Journal 9

http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2010/10/12/greeks_sami.aspx

- This article comes from the PSU daily collegian. It is about the fraternity, Sigma Alpha Mu, being investigated for hazing. Hazing is a major problem on campus here at Penn State, not to mention the fact that it is illegal in the state of Pennsylvania. I believe the fraternity should be kicked off campus if they are found guilty of hazing students. It is not right to force students to do certain things against their will, especially when they have other things to worry about such as their grades.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/10/27/energy.drink.ingredients/index.html

- This article is from cnn and talks about the four loko energy drink. The article describes the harmful effects of mixing alcohol and caffeine, and event talks about how one college banned the drink on campus after a few students, who were underage, became sick. The article also talks about how “caffeine seems to partially cancel out the feeling of being drunk, not the actual impairment”. I disagree with this article. They are making this drink seem like it is the worst possible alcoholic beverage out there. It’s the same thing as drinking a few red bull and vodkas or rum and cokes. People just have to learn to enjoy the beverage in moderation. That way, no more problems will arise with the beverage.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/28/opinion/28kristof.html?_r=1&src=me&ref=general

- The last article I found is from the New York Times and is about the legalization of marijuana is California. The article talks about how marijuana is on the brink of being totally legalized in the state of California. It also talks about the ridiculously large amounts of money the state of California spends on enforcing marijuana laws and housing criminals prosecuted for marijuana related offenses. Another thing the article talks about is the potential amount of revenue the state and country could generate through taxation of marijuana. Overall, I agree with this article. I don’t think it’s necessarily morally correct to legalize marijuana, but for the sake of the state of California and the country, I think it is in our best interest. The revenue generated from tax dollars could help build better schools, roads and many other essential things.