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Even though the situation looks bleak, there may be hope for our generation. Some companies have managed to grow despite the recession, adding entry-level positions more often filled by recent college graduates.  HomeAway, a vacation rental Web site, is one of those businesses.

“We don’t consider the age of applicants when recruiting,” said Lori Knowlton, vice president of Human Resources at HomeAway. “But we do find that we have many entry level applicants for our customer support and telesales roles. The most successful applicants for these jobs often have one to two years of experience in a customer service role and have strong technical skills.”

Other companies have grown around Generation Y. Homescout Realty, a Chicago real estate company, was recently ranked the 16th best workplace in the Windy City for Generation Y.

“The age range of our agents works with the age range of our clients,” said Jordan Wilson, business operations manager for Homescout. “Our clients are all recent graduates and it is easier for our agents of the same demographics to connect with them. They are able to build relationships and build their careers with these clients. They will help them rent an apartment now and help them buy in the future.”

Still, a struggling economy makes finding jobs difficult, especially when fighting against negative stereotypes. As pointed out by Jason Dorsey, author of Y-Size Your Business: How Gen Y Employees Can Save You Money and Grow Your Business, many employers have bought in to the idea that Generation Y isn’t as committed to hard work as previous generations.

“The biggest apprehensions I hear about Generation Y are that we act like we should be rewarded for doing the minimum, that we don’t carry ourselves in a professional manner at work, that we want constant praise, and that we are disloyal because we tend not to work for one company for many years,” Dorsey said. “It’s important to note that not all employers feel this way, but the ones who do tend to be quite vocal.”

On the other hand, Dorsey said that Generation Y does have some redeeming qualities. We are known for being technologically savvy, optimistic, good problem-solvers, and always striving for self-improvement. These qualities have not gone unnoticed by employers.

“In our entry level roles, our employees are using multiple systems to help our customers manage their property listing,” said Knowlton of HomeAway. “So it’s important to be able to solve problems effectively using a variety of tools and techniques.”

The key to landing a job, according to Dorsey, is highlighting these skills and addressing the concerns that employers may have.

“Focus on your achievements, desire to work hard, and willingness to learn on the job,” Dorsey advised. “Confront the Gen Y stereotypes head on. Let the potential employer know that you are committed to being on time – or a few minutes early – dressing professionally, working well with others of all ages and backgrounds, and trying to build a career rather than just look for a job.”

A lack of experience does not always mean that an applicant has nothing to offer a potential employer, Dorsey added. “One other tip taken from the front lines of job seeking: emphasize your past achievements rather than responsibilities. Potential employers want to know what you have accomplished and this could extend into the community or school if you don’t have much work experience.”

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Michael (who, like the others interviewed for this article, asked to be referred to by first name only), a 22-year-old graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, describes the job search as much more difficult than he had expected. Graduating with excellent grades in economics, he thought finding employment wouldn’t be as strenuous as the reality has proved. The main drawback has been his lack of experience.

“I think I’m a highly credible candidate for the companies I’ve been applying to, but the majority of them won’t even consider hiring me because I don’t have two to three years of prior experience,” Michael said. “This just frustrates me because I don’t understand when they would have expected me to gain that experience while I’ve been working hard on my degree.”

Others such as Katlyn, a 24-year-old art history major, have found looking for a job in such specialty fields even more taxing. Currently a graduate student at UT focused on museum and community-based art education, Katlyn’s main concern is if the economy doesn’t get better her area of expertise will be less in demand.

“When times are bad and the economy worsens, art education programs are usually the first to be cut,” she noted. “This leaves me extremely anxious about the field of study I’ve chosen. It’s my passion, but what if I can’t find a job for years to come?”

While Stephanie, 23, expected a challenge in finding her dream career, she wasn’t prepared for the fact that even jobs she’s over-qualified for are difficult to come by. “It’s not even the jobs with high salaries or great benefits that are hard to find these days, but with this economy it feels like any job at all is hard to find!”

Like many in her generation, having a fall back plan to support herself is imperative.  Stephanie is waiting tables while pursuing her employment goals.

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Speaking before about 3,500 guests at the event organized by the Fellowship Foundation, also known as The Family, Obama pointed out that he and the attendees “may disagree about gay marriage, but surely we can agree that it is unconscionable to target gays and lesbians for who they are, whether it is right here in the United States or, as [Secretary of State] Hillary [Rodham Clinton] mentioned, more extremely in odious laws that are being proposed most recently in Uganda.”

The president and secretary of state are just two of several U.S. officials from both parties who are critical of the proposed Ugandan legislation that calls for the imprisonment and execution of homosexuals. Bills have been filed in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives condemning the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2009.

The Ugandan legislation, which should go to parliament late this month or early March, expands upon current statute that outlaws homosexuality by seeking life imprisonment for anyone convicted of having sex with someone of the same sex. The penalty is death when the person tests HIV positive. Additionally, the bill allows authorities to arrest anyone who “promotes” homosexuality or “aids, abets, counsels or procures” someone else to engage in homosexual acts. The bill threatens fines and prison time for anyone who is aware of homosexual activity and fails to report it within 24 hours.

The bill was introduced by first-term Ugandan lawmaker David Bahati, a member of that country’s branch of the Fellowship Foundation. Opponents of the proposal believe Bahati was persuaded to take action after a conference in Uganda last March, where three American evangelical Christians held a series of talks on how to turn gay people straight. The theme of the conference, sponsored by the Ugandan organization Family Life Network, was to expose the hidden and dark agenda of homosexuality.

The three Americans who spoke at the conference admit to preaching against homosexuality, but they are taken aback by the overzealous legislation. Don Schmierer, a board member of Exodus International, whose mission is “mobilizing the body of Christ to minister grace and truth to a world impacted by homosexuality,” published a letter on the organization’s Web site condemning Bahati’s bill.

The bill’s draconian measures have some countries threatening to cut millions in foreign aid to the poverty-stricken East African nation.  In turn, the Ugandan government is suggesting it might back down and change the death penalty provision to life in prison.

But that’s small consolation to the people most affected by the bill. In an e-mail statement, Rea Carey, executive director of National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, said, “It is imperative that the Obama administration and Congress push Uganda to withdraw this bill in its entirety. Simply removing the death penalty doesn’t somehow make this a humane bill. Whether it be the state-sponsored murder of LGBT Ugandans or their life imprisonment for simply being who they are is barbaric and unacceptable. Our political leaders must send the unified and unequivocal message that this measure, in full, needs to go.”

It’s not just human rights violations that have opponents of the bill up in arms. Many are concerned that this legislation, if passed, will make it more difficult to fight against HIV/AIDS. A letter signed by more than 90 U.S. Representatives to Ugandan President Museveni pointed out that should the bill pass, programs, such as the $300 million President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, could be called into question. “By seriously compromising efforts to reach LGBT communities in Uganda, passage of the Anti-Homosexual Act would impede the efficacy of PEPFAR’s programs and the achievement of its goals,” the letter stated.

Ironically, Uganda has been a model country for how to contain the spread of HIV/AIDS among its population. From the 1980s, when the virus first started to spread, to now, Uganda has gone from a country with one of the highest infection rates to one of the lowest.  In 1991, 15 percent of Ugandan adults were HIV positive. In 2001, that number dropped to 5 percent.

The government relied on a range of methods to manage the spread of the disease, including non-governmental organizations that educated Ugandans about HIV/AIDS and de-stigmatized getting tested for the disease. Many fear that if this legislation passes all Uganda’s success will come undone.

The pressure from foreign parties seems to have some effect. President Museveni has taken measures to distance himself from the bill, making it clear that Bahati was not following government policy in proposing the legislation. But in a country that believes rich Westerners are coming to Uganda to pay children to have gay sex, and showing support for gays can ostracize you from your community, it’s a difficult fight.

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Most jobs provide an opportunity to build relationships that you can call on in case of emergency.  My unemployment is such an emergency.  I called on my employed friends, hoping something positive would come from it.  Unfortunately, I was wrong.  Oh, there were the occasional lunches with ex-coworkers, where I showed them my latest reworked resume and asked for any job leads.  And in the few weeks after my unemployment, I felt hopeful that all this networking would turn into a new position.

But I quickly realized that the professional world is a busy one that has little time to deal with the unemployed. I know I sound negative and pessimistic, but, honestly, this was a dark time for me.  As it is for many without jobs.  It’s the month or so after you’ve been let go and it dawns on you that another position may not be right around the corner.  At that point, panic begins to take over.

I can only say I must have been in a state of panic around the time I was put in touch with a liquor company that apparently had a marketing position open.  Naturally, I began picturing myself behind a big oak desk, writing marketing-type reports and taking marketing-type calls.  I talked to the company’s Director of Marketing and got an interview for that same day. Before I hung up, though, she asked me to bring a photo.  I thought it was strange but, really, I was too excited that this job could be the one to end my unemployment.

So, just as I was taught in school, I went to the company’s Web site and devoured all the information.  I wanted to be on fire when I walked through the doors.  A few hours later, dressed in my best serious attire, I grabbed my resume folder, cover letter, reference letters, photo, and hit the road.  I should have known something was up when the company address was an extravagant home on the outskirts of Austin.

I walked in to a group interview, something I had never experienced before.  The Director of Marketing was dressed as if she had been running errands all day hoping to not see anyone she knew. This wasn’t exactly what I had expected, but I kept my head up and my confidence high.

The Director of Marketing instructed me to sit down at the table, a kitchen table. Four other girls were sitting at the table, also waiting to be interviewed. How should I put this?  I was a tad-bit over-dressed. One girl at the end of the table could not have been older than 18, and the girl sitting across from me looked like she was ready to hit 6th Street.

The group interview was just awkward. At the end, there were contracts for each of us to fill out and turn in.  The first page was fairly standard, but the second page was just weird.  It asked for my weight, height, hair color, eye color and cup size – yes you read that right.  I quickly added everything together and realized that I wasn’t interviewing for a marketing position that came with an oak desk.  I was interviewing to be a promo girl that goes to bars asking if you want a free Coors Light.  Not exactly my dream job.

I left without looking back, after first filling out the form (hey, I’m desperate). While this was one of my most unique job interviews, it wasn’t a complete waste of time.  I know how much beer girls make and what the job entails, so if you’re interested in learning the ins and outs, just ask.  After that interview it was back to the drawing board for me.

Follow me on Twitter @LaurenMPhillips.

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On Feb. 2, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee that he has served with homosexuals since 1968. “I cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens.”

In the same hearing, Defense Secretary Robert Gates made clear that any change to the policy would not happen quickly.  A Pentagon review, which can take up to a year, has been ordered to study how allowing gays to serve openly will affect the cohesion and capabilities of the military. But during the review and Congressional debate, the military will discourage third parties from outing gay members.

At the time the law went into effect in 1993, President Clinton wanted to allow gays to openly serve in the military, but he was met with dissonance from Congress and the military.  As a compromise, he came up with DADT.  The “don’t tell” part prohibits anyone who demonstrates homosexual behavior from serving in the military. The “don’t ask” part precludes officers from investigating service members’ orientation as long as they are acting in accordance with military rules.

According to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, 13,500 gays have been discharged from the military under DADT. It is estimated that another 60,000 homosexuals are still currently serving in the armed forces.

While the military is signaling the time may be right to repeal the long-standing policy, Republicans have vowed to fight against any change. And they certainly left no doubt about their position during the hearing. In particular, Sen. John McCain of Arizona said he was “deeply disappointed” by Gates’ “clearly biased” not-if-but-when comments. He added that while the policy isn’t perfect, the repeal would only increase the military’s stress while fighting two wars.

Interestingly, in 2006, McCain had noted his willingness to change the policy if Pentagon leaders called for the repeal.  McCain specifically mentioned that he would listen to Gen. Colin Powell, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under Clinton, on the issue of whether to end DADT.

In response to the apparent reversal of his earlier position, a spokeswoman for McCain said the senator thought Mullen wasn’t speaking on behalf of the Joint Chiefs, and that he’ll listen to military leaders after the Pentagon review is finished.

The day following Gates’ and Mullen’s testimony, Powell, who opposed Clinton’s attempt to end the ban on gay soldiers by saying it would undermine discipline and order in the military but supported DADT, released the following statement: “In the almost 17 years since the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ legislation was passed, attitudes and circumstances have changed.” He added that he fully supported the approach by Gates and Mullen.

And Powell’s not alone. A June 2009 Gallup Poll showed that 78 percent of respondents aged 18 to 29 are in favor of allowing openly gay soldiers to serve in the military. The same poll showed that 58 percent of Republicans favored repealing DADT.

In the end, the shift among military leaders and the public may encourage Republicans to reconsider their opposition.  What happens after the Pentagon review is completed and there is an official plan for acknowledging gays in the military? At that point, Republicans, along with Democrats, may vote to make Generation Y soldiers the first to serve side-by-side with their openly gay compatriots.

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Indeed, these legal actions came on the heels of an ABC News/Washington Post poll from Jan. 18 that showed 81 percent of respondents support the idea of legalizing medical marijuana, up from a sizable 69 percent in 1997. Further, 56 percent said that if allowed, doctors should be able to prescribe medical marijuana to anyone they think it can help.

For most of the country, and the federal government, marijuana is considered a Schedule I drug alongside substances such as heroin, PCP, and LSD. Schedule I drugs are among the most restrictive as they have a high potential for abuse and no medical applications. The classification means that medical marijuana is illegal under federal law, but in October the Obama administration set forth a new policy calling on federal officials to not prosecute medical marijuana users who comply with state laws.

This move was probably not too shocking, coming from the administration of a man who admitted to smoking marijuana as a teenager. What is shocking is that less than one month later, the American Medical Association called for the review of the classification of the drug as unsafe and medically unpractical. In its statement, the association, which represents 250,000 physicians, urged the federal government to reevaluate the substance for medical purposes by conducting further clinical research. The association also stressed the new policy should not be read as promoting the legalization of marijuana, the medicinal use of marijuana or the implementation of “state-based medical cannabis programs.”

“Despite more than 30 years of clinical research, only a small number of randomized, controlled trials have been conducted on smoked cannabis,” Dr. Edward Langston, an AMA board member, said in a statement. He further noted that the limited number of studies was  “insufficient to satisfy the current standards for a prescription drug products.”

While proponents of medical marijuana use welcome the AMA’s support, many point to the fact that since California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996, dozens of studies have been published preaching its benefits for some patients.

“The AMA always takes the position that there needs to be more research,” said Paul Armentano, deputy director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). “We know more about marijuana than the foods we eat, than prescription drugs.

“It’s a continuation of cultural battles that go back many, many decades in this country,” Armentano continued. “When marijuana prohibition initially began, the initiatives for it [were] clearly based on racial bias. That racial bias has been replaced with a cultural or stereotypical bias [rather than science], which maintains the continuation of prohibition today.”

In states allowing marijuana for medicinal purposes, the laws clearly state that not just anyone having a bad day qualifies to use the drug. Typically, users must be suffering from cancer, glaucoma, positive HIV/AIDS status and chronic, debilitating diseases or medical conditions that result in wasting syndrome, severe or chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures, or severe and persistent muscle spasms.

But the future seems bright for proponents of legalized marijuana, and not just for medicinal purposes. A Gallup poll conducted in October showed an 8 percent increase in support of the legalization of marijuana from 2005 to 2009. Trends suggest that the escalating endorsements originate from women, 18-49 year olds, Democrats, liberals and moderates.

To date, about two dozen states, including Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, are introducing or considering legislation ranging from allowing medical marijuana use to decriminalizing possession of small amounts of the herb.

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Obama updates Haitian relief efforts (Photo by: whitehouse.gov)

On Jan. 12, Haiti was struck by a magnitude 7 earthquake, the largest the country has experienced in over 200 years. The epicenter of the earthquake was within 10 miles of the country’s capital, Port-au-Prince. The Red Cross has estimated that the quake will affect at least 3 million Haitians. Haiti has a total population of around 9 million and is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere.

In the days following the earthquake, Haiti has received aid from organizations all over the world.  International governments, including the United States, have been offering help of all kinds.  President Obama has promised Haitians they will have the “full support of the United States.”

Worldwide, millions of Internet users have been calling on one another to donate money to the relief fund.  Donations via text message alone have already raised over $10 million.

Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and other social media outlets are serving as real-time news sources as more information on the disaster emerges.  On Twitter, trending topics such as #Haiti and #HelpHaiti have remained at the top of the list since the quake. “Trending topics” are the most talked about pieces of information on Twitter at any given time. The Top 10 topics are displayed on every Twitter user’s homepage at all times, encouraging users to see what everyone else is talking about and contribute to the discussion.

Wyclef Jean, popular singer and Haitian, is using his Twitter account (@Wyclef) to update Twitter users about Yéle Haiti, which he created in 2005 to spread awareness about his home country. He is currently using the site as a vehicle to receive donations.

Even CNN is tracking happenings in Haiti through Twitter and other social media, writing stories about the latest in the devastated country based on eye-witness accounts posted on Twitter.

But an article on Mashable, purveyor of all things social media, reminds Internet users that social media can make us aware of what’s happening in disaster areas, but it can’t actually fix the problems. That’s up to the people.

For more of Jordan’s takes on national issues and politics, follow her on Twitter @ygenoutloud.

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In these tough job-hunting times, everyone could use some advice, a sounding board, and definitely a laugh. That’s why I’m here. Through this column, I will share my life experiences in the world of unemployment, since I am, well unemployed. It’s been eight months and counting since I had a stable, full-time job with benefits and insurance.

But before I get into talking about my struggle to find gainful employment, let me start by introducing myself. My name is Lauren Phillips, and I am a 25-year-old graduate of The University of Texas who still resides in Austin. I graduated with a degree in English and a minor in Communication. Sometime in the spring of my junior year I fell in love with the world of radio. I was lucky enough to stay there until recently when I was let go because of budget cuts, something I’m sure some of you are very familiar with.

I started out my radio career as an intern for a top station in Austin. I moved quickly to the promotions and marketing department as a part-time employee. Soon after, I was promoted to full time and was happy!  I loved that department and really felt as though I had found my niche. I had one more promotion and thought this is where I would stay.

But then came the ever popular (dun, dun, DUN) budget cuts, and that pretty much sums up where I am today.

Don’t get me wrong. I am in no way upset or bitter towards my former employers – sad yes, but not angry. It is a hard thing to deal with, but it makes you stronger in the end. I am not going to lie – I did shut down for a while just to get my thoughts straight and to clear my head, which I think is much needed when someone for the first time becomes one of the unemployed masses.

With all that said, I plan to use this column to describe and explain what I have been through these past eight months (and maybe more as the column goes on), with a liberal dose of sarcasm and humor thrown in. With any luck, my adventures will make it easier for you to cope and know that you’re not alone in the unemployment boat. And I want to hear from you, about your travails through the laid off land mine, in the hope that we can learn from each other as we work to become full-time employees!

Follow me on Twitter @LaurenMPhillips.

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Well, here’s your opportunity. Zynga, the company responsible for two of the most popular Facebook apps, is teaming up with Hidden Agenda to sponsor a contest for individuals or teams of up to eight full-time undergraduate or graduate students to create a fun way for high schoolers to learn.

Children across the country are falling through the cracks of the education system. Unfortunately, many school districts lack the resources needed to educate their students while others limit their students by using only traditional methods of teaching, which can leave many children behind.

Hidden Agenda, a nonprofit foundation based in Austin, Texas, seeks to rectify this problem.  Established in 2003, the foundation was originally designed to facilitate the development of educational online video games.

“Everyone has the right to a great education,” said Lauren Davis, executive director of Hidden Agenda. “But so few people are getting it, whether it’s for socioeconomic reasons or learning methods. Education is the number one thing that leads to success. We can use technology to keep kids engaged and to help them learn.”

That initial year, Hidden Agenda started the first contest for educational video game development when it asked college students around the country to work throughout the school year to build the best games possible for middle school students. The prize, $25,000 cash, was awarded for the most educational, entertaining, and innovative video game.

Since then, winners have included Elemental, a game similar to Tetris where players combine elements in various ways that educate them about the periodic table, and AlebraAracade, where players make their way through a maze while collecting numbers and symbols that help them solve puzzles in order to win points.

This year, Hidden Agenda decided to switch platforms, moving to where their audience hangs out the most.

“We’ve always been ahead of the curb,” Davis said. “And we are trying to stay that way. Kids are spending more time on Facebook. We want to stay current and connect with them.”

Davis also believes that by joining forces with Zynga, the contest should entice more applicants who might soon be looking for jobs. Zynga is providing the $25,000 cash award as well as serving as an advisor.

“Zynga is always looking for the top talent at universities,” Davis said. “They are growing rapidly and this is a great opportunity [for applicants] to display [their] work.”

In the past, participants have been allowed to choose their school subject. This year, however, the subject will be chosen through a vote of the people. The only requirement is that it’s a high school subject in every state in the union. You can vote on the discussion board from now through Dec. 15, when Hidden Agenda will announce the official subject.  Applications are due Jan. 15.  A panel, including representatives from Zynga and Hidden Agenda as well as students and teachers, will select the winner.

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The H1N1 influenza is a respiratory illness with symptoms that mirror those of the seasonal flu, including fever over 100 degrees, sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose, chills and fatigue, body aches, headaches, and occasionally vomiting and diarrhea. To prevent the disease, the CDC recommends coughing into a tissue, washing hands frequently, avoiding hand contact with eyes, nose and mouth, and avoiding contact with sick people or those believed to be sick.

Since higher-education institutions may act as a “point of spread,” the CDC has provided universities and colleges with an H1N1 tool-kit, which urges faculty, students and staff to stay in their homes, dormitories or residence halls for 24 hours after the fever subsides. It also asks faculty to increase student awareness of influenza.

The most effective measure a person can take is to get vaccinated, and soon that should be easier to do.  Currently, there are nearly 70 million doses available throughout the country, Frieden said. Unfortunately, that’s not enough to vaccinate everyone at risk, which also includes children and those of any age with underlying health conditions such as diabetes and asthma.

The backorder is due to the lengthy time period that the bacteria needs to fully culture, Frieden said. In the coming weeks, though, there should be more vaccines available for at risk individuals.

But more vaccines won’t necessarily translate to vaccinations for 18- to 24-year-olds. So far, state health departments have primarily targeted pregnant women and children before opening the vaccinations up to healthy college students and other groups at risk, said Carrie Williams, spokeswoman for the Texas Department of State Health Services.

“At this point, we haven’t allocated any vaccines to any schools,” Williams said. “We’re focusing the limited amount to the providers focusing on high-priority groups. Once [the vaccine] opens up, we’re going to give out more.”  A date hasn’t been set for when the vaccine will be available to all individuals.

It’s easy for healthy people to dismiss the CDC’s recommendations as an overreaction, but this disease should not be ignored. It has reached pandemic level, leading President Obama in October to declare the H1N1 virus a national emergency. And from August 30 to November 21, 29,348 people were hospitalized and 1,224 had died from the virus.

The flu season lasts until May, and at this point, researchers are unsure as to why people ages 24 and under are most affected by the disease.

“Flu viruses are very complicated organisms, and this particular strain has only been in circulation since April,” said Jeffrey Dimond, CDC spokesperson. “The initial efforts of scientists went toward creating a vaccine against it, which was done in record time. Now scientists can begin looking into the particulars of the virus-including why it seems to strike younger people more readily.”

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However, that was not the case earlier this month in Tangipahoa Parish just outside New Orleans, where Justice of the Peace Keith Bardwell refused to marry an interracial couple.

Beth Humphrey, 30, and Terence McKay, 32, decided to marry elsewhere and have since hired a private lawyer and filed a discrimination lawsuit against the judge. Additionally, the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana has insisted on an official investigation by the state’s Judicial Commission to have the judge dismissed from his gubernatorial-appointed position.

“What has come out of [this] is a clear signal that [Bardwell's] attitudes are no longer acceptable, and that [the younger generation] expects and demands better,” said Marjorie R. Esman, executive director of the Louisiana chapter of the ACLU.

Despite the overwhelming outrage and calls for his resignation, Bardwell has refused to step down.

“He’s not stepping down because he believes he hasn’t done anything wrong,” said Zach Schreiber, president of Tulane University’s chapter of the ACLU. “He was brought up by his parents, and they have the same values. His parents have taught him this, and no one has taught him any differently.”

Bardwell’s actions have served as a reminder that racism and bigotry still exist, said Danatus N. King, president of the New Orleans branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Despite these claims, the judge has asserted that he is not a racist, and he stands by his actions.

Humphrey and McKay were not the first couple to whom Justice Bardwell denied a marriage license. In his 34 years as a judge, Bardwell estimates he has refused to marry about four interracial couples, all in the past 2 1/2 years. He believes that children from these couples would not fit into either race’s societal structures and would, therefore, suffer.

“What he has done and has done several times is a racist act,” Schreiber said. “He’s a government official, although I’m sure his constituents don’t care. There are problems with Louisiana, especially in the parishes outside of big cities, with racism. I don’t know all about that parish, but if they did care about what was going on, I would believe that there would be some sort of action taken against him.”

Esman acknowledged the racial differences and issues that linger in Louisiana but also spoke of the public’s ability to recognize “that it’s not supposed to be that way.” Aside from affirming that Bardwell’s actions were illegally improper, Esman believed the judge’s concerns were unjustified.

“Even if his concerns are justified, he doesn’t have the authority to impose his judgments on children that don’t exist yet,” she said. “He doesn’t make those determinations on anyone else. It’s patently ridiculous to say that children of mixed race don’t succeed, when obviously the president [has].”

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(Photo by: guimby on Flickr)

The great health insurance debate has been raging since the 2008 primaries. For the most part, legislative leaders aren’t arguing about whether reform is needed, but about how to do it. But in this war of words between Democrats and Republicans, it is hard to distinguish fact from fiction. Below are 10 terms you need to know when following the health insurance reform debate.

1. Public Option

The public option refers to government-run health coverage that would be similar to Medicare. The public option would not be mandatory. Individuals covered by the public option would be able to choose their doctors. The public option would not set plan prices for all insurance companies. Those who oppose the public option worry that it may force private insurers out of business if its prices are too low.

2. Pre-Existing Conditions

A pre-existing condition is any health condition or illness that individuals had prior to their first day of initial coverage on a new plan, including pregnancy. An insurer does not have to provide coverage for a pre-existing condition. Insurers have been accused of stretching the definition of pre-existing conditions to avoid paying for costly procedures. If health coverage becomes mandatory for all individuals, insurers will no longer be able to deny coverage on the basis of pre-existing conditions.

3. “Death Panels”

“Death panels” is a term used to describe rumors surrounding Medicare reform that would cover appointments with doctors to discuss living wills and other issues dealing with the end of life. The government will not be able to determine whether or not someone is worthy of health care. Reform will not require seniors to undergo counseling on how to end their lives sooner.

4. Health Care Co-Operatives

A health care cooperative, or co-op, is a member-owned system that offers a network of health care providers or contracts out for medical services. Co-ops are not for profit. There are currently co-ops in the United States that successfully provide medical care for their members. Co-ops are being offered as an alternative to a public option in some health reform bills.

5. Medicare

Medicare is a federal program that provides health care for people aged 65 and older and people with certain disabilities. Medicare benefactors have already benefited from reform. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Montana, negotiated a deal with the pharmaceutical industry this summer that created medication discounts for seniors.

6. Medicaid

Medicaid is a government program that provides health care for low-income individuals and families. It is administered by the states. Medicaid does not give money to individuals. Payments are instead sent straight to the health providers. Health insurance reform could change who is eligible for Medicaid.

7. Sen. Baucus’ Plan

Sen. Baucus drafted this bill which passed the Senate Finance Committee on Oct. 13. The Baucus Plan would require individuals to have health insurance or pay an annual penalty that would vary by income. Medicaid eligibility would be expanded to include everyone with an income up to 133 percent of the poverty line. Employers would not be required to provide insurance, but they would have to reimburse the government for the tax credits used to help individuals buy their own insurance. The plan does not include a public option, but instead calls for health co-ops.

8. Senate HELP Committee Plan

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee’s Plan would require individuals to have health insurance. Those who do not would be subject to a tax penalty. The plan would set up state gateways, which would certify participating insurers and provide enrollment in Medicaid. Medicaid would be expanded to include everyone with an income up to 150 percent of the poverty line. A public option would be created through the state gateways.

9. House Tri-Committee Plan

The House Tri-Committee Plan would require individuals to have health insurance or pay a 2 percent income tax that could not exceed the national average of health care premiums. A National Health Insurance Exchange would be created to offer four levels of benefits. A public option would be created through the exchange, but would only be available to people without coverage. Medicaid would be expanded to include everyone with an income up to 133 percent of the poverty line. Employers would be required to offer insurance. Employers would also be required to pay for 72 percent of individual premium costs or pay 8 percent into the exchange. Small businesses would be exempt.

10. House GOP Plan

House Republicans have created their own health insurance plan, but have yet to file a bill. The plan does not require individuals to have coverage. There would be no public option. State health care exchanges would be encouraged, but not required. Medicare and Medicaid would not be expanded, but beneficiaries would be able to transfer their coverage to another plan if it is better suited to them.

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