World News Wednesdays

Condoms For First Graders?

When the school board in Provincetown, Mass., voted unanimously on June 8 to provide free condoms to all students in the district without parental notification, no one in the audience objected. In fact, no one thought much about it. The school’s health advisory committee, relying on respected studies, worried that children were becoming sexually active at ever younger ages, and it believed protection was the best policy. the Massachusetts Family Institute hastily issued a statement saying: "Making condoms available to first graders bullies parents to submit to an agenda that promotes sexual promiscuity to innocent children at their most vulnerable age. “I guess the biggest thing [generating controversy] is that it’s for elementary school kids, but where do we draw the line?” School Committee Chairman Peter Grosso told the Boston Globe. “We’re going to revisit it." He said discussion would likely center around setting a minimum age for eligibility. But he promised that there would be some access for elementary school kids. -Fox News

Tell us your opinion. Do you believe that first grade is too early to start giving out condoms or do you believe that they should be prepared?

Inspirational Quotes

"Say all u need to say and if they still walk away: they were not your destination, they were only preparation."

• If you give all that you can give and they still decide to leave, then it wasn’t meant to be. They were simply preparing you for what's ahead.

"Sometimes you have to take a step backward in the wrong direction, in order to move forward in the right one."

• Sometimes you have to make a mistake in order to progress.

"We can only know happiness after experiencing sadness. Never think that rock bottom is our permanent spot."

• In order to enjoy the happy moments ,you have to go through the sad ones. Don't get discouraged when you fall down.

"I was born underwater with 3 dollars and 6 dimes."

• I was born complete.

Respect Is Just The Minimum

Why Don't Men Respect Women?

Men don't respect women because women don't respect themselves. Some women forget that the way you carry yourself becomes the perception others have of you. If you don't act like a lady, then you can't expect to be treated like one. However, that is only part of the problem. The other part is that women are not demanding respect. Some of us take words like "bitch" and "hoe" lightly and use them amongst each other yet wonder why some men feel that it is ok to use them as well. Truth is, it is not ok but if we accept it then we can't expect things to change. We as women need to realize that we deserve to be treated like the queens that we are because change starts with us. -Gia

Before you can answer the question of why don’t men respect women, you need to answer the question of who’s fault is it? Is it the women's fault that men don’t respect them or is it the men's fault? What about the parents or the media? There isn’t one definite answer to this question. As each new generation enter this world, respect for women minimizes. There is only so much blame you can put on everyone besides the women. A parent can only instill so many values into their child before the child starts to experience things and gain their own views. All the blame can’t be put on the men either. The only response I have to this question is, a person can only do to you what you allow them to. With that being said, the only way someone can disrespect you is if you allow them to. -Bonny

She's Just Not That Into You

It is often said that women don’t get the hint, but it seems that guys have the same problem. Women are not the only ones who feel the urge to call or text multiple times even when they don’t get a response. You try to convince yourself that she didn‘t get it but the truth is, she’s just not that into you.

Guys, just like you all throw hints to let the woman know that you are not interested, women do the same. However, these hints are sometimes unsuccessful. One possible reason could be that these hints are misinterpreted or it could be that you are simply not paying attention. To clear up any confusion here are some signs that will let you know when you should just let it go!!

• Sign #1 If you call and NEVER get a response.
• Sign #2 If you text and NEVER get a response.
• Sign #3 If she tells you that she is not looking for anything serious, she’s probably trying to let you down easy.
• Sign #4 If she says she’s busy whenever you call.
• Sign #5 If she completely IGNORES you, Let it go.

Conversation Starters

Have you ever really wanted to say something, but you didn’t know what to say? Well, here’s a list of conversation starters.

• Topic #1 Talk about something that you both are interested in. For example, basketball or cooking
• Topic #2 Talk about your day or ask about his/hers.
• Topic #3 Ask an intriguing question
• Topic #4 Start off with a joke or something funny
• Topic #5 Talk about likes and dislikes

The next time you find yourself at a loss for words, try one of these conversation starters and see where it goes.

Top 5 Signs That The Conversation Isn't Going Anywhere

• Sign #1 Silence or Long Pauses
• Sign #2 Repetition
• Sign #3 Meaningless Questions
• Sign #4 When you’re thinking about how much you want the conversation to end.
• Sign #5 When you resort to talking to people in your background

Check Please!

You're out on a date with a guy and you all are enjoying yourselves. The night is coming to an end and it is time to pay the bill. As the bill sits on the table, you both stare at each other wondering who is going to pick up the tab. After minutes of silence, he suggests splitting the bill in half….Uhh No?

• In the beginning of a relationship, it is the guy’s job to pay the bill. I’m a firm believer in chivalry. If the guy is a true gentlemen, he should not have a problem with paying the bill. If there is an issue with money, it should be established before the date. Other than that, there is no reason for a guy to not pay. Deeper into the relationship, the girl can decide to start paying for the dates. Until then, it’s the guy’s job! -Bonny

• "First impressions are everything". With that said, if this is the first date and the guy asked you out, then it is assumed that he will be paying for the date. That's just the way it goes. It is gentleman like and it is simply a nice gesture. Now, there are some cases when splitting the bill is perfectly fine. For example, if you've gone on multiple dates or if this is someone that you're just hanging out with. However, if for some reason he feels that you both should split the bill on the first date, then that needs to be discussed prior to the bill coming to the table. -Gia

Is Texting The New Talking?

Most people prefer to text rather than talk on the phone, but is it really beneficial to a relationship? We all love to get those texts with the flirty winks and smiley faces, but when is it the right time to start communicating on a more personal level? Can you really get to know someone through texting?

• Texting, although convenient, should never be the only form of communication between two people that are trying to get to know more about one another. At some point, the lines of communication should open up and advance to a level where both people are comfortable beyond the keypad. For some, this may take some time, but what matters is that the relationship that you are trying to build progresses. Sure, the texts with the smiley faces and winks are cute and sweet but are you really learning anything about that person? -Gia

• When you first meet someone, the first line of communication is texting. In the beginning it’s interesting. We love receiving Cute little texts that say “Good Morning” or random texts that say “Just thinking about you” when we least expect it, but when you both start to realize that you want to get to know a little more about each other, it’s time to stop texting and start talking. If you have been talking to a guy over a month and haven’t spoken to him on the phone at least once, it’s time to move on. -Bonny

Girls, Is It Okay To Text First?

It's a typical Saturday night and you and your girls are dressed to impress and ready to have some fun. You all decide to go to your favorite Saturday night spot. Your favorite song comes on and you start to dance. You suddenly notice some eye candy across the room. You've seen this guy around before and you think he's cute. You smile at each other flirtatiously. Next thing you know you two are dancing together. Before the song ends he leans over and asks you for your number. You exchange numbers and end the night with hopes that you will see each other again. Throughout the next day you constantly check your phone for a call or text but receive neither. Should you text first?

• Girls are constantly told not to text a guy first. All of our friends tell us, "If he's into you, he will make the first move." I agree with this statement. But is it really wrong for a girl to make the first move? I have met guys who agree, but I have also met guys that like it when a girl takes initiative. Most girls don’t text first because they are afraid of rejection, but constantly waiting for his text and never receiving one is also rejection. Personally, I don’t think that texting first is that bad. Now, If you constantly text and he doesn't respond, let it go. If he’s into you, he wouldn’t mind if you texted him first. If he’s not into you, texting him first is the quickest way of finding out, rather than waiting and wondering -Bonny

• Despite what your girls may say, it is ok to text first. Often, we get caught up in this idea that texting first seems a bit "thirsty" or eager, but honestly, there is nothing wrong with sparking up a converstaion. If you're constantly checking your phone to see if he may have tried to contact you, then you're obviously interested so maybe he is worth texting first. You never know, he may be waiting to hear from you but if in fact he doesn't respond don't trip just move on. -Gia