Category Archives: Current Affairs

Bully – A Documentary with an R Rating

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I think it’s safe to say everyone has experienced bullying in one way or another. Whether you were being bullied, you were the bully or you were someone on the sidelines.  In the past and even in present times we’ve seen this being attributed to maturity, child’s play or that ‘boys will be boys’ sentiment, but why? Is it really ok for a kid/s to taunt, tease and bully another kid simply because of their age or their maturity level? And what about the effects of bullying? Does the name Tyler Clementi sound familiar to you? What about Seth Walsh or Rafael Morelos? The list could go on and on, and it’s a list of teens who have committed suicide because of bullying.

The idea that bullying is just a part of life has to be stopped. It shouldn’t be the deaths of our youths that work as a wake up to us all. We should all be doing something before it gets to this stage.

I was watching a clip from the Ellen Degeneres show recently and she was talking about a soon to be released documentary she’d seen called ‘Bully.’ Going by her words it seems like a very interesting and eye opening documentary about just how much bullying is going on in the United States today. However, because of its R rating, schools cannot show the documentary, meaning the people who need to see it the most, the kids, won’t get the opportunity to.

“There is some language in the movie, it’s mature but it’s not gratuitous. It’s in the movie because it’s part of the real story of bullying and it’s real language that bullies are using,” Ellen said.

I went and looked at the preview of the documentary and although I haven’t seen the whole thing, its intent seems clear – to stop bullying. How can there be an R rating on that? Why should a rating system stop kids from seeing a movie that could potentially change their lives? I’m sure many kids, if they had the opportunity to watch the documentary would see just how similar it is to what they’ve experienced at school, online or in the playground and be changed by its message.

Katy Butler, a formerly bullied high school student from Michigan has started a petition to change the rating from R to PG-13.

In the petition she states: “I can’t believe the MPAA is blocking millions of teenagers from seeing a movie that could change — and, in some cases, save — their lives. According to the film’s website, over 13 million kids will be bullied this year alone. Think of how many of these kids could benefit from seeing this film, especially if it is shown in schools?”

What she’s saying makes sense as does trying in every way possible to prevent bullying and its potential effects. So a kid hears a few bad words, it’s nothing most haven’t heard before and isn’t it worth it to change lives, to save lives?

If you wan to sign the petition visit www.change.org. The petition is entitled “MPAA: Don’t let the bullies win! Give ‘Bully’ a PG-13 insead of an R rating.” Bullying should not be a part of everyday life and through texts like this one; kids should have the opportunity to learn more about the issude. Be the difference.

To watch the trailer click here. 

By Stephanie Lane

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Gillard Says Gay Marriage is Inevitable

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The Age (image)

Three same-sex couples dined with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard at the Lodge last night to talk about same-sex marriage. 

Gillard spoke of the increasing pressure on politicians to legalize same-sex marriage world wide.

Sandy Miller and Louise Bucke brought their sons Matthew Miller, 12, and Dylan Miller, 9, to the dinner, who  expressed their concern as to why their mothers and other same-sex couples can’t get married.

“I don’t know really why I am here,” Matthew said. “To me, it is simple and this argument should have been settled long ago. People should be allowed to marry the person they love and to be accepted by all society.”

Dylan had previously written to the Prime Minister on the issue but was glad to be able to express his feelings in person.

“I just want her to have a think how much it would hurt her if she couldn’t marry the person she loves most in the whole world,” he said

Ms Miller added that although Gillard is still against same-sex marriage, the meeting itself was a positive step.

“It was a very positive discussion and it gives me hope for the future,” Ms Miller said.

“This will happen one day. I have always been certain of it and I am more certain now.”

The other two couples, Sharon Dane, 54, and her partner Elaine Crump, 53, and John Dini and partner Steve Russell, were also very positive about the meeting.

A spokeswoman for the PM added the following statement regarding labours position.

“The Labor Party’s position on this is clear. When the private members’ bills on same-sex marriage come to a vote, Labor MPs will be able to vote according to their conscience.”

Equal Marriage Rights in Washington: Senate Approves Bill

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The Washington State Senate Passed a bill on Wednesday that will legalize same sex marriage.

Gov. Chris Gregoire supports the measure and has agreed to sign it into law when it gets to the House.

Applause broke out in the public galleries when the Senate passed the measure, a 28-21 vote.

Democratic Sen. Ed Murray, a gay lawmaker from Seattle, and the bill’s sponsor believes those who vote against gay marriage should not be accused of bigotry nor should those who vote for it be accused of “undermining family life or religious freedom.”

“Marriage is how society says you are a family” he said.

Sen. Dan Swecker, R-Rochester argued against same sex marriage saying it will change the definition of marriage and ”will lead to the silencing of those who believe in traditional marriage.”

A referendum clause has been rejected, meaning opponents will have to wait to file a challenge once the law is passed.

If opponents aren’t able to gather enough signatures, same sex couples will be able to get married starting June.

For further information click here.

“Marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman” says Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu

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Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu believes that marriage should stay between a man and a women and centuries of tradition should not be overturned by gay marriage. 

Sentamu, the second most senior cleric in the Church of England doesn’t however, object to Civil Partnerships but in an interview with the Telegraph recently referred to them as being ‘friendships.’

“We supported Civil Partnerships because I believe that friendships are good for everybody” he said.

“If you genuinely would like the registration of civil partnerships to happen in a more general way, most people will say they can see the drift. But if you begin to call those ‘marriage’, you’re trying to change the English language.”

Peter Tatchell, the co-ordinator of the Equal Love campaign disagrees with Sentamu’s opinions.

“It is not a Christian value to demand legal discrimination against gay couples and to treat them as inferior, second-class citizens with fewer rights than everyone else.”

For the further information on the story visit The Telegraph and The Gaurdian.