As a Pennsylvanian residing in the 2nd district, I am represented by three democratic congressmen: Rep. Chaka Fattah, Sen. Arlen Spector and Sen. Robert P. Casey.  Although each often votes with the party, some are more liberal than others.  In lobbying against such a debatable issue, one must look past the facade often created by politicians and find the real person underneath.   

Rep. Chaka Fattah has served in various parts of the government for 28 years.  After attending both the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University’s Kenneday School of Government, Fattah was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and then to the State Senate.  He has spent the last 16 years serving Pennsylvania’s 2nd district in the House of Representatives.  

He is in full support of repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” stating last year that “Our nation’s core principles, as well as an overwhelming majority of the American people, support full and equal rights for all our citizens...For far too long the law, and administrative practice, have discriminated against LGBT Americans, and it is way past the time to end this discrimination.” He helped pass the House bill that would’ve allowed DADT to be repealed, had it not been filibustered in the Senate.

Last week, Judge Virginia Phillips of the District Court of California, after ruling that DADT was unconstitutional, ordered an injunction against the military’s policy.  Although the Obama administration is seeking a repeal, Rep. Fattah strongly supports it: “The ruling stands on sound Constitutional grounds, citing free speech and due process violations by the government in barring openly gay and lesbian members from the armed services. She also cites the need to end ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ as a critical step toward improving military morale, readiness and recruiting at a time when our men and women in uniform are fighting distant battles.” Rep. Chaka Fattah, while up for reelection next month, will most certainly continue to be an ally in the fight against DADT. 

Sen. Arlen Spector is less reliable as a liberal voter.  A Republican for the vast majority of his political career, Sen. Spector changed parties last year in hopes of reelection.  However, his voting record does not suggest a Democratic ideology.  In 1996, he voted to prohibit same-sex marriage and in 2002 to exclude sexual orientation in the definition of a hate crime.  Despite renouncing his previous position on many civil rights issues, Pennsylvanians did not buy his claim and he lost the primary to Joe Sestak, a legislator strongly in favor of gay rights.

It seems that the truth behind Sen. Spector’s political beliefs will be revealed during the Senate’s lame duck session, when ousted congressmen are no longer accountable to their constituents. He currently serves on the Committees of Appropriations and of the Judiciary, focusing on civil rights.   He has voted for some gay rights in the past, but for the former Air Force officer and Warren Commission member, a repeal of DADT is not a sure deal.

Sen. Robert P. Casey Jr. has served in the Senate since 2007.  His primary goal is the welfare of the American people, focusing on issues such as the economy, the environment and healthcare.  He is in strong support of a repeal, stating "As we continue to fight two wars, our national security depends on a strong and talented military.  And ending this discriminatory practice is the right thing to do for our military and for those who want to openly serve their country.” Although he does differ in his opinions on same-sex marriage, he is steadfast in his belief on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” After the November elections, Sen. Casey will become Pennsylvania’s senior senator.

There are currently are multitude of organizations supporting gay rights in this country.  However, one of particular interest is the Log Cabin Republicans, which initiated the current injunction against DADT by filing a lawsuit against the U.S. military.  The organization fights to ensure that the voice of the gay and lesbian community is heard in a party where is it typically ignored and that equality drives its action.  LCR has worked from the inside to prevent the passage of the Federal Marriage Amendment and other anti-gay legislation.  Despite the conservatism of their party, this group is fighting for the equality that all people deserve.

DADT Blog #1

For Blog #2, click here

For Blog #3, click here

For Blog #4, click here

Starring:

Jareese

Briana

Kyla

Samantha

By: Amaris Romero, Shelby Archer, and  Simone Greene

Leon Werts

1.     Why did you decide to come out and vote?
“I wanted to vote for someone who has the same beliefs as me. “

3.     Do you vote every election day?
“I registered to vote resently, but the last election I voted was for the Presidential Elections.”

5.     Where have you heard the most campaign ads?
“I watch TV a lot so, I’ve seen them mostly on television.”

7.     Are you always sure of who you are going to vote for when you enter the voting booth?
“Yes, I am.”

10.  Did you learn about voting in school?
“No.”

I took time to help make changes to my community, take a look!..Click a page to see up close

My benchmark was done in keynote. My bill is the Stem Cell Enhancement Act of 2005. You can find it here.

Tariq Smith, Rafiq Robinson, Kabbour Rizq, Stefen Mccone

When I went to polls I talked to several people, I asked many of them the same question...."why are you voting?"Some of them said they wanted a change, others said they wanted things to stay the same. I was kinda hard talking to some of the people, most of them were in a hurry to get to work and could only give me one word answers for example telling me who they were voting for or why they were voting. Overall I kinda got an idea as to why some of them were there, most where there because they wanted to change the health bill or taxes and others wanted it to stay the some. 

By:DaVonte Martin, Camille Morton , Edward Abbott , Amirah Burkett , and Patricia Parker

Blase Biello

Ryan Francis

John Neris

Prisilla Nieves

By: Martha Robles and Jesús Jimenez

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0BzQ3wNznyv7YNzY2ODg4MmYtYTgzNi00OWM5LWIxODctOWE3Njc4ZmE5MGY5&hl=enwym-1290003675505

to begin with, for my art project I recycled my old skateboards to make a shelf. This art project was alot fun to do but it was also difficult.  It was difficult because all  of the supplies that I had to get and just all around putting it together.

My inspiration for recycling skateboards and creating a shelf was because I really love skateboarding and i saw someone make a chair out of skateboards and I it was so cool so i decide to try to make a shelf. i still haven't finished making the shelf but i plan to continue working on it and hopefully it will come out nice.

in conclusion this was one of my favorite and funnest projects that i have ever had because it allowed me to work on something that i truly love. I hope we get more projects like this as the year goes on.

For Digital Video, my partners and I (Evett & Kimme) created a short movie based off an obsession that Evett has with Sonic the hedgehog. This is the montage scene right after Evett finds out her favorite Sonic doll has been destroyed. It's suppose to be a comedy people, so laugh! (Even if you don't want to). The finished project will be re-uploaded soon.

The Montage Scene - The Sonic Project

    The FAB Church had it's beginning in 1809 as the First African Baptist Church of Philadelphia.  According to the official history by Charles H. Brooks, written in 1922, "during the closing years of the eighteenth century, a few black people who came to Philadelphia from  eastern Virginia to escape the slave masters, were admitted to the First Baptist Church.  There were no black Baptist churches in Pennsylvania at that time, and only a very small number of black people that were

    St. Thomas Episcopal Church and Bethel A.M.E(i went to this church when i was 5). Church were organized during these years y) and it is said that the establishment of these churches was the outgrowth of humiliating treatment toward the black members of the white churches. But it is beyond controversy that the relations between the white and black members of the First Baptist Church were of the most cordial and Christian Character. As the black members grew in number, they decided to have a church of their own.   on May 13th, 1809, thirteen people who had enjoyed membership in the First Baptist Church were all dismissed by letter on their own request for the purpose of forming the First African Baptist of Philadelphia.  The church was organized on June 19th, 1809.  Then, as now, women were in the majority, for these thirteen signers requesting dismission from First Baptist, nine were female. (my grandpop and aunt srevd on the trustee board they argue or the actaul amount of people who started the church

    The first pastor was Reverend Henry Cunningham, who served from 1809 to 1813.  The church rented a lot and buil their first church, 26 feet wide by 37 feet long, which was located on 10th Street above Vine Street.

James Burrows was born a slave and lived in Northampton County, VA. One of our most interesting historical facts is now revealed. He felt that he had been called to preach. the future pastor master refused to allow him the privilege. so he then conviced his master to permit him to come to Philadelphia to earn money to purchase his freedom. His master agreed to this only after Samuel Bivins and his cousin, John Bivins, who were freeman, put them selfs as a trade for the return of James Burrows. After working a year and saving the money to by his freedom, the money was sent. the bivins  released i cureetly go to church with there neice, and they returned to Philadelphia to assist in the work of the church. Reverend Burrows had  a successful pastorate was organized in 1841 and the church was removed from Haviland Place to Pearl Street near 11th Strsted in the army as chaplain.

1

    On August 1, 1864 the Reverend Theodore D. Miller was called to fill the pulpit. Under his leadership the congregation grew from 240 people to over 12,000 members. The church relized the need for a bigger building and in 1867, a new church was built at 10th and Cherry Street. the building was entirely paid for during his time as a pastor. Reverend Miller died February 27th, 1897. He had served the church for 32  . Six months after the death of Dr.  Miller, the church called Dr. William A. Creditt, who had an famous rep He cleared all debts and got rid of the mortgage on the building at 10th Cherry Streets. Through his guidance the church bought is first home in 1899, and put the pastor and his family in it. because of the sermons, the congregation outgrew the building where they had worshipped for almost 40 years. this time land was purchased, a new desgin for a church was planned and erected on the  corner of 16th and Christian Streets in 1906 at an approximate cost of $100,000.00(this is the same buliding i attend now). Dr. Creditt resigned as the pastor September 19th, 1915 and died in Philadelphia June 10th, 1921. He was there 28 years.

 this picture is of the bulding at its peak since then the new people have removed the church bell and there is a sign on the church

http://events.nbcphiladelphia.com/philadelphia-pa/venues/show/547829-first-african-baptist-church-fabc

http://www.thefabchurch.org/

http://www.blackcemeteries.com/?Inc=obituaries&Type=Name&String=O&pageNum_SearchResults=1

Natural selection is a way of helping a species to become stronger by survival of the fittest. The theory of “survival of the fittest” describes what happens when a mutation in a species causes them to have certain traits that make it easier for them to feed or grow stronger. When thinking of homosexuality, a question could be where is natural selection in this section of life.

Homosexuality is present in humans and even apes, birds, reptiles and fish. It doesn’t quite help these species to grow stronger as far as reproduction goes but its usually used as a way of relieving the sexual stress that it caused by natural hormones. It is said, “sex is important but very inconvenient”. This is true in more traditional species that take the time out to have breeding seasons where the males are separated from the females. During this time, male hormones aren’t reduced but instead are present to the point where “male guppies will court each other for weeks while confined in a one-sex group”. Basically, homosexuality isn’t a way of helping reproduction, but at the same time doesn’t stop it. “Homosexuality doesn’t prevent reproduction: Homosexuals reproduce and would therefore be able to pass on a genetic propensity for homosexuality or ‘gay genes’”, but at the same time, even if they didn’t reproduce, it is not definite that there is a gene for homosexuality. In fact, scientists say that “No. There is no evidence that shows that homosexuality is simply ‘genetic.’” It is more possible that homosexuality is spontaneous and therefore will never become an extinct trait.

Still, there are people that will continue to adopt and continue on with their heterosexual capabilities despite their actions or feelings. Those male guppies still went on to have children after they were put back into their normal society, and this is the same across all of the species that adapt homosexual traits.

Citations:

Hunter, Preston. "Homosexuality: A Paradox of Evolution." Adherents.com. N.p., 1994. Web. 16 Nov 2010. <http://www.adherents.com/misc/paradoxEvolution.html>.

"Is There a "Gay Gene"?." NARTH: National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality. N.p., 09 Feb 2008. Web. 16 Nov 2010. <http://www.narth.com/docs/istheregene.html>.

Cam, Qyidir, Sam, and Steve's and 1st Qtr Dig Vid project

Shalia, Antoine and DJ's 1st Qtr Dig Vid project

Perry, Morgan, LaMaya and Andrew's 1st Qtr Dig Vid project

My first quarter benchmark is a prezi that explains how the copyright law became a law. Hope you enjoy. Prezi