Tiger Woods is a pro-golfer, right? Not the president or someone within the political realm that we hold to a higher degree of morals,right? So, I guess I am shocked that due to an apparent lack of REAL news we are forced to listen to the fact that Tiger drove his car into a tree on the morning news.... Who cares?!! He didn't hurt anyone. He wasn't drunk or on drugs. Once again... Who cares?! At first, I was shocked because in my opinion there was no scandal and if there was, it was none of my business for the above mentioned reasons. Now, it has come into light that he has had multiple affairs. Once again, who cares???!!! I have to wonder if the shock over his alleged affairs and behavior is because so many people have him placed on a pedestal of sorts. Why?! What is it about these famous sports figures that drive people to buy a product because they endorse it and then in the next year refuse to buy it because he didn't live up to their expectations. Did they sign something in their contracts with those that endorse them that would make people believe that they should have such expectations? Of course not. the reason people buy their products is because of their athletic accomplishments. So why is their personal life any concern to the public. Leave it alone!! I'm sure if you had an affair, it wouldn't make the evening news and your boss most likely wouldn't fire you over it. The best thing to do would be to simply not glorify someone for being able to throw a touchdown or shoot a three pointer at the buzzer.

Dreamworlds

Dreamworlds III sends a powerful message about how de-sensitized we have become to the prolific sexual and violent images that we are exposed to in the media on a daily basis. Not only does the media have the power to normalize acts which would be considered violent, it also has the power to shape what we believe about our role in our society as men and women. The movie expresses several aspects of music videos that create a stereotypical dreamworld of male fantasy. It also depicts racial stereotypes. Three specific strategies are utilized to show how and why this dreamworld is created.
The first strategy that is utilized is visual, in which women gaze into the camera and deliberately create an image in which they enjoy the objectification that they are exposed to. Camera angles also reinforce this visual strategy in which only certain aspects of a woman’s body are highlighted. Women are portrayed as pieces of a body, lacking any other attributes other than those which are sexual in nature. The film says that they are fragmented. It suggests that some objectification is fine; but that more of the woman’s other attributes should also be reflected. This strategy is different from the explicit strategy in which what is being said or physically presented on screen is what helps to create the male fantasy, unlike the visual strategy which relies primarily on camera angles.
The explicit strategy is presented in music videos through how women physically act towards men and what is acceptable behavior for men towards women. In music videos, women are acting out a fantasy that is not their own, but someone else’s. For example, the videos depict that women are dominant and sexually needy. This is dangerous because it sends the message that women want to be used by men. This can cause a blurring between reality and fantasy as women become objects that are to be used solely for male pleasure. A strong example of how the normalcy of male fantasy in the media has caused a blurring of what is acceptable is in the portrayal of female teachers acting out sexual fantasies with their students. This creates an atmosphere of acceptance for male students who have this fantasy. It is embedded in our culture that it is a male fantasy to have sex with his female teacher, so when it occurs, it is more accepted, and there is a double standard of how this is seen by the public. A boy is not considered a victim because he wanted it.
Another strategy utilized is to use women’s bodies to sell a product - for example, to sell the artists music. Many artists create videos that are sexually explicit because it will create controversy. This is even prevalent in country music videos as women are depicted as different stereotypical characters within male fantasies.
Overall, Dreamworlds III is shocking, but the method is effective in showing how the world of music videos has helped to create a culture in which women are objectified and the objectification is acceptable.

Crashing the White House

SO...... the latest reality television hopefuls have crossed a line that no one has before in order to land their own reality television show. This is only one in a list of many individuals before who have created controversy in order to obtain fame. Tareq and Michaele Salahi arrived at the White House and were able to crash President Obama's first State Dinner and without even producing an invitation. As investigators try to consider what to charge the couple with, their notoriety continues to grow. Facebook and the constant media attention have helped to fuel the flames. Whether the couple ultimately faces charges or not, they have most likely succeeded in furthering their ultimate goal. Plus, their stunt was followed by BRAVO camera crews and make-up artists. This was encouraged which in turn only encourages other individuals to try drastic measures in order to gain fame and wealth. Another distorted and perverted attempt to gain the "American Dream".

Christmas and a Sense of Entitlement

My husband and I constantly struggle to try and teach our kids about the danger of feeling entitled. I should preface this short criticism by saying that my husband is a middle school teacher and we have benefited from the generosity of parents over the years. I have chosen to volunteer my time for the past 7 years in my children's classrooms and other activities. The teachers work hard and are paid minimal salaries for their true efforts especially considering their immense responsibility. I am eternally grateful to each of them. However, as a room mother it is my responsibility to organize the parents not only for parties and activities, but also for the gift giving to the teachers. I have always enjoyed this until I realized that teachers have come to expect the generosity of parents as if they are entitled. Don't get me wrong, they always write their wonderful thankyou notes and show such gratitude. My criticism comes from the subtle messages that they send to the parents about their expectation of receiving a gift. For example, my daughter brought a letter home yesterday from a teacher. It was a wonderful gesture, she wanted the children to bring in a new teddy bear to be donated to children in the hospital. However, my criticism comes from the last line in BOLD letters in which she wrote "Please let the teddy bear be my gift from you this year". Decoded it means that she expected a gift in the first place. She didn't preface by saying that IF you planned on getting her a gift then please..... Instead she eluded to her own sense of entitlement. Another example, is the letter that room moms are responsible for sending out to the parents which includes exactly what the teachers would like to receive as gifts. Most put down a gift card and the particular restaurant or store they love. Then I hear from the lead room mom that she has gotten several emails from the receptionist at our school showing concern for the lack of gifts to certain teachers. She has also gotten emails from the teachers themselves asking to be adopted by lower grade levels. It is a well known fact that kindergarten parents are far more generous than 5th grade parents. Mostly because in 5th grade they have 4 teachers versus one. I was shocked to hear this. How sad that teachers have forgotten the true meaning of the holidays. Religion isn't even allowed in the schools, yet they believe that they should get gifts for this time of year. I should also add that I am also going to school to become a teacher, and I hope that I will never forget how it can be interpreted by parents.