The God-given human right to drink... Water.

Everyday I tote a reusable water bottle to school, so that I can refill it at any water fountain and avoid the cost of paying for a bottle of water. I often find myself saying, "Why pay for water? It's free." You need water to live, so it should be free, right?

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In the United Nations, the answer to that is no. Instead of water being a fundamental right to life, it is an economic commodity. Why? Because it's a scarce resource that has "economic value in all its competing uses," says The Dublin Statement on Water and Sustainable Development arguing for water as a commodity.

But, countries are fighting for safe water everyday. Does the fight need to be even more difficult? Is it bad to want a refreshing bath or a sip to wet our whistles? We only get one body and one life, so we might as well take care of them. It's as simple as having a wet cloth and a cup of water.

Of course, something as simple as a human right is not always that simple. The UN doesn't see the right to water as a human right... even though, as humans, we need water. Hmmm, interesting.

As for our free country,“[t]he United States does not oppose any government adopting a national right to water or sanitation as part of its own domestic policy. We do, however, have concerns with a statement that would require all countries to adopt a national right to water or sanitation or would establish an international right to water or sanitation," said Andy Laine, State Department spokesman at the 2009 World Water Forum.

I still don't understand how the universal human rights we were all given at birth aren't universal anymore especially when it comes to sustaining life. What changed?

Worldwide organizations like UNICEF and The Water Project work to provide countries with safe water. Luckily, there's a force fighting for our rights.

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A lady deserves to be treated like a lady

Men have heard the phrase, women live by the phrase, and I believe every part of it to be true.

Unfortunately, there are some people roaming around this world who don't share the same sentiment. As awful as it is to hear about it, sexual assault happens, abusive relationships exist, and human trafficking is still an ongoing problem. It can happen inside homes and college campuses. It can happen to your mother, your sister or your best friend.




It's not always obvious or easy to spot. It even happens to the "IT" couple that seems to be in lover's paradise. We saw it happen between Chris Brown and Rihanna, the celebrity couple that seemed to be in a very happy relationship...



...Until it was very publicly announced that Brown committed an act of domestic violence against Rihanna in 2009.



Heartbreaking, isn't it? Chris Brown was such a cutie and he's really talented. It's a shame to see what people can do.

Violence against women occurs everyday at the hands of someone else.

I honestly feel like there is no way to ever understand why actions like these even exist; however, they do. I hope you want this violence to stop just as much as I do, so I decided to bring this subject to light because a few weeks ago, I was given an assignment to write a news release concerning sex crimes on college campuses. After doing a little more research, I found things that I always knew before, but never realized how serious these facts needed to be taken.

For instance, in the case of sexual assault, many victims blame themselves for what happened causing them not to report the crime. Some victims fail to truly understand the legal definition of rape and therefore fail to report the crime.

What we wish these victims knew, and what we want them to know, is that this is never their fault.

Unfortunately, authorities aren't able to handle the few reported crimes as well as they can because the number of reported crimes is, sadly, very low. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center reports that one in five women are victims of domestic violence, and only about 20 percent of these cases are reported. Authorities haven't had very many chances to improve their procedures.

So, as of Sept. 29, the government decided to take this matter a little more seriously. The United States Senate is amidst efforts to tackle violence against women according to the Human Rights Watch website.

The website also says that efforts will include "increased legal and judicial protections against violence against women, strengthened health services to respond to such violence, increased educational and economic opportunities for women, and changes to social norms that perpetuate violence against women."

This can help. If seriously enacted, this WILL help. This sort of behavior shouldn't be the result of a "social norm." And if it is, what kind of society are we to think that perpetuating this sort of violence is normal?

This could happen to anyone. It could be your mother, your sister, or your best friend. It can even happen to men. Although I am focusing on violence against women, it can happen to anyone, and no one deserves this kind of treatment. Period.

Serbia calls for tolerance and end to discrimination

Today, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community marched in Belgrade Pride 2010.

Proof that tolerance is far from being achieved, this march took place in central Belgrade one day after nationalist organizations called the government to ban Belgrade Pride 2010.

More than 1,000 people came together to be with friends, express solidarity and stand together against discrimination. Among them were activists from Amnesty International and other international organizations, European Union ambassadors, Serbian politicians and representatives from the Serbian civil society.

“The parade is great. So many people have come! And most importantly, government members have expressed their support for the event and they are here with us today," said Boban Stojanovic, one of the organizers of the event.

Police surrounded them as well suffering the wrath of extremists. Stones and explosives were hurled, injuring many police officers.

“The authorities are reaping the results of their policies,” said Majda Puaca, one of Serbia's LGBT activists, reminding us that although there were government members at the event, the LGBT community is still offered little support.

Judging from marches in the past, there might be hope for Serbia.

“In the beginning it was the same in the Baltic countries, too much violence and too many police to protect us. Gradually, both the police and society in general started to accept us and our demands as well. I am sure the same will happen in Serbia" said Linda Freimane, a member of the Latvian LGBT organization Mozaika and veteran of marches against discrimination.