Sunday, September 30, 2007

Homosexuality in Iran

I was reading in the New York Times about the Iranian Prime Minister and his denial of gay people existing in Iran. The Iranian government prohibits homosexuality and can punish this by death. Here is an article that I found describing the deaths of 2 gay Iranian teenagers. I can’t believe that a government would be so horrible to innocent human beings. In the article, many Iranian homosexuals are interviewed. Its interesting to read about them and how hidden they keep their sexual preference. Most don’t even admit it to their families in fear of being shunned. Many homosexuals marry into a heterosexual relationship in order to cover their true identity. The law against homosexuality comes from Koran, which states homosexuality as a sin. The law is very harsh, and strict. It even mentions in the article, that if men dress to femininely, they can be arrested. The police are on the look out for homosexuals and are treated as criminals. I also find it interesting that they encourage sex changes. Transsexuals are seen as being sick as if diseased, but are allowed in the Iranian society. But because of the religion, homosexuality is prohibited. Authority figures have tried to ban different websites dealing with homosexuality, but because of the ease of the Internet, new sites are created daily that allow Iranian homosexuals to meet others. I just can’t believe that in such modern times people need to hide their true feelings towards other human beings. Its even worse that how one person feels can be punishable by the law so harshly.

Monday, September 17, 2007

OJ Simpson Break In

I was about six years old during the OJ Simpson murder case. I remember watching the car chase on TV and a few details from the case. I cannot believe that now after a few years of silence, he got himself arrested for armed robbery. Right now the case has not been fully investigated, but there are two very different accounts of the story. Of course Simpson is defending his innocence. He claims that there were no guns, although two have been found. Simpson also claims that they were escorted to the room and that the items that he stole were originally his. The accusers claim that Simpson along with five other men stormed into their hotel room, two holding guns. They claim that Simpson was in charge and directed the group. Four suspects have still not been located. The article also mentions the book that came out on Friday detailing the fictional account of what Simpson would have done if he committed the murders. I think it’s interesting that the break-in happened the day before the book came out. The book sounds very interesting to me especially since Simpson helped write it. I understand how hard it would be for the family of Nichole Simpson to read the book, but since the case was so well publicized I think that people will be really interested in reading it. You can find the book available here and there are some very interesting customer reviews. The book’s prophets will benefit the Goldman family fund.