Redwood City Could Ban Medical Marijuana Businesses??!

I really don't think that banning medical marijuana businesses in Redwood city because of the "costly" enforcement that comes with it, is a reasonable and just proposal.  Thousands of people depend on these services for their health, not to mention, that we are in California, one of the most liberal states in the nation.  I highly doubt that the people of the city will stand behind this. 

It is extremely unfortunate that something that has so much potential to bring the state revenue, which we are in dire need of, is being brought down by the state.  I think that the marijuana market is huge, and could be bigger than what the state is anticipating.  Hopefully this ban does not ban as I am sure the public will make sure their voice is clearly heard. 

Media's Impact on Body Image

Although, I feel very strongly about media's impact on individuals and believe that it plays a major role in causing people to develop negative body images, I happen to find myself torn.

Media's role in today's society, is absolutely ridiculous in my opinion.  We are being convinced to wear the "right" clothes, to buy the "right" make up, to fit a certain body type and to look a certain way amongst other things.  In recent generations, from birth, every single person in this country is subconsciously being molded to the way the media wants us to be- superficial and insecure.  It is extremely difficult to not be influenced by something that literally surrounds you 24/7 for example, cell phones, billboards, advertisements on television, cars, clothing, literally everywhere!

However, on the other hand, I feel that people should not let such things influence them as much as they do.  Yes, people watch shows that contain attractive and fit people, however people also watch shows that contain crime, drug use and killing, but are they constantly going out and killing others?  I don't think so.  I think that the public should not take such things so literally and personally, and if so, they are doomed for failure and unhappiness.  It is just not realistic to be a size double zero, or to be "perfect."  The media fails to portray the real world along with the real people that live in it, therefore, we should not believe that it is real.

So, I guess that I have to say that I agree with both sides of the issue, but lean mostly towards the yes side.  When I think about the effects that the media has on people, based on personal experiences, it is really just sad. I really hope that the youth of the future can stand strong and not conform to what society tries to convince them to be, but be who they are, and happy with who they are.

Issue 9

Issue 9

Although I cannot deny that I thoroughly enjoy comedic sources of information such as “The Daily Show With John Stewart,” I would have to agree with Fox, Glory, Koloen, and Sahin when they state that “fake” news can mislead the public. 

At times I definitely believe that that these late night shows can be legitimate sources of information, however I think that since the information is constantly presented in a comical manner to its viewers, it is completely impossible to not be biased towards either side of the spectrum, which in turn influences people to take sides. 

Don’t get me wrong, I most definitely think these types of shows are funny and mostly agree with the points and views expressed, but I can completely understand how people would think that these sources can mislead the public.   I mean, if opinions were constantly being thrown around on regular news broadcasting channels, newspapers, and magazines, I don’t think that the public would really consider them to be legitimate sources of world news and information. 

Another point that stood out to me was Mindich’s view of youth.  He believes that, “in addition to knowing less, the youth cares less, votes less, and follows the news less than their elders,”  and I absolutely agree with this point.   How many 20 year olds do you know that you can honestly say sit down and have a legitimate conversation about politics?  Not many.  Their distrust in the political system and mainly not believing that they, themselves can make a difference, causes them to believe that it simply does not matter, which to me is genuinely sad.  To be honest, I am also guilty of this, which is why I can understand the reasons as to why our age feels this way. 

I would love to start understanding more about the political system in which our country is run by and to gain more knowledge, which is a reason, in addition to many others, why I am excited to be in the Media, Politics, and Society class. 

Hello!