Archives: Politics and Culture
It’s Not About Birth Control
Rising Voice Staff
by Ashley Horne
The latest rule issued under the Obama Administration’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) mandates that private employers offering health insurance to employees must pay for contraception coverage despite their religious or moral objections.
What’s the big deal, right? Millions of people use birth control. And it’s expensive. So why shouldn’t health insurance cover contraceptive drugs? Read More »
Archives: Politics and Culture
What’s up with CPAC, Anyway?
Rising Voice Staff
If you weren’t there, you should have been. The 2012 Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C. was quite the event. (Complete with very passionate protestors!)
I was there to help man CitizenLink’s booth so that attendees could learn more about how CitizenLink works to protect marriage, family and religious freedom. Many young people stopped by our table just to see what CL is all about. Even Big Government Gary made the rounds. He was quite the hit.
If you’re interested and have opinions on the issues affecting our country – whether they be family values, economic freedom or even foreign policy, consider attending CPAC. Of course you’ll meet folks with whom you’ll disagree and (hopefully) dialogue; the ideas fighting for spots in the conservative platform are many. Why not offer your ideas, too? Read More »
Archives: Politics and Culture
Barbie vs. Godzilla
Rising Voice Staff
So the New York Times runs a piece about gender-free toys. Ho-hum. Until you realize what’s behind the effort.
London’s most venerable toy store, Hamleys, recently underwent a make-over. The self-described “finest toy shop in the world” did away with separate girls and boys sections and, instead, organized the store by types of toys. Pink and blue signs were replaced by red and white ones.
Hamleys’ decision gave writer Peggy Orenstein the chance to ask the question “Should gender be systematically expunged from playthings?”
Read the rest of the story at Breakpoint… And then tell us what you think of “gender-neutral” toys!
Archives: Politics and Culture
Be Informed to Give Consent
Rising Voice Staff
It’s an election year, so it’s a good idea to keep up with what Congress is doing. Elections are just the precursor to the work that Congress does. You elect ‘em, they start legislating. So take a second to find out what your lawmakers are up to. And make sure that in November, you know who to send to Congress, and who to send packin’. Read More »
Archives: Politics and Culture
How do you vote?
Rising Voice Staff
by Michael Johnson
Crossing the threshold of 2012 means political ads and news stories will compete for our attention as the Republican Party seeks a nominee to face President Obama in November. The Iowa Caucus kicked off the journey through the various states as Americans have opportunity to participate in our government and influence who our leader will be for the next four years.
As a law student, I was curious to see what my fellow students thought was important when it came to choosing a president. I discussed the current Republican nominees and President Obama with eleven other young adults who consider themselves Christians. Their ages ranged from 19-28 yrs and they represented eight different states: CA, CO, LA, MD, TN, TX, VA, and WA. Here’s what they had to say. Read More »
Archives: Politics and Culture
Day 5
Dawn McBane
Happy New Year! For those of you who made new year’s resolutions to ring in 2012, how are you doing on day five? We’re trusting you’re still on track for a successful year (month? week? day?)of resolution-keeping!
We are excited to be with you for 2012, discussing current events and the policy decisions that are going on all around us. And this year, that will also mean taking a closer look at what is going on with the presidential election season that has already started in Iowa.
So stay tuned and as always, we’d love to hear from you – what are your favorite topics that we’ve covered in 2011? What would you like most from us in 2012?
We trust the coming year will be fruitful!
Archives: Politics and Culture
Gaga for Lady Gaga?
Dawn McBane
Lady Gaga is continually in the news for her one-hit wonders, outrageous costumes, and a persona that seems larger than life, not to mention completely outlandish. Recently, she’s been nominated for five People’s Choice awards.
If you aren’t already knowledgeable about what’s hip in the world of pop culture and teen fantasy, look no further than the work of Lady Gaga. Read More »
Archives: Politics and Culture
More than a Clothing Store
Rising Voice Staff
by Jenny Abel
Have you seen the picture of President Obama kissing Chinese leader Hu Jintao—on the lips—that began circulating the Internet this week? How about the one of the Pope kissing (again, on the lips) Cairo’s Al-Azhar mosque imam? I saw the Obama picture first and did a double-take. What is this, the latest scandal to unfold in our hype-obsessed media? I wondered. Read More »
Archives: Politics and Culture
Whether It’s Sushi or Legislation—Just Speak Up
Rising Voice Staff
My husband and I went to a sushi place for my birthday with some friends recently. I love sushi. I mean, seriously. The restaurant was new to us; swanky and modern with a big menu and a youngish atmosphere. I hadn’t eaten most of the day, in preparation for gorging myself on as much raw fish as possible (don’t judge, and don’t send me articles on the dangers of raw fish).
But when I opened the menu, I was–how to put this delicately–disgusted. In front of me was a list of sushi rolls crudely named after sexual acts. Read More »
Archives: Politics and Culture
Thanksgiving Family Forum
Rising Voice Staff
For those of you interested in politics, what are some of the questions you’d like to ask of the possible presidential candidates? (For those of you who couldn’t care less about politics or being involved in our country, I’d suggest some light reading here and here.)
This Saturday (tomorrow), when the Thanksgiving Family Forum takes place in Des Moines, Iowa, viewers and listeners will get a chance to hear from most of the Republicans seeking the 2012 presidential nomination, particularly what they believe about faith and family issues. Read More »
