Throw Out the College Application System http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/05/opinion/sunday/throw-out-the-college-application-system.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Aw%2C%7B%222%22%3A%22RI%3A17%22%7D

I agree the college application system IS BROKE. Students should be able to perform daily tasks without worry about 1 test grade hanging over their head. Now a days, kids are pressured to do well in school to get into a good school, but once they get in chances are they flunk out because they didn't have the ability to know what it's like to be accepted. What I mean by this is kids who stress about their grades all the time are missing out on opportunities that end up helping your life in the future. All though many don't appreciate after school activities, clubs or sports allow you to be yourself and follow your own path that will help you get through college. It allows you to connect with your personal interests as well as meet new people you can connect with. Through sports, playing in games should be the greatest moment of your life. All those years of hard work should be left out on the field, and although grades are needed for college, should be the true focus in your young life. 

       Grades are meant to rate you on your performance. The only problem is, one bad test score can ruin your chances of getting into an Ivy league, or even a large Private school with limited admission. Colleges today fail to look at overall success in the outside world as well as athletic potential and other areas of life that can't be measured by the SAT scores. I agree with the author and believe that student applications to assessment centers could help those struggling in school, but express strength in other areas. Another problem about standardized tests is the array of questions that are on the test. The rigorous brain training just to prepare for the test is simply to much and shouldn't just be based on academics. Its an unfair advantage to many individuals, and colleges should consider other options.     

Marriage Equality http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/07/opinion/one-step-closer-to-marriage-equality.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=c-column-top-span-region®ion=c-column-top-span-region&WT.nav=c-column-top-span-region&_r=0

Legitimate marriage has finally been made legal in 5 states since last June, but the supreme court made the right decision by refusing to reject same sex marriage. After the decision was handed down, couples began to take advantage of the opportunity and began to wed. I feel like this was a bold move by the U.S. Supreme Court because they could have easily accepted the proposal of banning same sex marriage but instead they rejected it and allow couples to legally get married. This was the most humane decision possible because it's now a breakthrough in United States history. After the ruling, District of Colombia and 30 other states could allow same sex marriage. These states hold about 60 percent of all Americans. What I don't understand is the scheme behind the whole ruling by the Supreme Court, and why it took over 2 years for this decision to occur. It's evident that our country each and every day is starting to tolerate gay marriage, and its just another problem the government has to get over. We were put on this earth to be happy, and should not be limited to who we should be allowed to marry.
Of course, the United States evolved as a country in the past decade. In 2004, over a dozen states banned the idea of same sex marriage, and didn't even publicly recognize same sex couples. They weren't considered registered as a couple but now after large protests and the change of heart by the United States, now allows some couples to get married in the United States. Many Americans now support the right for same-sex marriage, which is now at 80 percent compared to just 25 percent in 1996.

Confederate Flag Bryn Mawr https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/10/06/confederate-flag-causes-controversy-bryn-mawr

The debate beyond the confederate flag goes way beyond respect. It was guided to send a message to the leaders at the all-girl college, but also show the big picture about the problems that are currently going on around the U.S. I feel like this was an irrational way to get the point across because they relied on action instead of thinking about ways to solve the problem. Many minorities felt like their voices weren't being heard, which is true considering that women's rights were not valued for a lot of U.S. history over time. Male dominance ruled society and still does today, so to be considered equal is a major accomplishment.
At Bryn Mawr, minorities feel like they don't have an equal say to the council at the college, so they decided to protest and voice their oppinion. The only problem, as stated before, was the hanging of the flag with neon tape to represent the Mason-Dixon line. Not only this, but after the flag was taken down many were angered about the issues of race that continued to appear throughout the campus. Mary Osirim sent an email,  "Asking faculty members to be patient with students who might be missing class or turning in assignments late due to the “great deal of stress” caused by the flag and related issues of race on campus."  According to reports, most confederate flag debates show up in the Southern region of the United States, but in a Philadelphia all girl college, the culture of race did not start in this area. Racial tensions started in the south, although over time race progressed upward towards the northern region. Although some cases relate to race, it is mostly the rights of women that are often questioned through protest and disputes.

Tom Brady and The End of An Era

The 2014 NFL season is one to forget for Tom Brady. As the young season looms on, Brady sees his offensive rankings hit rock bottom in practically every statistical category. Through 4 games, Brady has only completed 81 passes on 137 pass attempts, which is equivalent to 59.1 completion percentage. There is no doubt that Brady is sputtering into a dark hole, but the Patriots lack of offensive support is the biggest reason why he is struggling. His primary target, Rob Gronkowski, is coming off a season where he had a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee, and his durability over the past few seasons is a cause for concern. Since his rookie year, Gronkowski was sidelined for significant time, and ruined the Patriots passing scheme that involves 2 TE’s. Without Gronkowski, Brady had to rely on inexperienced receivers who have recorded under 250 catches in their careers. Even with the weak receiving core and the Wes Welker-less offense, Brady was still able to lead the Patriots to AFC Championship game, before losing to the Denver Broncos.

Now the early question for the 2014 season is will the Pats continue their success on  continue to lean on the future Hall of Famer’s shoulder. He is now 1 year older and plague with fatique of a 14 year career. No experience in the receiving core, and an offensive line that is getting weaker by the minute. No Logan Mankins means no weak-side protection for Brady and the number of sacks will increase as well because of the lack of protection.

Not only is Brady regarded as one of the best QB’s to ever play the game, but he is also leaving behind his partner in crime for 14 remarkable years. Together, Brady and head coach Bill Bilicheck have won 3 super bowls, and Brady currently holds the record for most playoff wins by a quarterback with 18. The dominance by the Patriots lasted for over a decade, which was mostly contributed to the historic performances by Tom Brady.

Colorado Student Protest http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/colorado-students-protest-proposed-curriculum-changes/

I disagree with the proposal made by school boards around the country. The school board wants to change the curriculum of AP U.S. History by changing the facts that are being taught in schools. It is felt as though the U.S. was made out to be an aggressive society that started out religious bigotry, racial inequality and discrimination against women's rights.  Schools feel as though these facts are not needed to be taught and feel as though citizenship, patriotism and other positive ideas about the United States would help students think more critically on essays and tests. In retaliation, Colorado students decided to protest against these proposed changes and claimed that such changes are "unbiased" and "against basic constitutional rights."
    for most kids, school is a place where they find themselves and discover their true passions for the future. By changing the curriculum, more students lose the able to free think about issues that occurred in the past history of the United States and be limited to just factual information the U.S. wants students to learn. In a way this can be considered manipulation because the U.S. wants people to know what the government wants them to know, and not allow people to truly think and imagine what life was like.
     During the protests, students chanted "my school, my voice," to voice their oppinion about the way they want to earn their education. They want to take U.S. history to stay the same, and feel like changing the curriculum will make students lose interest in some aspects of history.

Neshaminy Student Newspaper Protest http://articles.philly.com/2013-12-25/news/45541924_1_playwickian-student-editors-student-newspaper

Based on this article, I felt like the Neshaminy newspaper escalated the situation too far instead of agreeing to take out one single word. In the NFL, the debate came up about the NFL football team, the Washington Redskins, changing their trademark name that would be more appropriate towards the Native Americans. Many Native Americans view "Redskin" as an offensive word, but the name has been in existence for over 30 years. In the Neshaminy case, like the NFL team, is facing a possible court charge after declining to leave out the word "redskin" from the local newspaper. It's a simple fix in my opinion, but I still feel like the Neshaminy High School did not justify their actions by putting the word in the newspaper. In a way by putting it in the newspaper, its violating basic humans rights towards Native Americans, and could be considered equal to coercing someone. By adding in the word, you are basically saying something very egregious to the Native American population, and the Native Americans would have no way to protect their reputation when the word is thrown out for the world to see.
     According to officials close to the Neshaminy case declared, "The students will proceed in accordance with their published policy and, if disciplined for doing so, will take action to defend their rights" (Levine Sullivan Koch &Shultz, 1). According to our constitution, the freedom of speech is granted in writing as well. The rights of the journalists writing the article shouldn't be be punished for exercising their right to free speech for one word. By pursuing what they believe, the journalists should not be sued but should erase the word out of the original context.

Devon Still and his Ailing Daughter

Last week, Devon Still found out that his daughter became seriously ill after it was discovered that she had a cancerous tumor in her brain. He was completely heartbroken that he was given this devastating news, but he decided to stay positive and not allow his child to see the emotions he was truly fighting. He is a warrior, and by going on the field to play each week, he is sending a message to everyone that cancer will no beat his daughter Leah.

     As a response to this devastating news, fans bought over 10,000 Devon Still jerseys this past week which in part raised over $100,000 since each jersey sold for $100. The Bengals as a franchise also donated $1,000,000 to the CincinnatiChildren's Hospital Medical Center, to help children battling cancer. This small act by the fans and the NFL franchise makes an impact on the lives of those faced with cancer.