Shift in Relations?

On Friday, President Barack Obama spoke on the phone with with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani; the first direct conversation between leaders in Washington and Tehran since 1979 -- raising the possibility a deal can be reached over Iran's controversial nuclear program. When Obama described the conversation he said he believes an agreement is possible regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions that could lead to better relations. The last time a U.S. president spoke with an Iranian leader was in 1979, when Jimmy Carter talked by telephone with Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi before Pahlavi was overthrown.
I think it's good that we are making progress in this issue. I think discussing such things is important to finding a solution. If we can come to an agreement then this whole issue can be solved in a somewhat peaceful manner. I believe it's good the United States is taking action on this and in a way that does not cause controversy or impose further problems. I do think we need to not jump to conclusions just yet and think things through thoroughly before taking any further action. Overall, I think this is a big step in finding a probably solution. 

Israel To Strike Back if Syria attacks

The Israeli Prime Minister issued a warning on Tuesday in response to recent saber-rattling by The Syrian President. It was the starkest warning known to date as said by the Los Angeles Times. The comments made by both leaders followed statements this week by Syrian officials that they would be held responsible for any U.S strike carried out in response to the Syrian military's alleged use of chemical weapons. On Monday a senior Beath Party official, Khalaf Muftah accused Israel of being "behind the Western aggression" and then warned that Israel will come under fire as a result. The Los Angeles Times states that "Syrian officials often seek to focus blame on Israel as a way of rallying support among Syria people.

In my opinion I think Israel should be prepared to fight if they should undergo an attack by Syrian forces. With that being said, however, I don't think Israel should be blamed or held responsible for any U.S strike against Syria. This leaves the United States in a position of whether or not we should strike. Is it really our battle? But is it right to just stand a watch it unfold? It's hard to just watch bad things happen and not do anything about it. I think that is the difficult decision that the U.S. Faces.

Gay Marriage: Pros and Cons

As of July 17, 2013, gay marriage has been legalized in the following 13 states: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Washington, Maine, Maryland, California, Delaware, Rhode Island, and Minnesota. 35 states have gay marriage bans through either laws or constitutional amendments or both. The District of Columbia legalized same-sex marriage on Mar. 3, 2010. The issue however still remains highly controversial. Many people still disagree with the idea of same-sex marriage, but progressively more and more people are beginning to accept the idea. Opponents if same-sex marriage argue that altering the traditional definition of marriage as between a man and a woman will eventually lead to new ideas of marriage such as polygamous and interspecies marriages. Another argument is that it is religiously and morally wrong, however many people disagree. 

I believe that when people are born they don't choose their sexuality, if you are gay you were born that way. I don't believe that you just choose to like the same gender later on in your life, you were born the way you were born and that's who you are. With that being said, the belief that this is an abnormal condition and they can just change who they love doesn't make sense to me. Secondly, I don't believe it's fair to not allow two people who love each other legal recognition of their relationship. Many people argue that in religion, especially Christianity the bible states that it should be a mother and father; believing what I believe would be going against what the bible says. In reality however the bible also states that slavery is a natural condition. St. Paul said in the New Testament that "slaves be obedient to your masters" which is technically going against what we fought for in the civil war. Do we really want our future generations to believe that it is wrong to love who you love? It's unfair to deny something that can't be helped, we are America home of the brave and land of the free. So why can't we live up to our name?

Abortion: Pro-life or Pro-choice?

Abortion refers to the voluntary termination of a pregnancy, resulting in the death of the fetus or embryo. Abortions are allowed prior to the third trimester in the United States, but the issue at hand is whether this should change. The most controversial issue is the so-called "partial birth" abortion, a rare procedure. The "pro-life" movement is thought of as more black-and-white in its range of opinions than the "pro-choice" faction. Those who support "life" are more concerned with the embryo or fetus and believe that abortion is murder. This is typically stance that most Christians seem to take on this issue. Thus the pro-choice faction contains a range of beliefs -- from no restrictions (the classic position) to restrictions for minors (parental consent) from support when a woman's life is endangered or when the pregnancy is the result of rape to opposition just because a woman is poor or unmarried. 

Based on what I've read and my personal beliefs, I think there should be major restriction on abortion. When is it really necessary to undergo such a procedure? I think in the event of a rape case or if the woman's life is in danger that it should be allowed. If it is just because you don't want the baby then that is wrong. You made the choice and whether the pregnancy was an accident or not it was your fault. Many people argue that the male in the situation should be allowed the choice whee as others argue that it's the woman's body so she should do to it as she pleases. I believe that the male should have his say, after all it is his baby as well. It seems unfair if both people don't get a say, although I think abortion should not be allowed except under special circumstances.