What a Week We're Having

This has been a jam packed news weeks! We have seen it all this week. Here is a run down of some of the top news headlines (in no particular order).

Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA):  This week DOMA was ruled unconstitutional by the US Supreme Court.  DOMA was a law barring the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage as legal.  Basically it stopped same-sex married couples from receiving the same legal rights and benefits as opposite sex couples.  DOMA was first signed in 1996 by President Bill Clinton.  On Wednesday The U. S. Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 vote that DOMA is unconstitutional. 

Paula Dean:  Celebrity Chef Paula Deen came under fire after admitting to using racial slurs.  After the admission people were outraged.  Ms. Deen took to the internet for some damage control.  She posted two videos apologizing to her fans.  As it turns out the videos really didn’t do much.  Shortly after posting those videos on YouTube Food Network announced they will not be renewing Paula Deen’s contract.  Shortly after that her sponsors started dropping like flies! She was released by Smithfield Foods, Target, Home Depot and Walmart….just to name a few.  In a last ditch effort she went on the Today show to plead for forgiveness.  Watch the interview below:

Aaron Hernandez: Former tight end for the New England Patriots was arrested and charged with first degree murder. Odin Lloyed, was found dead less than a mile from Hernandez’s home. After more than a week of police searching his home Hernandez was taken into custod and charged with first degree murder along with five gun related charges. On Thursday June 27 he went for his bail hearing; he was denied bail.  Thursday evening police were back at the Hernandez home search for evidence connected to a different murder investigation.  Aaron Hernandez is now a person of interest in an unsolved double murder in Boston last July. 

   

Boston Marathon Bombing Suspect Dzokhar Tsarnaev Indicted:  Accused Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzohar Tsanaev was formerly indicted.  Thursday night the 31 page indictment was released.  Dzokhar and his brother Tamerlan are the people thought to be responsible for setting off the bombs at the finish line of The Boston Marathon.  Three people were killed and many more injured.  While running from the police they killed an MIT police officer.  Tamerlan was also killed in a shootout while they were trying to flee police.  Dzokhar is in prison.  The indictment details the charges citing that Dzokhar is punishable by death penalty.  

Tamerlan (L) & Dzokhar (R)

Mitzvah of the Week!

Mikey & Harris Stolzenberg

 I have decided to do a Mitzvah of the week each week. To put it simply a Mitzvah is a good deed.  There is kindness in the world and I think it only serves us to display it for all to see.

I was watching the news this morning and they did a story about two brothers, Michael "Mikey" & Harris Stolzenberg, in Florida who started a foundation called Mikeys Run.  They started the foundation to help people who lost limbs in the Boston Marathon bombings. They hope to raise $1 million.

Mikey, 13, lost all of his limbs due to a bacterial infection. However, Mikey still leads a very full, very active life playing football and lacrosse. Mikey & Harris wanted to start the foundation in hopes of helping marathon amputees live an active life like he does!  

Mikey's brother Harris, 18, got the shock of his life when he answered the phone to none other than Oprah Winfrey.  Oprah called in and donated $100,000 to their foundation. 

These boys are such an inspiration! They embody the true meaning of the word Mitzvah. 

It only seems right that that this be two fold Mitvah! A Mitzvah for Oprah for highlighting two amazing kids and their cause! And a Mitzvah for Mikey & Harris Stozenberg for being such amazing people!

Oprah Winfrey