No More Halloween?

Halloween is right around the corner, a holiday that is beloved by children around the world. And although a festive event would appear to spread joy, it is causing some controversy. In one elementary school celebrating Halloween in school has been banned. The reason for this is because one student is a Jehovah's Witness (I believe the child is, but possibly a different religion) and does not believe in the idea of Halloween. The principal banned Halloween in the school so that the student would not be upset or discriminated against. I believe that this is ridiculous for the school to ban Halloween. When schools celebrate Halloween, it is not meant to anger people, or tell people that it is the right thing to do; it is to let the children have a fun time. They don't tell kids that if you don't celebrate Halloween you are wrong, just that Halloween is a holiday that kids can have fun. I can not see how allowing people to celebrate a holiday like Halloween could upset someone so much. And now because one kid could have possibly been a little upset, every single other kid now has to be upset and get there Halloween in school taken away. It just seems like you can't celebrate anything anymore, because people will get offended. Some people might disagree with me saying that banning Halloween is the right thing to do because it could offend the child. I do not see how this could offend anyone. I wonder if a child’s religious views are against the destroying of trees, will pencils and papers be banned. And also why didn't someone just simply ask the child if he would be offended or have a problem with Halloween. It amazes me how little things can cause such an enormous deal. 

Hypocrisy at it's Finest

Recently a radio ad in Texas advertising a concealed hand gun class has sparked a great deal of controversy. In the ad the owner Crockett Keller said "If you are a socialist liberal and/or voted for the current campaigner in chief, please do not take this class" and "If you are a non-Christian, Arab, or Muslim, I will not teach you the class.”. Many people support his ad and even congratulated him, while others want him to be punished for offending certain types of people. In his own defense Keller said he was using his right of freedom of speech, and was expressing his opinion. This controversy seems very similar to another recent incident. A man named Tarek Mehanna is currently on trial accused of aiding and spreading the ideas of the terrorist group al-Qaida. Mehanna has visited Yemen where he is thought to have contacted terrorists. He has also translated violent jihad messages into English, was found with texts describing al-Qaida training, and says that he loves Osama Bin Laden. Mehanna's family is defending him saying that he too is just practicing the 1st amendment and never harmed or planned to harm anyone. With the Keller situation, most people defending him are white Americans, a large amount of them who dislike Muslims. With the Mehanna situation most people defending him are most likely Muslims, a large amount of them dislike non-Muslims. Both of these men are defending themselves with freedom of speech, even though their views are polar opposites. The point I'm trying to make with these two current controversies are that people can be so hypocritical. Some people who support Keller because he is using the 1st amendment probably hate Mehanna and ignore that he was possibly using his first amendment and want him punished. And it's the same thing for Mehanna supporters who hate Keller. It is completely contradictory if someone takes account for the one of the two men’s freedom of speech and not the others. Some people might disagree saying that Mehanna was obviously trying to harm Americans, or that Keller was obviously trying to harm Muslims. I'm not saying that either men are guilty or innocent, but you must take in account for both of their freedoms of speech, no matter if you agree with Mehanna’s or Keller’s views, or what the situation is.

The Shoe is On the Other Foot

I woke up, rubbed my eyes, and stood up. But when I tried to stand up I hit my head on something. I opened my eyes and found myself stuck in a clear container which seemed to be made out of plastic. I was in complete shock and was convinced I was dreaming. After panicking and deep breathing for a few minutes I started frantically banging on the walls around me. No matter what I tried I could not break free from the container. I observed what was around me, and it was exactly what my room looked like only much bigger than I was. With nothing else to do I sat and pondered about my current situation. After an hour of pure confusion, and fear, the door creaked open and in walked a giant yellow M&M. He sat down in his chair, looked at me for a minute and than began to type on his computer. 

He is Not a Toy, He's a Human Being

When people look at this yellow M&M and see the current conditions he’s subjected to, like being trapped in a plastic case, people don't think anything of it. They smile at him, say he’s cute, and spin him. But what if this M&M has feelings? Would you like it very much to be stuck in a plastic case all the time? It's probably very stuffy and hot in there. He also has to go through the same boring routine, he's kept in the shadows on a desk for hours, than a kid takes him out and types about him on a keyboard, and than puts him back in the dark. He is than given to another student like some simple trinket. People need to be more considerate. Why would anyone support these monstrosities by buying them? I know if I walk down a store aisle with a row full of these M&M's stuck in plastic cases, I’ll do what Elliot did in E.T. with the frogs, Ill set them all free.

Is There Anybody In There?

"Hello is there anybody in there. Just nod if you can hear me". I asked the yellow M&M stuck in the plastic case. With no response, the M&M just stood there in the same pose he's been in for days. Then I sat and thought in wonder, why is the M&M in the plastic case. Was he an anti social, and made an attempt to cut off communication with everyone else. Did someone hold a grudge against him and trap him. Maybe his entrapment was the outcome of an act of stupidity; perhaps he climbed into the case and closed the hatch with no handle on the inside. Whatever the reason is I just hope he is happy inside of there. 

The Man in the Plastic Case

The story of the yellow M&M is quite a sad one. When the candy empire of the M&M’s was formed the two most popular M&M's were Red and Yellow. Even though the both of them were brothers, the power struggle between the two was brutal about who would be the most popular M&M. To secure his power Red locked his brother Yellow in a plastic case that seemed impervious to break. Red also put thick beads in the case, so that when his brother moved around to try to break free, he would be struck on the head by the beads falling, and would also be very annoyed with the clanking noise they make. Whether the yellow M&M will be released no one knows, but all of us hope he will one day and secure the spot as most popular M&M.