http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIP2LbpS10s&feature=related
What could possess someone to do something that cruel to someone? This is a question that I often ask myself when I see victim of a hate crime. A hate crime is classified as a violent act against a person due to race, religion, color, or origin. Hate crimes bestow a perception that certain crowds are not welcomed in certain societies. As a result, studies indicate that hate crimes emerge to have more serious psychological effects on the victims and the communities they represent than do other crimes. In 2006, there were more than 7,000 known offenders of hate crimes. The top offenders were involved with hate crimes associated with race, religion, and sexual orientation. However, out of the top three hate crimes, race was the highest.
The video link that I have posted consists of an interview with a young woman who was brutally tortured. Megan Williams is a young lady that was kidnapped, tortured, and sexually assaulted by six white individuals for almost a week. The things done to Megan were unforgettable and inhuman.
Why do you believe that race is the highest hate crime?
What penalty should the defendant(s) receive for committing a hate crime?
What are your thoughts, feelings, reactions towards Megan’s video?
1/30/09
1/22/09
Reading Response #3: Thoreau, "Civil Disobedience." Due 27 Jan.
You can do the usual reading response to Thoreau if you like (see the guidelines on the sidebar to the right)-->
Or if you want to connect it to a current issue, you can do something a little bit different:
After reading Thoreau, watch this clip from Israeli television. If you're not aware of the war that's happening there at the moment, you might want to read the Wikipedia article for a brief overview. It's important stuff that the U.S. is very much involved in, so it's worth knowing.
- With what parts of Thoreau's thought do you agree and disagree?
- Are these Israeli "refuseniks" acting in the spirit of Thoreau?
- Is there a similar movement in the spirit of "Civil Disobedience" that you know of or could imagine in the present-day United States? In the past?
Homelessness in America
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3J6byxk02I&feature=related
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article4305.htm
When many people think homeless, they think bums, drunks, and people that are just to lazy to work. Most of that is far from reality. By definition, a person who is homeless is an individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. Homelessness is without a doubt an on going problem that we face in our society. Lack of affordable housing, lack of available jobs, mental illness, and a small percentage who are fighting drug or alcohol dependence are among the causes here in the United States. The more I researched it the more eye dropping the numbers were to me. Here we are one of the richest countries in the world, and on a given year we have 3.5 million people experiencing homelessness. That is an alarming statistic to me that I feel like our society needs to work to fix. Creating more jobs will be a key issue that our new President will have to face over the next four years, but if he can fulfill his promise then we should be able to help fight the homelessness here in America.
What can we do to help fight this problem in our society?
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article4305.htm
When many people think homeless, they think bums, drunks, and people that are just to lazy to work. Most of that is far from reality. By definition, a person who is homeless is an individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. Homelessness is without a doubt an on going problem that we face in our society. Lack of affordable housing, lack of available jobs, mental illness, and a small percentage who are fighting drug or alcohol dependence are among the causes here in the United States. The more I researched it the more eye dropping the numbers were to me. Here we are one of the richest countries in the world, and on a given year we have 3.5 million people experiencing homelessness. That is an alarming statistic to me that I feel like our society needs to work to fix. Creating more jobs will be a key issue that our new President will have to face over the next four years, but if he can fulfill his promise then we should be able to help fight the homelessness here in America.
What can we do to help fight this problem in our society?
Obama weakening military protocol?
(posted by KNick)
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/21/guantanamo.hearings/index.html
First day on the job and many Americans are upset with our new Mr.
President. Well, who can blame them? I choose this CNN article on the
possible closing of the military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba because
it is the first decision he has made as president, and I do not agree
with him. Guantanamo Bay has been home to the most dangerous high- risk
terrorist since the attack on 9/11. These people are the ones that
plotted to kill thousands of innocent Americans because they did not
like us.
Another reason I choose this article is because it also talks about
Obama trying to end rough interrogations. In a perfect world, people
would not lie, and always tell the truth when asked a question. But this
is not a perfect world. Terrorists do not tell their information with a
simple please and thank you. I am not an advocate of physically abusing
a person to the point of death, but sometimes a person needs to be
roughed up a little to get the point and cooperate.
My question is, what does Obama plan to do with these high-risk
prisoners? Does he want to bring them into the borders of the United
States?
Do you agree with him? Do you disagree? Explain.
Louisiana Wetlands: A Resource at Risk
(posted by Lori C)
http://www.lacoast.gov/
http://marine.usgs.gov/fact-sheets/LAwetlands/lawetlands.html
Louisiana Wetlands: A Resource at Risk
The coastal Louisiana wetlands are one of the most beneficial wetlands in the United States. Not only can the economy be significantly supported by these swamps and marshes, but other things such as recreational and agricultural interests make up a large part of what numerous animals call home. Today, the Louisiana wetlands loss is the greatest in the Nation. Approximately half of the United States’ original coastal habitats have perished over the past two-hundred years. The Louisiana coast itself represents forty percent of the wetlands in the mainland United States, as well as eighty percent of the quantity lost. For these reasons, I feel that it is crucial that every effort is being made to save the wetlands. Scientists across the Nation continue to study why Louisiana’s coastline is fading away, while others are asking how it can be fixed and who exactly should decide.
Whether you are from Louisiana or not, do you feel that these wetlands are a beneficial resource needed to be saved or a lost cause?
Do you find it too much of a risk to continue to put more money into trying to fix and protect the wetlands even though they are extremely profitable?
I have always thought that the Louisiana wetlands to be a major point in enviromental injustice that affects citizens across the country in one way or another, do you agree?
http://www.lacoast.gov/
http://marine.usgs.gov/fact-sheets/LAwetlands/lawetlands.html
Louisiana Wetlands: A Resource at Risk
The coastal Louisiana wetlands are one of the most beneficial wetlands in the United States. Not only can the economy be significantly supported by these swamps and marshes, but other things such as recreational and agricultural interests make up a large part of what numerous animals call home. Today, the Louisiana wetlands loss is the greatest in the Nation. Approximately half of the United States’ original coastal habitats have perished over the past two-hundred years. The Louisiana coast itself represents forty percent of the wetlands in the mainland United States, as well as eighty percent of the quantity lost. For these reasons, I feel that it is crucial that every effort is being made to save the wetlands. Scientists across the Nation continue to study why Louisiana’s coastline is fading away, while others are asking how it can be fixed and who exactly should decide.
Whether you are from Louisiana or not, do you feel that these wetlands are a beneficial resource needed to be saved or a lost cause?
Do you find it too much of a risk to continue to put more money into trying to fix and protect the wetlands even though they are extremely profitable?
I have always thought that the Louisiana wetlands to be a major point in enviromental injustice that affects citizens across the country in one way or another, do you agree?
1/21/09
Bullying in Cyberspace
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090115/NEWS/901150734/1116
http://www.darkreading.com/security/privacy/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=212900579
Cyber-bullying is defined as repeatedly making fun of another person online or through text messages and emails. Over the past couple of years, cyber-bullying instances have risen. With the media recently focused on the suicide of Megan Meier, I began to do my own research about cyber-bullying. After reading story after story, there was just one question that seemed to stick in my head? What were these parents teaching their children?
Granted, It's wrong to deliberately single out one child and pick on them, but I'm pretty sure we have all experienced at one point in our lives some type of bullying. There is an old adage that says, "I am rubber and you are glue, whatever you say bounces right off of me and sticks back to you." At some point you have to look back at the parents and wonder what did they teach their children?
Cyber-bullying like all bullying is wrong and pointless but my mother always told me whatever doesn't kill you make you stronger. While we are greiving for the thousands of kids who have lost their lives to cyber-bullying, we also should be looking at the parent's parental skills. The basic fundamentals of social interactions we learn from our parents and our family. In order to be that greatly affected, there was some fundamental that wasn't being taught at home--Self-esteem.
Should the parents be accountable for their childrens actions on both ends of the spectrum? Is cyber-bullying just overated? Should there be a different punishment for adults who harrass children and children who harrass children? Is there any effective way to implement cyber-bullying protection?
http://www.darkreading.com/security/privacy/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=212900579
Cyber-bullying is defined as repeatedly making fun of another person online or through text messages and emails. Over the past couple of years, cyber-bullying instances have risen. With the media recently focused on the suicide of Megan Meier, I began to do my own research about cyber-bullying. After reading story after story, there was just one question that seemed to stick in my head? What were these parents teaching their children?
Granted, It's wrong to deliberately single out one child and pick on them, but I'm pretty sure we have all experienced at one point in our lives some type of bullying. There is an old adage that says, "I am rubber and you are glue, whatever you say bounces right off of me and sticks back to you." At some point you have to look back at the parents and wonder what did they teach their children?
Cyber-bullying like all bullying is wrong and pointless but my mother always told me whatever doesn't kill you make you stronger. While we are greiving for the thousands of kids who have lost their lives to cyber-bullying, we also should be looking at the parent's parental skills. The basic fundamentals of social interactions we learn from our parents and our family. In order to be that greatly affected, there was some fundamental that wasn't being taught at home--Self-esteem.
Should the parents be accountable for their childrens actions on both ends of the spectrum? Is cyber-bullying just overated? Should there be a different punishment for adults who harrass children and children who harrass children? Is there any effective way to implement cyber-bullying protection?
Gun Control
Link To Article:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=42167The Second amendment of the constitution states, “A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” Gun control has been a hot topic over the past couple of decades. There are always people trying to justify that strict gun control or abolishment is necessary, even though our fore fathers mentioned in the Constitution that every citizen has a right to bear arms.
As stated in the article, “The study noted the number of criminals who obtained guns from retail outlets was dwarfed by the number of those who picked up their arms through means other than legal purchases.” I believe that politicians are focusing on gun control in the wrong way. Criminals that want guns will get them any way possible. Law-abiding citizens should be able to purchase any firearms they want as long as a criminal and mental background check is done. The comprehensive study found that only a small percentage of people used the weapons in a illegal manner, but this was usually due to the guns owner neglecting the safe-keeping of the firearm.
Our newly elected president wants to ban handguns all together, and most recently certain rifles. What good would this do, but keep citizens defenseless against the real criminals that most likely got a gun the illegal way. Would this go against our 2nd amendment?
"Free Software, Free Society"
I think this article was pretty cool, because I personally prefer Macs over PC's and after reading this article it further persuaded me to stick with Macs. This article talks about how with Window's Vista's arrival to the market it basically required people who were going to 'upgrade' to Vista to "throw their current computer into a landfill and buy a new one." I don't know how aware you guys are with how bad dumping computers into landfills is, but it's terribly terribly bad for the environment and for the people who live near those landfills. So, with that said, just that one reason would already dissuade me to go with Vista. Also, in the article it talks about how limiting programs are on Windows Vista, which only allow you to use them if all your hardware support those certain software restrictions. Another thing, Vista, according to this article, is not only unstable and restriction laden, it also bares constant monitoring - I think we can all do without anymore breach of privacy and our freedom of speech.
Should you allow your computer to limit how you express yourself?
Are Soldiers Citizens?
Please view the following link, as this is a response to the video clip titled MILITARY MEDICAL MISTREATMENT & THE FERES DOCTRINE. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l7BObKkb5Q
“When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen.”
General George Washington, New York Legislature, 1775.
Years after Dr. King was assassinated during his fight for the equalities of all men, Americans continue to encounter social injustices similar to the injustices that sparked the civil rights movement. Are soldiers citizens? After all, in order to become an American soldier you must first be an American citizen.
The Feres Doctrine of 1950 states that “The United States is not liable under the Federal Tort Claims Act for injuries to members of the armed forces sustained while on active duty… resulting from the negligence of others in the armed forces”. This Doctrine has prevented the family of Sgt. Carmelo Rodriguez, and many others, to seek damages due to the negligence of military personnel, leading to his death. Because these brave men and women are soldiers, they are not afforded the same rights as you and I as American citizens; Civilians have the right to sue the Federal Government for medical malpractice but we deny these rights to the “ultimate” citizen: the citizen who takes on the role refused by the cowardice of others.
Ever since this rule of non-liability, referred to as the Feres Doctrine, Congress has been requested many times to amend the statute to provide for liability, but has always refused to do so. Meanwhile, by case law developed in the lower federal courts; the Federal Tort Claims Act has been interpreted to allow federal prisoners to sue the United States for medical malpractice in prison hospitals. Thus it is that our country awards greater rights to common criminals than it does to members of its armed forces. The continued refusal of the Supreme Court to take responsibility for its illogical reading of the Tort Claims Act in Feres, and of Congress to pass corrective legislation, is a national disgrace. “It is [our] right, it is [our] duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for [the] future security” of our soldiers.
So I ask…
1. Who, if anyone, should be held accountable for such negligence?
2. Does Sgt. Rodriguez’s case meet the exceptions stated in the Feres Doctrine? His diagnosis was made during the physical examination by an armed forces physician prior to active duty.
3. Are soldiers not considered citizens of the United States of America?
A petition in support of abolishing the Feres Doctrine can be found at the following link: http://www.petitiononline.com/fd1950/petition.html
Also feel free to view the entirety of the Feres Doctrine at http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/blferes.htm
Abortion in America
http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=344
The debate on abortion rights has been an ongoing battle from the beginning it was even thought possible. The varieties of opinions on the issue are never ending and sometimes painful to either side of the argument. For most, religious views, personal feelings, and scientific evidence are responsible for shaping peoples’ opinion on this matter. For the most part I can say I see each side has a legitimate stance and provides well thought evidence pertaining to the matter. The enticing part of this subject is that it seems both “Pro- Life” advocates as well as the “Pro-Choice” advocates are reverting back to our written rights in the Declaration to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Yet, they are using them against one another. Such as “Pro- life” fighting for those individuals’ rights concerning the fetus, instead of the mother who is entitled those same rights. There is no right or wrong answer to abortion just the individual rights we the people obtain when we are born.
Does the unborn fetus have those rights?
Considering the woman is the mother of her child, does she have the right to not only make decisions about her body but also her child, regardless if he/she is born?
Should the thoughts and opinions of others have any kind of effect on your right to the choice?
Over-Population
Aristotle and Plato believed that the appropriate size for a city was one that was small enough to allow direct citizen participation, but large enough to protect itself from hostile neighbors. Aristotle also stated that if a population grew too large that poverty would occur and "poverty is the cause of sedition and evil" (http://aristotlethefreelibrary.com/A-Treatise-on-Government/2-6). One man even compared exreme population growth to a cancer. Paul R. Ehrlich published The Population Bomb in 1968 and in this stated that a population explosion needs to be solved with "compulsory birth regulation... (through) the addition of temporary sterilants to water supplies or staple food. Doses of the antidote would be carefully rationed by the government to produce the desired family size" (The Population Bomb). Although this idea sounds incredibly extreme and like some George Orwell might dream up in my opinion, his beliefs were accepted (not carried out) in some countries. Is our situation so dire that we really need to tell families how many children they can produce?
There are so many sides to this argument. There is the optimistic side that believes that more people mean the possibility of more workers, more innovations, and more discoveries. Christians argue that people are concentrating on only the economic and environmental implications of over population instead of addressing the loss of future lives. They believe that God creates each child and His will protects them and his followers from consequences relating tho their birth. The realists argue that the world is indeed running out of resources. The population of the world has grown by about 80 million people a year in the past decade (information from http://iiasa.ac.at/Research/LUC/Papers/gkh1/chap1.htm) and will seemingly continue at this pace until 2015. With that kind of growth, our food, resources, energy, and living space will become limited. That being said, people argue about what to do? Do we sit back and chance it? Do we limit our use of resources? Or does each country establish its own plan to control population growth?
The United States has its own population control plan. The Title X Family Planning program has $238 million for family planning. The majority of this money is to go to Family Planning clinics to educate people on what having children and a family is like. This method, as opposed to China’s “one-child policy” seems to be a better fit. It does not dictate how many children you are allowed to have, but rather shows you the importance of family size.
In my opinion, there are really two sides to this issue. One being do you think that it is our job as people of this world to prevent over-population so that we and the generations to come do not struggle with a lack of resources? The other is do you believe that it is our job as humans to allow children to be born because the next Einstein may be among them or the doctor who will cure cancer? Do we owe it to these children to allow their lives to affect ours? I personally believe that while we need to watch our use of resources and we must be smart about reproduction, the prevention of children is not the solution. Having children is something we incur on ourselves and we need to be ready to accept that responsibility. However, it is a tough issue with good points on either side and hopefully our government and we ourselves will address this issue in the upcoming years.
More links for information:
http://www.quodlibet.net/cook-population.shtml
http://www.iiasa.ac.at/Research/LUC/Papers/gkh1/chap1.htm
Environmental Injustice: Who, What, Where?
http://www.ejnet.org/ej/bullard.html
The topic of environmentalism and “going green” is a highly controversial (and trendy) subject in today’s world. I myself have always been somewhat of an amateur tree-hugger— always recycling, never littering, and trying my best never to waste paper. But these aspects of environmental protection fall under a broader and more relevant category: environmental justice.
In the article, “Environmental Justice: an Interview with Robert Bullard,” environmental justice is explained in simple terms. It seems silly to think of the environment, something which is so enveloping and prevalent in our everyday lives, as being unjust. However, our modern technologies and lifestyle have driven us away from the respect and concern our ancestors had for the earth. Reading what Bullard has to say about the causes of environmental injustice, such as placement of landfills and chemical plants, intrigues me because of his attention to both sides of the story. He addresses the most commonly presented injustice (environmental racism) with great insight, saying that racism isn’t the only factor in most of these cases, if it is a factor at all. I personally agree with Bullard on this topic, because I believe the issue has strayed from racism and become a case of classism. In many communities, the two go hand in hand. This interview causes me to reflect on what other situations in our everyday lives are examples of environmental injustice. This interview was conducted in 1999, and although many of the issues are still prevalent today, so many more have arisen.
I especially appreciate Bullard’s attention to the other aspects of environmental injustice, because if the placement of landfills is the only facet we focus on, so many stones will be left unturned. Why, then, is so much emphasis placed on the racial aspect of environmental injustice, when reservations, filthy urban playgrounds and contaminated lakes and streams affect all citizens? Where are our lawmakers during all of this? Is there anything the government can do that would be better for the environment without stunting urban progress?
The topic of environmentalism and “going green” is a highly controversial (and trendy) subject in today’s world. I myself have always been somewhat of an amateur tree-hugger— always recycling, never littering, and trying my best never to waste paper. But these aspects of environmental protection fall under a broader and more relevant category: environmental justice.
In the article, “Environmental Justice: an Interview with Robert Bullard,” environmental justice is explained in simple terms. It seems silly to think of the environment, something which is so enveloping and prevalent in our everyday lives, as being unjust. However, our modern technologies and lifestyle have driven us away from the respect and concern our ancestors had for the earth. Reading what Bullard has to say about the causes of environmental injustice, such as placement of landfills and chemical plants, intrigues me because of his attention to both sides of the story. He addresses the most commonly presented injustice (environmental racism) with great insight, saying that racism isn’t the only factor in most of these cases, if it is a factor at all. I personally agree with Bullard on this topic, because I believe the issue has strayed from racism and become a case of classism. In many communities, the two go hand in hand. This interview causes me to reflect on what other situations in our everyday lives are examples of environmental injustice. This interview was conducted in 1999, and although many of the issues are still prevalent today, so many more have arisen.
I especially appreciate Bullard’s attention to the other aspects of environmental injustice, because if the placement of landfills is the only facet we focus on, so many stones will be left unturned. Why, then, is so much emphasis placed on the racial aspect of environmental injustice, when reservations, filthy urban playgrounds and contaminated lakes and streams affect all citizens? Where are our lawmakers during all of this? Is there anything the government can do that would be better for the environment without stunting urban progress?
Amnesty to all illegal Immigrants
http://www.foxnews.com/oreilly/index.html
Go to TALKING POINTS videos and click on the 5th video labeled TALKING POINTS: 1/13 – Blanket Amnesty for Illegal Aliens.
The debate on illegal immigration into the United States can get heated and divisive. Some believe America is the “Land of Opportunity” and all are welcome to share the freedoms Americans do. I believe this is totally possible if done in the right way, legally. Legal immigration is great, besides that’s how most of our ancestors came here in the first place; but blanket amnesty to illegals that are already here will do nothing but hurt this nation and stretch our funds on health care, welfare, and education even more. This is the case because illegals do not pay taxes, but at the same time get educated in our school and receive healthcare. I believe this is not far to taxpaying, law abiding citizens of the United States. The United States needs to strengthen the boards and root out this problem.
Do agree with O’Reilly’s views or do you disagree? Why or Why not? And do you have any other solutions to the problem or is blanket amnesty the right way to handle the issue?
Go to TALKING POINTS videos and click on the 5th video labeled TALKING POINTS: 1/13 – Blanket Amnesty for Illegal Aliens.
The debate on illegal immigration into the United States can get heated and divisive. Some believe America is the “Land of Opportunity” and all are welcome to share the freedoms Americans do. I believe this is totally possible if done in the right way, legally. Legal immigration is great, besides that’s how most of our ancestors came here in the first place; but blanket amnesty to illegals that are already here will do nothing but hurt this nation and stretch our funds on health care, welfare, and education even more. This is the case because illegals do not pay taxes, but at the same time get educated in our school and receive healthcare. I believe this is not far to taxpaying, law abiding citizens of the United States. The United States needs to strengthen the boards and root out this problem.
Do agree with O’Reilly’s views or do you disagree? Why or Why not? And do you have any other solutions to the problem or is blanket amnesty the right way to handle the issue?
Do You Support Gay Marriage?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da_qIoB7gCw
There were many articles and videos to choose from on this topic but this relates perfectly to everything we have been discussing. Is prohibiting homosexuals to marry fair? In my opinion it is not and I hold a personal grudge for the government for continuing to ban this right. If all are created equal then why do those with different sexual orientation have to continue to fight for the right to marry. It kind of concerns me that people actually care as much as they do about keeping this law intact. Honestly people, there are bigger issues. Proposition 8 is a bill which passed in November 2008 overruling the right to same sex marriage in California. With so much poverty and crime in the world these people are raising millions of dollars to promote hate.
The government has agreed to this, “civil unions.” Basically a contract stating as far as your economic stance goes (taxes, etc.) you are in this legal bond. To me, it is only fair to allow anyone to celebrate love through marriage. My hope is that one day it will be called marriage and not a contract.
Many use religion as a way to explain their opinion on gay marriage. Why is it ok to quote religious beliefs when you don’t support something?
Are these civil unions fair? And why?
There were many articles and videos to choose from on this topic but this relates perfectly to everything we have been discussing. Is prohibiting homosexuals to marry fair? In my opinion it is not and I hold a personal grudge for the government for continuing to ban this right. If all are created equal then why do those with different sexual orientation have to continue to fight for the right to marry. It kind of concerns me that people actually care as much as they do about keeping this law intact. Honestly people, there are bigger issues. Proposition 8 is a bill which passed in November 2008 overruling the right to same sex marriage in California. With so much poverty and crime in the world these people are raising millions of dollars to promote hate.
The government has agreed to this, “civil unions.” Basically a contract stating as far as your economic stance goes (taxes, etc.) you are in this legal bond. To me, it is only fair to allow anyone to celebrate love through marriage. My hope is that one day it will be called marriage and not a contract.
Many use religion as a way to explain their opinion on gay marriage. Why is it ok to quote religious beliefs when you don’t support something?
Are these civil unions fair? And why?
The Child Soliders in Uganda
In high school, we did a project on getting people aware of worldly issues going on. One of them was the crisis in Uganda. After learning about it and becoming more educated on it, I have always wanted to learn more and find out what I can do. Here is a link to an article summarizing what has been going on in Uganda: http://www.un.org/events/tenstories/06/story.asp?storyID=100
When I read articles about this issue and hear the devastating stories, I feel hurt and hopeless for these children. I wish I could go and help every one of those families. It’s also ironic to me that the LRA dislikes the government of Uganda because they feel the government is bad for the Ugandan people. The LRA thinks training and making children rebel against the government will help the situation. When in reality, in my opinion, is only leading to killing more and more innocent lives. It really makes me sick to my stomach that this is going on every day, while some of us are in a free country and are not thankful for what we have. I really want to do something for this country and I hope that people can become more aware of what is going on in other parts of this world.
How do you feel about this issue and what do you think as Americans we can do to help these people? Do you think this will ever be or can be fixed?
Do you think there will ever be change and prosperity in the 3rd world countries who are suffering? Explain.
When I read articles about this issue and hear the devastating stories, I feel hurt and hopeless for these children. I wish I could go and help every one of those families. It’s also ironic to me that the LRA dislikes the government of Uganda because they feel the government is bad for the Ugandan people. The LRA thinks training and making children rebel against the government will help the situation. When in reality, in my opinion, is only leading to killing more and more innocent lives. It really makes me sick to my stomach that this is going on every day, while some of us are in a free country and are not thankful for what we have. I really want to do something for this country and I hope that people can become more aware of what is going on in other parts of this world.
How do you feel about this issue and what do you think as Americans we can do to help these people? Do you think this will ever be or can be fixed?
Do you think there will ever be change and prosperity in the 3rd world countries who are suffering? Explain.
The 10 Original Laws
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH5u48kjOWM
So, again we face the battle between religion and politics. In this video clip, we see that a statue has been privately donated and placed in front of a court house. Since the statue has "a religious connotation" to it, we should rally and protest to get it removed (well, that is what the far left sided liberals are saying). I say that we embrace this statue as what it is: history. When Moses came down the mountain with these two pieces of stone, history was made. These ten laws were the first to be recorded on a physical object.
I feel like the gentlemen that is against having the statue has no backing to his argument. He states that we should take the statue down, but we should keep "In God we Trust" on our currency and the many references to a Supreme Deity in our Constitution. What is the difference between these three things? There is none! Let us remember and reflect on what the principles are that this nation was founded on. If it were not for the belief in God, there would be no equality for man. If it would not be for the 10 Commandments, where would we be now?
How do these commandments make you feel? Do you feel like they are forcing Christianity upon you?
Do you think "under God" should be taken out of the Pledge of Allegiance?
How does the 10 commandments make society worst off?
Kozol's "The Shame of the Nation
Do you feel that if Martin Luther King had not died when he did that the nation would have further progressed in achieving equality, and would have never regressed? If so, explain. If not, explain.
Living Wage
Living Wage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pctMvVHTNAo
January 21, 2009
When I watch this video, I think the whole idea is a great idea. The current minimum wage in our country is not enough money to support a family, which I know first hand. Fortunately I have my family to help. But for those who do not, life is hard. The video makes me wonder if there are other groups out there who are supporting this issue, because this is the first time I had ever heard of the idea. I also agree with the video, in the sense that instating a living wage will give people a sense of freedom and independence.
I would hope this idea would apply to all people from all walks of life. Although this idea raises many questions in my mind, how exactly would this affect our nation? Would it decrease government spending because people would not need government assistance? Do the current minimum wage and the current crime rate have a direct correlation? Would it cause a decrease in crime rate? I think that if a person feels as if they are in a hopeless environment that their current situation will never change. They become desperate and resort to criminal activities to get what they need to survive, whether it’s dealing drugs, stealing or violence. Case in point, a story from FOX News in Atlanta, Ga January 2009: A women was car jacked and robbed in an affluent Atlanta neighborhood. The police later recovered her car with a note left from the assailant. He apologized for robbing her and stated that he had no choice; he had to feed his children. I also think it would affect our nations businesses. Would the cost of food, college, day care and everyday necessities significantly increase because employers are spending more money to run their business?
Overall I think it’s a great idea, but just because it’s a great idea does not mean that it will affect our nation as a whole, in a positive way. I think that the effect it may have would depend on who it affects directly and indirectly and what perspective it is viewed from.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pctMvVHTNAo
January 21, 2009
When I watch this video, I think the whole idea is a great idea. The current minimum wage in our country is not enough money to support a family, which I know first hand. Fortunately I have my family to help. But for those who do not, life is hard. The video makes me wonder if there are other groups out there who are supporting this issue, because this is the first time I had ever heard of the idea. I also agree with the video, in the sense that instating a living wage will give people a sense of freedom and independence.
I would hope this idea would apply to all people from all walks of life. Although this idea raises many questions in my mind, how exactly would this affect our nation? Would it decrease government spending because people would not need government assistance? Do the current minimum wage and the current crime rate have a direct correlation? Would it cause a decrease in crime rate? I think that if a person feels as if they are in a hopeless environment that their current situation will never change. They become desperate and resort to criminal activities to get what they need to survive, whether it’s dealing drugs, stealing or violence. Case in point, a story from FOX News in Atlanta, Ga January 2009: A women was car jacked and robbed in an affluent Atlanta neighborhood. The police later recovered her car with a note left from the assailant. He apologized for robbing her and stated that he had no choice; he had to feed his children. I also think it would affect our nations businesses. Would the cost of food, college, day care and everyday necessities significantly increase because employers are spending more money to run their business?
Overall I think it’s a great idea, but just because it’s a great idea does not mean that it will affect our nation as a whole, in a positive way. I think that the effect it may have would depend on who it affects directly and indirectly and what perspective it is viewed from.
Stem Cell Research...Ethical or Not?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-_bQMitaFs
The debate on whether stem cell research is ethical or not is one that has been going on for years. Many questions arise such as is it even legal? Do we have the right to destroy these embryos? Is the possible outcome of success even worth all the trouble? In this video, Katie Couric touches on both sides of the debate by bringing up the fact that even though some see this research as the destruction of human embryos, it can ultimately save lives. I can understand where people are coming from when they say this is morally and ethically wrong but I think it does far more good than harm. Most of the embryos are donated anyway so doesn't it make more sense to use them to save a life instead of not using them at all? The potential this research has is incredible and I think that more time and money need to be into pursuing it. Studies have shown that it could possibly cure a number of diseases, including Diabetes, which affects over 2 million Americans. More and more bills are being passed in support of further research and money is being granted to help with the process but I still think we have a long way to go.
The Inaugural Speech of Franklin D. Roosevelt
After witnessing the historic inauguration of Barack Obama, I chose to focus on another historic inaugural speech. The first and most famous that came to mind was the speech given by Franklin D. Roosevelt on March 4th, 1933. This speech can be found in the link: www.hpol.org/fdr/inaug/ .
After reading the speech given by Franklin D. Roosevelt, I began to see how similar the struggles of 1933 were to present day. The nation was both poor and tired with a struggling economy, but this did not stop FDR from delivering a speech that the nation of then and now needs to hear. I was moved by the fact that one of the first lines in his speech spoke of having nothing to fear except fear itself. This immediately got my attention and I am sure it got America’s attention in the horrible time of the Great Depression. He repeatedly reassures people that he is working to fix America’s problem first besides worrying about anything else. I also found that FDR did very well in laying out a plan and giving blame where blame was needed. The people that hurt the nation were gone, and he was here to rescue it from the low of lows.
I believe that FDR and Obama were quite similar in the message they conveyed of change and reform on a national scale. Also, both presidents have asked the people to change themselves and save the nation to which they belong. This reassurance and calling is what people need to hear because we need to be active in our communities and many of us are not. Change can not come about from one man or even the whole congress. It takes all of America’s citizens to bring about real change.
Do you feel as though FDR and Obama were trying to convey a similar message?
If so, who do you think did a better job?
If FDR and Obama were campaigning against each other today, who would you cast your vote for based on their first speeches as president?
1/20/09
Are We One?
On the Money Trail: Inauguration Perks Go To the Rich
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/MoneyTrail/story?id=6680531&page=1
What Recession? The $170 Million Inauguration
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Inauguration/Story?id=6665946&page=1
Not even days after the president was sworn into office, did social classes get a fresh new taste of what being "one" is like. Or did they? After reading these two articles, I was terribly filled with contrasting emotions that threw some hope out of the window for the greatest change this nation potentially could have had. Not saying I don't feel as if it's not going to change now; however, I feel like some potential was overlooked.
At the Inaugural ceremony, the atmosphere of joy and hope outweighed the presence of separation. Yet, "...[A] clutch of Obama's top donors could watch from a heated tent near the performers, courtesy of the president-elect's Inaugural Committee." Other not as wealthy classes had to watch out in the cold, far away from the big performances. Ironically, many Americans were out to watch a speech on unifying our nation, and what they got seemed to be a great speech yet hypocritical actions. Obama has such a way with words and charisma which set scale to how high his goals and desires for this country will go. What I don't necessarily get is how he wants to get across his message that we are one, when at the inauguration, the people were segregated. Not from race, religion, sex, orientation, but they were segregated by financial income/worth. So just because those people donated much more money to Obama, they are superior?
Position yourself in the crowd of many thousands of other American's different race, age, size, shape, sex, hair color, etc. What brings us all together? The fact that we are Americans, and we all deserve the same opportunities as any other American today. We are here for hope, to better America for ourselves, our children, and all others. However, while you sit out in the cold, the only thing separating you and the person at the front of the stage is money. Now I thought we were one? How is that we are one when you have the upper class, who yes have donated money to the inauguration, but other than money are no different than you or anyone else. Many, many people donated money; but if you didn't donate atleast a couple of 10 thousands, then don't even think about being seated next to them.
Another issue was the total cost of the whole weekend. The bill still not totalled, already outweighed that of Clinton and Bush's. Thought we were in a recession? Don't get me wrong; I am proud to say I witnessed a huge historic change, but it just seems a little bit controversial. I'll just have hope until I see some changes in this beautiful melting pot nation, we call America. It would be a shame to see such a strong plan ruined by pushing everything under the rug and only talking a good game out of the situation. Just have faith, cause YES WE CAN!
1/19/09
Post #1 (of 4): Due 22 Jan.
Posts are different from responses because you're choosing the text to respond to. It can be anything related to the courses theme, including traditional texts as well as audio or video clips. Share the link to that text and create a post to share it with the class.
You should do 3 things in your post:
1) Link: to one or more articles, interviews, poems, videos, songs, etc.
2) Respond: share your reflections, connections, opinions, confusions, ideas, etc. Do not summarize the text(s). Assume that we have read them.
3) Inquire: Pose questions for your readers to consider and comment on.
Posts that don't contain all three elements won't be counted towards your grade.
How to post: click on the "New Post" tab on the top right-hand corner of the page. After writing, click on "Publish Post" (if you "save as draft" it will not appear on the blog). The rest should be more or less self-explanatory; please ask for help if you need it!
Excellent examples from past students. Note that it's a different course so the focus won't be the same, but all of the posts on this blog are what I would consider excellent. If you need a model, check them out (poems that are posted were for a different assignment so don't use those).
You should do 3 things in your post:
1) Link: to one or more articles, interviews, poems, videos, songs, etc.
2) Respond: share your reflections, connections, opinions, confusions, ideas, etc. Do not summarize the text(s). Assume that we have read them.
3) Inquire: Pose questions for your readers to consider and comment on.
Posts that don't contain all three elements won't be counted towards your grade.
How to post: click on the "New Post" tab on the top right-hand corner of the page. After writing, click on "Publish Post" (if you "save as draft" it will not appear on the blog). The rest should be more or less self-explanatory; please ask for help if you need it!
Excellent examples from past students. Note that it's a different course so the focus won't be the same, but all of the posts on this blog are what I would consider excellent. If you need a model, check them out (poems that are posted were for a different assignment so don't use those).
1/14/09
Reading Response #2: Obama, "A More Perfect Union." Due 20 Jan.
Read (and listen as well if you'd like) to Obama's speech.
Respond (following the same "reading response" criteria as in #1) in the comments section.
Try to suspend judgment about the presidential race: in other words, set aside (to the extent possible) your feelings about the campaign and your support or lack of support for Obama, McCain, or other candidates while you read, focusing primarily on the content of the speech.
Respond (following the same "reading response" criteria as in #1) in the comments section.
Try to suspend judgment about the presidential race: in other words, set aside (to the extent possible) your feelings about the campaign and your support or lack of support for Obama, McCain, or other candidates while you read, focusing primarily on the content of the speech.
1/12/09
Reading Response #1: Declaration of Independence. Due 15 Jan.
1) Read the Declaration (in the textbook).
2) Watch the clip from John Adams (be sure to read the background info for the clip)
3) Post your response here.
*Post all reading responses in the "comments" section.
Response guidelines:
100-250 words.
1) Respond: What does this text make you think, feel, or (want to) do? "Nothing" is not an acceptable answer.
2) Analyze: What specific words or phrases had that effect on you, and why, do you think? Is that what the author was trying to do? What else about the text might have helped with--or hindered--that effect?
Optional and encouraged: make connections to other texts, raise questions, apply the "5 analytical moves" once we practice this in class.
2) Watch the clip from John Adams (be sure to read the background info for the clip)
3) Post your response here.
*Post all reading responses in the "comments" section.
Response guidelines:
100-250 words.
1) Respond: What does this text make you think, feel, or (want to) do? "Nothing" is not an acceptable answer.
2) Analyze: What specific words or phrases had that effect on you, and why, do you think? Is that what the author was trying to do? What else about the text might have helped with--or hindered--that effect?
Optional and encouraged: make connections to other texts, raise questions, apply the "5 analytical moves" once we practice this in class.
1/6/09
topics to explore: some possibilities
These links are designed to help you explore issues you might want to focus on this semester. There are many, many more issues out there than you will find here, so feel free to consider any of them--the only constraint is that your issue be one having to do with the course topic.
You should critically evaluate these sources just as you would any other. They are not necessarily objective or thorough; they do offer basic information on issues for the simple purpose of helping you choose an issue. Once you choose, you will do much more in-depth research than these pages represent.
If, in your research, you find a site worth sharing, please add it either in the comments section or here in the post!
the death penalty, gay marriage, religion in school, and more
Native American issues
homelessness
disability rights
hate crimes
racial justice
economic issues and another on economics
abortion
poverty
education
environmental justice
other misc.issues studied by the Unitarian Universalist church
LGBT rights
multiple issues related to poverty and race (see the left sidebar of the page)
"ethical eating"
censorship
soldiers'/veterans' rights
anti-war
support the troops
Note: Some links are to church-based web pages, but I am not promoting any particular religious views by including them here. Some are slanted to the right or (mostly) the left, some are fairly balanced. You should read them with scholarly sketicism and feel free to critique their claims.
You should critically evaluate these sources just as you would any other. They are not necessarily objective or thorough; they do offer basic information on issues for the simple purpose of helping you choose an issue. Once you choose, you will do much more in-depth research than these pages represent.
If, in your research, you find a site worth sharing, please add it either in the comments section or here in the post!
the death penalty, gay marriage, religion in school, and more
Native American issues
homelessness
disability rights
hate crimes
racial justice
economic issues and another on economics
abortion
poverty
education
environmental justice
other misc.issues studied by the Unitarian Universalist church
LGBT rights
multiple issues related to poverty and race (see the left sidebar of the page)
"ethical eating"
censorship
soldiers'/veterans' rights
anti-war
support the troops
Note: Some links are to church-based web pages, but I am not promoting any particular religious views by including them here. Some are slanted to the right or (mostly) the left, some are fairly balanced. You should read them with scholarly sketicism and feel free to critique their claims.