Havoc as Storm Comes Ashore

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/30/us/hurricane-sandy-churns-up-east-coast.html?hp

This is the first time in years that the Northeast, especially New York and New Jersey has ever experienced a hurricane. Most of the city's power is out, and many are stranded in buildings for days. My mom called my relatives in New York to make sure that they are fine. My aunt and uncle are stuck in the hospital because of their job as nurses and my little cousin is left being taken care of by her friend's parents. Knowing that my little cousin won't be able to see her parents for a couple of days saddens me because of how close she is with her parents. I just hope that they are safe through the storm. But I know that everyone will be able to get through this.

We Need to Talk About Our Eggs

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/23/opinion/we-need-to-talk-about-our-eggs.html

 Abortion is supposedly one of the heated topics of the Election this year since women voters are the main target of the presidential candidates. However, with all of this talk about Pro-Choice or Pro-Life, there are many women who are fighting to conceive a child. Due to environmental factors, health, diet and societal the average fertility age for women is decreasing. This means that the average woman can be fertile only to a certain age (~38 years). Therefore those who desire to have kids are worried that they would not be able to conceive. Whereas others do not want to have children so they resort to abortion. My question for this is, who is concerned for the orphans who are often neglected ad-midst all these political fire?

5 things to watch in tonight's debate

Armed Services Members MIA in Presidential Debates, Campaign

"Two presidential debates and no real mention of our troops, despite the ongoing war in Afghanistan."

I was surprised that both of the presidential debates so far had not mention anything about the troops in Afghanistan. Usually, war overseas is one of the major controversial issues today. Four years ago, it was predominantly a hot topic. Keep fighting or go home. It is one of the main reasons as to why President Obama won the Election of 2008. Now, the issue has stepped down making other moral issues take over. 

"....the nation feels no real stake in or connection to the war effort. That disconnect and distance helps explain how, at this time of collapsing support for the government, the press, and other institutions, three of four Americans say they’ve maintained their confidence in the military."

Obamacare vs. Romneycare

"One of the Best Moments from the Presidential Debate" -Big Bird Controversy

Do Vice-Presidential Debates Matter?

I do not understand the point of the Vice presidential debates. I understand that choosing a fellow running mate for office is crucial. However, the Vice President has not actual power or job but wait for the president to die so he could become president. So what's the point of a vice presidential debate? Are they going to repeat the issues and policies of their fellow presidential candidates? Does their debate actually count towards how the nation is going to choose their president?

Survey: One in five Americans has no religion

It is safe to assume that more and more people are drifting away from religious practices. Now that the United States is revolved around secular ideas with advanced knowledge about sciences and technology, the  faith in religious ideals are continuously decreasing. In addition, religion has no power in the nation. The U.S. does not have a predominant religion that the people are required to follow. Young people are also not encouraged enough or taught by parents about their religion due to many factors such as acquiring two jobs a day. Religion has become less convincing to many people in the U.S. and a majority of those who are affiliated in a certain religion are not regular in their practices.

Mosque to go up near New York's ground zero

http://articles.cnn.com/2010-05-07/us/new.york.ground.zero.mosque_1_muslims-ground-zero-community-center?_s=PM:US

While working on today's assignment, I learned more about the American Muslim perspective about the issue of building a mosque by Ground Zero. It turns out that the building was not even a mosque, but a Community Center building (like YMCA) that contain a swimming pool, library, gym, etc.. And only a small portion of that building will be a prayer place. So, it definitely changed my perspective on this issue.