Mock Trial- Members of the jury please comment!

I was a "freedom of speech" lawyer during the mock trial in class this week. It was not an easy side for me to be on, because I didn't always agree with the points I was trying to make. For that reason, I am extremely glad that I was on this side. I had lots of opportunities to look critically at the research regarding violent video games. In the end, after looking at the research, I do have to agree with the "freedom of speech" side. I strongly believe in protecting not only my rights, but as a (fake) representative of the citizens of America, it is my (fake) job to protect their rights as well.
I do not feel that the evidence concerning violent video games is conclusive enough to ban the selling of violent games to minors. Even if I wouldn't allow my children to play excessively violent video games (which I do not intend to allow them in my home), I do not think it is right to take away someone's ability to judge for them self what is appropriate and right. I really have to ask, where are all of these heinous crimes that adolescents are committing as a result of video games that warrant the sale of violent video games to be banned? I did not hear about a SINGLE violent crime being committed by an adolescent who plays lots of violent video games. I think without indisputable evidence showing that violent crimes are being committed as a result of video games, they cannot be banned if we believe in upholding the constitution of the United Sates.
I think the real selling point for me was, where do we draw the line? So, if the government can ban the sale of violent video games to minors, what else can they justify in banning? Books on the holocaust? Harry Potter movies and books (violence and witchcraft- many people think Happy Potter is inappropriate for these reasons)? Greek Mythology contains lots of stories that are explicitly violent. I just don't see an end to what the government can ban if they can ban the sale of violent video games WITHOUT EVIDENCE OF SERIOUS CRIMES BEING COMMITTED as a result.
I would love to hear from the jury giving some insight in to how they came to their conclusion. I know this was just a MOCK trial, but I am shocked by the UNANIMOUS vote against the sale of violent video games to minors. I really thought with this media class being a 300 level class and all, that we would have learned how to think more critically and hopefully set aside our biases. If this was a real court hearing, the jury's decision would have set precedent for future trials. There is no end to what that decision could do. Please give me some insight!

Children's Book Research- Good for the soul!

My media class group is doing research on the way parents are viewed in children's books. During this research process, I have read children's books. Of course I read some books that I would never want to read again (such as books teaching children to use the toilet...), but for the most part I read lots of great books! Not only were the books really fun, many of the books had great lessons in them. There were several books that were centered around selfless acts of love. I think it would be a great thing if more of us read children's books regularly :)

Be bigger than your mistakes

I was on campus and came across these words of wisdom in the Brimhall building.

-If you avoid difficult things, great things will avoid you.
-Fully repentant black sheep become white sheep.
-Leadership never strolls, it strides.
-God illuminates without consuming, Satan consumes without illuminating.
-Face what is, and thereby qualify to dream of what may be.
-Be Bigger than your mistakes.
-Climb high, that you may help others up.
-It is a sin to be ignorant when there is opportunity for knowledge.
-Make no excuses-make good.
-Humility is a safeguard against humiliation.

I love all of these! This has given quite a few things to think about this week. The one thing I would change would be the second saying. I would say, Fully repentant black sheep ARE white sheep. I would change that because when we repent Heavenly Father doesn't remember our sins. It is as if it never happened in his eyes. Plus, everyone makes mistakes, therefore you can't be a white sheep unless you repent. Right?

The Hunger Games and Twilight

So, I just bought The hunger Games at Wal-Mart today. I wasn't going to read the book, because the whole idea of children killing each other doesn't appeal to me. However, I was finally convinced to read the book and was promised that this book wasn't gory. I'm really really hoping it's not... I can't stomach too much blood and guts.
Normally, I would think this book must be good because so many people read it. However, last semester I read Twilight for a school project, and it was one of the worst things I have ever read. I almost stopped halfway through the book and chose another book for my project. Besides being horribly written, Twilight showcases Bella and Edward's relationship as the ideal. This is appalling to me because their relationship isn't healthy. I think Edward is very controlling. I felt like he forces Bella to do things his way, because he wants to "protect" her. I believe his intentions are good, but if she doesn't want his help, then he shouldn't force her to have his help. I worry that teenagers who read this book will think that this is how relationships are.
Anyway, I'm going to start The Hunger Games tonight. I'll have to write another post when I am done reading the book, and give my opinion on the book.

For the love of Media!

So, I find out more and more ways to utilize the media everyday. I have added more items to my bucket list and included other ways the media can help me accomplish them as well.

- Keep and stick to a budget (mint.com, need I say more.)
- Do a cartwheel (I can enlist help through Facebook to find a friend who can teach me this skill... and this is a skill just like nunchuck skills, bowhunting skills, computer hacking skills, ect.)
- Run for a cause (I can search for a cause worth running for on the internet, then train for it using fitness sites on the internet, and the my fitness pal app)
- Throw the most amazing LDS bachelorette party ever! Normally these are so lame, because the idea behind the bachelorette party is not all that appropriate, BUT... I have to throw my sister one, so I am determined to class it up, make it crazy fun, and appropriate for even my grandmother! (Party blogs will be my saving grace when planning this.)

Wow! some of those sentences are out of control. Maybe I should add, learn how to write a bucket list without run on sentences, to my list. I have two papers due today. I think I should go ahead and walk over to the BYU writing lab...