Economy Down, Vasectomies up!!

The Optimist: If a man wants to get a vasectomy that is his choice! I'm all about pro choice decisions! A vasectomy is just a preventative measure, and in these harsh economic conditions people need to be more careful. Its hard enough for some families to feed the children that they have. It's like a permanent latexless condom!! Essentially it would be for the benefit of the man and his current family. An unexpected pregnancy could be a tragedy for a family!

The Pessimist: A man that get's a vasectomy is a coward in my book. It's the lazy way out. The economy could get better and so can your situation. If you want to take preventative measures use a condom! And if you slip up theres always the morning after pill to be safe! You are taking away your manhood to save money and stop the possibility of life! You are tampering with mother nature and the livelihood of the world. Granted everyones situation is different, but such drastic measures are superfluous and cowardice! This is a message to all men courtesy of my friend Adrienne... MAN UP!!!

The Addled: It is ultimately the man's decision to get a vasectomy, but I think it is a decision that he can not make on his own. I think that is decision that he should make with his entire family. His wife may want another child someday and his kids may want siblings at some point. When a man makes such a decision he is affecting the lives of his entire family! Your economic situation shouldn't be a determinent. But some people's situations are more severe than others and if you want to eliminate the risk then it could be a good idea. At the same time I don't think one person should have the right to challenget he cycle of life!

To what extent should Barnes and Noble be held responsible?

The Optimist: Apparently, Barnes and Noble has apologized for the incident, but also said they believe it was not an employee that did it, but a customer making a cruel prank (who knows). But its one store in one city of a nationwide chain. Can we really allow this one occurence to reflect the entire company?
Let's be clear though, if Black people were to boycott every business that has committed a racial slight at some point, we would eventually have nowhere to spend our money (and that includes some black-owned businesses)! Does anybody have a bank account?? Chances are, your bank has documented ties to slavery. And let's not forget, its a book store. Of all the things to be boycotted, should bookstores be on the top of the list?

The Pessimist: I will not shop at Barnes and Noble or any of their affiliates! I am a confirmed bibliophile and have spent hundreds (or probablythousands) of dollars at your stores and their affiliates over the pasttwo decades. I just received this link from my sister in New Jersey.... After seeing this merchandising display in the link below, you canbe assured I will not shop at Barnes and Noble or any of theiraffiliates! You can also be assured that I will pass a copy of thise-mail along to as many people as possible, including the members ofMoveOn.org and any other large group of people who might also be outragedby this blatant and malicious characterization of the First Family. You have allowed your employees to orchestrate a racist display under the guise of "merchandising"! Enough is enough. Barnes and Noble should be held responsible for allowing such an act to happen.

The Addled: Barnes and Noble should fire the Manager and employees on duty at that Florida location. They should also look into the caliber of people that they hire. But I don't believe that the actions of these people reflect that of Barnes and Noble. They were not acting as representatives of B&N, but on their sole beliefs. This act was a cheap shot at trying to demean our president and the African American people as a whole. It is undoubtely racist, but we should not punish the company as a whole, just those involved in this heinous act.

Obama on Education: "Cradle to Career"

The Optimist: Everyone deserves an equal education. Just because someone does not make a lot of money doesn't mean their children don't deserve the same level of education as their wealthy counterparts. The idea to start of with better education in Head Start is a great way to get kids introduced to the enormous amount of possibilities. Higher standards and teachers that care can make all the difference in a developing childs life!

The Pessimist: America is a democracy people, did we forget that? If we start making education equal for every child, they won't succeed... Instead they will kill themselves over the pressure of extreme competition. My parents worked their ass off to give me a good education. All their hard work would be in vain if their poor counterparts children got the same education I did. Yes countries like China have a great educational system, but they come to America to finish their education and get a career because there is opportunity here. If everyone was on the same level, you would essentially be getting rid of opportunity. And correct me if I'm wrong but... Isn't America the Land of Opportunity. Instead of the American Dream, we would be looking forward to the American Way of Life. 

The Addled: Making the necessary changes to education starting from Head Start is a great idea. If kids grow up with the image of higher education, then they will always aspire to do good in order to reach that achievement. However, I don't agree with Obama making the school year longer. Kids need breaks to stay sane. I also disagree with the merit based pay for teachers. Teachers will probably make exams easier, or change students grades in an effort to make themselves seem like good teachers. But at the same it may get them to work harder. Honestly it depends on the teacher I think. 

Will the Recession become a Depression?

The Optimist: This recession will not become a depression. I have faith in our administration. It is very clear the immediate danger we are in. There are too many intelligent people in this day and age to let our economy become a depression. 

The Pessimist: If you ask me we are already in a Depression. The ambiguity of the definition of Depression makes it clear to me that the people in our administration don't know what they are doing. Why can't we define depression and then make strides to go in the opposite direction. As long as we don't know the meaning of Depression, as far as Im concerned it's already here!

The Addled: I can't say whether we are heading towards a depression or not. There are so many different opinions on the subject that at this point I don't know what or who to believe. I just hope that the government gets things under control quickly. 

Coach Banned From Student Led Prayer

The Optimist: I understand that the supreme justice wants to continue the separation of church and state, but to ban a century old tradition to make a point seems well... pointless. The government should not put constraints on free will. 

The Pessimist: If the government makes an exception for one person there will be mass chaos. School coaches across the country will think they can take part in student lead prayers. In an extreme case this will lead to the dismantling of the judicial system. It won't be respected and laws, and regulation as we know it would be over. 

The Addled: I believe in free will, but at the same time even free will should be regulated in order to keep order. I do think however that if the coach wants to join in on a prayer with the team then he should be able to. As long as he is not leading the prayer and forcing the students to take part in the prayer I see no problem with it. He has been doing it for this long, the only reason he has to stop is because of the media attention he is receiving. 

Charles Barkley Jail Time

The Optimist: 10 days in jail is very generous. He should definitely take the 5 day option with the alcohol education program. Everyone is quick to judge, and I'm not making an excuse for him but he is human. We all do things we may regret at a later date. Celebrities have been known for getting pardons on misdemeanor's. Unfortunately Charles Barkley has been subject to the new trend of "setting an example." Where do we draw the line between setting an example and being unfair and unjust? But I will not get ahead of myself, thats a topic for a whole different blog post. Until then I hope Charles Keeps his head up and know that he will bounce back from this!

The Pessimist: I hate to be the Surly Pessimist, but Charles Barkley needed to get more time in jail, as well as a higher fine! Celebrities need to have better understanding of the term Social Responsibility. They are role models for our generation and they are always in the publics eye! Kids aspire to accomplish what Charles Barkley has accomplished. When they see his actions, there impressionable minds will aspire to drive drunk! Or for less dramatic purposes, at least think its okay to do so. But I must say I am happy to see all the scrutiny he is getting for this. It sends out a message that what he has done was wrong. But in the back of my mind I will always wonder whether his apologies were sincere, or he just wanted to keep his endorsements?

The Addled: I'm not sure how I feel about this situation. On one hand what he did was illegal, dangerous, and reckless but on the other hand people do it all the time. Not to say that makes it acceptable, but I'm sure that all the people who have criticized him have driven drunk, or intoxicated at some point in there life. Maybe instead of criticizing him we should criticize the hypocrisy of our people!