Blog Stage 8

The commentary Doctors struggle with end-of-life talks is a well written piece by Bertha Juarez, published on April 28, 2016. 

The commentary states the problematic that people, who work in the medical field have, to have en-of-life talks. What I like about my classmates work is that her article is well organised. 

There are four paragraphs in total.In the first paragraph, she gives the reader an introduction or overview to the problematic. Further she states in the next paragraph, why the federal government has their saying in this problematic. The next paragraph gives an example, which backs up her argument. The commentary ends with the last paragraph which states her opinion. 

Overall, the commentary is well written and especially clear to understand for the reader. Maybe, there could have been one more example, to back up her argument.But overall, good job!

Blog Stage 7

On May 13, 2016, the Obama administration instructed every school district in the country to let transgender students use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity.

The separation of public bathrooms became basically a civil rights act in the 21st century. And, until this day, I am torn about the transgender, bathroom debate. 

The Unisex bathrooms that occur now in every, new, hip Coffee shop are totally acceptable to me. If I have the urge, I don't really care which gender symbol occur on the bathroom door.  

The real problems though start in school. Studies have shown that transgenders start their changes at usually a very early age or during puberty. But, they are not allowed to show their true gender. Kristina Olson, a psychology professor at University of Washington, started looking into research on transgender children, she was surprised. Olson said, "Nearly all transgender adults today were not allowed to live as their gender identity as kids, so we just don't know what life is going to look like for them." stated in the article When D' Kids Know They’re Transgender? Younger Than You'd Think' , by Posey Gruener.

This article contributes to the idea that Transgenders don't identify with one or the other gender. Here fore in schools, there should be, besides, separated bathrooms , also a unisex bathroom. For instance in my old high school, in Germany, we had separated bathrooms and one or two unisex bathrooms. 

I also totally agree on Obama's directive that stated transgender students have the right to use their preferred bathrooms in public schools because of Title IX, a federal statute that prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender at education institutions that receive federal funding. But, it doesn't solve the whole problem by itself. 

The Republicans are not convinced and don't want to spend more federal money on an issue that should not even be worked on, in the first place.

I do believe that the IX directive is a start to make Transgenders more comfortable in their daily life behavior and also show awareness. But, on the other hand, I think that society is not ready for a fully, liberal place. 

Blog Stage Two

The article,'Fire Causing West Plant Explosion Was Intentionally Set, Officials Say' by  Jonathan Silver that was published in the Texas Tribune, May 11 2016, talks about the deadly explosion on April 17, 2013, originated from the Adair Grain and West Fertilizer Company. 

The explosion destroyed buildings in a radius of a quarter of a mile.Officials found out, over the long period of three years, that the explosion was caused by  a criminal act. 'The explosion occurred when flames reached a tank of ammonium nitrate, a common fertilizer stored at the facility.', said the Officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Texas state fire marshal's office. 

They also interviewed over four hundred different people that witnessed the explosion. But, they still haven't found the exact cause for the criminal act. The Senator John Cornyn stated, 'It’s one thing to think that this might have been just an accident. It’s another to know that it could well be the result of an intentional criminal act.'

This article just amazes me, because it shows the reader how long an investigations can go on and how many parties are involved in it.It also shows, how the executive , judicial and legislative branches have to work together to solve a tragic occurrence like the explosion in 2013.