Pornhub has officially blocked the state of Texas from their site over an age-verification law, and the implications of this decision are profound. As a resident of North Carolina, I can relate to the frustrations surrounding these types of laws that seem to miss the mark when it comes to understanding technology and online privacy. The idea of having to provide identification every time I want to visit an adult platform does not sit well with me, as it poses a risk to both minors and our personal privacy.
The recent court ruling upholding Texas’s new age-verification law has led to Pornhub and other adult websites disabling access to their sites in the state.… Continue reading
Marriage rates are up and divorce rates are down, new data shows. This statement may seem contradictory at first glance, but when we delve deeper into the reasons behind this trend, it starts to make more sense. The traditional narrative of high divorce rates and failed marriages seems to be changing, and as someone who has witnessed the impact of divorce in my own life, I find this shift quite intriguing.
The data released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics paints an interesting picture. While the marriage rate took a dip in 2020, possibly due to the uncertainties brought on by the pandemic, it began to climb back up in the following years.… Continue reading
I can’t help but be deeply affected by the recent events that unfolded in Pennsylvania. The news of the shootings that led to a shelter-in-place order being issued and businesses closed, with the St. Patrick’s Day parade being canceled, is truly disheartening. It hits home on a different level when it happens in your own community. The fact that it appears to be a domestic issue involving the suspect, Andre Gordon Jr., who killed his stepmother, teenage sister, and the mother of his children, adds to the tragedy.
This incident raises important questions about gun control, mental health, and the sense of community in our society.… Continue reading
Missouri law bars divorce during pregnancy – even in cases of violence | Missouri. This issue has been gaining nationwide attention, but it’s not a new change to the state. It has been that way in Missouri for a while now. Under a Missouri statute, every petitioner for divorce is required to disclose their pregnancy status. In practice, those who are pregnant are barred from legally dissolving their marriage. This application of the law is essentially an outright ban, leaving pregnant individuals in difficult and sometimes dangerous situations.
As someone who believes in individual rights and autonomy, I find this law incredibly troubling.… Continue reading
I can’t even begin to comprehend the depths of desperation and despair that must drive a mother to attempt to sell her own child to a store employee for a mere $500. The news of a Florida mom accused of such a heinous act is not just shocking but also incredibly heartbreaking. The idea that a child could be treated as nothing more than a commodity, a transaction, is beyond belief.
The employee’s refusal to go along with the transaction may have potentially saved the child’s life, but it also sheds light on the grim reality that some individuals are willing to stoop to such lows.… Continue reading
I can’t help but shake my head in disbelief at the news of the US town’s $565,000 sand dune project being washed away in just a matter of days. It seems almost comical how individuals trucked in massive amounts of sand, thinking it would protect their seaside homes, only to watch it disappear with the tide. The irony of the situation is almost poetic in its own right – a failed attempt to defy nature’s forces with nothing more than loose piles of sand.
It’s baffling that these homeowners didn’t consider the long-term effects of their actions. True coastal sand dunes are vital for beach stabilization, yet what they created were nothing more than temporary mounds of sand.… Continue reading
I can’t help but shake my head at the sheer stupidity and recklessness that led to a man getting critically wounded with his own gun in a fight aboard a New York City subway. The chain of events that unfolded is like something out of a movie, but unfortunately, it was all too real. The man, who police say was 36, started the confrontation by being aggressive and provocative towards another man, escalating the situation to violence. This kind of behavior is a prime example of toxic masculinity and the dangerous consequences that can result from it.
What strikes me the most is the fact that the man resorted to pulling out a gun in an attempt to ‘win’ the confrontation.… Continue reading
The news of a suspect barricaded in a New Jersey home after killing three people in a Philadelphia suburb hits too close to home. Literally hearing the helicopters hovering above for hours brings a chilling realization of the horror that has unfolded. The fact that all the victims are women, including his stepmother, 13-year-old sister, and the mother of his children, speaks volumes about the targeted nature of this heinous crime. It makes you wonder – how could someone act so violently towards their own family members?
In the midst of such tragedy, the issue of gun violence rears its ugly head once again.… Continue reading
As a frequent shopper at Target and Walmart, I have experienced the frustrations surrounding the self-checkout systems firsthand. The recent announcement that Target will be limiting self-checkout transactions to ten items or fewer feels like a step in the right direction, especially with Walmart making similar adjustments. However, these changes will only be effective if the stores also increase the number of traditional cashier lanes staffed by team members to accommodate the influx of customers.
Every time I step into my local Target, I am faced with a dilemma – long lines at the few open traditional cashier lanes or equally long lines at the self-checkout stations.… Continue reading
As I sit here, reading about the horrific incident where a police officer, Rodney Vicknair, took advantage of a vulnerable 14-year-old girl, my heart aches. The fact that a person in a position of authority, someone meant to protect and serve, would manipulate and harm a victim is beyond comprehension. This story is not just about one bad apple; it reveals systematic issues within law enforcement that need to be addressed.
When the officer coerced the young girl into going to the hospital for a rape kit, little did she know that it was the beginning of a nightmare. Instead of being the person sent to help her seek justice, Vicknair used his power to exploit and prey on her.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker