Blog #6

I wanted to write this blog reacting to an article I came across today on the home page of AOL titled "Slain Soldier's Parents Sue T-Shirt Maker."

The just of this article is that the parents of Tennessee soldier Brandon Read, who was killed in Iraq, are suing a t-shirt maker for 10$million dollars for using their sons name on the back of a anti war t-shirt. The reasoning behind this is because they claim his name was used with the intent to make a profit.

The t-shirt, according to the article reads "Bush lied" on the front and "they died" on the back and then lists the names of fallen soldiers.

The reason I was interested in this article is because I have a cousin who was recently shipped to Iraq to start a 9 month tour there. I know personally if something like this happened to him I would be disgusted by it as well.

I think its irresponsible for the t-shirt maker to be using these names without the consent of the families of these victims of war. I understand and agree that everyone should be entitled to free speech but in this case it goes beyond that. Not only does this re-inflict emotional pain to the families of these victims it also speaks for these fallen soldiers.

What I mean by this is that for all we know the soldiers names on the back of those shirts were proud to serve and die for their country and were for the war in Iraq. Associating their names in Anti war shirts or protests to me is giving the disctinction that those particular soldiers were against it and were not proud to serve their country.

I again am curious to hear opinions on this topic.

Personally I hope more people join in this law suit against this t-shirt maker.

Blog #7

I wanted to write this blog about the 400 plus children found at a polygamist ranch in Eldorado, Texas. This has been all over the news recently and I am sure that most of you have heard about it by now.

For those that havent, according to an article in the Star Tribune on April 23, titled "Phone number in abuse report at polygamist retreat linked to woman accused of false claims" states that police raided the ranch in Eldorado, Texas after calls were made purportedly by a 16 year old girl saying her 50 year old father abused and raped her. The article goes on to say that this girl was never found but abuse of other girls was evident.

A similar article on the subject in the Star Tribune today April, 24 titled "Court to hear Texas sect mothers' pleas to see children while huge custody case goes on" states that a total of 437 children were seized from the ranch and taken to local shelters and group homes.

The article goes on to talk about how this is now triggering a large custody battle and mentions a women holding a sign which read ""SOS; Mothers Separated; Help."

I guess the reason I wanted to bring these things and this story up is because I am curious as to everyone elses reaction to this story.

Should these women have rights to all these children if they are found to be theirs threw DNA testing?

Personally I think this is discusting and in this case the mothers should not have parental rights. How can they possibly care for all these children? Not to mention the article talks about abuse and rape, someone needs to be held accountable for all this.

This has to be horrible for all those children. Having to be moved around like this, taken from their home, it talks about the "culture shock" they will now all face. It's a sad situation. I would really like to hear someone elses reaction and opinions on this.