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Canadian Pride, Is It in You?

2007-11-24T22:53:00.000-08:00

Canada is a country that is not given enough credit, even by its own citizens. Canada, a growing multicutural society, continues to be a land of freedom and possibilties. It is a country where people from other nations come to seek opportunities that are only offered in Canada. So then why is it that Canadian citizens are not sharing the pride when it comes to Mcleans latest survey?

It is possible that although Canada offers a vast amount of things that other countries do not posses, that those living here take it for granted, and take the opportunity to complain. It is true that as human beings, we are never fully satisfied, therefore we find ways to criticize even the best situations.

As a Canadian citizen I would like to share my pride in my country, but it is not only because I live here, but because of the list of things that Canada stands for and what it provides for people all over the world, no matter their class, race or gender.

Song Demonstrating Canadian Pride

Immigrants agree that Canada is a multicultural society that provides equal opportunities for everyone. Though we are considered "Canadians", it is not a huge melting pot like our neighbours the United States. Canada encourages citizens of different cultures to practice their unique forms and traditions, while accepting them for who they are. They are not forced to be "Canadian-ized", rather to continue in the progress of making Canada a completely multicultural society.

Canada is a peaceful country, and although we are aiding in the Iraq war, we have never been attacked ourselves. It is a country where one can feel safe and trust that they will not be forced into a war. The United States does have a lot of influence on Canada, however, we are still able to hold our grounds. Our army is not as powerful as some of the other armies around the world, but who needs a large army when your country is loved by the majority of nations?

Robin William's displaying another point of view, his "solutions" for negative issues

Canada itself is beautiful, and although our population is quite large, our lands still consists of large forests,unique forms of natural beauty and room to continue growing. Though the weather can be quite chilly, though not enough for igloos, Canada possesses a wide variety of elements. We have the oceans, the mountains, the prairies etc. Canada's natural beauty makes it a wonderful and prosperous place to live.

Canada also has free health care, one thing that is extremely important. Without free health care there would be many more complications and it would provide unjust barriers for those of a poorer class. We look at our neighbours, the United States and we can see how brutal it is just for one visit to the hosipital.

Joe, displaying what it actually means to be a Canadian

I think that as Canadians, we are at times spoiled with many of the things that our country provides for us. There are many things that one can complain about, but when comparing Canada to other nations overall, they just don't even come close. There will never be a perfect poltician, or low enough taxes. There will always be certain situations that make people unhappy, but Canada, at least in my opinion is a great place to live. If one does not think so, take a trip to somewhere else in the world and look at the differences, and perhaps than they will be able to recognize how well off our country is, and that they should have more Canadian Pride.

A Real "Shocker"

2007-11-18T18:46:00.000-08:00

The Vancouver airport incident shocked many Canadian citizens. The incident involved Robert Dziekanski, a Polish man who was trying to communicate with his mother who was somewhere in the airport. Flustered and exhausted, Dziekanski began to show his anger by throwing articles around such as a chair and a laptop. Once his actions were called to the attention of the security, there was a language barrier which caused even greater frustration. The guards, for some ridiculous reason decided that it was best to use a taser to "solve their problem". Dziekanski received several shocks from the gun and unfortunately, died later on that day.

Video of the incident with commentary

I believe that this is both appaling and embarassing for the Vancouver airport and their security staff. One has to question the actions of the security gaurds involved and why they resorted to such treatment, as opposed to finding a different solution. This could have resulted in a much better way, rather than have an innocent man die.

At no point was there an apparent threat to the citizens within the airport, so why use such harsh force against an innocent man? What the right thing to do would have been to get an interpretor within the airport to come and try to counsole Mr. Dziekanski. Although not everyone would throw chairs or lap tops, I believe it is safe to say that if a majority of Canadians put themselves in Dziekanski's place, that they would have been irritated if a bunch of gaurds approached them and started questioning and harassing them, especially if you had been in an airport for ten hours and could not understand a word they were saying.

Paul Pritchard's point of view
An elderly man roaming around the wrong section of the terminal, speaking another language sent security in with a biased opinion. They went into the situation believing it to be someone who might be a terrorist/ pose a bug threat to the citizens in the building. That is why they used a taser gun. However, if Dziekanski was not using any force against the secutiry guasrds themselves why did they have to use a taser gun. I believe that security will have to come up with better responses to scenarios because it is obvious that this one did not prove to be successful.

Also, the fact that this incident was caught on tape by a bystander has become an issue for the police and airport security. The gaurds prior claims stated that the only reason they applied force to him was because he was kicking and making "threatening" movements towards them. Fortunately,Paul Pritchard's tape recording showed the guards dishonesty and the situation is being questioned further.

Airport security, going too far in the wrong direction?
Unfortunately for Dziekanski, he was not able to find his mother that day. His mother has said that his death could have been avoided and that he died for no specific cause. A life could have been saved if it weren't for acting before taking the right step of thinking about what one should really do, as opposed to a frightening cowardly act against an innocent man .

For more information:

http://www.thestar.com/article/277476

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071124/campbell_apology_071124/20071124?hub=CTVNewsAt11

Give us a Recipe for Disaster, and We Will Love You

2007-11-11T13:28:00.000-08:00

Looking for a good read? One that is filled with the latest gossip, dare devil women, drunken mothers, and the latest patient who checked into rehab? If so, it will not be too much of an effort to find something that will leave you satisfied. It is a simple as one, two, three, or rather, just a trip to your nearest grocery or drug store. Yes, once you enter those stores you will be introduced to a world of gossip brought to you by magazines such as Star, Cosmopolitan, Extra and the list goes on. However, don't be surprised if you fail to find that much negative gossip on your favourite male celebrities. Modern magazines tend to have their focus on women celebrities rather than male celebrities. These magazines are full of women celebrities and their mishaps.
If one were to take a good look around at the different magazines that are produced now a days, they would find it very hard to find many articles that focused on male celebrities. And, if they are lucky enough to find some, odds are the focus of the article is on the males looks and what he is looking for in a female companion, rather than a story about how he was seen drunk in public. From personal experience i see a prominent difference in articles dealing with male and female celebrities and I think that the answer is pretty obvious, though I don't agree with it, as to why.

Females are known to be conniving, manipulative and very harsh towards one another, and therefore they LOVE to hear negative gossip about one another. Magazines would not make half as much money as they do now if the focus were on male celebrities and the illegal things they've commited. It is sad, but it is true. It is our society that is intrigued about the negative rather than the positive.

Tabloids often excuse the crude behaviour of men, referring back to the belief that "boys will be boys", but this should not be an excuse to only focus on the negative aspects of women. There are those few celebrities like Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton and Britney Speares who crave the negative attention, because that's all they are able to get since their careers have gone down the drain. In these instances it is hard to avoid posting articles on their crude behaviour, but after a while I think that most would agree with me when I say that it gets tiring to hear and read about the same few "ladies".

Our "ladies at their very best

Magazines and tabloids in general should focus on the good rather than the ugly in pop culture. it would be interesting to read about more than drunken mothers and the latest in who is divorcing who. However, I do not believe that magazines will take that turn, at least not for a long while.

Count the number of women compared to the number of men in this video

The males that are acknowledged in the tabloids are in fact given grace even though they may have commited an offence. it is a mere slap on the wrist for them, and it doesn't take long for them to recover because of the way they are presented and the attention that they receive from the female readers. This is one thing that should change because not only is it biased, but in a sense, it is demeaning towards women. The fact that women are suckers towards men and only want to hear about " the top 10 things Matthew McConaughey looks for in a woman", should be offensive. One's sex appeal should not be a factor in deciding whether or not they receive positive or negative attention once they have committed an offense.

Does anyone else agree with this man's opinion?

Tabloids are aimed to entertain and maintain a widespread audience of women. The question we should ask ourselves is why are we buying something that focuses on the mishaps of someone else's life, their mistakes and ultimately feeding the egos of celebrities after they act in a certain manner.

Find more of the latest gossip at:

http://www.seventeen.co.za/site.php
http://www.starmagazine.com/
http://www.people.com/people
http://www.usmagazine.com/

Rotten Apples?

2007-11-04T16:40:00.001-08:00

The music industry has been suffering since the age of Kazaa, LimeWire and other successful free-downloading systems came about. However, I would not go as far as to say that programs and companies such as Apple, are "killing the music industry". NBC, a broadcasting network, made an agreement with Apple, enabling their shows to be shown and downloaded through Apple's itunes. Unfortunately for NBC, their plan did not work out as they had intended it to. Believing that they were not receiving their fair share, NBC cancelled the contract with Apple and ever since has been arguing that Apple is the cause for the decline in the music industry's revenues.

Apple's itunes is a program that is accessible once one has purchased an mp3 or ipod. One can download the program to set up and buy music or videos for their ipod or audio device. Instead of providing illegal downloads, Apple charges ninety-nine cents for each download, no matter the artist. It's main purpose is to provide music at a decent price for its customers. NBC however, sees itunes as a negative influence. Jeff Zucker, the chief executive of NBC, argues that it is because of Apples itunes that record sales have been declining, and that even with the ninety- nine cents charged per song, it is not enough.

Some money is better than no money, or at least that's my opinion. Also, I believe that it is beneficial for music consumers to be able to download a song individually. Long ago are those days when we would purchase a C.D. for $18.99, only to go home and discover that the single we have heard on the radio, is the only decent song on the entire disk.

NBC's videos did not do as well as they had thought, but it is not necessary to place the blame on Apple, which has been extremely successful. Odds are other broadcasting companies would love to have a contract with Apple. Zucker must have scrapped the bottom of the barrel real hard to come up with the arguments he has presented, and even then, they are extremely weak. Like all temper tantrums, this one must come to an end, and hopefully Zucker will be sent to his room to reflect on his actions, and hopefully learn to think and be practical before he places anymore accusations. Sour milk and rotten apples, Zucker will have to get over it.

For more information:

Apple:http://www.apple.com/

itunes:http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

NBC:http://www.nbc.com/

Ex- PM's: Garbage or Recycling?

2007-10-28T19:55:00.000-07:00

A day in the life of a former prime minister, what would that involve? It would not involve the hustle and bustle of interviews, debates or elections. It may however, involve sitting in front of a television and criticizing the current prime minister and taking credit for his/her success. Many Canadians ignore this question. Perhaps it is because most people share the attitude that once a prime minister is voted out, they have no purpose to the society. No longer do they hold power over Canada, let alone their own party. What is our society supposed to do with former prime ministers?

Former prime ministers are referred to as “grumpy old creatures”. It is unfortunate that once a prime minister has been replaced, it is extremely hard for one to obtain power, even in their own party. One would think that if they have such experience as being in charge of a country, that they would still play an important role in politics, however, the majority of former prime ministers are often cast away. I must admit that in a way I feel some sympathy towards them, going from having such power, to having nothing at all but just mere memories.

Canada is not the only country where ex-prime ministers have trouble after they have been cast way. In France, the actual role of Prime Minister is not seen as an enjoyable one rather, it is taking a sip from a “poisoned chalice”. In France, prime ministers have been nicknamed “fuses” because they are there to take surges of anger and criticism that are directed at heights of power. In other words, the role of prime ministers is to take all the consequences that the President himself has caused. Once a “fuse” has served his or her purpose, or rather, “blows”, they are simply tossed away and replaced, growing further away from the role of presidency. It is a lose-lose position.

The traditional contract with ex- French prime ministers is one that I find to be quite interesting. An ex- prime minister is to go away and stay away, therefore they must not partake in any political matters, and if they follow through with their side of the bargain they will be taken care of. Losing your place of power is like being dumped, you are forced to move on and not ask any questions. Not to be seen or heard is the aftermath of a PM.

Jean Chrétien's Memoirs

What is the solution? How can ex- prime ministers be integrated back within our society and still be able to make a difference? Countries such as Portugal and Italy offer promising roles. Canada will need to work towards a similar system. Former PM's should be given a chance to still take part in important politics because they have had experience as a prime minister. Though they may not hold power as the Prime Minister does, they could offer guidance or at the very least be acknowledged in some form. Criticising their mis-judgments and false promises help potential Prime Ministers, but ex-pm's should be more than an outlet.

Funny skit- Let's not drive our former PM's to this point

Everyone learns from their mistakes and unfortunately for ex- prime ministers, the majority of the time, that is how they are remembered in history. Hopfully Canada will support these men and women once they have been replaced, but perhaps the best solution for them is to buy a one way ticket to Italy.

Find out more about some of Canada's former prime ministers:

Jean Chrétien : http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/chretien/

Paul Martin : http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/martin_paul/

Pierre Trudeau : http://www.clevernet.net/pierre_trudeau/

Canada's Prime Ministers : http://www.primeministers.ca/

Artificial Love

2007-10-19T14:02:00.000-07:00

The day that a man or a women is able to say " I do" to a robot will definitely be one to remember, but hopefully, it will never come. Yes, our society has become very reliable on electronics and technology is growing more superior by the day, but one will never be able to create a robot that is an identical replica of a human being.

When Alan Turing began to question whether machines could think for themselves and proposed his Imitation Game, it brought forth many questions and theories. Computers cannot think on their own, no matter how much they amaze us. Computers, robots, and machines are all programed by human beings and therefore can never surpass what they have been created to do. If one were to be in a relationship with a robot it would be very predictable, not spontaneous, because the robot would only be able to do what it is programmed to. Personally, I think that since it is so predictable it would take the romantic aspect out of the marriage. No matter how many times it may compliment you, treat you nicely, and cater to your needs and wants, a robot is a robot.

Robots are comprised of gadgets, wires, nuts and bolts and all fancy scientific things, however, no matter how many different special effects you put in a robot, they will never possess a soul. From the theological perspective, robots do not have souls and therefore they are not able to think for themselves, or express deep emotions. The emotions and feelings that a robot may possess are programs, they are not true from the heart. Whenever one accuses someone of not having a soul it is a very negative and harsh comment, could you imagine being married to an object where it is not possible that they have or ever will have a soul? Robot and human marriages will not last because in reality they are not "soul mates".

Imagine going over to your parents for dinner to announce your engagement to Fred, who is in fact a robot. I don't believe that the dinner would run too smoothly after that news. I understand that many people who have trouble finding someone who they can connect with, or rather they have tried and have failed miserably, are just desperate to have someone who understands them. However, turning to a robot and having an intimate relationship with them both physically and emotionally is demeaning. Knowing that you are "incapable" of having a successful relationship with another human being can't be something one would want to boast about.

One of the most obvious problems if our society began to accept marriages with robots and humans as acceptable is that they would not be able to procreate. If the human race began to rely on robots for companions than the birth level would decline and eventually, it may mean the end of humans! ( Not to go to the extreme) Also in many religions the point of marriage is to procreate and share the gift of life, if robots are not able to produce children than it creates a problem for our race.

We laugh now, but with the idea of marrying robots, who knows what can happen

One last issue is using a robot as a sex toy. Some have argued that it could make a difference in crime rates dealing with pedophilia and rapes, however we will never know for sure until we take that risk. Before we take that risk we should take into consideration that robots will be programmed the way the owner or its "companion" wants it to be programmed. It may create the attitude that it is alright to use people and objects for the sole purpose of sexual relief. It is just creating another object, or machine that can be used.

Overall, robots are soulless objects that cannot express true emotions like humans can. Though they may bring temporary happiness, eventually people will not be satisfied with the feeling that they have to rely on an inanimate object for happiness. Just think of how high the divorce rates would be.

Marry Me?

For More Information on the topipc have a look at these:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,301736,00.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=487250&in_page_id=1770

A Win and a Shock

2007-10-18T15:58:00.000-07:00

With the final results from the polls in, there comes both a win and a shock. The Liberals have managed to gain another four years in power, however, the question is whether or not this is a positive thing for the province of Ontario.

As with any election, there are always the negative accusations about the different leaders representing the different parties. It is very interesting however, to see that though many people did not agree with McGuinty during his previous reign, that he was the victorious candidate. It is also shocking that the Mixed Member Proportional system was strongly rejected. I believe that these two outcomes are solely based on the fact that only 52% of Ontarians voted.

As an 18 year old I was able to vote this past election. As an adult it is our responsibility to vote for who should be in charge of our province because it has a large impact in our everyday lives. It doesn`t make sense for those who do not vote to criticize politicians when they themselves denied their chance of making a difference.

The Mixed Member Proportional system guarantees that the people of Ontario would have more of a say in who makes the decisions because their two votes would direct and create two different positions as opposed to just one party in charge. One would assume that the majority of the people would vote in its favour, allowing it to gain the 60% it needed in order for it to replace the first-past-the-post process. It was a shock when it received less than 40% and was rejected.

A Video describing what the MMP vote is

I found that McGuinty, even before he was officially announced the winner, acted in a very arrogant manner, declaring his own victory in Ottawa. Also, it was mentioned that McGuinty didn’t even show emotion during his speech addressing and thanking his parents for all of their support. Is this the type of man who should be in charge of our province? A man who shows no emotions and who, in his first reign, broke his promises? A politician, though it would be extremely hard to come by one like this now a days because of the competitive aspect, should be one who can relate to the majority of his or her people. Their job is to represent and put in place, or at least fight for the changes that need to be done in order to improve our society. Since almost half of Ontario didn’t vote, and most were displeased with his job before, I do not think that Dalton McGuinty should have been crowned as the victorious one.

A Video on McGuinty's broken promises

It is strongly encouraged that the youth of today take part in politics and elections to have their voices heard. This is especially important because though as students we may not have to worry about all the things the politicians are promising, some parties promise to reach out to students by lowering tuition fees. It is important to have your voice heard, and since we have the power, why not use it?

Let us hope that over the next four years those who did or did not vote will not regret their decision and that McGuinty will mend the bridges he burned before with his broken promises. It is in the best interest of the citizens of Ontario and Canada that everyone who is eligible to go and vote. We depend on each other’s support, let’s not make our own broken promises, but help create and follow through

with true ones.

For further information:

Who can vote? http://canadaonline.about.com/od/provincialelections/a/whocanvoteont.htm

How to vote: http://www.settlement.org/sys/faqs_detail.asp?faq_id=4000564

The Liberal Party: http://www.ontarioliberal.ca/

I Do?

2007-10-04T13:39:00.000-07:00

I Do?

It was a surprise to most Canadians when Stats Canada results from a recent census in 2006 revealed that there are more adults living in Canada who are not married, 51.5% to be exact, than adults who are married. This is the first time that this has occurred. Over the years, especially the further we look back, the majority of Canadian adults have been married as opposed to unmarried. Some argue that this is due to the fact that the values in other generations focused on finding a mate, getting married and having children. However, in today’s society there have been many factors that have changed the idea of marriage being the ideal lifestyle and the key to happiness.

The following is a link to the song "Everything I Do, I Do it for You" by artist Bryan Adams. The lyrics in the song express some of the values of marriage and love.http://youtube.com/watch?v=oOkxI2YtZXw

One argument mentioned was that women’s perspective on marriage has changed. There used to be the idea of the “perfect house wife”, this meant that the husband was the breadwinner and the woman’s role as the wife was to stay at home, take care of the children and cater to the husband. Our society has come a long way from that old fashioned image. Women have gained much more respect and continue to do so, gaining more rights as well as earning higher education and having their own careers. There is also the issue that women no longer are willing to change who they are in order to please another. Females are able to “do whatever they want”. The female independence and liberation that has increased over the years could be a factor that affects married and unmarried couples.

In Canada marriages are not focused on heterosexual relationships anymore. Homosexual relationships are accepted in Canada, and only very recently gay marriages have been allowed. This could be a factor as to why marriage numbers have decreased because gay marriage has only just recently been accepted. There are those people who do not want to get married but stay as a common wealth gay couple because of all the arguments and discrimination that is still continuing today.

A Comedians view on marriage

The biggest factor however are the different messages expressed through the media and society about marriage. If we were to take a closer look at the messages that are expressed in current movies and even in song lyrics many talk about the negative aspects of marriage. The idea that marriage is permanent and as the movie License to Wed clearly puts it “Kiss your independence goodbye!” encourages many single adults to reject marriage. This permanent bond between two people is not what scares single adults away; however it is the idea that with marriage, many seem to lose the love that was once shared. There is also the fear of regret or that one is “rushing into things”. Unfortunately there is no guarantee that every marriage will end happily ever after, this is intimidating because no one wants to suffer the consequences of heartbreak or divorce.

Trailer for the motion picture The Heartbreak Kid

As mentioned before, the media plays a large role in portraying the positive and negative aspects of marriage. In the majority of movies there is always the part of the plot where two people will fall in love and live happily ever after, after they are married. In more recent films, two examples are The Heartbreak Kid and License to Wed, marriage is seen as something that requires a lot of planning, hard work and extreme amounts of stress. It portrays that marriage is not what it is made out to be. They also show the possibility of the feeling of regret once someone is married. It displays views that we sometimes feel pressured into marriage because of our age or our cultural beliefs. Though these movies are fictional and are created for entertainment they display some of the fears that single adults may have when it comes to marriage and ultimately, they may be influenced by them.

In the tabloids, magazines and on entertainment networks there are the celebrity marriages that always end badly, well, most of the time. Although it is obvious that many of these marriages are publicity stunts, the repeatedly failed marriages that we see is also part of the influence the media can have on society.

Trailer for the motion picture License to Wed

The Canadian society is always undergoing change and the values of its citizens are also changing. As we have grown as a nation and are influenced by the media, the idea of marriage is obviously affected. However, just because the majority has changed between married and unmarried adults does not mean that our society is “going under”. As Canadians we have the right to choose what we do and we develop our own sets of values. It is up to the individual to decide what makes them happier, whether that is with marriage or without.

The following are some links to interesting facts on marriage and the views over the generations:

http://krislinatin.wordpress.com/2007/09/29/how-to-be-a-good-wife-1920s-style/

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/samesexrights/

http://www.cfc-efc.ca/docs/vanif/00005_en.htm

Short for Greatest Hamiltonian

2007-09-30T16:15:00.000-07:00

Who should be crowned The Greatest Hamiltonian?

Actor and comedian Martin Short should be named the Greatest Hamiltonian. Many people may disagree with this choice, believing that his accomplishments are not as important as one who has gone to space, or rather, saved the lives of others. The description for the Greatest Hamiltonian asks questions such as: Is it their toughness or tenderness? Is it their grace and accomplishments? Is it their generosity? Asking what truly makes a Great Hamiltonian.

Martin Short was born in Hamilton Ontario and attended McMaster University pursuing a career in social work. However, after taking part in a play, Godspell, he caught the eye of directors and continued to be offered work as an actor. After many failed T.V sitcoms, Short finally found his success on The Second City and later Saturday Night Live. Short displayed perseverance and his “toughness” throughout his failed attempts until he finally found success. He was able to gain the favour of his crowds with his witty sense of humour and his talented acting skills. This Hamiltonian has displayed his ability to triumph over the rough times and become a famous comedian and actor.

His accomplishments have been recognized worldwide and he continues to have new roles in upcoming movies and his roles on Broadway.

Martin Short should be crowned The Greatest Hamiltonian because he is able to bring laughter to the lives of people all over the world. He is a Canadian and Hamiltonian who has remained loyal to his country, keeping close ties and continues to surprise us as the years go by.

Laughter is a key thing to have in our lives; it helps us relieve stress and takes us away from everyday life. His movies have also provided us with great entertainment. He is a man who has earned his success through his great talents and perseverance. The Greatest Hamiltonian should be one who the people of Hamilton could relate to and share the same values and interest that the city itself represents. Martin Short is able to represent the dreams of all the people of Hamilton who have always dreamed about becoming a comedian and/or actor or actress. He is an inspiration that even if you come from a city such as Hamilton, that you can go far. Martin Short is a man who can teach us to follow our dreams and hearts; that ultimately, nothing is impossible. Martin Short is The Greatest Hamiltonian.

For more information on Martin Short visit:

http://www.hollywood.com/celebrity/Martin_Short/190968

http://www.starpulse.com/Actors/Short,_Martin/

Hello World: A Little Taste of Kim

2007-09-25T17:32:00.001-07:00

Hello world, or rather, to anyone who wishes to know a bit more about myself,
Kim Knox.
To start with the basics, I am eighteen years old and am from Georgetown, Ontario, a small town that many people have not heard about. However, don`t think that this small town girl is a cow hugger and quiet, I have my quirks and am very outgoing. I have brown hair and brown eyes and my favourite colour is red. I am a pretty positive and energetic person, and I`m almost always wearing a smile on my face, if not than you will know that I have some sort of major assignment rattling my brain.
Somethings that I enjoy doing are taking part in physical activities such as soccer, rollerblading and skating. As with any teenage girl, I LOVE to shop and over the years I have developed an obsession for shoes. Music is a big part of my life. No matter how I may be feeling ,music is always able to cheer me up. I do not have a favourite genre, however, I really enjoy Michael Buble at the moment (I know, not your typical teen artist). I also enjoy Jack Johnson and Matt Costa.
I have just started my first year of university here at McMaster. September 1st, the day it all started seems so far behind me already, however, I am still always surprised to see my roommate each morning when I wake up. So far this year has been an eventful one. With welcome week, faculty day and the beginning of classes I have been keeping busy and meeting many new people.
I am pursuing history as my major because I enjoy learning about all the historical events that have happened and their significance in shaping the world and how it is today. My favourite class so far this semester is Classics, but perhaps by the end of semester I may change my mind. I have never taken a communications course before and I am looking forward to learning what exactly communications is about and the skills I`ll develop as the term goes on.
With a whole year ahead of me and many assignments, essays and exams to go, I admit that I am nervous. My university experience, although challenging so far, will be one that I am sure I`ll look back on and remember as some of the best years of my life.
Right now though, I`m just taking it one day at a time.

The HPV vaccine: is it worth it?

2007-09-23T18:54:00.000-07:00

The opportunity to help prevent adolescent girls from cervical cancer as well as other diseases associated with genital human papillomavirus has arrived. The vaccination for HPV that has just recently become an issue in our society is an excellent idea; I believe that it is in the best interest of girls all over the world to receive the vaccination.

Poll results from:

http://cancer.about.com/gi/pages/poll.htm?linkback=http://cancer.about.com&poll_id=8270337083&poll=1&submit1=Submit+Vote

However, many parents do not share the same opinion. Many have questions and concerns about the side effects that are yet to be discovered, associated with the vaccination, and the effect the vaccination will have on the teen’s morals and values. Though these are valid arguments, this is a situation where I believe as a society we must `bite the bullet`` in order to help save the lives of females, starting at a young age.

One argument against the vaccination is that it will promote sexual behaviour at a younger age and may affect a child’s values and morals. A vaccination that is going to help prevent diseases caused by sexual activity will not promote sex. The vaccination will make the youth aware that there are consequences when it comes to sexual activity and that though this vaccination helps prevent some, it does not prevent all sexually transmitted diseases. I understand that different cultures and religions have different beliefs, but sex is everywhere, in the media and community, and it is hard to keep away from children. Promoting the vaccination in schools will not promote the idea of sex any more than what children may have already been introduced to in other ways. If parents are that concerned about their daughter`s views and beliefs changing about sex than they should have discussions with their children about why they have received the vaccination, its role and purpose. Sex is everywhere; it is better to have an awkward discussion about the vaccination and its purpose than to look back in ten years and regret that you didn`t take action.

HPV Vaccine Information Video

The price of the vaccination is expensive, approximately between four hundred and five hundred dollars depending on insurances. However, it is a small price to pay in order to prevent and possibly save a life from cervical cancer. Although there are survivors of cervical cancer, these survivors are often infertile. The injection can help save the life of a teen as well as allow for the opportunity for that teen to be able to reproduce once she is at that point of her life. In North America, most schools are going to be providing the HPV vaccination for free with parental consent. Why not take advantage and eliminate most of the risks of sexual diseases?

There is still a lot of research to be done in regards to the genital human papillomavirus. The virus can also affect males as well, but there is yet to be a vaccination for them. I believe that parents, and young women of all ages should take advantage of the vaccination. For it is in their best interest to help secure their health and prevent them from some of the diseases involved with sexual activity. It is an issue involving the old cliché "It`s better to be safe, than sorry".