Another follow up to NFL Concussion Suit...

If interested...

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11899196/nfl-concussion-settlement-bob-stern-objection

In light of recent topics...

Check it out...

http://www.latimes.com/world/great-reads/la-fg-c1-black-russian-americans-20141119-story.html#page=2

More on the Grand Jury

Check it out.

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-ferguson-fear-20141127-story.html

An interesting article that could provide insight to you...

For those who do read the blog please check this out...

http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/26/us/ferguson-racism-or-racial-bias/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

More Wrongful Convictions...

Just so that you can give thanks...think about this guy.

http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-wrongfully-convicted-20141125-story.html

Treblinka

Today in Global, the documentary The Road to Treblinka finally got to the part where they described the death camp in Treblinka.  The camp itself looked like a regular train station, complete with train schedules and waiting seats.  The passengers on the train were told to undress for decontamination before their next destination, however, there wasn't going to be a next destination.  The naked passengers will then walk into the shower room, where they were gassed to death.  Their clothes and possessions left behind at the undressing stations were pillaged through.  Those who complained of disease and illness were taken to a hospital to be shot in the head and left in a ditch.  Over 700,000 people were killed in this concentration camp.

What struck me as a bit odd was the secrecy behind it.  At this point, most Germans have accepted that Jews were inferior to them, but now they're trying to cover it up.  The camp was clearly made to be dismantled quickly, and there is no trace of any camp left today.  This cover up would imply that they knew that what they were doing was bad.  Does this mean that all the workers there were just evil, or is it just the order from the Fuhrer?

Einsatzgruppen

Today in the small groups we watched the videos on how the Nazi's were able to do what they did. One of the most notorious acts committed by the Nazis was the attempted extermination of the Jews. A large influence on the amount of fallen Jews was the EINSATZGRUPPEN. The Einsatzgruppen were killing squads that would follow the front lines to exterminate Jews and people against the ideas of Nazism. The Einsatzgruppen were very efficient in what they did. By using the cooperation of average citizens and swift extermination methods the Einsatzgruppen got their hands on 1 million Jews in two years. The actions of the Einsatzgruppen were discovered after the war when the Soviet Union was investigating German war crimes. The trial of the Einsatzgruppen was the ninth out of twelve trials about German war crimes. There were four commanding officers of four different death squads, squads A, B, C, and D. Squad leaders from B and D were sentenced to death by hanging. Squad leader A received life in prison. Squad leader C was removed from the trial due to medical reasons and died a few months later.

Ted Talk on Cult Mentality

In case anyone still needs inspiration for their Nazi paper, here is a Ted Talk that explains a little bit about how one becomes indoctrinated into a cult mentality.

http://www.ted.com/talks/ex_moonie_diane_benscoter_how_cults_think?language=en

In re: Ferguson

For those who want some reading material on Ferguson, Missouri and events detailed from there here a collection of essay (within the links to the article).

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-ferguson-guide-20141113-story.html#page=2

Follow up on Adam Lanza

You might find this article detailing a report on Adam Lanza of interest.

Better to act or not to act?

Ponder.

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-adam-lanza-20141121-story.html#page=3

Polish Jewish Concentration Camps

I found it interesting how the people surrounding the concentration camps for Jews in Poland were willing to turn a cold shoulder towards the Jews. Many people interviewed were saying that they couldn't do anything about the concentration camps, but they were still willing to exploit the Jews as much as they can. They sold food to those in the concentration camps at astronomically higher prices than they bought it for. Although they claimed to feel discomfort over what was happening, they convinced themselves that there was nothing they could do. However, if they truly cared about helping those in the concentration camps, they would have helped the Jews and provided food without the intent of making money.

I also found it interesting how Nazi officials had the Jews in the concentration camps make goods, so they could earn money for themselves, which they would use as gifts to gain favor with high-ranking German officials. All they cared about was themselves, their position, and their wealth.

Both these examples illustrate how selfish people can be. Many times people only think about themselves, and not the needs of others.


I also found it interesting how other European leaders dealt with Hitler. France and England stood by and watched as Nazis started to take control over land, and drastically increased military spending and power, all in violation of post-WWI treaties. They only tried to stop Hitler after he had taken land without any Germans actually living there. Previously, they had hoped that if they allowed Hitler to do certain things, it would satisfy him. However, the lesson to be learned is that we shouldn't underestimate people and their ambition. As soon as Hitler took neighboring lands without any objections, he kept expanding and didn't stop.

This makes me think about Russia and its desire to occupy parts of Ukraine that has Russians. We should learn from Hitler that the international community has to stop countries from seizing land that is parts of other countries, as it can quickly grow out of control and lead to a World War.

Update on NFL Concussion Lawsuit...

Check it out if you wish to!

http://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/la-sp-nfl-concussions-20141118-story.html#page=2

Police and the Use of Lethal Force

Though many cases involving police force remain etched in our minds (Rodney King, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown) it might be interesting to ponder why some cases are emphasized by the media and others do not.  Check out these links if you are interested in pondering...

Provocative.

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-police-prosecution-20141116-story.html#page=2

http://graphics.latimes.com/towergraphic-controversial-police-cases/

Nazi Sterilization

Today during small group, some people had questions on how the Nazis were able to get all the disabled citizens sterilized and how they enforced it. They created a law called the "Law for the Prevention of Hereditary Diseased Offspring". The Nazis main goal behind sterilization was to create a racially pure society of "Aryans" by having "genetically sound families with many children of high racial value". The Nazis didn't just plan to sterilize disabled citizens, they wanted to sterilize people of inferior races, like Jews, Africans, and "Gypsies". To enforce the law, the Nazis created the Department for Gene and Race Care as well as "genetic health courts". Here, doctors and lawyers would work together to decide who would be sterilized; the individual had no say in whether they were sterilized or not. Often times, police force was used to bring the individual to the operation table. Between 1933 and 1939, approximately 320,000 German women and young girls were sterilized.

http://history1900s.about.com/od/holocaust/a/sterilization.htm

Time Magazine puts the word "feminist" in a poll for "words that should be banned in 2015"

Time Magazine puts out an annual poll of the "worst" words of the year, with past polls including words like "yolo" and "twerk". So, basically, it's a a list of slang words or internet coined terms. On this years poll, they included the word "feminist"..... along with words like "bae" "yaaaasss" and "turnt". I'm sorry, Time Magazine, but since when is it appropriate to put a movement towards equal rights on a list with slang terms like "om nom nom nom"? Time Magazine's description for "feminist" is as follows: 
"You have nothing against feminism itself, but when did it become a thing that every celebrity had to state their position on whether this word applies to them, like some politician declaring a party? Let’s stick to the issues and quit throwing this label around like ticker tape at a Susan B. Anthony parade."
First of all, you cannot claim "you have nothing against feminism" and then follow it up with a "but...". Either you support feminism (YAY) or you don't (ummm...).  There is no in between. Second, what is the problem with celebrities stating their beliefs? What is wrong with them standing up for what they believe in? I'm incredibly proud of all the celebrities who have publicly proclaimed themselves as feminists. It's amazing that they are using their social power and place in the social hierarchy to do good for the world. Third, Time Magazine says "Let's stick to the issues". The issues? Okay, Time Magazine, do you not think the fact the women get paid 77 cents for every dollar a man makes is an issue? Do you not think the lack of easy access to birth control for women is a problem? Do you not think the fact that 1 in every 4 women will get raped in their lives is an issue? Feminism is not a joke. It is not a slang term to throw around lightly with terms like "obvi" and "I can't even". Feminism is a serious movement towards gender equality, and I am very disappointed in Time Magazine for publicly derogating such a serious issue. 

Wrongful Death

Families who have had members die due negligence or some sort of misconduct can sue following the criminal trial. A suit for wrongful death can only be filed by a representative of the deceased person's estate. Each state has a "wrongful death statute" that establishes the procedures for wrongful death actions. In California, only people directly related to the deceased can file a lawsuit, and if the suit is successful, the defendant has to pay the decedent's survivors expenses for the death. In order to have a successful lawsuit, there needs to be a death, caused by negligence or an intent to harm, family members who suffered from monetary injury, and a representative for the decedent's estate. The damages awarded to the decedent's survivors are decided based on pecuniary loss, or the relevance to the decedent's character, and adjustments in the jury's award, if the jury decides to change the award based on the family's livings. Legal action can be taken against wrongful deaths caused by company or entity, and can be filed with a personal legal attorney.



Works Cited:
http://injury.findlaw.com/torts-and-personal-injuries/wrongful-death-overview.html
http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/wrongful-death-lawsuits-california.html

Prussian Blue Twins found marijuana and they are now more open-minded

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-life-stories/nazi-twins-lynx-and-lamb-gaede-941546

School tries to ban a deaf kid from signing his own name because it looks too much like a "gun gesture" and goes against their "gun policy"

Last year a school tried to ban a 3 year old deaf child named Hunter from signing his own name because it looks too much like a "gun gesture" and goes against their "gun policy". He didn't end up having to change his name, but it's still crazy that a school asked a 3 year old's parents to legally change his sign name!
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/education/nebraska-school-says-deaf-boys-name-sign-too-similar-gun 

Talking about stories from the "Now" and the advent of social media...

After reading the story you might find the comments either more entertaining or disturbing...

http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/04/living/alex-from-target/index.html?hpt=hp_bn11

An interesting view...

Particularly focus on the motivation for the dissenting storylines...

http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/04/opinion/bergen-seals-bin-laden-killing/index.html?hpt=hp_t4