My Mental Block....

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Bless Me Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya: Chapters 13-16

    My favorite Christmas present? The gift of literature and forced blogging! Merry Christmas everyone, but now, back to the book. A lot a lot a lot of things happened between chapters 13 and 16.
    Within these chapters, Antonio struggles with his faith, and cannot understand divine justice (or the lack there of).  "But why had the new god, the golden carp, chosen also to punish people? The old God already did that. Drowning or burning, the punishment was all the same." Antonio questions why a god must punish at all; why can't they just forgive? Often within the book Antonio goes to the Virgin Mary rather than God or the golden carp. This is most likely because he views her as such a forgiving and divine being. Antonio later suffers from an internal conflict; the ignorant and innocent Antonio, who wishes forgiveness upon all, and the Antonio that is more aware of the world's realities, who wishes forgiveness for some and vengeance for other. After Tenorio gets away with the murder of Narciso, Antonio is cursed with the burden of new knowledge. This is the knowledge of evil. In Antonio's dream he pleads with God to forgive his brothers and Narciso, but to punish Tenorio. God tells Antonio he will forgive Narciso if he also pleads for the forgiveness of Tenorio. When the Virgin Mary offers to forgive both Antonio, now less innocent and less forgiving, protests it vigorously. "You would have a God who forgives all, but when it comes to your personal whims you seek punishment for your vengeance. You would have my mother rule my heavens, you would send all sinners to her for forgiveness, but you would also have her taint her hands with the blood of vengeance!" I believe Antonio's dreams (and conscience) are forcing him to realize that he can either forgive, or he can condemn; he can't pick and choose. Choosing to forgive would be a way of maintaining his innocence, while seeking vengeance would make him no better than Tonorio.
      The snow day/play is by far the most entertaining. Anaya's writing is simply hilarious. The whole play seems believable! But the play is not the part of the chapter I want to talk about.  When Ultima warns "Take care of the evil in the wind," you just KNOW something big is brewing. The death of Narciso...........I love Narciso, why do all of my favorite characters always die? Unlike Tony's uncles (who did not go to warn Ultima previously of Tenorio's threat) Narciso is loyal to an extreme. "The Ilano bred and sustained me, it can bury me."...wow. So much wisdom from 'the town drunk', do you not see why I love him so much? Narciso was the voice of reason that was never taken heed of. He just got it. Tenorio's cowardice vengeance put a stop to his act of bravery, and ended his life. His body lies under the juniper tree, his blood soaks the Ilano, and his loyalty forever belongs to Ultima. "He was a big and wild man; he drank and cursed like most men do, but he was a good man."
      Antonio suddenly believes his innocence has been lost. When he discovers his brother Andrew at Rosie's Antonio is reminded of a previous dream: all of his brothers are walking into Rosie's, but Andres does not enter, and tells Tony he will not enter until he loses his innocence....so has Antonio already lost his innocence? "Had I already lost my inocence? How? I had seen Lupito murdered...I had seen Ultima's cure...I had seen the men come to hang her...I had seen the awful fight just now...I had seen and reveled in the beauty of the golden carp!...How had I sinned?" Antonio has seen many things, and the things that have put a toll on his innocence are all things he has seen, not the things he has done. "I had seen evil, and so I carried the evil within me." Antonio has seen and knows more than most children have at his age. Knowledge destroys his childhood, knowledge takes from him his innocence because as one gains knowledge of the world, one also fathoms all the evils within it. Like Tenorio said, " Ay cabroncito , your curse is that you know too much." Just like the land of the Ilano, Antonio has lost his innpcence by fault of his own. His father tried to keep his land holy, but evil invaded it. Men came to murder, blood soaked its grounds, and the Ilano was no longer pure. Marez and the giants built their castle on the hill, and the giants abondoned it. In Antonio's dream "The wicked people burned our castle on the hill." Everything they worked for, everything they faught for, everything that was safe and innocent to his family, is going to be taken by the evil in his world. This is th knowledge of reality.

Predictions: The brothers won't come back (thank god). Ultima will die but also will Tenorio. I believe Antonio's Luna uncles will have knowledge that Ultima's saftey is in jeopardy, but will once again show cowardice and not warn them. 

Behind North Korea's Tears

     Now you may have heard thaat recently the North Korean leader, Kim Jong, has died. You also may have seen the video of hundreds of citezans flooding the capital and wailing. It's a chorus of weeping, an unorganized display of emotional loss...or is it? According the Bradley Martin, author of "Behind North Korea's Tears" seems to feel that it was organized, or at least not genuine. He makes several good points, such as; koreans have been known to be emotional demonstrative even when the most cruel and self centered rulers passes away, the mourners were in the captial where usually only well off officials live, and that they wept just simply due to fear of punishment. After the death of a previous leader, “Most of the mourners were crying because they had been brainwashed by Kim Il Sung’s personality cult,” according to Hwang. “But there was also the fact that anything other than mourning was not allowed.” Personally, after watching the video I'll admit, some of it did seem a little eccentric and hard to believe, but more so did I feel a true genuine desperation from the mourners. They may not have liked the man, but now they have to seriously contemplate the future of North Korea. Sort of a Pochahontas "where do I go from here" kind of moment. While some observers and the author of this article may believe it was just a well-rehearsed display, I think there is some truth behind the tears. 

to read more on article >>> n. korea's tears <<<

Woman Burned Alive in Brooklyn Elevator

       I'ts sad, very sad that any human being would do this to another. Sad that they could do this. Sad that they had no probable cause other than curiosity and the want to inflict pain on others. This is hard to get through, this blog, this sentence, this word. This will not be like my other posts. Do you ever just want to scream at the whole world? Scream that they don't understand, that they don't get it, that they are wrong? I cannot even fathom the ways of this world, but then again, I suppose no one can. Saturday, a man dressed as an exterminator rode an elevator to the fith floor in a local apartment complex. That same day, 64 year old Doris Gillesby also rode the elevator up to her apartment on the fifth floor after a quick trip to the groceries. He approaches the woman, then mathodically douses her from head to toe with an accelerant. The footage from the camera in the elevator shows Doris cowering, with shopping bags hanging from her wrists. "Having cornered the woman in the elevator, the man struggles to light a barbecue lighter. He then ignites a Molotov cocktail — a wine or Champagne bottle filled with accelerant with a rag stuffed in its neck. He retreats and comes back again, spraying more liquid on his victim. And suddenly the silent video goes white with a conflagration in the small space: the woman, on fire." If that doesn't make you sick, than I doubt your humanity.
    The author of this article,  Al Baker, was disturbingly clear. Painfully honest. He stated the facts, and let the truth shake the foundation of the reader. He was blunt, and this may have shocked readers, but that was his intention. This act is hard to believe because we never like to think that our fellow human beings are capable of such atrocities, but we are...Logos, pathos, whatever, one more name in the obituaries, one more body in the morgue, one remaining question: why?

To read more on this article>>> Woman Burned Alive  <<<

Bless Me Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya: Chapters 8-12

     So, picking up from where I left off, I am still enjoying this book very much. I don't really know where to start, so I guess I'll just start at the beginning, "I do not mean the beginning that was in my dreams and the stories they whispered to me about my birth, and the people of my father and mother, and my three brothers-but the beginning that came with Ultima." ....There's a little book humor for ya.
     The departure of the giants: Anaya makes a point many times that when boys grow into men, they lose their innocence, and decide, for the first time, their own personal truths. Ultima explains to Antonio that no one can tell him what to believe, and that as he grows older he must make decisions as to what is true and to what is false, "I cannot tell you what to believe. Your father and mother can tell you, because they are your blood, but I cannot. As you grow into manhood you must find your own truths." Antonio's older brothers are at this point. It truly broke my heart when the brothers broke the news of their departure to their father. Heading off to California....without him. The man was crushed, his dream destroyed, and yet he understood his sons' decision. "The same wandering blood in his veins was in his sons. The restlessness of his blood had destroyed his dream, defeated him. " This is a minor turning point in the novel. At this point, Antonio's father no longer wants the Marez blood to win over his youngest son. "Perhaps it is true the Luna blood will win out in the end, perhaps it is better that way-" Innocence is a large theme in this book, and how it interacts and is affected with the coming of age. Many people within the book stress to Antonio the importance of innocence. His own mother told him that men learn of sin is when you become a man and lose you're innocence. His brother Andrew also tells Tonie not to grow up too fast like he and his older brothers had. Antonio's innocence and coming of age will most certainly be touched on at a later point in the novel.
     Anaya definitely makes readers think about  Ultima and her powers. Is she a witch? Where do her powers come from? Was the only reason why she was able to walk through the door and pass the test because the cross had fallen? Are all witches bad? So many questions, and really there are no answers. I don't think Anaya will ever answer these questions, that's the point. Antonio is learning that certain people have magic within them. Ultima may be a witch, but it's irrelevant. It's not what she is that matters, it's what she does. Who says there can't be good witches? (And according to one of my favorite children's book Which Witch by Eva Ibbotson, there are such things as good witches!) Ultima uses her powers for good, and should be judged accordingly, or better yet-not judged at all! There is really no comparison to be made between Ultima and the evil daughters of Tenorio.
     I knew I liked Narciso for a reason! Not only is he this awesome friendly giant who has a drunk garden, and a magical understanding of the golden carp and power inside of him... *gasp*... but he is also a good person! YAY haha. Once again he is one of the only men who uses reason and logic. I love how he completely calls out all of the farmers who followed Tenario for drinking, even though he is known ass "a drunk". He is definitely one of my favorite characters. Ahh, "the magic of Narciso,"!
     Now for the golden carp. The golden carp completely challenges Antonio's faith and shakes the foundation of his young life. His mother's God is Jesus, the Luna's god is the moon, and now the golden carp is another god Antonio has to wonder about. Antonio also learns of "the magic in people's hearts." Cico reveals to Antonio that only certain people can see the golden carp, and those people are those with magic. Samuel, Cico, Jason's Indian, Ultima, and Tonie all have that magic within them. Antonio discovering this magic, and making the decision whether to believe in the golden carp or not are steps in his coming of age.
    Predictions: I think Ultima calls Antonio "Juan" not simply because it is his middle name, but because it has something to do with his magical abilities and potential. Perhaps she is also a "Juan". Or maybe those who have the ability to see the golden carp are "juans".
                        Tenorio is going to die/be killed, but not before he harms/kills another character.
                        The river will flood....duh.
                        And, once again, I think Ultima is going to die.

As a side note, wasn't their a lot of throwing up in these chapters? "Green bile poured from his mouth...."......yummy.

Guantanamo Forever?

     It's just like the red scare all over again. The fear of communism in the 1940's-1980's is paralleled by the fear of terrorism in the present day. We live in a nation consumed by fear, and this fear is dangerous.  Fear can make people do horrible things. If we pass the National Defense Authorization Act, we will be giving up our safety, our freedom, and our basic rights as citizens. This bill will allow the government to detain ANY person even suspected of acts of terrorism and keep them for as long as they want.....don't you think that just a little too much power for any one government to have? "Due process will be a thing of the past." This Act gives the government the power to detain u.s. citizens....ON U.S. SOIL! No case, no trial, no nada. "This provision would expand the battlefield to include the United States — and hand Osama bin Laden an unearned victory long after his well-earned demise."  The bill would also further extend the ban from transfers from Guantanamo, ensuring that this morally and financially expensive symbol of detainee abuse will remain open well into the future. "Not only would this bolster Al Qaeda’s recruiting efforts, it also would make it nearly impossible to transfer 88 men (of the 171 held there) who have been cleared for release. We should be moving to shut Guantánamo, not extend it." Now it's obvious that both congress and the people want to keep this country safe, but congress is all to willing to undermine the ideals of the people when it comes to the war on terrorism. They need to remember that american ideals are assets, not "liabilities".
               The author; Charles Krulak, of the article "Guantanamo Forever?" appealed to the readers logic. He also established himself as a relatable character by identifying himself as a U.S. citizen who  is doing his small part to raise awareness about congress and this bill. He speaks as the voice of the people, " we know", 'We should be", etc. He relies heavily in logos, and provides the reader with the consequences if the bill, which elicits (or should elicit) some feeling of anger or frustration from the reader. The truth and possible threat within this article is all too real. This has happened before. The red scare, the Salem witch trials, and now...this! History does repeat its self, readers just have  to realize the pattern.  


To read more on this article >>> Guantanamo Forever <<<

Everyone Should Watch This Guy

He's a comedian, but he's right on the money. Excuse the language....

Bless Me Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya: Chapters 1-7

          Alright, here it goes. The first time in class when we were assigned this book, I couldn't help but dread to read it. It was chaos in the classroom. Students were complaining about the Spanish, others were telling them to shut up, and everyone was yelling and screaming trying to organize a reading schedule....I do not do well in hectic situations. I zoned out until the bell rang, and headed home to start the 7 chapters we needed to finish within the next week. I was  just a tad bit intimidated. With all of my classmate's negative remarks in mind, I picked up the book and began chapter one.
          7 chapters later, I feel horrible for judging the book so early!  The Spanish wasn't nearly as challenging as I thought it would be (keep in mind I am a french student). All I can say is that so far I like, and coming from me that's a huge compliment. I love flow of the words, certain passages read so dream-like. I also love the telling of events through the eyes Antonio (an impressively spiritual boy between 6 and 7).  Anaya does a nice job with building up his characters...I love how Antonio's parents are complete opposites!
          My favorite scene so far is when the men are on the bridge contemplating killing Lupito. I love how the town drunk is the one to point out "Por Dios, Hombres!' he shouted. 'Let us act like men! That is not an animal down there, that is a man." Of course the men do not listen to him, but I find it extremely ironic that the one who is probably seen throughout town as a fool is the only one who could clearly see what they plan on doing is wrong; he is the only one who sees things clearly and uses his sense.
         The "presence" of the river seems to be pretty prominent throughout the first 7 chapters, and I'm sure the author is using it as a symbol...for what I do not know....yet. Antonio's dreams are both prophetic and almost frightening...if I was a boy that age and having those dreams I would probably be afraid to sleep. I find it interesting that he always refers to his brothers as "the giants" in his dreams.
         I also love the ethical and spiritual questions Antonio poses, "But how could the blessing of Ulltima be like the whirlwind? Was the power of good and evil the same?" and the questions about Lupito's soul.
         Antonio's parents both want him to be a different man. His mother, a luna, wants him to be a man of learning or a priest, while his father, a marez, wants Antonio to follow his family, and be a free soul who wonders the land and seeks his own destiny. Only Ultima knows the destiny of young Antonio, but i found it shocking that she revealed (sadly) that Antonio would be a man of learning. I did not think he would become the man either of his parents wanted him to be, I thought he would follow Ultima, seeing that he is already so spiritual and aware of the life, soul, and presence of the things around him. Perhaps he will be a man of learning, but he may not be learning the things his mother will expect him to.
        Predictions. Ultima is going to die. Plain and simple, no use feeding around the bush. She has to, or else the story will just...idk...it just needs to happen. I feel like something tragic is going to happen to his brothers. Maybe the war changed them, maybe their family is not the same, maybe they go crazy or get hurt or whatever. Yeah that's pretty much it.
        So, Bless Me Ultima...so far so good.

My Schizophrenic Sister

              Seeing as it is national acceptance week (or whatever it's called at my school), I thought that this particular article was extremely appropriate. At my school, we pride ourselves for being accepting. We embrace students of all gender, of all race, of all sexuality, as well as the mentally impaired (down syndrome, autism, etc.), but rarely have I heard of a student with a mental disorder (such as schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, split or multi personality disorder, etc.) Never have I heard of anyone within my school having a mental or psychotic imbalance, but often have I heard students making jokes or funny references to such diseases. Yes it wrong to use the f word. Of course it wrong to use the n word. And one should never dream of using the r word, but I can guarantee that no student has ever given a second thought to making a mental disease the butt of their joke. The people plagued with these diseases are not themselves, they have no control over their illness. " That is what it is - an illness - like cancer or Alzheimer’s. It is an illness that should not be shunned or made fun of but understood and, eventually, cured." We must make an effort to understand those with mental diseases, not isolate them. Like homosexuals are born into their sexual preferences, like black people are born with their skin color, like children with autism are born into their disease, those with psychological illnesses are also, quite simply, born that way. We make such a a strong effort in our schools to make gay, lesbian, black, asian,  and white students feel accepted and safe. Should we not also make the same effort to accept and understand the psychologically impaired as we do to all the others? 

       "My schizophrenic sister" was an anonymous article I found while perusing the web. It was a very personal account of a sister who must look after and care for her newly diagnosed, but wonderfully different, schizophrenic little sister. The author employs pathos; really tugs on the heart strings. She goes into their past, and gives a very descriptive account of their special friendship, and how her sister has always been different. "I have laughed with my sister and cried for her. I have played dress-up with her and watched as she swore off dresses forever. I have flung food at her during food fights and have tried in vain to get her to drink a measly cup of water. I have hugged her and hurt her. I have told her stories and listened to the stories she mistakes for reality. I love her" She also explains the illness of schizophrenia, "The stereotypes that surround those with schizophrenia are often that the person is extremely violent and “walks around carrying a hatchet.” Schizophrenia is also often confused with multiple personality disorder, but someone with schizophrenia does not have two different people inside the head. A schizophrenic’s perception of reality gets distorted so that sometimes they hear voices or think they are a famous person, like Napoleon." She tells of how her sister, although younger, has always been braver; always ready to try new things. now that her sister is faced with this disease, the author knows that it is her turn to be brave, her turn to lead the way for her sister. "I know that I am the one who will look after my sister for the rest of her life. We have eight older siblings, but none can deal with my sister’s craziness. So, I am in for a long and difficult life, but I am not complaining. I love my sister, and along with being the craziest person I know, she is also the sweetest." This article really reinforces the 'acceptance' of others, and reminds us that we must make an effort to make all people of different races, orientations, mental restrictions, and psychological ailments feel loved and understood. I hope this encourages readers to take a step forward on the path of acceptance.

to read more on article >>>My Schizophrenic Sister <<<

Why Selling Kidneys Should Be Legal

     When you donate an organ, you are not just simply giving away something you don't really need. You are giving up a part of yourself to become a part of someone else, and ultimately; save their life. This is a selfless act, this is a testament to the altruistic qualities of mankind. And truth about organ donations; not enough people are donating.  "More than 34,000 people joined the waiting list in 2010; fewer than 17,000 received one. Thousands of people die waiting each year." Their excuses? ...'it's dangerous, it will hurt. I can't miss that time from work. I don't want to be at a disadvantage.'...Excuses, excuses, excuses. THERE ARE NO EXCUSES! Due do medical advances, donation procedures are much safer than they once were. The risk of death is about 1 in 3,000. The remaining kidney will "pick up the slack" of the missing one, so donors will be unaffected and able to do everything post surgery that they were able to do pre surgery. ANNNNNNND, on average, you will be giving someone 10 more years of life! Donating a kidney is not a crazy self-sacrifice,  "it's one of the many ways a reasonably altruistic person can help others. " "The people waiting for kidneys aren’t dying because of kidney failure; they’re dying because of our failure — without Congress’s misguided effort to ban organ sales, they would have been able to get the kidneys they desperately needed." Congress has made it illegal to compensate organ donors in fear that the rich would manipulate the poor into giving organs for money-when in reality- the poor are the ones who need the donated organs. The ban also encourages the illegal black market sale of organs to those in desperate need. this is "where desperate people do end up selling their organs, without protection, fair compensation or proper medical care." If donors were compensated fairly and legally, it would eliminate the risks of selling organs on the black market. And as a result, more donors would come foreward, leaving no patient stuck on the waiting list. 
       The author of "Why Selling Kidneys Should Be legal", Alexander Berger, employed pathos, logos, and ethos in this effective persuasive article. He established a personal opinion and credibility with readers by stating that he was an organ donor. "On Thursday, I will donate one of my kidneys to someone I’ve never met. Most people think this sounds like an over-the-top personal sacrifice. But the procedure is safe and relatively painless. I will spend three days in the hospital and return to work within a month." He is emotionally effective throughout, and ties in solid evidence where it is needed. He is logical and convicted at the same time. He is believable, level-headed, and passionate about the topic, and in my opinion, is very persuasive to his readers. When one asks him/herself why they should donate an organ, this article is screaming out the answer, "Why not?"


To read more on article >>> Why Selling Kidneys Should Be Legal <<<

DONT LOOK DOWN

One in 10 Species could Face Extinction.....

      Craaaaaaaaaazy craaaaazy things are happening to the world we live in, and to the planet we live on. "One in 10 species could face extinction by the year 2100" Whoah, whoah wait, what? One in ten? That is literally insane. Plants, animals, fungi; organisms that maintain the balance of life as we know it...could just disapear. For every action in nature, there is a reaction; a ripple effect. You remove one organisms from an ecosystem, and lo and behold, the delicate balance of that ecosystem goes out of whack. One organism is removed, then another is left without food. Another organism dies, and the organisms they once preyed upon multiply like wild fire, and consume too much of another organism. Thus the cycle repeats. What is is the cause of these terrifying predictions? Climate change. And not just any climate change; human -induced climate change. When will people realize that what we do now to our planet will come back and bite us in the a$$ in the future? We are the cause of this climate catastrophe. Just think, if these predictions (that 1 out of 10 speies will become extinct within the next 100 years) are correct, then the human life will forever be altered. Do we not realize that we depend on many organisms and ecological reactions in order to survive? Do we think that we could lose so many species and not face the consequences, witness the aftermath, or feel the impact? BIG NEWS for you people.....we are a species. How do we know that we would not be one of those out of ten that will become extinct? Asnwer; we don't. We need to stop being ignorant as a speies, become cognizant that everything afftects our world and way of life, and accept responsibility.
     The article "1 in 10 species...." was a very factual and scientific representation of information. Lot's of logos. Other than the facts, there was not any literary effort. Rather dry, but once I stopped to think and reflect, it had a big impact on me none the less.


To read more on article >>> 1 in 10 <<<

Polluting the Ogallala Aquifer

Come on people, really? You're going to continue polluting one of the U.S.'s largest and one of the most vital aquifers? Something YOU depend on everday for drinking water, crops, and your livelyhood? That sounds smart. The aqquifer stretches from North Dakota to Texas, and is considered a precious resource, often praised as "the best in the world." I find it hysterically hypocritical that "landowners battled ferociously against the Keystone XL pipeline, which would have carried oil extracted from Canadian tar sands through the environmentally sensitive Nebraska Sand Hills. If the pipeline leaked, they argued, chemicals and oil would seep down into the aquifer, contaminating a precious resource responsible for 27% of the nation’s irrigated agriculture" They won, but they did not prevennt the contamination of the aquifer in any way shape or form, the contaminants were already there. The aquifer is being waated and polluted, wasted on crops, and ontaminated by pesticides and nitrogen fertilizers. They are squandering this incredibly valuable water source. The aquifer is only filled by rain fall and snow fall that seep into the underground, "In our Kansas district, less than half an inch of that reached the aquifer in a given year. We were allowed to pump out over 30 times that amount." Not only are we drying yp this important geographical formation, we are risking the well being and saftey of all those who live off of the water supply.
    "Polluting the Ogallala Aquifer" by Juline Bair was a very straight forward and informative article with a touh of personal relevance. Heavy with logos and ethos. She made it seem like the reader could trust her because she had been there and knew about these matters by experience. "Not that I don’t empathize with the Nebraska farmers. I grew up on a Kansas farm. Like them, we called our Ogallala water “precious” and bragged that it was the best in the world." This was a successful article because it just made sense. Why use up a limited resource? There really is no justification, but we continue to use up limited resources every day. "In an era of growing population and advancing drought, we cannot afford complacency in the face of 'creeping normalcy.' "


to read more on this article>>> Polluting the Ogallala Aquifer <<<

A Decade of Progress

     Wow, I have a new found respect for Bono (and incase you live under a rock, that's the lead singer of U2). Cudos to him, I never knew he could be such an eloquent and persuasive writer. I would just like to say thank you Bono, keep doing what you're doing.
    Aside from music, Bono is known for his activism in Africa, helping the continent (and the world) put an end to AIDS.  "In 2002, two million people were dying of AIDS and more than three million were newly infected with H.I.V. Around 50,000 people in the sub-Saharan region had access to treatment." Bono has speant the last decade over in Africa, doing hands on work, making a difference. He has faught hard to get these people the medicine they needed, truly his efforts are commendable. However, this article is not about Bono praising himself, it is about him reflecting over the past decade, and thanking those who have madde it possible to come such a long way. "How did we get here? America led. I mean really led." Bono thanks every activist, every official, and every politician who outreached to those in need; those with HIV. His article is literally oozing with gratitude. He thanks America for working for "the beginning the end of AIDS." With American aide, there are now nearly 6.6 million HIV infected africans living with life-saving madeicine and "new research proves that early antiretroviral treatment, especially for pregnant women, in combination with male circumcision, will slash the rate of new H.I.V. cases by up to 60 percent.This is the tipping point we have been campaigning for. We’re nearly there."  He thanks America for making the last decade a decade of progress.          
   Bono's "A Decade of Progress " overflowed with pathos! The very first paragraph was an emotionally overwhelming use of imagery that pulls in the reader for an emotional ride "It was the look in their eyes when the nurses gave them the diagnosis — H.I.V.-positive — then said there was no treatment. I saw no anger in their expression. No protest. If anything, just a sort of acquiescence." Bono obviously thinks highly of the U.S., talking about America's "heroism" and courage. "But on this World AIDS Day I would like you to stop and consider what America has achieved in this war to defend lives lived far away and sacred principles held closer to home. "Bono flatters the U.S. and takes a stab at the American heart, " But America’s boldest leap of faith is worth recalling. And the thing is, as I see it, the Eagle hasn’t landed yet....To get this far and not plant your flag would be one of the greatest accidental evils of this recession." oh Bono....you're merciless. Way to just tear out my heart, you're worse than those sad anial shelter commercials. VERY SUCCESSFUL ARTICLE, YOU GO BONO.

to read more on article>>> http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/01/opinion/a-decade-of-progress-on-aids.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss <<<       
      

When Pimps Cross the Line

    Pimp: noun: one who finds customers for a prostitute; a total dumb @$$. Anthony McCord, an expert in the pimping arts, tried to get himself admitted as an expert witness in his own trial. When asked what qualified him to be an expert, Anthony replied (to the judge) "I’ve pretty much read every book, saw every movie and heard every song relating to the subject matter" ) McCord then listed his qualifications that proved his expertise in pimping, qualifications like; he attended two national conferences on pimping, and that he is a member of a "quiet society of pimps". Oh yes, Anthony McCord is quite the qualified pimp, his momma would be so proud! Now all this is good and hilarious, but pimping is not be taken lightly. For years sex trafficking has been a world wide issue, and for years "no one has given a shit." It obviously doesn't help that in today's pop-culture pimps are being glorified. When I say pimp you think of a man with a fancy hat, ridiculous clothes, driving a big car. You don't really think about the other aspects of pimping. Beating the girls, raping the girls, getting the girls addicted to illegal narcotics, abducting the girls, etc. There's a much darker side to the pimping world, one we haven't even scratched the surface of yet. Anthony McCord, classified pimp? Do you know what the charges of his trial were? Assault and rape. We laugh at the pimps, cringe at the prostitutes, and ignore whats really going on.
      The author of "When Pimps Cross the Line" Irin Carmon sent readers on an emotional roller-coaster ride. He humorously portrays pimps in the beginning, gets a couple laughs, then BAM, hits you with sex trafficking. Then reader feels sad, not wanting to face the reality of such a laughable topic as pimping, and then, readers get angry. Angry at the world of pimps, angry that no one really cares or seems to care, and angry that pimps are being praised in our culture. And then it's back to sadness when the reader realizes they will most likely do nothing about it. There's a lot of pathos in this article, I sure as heck felt it.

To read more on this article>>>When Pimps Cross the Line <<<

A Whiff of History

     Every time I get a whiff of cigarette smoke, I think of my grandparents and florida. Whenever I smell baby powder, I remember falling asleep in my mum's bed and the smell of her navy blue starred pajamas. Whenever I smell oranges, I think of how my brother and I had stuck our straws into oranges calling it orange juice. I smell certain scents, and instantly a vivid memory comes to me. Undeniably, there is a link between smell and memory. At least once in everyone's life, they smell a certain scent and almost instantaneously are reminded of an old memory. Smell can remind of places, people, even feelings, but from a historical perspective, is one sense that is seldom used to study the past. Smell is a part of our daily life. That is why it is important to use smell when studying history so that we may have a better grasp on the way that scents influenced and were a part of regular life in that time period. "But despite its primacy in our lives, our sense of smell is often overlooked when we record our history...our knowledge of the past is almost completely deodorized." It's ignorant to ignore the part smell has played in the lives of others in the past. Although smell helps us to understand the smells and experiences of the past, the smell will mean something different to us today than it did to the time period it originated from. "Smell means something far different to us than it did to the people at the time, yet we still recognize its value." Smell is an important sense that enriches our experience of the past. We study and preserve documents and artifacts, why not smells? "What we smell in our cities, homes, and natural spaces is just as much a part of our lives as what we see, hear, and touch."
     I chose Courtney Humphrie's article "A whiff of history" because she recognizes the important links between smell, memory, and the past. Humphrie relies heavily on logos. It;s not a personal article, it's very straightforward, but does provoke some thought on what smells in YOUR life can be traced back to certain memories and feelings.

To read more on Article >>>  A Whiff of History <<<

An Assault on the Amazon

    I am extremely passionate about the environment. I have a huge problem (as I'm sure most of you do) with selfish human beings depleting the grand and vast canopy of life you may know as the rainforest! Now, if you're not a big eco-freak like the rest of us, then perhaps this will hit a cord; humans are dying because their life depends solely on resources from the ever-shrinking rainforest and hundreds of animals and plant species are losing their homes and coming to the brink of extinction. The reason behind this heartless deforestation? Commercial housing, tourism, and farming land. Basically, it's a capitalist's world; it's all about the money. Brazil's government doesn't care about the devastating results their economic pursuits have thrust upon many natives that have lived off of this environment for generations. Every seconds  1.5 acres of rainforest are being destroyed. This TRUE fact seems impossible to believe/comprehend, but it is undeniable. "Nobody suspected that the forests could be destroyed. But in only 50 years, the impossible has come to pass: almost 20 percent of the Amazon rainforest has been destroyed and even more has been severely degraded." So if you're not a tree hugger, maybe the humane side of this will appeal to you. At the rate we're going now, the rainforest will be GONE by 2030, and trust me, you do not want this to happen. Not only does this mean thousands of animals and plants would become extinct, but it would completely uproot  the lives of thousands of Brazilian natives. Whats more important? Plants and  animals, or people?....People. What's more important, people or money?....still people. 
     The author of "An Assault on the Amazon" Leao Serva, appealed strongly to pathos and logos. He compares Brazil's refusal to allow their internal affairs to be influenced by outside forces concerning their right to strip and burn the remains of the tropical rainforest, to their refusal to allow abolitionists to interfere with internal affairs concerning the abolishment of slavery over a century ago. He painted the picture of a stubborn, wealth obsessed, cool, and indifferent government. That paired with the cold hard facts of deforestation was enough to outrage and stir up emotion in readers. He sure managed to stir up some emotion in me! 


To read more on article >>>  An Assault on the Amazon <<<
     

Arms and the Corrupt Man

      It's been one government rant after another, but it's just impossible to put away this feeling of fear and suspicion. I love how the government prosecutes those who act illegally, but then turns around and does something illegal! "Governments protect corrupt and dangerous arms dealers as long as they need them and then throw them behind bars when they are no longer useful." When it comes to dealing arms, our government likes to associate with less than credible characters. The resent arrest of Victor Bout, illegal arms dealer that supplied weaponry. His clients included, among others, the Liberian dictator Charles Taylor, the Northern Alliance and then the Taliban in Afghanistan, a number of the protagonists in the Balkans, the Angolan government and its mortal enemy the Unita rebel movement, the Democratic Rpublic of the congo, AND the U.S. They United States knew that using him was a legal offense, punishable by law. But when it comes to our government, who enforces and praises the law, they have no problem calling something illegal and then turning around and doing it. That's just a tad hypocrytical....don't ya think? They turn a blind eye to illegal activities as long as they are recieving some benefit. The very second the government's wants and needs are satisfied however, it brings down the full force of the law on the criminals who they had employed. That's it...I can't take this anymore! I'm packing up and moving to Australia. The government can kiss this citezan goodbye!
    The author of the article "Arms and the Corrupt Man" by Andrew Feinstein was very straight forward and to the point. The article was not a rant (which I apolagize in advance for making it seem like it was one), it was simply stating facts and giving suggestions on how to correct the way our government deals with distributing arms. Feinstein relied heavily on logos. Andrew made it clear that he was not supportive of how the government was running things, but he wasn't completely anti-government either, "Until then, the arms trade will remain hidden behind a veil of national-security-imposed secrecy, continuing to undermine democratic accountability, the rule of law and sometimes even the very national security it is meant to bolster." I've read one too many controversial articles about our government I guess. It's really not JUST our government though, most governments around the world are no better. This isn't just a national problem, it's world wide.

To read article >>> Arms and the Corrupt Man <<<

We Could Be Heroes

Oh David!

Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton

  A great man know suggested that I should read this book. He told me that he had read it when he was in high school, just around my age, about 63 years ago. I sincerely told him it sounded interesting, and that I would look into it and read it eventually, but if you know me, you know that I had forgotten the title by the very next day. This man did know me, and took it upon himself to go out, drive to one of the many bookstores that were closing down at the time, and search for this book. He walked into my house, came into the living room (where I was attempting to read through the last of my AP summer reading books....keep in mind, this was the end of August), and dropped the book on the seat next to me. He said to tell him if I ever got around to reading it....2 months later, I got around to reading it. Thanks Papa.
  All I have to say is thank you to my Papa. Ethan Frome is a small book, only about 160 pages, but man, let me tell ya, there was a lot within those few pages. The book was mysterious to say the least. I couldn't read one page without wanting to read more. I first realized much I liked this book at around 2:34 am on a Monday...school  was not so fun that day. My book is bursting with notes and illuminated with highlighted passages! This book is a heart breaking, almost all to real and crushing view on life. That love does not always conquer all, that sometimes love cannot overcome the obstacles of society and fear. Sometimes doing the right thing, keeps you from doing whats right in your heart. How you can want and need something so bad, but know that you'll never be able to fully have it. The very beginning draws you in, as you slowly get the story, bit by bit, of a man named Ethan Frome. "Even then he was the most striking figure in Starkfield, though he was but the ruin of a man." (Wharton 1) Within the first page I wanted to know; what had destroyed this man? If edith was a fisherman, and I, a fish, she has no problem at all getting me to bite on the story's line of suspense. This man was physically alive, but emotionally dead. "No one gave me an explanation of the look on his face which, as I persisted in thinking, neither poverty nor physical suffering could have put there." (Wharton 10) The setting takes place in the cold winter in Starkfield, Massachusetts. This cold is present throughout the novel. Ethan, in the opinion of the towns people, looks as if he was dead and in hell while living because he has spent one too many winters in Starkfield, Massachusetts. The long winters of Starkfield had extinguished within him; the spark of life.
   I don't want to say anything about the book that would give anything away. Ethan from is a story about catastrophic love, restraint, longing, and anguish. It's a story about a broken man, and how, piece by piece, he fell apart. The ending's twist is ironically tragic, but fits perfectly. I enjoyed this little book to say the least. It's a quick read, won't take up much of your time, so why not sacrifice and few hours of your day, week, or month, and read this book? I highly recommend it. Like my Papa thought, I think this book has something timeless and real to say, and if you read it, I think you will too.

   

Reefer Madness

         Marijuana....a rather touchy subject. Medical marijuana....even touchier. About 1% of the US population smokes marijuana daily (roughly 1.4million), and many others smoke less frequently, or every now and then. If you are in that 1%, you probably won't like this blog post. I believe a beautiful mind is an unaltered mind, a mind in its original state. I'm no saint, but at this point in my life, I won't be "puffing the magic dragon" any time soon. There are many arguement to legalize marijuana, and the most popular arguement seems to be the benefits that can come from the smoking of medical marijuana. I've heard some stories about miraculous recoveries when it is smoked. However, I believe that instead of doping up patients to make them feel better temporarily, we should be putting our efforts into developing medicines that will cure their ailments in a permanent and legal way. I feel that if the US legalizes medical marijuana, it's only a matter of time until the drug is legalized completely. I won't think less of a person who smokes maryjane, but I will never approve it or condone it. I think it's an escape from the realities of life, and if you withdraw yourself from life and unpleasant circumstances, you'll never learn anything from life. Face life head on with a clear mind, and unaltered mind, a beautiful mind, don't hid behind this drug.
        Ethan Nadelman, author of "Reefer Madness" has a clear stance on the issue, he is adamant that marijuana (especially medical marijuana) should be legalized. He believes president Obama should let states decide whether they should legalize the drug, "But over the past year, federal authorities appear to have done everything in their power to undermine state and local regulation of medical marijuana and to create uncertainty, fear and confusion among those in the industry. The president needs to reassert himself to ensure that his original policy is implemented." He believes the legalization of the drug will benefit the community and economy. "Apart from its value to patients, medical marijuana plays an increasingly important role in local economies, transforming previously illegal jobs into legal ones and creating many new jobs as well, contributing to local tax bases and stimulating new economic activity. Federal crackdowns will not stop the trade in marijuana; they will only push it back underground and hurt those patients least able to navigate illicit markets." He fails to use ethos effectively, he seems like a less than reputable character to me! Don't do drugs kids. Don't get sucked into this reefer madness!

Reefer Madness

Totes Presh!

'For seres. Pretty dece! Thats totes presh! Sup? Adorbs. Whatevs. ' is teenager speak for 'For serious. Pretty decent! That's totally precious! What's up? Adorable. Whatever.' It's plain to see that the youth have trouble finishing words and syllables. 'Clipped' or shortened words have become a fad. One might speculate that these word shortenings are silly inventions of today's youth culture, but clipped words have been around much, much longer than your teenage son or neighbor. "Many words we use every day are clippings: gas from gasoline; chimp instead of chimpanzee; deli, not delicatessen. In fact, it would be hard to get through a day without clipped words. You’d have to give up carbs and tech, seeing the fam (or at least your sibs); you couldn’t prep for a bio or chem (or, back in the day, a home ec) exam." No lie, this info is legit! One questions arrises; Why do we love to clip words, and why do newly clipped words nevertheless "face such scorn"? Word clipping is nothing new, but these newly clipped words come off as cutesy and annoying. We have curtailed words in the past, which most likely were as well received as the modern clipped words are today....Some embrace them, and others do not. Many of the common clipped words you've heard all your life, the words you never even gave a second thought, only sound normal because they have become familiar through common use in society. Familiarity breeds acceptance. "But totes and cazh and adorbs are not shortened words for things, with their edges worn down by familiarity; they’re old qualitative words that have gotten a makeover, like a punky miniskirt cut out of an old school uniform. These words make their speakers sound modern--until they become widespread enough to lose their edge." 

     The article "Totes Presh" by Erin McKean was a fun, slightly repetitive, but to the point view on abbreviated words. The author clearly thinks we should embrace these new "slangs", and if we choose not to, it will eventually happen in the future when the word becomes commonplace.  "And because speakers of English, en masse, never miss a chance to do something creative with words, shortening familiar words is a high-reward, low-risk way to sound fresh without sacrificing mutual understanding"  I'm not a fan of these so called "clipped" words, but this article gave a very interesting outlook on them. This article was def an interesting read.

to see article >>> Totes Presh <<<

When the Government Decided I Was a Terrorist

    What do you, the average American citizen, actually know about government intelligence agencies? Go ahead, think about it....I'll give you a minute.....Still thinking?.....Thought of anything yet?....No?...Exactly! The average American knows close to nothing about these agencies that appear to be shrouded in secrecy, which is exactly how they want it to be. The citizen knows one thing for sure, the government is a super-secret security machine, that does a rather good job of keeping its own people in the dark! For years these agencies have been yanking around US citizens. These agencies can one day decide that you are a suspicious character. They can then go on to add you to a list of "specially designated rationals and blocked persons", freeze and or empty your bank account, and the kicker, they won't even mention a word of all these things to you! "It seems odd to me that this top-secret office of Financial Intelligence somehow can’t manage to lay hands on the money it snatched from me, but what do I know? I’m just a citizen." The united states is a country. A country is made by a nation, a nation is made by the republic, the republic is made by its people, and the people are made up by everyday citizens like you and I.  These agencies are taking advantage of and disrupting the lives of many American citizens. For the people by the people? Ah huh, right,   stop abusing your people! 
         The article "When the Government decided I was a Terrorist" by Ann Jones is a riot! It is a reasonably long article, but she has just the right mix of humor, facts, and genuine puzzlement to keep me interested. Ann relies on ethos and pathos mostly throughout her article. She expresses her shock, bewilderment, annoyance, and suspicion perfectly to the reader! "I don’t know how it happened. Or even, really, what happened. Or what it means. So I’ve got no point — only a lot of anxiety. I usually write about the problems of the world, but now I’ve got one of my own. They evidently think I’m a terrorist." I chuckled once or twice; "The bank wasn’t actually holding up the delivery of the money. The funds had, in fact, left my account weeks before, along with a wire transfer fee. The responsible party was OFAC. Oh what? I wondered. OFAC. It rhymes with Oh-Tack, but you’ve got to watch how you pronounce it. Speak carelessly and the name sounds like just what you might say upon learning that you’ve been sucked into the ultimate top-secret bureaucratic sinkhole. It turns out, the bank informs me, that OFAC is a division of the U.S. Treasury Department that “reviews” transactions." This article is a chilling reality check, but it is also a humorous portrayal of how government agencies are taking advantage of the people. 


To see article >>> When the Government Decided I was a Terrorist <<<

    

Why China Should Bail Out Europe

     Yes, Europe is in debt, but so is everywhere else! We're all in the same boat, up a creek without a paddle. Turning to China to solve economic problems is NOT the thing to do. Europe would not only in be debt to China, but would also become economically dependent upon them, like so many other countries. China is becoming a super-power. They are on the rise, and rising fast. Nations are making themselves more vulnerable to China than necessary. "From China’s perspective, the possible advantage would be to exert power to obtain direct and concrete benefits. For example, it could ask for market economy status in Europe, which would reduce the scope for protectionist action against Chinese goods entering the European market. It could also seek to buy companies in distressed countries on advantageous terms." If China is allowed to bail out Europe, China's economic and and cultural dominance would be set in stone. I'm not going to go all "conspirocy theory", I'm going to say that China outnumbers other nations, I'm not going to say that Chinais bent on world domination, or any of that crazy talk, but I will say it is not wise for Europe to become to dependant to China. Not only would it upset the balance of the world economy, it would upset the balance of an entire continent. One nation should not be subject to so much power.      My opinon obviously differs to that of the authors, Arvind Subramanian, in the article "Why China Should Bail Out Europe". He tries (unsucesfully in my case) to use logos to convince the reader that it is in Europe's best interest to have China bail them out of their economic crisis. He only explores one side of the arguement. He states that Europe is in dire straits (not the band), and that China is their only option. "Europeans are running out of options; debtors cannot be choosers."  Too much political and economic power is never a good thing. China is on the rise, while all other nations descend. This is kind of scary.

>>>to view article Why China Should Bail Out Europe <<<

Buffering the Grand Canyon

   The Grand Canyon is one of our nation's many monuments. In society today, we treasure art, towers, bridges, cities, and bulidngs, but seldom treasure the beautiful architecture of nature. The first to recognize the importance of preserving cush a grand and awe inspiring land mark wasTheodore Roosevelt, president, conservationalist, and lover of nature. He realised that the Canyon "was America’s Westminster Abbey, Louvre and Taj Mahal rolled into one." Back in Roosevelt's time, the threat of mining and robbing the landmark of its beauty was very real. That threat still looms today. "Mining companies, foreign and domestic, have been filing claims to extract uranium from the surrounding national forest." Most, like Roosevelt, believe that tampering with such a great wonder of nature is criminal. Man cannot add beauty to nature, it should be left in its natural state. "You cannot improve upon it. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it.” Roosevelt took a stand for the magnitude and beauty of this monument. He dedicated his life to protecting the Canyon, and now that he's gone, someone must continue his life's work. Someone must once again take a stand against the butchering of this grand monument. Someone, Anyone! Take a stand for the Grand Canyon.
    The author of "Butchering the Grand Canyon", Douglas Brinkley, clearly is a lover of nature (or perhaps just the Grand Canyon), and he let's the reader know it! His opinion becomes very clear in the first line of the article, "IN 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt didn’t need a guidebook to tell him that the Grand Canyon was the most precious heirloom the United States possessed." He uses a mix of pathos and logos to try and persuade the reader that the mining of the grand canyon is wrong, and easily preventable. He highlights the negative affects the mining will have, and who should stand up to the plate and face them head on. "The Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy and others are well aware of the sorry legacy left behind by uranium miners, with abandoned mines, contaminated wells and radiation hazards that endure years later." The author goes to say that Obama should follow in Roosevelt's footsteps and take government action against the mining companies and their allies in congress, "  This is all the more reason President Obama should follow Roosevelt’s example and use the Antiquities Act to preserve the national forest and other public lands surrounding the Grand Canyon as a national monument." In the end, the author just hopes that he could get the point across to readers that nature is worth preserving, it is beautiful part of life, and we should do our best to maintain it for future generations.     

>>>to view article Buffering the Grand Canyon <<<

OUTSIDE READING BOOK

Im reading Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton. It beith a classic, and it beith a light read.

Our Amish, Ourselves

    I had no idea just how crazy those Amish were until I read this article. Many have always viewed the Amish as a backwards cult obsessed with religion, but I just felt bad for them. Their culture is forced upon them by their families, and any individual who wishes to enter the "real" world (or what we percieve as real) is disowned by his or her family. I've always felt like people have judged them, but I respeted them. I respected them for living simply. I do not personally know any Amish, but the author comes from an are with a large conservative population of Amish. He says that people living in that are either love or hate them. "Unlike those parts of America without large Amish populations that tend to romanticize the community, here things take on a more fundamental, some might even say practical, prejudice." Some think the Amish are getting away with something, have too many secrets, or somehow cheat the system. They resent them for buying up so much of the land and inconveniencing them with their buggies and horse droppings on the road. Alll this combined, people living in Amish populated towns have developed some prejiduces. People just love to poke holes in the fabric of Amish solidarity. People in the author's town love to discredit the Amish, and all of the different sects and doctrinal splits, which are as common in the community as straw hats and hay wagons, are perfect evidence. "All Amish seem to fall into the trap of believing their way is the true Amish way." Amish communities are all different, but one common thing they all share is the burden of being viewed by others in such a scrutinizing way.
     I chose "Our Amish, Ourselves" by Joe Mckall because of the mystery that encircles the amish culture. The author put a personal spin on the article, talking about the Amish in his own town. He mentions his Amish friends, but admits to getting sucked into the anti-Amish whirlwind whenever the media points out Amish flaws. He relys heavily on pathos.

GENITAL WARTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!: Does Sex Ed Undermine Parental Rights?

         Sex ed. Hmmm this class brings back so many warm and fuzzy memories, doesn't it? The awkward silences, Ms. Cameau pulling teeth to get an answer out of the students, and the punk in the back of the room that cries out "GENITAL WARTS!" Ahhhh, those were the days. I learned and saw things in that class that I never will forget! ....I couldn't even if I tried..... Sex ed; such fond, fond memories...I assume it's safe to say that for the majority of students, sex ed is uncomfortable, but not unbearable. Students may dread going into class and giving a presentation on herpes and gonorrhea, but they walk away from the class feeling like they really learned something; something vital to their health and well being. Sex ed, in my opinion, is crucial. Students need to be educated about all the dangers out there in this world that could potentially harm their health, and devastate their lives. That being said, I strongly believe that sex ed shouldn't be taught to middle schoolers. Why expose them to something so mature so early on? Why educate our children on how to be/act like an adult? Teaching them about sex ed so early will most likely only give students 'ideas' if you catch my drift. Sex ed should be taught to all students, but not to 10 and 11 years old. At least wait until highschool. However, some schools do not see it this way, they make sex ed mandatory for children during their first years of middle school. As one could imagine, this outraged and shocked many parents who did not want to expose their children to such a mature curriculum. WHY TEACH BABIES ABOUT MAKING BABIES? " Should the government force parents — at least those not rich enough to afford private schooling — to send their children to classes that may contradict their moral and religious values on matters of intimacy and personal conduct?" Nope! The right of a parent is to raise, educate, and protect their children, this curriculum is infringing those rights. " But it is not abuse or neglect to protect the innocence of preteenage children or to teach one’s children more conservative, as opposed to more liberal, moral values. Nor is it wrong or unreasonable to limit the state’s control over what one’s children learn and think about sensitive issues of morality. On the contrary, that is just what is required if parents are to fulfill their duties and exercise their legitimate rights. " Our society is sexualizing children at younger and younger ages. It's every parent's and every citezen's job to stand up in opposition, and preserve our children's innosence. There's a time and a place for everything, it is not the time for sex ed in middle school.
         I chose "Does Sex Ed Undermine Parental Rights?" by Robert P. George because of the title's lingering question. I wanted to know the answer to that question. The author relys heavily on a mix on ethos and pathos to answer this question. George argues that "turning a classroom into a mandatory catechism lesson for a contested ideology is a serious violation of parental rights." He believes that it is a parent's responsibility to shield and educate their child, and that the school systems are stepping in the way of them being able to carry out those responiblities. Parents should have more of a say of what goes on in their child's classroom. Whether you're liberal or conservative, you can't dispute that parents should have more of a say on such personal matters.

>>>To read more on article>>>Does Sex Ed Undermine Parental Rights?

Oh sweet communist

No More Adventures in Wonderland

    Alice in Wonderland is my all time favorite childrens book....ever. No other book even competes to this one, it's sentimental value is incalcuable, truly pricless. My grandfather would pull me up on his lap, and read. Just pick up the book at a random part and read to me. I loved listening to the story of a little girl lost in some magical world of make believe. The book embodies the essence of childhood perfectly. Looking back, this book never gave me anything to fear. There was no deeper meaning or symbolysm, it was just a book written for the imagination of a child, plain and simple. This is not the case with childrens books today. Writers like Carol and Barrie (Neverland) fully entered themselves into the imaginative worlds of children. They wrote stroies appealing to childrens' fantasies, but modern children books deal much more with 'adult like' themes. "Instead of stories about children who will not grow up, we have staories about children who stuggle to survive." It seems that in every modern childrens book, there is an unprecedented amount of adult reality. Many authors of youth fiction have admitted that their stories are greatly influenced by their everyday lives; their struggles, their anxieties, and their fears. J.K Rowling admitts that the Harry Potter series is largely about death. Her dementors are also inspired by a grim topic, her clinical depression. These books are supposed to be written for children and their creative imaginations. Now when these children pick up a book they're getting a lesson on the deeper meaning of life and morality. A child could truly lose his or herself in the children's books of the past, but now, books are making children think more critically about life, and making them prone to nightmares. Is this change in children's novels a good thing or a bad thing? If you were a child, what would you prefer?
       Maria Tartar, author of "No More Adventures in Wonderland" uses pathos in this article. She presents both sides of the question, and leaves the reader to answer the question based on their emotional connection to the piece. "These writers have successfully produced new literary contact zones for adults and children, with monumental narratives about loss, suffering and redemption.
Still, it is hard not to mourn the decline of the literary tradition invented by Carroll and Barrie, for they also bridged generational divides. No other writers more fully entered the imaginative worlds of children — where danger is balanced by enchantment — and reproduced their magic on the page." In today’s stories, those safety zones are rapidly vanishing as adult anxieties edge out childhood fantasy.        
To read more on article>>> No More Adventures in Wonderland <<<

In Strangers’ Glances at Family, Tensions Linger

   Love isn't skin deep. Race can raise some eyebrows, but it can not change a family's love for one another. The Greenwoods are an interracial family. Mrs. Greenwood is half African American and half Irish, Mr. Greennwood is Polish, 7 year old Sophia is dark skinned, and 2 year old Noelle is fair skinned with blue eyes and blond hair. At first glance, this family may confuse you. Mrs. Greenwood tells her story of the pain other people's questions and remarks on her and her family's race have caused her, but she needs to stop complaining and deal with it. I completely agree that race has nothing to do with love, and that race should mean nothing to a family, but she needs to realize that if she could see her family the way others see it, she wouldn't automatically understand the mechanics of the family... When you see a black mother and a white baby girl, your brain doesn't make a connection right away. Questions arise; you're naturally curious. “People confront you, and it’s not once in a while, it’s all the time,” she said. “Each time is like a little paper cut, and you might think, ‘Well, that’s not a big deal.’ But imagine a lifetime of that. It hurts.” I understand that she just wants people to understand her family without questioning her, but she shouldn't CARE what other people think. It's her family, she should be proud of its diversity, she should enjoy explaining the beautiful uniqueness of her children to those who are curious. When at home, interacial families strive to be "colorblind". Race plays no part in their private lives, but outside of the home, naturally, others will see nothing but race. I hope one day we will be able to see an interacial family and not have to ask ourselves 'is she really their mother?'. I'd love for the diversity of families to become commonplace, to see a mixed family and not even give it a second thought, but at this point in time, it's not realistic. We've already come so far in racial acceptance! Barriors are breaking down! That being said, it can still a shock to see a family with three different races in one. I sympathyzed with the Greenwoods one minute, then felt no pitty for their "pain" the next. They should be able to overcome that "pain", and teach their children to roll with the punches, learn from other's misunderstanding, accept others' curiosity, and make the next generation twice as accepting as the last. I have one word for you Mrs. Greenwood, stop crying to the newspaper about the sting of the stares of those who just don't understand, stop whining about the questions onlookers ask you (simply out of curiosity, may I add), and teach your children to take those questions and stares in stride. Teach them how to be strong, not how to snivel and whine.
        The article "In Strangers’ Glances at Family, Tensions Linger" by Susan Saulny caught my attention because I saw that it was one of the most viewed articles on the New York Times website. Saulny clrearly wanted you to buy into the Greenwoods' sobb story, but the thing is; this SHOULDN'T have been a sobb stroy at all. It should've been a story about strenghth, about love overcoming race and misunderstanding, and about the power and unity of a family. Rather than talk about how interacial families are becoming more widly accepted, Saulny focused on the 'injustices' this one family claim to have experienced. When people ask questions about race, they're not always trying to be rude or unaccepting, thehy're trying to make sense of it all so that they can understand AND accept. The article was written well but I did not like it's essence.

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Get funky

The world is ugly

Alright Egypt. You fight for your own independence...you use "peaceful protest"...then you turn around and use violence to persecute your own people. Makes sense. 26 people dead, Muslims attacked a chistian church. Riots are breaking out. This is just the beginning. You fight for freedom, but you don't know the word, you don't understand it's gravity. The world isn't ugly, but the people living on it sure are.

The Fight over Harvard's 'kindness pledge'

     I believe some people are naturally kind, and others are not. Plain and simple, there's the thesis. In an ideal world all would be kind, but in reality, there will always be bad to accompany the good. Wherever there is kindness I'm sure there will also be unkindness. When I saw this article and read about Harvard's pledge for all freshman to "Act with integrity, respect, and industry, and to sustain a community characterized by inclusiveness and civility," I didn't see what the harm in it was. People argue that you can't force people to be kind; this is true. Not true in the way that it's wrong to force someone to be kind, but true in the way that no matter what pledge students sign, some are naturally kind and some are not.

 

       In the article "The fight over Harvard's kindness pledge" by Joshua Rothman, Rothman  presents both sides of the argument. The pledge begins; "As we begin at Harvard, we commit to upholding the values of the College and to making the entryway and Yard a place where all can thrive and where the exercise of kindness holds a place on par with intellectual attainment.” Those who oppose the pledge, just oppose pledges in general. Some think the idea of a pledge,"even if it’s a kindness pledge  —  unnerving: Harvard,has historically taken a stand against pledges, which, in the form of religious oaths, used to be routine at colleges; Emerson, would have found the whole concept absurd." Others claim kindness is "hardly a civic virtue." Those for the pledge think it is a worthwhile effort to make Harvard an ideal community. I am indifferent about the pledge, like I said, a pledge won't change the true nature of a human. The pledge seems like it will have little to no affect, it's just making students go through the motions. You can't force people to be kind, simple as that. Everyone should practice kindness, regardless of whatever pledge they take. 

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You Love Your iPhone. Literally.

       I am one of 50million iPhone owners in the U.S. The allure of the phone axiomatic. My iPhone is extremely useful and entertaining, but that being said, I am not what you would call a "phone person". I couldn't care less if I was to  forget, misplace, or break my phone. I can go hours on end without checking it and still feel completely intact with society...I'm not rippin' out chunks of hair! When I lose my phone, the world isn't over, but I know this is not the case for many other Americans. I've witnessed on multiple occasions friends having mental break downs and panic attacks because  they are unable to check their phones. Even with my best friend; I find that she'll spend an hour on her smart phone checking Facebook and the "twitter" when we're quote on quote "hanging out". People spend more time absorbed in this emotionless piece of technology, than they do with living, breathing, and feeling human beings! We ignore our fellow man for a 2'' by 4'' glossy surface; encasing hard wiring and nano-chips, not a beating heart, not a compassionate soul, only 16GB and a megapixel camera. Phones must be on person 24/7 in order to keep today's society from losing their minds, this fanatical devotion to a  phone sounds an awful a lot like addiction. People LOVE their iPhones, so much so that their brains are responding to the phone in the same way the brain responds to love or compassion. The human response is not as much addiction as it is infatuation. So people, stop it with the kissy faces and googly eyes, put down the cell phones, and go outside; jump around, read a book, and interact with something that breathes oxygen for once!

      The article "You love your iPhone. Literally" by Martin Lindstrom makes it clear that the author is not part of the iPhone occult. Lindstrom is a branding consultant, one that has followed apple's progression from the very beginning. He has tried to determine why society is 'under the thumb' of the thumb-less apple iPhone. Lindstrom conducted numerous experiments to show how the iPhone is transforming the newer and older generations, "This past summer, I gathered a group of 20 babies between the ages of 14 and 20 months. I handed each one a BlackBerry. No sooner had the babies grasped the phones than they swiped their little fingers across the screens as if they were iPhones, seemingly expecting the screens to come to life. It appears that a whole new generation is being primed to navigate the world of electronics in a ritualized, Apple-approved way." He also found that when people are not with their iPhones, they go through what we would call separation anxiety. They feel stressed out, cut off, and un-whole. It's scary that a piece of technology can trigger such a emotional response, and have this much power over apple users. In the article, Lindstrom saught out to prove that iPhones are just as addictive as cocaine, alchohol, and videogames, but instead, he found that "addiction" may be the wrong word to describe society's obsession with the iPhone. The word to use is "love". "But most striking of all was the flurry of activation in the insular cortex of the brain, which is associated with feelings of love and compassion. The subjects’ brains responded to the sound of their phones as they would respond to the presence or proximity of a girlfriend, boyfriend or family member." Lindstrom's stance on the issue became clear when he wrote, "As we embrace new technology that does everything but kiss us on the mouth, we risk cutting ourselves off from human interaction." He encourages the readers to turn off the smartphone, buy some roses and a bottle of champagne, and find love the old-fashioned way....with something human. All in all, you should love your iPhone in the same way that you love a calculator, both are useful, but both aren't going to be your dates to prom. Flesh and bone are the way to go...end of story. 

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