Slee's blog: "school stuff"

I've been studying for my tests today. I have to take a biology test, and one for social psyche, and psyche of women. So, after studying, wich perspective do I have about life, or people? A- Life is stable, and people are good. B- My army doctors were really smart, probably because they were male C- Life is delicate, but it's great to be a man! D- Men suck, and I'm kinda paranoid about all the different medical problems people can have E- women should quit whining and be put in their place. F- I'm so happy about not having class to go to!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you chose F, then you don't know me well. School is my life, and without it, it seems empty, why even get out of bed in the morning? The correct answer is D. Stay tuned for nextime when I study for social psyche, and I think people in general are stupid, and I might be an alien.

Eliminating Sexism in the Army through Policies and Training People everywhere deserve to be treated fairly. Treating people equal, promotes the feeling that we are equal, where as treating people differently promotes the idea we aren’t equal. Why treat someone different, if they are equal to you? Sometimes differences in intelligence, strength, and skill level have to be taken into consideration. If you limit someone with the proper skills from doing a job, or stop someone low in intelligence from being in charge of people, or making important decisions, then that makes sense. However important intelligence, and skill level are, the U.S. Army does NOT take those attributes into consideration when promoting people, and when it comes to how people are treated, intelligence seems to be looked down upon. One of the main attributes they do take into consideration when deciding how to treat someone is what kind of genitals they have. The longer your urethra is, the shorter your hair has to be. The Army feels the need to control people’s appearance, based on their anatomy. They feel it’s important for everyone to know at all times what types of reproductive organs everyone has. The easiest way for them to do this is by looking at their hair cut. It seems like since the knowledge of a soldier’s genitals is so important that they ought to just have it showing at all times. In the summer they could have crotch-less uniforms, and have see-through ones for the winter time. This would allow people to have their hair cut however they want it cut, without people mistaking them for having different body-parts than they do. The chest could also be cut out, and/or made out of clear plastic for further identification purposes. These enhancements to the uniforms would give all soldiers the freedom to look the way they feel dignified concerning their hair, nails, piercing, and dress uniforms. This would also allow men to carry umbrellas, while in their dress uniforms, instead of just females. When people can feel dignified, it leads to better self-esteem, and better self efficacy. These two things account for a huge amount of the effort soldiers put into their training, and doing their jobs. By having the same uniform for everyone, and allowing equal rights for everyone, not separating them by the way they dress, or do their hair, or the piercing they have, it will promote equality. The rest of the country can look to the Army to set the standard, and follow their example of promoting equality. The U.S. should be the leader, when it comes to setting the example of freedom and equality. Following the Army’s example, the rest of the country can promote dignity, higher self-esteem, and self efficacy in their workers. This will make the workers more motivated to perform at the highest level possible. The rest of the world can follow the America’s example of equality and freedom, making the world, a more equal, more productive, and better place over all. If only it were that easy… The U.S. Army has rules that enforce sexism. Forcing people to treat males and females differently in some aspects emphasizes that they are different, and encourages them to be treated differently in others. It destroys the idea of equality between sexes. My plan is to eliminate sexism in the military by getting rid of the sexist polices. Policies that aren’t sexist will be written, and then implemented by respected authorities through coercion and education. The education will encourage interaction, and role-playing to build cohesion, and empathetic understanding. The army tries to defend it’s sexist policies by using such words as “ uniformity “, and the phrase “ good order, and discipline”. Discrimination based on sex, is contrary to uniformity. The army forces males and females to look differently from each other, following different rules from each other, and then trying to defend it talking about uniformity. This reflects the vocabulary of the people who defend, and enforce the rules, and the difficulty of the nature of trying to teach these people anything else. I do believe it can be done, with some reasoning, and effort, and maybe a little force. First I will go over most of the sexist rules I intend to change. They are covered in AR 670-1. I have underlined the specifics for males and italicized the specifics for females. “ 1–8. Hair and fingernail standards and grooming policies a. Hair. (1) General. The requirement for hair grooming standards is necessary to maintain uniformity within a military population. Many hairstyles are acceptable, as long as they are neat and conservative. It is not possible to address every acceptable hairstyle, or what constitutes eccentric or conservative grooming. Therefore, it is the responsibility of leaders at all levels to exercise good judgment in the enforcement of Army policy. All soldiers will comply with the hair, fingernail, and grooming policies while in any military uniform or while in civilian clothes on duty. (a) Leaders will judge the appropriateness of a particular hairstyle by the appearance of headgear when worn. Soldiers will wear headgear as described in the applicable chapters of this regulation. Headgear will fit snugly and comfortably, without distortion or excessive gaps. Hairstyles that do not allow soldiers to wear the headgear properly, or that interfere with the proper wear of the protective mask or other protective equipment, are prohibited. (b) Extreme, eccentric, or trendy haircuts or hairstyles are not authorized. If soldiers use dyes, tints, or bleaches, they must choose those that result in natural hair colors. Colors that detract from a professional military appearance are prohibited. Therefore, soldiers should avoid using colors that result in an extreme appearance. Applied hair colors that are prohibited include, but are not limited to, purple, blue, pink, green, orange, bright (fire-engine) red, and fluorescent or neon colors. It is the responsibility of leaders to use good judgment in determining if applied colors are acceptable, based upon the overall effect on soldiers’ appearance. (c) Soldiers who have a texture of hair that does not part naturally may cut a part into the hair. The part will be one straight line, not slanted or curved, and will fall in the area where the soldier would normally part the hair. Soldiers will not cut designs into their hair or scalp. (2) Male haircuts will conform to the following standards. (a) The hair on top of the head must be neatly groomed. The length and bulk of the hair may not be excessive or present a ragged, unkempt, or extreme appearance. The hair must present a tapered appearance. A tapered appearance is one where the outline of the soldier’s hair conforms to the shape of the head, curving inward to the natural termination point at the base of the neck. When the hair is combed, it will not fall over the ears or eyebrows, or touch the collar, except for the closely cut hair at the back of the neck. The block-cut fullness in the back is permitted to a moderate degree, as long as the tapered look is maintained. In all cases, the bulk or length of hair may not interfere with the normal wear of headgear (see para 1–8a(1)(a), above) or protective masks or equipment. Males are not authorized to wear braids, cornrows, or dreadlocks (unkempt, twisted, matted, individual parts of hair) while in uniform or in civilian clothes on duty. Hair that is clipped closely or shaved to the scalp is authorized. (b) Males will keep sideburns neatly trimmed. Sideburns may not be flared; the base of the sideburn will be a cleanshaven, horizontal line. Sideburns will not extend below the lowest part of the exterior ear opening. (c) Males will keep their face clean-shaven when in uniform or in civilian clothes on duty. Mustaches are permitted; if worn, males will keep mustaches neatly trimmed, tapered, and tidy. Mustaches will not present a chopped off or bushy appearance, and no portion of the mustache will cover the upper lip line or extend sideways beyond a vertical line drawn upward from the corners of the mouth (see figure 1–1). Handlebar mustaches, goatees, and beards are not authorized. If appropriate medical authority prescribes beard growth, the length required for medical treatment must be specified. For example, “The length of the beard will not exceed 1/4 inch” (see TB MED 287). Soldiers will keep the growth trimmed to the level specified by appropriate medical authority, but they are not authorized to shape the growth into goatees, or “Fu Manchu” or handlebar mustaches. (d) Males are prohibited from wearing wigs or hairpieces while in uniform or in civilian clothes on duty, except to cover natural baldness or physical disfiguration caused by accident or medical procedure. When worn, wigs or hairpieces will conform to the standard haircut criteria as stated in 1–8a(2)(a), above. (3) Female haircuts will conform to the following standards. (a) Females will ensure their hair is neatly groomed, that the length and bulk of the hair are not excessive, and that the hair does not present a ragged, unkempt, or extreme appearance. Likewise, trendy styles that result in shaved portions of the scalp (other than the neckline) or designs cut into the hair are prohibited. Females may wear braids and cornrows as long as the braided style is conservative, the braids and cornrows lie snugly on the head, and any hairholding devices comply with the standards in 1–8a(3)(d) below. Dreadlocks (unkempt, twisted, matted individual parts of hair) are prohibited in uniform or in civilian clothes on duty. Hair will not fall over the eyebrows or extend below the bottom edge of the collar at any time during normal activity or when standing in formation. Long hair that falls naturally below the bottom edge of the collar, to include braids, will be neatly and inconspicuously fastened or pinned, so no free-hanging hair is visible. This includes styles worn with the physical fitness uniform/improved physical fitness uniform (PFU/IPFU). (b) Styles that are lopsided or distinctly unbalanced are prohibited. Ponytails, pigtails, or braids that are not secured to the head (allowing hair to hang freely), widely spaced individual hanging locks, and other extreme styles that protrude from the head are prohibited. Extensions, weaves, wigs, and hairpieces are authorized; however, these additions must have the same general appearance as the individual’s natural hair. Additionally, any wigs, extensions, hairpieces, or weaves must comply with the grooming policies set forth in this paragraph. (c) Females will ensure that hairstyles do not interfere with proper wear of military headgear and protective masks or equipment at any time (see 1–8a(1)(a), above). When headgear is worn, the hair will not extend below the bottom edge of the front of the headgear, nor will it extend below the bottom edge of the collar. (d) Hair-holding devices are authorized only for the purpose of securing the hair. Soldiers will not place hairholding devices in the hair for decorative purposes. All hair-holding devices must be plain and of a color as close to the soldier’s hair as is possible or clear. Authorized devices include, but are not limited to, small, plain scrunchies (elastic hair bands covered with material), barrettes, combs, pins, clips, rubber bands, and hair bands. Devices that are conspicuous, excessive, or decorative are prohibited. Some examples of prohibited devices include, but are not limited to, large, lacy scrunchies; beads, bows, or claw clips; clips, pins, or barrettes with butterflies, flowers, sparkles, gems, or scalloped edges; and bows made from hairpieces. (e) Soldiers may not wear hairnets unless they are required for health or safety reasons, or in the performance of duties (such as those of a cook). No other type of hair covering is authorized in lieu of the hairnet. The commander will provide the hairnet to the soldier at no cost. b. Cosmetics. (1) General. As with hairstyles, the requirement for standards regarding cosmetics is necessary to maintain uniformity and to avoid an extreme or unmilitary appearance. Males are prohibited from wearing cosmetics, to include nail polish. Females are authorized to wear cosmetics with all uniforms, provided they are applied conservatively and in good taste and complement the uniform. Leaders at all levels must exercise good judgment in the enforcement of this policy. (a) Females may wear cosmetics if they are conservative and complement the uniform and their complexion. Eccentric, exaggerated, or trendy cosmetic styles and colors, to include makeup designed to cover tattoos, are inappropriate with the uniform and are prohibited. Permanent makeup, such as eyebrow or eyeliner, is authorized as long as the makeup conforms to the standards outlined above. (b) Females will not wear shades of lipstick and nail polish that distinctly contrast with their complexion, that detract from the uniform, or that are extreme. Some examples of extreme colors include, but are not limited to, purple, gold, blue, black, white, bright (fire-engine) red, khaki, camouflage colors, and fluorescent colors. Soldiers will not apply designs to nails or apply two-tone or multi-tone colors to nails. (2) Females will comply with the cosmetics policy while in any military uniform or while in civilian clothes on duty. c. Fingernails. All personnel will keep fingernails clean and neatly trimmed. Males will keep nails trimmed so as not to extend beyond the fingertip. Females will not exceed a nail length of 1/4 inch, as measured from the tip of the finger. Females will trim nails shorter if the commander determines that the longer length detracts from the military image, presents a safety concern, or interferes with the performance of duties. d. Hygiene and body grooming. Soldiers will maintain good personal hygiene and grooming on a daily basis and wear the uniform so as not to detract from their overall military appearance. Regulations treating males and females differently are also found in the wearing of jewelry portion of AR 670-1 1–14. Wear of jewelry a. Soldiers may wear a wristwatch, a wrist identification bracelet, and a total of two rings (a wedding set is considered one ring) with Army uniforms, unless prohibited by the commander for safety or health reasons. Any jewelry soldiers wear must be conservative and in good taste. Identification bracelets are limited to medical alert bracelets and MIA/POW identification bracelets. Soldiers may wear only one item on each wrist. b. No jewelry, other than that described in paragraph 1–14a, above, will appear exposed while wearing the uniform; this includes watch chains, or similar items, and pens and pencils. The only authorized exceptions are religious items described in para 1–7b, above; a conservative tie tack or tie clasp that male soldiers may wear with the black four-inhand necktie; and a pen or pencil that may appear exposed on the hospital duty, food service, CVC, or flight uniforms. c. Body piercing. When on any Army installation or other places under Army control, soldiers may not attach, affix, or display objects, articles, jewelry, or ornamentation to or through the skin while they are in uniform, in civilian clothes on duty, or in civilian clothes off duty (this includes earrings for male soldiers). The only exception is for female soldiers, as indicated in paragraph 1–14d, below. (The term “skin” is not confined to external skin, but includes the tongue, lips, inside the mouth, and other surfaces of the body not readily visible). d. Females are authorized to wear prescribed earrings with the service, dress, and mess uniforms. (1) Earrings may be screw-on, clip-on, or post-type earrings, in gold, silver, white pearl, or diamond. The earrings will not exceed 6 mm or 1/4 inch in diameter, and they must be unadorned and spherical. When worn, the earrings will fit snugly against the ear. Females may wear earrings only as a matched pair, with only one earring per ear lobe. (2) Females are not authorized to wear earrings with any class C (utility) uniform (BDU, hospital duty, food service, physical fitness, field, or organizational). (3) When on duty in civilian attire, female soldiers must comply with the specifications listed in (1) above when wearing earrings, unless otherwise authorized by the commander. When females are off duty, there are no restrictions on the wear of earrings. e. Ankle bracelets, necklaces (other than those described in para 1–7b), faddish (trendy) devices, medallions, amulets, and personal talismans or icons are not authorized for wear in any military uniform, or in civilian clothes on duty. “ Having gender specific rules and regulations falls under the definition of discrimination and should not be tolerated. The first two statements of the regulation even seem to contradict each other. “. The requirement for hair grooming standards is necessary to maintain uniformity within a military population. Many hairstyles are acceptable, as long as they are neat and conservative. “ Uniformity can’t be maintained when there are many acceptable styles. It also can’t be maintained when males and females are forced to look differently from each other. Since uniformity can’t be maintained it isn’t right now. No matter what we do we can’t have uniformity because there is no way to make everyone in the Army look the same. ( aside from only allowing people that looked alike in the Army. But that isn’t even a conceivable idea and wouldn’t be right anyway ) And since it isn’t really maintained right now, and everything is functioning just fine, it then proves it isn’t needed for good order and discipline. Anyway, the standards should be kept the same for both males and females. An alternative to how it is now might be – All hair, and fingernails should present a clean and neat appearance. No dirty or unkempt ( combed ) hair is allowed. No hair should hang freely from the back of the head, over the ears, or be in your eyes while in uniform. And apply the same rules for hair ties and ect. It is easy to fix the regulations concerning jewelry. All you have to do is make them the same for males and females. My suggestion is simply to use the same regulation for that is used for females for everyone. In closing, to this part, rules may be necessary but gender-specific rules are not. They are as sexist, offensive, and create a hostile environment in the same ways as other sexual-harassment does. I plan on using central route processing to convince someone with ideosycrancy credits to convey my plan to the Department of Defense. This person, likely a well respected psychologist, or psychiatrist in the military, will convey my plan through both the central, and peripheral processing routes. He will bring in female soldiers to tell about their experiences of sexual harassment, and how it affects, and has affected them while in the military. This will bring to mind the seriousness of the problem, and the need to enforce rules that prevent sexism from happening. It will also bring them to a slightly depressed state, so their minds are working through central processing enabling them to think about the information given to them. This will be necessary to overcome past held beliefs based on ignorance. The presenter will further explain the consequences of sexual harassment, and other forms of sexism. Some of these include lower moral, lower work quality from lack of motivation and effort, depression, anxiety, and a hostile environment. Theoretically, after the people in the department of defense hear the information in a state of mind that they can think about it rationally and logically, they will agree that the changes will make the army a better place especially in the long run. They will then implement the changes to the rules with coercion through their respected authority. Integrating the new rules into the military will take some work, just as most anything worthwhile does. With complete, and strong support from all authorities, from highest to lowest, and proper education to the masses the changes will be able to take place. Once a year there will be a battalion sized ( 300-400 people ) meeting where the commander ( or person incharge of the whole element ) will give a class informing everyone of the new rules, why they were put in place, his/her seriousness in enforcing the rules, and the severe consequences breaking them will have. He/She will also convey commitment to the existing rules prohibiting sexual harassment and discrimination and enforcing them, letting everyone know how serious the issue of equality is. Bi-annually each company ( about 100 people size group ) will conduct a class reminding everyone about the rules, and the reasons for them. The seriousness of the battalion commander will be emphasized. They will also educate the company about women’s issues, and gender issues. This will increase the company’s understanding of women, and create empathy among the group. It will help people to realize that males and females are more similar than different. Similarity will breed liking and cohesiveness. Soldiers can bring up their questions, and issues concerning the policies at the end of the class. Quarterly, each platoon ( about 30-45 people ) will have a class regarding the rules. Everyone will again be reminded of what they are, and why they are. They will also be reminded of the consequences for breaking them, and the lack of leniency they will be afforded if they do break them. Role-playing will also be incorporated into these training sessions. They will see examples of behavior that is wrong, then they will be asked to act it out in such a way that it would be right, or correct according to rules enforcing equality. They will be thinking and acting as a team to solve a problem, and demonstrate quality behavior. The best skit can win a small prize. The teams will be made up of a diverse group of people, having them work together as a team will bring them closer together. Once a month each section ( about 10-15 people )will have a meeting reminding everyone of the rules, and the seriousness of them. Any concerns of the soldiers in the section will be solicited, as well as a reminder that the battalion commander will take them seriously and back them up if they have experienced discrimination from someone breaking the rules. Classes reviewing information about each sex, and respecting genders will also be included in these meetings. Each week, there will be a meeting on the team level. ( about 5 people ) The team chief will address any concerns his soldiers have, and any mal-treatment they have faced. The team chiefs will assure their teams that the battalion commander will take their concerns, and especially any problems with discrimination seriously. In this close knit group of people, they should be comfortable enough to ask any questions they have, to clear up any confusion that may be around after all the other meetings and classes. At first the rules will be enforced by coercion, but then eventually through the repetition of classes, and meetings they will become the norm. Both information and emotion will be used to convey the necessity for the rules, and help with teaching them while implementing them. People looking up to the military will see the positive results the non-sexist environment has and hopefully follow suit in their businesses, and everyday lives. It will become the norm, and habbit for soldiers while they are in the army. These soldiers will continue this positive mode of thinking after they get out, just as many of them continue the state of mind that the army incorporated into them while they were in, now. These soldiers will serve as future leaders of equality in the environments around them when they get out spreading it across the land.

I should be asleep right now. I've written too many blogs today. I have my early 8am class tomarrow. fun fun. It's been a weird weekend. I have lots of stuff, as well as homework to do tomarrow. I can't find my hair stuff. It's distressing. I don't think I've seen my parents in two weeks. That's kinda strange for me. Not really sure how to describe how I feel. Everything seems strange. Some days It seems like I all of a sudden exist, or realize my existance. Today is one of those days. I almost feel like I'm on drugs or something, except I'm not. except for the one's I should be on. So maybe I just feel like I'm not on the ones I should be on? I don;t know, it's not making much sense to me either. It's almost like a surreal sort of state. LIke this is a dream, or I'm in another world. Something just doesn't feel quite "right". I forgot to eat dinner again too, and it's past one am now. How do I forget to eat dinner? The weirdness might just come from all the new things recently. I'd quit "hanging out" with my ex, and talking to her, and then I started again. I guess school and the house is new. This house is a new envirement with the new people here, and that come around. I guess I've been around a lot of new people lately, and not around the most familiar ones as much. It was nice to see my brother and becky today. When I was a kid, I always uste to be facinated about people's reactions and interactions when they met new people. Meeting new people sometimes is a significant event in people's lives and triggers changes. And other times it's trivial. Maybe it's just interesting to me how people react to new stimulie. So how do I react to it? I don't know, depends on what it is I guess. It's kinda scary and weird atfirst I guess. The weird thing is it sometimes seems less so if it's some kind of problem or confronation. I'm good at it, that's what I'm uste to. I can fight, and argue, and take care of stuff. But am I supposed to do when things are good? I guess it's something I've had less contact with in life. Strife and struggle is easier to react to. I guess because reacting is easier than proacting. I react to problems, but when there isn't a problem, what do I do? Usually create one I guess. lol.

`~~Don't ask people about stuff you don't want to hear about. If you don't want to hear the answere to a question, don't ask it. It seems like common sense. But some people just seem to like causing themselves pain. Well, whatever you are into I guess. If people ask me something, about 99% of the time I'm going to give them a straight up honest answer. I don't usually just vollunteer upsetting information. That would be mean. But if people ask me stuff, then I answer, and sometimes people don't like the answer. Sometimes people can geuss the answere to the question they just asked, but it still hurts them to hear it. If you don't want to know, just don't ask. Do I ever follow this advice of my own? Yup. I sometimes let myself live in a little ignorant bliss by not asking to confirm the things I suspect allready, or have heard elsewhere. I don't want to know. Yes, I sometimes do my best to sit and lie to myself. Knoweldge may be power, but it's often sort of a crutch. To me, it seems to bring a sense of "responsability". Cuz then I feel like I should act according to my knowledge or whatever. I'm not responsible for other people and their problems. Well, except for maybe the few cases where I get rather pisssed and cause other people their problems.... Other than that though, I'm not. I realize that, but it doesn't change that I feel I am though. I guess it's an egotistical thing that I think I can do about anything and can solve about any problem, and therefore should. I have that feeling of responsability, even though I recognize that I don't own that responsabilty. I can change my thoughts kinda; do the cognitive restructureing thing or whatever. Theoriticly that should change my feelings too? It doesn't seem to work so well. Even though it may not be my responsability, I would " save the world from everything " if I could. When I am really rich, I am going to build a huge house, with lots of rooms. It's going to be a battered women's shelter. Well, battered or abused/controlled people's shelter. Not just for women. It will be a recovery sort of place to help people get out of bad situations, and get into better ones. There will be counsilors, and places to exersise and stuff. Exersise is good for the mind too. There will be skillz training, and education and stuff like that so people can go out and get a job, and live independantly on their own. It will be a nice little community where people can talk to each other and share the stuff they know with others. It will be mostly run and managed by the people who are staying there at the time. They will do stuff like setting up classes to teach other people stuff about what they know, like their skillz, and hobbies and such. They will do the cleaning and maintnance stuff. It should help them feel more in control of their envirement, more productive, and a better sense of wellbeing all together. Atleast theoryiticly. I don't know for sure, but it's probably worth a try. Oh, on a final note about my blogs. Most of them aren't about or relating to specific events or people. Most of the time when they are, I give a clear indication of who those people are. So if I talk about something, or someone, then it's best not to assume it's all about you. There may be some small parts that are related to you, but it's not directly about you or anything. Keep in mind, I talk to lots of people. ( Mostly on the internet, due to a social anxiety thing. ) Many of them have things in common. Sorry if this makes anyone feel less special or anything. You are all really special to me in your own way. I'm just saying all my blogs aren't directed at YOU. Whoever you, may be. Think about the statistics, and realize how many people I talk to, and then realize that the chances it's directly toward you is probably like 1 in 50? It has a questionmark because it's a guess. It could be a little high, or a little low. I'm not going to take the time to think about everyone who I have come into contact with, or talked to, or read about, and count them, and figure out the exact, or even a close probability of it all.

Adam Hampton Making the world a better place. People look to America to set the example for the rest of the world. Americans see the government as an example. People often see soldiers as the ideal sort of American. One who fights, or will fight for their country. What’s more American than a soldier? The thing is, the military is setting a bad example for America, as well as the rest of the world. The regulations in the military enforce sexism, and portray an image that being ultra-conservative is the ideal way to be. If change the policies of the military, and get rid of the sex specific rules, it will set a better example for Americans, as well as the rest of the world. They talk about uniformity, and everyone looking the same, having to do with unit cohesion, and “ good order and discipline”. The rules allow for an assortment of different hairstyles though, plus everyone looks different anyway. People have different heights, and weights, and colors, and other things that will differentiate them from other people no matter what. There are different rules for males, and females. They need to get rid of most of those rules, and if they are going to have rules about appearances, create a set for both sexes. It will promote a better sense of equality. They could say everyone has to keep their head shaved. As long as it applied to everyone, and not only males, or females, it would be tolerable. It would give a sense of uniformity, and belonging. Or they could set other general rules that apply to everyone, such as hair cannot be over a certain length. Same goes with makeup, and nails. They can say stuff like soldiers can only wear these colors while in uniform. Right now, they specify females can only wear certain colors, and males aren’t allowed to wear any. Again, they need to get rid of the sex specific rules. Another thing is relationships. There are rules that restrict the types of relationships you can be open about depending on your sex. It conveys an idea to the rest of the world that it’s good, or right or whatever. Alternatives would be either to make it so that all relationships had to be kept private, or make it so people could be open about any type. I’m referring to the “Don’t ask Don’t tell” thing. So, don’t tell me your straight, and don’t ask me if I have a girlfriend. Since how they treat the single soldiers mostly like animals anyway, it’s fairly easy to identify some of the straight people since how they are married. I don’t really see a way to force everyone from hiding their sexuality. They need to make it not against the rules for males to be open about their sexual relationships with other males, and females to be open about their sexual atraction or relationships with other females. They also need to allow females to marry females and males to marry males and get bas, and bah, ( basic allowances for substance and housing ) . Small steps in treating people equally should set an example for the rest of the world. It should promote a sense of equality between men and women, and hopefully lead to a decrease in discrimination, both legal, and illegal.

It's going to be a psychological fall... — Sunday, August 19, 2007 I registered for classes today. It's frustrating because they aren't offering some of the classes I want to take in the fall. I also waited too long, so it's hard to pick a good schedule, and some of the classes I wanted are closed. I figure I'll register early for spring though. I'm taking 3 psychology classes, and human biology. I hope it's not all too much for me. One of my roomates is majoring in psychology, so maybe he can help me if I need it. I should go shopping for books tomarrow, it will give me something to do. That way I can spend the week reading my books and be ahead for school. Being proactive is good. Psych of Women and Gender Abnormal Psychology Social Psychology The last two are "upper level" classes. I'm kinda worried about it, but I would have to take them eventually anyway. I almost took a class from the teacher I don't like. But then I saw who was teaching it, and changed my mind. There are other people who teach that class, the other classses were full though because I waited too long. I'm excited, and nervous for school. It will be good to have something that forces me to leave my room. I will be living near by my school. Maybe there will be some cute psycho girl in one of my classes that would like to come over for lunch or something.

What if someone changed their birthday on their profile everyday? Then they would always show up on the birthday thing. lol

It might be jumbled. I was up all night finishing it. By the end I don't really care much. Just adding things here and there. I tried to make it so it " flowed " or whatever. Adam Hampton Hampton 1 English 2010 30th July, 2007 Fast Food Paper Children, fast-food, and obesity. The first two kinda make me hungry, but the thought of eating fat kids isn’t appetizing… Remember back in the day when they had bubble-gum cigarettes? I do. I was a child then, and even as a child I thought there was something wrong with it. Today we have “ Happy Meals “ and “ Kid’s Meals “, and have had them for a long time. Greasy hamburgers or deep-fried chicken “ nuggets “ ( deep-fried chunks of bits of smashed together and solidified processed meat ) french-fries, and a fun toy for the child. I’m sure these are the things we want our children to associate with being happy, and as food especially for them, right? I think I was a fairly smart child, but it took me a while to make the connection that greasy things were bad for you. I kinda got that idea when I noticed that my mouth was caked with grease anytime I ate fries at Burger King. I thought it was gross, and had a feeling it was bad, but couldn’t really explain why. I did know that I was being difficult if I refused to eat at Burger King though. I was also being difficult when I didn’t want all the condiments and shit on my hamburger. When I wasn’t happy with the Burger King food I received, I was being “ unappreciative “. I just had this crazy idea it was some sort of obligation for adults to make sure their children, and the children in their care got fed. By the time I was around ten, I know now that I should have had a lemonade stand, or something making money. I should have walked to the store which wasn’t too far away, bought me some healthy food, and brought it home and Hampton 2 cooked it for myself. I now recognize my failures all too late. Fast-food places have been villainized for “ making people fat “. No one is really forced to eat fast food though. Well, almost no one. Adults certainly aren’t, just as they aren’t forced to smoke cigarettes, or drink alcohol, or drink rat poison for that matter. The three items just mentioned are illegal to give to children, and have warning labels. Adults for the most part, probably wouldn’t give any of those things to their children if they weren’t illegal. There are laws prohibiting the marketing of alcohol and tobacco to minors. The rat poison was just thrown in there for sensationalism. Tempered with moderation and good judgment, drinking alcohol and smoking the occasional bit of tobacco won’t have major health effects even for children. That may be a bold statement, but I’m confident that a sip or even one beer a month for children and a few puffs from a cigarette isn’t a big deal. Even though it’s not terrible for them, I don’t recommend it, and don’t think it should be encouraged or legalized. I don’t think children should get accustomed to doing things that aren’t part of a healthy lifestyle, or could easily become a rather unhealthy lifestyle. Fast-food in my mind, is not part of a healthy lifestyle, especially an unhealthy lifestyle. Adults have the right, knowing ( or atleast should know ) the consequences of their actions to choose what kind of lifestyle they want to live. Children however, usually don’t fully understand the consequences of their actions. They aren’t able to make responsible choices about unhealthy things due to lack of knowledge and understanding. Despite all the studies that have been done linking fast food to diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol, there are no warning labels for fast-food. Not only that, there aren’t any laws prohibiting them from being sold to minors, or prohibiting Hampton 3 them from being marketed to minors. Adults feed their children fast food, the children become accustomed to eating it, and then continue the lifestyle when they get older. Not only that, but the children grow up and continue the cycle of abuse by feeding their children fast-food. Children trust their parents enough that they think that if their parents are giving something to them, then it can’t be bad for them, and is probably good for them. Examining the issue further: A Happy Meal with chicken nuggets, small French-fries and Sprite® (12 fl oz cup) contains 520 calories, 23 g from fat, 4.5 g of transfats, and 620 mg of sodium. ( McDonalds ) Chicken nuggets were always my choice as a kid. The AMDR for total percentage of calories from fat is 25-35% for ages 4-19. In that Happy meal there are 207 calories from fat. Roughly 40% of the calories from that Happy Meal are from fat. The Happy Meal doesn’t even fit into the high range of the AMDR. Happy Meals with hamburger, small french-fries, and 1% Low Fat Chocolate Milk Jug (8 fl oz) contain 600 calories. 225 of these are from fat, that’s 37.5% calories from fat. This is choosing the healthier 8oz oz’s of milk over the 12 oz soft drink. The Happy meal with Chicken McNuggets (4pc) Apple Dippers with Low Fat Caramel Dip Apple Juice Box (6.75 fl oz) only has 360 calories. 99 of those are from fat., ( 27.5 % ). It still has 500mg of sodium, and 36g of 56g of the carbohydrates are from sugar. This meal is low in calories, but isn’t low in sodium, and is 10% sugar. It’s low in calories partly because the drink is smaller. 6.75 fl oz compared to the 8oz milk, or the 12oz sprite. This also isn’t much food. Four chicken nuggets, some apples with caramel sauce and a little bit of juice. Is this really going to fill your child up? Is that small amount of food really Hampton 4 worth paying for? You can take that money to a grocery store and buy healthier items that will fill your children up. The meal with the most calories is the Happy Meal with Cheeseburger, Small French, Fries, and 1% Low Fat Chocolate Milk Jug (8 fl oz ) It contains 710 calories,( McDonalds.Com ) 252 calories from fat, about 35% calories from fat. Most of these meals have too much fat in them, and contain little nutritional value. There’s some protein, fat, and carbohydrates, ( carbohydrates most from simple sugars ). There aren’t any fruits or vegetables in most of them. According to the Food Guide Pyramid, children should be eating 1.5 - 2.5 cups of vegetables, and 1 - 2 cups of fruits each day. Other than the apple dippers, the Happy Meals provide lots of calories without any nutritious fruits or vegetables. Although, potatoes do have some nutrients, most wouldn’t describe french-fries as nutritious. The Happy Meals leave children either full without much nutrition, or still hungry, and likely to fill up on unhealthy stuff such as the adults leftover fries, or common snacks such as potatoes chips, or other junk food. If the adults are health-conscious enough to have healthy snacks for their children, I don’t see them taking their children to McDonalds, or other fast-food restaurants. It seems like they would just give the children a healthy snack to tide them over until they got home and were able to eat a healthy meal. I have only talked about McDonalds here, but the other fast-food places aren’t much or any better. Arbys does offer a kids meal with a market fresh sandwich and a fruit-cup. Arby’s is also the about the only fast food place I eat at. There’s a free pitch for Arby’s. Here is another reason to support Arby’s. “ Arby's is a regular sponsor of extreme amounts of sex, violence, and profanity on the FX Network. On the March 27 episode of Dirt, sponsored with Arby's advertising dollars, Hampton 5 over two dozen obscenities and numerous references to genitalia were used. “ ( OneMillionDad’s.com ) They sponsor my favorite kinds of television shows. Go Arby’s!!! Fast food is for adults, as is that programming. I could talk about how much I love Arby’s all day long. But lets go back to advertising for a minute. Walt Disney, addressing the growing concerns of parents over child nutrition, said yesterday that it would curtail the use of it’s name and characters with food items that did not meet new nutritional standards. ( Disney Says It Will Link Marketing To Nutrition, Landon, Mark ) Disney will quit marketing to children using unhealthy foods when their remaining contracts expire. They aren’t removing advertising from their television networks where fast-food is targeted at children. Basically, it looks like Disney doesn’t want it’s name directly associated with junk food. It’s just not the cool thing to do nowadays. They don’t seem to have a problem with marketing fast-food to children in general, because they still allow it on the television stations they own. This makes it seem pretty clear it’s not a “ moral “ decision, but a business one. It’s bad business to have your name directly associated with food that causes childhood obesity. Disney will also be changing the default side items in the McDonalds in it’s theme parks to healthier choices like carrots, or applesauce. Again, Disney is avoiding being directly related to causing childhood obesity. It’s a good thing that Disney is doing this, it may help the problem somewhat, but it’s a business move, not to be mistaken as anything more than keeping it’s name good for business purposes. So if Disney is doing it, why not hospitals? Cuz fast-food is good for business.. Hampton 6 At least 59 of the nation’s 250 children’s hospitals have fast-food restaurants, the study found. That isa troubling phenomenon, particularly given rising obesity rates, said the studies leading author Hannah Sahud, a pediatrician at Alegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. “ We’re giving two different messages by being in the health care profession and promoting health and saying obesity is a huge medical problem… and then implicitly encouraging it, “she said. About 17 percent of U.S. children are considered obese and many doctors think heavy consumption of calorie-laiden fatty fast food is partly to blame. ( The Associated press - Chicago ) - ( It didn’t have any other information. ) That and alliteration. If fast food is being advertised to children, why not have it in, and around hospitals? Not only that, but children’s hospitals. It seems like a sick concept to me. Hospitals should not be serving food that is shown to cause health problems. Atleast the commercials don’t usually associate the food with health, or wellness. If food is served in a children’s hospital, people ought to be able to trust it to be healthy. It not only shows how stupid people are, but shows that the fast food industry doesn’t have a problem with taking advantage of the stupid people. The American Academy of Pediatrics released a policy statement in response to what it calls a rising tide of advertising aimed at children. It says- Hampton 7 “ Young people view more than 40,000 ads per year on television alone and increasingly are being exposed to advertising on the Internet, in magazines, and in schools, “ Advertising examples cited in the statement include TV commercials for sugary breakfast cereals and high-calorie snacks shown during children’s programs and ads for Viagra and other erectile dysfunction drugs shown during televised sports games. The statement Also is critical of alcohol ads that feature cartoonish animal characters; fast-food ads on educational TV shown in school’ magazine ads with stick0thin models and toy and other product “ tie-ins” between popular movie characters ad fast-food restaurants. These pervasive ads influence kids to demand poor food choices, and to think drinking is cool, sex is a recreational activity and anorexia is fashionable, the academy says. ( Television commercials could be bad influence for impressionable youths in United States, Tanner, Lindsey- The Associated Press ) Where oh where to begin? This is mostly about fast-food and obesity. So I’m not going to talk much about how sex is a great recreational activity; it’s good exercise, creates endorphins, and relieves stress. I don’t see the connection between cartoonish, and cool, I don’t remember having that connection as a child either. One of the things they all have in common is that they are all adult things. Things for adults, regulated by adults. If you are worried about the effects of adult ads on your children, or any ads on your children, don’t let your children watch TV, or read adult oriented magazines. Hampton 8 In the first article I mentioned about Disney and fast food, Margo G Wootan, the nutrition policy director at the center for Science in the Public Interest an advocacy group in Washington says, “Disney characters will not show up on PopTarts, waffles and fruit snacks. This will allow parents to feed their children more healthfully. “ I’m going to attempt to tie all this in together now. So from what Margo was saying, parents weren’t allowed to feed their children more healthfully? It’s sickening to me that people will advertise foods high in fat, and low in nutritional value to children. Hopefully I’ve made that point very clear. There is something here in front of you that is even more sickening than that though. It’s undermining one’s own personal responsibility, not just anyone’s, but the adults, the parents’ responsibility!!! Commercials and other advertising isn’t what “ allows “ or not “ allows “ parents to do anything!!! Adults, and especially parents need to accept the responsibility for their actions, and choices in their children’s diets. “ You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. “ is how the old saying goes. Well, if you don’t lead the kid to the cheeseburger, then he won’t eat it. A commercial or other advertisement doesn’t force you to take your children to fast food restaurants and feed them greasy food. The advertisements don’t make children obese, the fast-food places don’t make people obese, they don’t control your actions, or your child’s actions. YOU are responsible for your child being obese, as well as yourself, if you go to fast-food places eat unhealthy food, and put in front of your children to eat. Parents are responsible for teaching their children about health, not the TV. Parents should also be teaching their children about alcohol, and sex, not the TV. So how is the TV involved in your child’s obesity and other problems? It’s not Hampton 9 surprising people are trying to blame the TV for all their children’s problems, especially the overweight ones. If you spent more time playing outside with your children, talking to them and teaching them about life, and sex, and other health issues, instead of letting them sit around and watch TV, then you wouldn’t have to worry about the fucking commercials!!! Are overweight children that way because of the all the commercials they see? Or are they overweight because they are sitting on their ass watching TV and eating potato chips and the fast-food their parents feed them instead of eating healthy and doing something more productive than watching TV??? Even with exercising, it’s hard to burn off all the calories you eat if you eat too many, especially too many from fat. Most fast food has a large amount of calories, and a large amount of those calories are from fat. That seems to be a given common sense sort of thing. The ill effects from being obese are also fairly well known. It causes high-blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, arthritis, liver/gallbladder disease, high-risk pregnancy, hernia, varicose veins, depression, and low self esteem. Gina Kolata talks about how fat people are being stigmatized more and more each day. They are even being blamed for global warming. This latest contribution to the obesity debate comes n an article by Sheldon H. Jacobson of the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and his doctoral student, Laura McLay. Their paper, published in the current issue of the Engineering Economist, calculates how much extra gasoline is used to transport Americans now that they have grown fatter. The answer, they said, is a billion gallons a year. ( For a World of Woes, We Blame Cookie Monsters ) Hampton 10 The article talks about how some people say the more we stigmatize fat people, the more likely people are going to refrain from getting fat and lose weight. It worked with alcohol and cigarettes. The article says the problem with stigmatizing fat people is it doesn’t work. In reality, the more people bother fat people about being fat, the more they eat. One problem with blaming people for being fat, obesity researchers say, is that getting thins is not like quitting smoking. People struggle to stop smoking, but many, in the end, succeed. Obesity is different. It’s not that the obese don’t care. Instead, as science has shown over and over, they have limited personal control over their weight. Genes play a significant role, the science says. ( Kolata ) Ok, so it’s unhealthy to be fat, and that causes rising healthcare costs. There are also a number of other social issues being blamed on fat people. We can’t deal with it the way “ we “ deal with other “ social ills “ because stigmatizing it doesn’t work. It doesn’t work to get rid of it, it may work to reduce it though. People who are already fat are bothered about it and eat more. People who are afraid of being fat may eat less, or more healthy though. Something important to remember is, that fat people can’t just quit being fat. It’s not like where people can decide to quit smoking, or quit drinking “ cold turkey “. It’s not something they just make that conscious decision not to do anymore. It took a long time to gain the weight, and it’s going to take a while to lose it. The genetics thing is also important to remember. Some people have higher metabolisms, and some have lower ones. It’s not fair. It’s just like some people are naturally stronger, or smarter than others. You have to “ play the hand you are dealt with “. People should take their weaknesses into account and live accordingly though. If you aren’t very bright, make sure Hampton 11 you study more than the smart guy before you take your test. If you aren’t naturally big and strong, it’s going to take more effort to gain muscle, and be stronger. If you are genetically inclined to be overweight, you need to watch your diet carefully, and make sure you exercise regularly. Science also says if you use more calories than you take in, then you will lose weight. Run four miles each morning, or two miles each morning and 4 or 5 once or twice a week, lift some weights, and eat a healthy diet. If you are prone to being fat, you need to exercise more, and eat healthier, just as if you are prone to being stupid, you need to study a lot more. I haven’t exercised much lately. I don’t eat much either. I’m skinny. I know if I want to get bigger, and be more muscular I have to eat a lot and lift a lot of weights. It’s not easy, it takes a lot of work, and no matter how hard I try, I’m not going to be as big as some people. Other people aren’t going to be as smart as me no matter how much they study. Or as small as me. David Zinczenko, in “ Don’t Blame the Eater “ talks about the fast-food industry being scandalous by not giving out nutrition facts, and giving out confusing ones when they do give them out. He also talks about the rising amount of money spent on healthcare for diabetes. “ The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that diabetes accounted for $2.6 billion in health care costs in 1969. Today’s number is an unbelievable $100 billion a year. “ ( Zinczenko ) Those are some scary statistics. All that money being spent on a preventable illness. Well, not all of it, it doesn’t specify type-two diabetes, which is the preventable kind. Much of it was though. Zinzenko also trys to imply that grocery stores are much harder to find than fast-food places. I don’t know where he lives, but there are four grocery stores within a couple miles from my house. Hampton 12 There may not be as many grocery stores as fast food places, but I’ve never had a problem finding one, just about anywhere I have been. ( in America ) The last part is really good though. Fast-food companies are marketing to children a product with proven health hazards and no warning labels. They would do well to protect theselves, and their customers, by providing the nutrition information people need to make informed choices about their products. Without such warnings, we will see more sick, obese children and more angry, litigious parents. ( Zinzenko ) I won’t say I couldn’t have said it better myself, but I will say I’m too tired right now to think of a better way to put it. I don’t care about the “ litigious parents “. Adults should be smart enough to make their own decisions and take responsibility for them. The children should be the litigious ones, they should be suing their parents. We give children a certain amount of leeway, because they often don’t have a choice in what they eat, and are too young, or not experienced or knowledgeable enough to fully understand the consequences of their actions. Adults, especially parents, should know better though. If they don’t know about nutrition, they should care enough about their children to learn what the best things to feed them are!! In summery, ( incase you skipped all the rest of my paper cuz it seemed borring ) Commercials may increase children’s demand for fast food. Adults are the one’s who buy their children fast food. Adults are the one’s that are responsible for teaching their children about health, and nutrition. Adults are the one’s responsible for getting their kids to exercise more instead of watching so much TV ( that advertises to them ) and playing Hampton 13 videogames. I remember when my dad would be sitting on the couch watching TV, and tell me to get out of the basement and do outside and play. Uh, he was sitting on his ass watching TV, and telling me to go play outside. Adults need to lead by example. I don’t think it’s right to market unhealthy things to children. To me, fast-food, and soda pop fall into the same category as alcohol and cigarettes. I don’t think any of these things should be sold, or marketed to children. I don’t think people should be able to buy them with any type of “ food-stamps “ either. Water, fruit, vegetables, and nuts are cheaper, and more healthy for you than junk food. Grow a garden, save some money, and be healthier. Set a good example for your children with your exercise habits, dieting, as well as your budgeting. Being healthy, and having healthy children saves you, and your children money ( or the taxpayer money if you are on State or Federal insurance for low income families ) in the long run in less doctor visits, and less medical bills. That 99 cent “ value “ menu might look cheap now, but the hundreds or thousands of dollars you spend on medical bills from problems with obesity later on, might make you think differently. If nothing else, don’t eat and feed your children fast-food for the financial reasons. Bottom line is - Take responsibility for your actions; if parents don’t do this, how do they expect their children to??? End note: I obviously don’t support the onemilliondads.com website at all. They were trying to say that Arby’s supporting that kind of programming was wrong. They are all into the FCC. Good dads are spending time with their children, and don’t have to worry about what’s on TV not only because they don’t use the TV as a babysitter, but because they have talked to their children enough that they know that their children aren’t going to be easily negatively influenced by the few commercials they might see while watching the little bit of TV they do watch. Skrew those fuckers that complain about the TV not raising their children right. They are the same parents who didn’t uste to be “allowed” to not buy fruit snacks and other items advertised with Disney characters for their children… Hampton 14 References http://www.onemilliondads.com/IssueDetail.asp?id=286, accessed 30th, July, 2007 http://www.mcdonalds.com/app_controller.nutrition.categories.happymeals.index.html accessed 30th, July, 2007 Food Guide Pyramid Kolata, Gina “ For a World of Woes, We Blame Cookie Monsters “ Chicago - The Associated Press Tanner Lyndsey “ Television commecial could be bad influence of impressionable youths in United States “, Chicago - The Associated Press. The Associated Press - Chicago “ Research says fast food in hospitals sends mixed message “ Thomas, Landon Jr., “ Disney Says It Will Link Marketing To Nutrition “ ( News paper clip you provided. ) Zinczenko, David, “ Don’t Blame the Eater “

Remember back in the day when they had bubble-gum cigarettes? I do. I was a child then, and even as a child I thought there was something wrong with it. Today we have “ Happy Meals “ and “ Kid’s Meals “, and have had them for a long time. Greasy hamburgers or deep-fried chicken “ nuggets “ ( deep-fried chunks of bits of smashed together and solidified processed meat ) french-fries, and a fun toy for the child. I’m sure these are the things we want our children to associate with being happy, and as food especially for them, right? I think I was a fairly smart child, but it took me a while to make the connection that greasy things were bad for you. I kinda got that idea when I noticed that my mouth was caked with grease anytime I ate fries at BurgerKing. I thought it was gross, and had a feeling it was bad, but couldn’t really explain why. I did know that I was being difficult if I refused to eat at BurgerKing though. I was also being difficult when I didn’t want all the condiments and shit on my hamburger. When I wasn’t happy with the BurgerKing food I received, I was being “ unappreciative “. I just had this crazy idea it was some sort of obligation for adults to make sure their children, and the children in their care got fed. By the time I was around ten, I know now that I should have had a lemonade stand, or something making money. I should have walked to the store which wasn’t too far away, bought me some healthy food, and brought it home and cooked it for myself. I now recognize my failures all too late.

Fast Food persuasion speech outline Attention getter: America is becoming a place where people flee personal responsibility. “ The video games and music MADE me kill those people. “ “ It’s not my fault, my friends MADE me do it. “ “ Fast food MADE me overweight, and is making my children overweight. “ The one I’ve been hearing recently is that my clothes, or my hair MAKES people not only think, but act a certain way. That’s right folks, my hair has mind controlling powers. When you get pulled over for speeding, just tell the cop that there was this kid in class that had pink hair that MADE you speed. I’m sure he will say “ ok ‘, and hunt down the culprit that’s really responsible. Even the people who wrote the book for this class think your clothes MAKE you act differently depending on what you wear. Explain that one to the cop. “ I’m sorry officer, I wore the wrong shirt today, I didn’t realize that it would MAKE me speed. “ Or how about this one? “ I just got a new hair cut today, and they must have messed up. Because of my haircut, I’m speeding. “ I’m sure he will be understanding, and simply warn you to be careful of any other crazy behavior your appearance, or my appearance causes in you. Introduction- Americans are becoming more and more overweight each year. As always, people want to blame outside sources for this problem, instead of taking personal responsibility. Fast food places are being blamed for individuals’ irresponsibility in making food choices, and being overweight. “Other factors are also to blame, including an increased time watching TV and playing video games, decreased time in physical activity and unhealthy food choices.” ( KeepKidsHealthy.com ) II. Need- People need to keep utilizing fast food as a resource to feed their children Advantages of feeding your children fast food. A. Time 1. The less time you spend buying food, and cooking it, the more time you have to spend time with your children doing other things. - playing out side with them - Helping them with their homework - Talking to them B. Less carcinogens “ heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are the carcinogenic chemicals formed from the cooking of muscle meats such as beef, pork, fowl, and fish. “ “ One study has evaluated the content of HCAs in fast food restaurants. After evaluating five kinds of meat products from various fast food restaurant chains, the study concluded that there were low levels of HCAs found in fast food meat products due to factors such as cooking temperature and time. The study suggested that greater exposure to HCAs stems from home cooking and cooking in non-fast-food restaurants where food may be cooked to order and where a larger amount of meat is consumed.” ( http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/heterocyclic-amines ) So basically it’s a game of “ pick your poison “. C. Changing the way you both think about life, and the people around you. 1. Overweight people are often discriminated against. They are made fun of at school, and often even walking down the street. There are also many employers who admit they wouldn’t hire people who are overweight. Overweight people are often paid less, when they are hired. 2. If you are overweight yourself, you are less likely to be discriminatory towards other overweight people. If your children are overweight, not only are they more likely to be more respectful to overweight people, but you are as well. 3. Being overweight builds character in children. -People grow from their problems. Many overweight people excel in school, and work harder in the workplace to over compensate for other’s lack of respect for them. They end up working twice as hard, just to maintain level with their peers. - Being overweight generates compassion in children. One of the ways people learn their morality is by experiencing negative stimuli. Children who are treated bad, and are made fun of simply because of what they look like learn very early that it is wrong to do that to others. They feel that pain, and know it’s wrong to inflict it on others. Their parents also feel this pain, and can learn from the things that happen to their children. Utilize fast food restaurants to feed your children. III. Visualization- Children will learn how to make responsible choices amongst irresponsible ones. Parents will spend more quality time with their children. Children and parents will have more empathy for others who don’t fit the “ accepted social norm. “ Action A. Below are some important things to remember about fast food/restaurant dining for kids. Soda is highly caloric and not nutritious – kids should have water or milk instead. Avoid chicken nuggets – fried nuggets are sorry imposters of real chicken. Skip the fries - consider taking along a bag of mini carrots, grapes or other fruits and vegetables to have instead. This will add vitamins and fiber to the meal. Order the kids meal with some substitutions. Children often love the kid's meal more for the fun box and toys than for the food. Let them order the kid's meal, but ask to make substitutions for the soda and the fries if possible. (http://www.helpguide.org/life/fast_food_nutrition.htm ) “ The new Kid's Meal menu includes Market Fresh Mini Ham & Cheese and Turkey & Cheese Sandwiches served on honey wheat bread with the crusts cut off, a first for the fast food industry. And, while Arby's still has its famous Curly Fries, moms can now choose to substitute a fruit cup with red seedless grapes and diced apples as their child's side item. Beverage choices include 100% fruit juice, 1% Chocolate Milk and 2% White Milk. “ http://www.arbys.com/about/news.php?yr=2006&sid=1026 Conclusion- Feeding your children fast food saves you time. It allows you to spend that time and energy you would have spent on cooking, doing better, more fun things with your children. Playing outside, walking to the park, going hiking, helping with homework, etc. Bringing your children to fast-food restaurants helps teach them how to make responsible choices among the irresponsible one’s available to them. Even if your children do become overweight, it betters them and you by teaching that it’s not ok to harass people or discriminate against them because of how they look. References “ http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/nutrition/healthy_fast_food.html “ accessed 07/22/27 “ http://www.helpguide.org/life/fast_food_nutrition.htm “accessed 07/22/27 “ http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/heterocyclic-amines “ accessed 07/22/27 “http://www.arbys.com/about/news.php?yr=2006&sid=1026 “accessed 07/22/27