder and an African American male, went on a four minute rant degrading and repeatedly calling Ms. Johnson the "N word". She said she was embarrassed and felt disrespected and shouldn’t have to put up with these conditions in a workplace.

She gathered information and acquired a lawyer and took Mr. Carmona to court saying that he should have to pay for his wrong doings. Though, I feel that this situation was wrong, I believe that she was more embarrassed by being inadequate rather than being offended by the "N word". Because, if you listen to the recordings that can be heard on CBSNews.com website, you will hear that Mr. Carmona disrespects Ms. Johnson from the beginning even before using the "N word" and not once does she ask him not to call her that word.

In my opinion this was all a ploy to get more money for herself for her own personal gain. This was planned and probably not the first time that he has spoken to her in this manner. This didn’t look like the first confrontation because of the fact that she took precautions by recording their conversation. The case focuses on the "N word" when I feel that it shouldn’t have.

In 2008, an African American employee of ArcelorMittal was awarded 25 million dollars for his racial harassment and uncomfortable working conditions in New York. My thoughts were that she researched similar cases and thought that she would receive the same or around the same dollar figure for her case. New York's judicial system sees this as a serious issue and wants to make examples for the public but with that, they are giving victims large amounts of money from cases with little to no change from 2008 until now. 

Although, Mr. Carmona is an African American the jury didn’t not let him pass even with his poor excuse for reasoning. According to CBSNews, Mr. Carmona disputed his case with the arguments "In his testimony, Carmona defended his use of the word, saying he used it with Johnson to convey that she was "too emotional, wrapped up in her, at least the negative aspects of human nature." This didn’t move the jury in his favor at all, jurors coming to the conclusion that the word is offensive no matter what your race or background maybe.

With that I feel to each its own, it was created as a derogatory term but now is used in so many ways that you can’t list them all. $280,000 for a word is drastic money to be losing over choice words. The freedom of speech amendment should be thrown out if everything someone said that offended someone else was punished that severely.

I believe they were trying to make an example out of Mr. Carmona, because of his strong position in the community. Ms. Brandi Johnson just used this as her free ticket to free money and I feel that that’s exactly what the government gave her free money. 

The word is used on a regular basis in some communities and used in so many different ways, I believe every person is in entitled to their opinions and feelings. Ms. Johnson may have felt strongly about the situation to feel that this was necessary but the court system used this case as an example to the country while not really resolving the real issue and giving Brandi Johnson a free payday. The dollar amount awarded to Ms.Johnson was outrageous, although their should be action towards this behavior $280,000 is not a fair price to pay in my mind.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57601041/use-of-n-word-among-blacks-on-trial-in-n.y-case/

Disability On Death Row

The article I chose to write up on is about a disability supporter who are trying to get the death penalty in Georgia to comply with inmates due to their mental state. They argue that Georgia's judicial system is the only state who makes these high requirements to prove disability to escape death. This is important because our judicial system is a great part of this country and the death penalty is Life or Death. This may affect a person or family members of an individual who is truly mentally disabled and put to death. This piece got me interested because I feel that people can be mentally disabled and through the mistakes that they have made either due to their disability or otherwise their disabilities are being overlooked in our judicial system. I argue that there should be more lenient laws when it comes to mentally disabled inmates because they cannot always control their actions or emotions and that has to be taken into consideration. The public would be interested to know how are judicial system in Georgia is punishing our citizens and affecting the families and friends of these individuals. I'm not saying that I would set them free, I just don’t feel that the death penalty is the way to approach this situation when dealing with mentally challenged inmates. There should be an alternative or something for the individuals to endure so that can learn from their mistakes just through a different process.

http://www.walb.com/story/23434787/group-aims-to-change-part-of-ga-death-penalty-law

Storm Fee Shall Affect The Albany Community

 By:Andrew Hall
August 27, 2013


Albany, GA --- The Albany community found out earlier this week that their bills will be raised if their linked to the water gas and light services. The Albany Commissioners had a meeting amongst themselves and decided that it was necessary to raise ‘the bills to create a safety net fund for the flood victims of Albany.

The flood fee will add on an unknown fee to all the customers, which may or may not be feasible for the citizens in the community. The commissioners voted that it was acceptable to increase the customers’ bills to fund this upcoming project.

After the federal government’s mandate that requested that Albany act on this storm maintenance issue. I feel that this made the commissioners make a rush decision that may hurt certain citizen’s financial positions.

Its been  reported by Fox31 in 2011, Albany has been reported to be the fourth poorest city in the nation. This means that Albany has a large amount of homeless and poverty level individuals that might or might not be affected by this passed bill.

Mr. Lowe, a water gas and light customer, said that “depending on what the wages are this could take a hit on my household because I have multiple kids to provide for and this could take away from previous placed funds.”

The limited funds of certain citizens should have been token into consideration by the commissioners. They might be potentially harming their community financially as they try to build this flood victims safe net.

A vote or at least an input from the potential customers affected by this bill should have been focused on before this decision was made in my opinion. I believe there will be some angry customers after this bill is put into effect. The people will be interested in the potential outcome of this water storm fee 

http://www.mysouthwestga.com/news/story.aspx?id=936205#.Uh1oV9KKLWO

http://www.mysouthwestga.com/news/story.aspx?id=678876#.Uh1c4dKKLW