Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

In my foundations of media studies course, we watched a film about how MPAA rates movies. In that they also discussed violent movies. But our class had a discussion on the impact of violence on children. And now they are coming out with a new Call of Duty game. But that isn't the part I'm concerned about. They are also going to have goggles(night vision) that you use as you play. They are really trying to make a war game as realistic as possible. What is really scary is that even though this game isn't for younger children. There will be young children who will get a hold of this game. The message this is sending young kids is that it is real. children are very influential and I think this is only going to do more harm.

Minimum Wage Increase

I just read today on Yahoo! News that the federal government will be increasing the minimum wage to a $1.00 more. I mean really that should have been done years ago. But thats not the real issue. The real issue is that the poverty level is $12,441 a year for a single person. The poverty level is what helps determine who is eligible for government assistance, such as food stamps, daycare vouchers, cash assistance, housing, and healthcare. So that means if you make $13,000 a year you are above the poverty level and do not qualify for assistance. So how can anyone survive on just $13,000 a year without any help? I work at a non-profit organization where I assist individuals in the community apply for Masshealth(free health insurance for Massachusetts residence who cannot afford it and are not offered any other health insurance) and foodstamps. And I come across this problem unfortunately way too often. I have people come in who make $8.00 an hour and work full time hours (40) and they get a letter back from Masshealth saying that they are above the poverty level and do not qualify. You tell me who the hell can live off of 8 an hour and still afford health insurance that runs about $180 a month for an individual. This system the federal government has in place needs to be rectified ASAP or we will many hungry and uninsured families walking around.

How lucky we are to be in the U.S.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/world/asia/08beijing.html?_r=1&ref=world