Oakland Globe

East Bay Teams Look to Leave Oakland

By: Brian Melendez

SFGate.com published a story about the Raiders, A’s and Warriors teams that are fighting to get a new stadium whether is it in Oakland or across the bridge.

However, a group of loyal fans, led by Jim Zelinski, want to keep them in Oakland.

Zelinski believes these Oakland based teams are important aspects of the Bay Area, “These franchises are not civic treasures for Oakland, but for the whole East Bay.” He continued, “The effort needs to include the entire East Bay.”

At the moment, the Raiders and the A’s aren’t doing as well. The A’s are ranked last in the rank with a 52% of home attendances while the Raiders have a league rank of 29 out of 32 with a 94% home attendance. Despite that, the teams still want move to another city if Oakland doesn’t give them a new stadium.

On the other hand, the Warriors are doing well in comparison with a 96% home attendance and a league rank of 10^th of 30. However, the big question is, is it isn’t too late to keep them in Oakland?

“We knew they have been looking at San Francisco, but we thought we slowed them down for a moment with Staples on Steroids,” said Oakland Major Jean Quan.

My opinion is that now that the Warriors had been looking at San Francisco they should move there and let the A’s and the Raiders stay in Oakland with the help of all the East Bay fans like Jim Zelinski. The East Bay should try to at least consider constructing a new stadium or renovate the Oracle coliseum that has been around 1966.

FDA Approves First HIV Take-Home Test

By: Mike Johnson

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which causes AIDS, has plagued American society for the last 40 years.

Millions have died from this disease and millions more will soon realize that they are now apart of a sad cycle that continues to harm our civilization.

There hasn’t been a cure for the disease yet, but there are treatments available to help fight the deadly virus.

On July 3^rd, 2012 the Food and Drug Administration approved the first take home HIV test to be sold at local pharmacy or supermarket starting in October. The name of the test is OraQuick, and it provides results in less than 30 minutes by locating antibodies through a swab of the gums.

The LA Times reports that of the 1.2 million people in the U.S. with HIV, 1 in 5 are not aware of the infection. Dr. Karen Midthun, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said, “Knowing your status is an important factor in the effort to prevent the spread of HIV.”

With the FDA’s approval of the take home test, many will reap the benefit of being able to be in the comfort of their own home and find out their results. This can potentially help prevent the spread of the deadly virus by those who are infected being more aware of their situation, thus making the ultimate decision to live and maintain a healthier lifestyle. If we as individuals first would stand up for our own health, then we as a united nation can comfort one another regardless of race, gender, or health issues.

Same-Sex Marriage off the Menu at Conservative Restaurant Chain

By: Mike Johnson

Religious values and a simple opinion offended millions when Dan Cathy, Chick-fil-A’s president told the Baptist Press that he opposes gay marriage. 

His opposition comes from his religious belief: that God does not approve of same-sex marriage.

Since 1967 Chick-fil-A has vowed to remain closed on Sundays, as a symbol of faith and obedience, which is another practice of those who follow the order of God, and the Bible.

When Cathy appeared on a radio show for an interview he stated “I think we are inviting God’s judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at him and say, ‘we know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage.” 

This statement didn’t just piss off gay-rights advocates, but also politicians and past business partners of Chick-fil-A.

In further public reaction to the company’s stance on gay marriage, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said to Cathy in a letter “There is no place for discrimination on Boston’s Freedom Trail and no place for your company alongside it.”

Along with Menino’s repulsion, the SF Gate reported that the Jim Henson Company announced they were pulling their toys from the kid’s meal at Chick-fil-A.

Regardless of race, gender, or sexual preference, I think everyone should be treated equally. Not to say that Chick-fil-A’ president Cathy was right or in the wrong for what he said, but there’s a time and a place for everything. I do agree with the Bible’s teaching that marriage should be between a man and woman but I don’t discriminate against gays for their beliefs. I think we as humans should look at each other as equals and focus on problems that we can control and let God handle the ones that we can’t.

In addition to Cathy’s opinion or those who oppose it, one should focus on what makes them happy.