The First Amendment: Where is the Line and the Government Protection?

The First Amendment states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

The Bill of Rights clearly states in the first amendment that the Church and State are separate, and that all citizens have the freedom of religion as well as the freedom of speech. However, when speaking about religion, when is it too much, and when has the line been crossed?

               In a recent article published on Yahoo, it was discovered that two billboards where recently purchased by the Catholic League and the American Atheists in New York City by the Lincoln Tunnel.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20101202/ts_yblog_thelookout/atheists-slick-ad-campaigns-sometimes-meet-with-resistance

               The Catholic League had posted on their billboard, “You know its real; This season, celebrate Jesus.” In response, the American Atheists posted on their billboard, “You know it’s a myth; This season, celebrate reason.”

               These two contradictory billboards are just a recent example of how the freedom of speech is mixing with the freedom of religion and causing a lot of controversy.

               One of the many reasons for America’s success is because we are able to believe what we want to believe. On one corner you can find a Christian church, and within a mile of it, you can find a Mormon temple and as well as a Mosque.

               Americans also rejoice in the fact that they can say what they want, hold public demonstrations to bring awareness to their fellow citizens. However, is it fair for those who want to believe in Jesus Christ as their one and only savior to be publicly attacked for their beliefs by those who don’t believe in the existence of Jesus?

               Or, is it fair for those who aren’t religious to be persecuted for their lack of faith?

               In these instances, many would agree that it is not. However, what is being done for those who are being persecuted? And what is being done about these billboards, who offend so many?

               Religious tolerance and freedom of speech need their limits and boundaries, and it is up to the American government to establish those. These billboards are not just an example of persecution because of faith, but of the inexcusable lack of enforcement this country has over those who are intolerable.

               With many becoming more and more frustrated with the Government and its inability to effectively govern during this economic crisis, maybe those who represent us in Congress and other positions with power need to listen to the people, rather than try and abuse their positions.

               So I think it’s time for the American people to make a stand for what we believe in, and demand the American Government what we want: an established line for the First Amendment and action for the failing economy, as well as the many other aspects of the government that are failing to meet the American citizens’ standard of living.

The Dying Culture

In movies such as The Phantom of the Opera, and Little Women, the characters are often seen dressing up and going to shows and the opera. However, this culture has lost its importance in recent years. Within the last 100 years, our culture has put more emphasis on cheesy movies and going to parties where you sit, eat and talk. Now, do not get me wrong, it's a great way to network yourself for jobs and to meet new people, however, the importance of such rich shows have been lost to the point of almost extinction.

In recent years, Broadway shows have become largely popular. With shows such as Wicked and Legally Blonde, actors and actresses have become well-known within the teenage community. However, classic operas such as Pirates of Penzance, and Madame Butterfly have lost their importance.

The idea of getting dressed up in expensive evening gowns to go to the opera on a Saturday night is almost scoffed at. To spend hundreds of dollars on a dress and tux, and then another couple of hundred dollars on the tickets itself seems preposterous to many people. However, operas are culturally enhancing.

Almost all operas are in Italian or French, because of the beauty of the language. It is much prettier to sing Je vous aime compared to I love you. The harsh vowels and constanents of the English language do not make for pretty songs.

Because most operas are in a different language, it causes the viewer to almost be placed in an alternate universe. Many classically trained singers are learning to respect the amount of training it goes into becoming a trained opera singer. It takes time and dedication to manipulating and tuning your voice to have that perfect sound quality.

Opera evokes the emotions of many people because of the emotions felt throughout the play. For example, Julia Robert's Pretty Woman is a classic example of the high emotions felt during an opera. At the end of the opera scene, Roberts is displayed crying hysterically, and remarking that she almost "peed her pants." She had no idea of the power behind opera. This is typical of many who have never seen an actual opera performed.

My favorite opera, Phantom of the Opera, is a powerful love story told through a series of operas and centered on an opera house. The music is beautifully written and powerful. The main character, Christine, is in love with her childhood friend, but is being pursued by the “phantom” of the opera house, who is in love with the idea of being loved despite his ugly exterior. She is also struggling with the fact that she is an orphan and was left in the care of the opera house by her deceased father.

This powerful opera evoke my emotions of being a daughter without a mother, who has struggled with the idea of being alone and without guidance for a while now. Christine has no idea what she should do; save the one she loves by giving her life up to the phantom, or to refuse to pretended to love the phantom, and sacrifice her one true love. Either way she is unhappy. She has no one to turn to, but through a series of events, she saves Raul, and gains her freedom from the phantom.

Another one of my favorite operas is Pirates of Penzance. It is a comical opera about pirates and their desire to marry the daughters of a wealthy general. I liked this opera because it was not just a sappy love story, but it had meaning, and made the audience laugh.

The Magic Flute is another favorite of mine because of its complex nature. It shows a classic representation of good vs. evil. How bad things can trick you into thinking they're good, but in the end you can always discover the falseness of those kinds of things. And how you can always bounce back and good always triumphs over evil.

The popularity of opera is dying in America, but it will always have a culture of its own. It is a matter of whether society learns to appreciate it or not.


http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/429776/opera

http://www.artdesigncentral.com/music/opera-music-history-evolution-and-rebirth/

Language Barriers

In most large countries throughout the world, it is common to find that there is only one official native language throughout that country. However, in the U.S. we do not have an official language; 82% of Americans, however, speak English. There is a large part of the U.S. that does not: 18% to be exact.
Many cities throughout the U.S. offer free English classes to immigrants and foreign occupants in the U.S. who do not speak English. But why do they not take advantage of them?
Logically, by learning English, you are allowing yourself to better communicate with the larger part of the U.S, allowing for a lesser chance of being taken advantage of.
Today, as I was on my lunch-break at work, I saw a news feature about this travel agent who had taken advantage of these poor, innocent immigrants/foreigners. She sold them round trip airline tickets, gave them fake confirmation numbers, and allowed them to use the first leg of the ticket. She then proceeded to cancel the tickets for a full refund, pocket the money, and leave her customers stranded in that foreign country.
A lot of them did not understand English very well, causing them to not understand the misleading information she was giving them, and taking heed of all of the typical warning signs most Americans would realize.
She was caught, but not until after she caused several families headaches, financial strain as well as emotional turmoil.
As an employee in sales, it is frustrating to try and communicate with these people who have no idea what we are saying. In sales, there are procedures we must follow. We must ALWAYS ask for an additional item at the register, whether they found everything alright, if they are a part of our frequent shopper program, as well as give them their total. However, there are those customers who just say “no speak English” and smile. As an employee I must “grin and bear it.” However, it’s wearisome to have to deal with this every third customer. After an eight hour day, you’re angry, frustrated, and ready to snap at anyone who says anything to you.
So why doesn’t the U.S. enforce an official language? Is it because by enacting an official language, the government would be forced to pay for the language lessons?
During this current recession, citizens are feeling the strain of having no money everywhere. It is almost impossible to get a job, even if you have a degree. I have seen COUNTLESS people turn in applications for an $8.00 an hour job, and have a degree in business or accounting or psychology. These poor people do not have jobs, and are scrambling to find any source of income.
By enforcing an official language, tax-paying American citizens would have the burden of paying for the education and essentially the rehabilitation of immigrants and foreigners. This is not another financial burden anyone wants.
So however frustrating it is, American’s must suck it up and deal with it, but maybe those who do not speak English very well should consider taking advantage of the free classes cities offer through their city hall.
Languages are a very complicated variant of education, but it is there, and it is a part of everyday life, no matter who you are, and where you live.