The assignment that was most interesting assignment this semester was Assignment 5.  The video A powerful noise was a very inspirational film. This film focuses on three women that are from different locations and backgrounds. The first story was a about Hanh. She is a HIV-positive  widow from vietnam. The second story was about Madam Urbain she was a "social-activist" in Bamako, which is one of the largest cities in one of the poorest countries, Mali.
 The last story was about Nada she was one of the survivors of the Bosnian war.
"Although these women at first glance have little in common, their struggle is the same: they must reform the societies that seem to have no interest in changing. The film chronicles their hardships, and successes"Landes(2012). Hanh put together a support group callled the immortal flower group. They provide support for people living with aids. This group educates the people about this virus. Madame Urbain works hard to set up schools to educate the young girls, and make sure she protects them from being taken advantage of by their employers. Nada works to unite the Serbian and Bosnian  women. She also helps farmers find a place to sell their crops. This film taught me to greatful for the things I have. I learned that no matter what I am going through it can always be worse. This film taught me to appreciate the fact that I am healthy and as well as my family. I am fortunate enough to be able to attend college, and I have a job to support my family.

References

"Watch TV. Watch Movies. | Online | Free | Hulu." Watch TV. Watch Movies. | Online | Free | Hulu. A powerful noise, n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2012. <http://www.hulu.com/#!watch/192215>.

 Landes, Roger. "Review: A Powerful Noise | Oh!Film." Oh!Film | Columbus International Film + Video Festival Blog (our main site is at www.columbusfilmcouncil.org). N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2012. <http://ohfilm.wordpress.com/2009/08/16/a-powerful-noise-review/>.

 

DRUG TESTS FOR WELFARE RECIPIENTS

Should there be manadatory drug tests for Welfare Recipients?

There is a rumor that "various states have passed laws requiring that public assistance recipients pass a drug testing program"(http://www.snopes.com/politics/medical/welfare.asp). There is some truth to this rumor. On January 7, 2011 HB208 was introduced to the Kentucky state legislature's House of Representatives. That bill sought to modify the existing state rules to require that adults who receive public assistance participate in (and pass) a substance abuse screening program once a (year"http://www.snopes.com/politics/medical/welfare.asp). Although this issue is being considered it is false to say that Kentucky passed such a law. This was simply a proposal that was introduced to one senate, but was not brought to a vote. "In July 2011, the state of Florida enacted a law requiring adults applying for welfare assistance to undergo drug. The Tampa Tribune reported the following month that 2% of welfare recipients had tested- positive under the new implemented law screening. Ninety-six percent proved to be drug free-leaving the state to reimburse the cost of theeir tests" (http://www.snopes.com/politics/medical/welfare.asp). However, the state estimates that they will save more money by temporarily suspending the benefits of the applicants who tested positive. The state estimates that they would save any where from $3400-$5000 more per month on rejected applicants than they would spend on testing applicants who test negative. It seems kind of cruel to completely take away the assistance from families that need the help. The bill's sponser Lonnie Napier plans to amend the bill to allow those who fail to continue to recieve assistance
if they agree to undergo state-paid substance abuse treatment.

This particular question stood out to me because I have heard several people talking about this issue. I agree with the statement that welfare recipients should be required to take a manadatory drug test to be eligible for welfare. I think that it is only fair. In order to be hired for most jobs you have to pass a pre-employment drug test to support the funding of welfare. The main purpose of welfare assiatance is to help the less fortunate families and provide them with food, cash and medical assistance. With the economy the way that it is there are alot of families that need this help and would not be able to survive without it. Over the years alot of people have abused certain services such as cash assistance and foodstamps by selling them to buy drugs or alcohol to support their habit. It breaks my heart to see the parents that recieve foodstamps to feed their children sell them to buy drugs and alcohol, or to use the cash assistance that is provided for that purpose. Leaving their children with little to no food.
 I'm not saying that all welfare recipients participate in this type of activity, but the ones who do not should have nothing to worry about when it comes to drug testing and should not be opposed to it.

References

snopes.com: Drug Tests for Welfare Recipients. (n.d.). snopes.com: Urban Legends Reference Pages. Retrieved December 3, 2012, from http://www.snopes.com/politics/medical/welfare