Popular filmmaker Oliver Stone wrote “Memo to John Grisham” as a response to his article “Unnatural Killers” which was published in the Oxford American. Mr. Stone addressed the criticism laid about his movie Natural Born Killers. He gave his interpretation of Ben and Sarah (the convicted murders from Grisham’s essay) actions without giving the entire story. The entire article is Mr. Stone’s come back, yet he leaves the last half to enumerate different reason why John Grisham was wrong in his attack on Hollywood.
The purpose for Mr. Stone’s writing is not as clear to me as it may seem to others. The most obvious reason seems to be that he got a little teed off and wanted to rant publicly. His writing is filled with fallacies and contradictions. My attention was drawn more to his obvious dislike for Mr. Grisham. Mr. Stone was right to point out a few things though. He comments on how his film is no different from Tom and Jerry or Bugs Bunny cartoons, I agree. He makes the point that if you’re going to pick on one “harmful” industry you have to do the same to others, I agree to a certain degree. He was right to mention the protection given under the First Amendment. I must point out that he shot himself in the foot with the statistics of children and their TV watching. In his explanation he admits that the violence from television shows could contribute to violent acts. That doesn’t help his case much. His last paragraph is what makes his purpose so unclear for me. He writes “Strangle art in its infancy, he suggests, and society will be a better place. One might more persuasively argue that cold-blooded murderers should be strangled in their infancy. Yet as with human infants, can never know the outcome of nascent are, and so both must be protected and nurtured, precisely for society’s sake.” Does he dare compare his murder-film with a child? Is he trying to convince me that no matter how heinous a “human work” is, that it should be nurtured and protected just as a human child? If so, he just may be just a crazy and masochistic as Hitler.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Response essay #9 "Unnatural Killers" by John Grisham
“Unnatural Killers”
Written in the classic John Grisham style, Unnatural Killers begins with a thrilling true tale of two young persons’ coldblooded killing spree. Spun with the skill of his craft, Mr. Grisham argues that the couple’s violent actions were influenced by the movie thriller Natural Born Killers. In his scathing rebuke of the film and others like it, he places the blame on Hollywood and filmmakers. He conveys two options for dealing with the problem: boycott or lawsuit.
I believe that Mr. Grisham wrote an excellent argument. The story was very compelling and the given details were enough to make any mother hold her little ones close. In his attempt to persuade his readers he failed to include details that I think are necessary in forming a decision about the issue. Details such as knowing that the couple were using drugs that would cause hallucinations and knowing that they watched the movie over and over again would help the reader to form a much more informed decision. However, his points are right on in my opinion. Unfortunately, boycotting is the only way that I would, in good conscience, take action on “Hollywood.” Since the writing of this essay, several changes have taken place. Ratings on movies and other entertainment media have become more stringent. The violence has increased though. This point is one to camp out on. The draw of violence cannot be curbed by the letter of the law. On the contrary, the law is the symptom that there is a problem not the cure. The cure must be administered deep in to the heart of man and as far as I know there are no laws that go that far. I champion Mr. Grisham’s efforts and have joined in the fight by being a vigilant fighter for my children's and my mind by being one who actively guards against unwholesome media. No law of the land persuaded or influenced my decision.
Written in the classic John Grisham style, Unnatural Killers begins with a thrilling true tale of two young persons’ coldblooded killing spree. Spun with the skill of his craft, Mr. Grisham argues that the couple’s violent actions were influenced by the movie thriller Natural Born Killers. In his scathing rebuke of the film and others like it, he places the blame on Hollywood and filmmakers. He conveys two options for dealing with the problem: boycott or lawsuit.
I believe that Mr. Grisham wrote an excellent argument. The story was very compelling and the given details were enough to make any mother hold her little ones close. In his attempt to persuade his readers he failed to include details that I think are necessary in forming a decision about the issue. Details such as knowing that the couple were using drugs that would cause hallucinations and knowing that they watched the movie over and over again would help the reader to form a much more informed decision. However, his points are right on in my opinion. Unfortunately, boycotting is the only way that I would, in good conscience, take action on “Hollywood.” Since the writing of this essay, several changes have taken place. Ratings on movies and other entertainment media have become more stringent. The violence has increased though. This point is one to camp out on. The draw of violence cannot be curbed by the letter of the law. On the contrary, the law is the symptom that there is a problem not the cure. The cure must be administered deep in to the heart of man and as far as I know there are no laws that go that far. I champion Mr. Grisham’s efforts and have joined in the fight by being a vigilant fighter for my children's and my mind by being one who actively guards against unwholesome media. No law of the land persuaded or influenced my decision.
Response essay #8 of "The Threat of National ID" by William Safire
William Safire, notably credentialed with being a speech writer for President Nixon, television producer, and reporter for a well known news paper, laid out his argument against the National ID card in this short article. He used the appeal to the draw of modern technology that not only convenience our lives and calm our fear by the use of a chip developed to help locate our lost animals, to begin his argument. Due to the threat of another terrorist attack similar to 9/11, law makers and marketers are eager to use the opportunity to trample the Fourth Amendment he argues. Mr. Safire relates the current misuses of government power to trample that amendment, to support his case. Not leaving imagination to chance, he described the implications of what having a National ID card would lead to, only after explaining the difference between what a State issued license and the federal card are. Lastly, if you had not been convinced by his argument Mr. Safire leads you back to the beginning showing how the information stored on the chip of a small and insignificant card would naturally be replace by a chip being implanted behind your neck.
After reading William Safire’s argument, one could be left thinking that they had read a science fiction story. Sadly the truth is stranger than fiction. All of what Mr. Safire has written is true and modern reality. His purpose of writing is an obvious warning call.Many people believe, not just Americans, that they are marching toward an abyss that has been described by some biblical scholars as the End Times. Though Mr. Safire was not writing from a biblical persuasion, the question that he addresses gets to the very core of liberty. Are you willing to giving up anonymity, privacy, your liberty for convenience and false security? With the use of technology like the Magic Lantern and the Carnivore, our liberties are already in a precarious place. The way that he describes the natural evolution of a devise such as the National ID card is no scare tactic. He desires for the reader to think. The consequences of not thinking and taking action has been devastating for our nation and I fear that twilight has passed and the dawn of a new day for the US and indeed the world may already be here.
After reading William Safire’s argument, one could be left thinking that they had read a science fiction story. Sadly the truth is stranger than fiction. All of what Mr. Safire has written is true and modern reality. His purpose of writing is an obvious warning call.Many people believe, not just Americans, that they are marching toward an abyss that has been described by some biblical scholars as the End Times. Though Mr. Safire was not writing from a biblical persuasion, the question that he addresses gets to the very core of liberty. Are you willing to giving up anonymity, privacy, your liberty for convenience and false security? With the use of technology like the Magic Lantern and the Carnivore, our liberties are already in a precarious place. The way that he describes the natural evolution of a devise such as the National ID card is no scare tactic. He desires for the reader to think. The consequences of not thinking and taking action has been devastating for our nation and I fear that twilight has passed and the dawn of a new day for the US and indeed the world may already be here.
Response essay #7 of "Why Fear National ID Cards?" by Alan Dershowitz
Why Fear National ID Cards?
Alan Dershowitz, a self proclaimed civil libertarian, takes a radically non-libertarian stance on the National ID card in his essay.-Why Fear National ID Cards? The essay’s introduction brings readers attention to the modern technology that has made life for travelers easier who use toll booths. His argument begins to center on sacrificing anonymity for security; however by the end of his writing his argument changes to the issue of Americans’ obligation to give up liberty for that security.
The purpose of Mr. Dershowitz’s essay is clearly to persuade and almost mock the citizens not in favor of the National ID card. The trading-privacy-for-convenience argument that he used does not carry the same weight as the real issue at hand. He and others may be comfortable with being totally transparent with their lives but many others are not. To buy a service and tool that would allow drivers to pass through toll booths quickly is a choice that can be accepted or denied by the patron. However, the choice to accept or reject a National ID would be denied if it were to become mandatory. This is a point that he neglects to mention and weakens his argument for me. His attempt to address the possible objections fell with only non-answers such as: Question-“What about fears of identity cards leading to more intrusive measures?” Answer- “We already require photo IDs for many activities, including flying, driving, drinking, and check-cashing.” Doesn’t this National ID card come in the form of “more intrusive measures?” He fails to ask the question if there is anything wrong with giving licenses for those things that he holds up as identification that “we” have accepted. Thinking like Alan Dershowitz does not actually solve problems. I think that his fear of terrorism has blinded him to what he should really fear, and sacrificing his liberty is a symptom of it. His ideas are not uncommon and I fear a change in America unlike any that we have seen before. The people are ready to sacrifice all but there pleasures to be safe.
Alan Dershowitz, a self proclaimed civil libertarian, takes a radically non-libertarian stance on the National ID card in his essay.-Why Fear National ID Cards? The essay’s introduction brings readers attention to the modern technology that has made life for travelers easier who use toll booths. His argument begins to center on sacrificing anonymity for security; however by the end of his writing his argument changes to the issue of Americans’ obligation to give up liberty for that security.
The purpose of Mr. Dershowitz’s essay is clearly to persuade and almost mock the citizens not in favor of the National ID card. The trading-privacy-for-convenience argument that he used does not carry the same weight as the real issue at hand. He and others may be comfortable with being totally transparent with their lives but many others are not. To buy a service and tool that would allow drivers to pass through toll booths quickly is a choice that can be accepted or denied by the patron. However, the choice to accept or reject a National ID would be denied if it were to become mandatory. This is a point that he neglects to mention and weakens his argument for me. His attempt to address the possible objections fell with only non-answers such as: Question-“What about fears of identity cards leading to more intrusive measures?” Answer- “We already require photo IDs for many activities, including flying, driving, drinking, and check-cashing.” Doesn’t this National ID card come in the form of “more intrusive measures?” He fails to ask the question if there is anything wrong with giving licenses for those things that he holds up as identification that “we” have accepted. Thinking like Alan Dershowitz does not actually solve problems. I think that his fear of terrorism has blinded him to what he should really fear, and sacrificing his liberty is a symptom of it. His ideas are not uncommon and I fear a change in America unlike any that we have seen before. The people are ready to sacrifice all but there pleasures to be safe.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Just How Far Must a Government Go to Become Despotic? (essay #4)
Word Count 1414
“We shall be carrying out everything according to plan. There is no need to change course. Aziz only needs to tweak a few wires.” A simple email correspondence worded in a similar manner as the fake excerpt above would seize the attention of the newly created Department of Homeland Security. Buzz words and phrases such as; “according to plan”, “change course”, “wires” or even my son’s name “Aziz” would perhaps be enough suspicion to believe me to be involved in terrorism. Legislation passed by the US Congress gives the NSA, FBI, CIA and other government bureaus the right to monitor citizens’ correspondences. Government monitoring of phone calls, personal emails, websites citizens visit, and searches that they perform on Google is an evil practice that does not keep Americans safer, but violates personal liberties.
Scholars and theologians of the 16th century understood the necessity to protect the people’s privacy from their governments. In America’s infancy, opinions were split as to how the country should be governed, yet the majority if not all understood the importance of a safeguard for the people’s liberty. Spelled out in the IV Amendment of the Constitution it reads:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, and against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized.
To conduct unreasonable searches is a form of terrorism in itself. When Germany annexed Austria, the soldiers were ordered to invade the homes of non-Jewish citizens in order to find Jews who would have been evading capture. It is widely known that the Germans, under the reign of Adolf Hitler, practiced eugenics thereby slaughtering millions of undesirables. The Jews were among the undesirables. Austrians feared associating with Jews. It was rare to find them helping one. The Austrians were terrified of the German government. Let it be said that any congressman or women who voted for the unconstitutional search of citizens private effects has not read the Constitution, Declaration of Independence or any of the writings from the time of this country’s founding or worse-they have chosen to ignore them and are perhaps following a fascistic path. The colonists knew of the oppression that came when a government threw out the rule of law. They knew it and many lost their lives to through it off. Obtaining the legal documents, supported by an oath, before a warrant is issued maintains the notion that the people are to be protected from unjust suspicions. However, Mike McConnell, Director of National Intelligence, said, “[Without]…retroactive liability protection, [companies’] general counsels, as an obligation…would tell them not to cooperate with us….The tragedy is it would slow our efforts; it would make us less effective”(qtd. In Mass). Even though “companies’” (such as AT&T) general council would discourage them from cooperating with DHS because of the illegal nature of the job, Mr. McConnell does not seek a warrant for a suspected guilty person, but immunity for companies that would partner with him to spy on every citizen that he deems suspicious.
As hard as it may be to parallel the US government with Nazi Germany, one way to control a population is to keep them in continual fear so as to give the sense of the need to be protected. Therefore, the people would give up liberties willingly. Yet with Legislation such as the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) or the Protect America Act (PAA) one would have a fear of what to say or even read not wanting to be suspected of terrorism. As one writer notes and quotes James Madison
“The president… played the al-Qaeda card to full advantage. Now might be a good time to recall the warning once uttered by James Madison: ‘If tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy.’ Madison’s words alluded to the time-honored principle that a people who normally would guard their freedom jealously, often are willing to sacrifice some of that freedom if they can be convinced that a foreign enemy poses a greater threat.”(Mass)
One proponent of the Patriot Act would think that Mr. Mass’ assessment a bit paranoid. W. E. Jacobs argues that the regular business of running a library; collecting fines, storing patrons information is a matter of government watchfulness. He also contends that using those records to combat terrorism would fall under the same government watchfulness, and shouldn’t be seen as an attack on civil liberties (Jacobs). I am not as confident. Under such ambiguous language as in the aforementioned legislations, just about anyone could be suspected of terrorism. Curiosity and inventiveness would be curbed for fear of suspected motivations and intentions thereby being assumed guilty before proven to be. One example of this would be my internet search for “atom bomb”. Being curious about a statement supposedly made by Albert Einstein regretting his part in building the bomb, I decided to do the search. In the back of my mind I was wondering how many alarms were going off at the NSA. Certainly many Americans are not drawing the same conclusions that I am; however does that warrant the lost of their right to privacy?
If one assumes that our rights are derived from a source other than government, legislators removing the most basic right of privacy reduces a person from a citizen to the property of the State. The architects of this nation would abhor what Washington has done. America’s foundational document states clearly that the people are not the property of its government; “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men…are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights….” Every citizen in the United States is issued a number at birth. Unless one desires to cease being a person residing in the country they will take a number; an action that could otherwise leave one destitute. The slippery slope of marking people has no end in sight. In the summer of 2008 my states governor refused to accept the National ID card. On the horizon, the RFID chip will be implanted in every citizen used for identification commerce and whatever else its servant government would deem necessary for the good of the nation.
The argument for tapping into citizens private effects has been said to be a legitimate way of protecting the people and is only limited to suspects who would seek to harm America. The evidence has shown that the orchestrators and attackers of the 9/11 disaster used telephone, email, websites and even public library facilities to carry out their plan. The same tools that the US government maintains that is needed to continue its work, without interruption are basically the same as were used before the 9/11 attack and in no way prevented it. Lisa Graves and Kate Rhudy from SOUNDING OFF mentions that the FISA bill, passed in the late 1970’s, offered spying tactics designed to defend against terrorism that would, maintain legality, and the rights of the people ensured by the Constitution (Graves). Proponents of measures such as the Patriot Act would content that Americans should be willing to give up a little bit of liberty for security. However the exchange would not be liberty for security but for fear. Americans would fear what to do or say for dread of the State’s eyes and ears condemning them. With all of the talk of protecting America from terrorist, it is strange that the immediate cause of the attacks of September 11th has almost completely been ignored by Washington and most news media on the left and the right of the political spectrum. The CIA has a term, blowback, that explains the acts of terror committed by Middle Eastern people, yet that intelligence has been unnoticed. At the time of its signing the intent of the Protect America Act was to be temporary; however President George W. Bush requested that the measure be extended-indefinitely.
America has embarked on a journey that would take it to a strange new world. As we hurl through time and space with our public-private documents open for administrative scrutiny where might we land? I know that a Pandora’s Box has been opened. What horrors will proceed from it? Only time will tell.
Graves, Lisa, and Kate Rhudy. "Warrantless wiretapping: unconstitutional and unwise.(SOUNDING OFF)." National Voter. 57. 3 (June 2008): 21(1). Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Greenville Technical College Library. 6 Nov. 2008.
Jacobs, W.E. “Point: Access to Library Records is Needed to fight Terrorism.” Point of View: Government Access to Records p2-2 (2007): p1. Points of View Reference Center. Greenville Technical College Library, Greenville, SC. 12 Nov. 2008.
Mass, Warren. “To Protect America, protect privacy” The New American 23.22 (Oct. 29, 2007): 18(2). Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Greenville Technical College Library, Greenville, SC. 6 Nov. 2008http://ezp.gvltec.edu:2069/ovrc/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T003&prodId=OVRC&docId=A17028807&source=gale&srcprod=OVRC&userGroupName=gvltec_main&version=1.0>.
United States. “It is Vital that congress Not allow the Core Authorities of the Patriot Act to Expire.” Preserving Life &Liberty..
“We shall be carrying out everything according to plan. There is no need to change course. Aziz only needs to tweak a few wires.” A simple email correspondence worded in a similar manner as the fake excerpt above would seize the attention of the newly created Department of Homeland Security. Buzz words and phrases such as; “according to plan”, “change course”, “wires” or even my son’s name “Aziz” would perhaps be enough suspicion to believe me to be involved in terrorism. Legislation passed by the US Congress gives the NSA, FBI, CIA and other government bureaus the right to monitor citizens’ correspondences. Government monitoring of phone calls, personal emails, websites citizens visit, and searches that they perform on Google is an evil practice that does not keep Americans safer, but violates personal liberties.
Scholars and theologians of the 16th century understood the necessity to protect the people’s privacy from their governments. In America’s infancy, opinions were split as to how the country should be governed, yet the majority if not all understood the importance of a safeguard for the people’s liberty. Spelled out in the IV Amendment of the Constitution it reads:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, and against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized.
To conduct unreasonable searches is a form of terrorism in itself. When Germany annexed Austria, the soldiers were ordered to invade the homes of non-Jewish citizens in order to find Jews who would have been evading capture. It is widely known that the Germans, under the reign of Adolf Hitler, practiced eugenics thereby slaughtering millions of undesirables. The Jews were among the undesirables. Austrians feared associating with Jews. It was rare to find them helping one. The Austrians were terrified of the German government. Let it be said that any congressman or women who voted for the unconstitutional search of citizens private effects has not read the Constitution, Declaration of Independence or any of the writings from the time of this country’s founding or worse-they have chosen to ignore them and are perhaps following a fascistic path. The colonists knew of the oppression that came when a government threw out the rule of law. They knew it and many lost their lives to through it off. Obtaining the legal documents, supported by an oath, before a warrant is issued maintains the notion that the people are to be protected from unjust suspicions. However, Mike McConnell, Director of National Intelligence, said, “[Without]…retroactive liability protection, [companies’] general counsels, as an obligation…would tell them not to cooperate with us….The tragedy is it would slow our efforts; it would make us less effective”(qtd. In Mass). Even though “companies’” (such as AT&T) general council would discourage them from cooperating with DHS because of the illegal nature of the job, Mr. McConnell does not seek a warrant for a suspected guilty person, but immunity for companies that would partner with him to spy on every citizen that he deems suspicious.
As hard as it may be to parallel the US government with Nazi Germany, one way to control a population is to keep them in continual fear so as to give the sense of the need to be protected. Therefore, the people would give up liberties willingly. Yet with Legislation such as the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) or the Protect America Act (PAA) one would have a fear of what to say or even read not wanting to be suspected of terrorism. As one writer notes and quotes James Madison
“The president… played the al-Qaeda card to full advantage. Now might be a good time to recall the warning once uttered by James Madison: ‘If tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy.’ Madison’s words alluded to the time-honored principle that a people who normally would guard their freedom jealously, often are willing to sacrifice some of that freedom if they can be convinced that a foreign enemy poses a greater threat.”(Mass)
One proponent of the Patriot Act would think that Mr. Mass’ assessment a bit paranoid. W. E. Jacobs argues that the regular business of running a library; collecting fines, storing patrons information is a matter of government watchfulness. He also contends that using those records to combat terrorism would fall under the same government watchfulness, and shouldn’t be seen as an attack on civil liberties (Jacobs). I am not as confident. Under such ambiguous language as in the aforementioned legislations, just about anyone could be suspected of terrorism. Curiosity and inventiveness would be curbed for fear of suspected motivations and intentions thereby being assumed guilty before proven to be. One example of this would be my internet search for “atom bomb”. Being curious about a statement supposedly made by Albert Einstein regretting his part in building the bomb, I decided to do the search. In the back of my mind I was wondering how many alarms were going off at the NSA. Certainly many Americans are not drawing the same conclusions that I am; however does that warrant the lost of their right to privacy?
If one assumes that our rights are derived from a source other than government, legislators removing the most basic right of privacy reduces a person from a citizen to the property of the State. The architects of this nation would abhor what Washington has done. America’s foundational document states clearly that the people are not the property of its government; “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men…are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights….” Every citizen in the United States is issued a number at birth. Unless one desires to cease being a person residing in the country they will take a number; an action that could otherwise leave one destitute. The slippery slope of marking people has no end in sight. In the summer of 2008 my states governor refused to accept the National ID card. On the horizon, the RFID chip will be implanted in every citizen used for identification commerce and whatever else its servant government would deem necessary for the good of the nation.
The argument for tapping into citizens private effects has been said to be a legitimate way of protecting the people and is only limited to suspects who would seek to harm America. The evidence has shown that the orchestrators and attackers of the 9/11 disaster used telephone, email, websites and even public library facilities to carry out their plan. The same tools that the US government maintains that is needed to continue its work, without interruption are basically the same as were used before the 9/11 attack and in no way prevented it. Lisa Graves and Kate Rhudy from SOUNDING OFF mentions that the FISA bill, passed in the late 1970’s, offered spying tactics designed to defend against terrorism that would, maintain legality, and the rights of the people ensured by the Constitution (Graves). Proponents of measures such as the Patriot Act would content that Americans should be willing to give up a little bit of liberty for security. However the exchange would not be liberty for security but for fear. Americans would fear what to do or say for dread of the State’s eyes and ears condemning them. With all of the talk of protecting America from terrorist, it is strange that the immediate cause of the attacks of September 11th has almost completely been ignored by Washington and most news media on the left and the right of the political spectrum. The CIA has a term, blowback, that explains the acts of terror committed by Middle Eastern people, yet that intelligence has been unnoticed. At the time of its signing the intent of the Protect America Act was to be temporary; however President George W. Bush requested that the measure be extended-indefinitely.
America has embarked on a journey that would take it to a strange new world. As we hurl through time and space with our public-private documents open for administrative scrutiny where might we land? I know that a Pandora’s Box has been opened. What horrors will proceed from it? Only time will tell.
Graves, Lisa, and Kate Rhudy. "Warrantless wiretapping: unconstitutional and unwise.(SOUNDING OFF)." National Voter. 57. 3 (June 2008): 21(1). Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Greenville Technical College Library. 6 Nov. 2008
Jacobs, W.E. “Point: Access to Library Records is Needed to fight Terrorism.” Point of View: Government Access to Records p2-2 (2007): p1. Points of View Reference Center. Greenville Technical College Library, Greenville, SC. 12 Nov. 2008
Mass, Warren. “To Protect America, protect privacy” The New American 23.22 (Oct. 29, 2007): 18(2). Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Greenville Technical College Library, Greenville, SC. 6 Nov. 2008http://ezp.gvltec.edu:2069/ovrc/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T003&prodId=OVRC&docId=A17028807&source=gale&srcprod=OVRC&userGroupName=gvltec_main&version=1.0>.
United States. “It is Vital that congress Not allow the Core Authorities of the Patriot Act to Expire.” Preserving Life &Liberty.
Response essay of 'Sico' by Michael Moore
Word count 711
Michael Moore has made a career of producing films that make political statements. Sicko, his latest film was meant to address the health care crisis that is a hot topic in America today. Mr. Moore chose a light-hearted approach peppered with seriousness, sadness and anti-American sentiment. He crossed the globe to make the point that the universal health care system, used in other countries, is a far superior system than what is used in America. Questioning citizens from Canada, Britain, France, and even Cuba, Moore’s objective was to establish that the wait, quality, and cost of health care under those countries’ systems were to be desired and adopted here in the US.
Without much delay Mr. Moore tried to connect with lower class Americans. Identifying the lower class white male without health insurance who severed two of his fingers, Moore explained how the man had to choose which fingers he wanted to save because he was too poor to pay to have both reconnected. If that story does not pull at your heart strings, then the story of the older couple, who had to file bankruptcy and move into the storage room of their unwilling grown daughter, because they lost everything due to medical expenses, will. The assertion that super expensive medical care opposed to free medical care is preferred is almost a nonissue. Unless you understand that nothing is truly free. Socializing medicine is not the only alternative.
In the film we, the viewers, watched as Mr. Moore accompanied a French doctor as he made house calls. What a revolutionary idea! In fact, home visits are not a new idea and would strive better under a free market system rather than a socialist one.
Doctors and patients would have the freedom to determine pay, and demand would keep doctors competitive. This point leads me to an organization that Mr. Moore mentioned in the film- the American Medical Association. This group deserves a little credit for the “health care crisis” that we find ourselves in. What with capping the number of students that medical schools will take makes the ratio of doctor-to-patient unbelievably skewed. No matter how noble doctors are the law of supply and demand works in the medical field just as well as in any other field. Raise your hand if you want to be a doctor. Mr. Moore also documented a conversation where President Nixon seemed to be selling the American people to a greedy business man who started the HMO mess. I don’t cast much doubt on the point that he was making, yet his argument is so laughable. His argument is that the “government” screwed us over so we need more “government” (universal, national, controlled by the government healthcare) to rescue us from the mess that the “government” got us into. I’m a little dizzy trying to stay on that merry-go-round. I will give him credit for pointing out that the government does a crummy job helping people.
It was apparent to me from the beginning of the film that Michael Moore did not share my ideas. I have friends who: sew their own stitches, change their own radiator and toilets, work several jobs, pay for their own health care, and would think it an insult if someone were to tell them that they “should be kicking back on a beach somewhere”-both woman and men, young and old. I would ask my fellow Americans who would desire to go to France so that the government nanny could cook the food and do the laundry, are you truly comfortable with laying your life wide open for the government to look in? A better question would be; would you like an IRS official cleaning your house? Or perhaps having a DSS worker babysitting for you would be more appealing? Unlike others that I know, I am for trading with Cuba, and Moore was right to bring to light how inexpensive medicine is there. Was there a sleight of hand involved? I’m not sure; however I do know that the value of currency plays a big role. To my American friends who would envy the life in Cuba, I would issue a warning. CUBA IS NOT FREE PERIOD.
Michael Moore has made a career of producing films that make political statements. Sicko, his latest film was meant to address the health care crisis that is a hot topic in America today. Mr. Moore chose a light-hearted approach peppered with seriousness, sadness and anti-American sentiment. He crossed the globe to make the point that the universal health care system, used in other countries, is a far superior system than what is used in America. Questioning citizens from Canada, Britain, France, and even Cuba, Moore’s objective was to establish that the wait, quality, and cost of health care under those countries’ systems were to be desired and adopted here in the US.
Without much delay Mr. Moore tried to connect with lower class Americans. Identifying the lower class white male without health insurance who severed two of his fingers, Moore explained how the man had to choose which fingers he wanted to save because he was too poor to pay to have both reconnected. If that story does not pull at your heart strings, then the story of the older couple, who had to file bankruptcy and move into the storage room of their unwilling grown daughter, because they lost everything due to medical expenses, will. The assertion that super expensive medical care opposed to free medical care is preferred is almost a nonissue. Unless you understand that nothing is truly free. Socializing medicine is not the only alternative.
In the film we, the viewers, watched as Mr. Moore accompanied a French doctor as he made house calls. What a revolutionary idea! In fact, home visits are not a new idea and would strive better under a free market system rather than a socialist one.
Doctors and patients would have the freedom to determine pay, and demand would keep doctors competitive. This point leads me to an organization that Mr. Moore mentioned in the film- the American Medical Association. This group deserves a little credit for the “health care crisis” that we find ourselves in. What with capping the number of students that medical schools will take makes the ratio of doctor-to-patient unbelievably skewed. No matter how noble doctors are the law of supply and demand works in the medical field just as well as in any other field. Raise your hand if you want to be a doctor. Mr. Moore also documented a conversation where President Nixon seemed to be selling the American people to a greedy business man who started the HMO mess. I don’t cast much doubt on the point that he was making, yet his argument is so laughable. His argument is that the “government” screwed us over so we need more “government” (universal, national, controlled by the government healthcare) to rescue us from the mess that the “government” got us into. I’m a little dizzy trying to stay on that merry-go-round. I will give him credit for pointing out that the government does a crummy job helping people.
It was apparent to me from the beginning of the film that Michael Moore did not share my ideas. I have friends who: sew their own stitches, change their own radiator and toilets, work several jobs, pay for their own health care, and would think it an insult if someone were to tell them that they “should be kicking back on a beach somewhere”-both woman and men, young and old. I would ask my fellow Americans who would desire to go to France so that the government nanny could cook the food and do the laundry, are you truly comfortable with laying your life wide open for the government to look in? A better question would be; would you like an IRS official cleaning your house? Or perhaps having a DSS worker babysitting for you would be more appealing? Unlike others that I know, I am for trading with Cuba, and Moore was right to bring to light how inexpensive medicine is there. Was there a sleight of hand involved? I’m not sure; however I do know that the value of currency plays a big role. To my American friends who would envy the life in Cuba, I would issue a warning. CUBA IS NOT FREE PERIOD.
Making Heads of Migraine Headaches (essay #3)
Word count 942
The Merriam-Webster online Dictionary defines migraine headaches as: a condition marked by [a] recurrent severe headache often with nausea and vomiting ("Migraine"). This definition is known, accepted, and used by doctors and scientists when dealing with the somewhat mysterious disorder. Several factors working in concert together including genetics, neurology and vascular irregularities, are the best known causes of migraine headaches.
Genetics being a remote cause of migraines should not be dismissed out of hand because there are statistical evidence and studies that show a connection in the genes of migraine sufferers and their families. A happy and blessed portion of the world’s population would have no idea of the pain that migraine headaches bring on. Yet another has a natural disposition to migraines that may have been inherited. Without the use of statistics and graphs, it seems to be common knowledge that women are the major recipients of migraines. Late night television or children’s programming proves the comedy in the writers’ pen when the wife says, “not tonight honey, I have a headache.” Data are there and are conclusive in favor to support the woman’s claim to pain. The statistics from “studies conducted in multiple countries have documented the incidence of migraine [sic] as approximately eighteen percent in women and six percent in males.” The author continues, “This striking gender imbalance probably reflects hormonal fluctuations as the difference in prevalence is most apparent during the reproductive years” (McKinnon). Scientific studies have also identified an association in the genes while studying a rare migraine condition. Ross McKinnon states, “The identification of three associated genes that all encode types of ion channels provides valuable insights into the possible pathophysiology of [the] migraine”. The wonder and mystery in this condition however lies in the evasiveness of it. One does not have to fret because they have a family member who suffered with migraines. They could be one of happy persons to never suffer a day with the pain simply by avoiding migraine triggers.
Migraine specialist feels that they have made positive in-roads identifying two immediate neurological causes for migraine headaches. Alpha and beta nerve receptors were found to react abnormally to certain stimuli. These receptors are responsible for the contracting and dilation of blood vessels in the brain, and are influenced by gases and chemicals. (Arehart-Treichel) In being such, CO2, used to dilate blood vessels, would work counterproductive for the migraineur showing an important link in the puzzle. This abnormal activity in the nerves is related to the decrease in pain relieving chemicals in the brain. Joan Arehart-Treichel refers to the research, “What is now known for sure about migraine pain is that enkephailns become depleted at the beginning of the migraine attack but increase to normal levels as the headache subsides.”(qtd. in Arehart-Treichel) Having this valuable information could lead to help in pain relief for migraine suffers.
Closely related to neurological causes of migraines, blood flow or vascular causes are documented to be the most immediate factors. Here in lies the connection between each of the causes. To paraphrase, one expert says, Many things are coming in to play when speaking of migraines. Platelet interaction, serotonin’s functioning, and the change of the blood flow from arteries… to veins through vessels called “anastomoses” which would lead blood away from nutrient loaded capillaries. This would alter the role of trigeminal nerve centers and cranial tissues…stirring up the throbbing of the headache in turn causing the swelling of the blood vessel incurred during the attack. (Matthews. 32) Understanding what happens in the brain is tough; however, we can understand that when vessels widen, they push on surrounding nerves which has painful results as noted before. By the same token, if they tighten, blood flow is hindered which cuts off the dispersion of essential gases. All the while serotonin, a neurotransmitter, sends messages to control blood vessel contraction and dilation. Now we are back to square one. Without the catalyst of triggers to set off the elaborate web of transactions the process may never take place. Triggers are sometimes mistaken to be the true cause of migraine headaches. Identifying and avoiding them would be the sufferer’s best way of getting relief. “Migraine attacks may be triggered by:
· Alcohol
· Bright lights
· Certain odors or perfumes
· Changes in hormone levels (which can occur during a woman’s menstrual cycle or with the use of birth control pills)
· Changes in sleep patterns
· Exercise
· Loud noises
· Missed meals
· Physical or emotional stress
· Smoking or exposure to smoke
Certain foods and preservatives in foods may trigger migraines in some people. Food-related triggers may include:
· Any processed, fermented, pickled, or marinated foods
· Baked goods
· Chocolate
· Dairy products
· Foods containing MSG
· Foods containing tyramine, which includes red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken livers, figs, and certain beans
· Fruits (avocado, banana, citrus fruit)
· Meats containing nitrates (bacon, hot dogs, salami, cured meats)
· Nuts
· Onion
· Peanut butter
This list may not be all-inclusive.” (Migraine)
With triggers being the most immediate cause of migraines it is recommend keeping a headache journal to identify the triggers affecting each individual.
The immediate and remote causes of migraines each have researchers scratching their heads. Whether finding the genetic connections and why women suffer more than men, solving the mystery of the alpha and beta receptors or finding a way to make blood flow more regular for migraineurs, we can rest assured that scientists will not abandon hope for the all important break through.
Works Cited
Arehart-Treichel, Joan. “Unmasking the Causes.” Science News vol.118 Issue 15 (10/11/1980): 237-38. Academic Search Premier. EBSCOhost. Greenville Tech. Col. Lib. Greenville, South Carolina 22 Oct. 2008 http://ezp/gvltec.edu:2113/host/delivery?vid=5&hid=22&sid=88c5038e-e43a-4df0-b164...
Healthline. Ed. Daniel Hoch PHD,MD et.al. 27 July 2008. Adam Health Illustrated Encyclopedia. 22 Oct. 2008 http://www.healthline.com/adamcontent/migraine?print=true
Matthews, Dawn D, ed. Headache Sourcebook. Detroit: Omnigraphic, 2002
Mckinnon, Ross. “Not Tonight Darling: Exploring the role of gender and genetics in Migraines.” Pharmacy News 00.00 (Oct. 23, 2008): 13 General One File. Gale. Greenville Technical College Library. Greenville, South Carolina. 1 Nov. 2008.
“Migraine.” Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2008. Merriam-Webster Online.4 November 2008
The Merriam-Webster online Dictionary defines migraine headaches as: a condition marked by [a] recurrent severe headache often with nausea and vomiting ("Migraine"). This definition is known, accepted, and used by doctors and scientists when dealing with the somewhat mysterious disorder. Several factors working in concert together including genetics, neurology and vascular irregularities, are the best known causes of migraine headaches.
Genetics being a remote cause of migraines should not be dismissed out of hand because there are statistical evidence and studies that show a connection in the genes of migraine sufferers and their families. A happy and blessed portion of the world’s population would have no idea of the pain that migraine headaches bring on. Yet another has a natural disposition to migraines that may have been inherited. Without the use of statistics and graphs, it seems to be common knowledge that women are the major recipients of migraines. Late night television or children’s programming proves the comedy in the writers’ pen when the wife says, “not tonight honey, I have a headache.” Data are there and are conclusive in favor to support the woman’s claim to pain. The statistics from “studies conducted in multiple countries have documented the incidence of migraine [sic] as approximately eighteen percent in women and six percent in males.” The author continues, “This striking gender imbalance probably reflects hormonal fluctuations as the difference in prevalence is most apparent during the reproductive years” (McKinnon). Scientific studies have also identified an association in the genes while studying a rare migraine condition. Ross McKinnon states, “The identification of three associated genes that all encode types of ion channels provides valuable insights into the possible pathophysiology of [the] migraine”. The wonder and mystery in this condition however lies in the evasiveness of it. One does not have to fret because they have a family member who suffered with migraines. They could be one of happy persons to never suffer a day with the pain simply by avoiding migraine triggers.
Migraine specialist feels that they have made positive in-roads identifying two immediate neurological causes for migraine headaches. Alpha and beta nerve receptors were found to react abnormally to certain stimuli. These receptors are responsible for the contracting and dilation of blood vessels in the brain, and are influenced by gases and chemicals. (Arehart-Treichel) In being such, CO2, used to dilate blood vessels, would work counterproductive for the migraineur showing an important link in the puzzle. This abnormal activity in the nerves is related to the decrease in pain relieving chemicals in the brain. Joan Arehart-Treichel refers to the research, “What is now known for sure about migraine pain is that enkephailns become depleted at the beginning of the migraine attack but increase to normal levels as the headache subsides.”(qtd. in Arehart-Treichel) Having this valuable information could lead to help in pain relief for migraine suffers.
Closely related to neurological causes of migraines, blood flow or vascular causes are documented to be the most immediate factors. Here in lies the connection between each of the causes. To paraphrase, one expert says, Many things are coming in to play when speaking of migraines. Platelet interaction, serotonin’s functioning, and the change of the blood flow from arteries… to veins through vessels called “anastomoses” which would lead blood away from nutrient loaded capillaries. This would alter the role of trigeminal nerve centers and cranial tissues…stirring up the throbbing of the headache in turn causing the swelling of the blood vessel incurred during the attack. (Matthews. 32) Understanding what happens in the brain is tough; however, we can understand that when vessels widen, they push on surrounding nerves which has painful results as noted before. By the same token, if they tighten, blood flow is hindered which cuts off the dispersion of essential gases. All the while serotonin, a neurotransmitter, sends messages to control blood vessel contraction and dilation. Now we are back to square one. Without the catalyst of triggers to set off the elaborate web of transactions the process may never take place. Triggers are sometimes mistaken to be the true cause of migraine headaches. Identifying and avoiding them would be the sufferer’s best way of getting relief. “Migraine attacks may be triggered by:
· Alcohol
· Bright lights
· Certain odors or perfumes
· Changes in hormone levels (which can occur during a woman’s menstrual cycle or with the use of birth control pills)
· Changes in sleep patterns
· Exercise
· Loud noises
· Missed meals
· Physical or emotional stress
· Smoking or exposure to smoke
Certain foods and preservatives in foods may trigger migraines in some people. Food-related triggers may include:
· Any processed, fermented, pickled, or marinated foods
· Baked goods
· Chocolate
· Dairy products
· Foods containing MSG
· Foods containing tyramine, which includes red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken livers, figs, and certain beans
· Fruits (avocado, banana, citrus fruit)
· Meats containing nitrates (bacon, hot dogs, salami, cured meats)
· Nuts
· Onion
· Peanut butter
This list may not be all-inclusive.” (Migraine)
With triggers being the most immediate cause of migraines it is recommend keeping a headache journal to identify the triggers affecting each individual.
The immediate and remote causes of migraines each have researchers scratching their heads. Whether finding the genetic connections and why women suffer more than men, solving the mystery of the alpha and beta receptors or finding a way to make blood flow more regular for migraineurs, we can rest assured that scientists will not abandon hope for the all important break through.
Works Cited
Arehart-Treichel, Joan. “Unmasking the Causes.” Science News vol.118 Issue 15 (10/11/1980): 237-38. Academic Search Premier. EBSCOhost. Greenville Tech. Col. Lib. Greenville, South Carolina 22 Oct. 2008 http://ezp/gvltec.edu:2113/host/delivery?vid=5&hid=22&sid=88c5038e-e43a-4df0-b164...
Healthline. Ed. Daniel Hoch PHD,MD et.al. 27 July 2008. Adam Health Illustrated Encyclopedia. 22 Oct. 2008 http://www.healthline.com/adamcontent/migraine?print=true
Matthews, Dawn D, ed. Headache Sourcebook. Detroit: Omnigraphic, 2002
Mckinnon, Ross. “Not Tonight Darling: Exploring the role of gender and genetics in Migraines.” Pharmacy News 00.00 (Oct. 23, 2008): 13 General One File. Gale. Greenville Technical College Library. Greenville, South Carolina. 1 Nov. 2008
“Migraine.” Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2008. Merriam-Webster Online.4 November 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Response essay #6 of “Who Killed Benny Paret?” by Norman Cousins
(This was based on article written about a fallen prize fighter. It's a pretty sad story. I hope that my response gives a perspective to make you think deeper than you had before. I know I did after reading the article.)
Millions of people worldwide take part as spectators to the sport of prize fighting: better known as boxing. In 1962 two men stepped into the ring and only one walked out. Millions of television viewers watched as Benny Paret was brutally beaten into a coma of which he later died. Norman Cousins, a journalist at the time, wrote his essay “Who killed Benny Paret?” In his scathing rebuke of the sport, he recorded the testimony from a fight promoter. That promoter, Mike Jacobs, tells that the secret of putting on a good fight is to put killers in the ring- that’s what the people want. Mr. Cousins’ explanation of the delicacy of the brain and the destruction caused by human fist pounding on it commands much attention. Quite naturally an investigation was conducted to find out what the cause of Benny Paret’s death. Was it the manager’s, referee’s, or the exam doctor’s fault for negligence in some way or another? Mr. Cousins espouses that those questions are futile and places the blame elsewhere. He blames the millions who flock to see the blood, violence and the all important knockout blow.
As many did who went before Norman Cousins to rid the world of violence-made-sport, they wrote papers to persuade people to their point of view. St. Augustine wrote centuries ago about the Roman games. I applaud these men for their efforts for many reasons. The brutality of boxing and other prize sports do not encourage growth in our human existence. The proof is in the pudding however. The desire that is in all of us to see violence shows that we are not getting better. I believe that if societies will not be shamed by Mr. Cousin’s accusations things far worse than watching prize fighting will be written about. Just how far can reality television go? The movies that make millions of dollars at the box office are not the “tea party” types. American Idol is not as popular as it is because we want to hear bad singers. We like it when Simon insults the hopeless and the hopeful. I am very sympathetic to Cousins cry. However, I disagree with his measures. The thirst to see blood, foolishness to make a career out of getting your brains beaten out, or being sleazy enough to make money off of it are issues of the heart that should not be dealt with from a state house or federal building. St. Augustine wrote about his transformation from within that came from God giving him the desire to no longer frequent the coliseums. Jonathan Edwards wrote of how taverns went out of business for want of patrons. It is my belief that the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ causes such transformations. I understand that my convictions are not held by everyone who has had a change in their life. Yet how often is that change helped by government controls? Mr. Cousins desired to protect young men from a blood thirsty crowd, but would he want them saved them from their own foolishness?
Millions of people worldwide take part as spectators to the sport of prize fighting: better known as boxing. In 1962 two men stepped into the ring and only one walked out. Millions of television viewers watched as Benny Paret was brutally beaten into a coma of which he later died. Norman Cousins, a journalist at the time, wrote his essay “Who killed Benny Paret?” In his scathing rebuke of the sport, he recorded the testimony from a fight promoter. That promoter, Mike Jacobs, tells that the secret of putting on a good fight is to put killers in the ring- that’s what the people want. Mr. Cousins’ explanation of the delicacy of the brain and the destruction caused by human fist pounding on it commands much attention. Quite naturally an investigation was conducted to find out what the cause of Benny Paret’s death. Was it the manager’s, referee’s, or the exam doctor’s fault for negligence in some way or another? Mr. Cousins espouses that those questions are futile and places the blame elsewhere. He blames the millions who flock to see the blood, violence and the all important knockout blow.
As many did who went before Norman Cousins to rid the world of violence-made-sport, they wrote papers to persuade people to their point of view. St. Augustine wrote centuries ago about the Roman games. I applaud these men for their efforts for many reasons. The brutality of boxing and other prize sports do not encourage growth in our human existence. The proof is in the pudding however. The desire that is in all of us to see violence shows that we are not getting better. I believe that if societies will not be shamed by Mr. Cousin’s accusations things far worse than watching prize fighting will be written about. Just how far can reality television go? The movies that make millions of dollars at the box office are not the “tea party” types. American Idol is not as popular as it is because we want to hear bad singers. We like it when Simon insults the hopeless and the hopeful. I am very sympathetic to Cousins cry. However, I disagree with his measures. The thirst to see blood, foolishness to make a career out of getting your brains beaten out, or being sleazy enough to make money off of it are issues of the heart that should not be dealt with from a state house or federal building. St. Augustine wrote about his transformation from within that came from God giving him the desire to no longer frequent the coliseums. Jonathan Edwards wrote of how taverns went out of business for want of patrons. It is my belief that the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ causes such transformations. I understand that my convictions are not held by everyone who has had a change in their life. Yet how often is that change helped by government controls? Mr. Cousins desired to protect young men from a blood thirsty crowd, but would he want them saved them from their own foolishness?
Response essay #5 of The Ways We Lie by Stephanie Ericson
(This essay by Ms. Ericson was bitter-sweet in that when you find yourself wanting to cheer you're let down by her... if you ever read The Ways We Lie you will understand what I mean. You will get the gist of it from my response.)
In her essay The Ways We Lie Stephanie Ericson begins by giving different scenarios of how people may lie. She cited two definitions for the word lie from the Webster’s dictionary. From there, she laid out her implications from them and constructed several different ways that people might lie. She asserts that all people lie. Ms. Ericsson mentioned the lies that are hardly disputed like the infamous “white lie” and the “out-and-out-lie.”However, she includes deceptions that are unsuspecting, easily disguised or flat out ignored.
I believe Ms. Ericsson had two reasons for writing her essay- to inform and to entertain. I was provoked to think about the things she said, yet I did not get the impression that she had any intention to change, nor did she give the impression that she expected anyone else to. Her essay was rife with subjective opinion. I thought that with each one of her types of lies she was on the right track, but when she illustrated a few of her points I was left disappointed. In regards to the lie by Omission, she said that it involves “telling most of the truth minus one or two key facts whose absence changes the story completely.” She then chooses to illustrate it by telling of a rabbinical legend that in her mind discounts the truth of the Bible. With the lie Ignoring the Plain Facts she expresses her distrust for the Roman Catholic Church. I found it hard to follow her motives. I have heard and read many stories that have a semblance to certain accounts in the Bible such as Gilgamesh, the story of Remus and Romulus, the story of Turtle Mt. to name a few, yet I do not judge the source of my faith by legends. The fact that she chose to use that illustration gives the reader a glimpse into her disdain for the bible. I was personally offended because she, hedged on one legend, condemned the Bible as a lie. The essay was interesting reading and I would hope that, if anything, her readers would read it with the intent to improve themselves.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Uh oh! Letting The Cat out of the Bag on the War on Drugs
To get you thinking about the War on everything series, if you have not, begin here with the other side of the debate on the War on Drugs. Many people have not thought about these things before....
Now you know where I stand on the issue.
Now you know where I stand on the issue.
Response essay #4 of The Power of Words in War Time by Robin Tolmach Lakoff
(This was an intersting and thought provoking essay to read. My response does not do it much justice.)
Robin Tolmach Lakoff, a contemporary linguist, has studied the effects of language in different venues. In this article, which appeared in the New York Times, she unfolds the ever changing and ever present language of war. Documenting many dehumanizing terms, Ms. Lakoff presents to her readers several ways that the “enemy” is addressed. From the Greeks and Romans reference to everyone else as “barbarians” to the American soldiers’ reference to Iraqi prisoners as “it”, we get a glimpse of some of this terminology. She mentioned the idea of an Austrian ethologist, Konrad Lorenz, that “the more we see other members of our own species, the harder it is to kill them.” She also suggest that collecting the enemy in our minds as an “undifferentiated mass” helps us to not think of them as individuals who can suffer. She sights several historical facts, and bring her expertise to bear on the subject.
The purpose for Ms. Lakoff’s article is hard to know at first reading. However, upon reflection I can’t escape the impression that I am left with after each reading. Judging from the style of her writing she seems to be informing. I believe that she is informing, yet I can’t help but agree with her reasoning. Therefore, I think that she is trying to persuade me and her readers to choose peace instead of war. I was of the same opinion as the author before I read the article and found myself congratulating her for articulating this point of view the way that she did. This passage from the article shows clearly her point of view, “The linguistic habits that soldiers must absorb in order to fight makes atrocities like those at Abu Ghraib virtually inevitable. The same language that creates a psychological chasm between “us” and “them,” and enables American troops to kill in battle, makes enemy soldiers fit subjects for torture and humiliation. The reasoning is: They are not really human, so they will not feel the pain.” The danger and tragedy of ignoring the wisdom laid out here is endless war of course, but worse still could develop and has developed. Babies are called embryos and fetus, or blobs of tissue. If they are not babies they can’t feel the pain of being aborted. The elderly are tucked away in nursing homes. The atrocity that we hear about that goes on there, and in mental health facilities shows the evidence of dehumanization. It’s hard to know what hope that Ms. Lakoff has for the abolishment of war, but my hopes for that are dark. My hope resides elsewhere.
Robin Tolmach Lakoff, a contemporary linguist, has studied the effects of language in different venues. In this article, which appeared in the New York Times, she unfolds the ever changing and ever present language of war. Documenting many dehumanizing terms, Ms. Lakoff presents to her readers several ways that the “enemy” is addressed. From the Greeks and Romans reference to everyone else as “barbarians” to the American soldiers’ reference to Iraqi prisoners as “it”, we get a glimpse of some of this terminology. She mentioned the idea of an Austrian ethologist, Konrad Lorenz, that “the more we see other members of our own species, the harder it is to kill them.” She also suggest that collecting the enemy in our minds as an “undifferentiated mass” helps us to not think of them as individuals who can suffer. She sights several historical facts, and bring her expertise to bear on the subject.
The purpose for Ms. Lakoff’s article is hard to know at first reading. However, upon reflection I can’t escape the impression that I am left with after each reading. Judging from the style of her writing she seems to be informing. I believe that she is informing, yet I can’t help but agree with her reasoning. Therefore, I think that she is trying to persuade me and her readers to choose peace instead of war. I was of the same opinion as the author before I read the article and found myself congratulating her for articulating this point of view the way that she did. This passage from the article shows clearly her point of view, “The linguistic habits that soldiers must absorb in order to fight makes atrocities like those at Abu Ghraib virtually inevitable. The same language that creates a psychological chasm between “us” and “them,” and enables American troops to kill in battle, makes enemy soldiers fit subjects for torture and humiliation. The reasoning is: They are not really human, so they will not feel the pain.” The danger and tragedy of ignoring the wisdom laid out here is endless war of course, but worse still could develop and has developed. Babies are called embryos and fetus, or blobs of tissue. If they are not babies they can’t feel the pain of being aborted. The elderly are tucked away in nursing homes. The atrocity that we hear about that goes on there, and in mental health facilities shows the evidence of dehumanization. It’s hard to know what hope that Ms. Lakoff has for the abolishment of war, but my hopes for that are dark. My hope resides elsewhere.
Home Schooling in South Carolina (essay#2)
(word count 684)
Educational trends tend to come and go. As the transfer of responsibility of educating children has moved more away from the jurisdiction of the local government to the federal government here in the United States, parents have taken it upon themselves to grab the reign and educate their won children. I am one of those parents. Often times I am asked, “Is it hard to home school?” or the basic query of, “What must you do to home school?” although opinions or wording may differ from home school family to home school family home schooling in South Carolina requires you tend to three important things in order to be successful.
Once you have decided to home school it is pertinent to take the necessary steps to make your home school legal, and to protect your rights. The stat of South Carolina has made three options available for the family that chooses to home school: In short, option one states that instruction must be approved by the district board of trustees. Potion two allows it by becoming a member of the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools (SCAIHS). Potion three allows a family to gain membership of an association for home schools which has no fewer than 50 members. Each of these options varies in the level of accountability. To learn more about the three options ample information can be found through public resources. Though many would say that educating your own children is a privilege others contend that it is a parent’s God given right. However you are persuaded the Home School Legal Defense (HSLD) is a group of lawyers whose mission is to protect the rights of homeschoolers in the United States and other countries.
After you have legitimized your home school, gathering your curriculum and developing a plan will be the next critical phase. Many of the option three accountability associations, such as Piedmont Home Educators Association (PHEA) equip new homeschoolers with free and invaluable information. This information will include; curriculum providers, local home school activities, organizations that would be beneficial to your school, and the like. Just as with anything else, the internet is a great tool for locating books- new or used. Here in the Upstate there are a couple of local home school bookstores which carry several popular books and curriculum. The major home school book store in our area is called Children’s Books. The store is owned and operated by a veteran home school family. Their help is welcomed from the new and experienced families alike. The sweet nectar to most home school families however are the used book sale! In the spring co-ops, associations, or support groups organize our book sales. Going there will afford you the benefits of good deals, a wealth of information, encouragement, and good fellowship.
Lastly, and perhaps the most important requirement for homeschooling in South Carolina is to garner moral support. Educating at home is gaining more and more credibility; however there are still many who are against the practice. Having support from family and friends may help to ease emotional burdens that often come from non-supporters because you home school. Aside from accountability associations, there are many support groups all over the state. Some of them cater to specialized needs such as: families with special needs or autistic children. Co-ops are outlets that families take advantage of. They meet the needs of families by providing, tutors, classes, and several children in one place. Sometimes the support of fellow homeschoolers is the only support you may get. In what ever form that it comes remember to draw upon it on the days that you feel burned out and discouraged.
You will hit bumps in the road but over all home schooling in South Carolina can be quite rewarding. If you follow the necessary steps of legalizing and protecting you home school, gathering curriculum and developing a plan, and gaining moral support you and your family will have an experience that may pay off for years to come.
Educational trends tend to come and go. As the transfer of responsibility of educating children has moved more away from the jurisdiction of the local government to the federal government here in the United States, parents have taken it upon themselves to grab the reign and educate their won children. I am one of those parents. Often times I am asked, “Is it hard to home school?” or the basic query of, “What must you do to home school?” although opinions or wording may differ from home school family to home school family home schooling in South Carolina requires you tend to three important things in order to be successful.
Once you have decided to home school it is pertinent to take the necessary steps to make your home school legal, and to protect your rights. The stat of South Carolina has made three options available for the family that chooses to home school: In short, option one states that instruction must be approved by the district board of trustees. Potion two allows it by becoming a member of the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools (SCAIHS). Potion three allows a family to gain membership of an association for home schools which has no fewer than 50 members. Each of these options varies in the level of accountability. To learn more about the three options ample information can be found through public resources. Though many would say that educating your own children is a privilege others contend that it is a parent’s God given right. However you are persuaded the Home School Legal Defense (HSLD) is a group of lawyers whose mission is to protect the rights of homeschoolers in the United States and other countries.
After you have legitimized your home school, gathering your curriculum and developing a plan will be the next critical phase. Many of the option three accountability associations, such as Piedmont Home Educators Association (PHEA) equip new homeschoolers with free and invaluable information. This information will include; curriculum providers, local home school activities, organizations that would be beneficial to your school, and the like. Just as with anything else, the internet is a great tool for locating books- new or used. Here in the Upstate there are a couple of local home school bookstores which carry several popular books and curriculum. The major home school book store in our area is called Children’s Books. The store is owned and operated by a veteran home school family. Their help is welcomed from the new and experienced families alike. The sweet nectar to most home school families however are the used book sale! In the spring co-ops, associations, or support groups organize our book sales. Going there will afford you the benefits of good deals, a wealth of information, encouragement, and good fellowship.
Lastly, and perhaps the most important requirement for homeschooling in South Carolina is to garner moral support. Educating at home is gaining more and more credibility; however there are still many who are against the practice. Having support from family and friends may help to ease emotional burdens that often come from non-supporters because you home school. Aside from accountability associations, there are many support groups all over the state. Some of them cater to specialized needs such as: families with special needs or autistic children. Co-ops are outlets that families take advantage of. They meet the needs of families by providing, tutors, classes, and several children in one place. Sometimes the support of fellow homeschoolers is the only support you may get. In what ever form that it comes remember to draw upon it on the days that you feel burned out and discouraged.
You will hit bumps in the road but over all home schooling in South Carolina can be quite rewarding. If you follow the necessary steps of legalizing and protecting you home school, gathering curriculum and developing a plan, and gaining moral support you and your family will have an experience that may pay off for years to come.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Response essay #3 to My First Conk by Malcolm X
(Malcolm X's perspective was not one that I could agree with; however it was an interesting read)
Malcolm Little, who became a controversial figure in America for his outspoken views on social injustice, changed his surname to X. He wrote this account from his youth during a time when being “black” meant being inferior to the “white man.” Being related with a bit of light heartedness will give the reader a false security. Underneath the joviality Mr. X lays the bitterness of the story. The time had come for him to have his hair conked. A friend of his “Shorty” had given him the list of supplies to get from the drug store so that they could do it themselves: One can of Red Devil lye, two eggs, and two medium-sized white potatoes were a few of the essentials needed for the task. Malcolm retold his experience with great clarity. Shorty explained to him how painful the process would be, yet nothing would have prepared him for what he actually experience. Once the mixture was combined Malcolm touch the jar and felt the heat that the lye produced. Quite frankly, he felt like his head had caught fire when the congolene was combed through his hair. Even after the concoction had been washed out of his hair the pain was unbearable. He did bear it though while Shorty styled his hair. After seeing the results, he vowed to never again go without a conk. “This was my first really big step toward self-degradation:” in this, Malcolm’s purpose for writing the narrative is revealed.
Malcolm X’s reason in writing may be twofold: to shame and to persuade. His choice of words such as: brainwashed, inferior, and superior gives me the idea that he intended to shame “Negro men and women.” He seemed to want to persuade the same people to change the way that they saw themselves and not just change a hairstyle. He wrote, “To my shame, when I say all of this, I’m talking first of all about myself-because you can’t show me a Negro who ever conked more faithfully than I did.” Although he was writing during a time when social injustice was more prevalent than today his message of the futility in harming yourself for the approval of others is universal. Many young women and men came learn from such a lesson. Granted that his point of view, being that if you get conked you degrade yourself, may have been true for him and many “Negros” during his time I can’t say that it is true today. Personally, I and many women of different ethnicities undergo a similar process to have straightened hair, yet are perfectly happy in our own skin. There are indeed many points of view on this issue today, but Mr. Malcolm’s view was probably more widely received during his day.
Malcolm Little, who became a controversial figure in America for his outspoken views on social injustice, changed his surname to X. He wrote this account from his youth during a time when being “black” meant being inferior to the “white man.” Being related with a bit of light heartedness will give the reader a false security. Underneath the joviality Mr. X lays the bitterness of the story. The time had come for him to have his hair conked. A friend of his “Shorty” had given him the list of supplies to get from the drug store so that they could do it themselves: One can of Red Devil lye, two eggs, and two medium-sized white potatoes were a few of the essentials needed for the task. Malcolm retold his experience with great clarity. Shorty explained to him how painful the process would be, yet nothing would have prepared him for what he actually experience. Once the mixture was combined Malcolm touch the jar and felt the heat that the lye produced. Quite frankly, he felt like his head had caught fire when the congolene was combed through his hair. Even after the concoction had been washed out of his hair the pain was unbearable. He did bear it though while Shorty styled his hair. After seeing the results, he vowed to never again go without a conk. “This was my first really big step toward self-degradation:” in this, Malcolm’s purpose for writing the narrative is revealed.
Malcolm X’s reason in writing may be twofold: to shame and to persuade. His choice of words such as: brainwashed, inferior, and superior gives me the idea that he intended to shame “Negro men and women.” He seemed to want to persuade the same people to change the way that they saw themselves and not just change a hairstyle. He wrote, “To my shame, when I say all of this, I’m talking first of all about myself-because you can’t show me a Negro who ever conked more faithfully than I did.” Although he was writing during a time when social injustice was more prevalent than today his message of the futility in harming yourself for the approval of others is universal. Many young women and men came learn from such a lesson. Granted that his point of view, being that if you get conked you degrade yourself, may have been true for him and many “Negros” during his time I can’t say that it is true today. Personally, I and many women of different ethnicities undergo a similar process to have straightened hair, yet are perfectly happy in our own skin. There are indeed many points of view on this issue today, but Mr. Malcolm’s view was probably more widely received during his day.
Response essay #2 of Shooting an Elephant by George Orwell
(Orwell wrote this account of his early years as a British civil srervant in Burma. One of my very favorites!)
The thought laid out in this most intriguing narrative were masterfully related by the famous writer George Orwell. His narrative begins with telling of his time living in the town of Moulmein in Lower Burma. The political climate in the world at that time (late 1930’s) had Britain as the dominate world power. As it were, they had conquered and occupied Burma. Orwell despised the philosophy of the “white man’s burden” which many European nations had adopted. Yet he had a conflict. The Berman people hated him. Relating several incidents to support this, he mentioned how “the young Buddhist priests were the worst of all.” This conflict which he described, “All I knew was that I was stuck between my hatred of the empire I served and my rage against the evil-spirited little beast who tried to make my job impossible” were the two sides of the coin of the nature of imperialism. The crux of the story is revealed in the telling of his experience with shooting an elephant. On receiving a phone call about an elephant, who had been “musting” and ravaging a town he, being the local officer, went after it. The descriptions given of the damage caused by the tamed animal were excellent. He told of the gruesome murder of an Indian Coolie man, which plays an important role later in the story. As he hunted for the elephant, the town’s people were disinterested. However, once he sent for an elephant rifle, the people came out in droves. An internal conflict began to develop inside of Orwell. He had no intention to shoot the animal, but sent for the gun for his own protection. Upon finding the elephant peacefully eating in a paddy field, it became apparent that the two thousand followers were looking for sport and intended on the death of the animal. He spoke of the will of the crowd pressing down on him. In this he said, “. . . it was in this moment, as I stood there with the rifle in my hands, that I first grasped the hollowness, the futility of the white man’s dominion in the East.” He realized that he had to shoot the elephant. The reasoning to this end was so that he would not look foolish. He was loathed to shoot the beast. He even thought of a way to get around it. Yet in the end the mockery would be too severe. In comparison to the killing of the Indian man and the elephant, the man’s misery had ended quickly while the elephant’s death was torturous and laborious.
The purpose of the narrative lies in Orwell’s enlightenment. He said that the incident of shooting the elephant, gave him a better glimpse into “the real motives for which despotic governments act.” Therefore, I believe his design is to warn and dissuade people from the point of view of Imperialism. In his description, by no mistake, he chose to inform his readers that the Burman people were defenseless. They had no weapons, and despised the “white people” for occupying their country. The way that he spoke of the mask that he wore depicts the illusion created by the elaborate game of playing God called Imperialism. It is my opinion that if we do not consider what Orwell has written here and in other works, we will find ourselves marching into World Wars. Indeed, only a few years after he wrote this story that the Second World War took place. Even so now, our own dear country is plagued with this awful disease. Though we may not call it “Imperialism” or “the white man’s burden”, it has been called “Manifest Destiny.”
The thought laid out in this most intriguing narrative were masterfully related by the famous writer George Orwell. His narrative begins with telling of his time living in the town of Moulmein in Lower Burma. The political climate in the world at that time (late 1930’s) had Britain as the dominate world power. As it were, they had conquered and occupied Burma. Orwell despised the philosophy of the “white man’s burden” which many European nations had adopted. Yet he had a conflict. The Berman people hated him. Relating several incidents to support this, he mentioned how “the young Buddhist priests were the worst of all.” This conflict which he described, “All I knew was that I was stuck between my hatred of the empire I served and my rage against the evil-spirited little beast who tried to make my job impossible” were the two sides of the coin of the nature of imperialism. The crux of the story is revealed in the telling of his experience with shooting an elephant. On receiving a phone call about an elephant, who had been “musting” and ravaging a town he, being the local officer, went after it. The descriptions given of the damage caused by the tamed animal were excellent. He told of the gruesome murder of an Indian Coolie man, which plays an important role later in the story. As he hunted for the elephant, the town’s people were disinterested. However, once he sent for an elephant rifle, the people came out in droves. An internal conflict began to develop inside of Orwell. He had no intention to shoot the animal, but sent for the gun for his own protection. Upon finding the elephant peacefully eating in a paddy field, it became apparent that the two thousand followers were looking for sport and intended on the death of the animal. He spoke of the will of the crowd pressing down on him. In this he said, “. . . it was in this moment, as I stood there with the rifle in my hands, that I first grasped the hollowness, the futility of the white man’s dominion in the East.” He realized that he had to shoot the elephant. The reasoning to this end was so that he would not look foolish. He was loathed to shoot the beast. He even thought of a way to get around it. Yet in the end the mockery would be too severe. In comparison to the killing of the Indian man and the elephant, the man’s misery had ended quickly while the elephant’s death was torturous and laborious.
The purpose of the narrative lies in Orwell’s enlightenment. He said that the incident of shooting the elephant, gave him a better glimpse into “the real motives for which despotic governments act.” Therefore, I believe his design is to warn and dissuade people from the point of view of Imperialism. In his description, by no mistake, he chose to inform his readers that the Burman people were defenseless. They had no weapons, and despised the “white people” for occupying their country. The way that he spoke of the mask that he wore depicts the illusion created by the elaborate game of playing God called Imperialism. It is my opinion that if we do not consider what Orwell has written here and in other works, we will find ourselves marching into World Wars. Indeed, only a few years after he wrote this story that the Second World War took place. Even so now, our own dear country is plagued with this awful disease. Though we may not call it “Imperialism” or “the white man’s burden”, it has been called “Manifest Destiny.”
Response essay#1 to Thirty-Eight Who Saw Murder Didn’t Call Police by Martin Gansberg
(This article was a good read.)
“For more than half an hour 38 respectable, law-abiding citizens in Queens watched a killer stalk and stab a woman in three separate attacks in Kew Gardens.” Martin Gansberg began his compelling article as if he were writing a murder mystery. Indeed, as the story unfolds, one would believe that this tragedy was the invention of Edger Allen Poe, and not an event that took place in an American Suburb. At 3:20 A.M. Catherine (Kitty) Genovese, a young woman living in New York, was returning home from her job as a bar manager. She became alerted to a man stalking her. Then he violently attacked her. Her screams drew the attention of her neighbors: Lights went on, windows slid open, and voices yelled. The attacker was frightened off for a time; however no one telephoned the police for help, or came down to attend to the young woman. With renewed confidence, the man returned on two separate occasions (within the span of 15 minutes) to attack Kitty. Finally, he had completed his cruel task by stabbing her to death. The murderer found her slumped at the foot of the stairs merely doors away from her apartment, and only feet away from the help of neighbors. When questioned, by the police, about why they had not called for help, Ms. Genovese’s neighbor’s responses revealed apathy, fear and perhaps even a mild sadistic curiosity.
Mr. Gansberg’s implied purpose for writing the article was to shame the society at large that had adopted the cultural attitude of “minding its own business.” For the myriad of reasons conceived for adopting such an idea; I believe that he was, and remains to be justified in bringing such a charge. If we assume, as it seems the author does, that our neighbors are indifferent or afraid to become involved when we are in danger we risk loosing vital elements that makes a community what it is. Furthermore, failing to heed the message may produce distressing results; such as an increase in violent crimes, a rise in corporate crimes, fewer whistle blowers in the government and a break down in family values. Martin Gansberg wrote this article over 50 years ago; in my opinion the effects have already taken hold to our homes, businesses, neighborhoods and nation.
“For more than half an hour 38 respectable, law-abiding citizens in Queens watched a killer stalk and stab a woman in three separate attacks in Kew Gardens.” Martin Gansberg began his compelling article as if he were writing a murder mystery. Indeed, as the story unfolds, one would believe that this tragedy was the invention of Edger Allen Poe, and not an event that took place in an American Suburb. At 3:20 A.M. Catherine (Kitty) Genovese, a young woman living in New York, was returning home from her job as a bar manager. She became alerted to a man stalking her. Then he violently attacked her. Her screams drew the attention of her neighbors: Lights went on, windows slid open, and voices yelled. The attacker was frightened off for a time; however no one telephoned the police for help, or came down to attend to the young woman. With renewed confidence, the man returned on two separate occasions (within the span of 15 minutes) to attack Kitty. Finally, he had completed his cruel task by stabbing her to death. The murderer found her slumped at the foot of the stairs merely doors away from her apartment, and only feet away from the help of neighbors. When questioned, by the police, about why they had not called for help, Ms. Genovese’s neighbor’s responses revealed apathy, fear and perhaps even a mild sadistic curiosity.
Mr. Gansberg’s implied purpose for writing the article was to shame the society at large that had adopted the cultural attitude of “minding its own business.” For the myriad of reasons conceived for adopting such an idea; I believe that he was, and remains to be justified in bringing such a charge. If we assume, as it seems the author does, that our neighbors are indifferent or afraid to become involved when we are in danger we risk loosing vital elements that makes a community what it is. Furthermore, failing to heed the message may produce distressing results; such as an increase in violent crimes, a rise in corporate crimes, fewer whistle blowers in the government and a break down in family values. Martin Gansberg wrote this article over 50 years ago; in my opinion the effects have already taken hold to our homes, businesses, neighborhoods and nation.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Finding Peace from Pain (essay #1; 2008)
(word count 866)
There is an old saying that says, “With much, comes great responsibility.” I wonder if there is a saying for great loss. A little over thirty years ago, I was born in the small kitchenette apartment of a brown stone walk-up in the Back Bay area of Boston. I was born one week before my older brother’s first birthday. My mother lovingly says that he helped to deliver me. Because of the closeness in the dates of our birth she deemed to call us “her twins.” Several years later when he was 28 years old, I lost him. My brother’s death brought questions, sadness, and also hope to a few unexpected people.
On the morning of November 19, 2003, we began to ask questions of what happened to Rah-Ja. Resulting from conflicting information, the facts were difficult to discern. “Is he dead? Where is he?” I received several telephone calls from his children’s mothers. Without delay, I decided to call the sheriff’s office for a clear answer. However, none came. Once it was established that my brother was dead and had been murdered, we wondered why. Although we loved Rah-Ja, we knew that the criminal lifestyle that he lived would bring us grief. The puzzling part was that he had expressed a desire to change. I remember having talks with him about settling down and perhaps attending college. In many ways he showed evidence of his desires as well. Just the fact that he was spending more time with the family and his expression of dissatisfaction with his life encouraged me to hope better things for him. We grew concerned when he moved in with an old friend of his. This old “friend” was his partner in crime. Sadly, the question of why he was murdered remains unanswered for us. Quite naturally, we all burned to know who the culprit or culprits were. “Word” on the street was far from helpful. There were those who didn’t want to get involved, yet those who apparently had information but chose to be loyal to the “streets.” So it was evident that some of the people that we spoke to knew something. Curious information came from the authorities: This was a double murder case, yet detectives believe there to be one murderer. We questioned this point because of the setting (being the victims’ home) and personal information that we know about them both: Such as the fact that they both slept armed, and that Rah-Ja was a light sleeper.
Anyone can relate to the loss of a loved one, so when I speak of the sadness that touched our lives during this time you will understand. My mother weeps, even now, when speaking of him; though she surrounds herself with things of him. The grief from the loss, drew my younger brother inside of himself, and nearly tore the two of us apart. Strangely enough, I have not yet found the proper way to grieve the loss of “my twin.” This will not be hard to believe for someone who has experienced such a tragedy.
Just as a phoenix is rebirthed from its own ashes, hope claimed a home with some of us again. At the conclusion of the funeral service a dear friend of mine and mother of Rah-Ja’s youngest son, came to me. She, like the rest of us, felt the loss deeply. After observing me and speaking with me she noticed a certain peace that I had that she wanted for herself. She told me that she wanted to live a new life. She expressed her interest in knowing Jesus Christ in the way that I did. She wanted to be a Christian. My friend grew tired of living the street life and admired my life. I can say that was one of the happiest and most humbling things that I experienced during that time in my life. I say humbling because I knew of the pain that I felt inside, yet I was happy to be used by my Lord to share with my friend the peace that she could have through Him. A year later she had gotten married and left the street life. After going through many difficulties, my younger brother, Rahsaan, realized how fleeting life is and reconciled several things in his life; one of which was his relationship with me. Now we are closer friends than we have ever been. Rahsaan continued his college education and graduated this summer. As for me, though Rah-Ja was gone, and it grieved me to let him go, I was able to develop relationships with his children. Some of them visit with me on a fairly regular basis.
With the questions, sadness, and the triumphant hope that were a part of my loss, it was a queer experience that was necessary for my growth as an individual. Even though there may not be a saying for great losses, my brother, “The Thinking Man”, as we loved to call him, left us with a saying: “Never lay [sic] with the dogs, instead fly with the eagles.” With that, I am content to hold on to.
There is an old saying that says, “With much, comes great responsibility.” I wonder if there is a saying for great loss. A little over thirty years ago, I was born in the small kitchenette apartment of a brown stone walk-up in the Back Bay area of Boston. I was born one week before my older brother’s first birthday. My mother lovingly says that he helped to deliver me. Because of the closeness in the dates of our birth she deemed to call us “her twins.” Several years later when he was 28 years old, I lost him. My brother’s death brought questions, sadness, and also hope to a few unexpected people.
On the morning of November 19, 2003, we began to ask questions of what happened to Rah-Ja. Resulting from conflicting information, the facts were difficult to discern. “Is he dead? Where is he?” I received several telephone calls from his children’s mothers. Without delay, I decided to call the sheriff’s office for a clear answer. However, none came. Once it was established that my brother was dead and had been murdered, we wondered why. Although we loved Rah-Ja, we knew that the criminal lifestyle that he lived would bring us grief. The puzzling part was that he had expressed a desire to change. I remember having talks with him about settling down and perhaps attending college. In many ways he showed evidence of his desires as well. Just the fact that he was spending more time with the family and his expression of dissatisfaction with his life encouraged me to hope better things for him. We grew concerned when he moved in with an old friend of his. This old “friend” was his partner in crime. Sadly, the question of why he was murdered remains unanswered for us. Quite naturally, we all burned to know who the culprit or culprits were. “Word” on the street was far from helpful. There were those who didn’t want to get involved, yet those who apparently had information but chose to be loyal to the “streets.” So it was evident that some of the people that we spoke to knew something. Curious information came from the authorities: This was a double murder case, yet detectives believe there to be one murderer. We questioned this point because of the setting (being the victims’ home) and personal information that we know about them both: Such as the fact that they both slept armed, and that Rah-Ja was a light sleeper.
Anyone can relate to the loss of a loved one, so when I speak of the sadness that touched our lives during this time you will understand. My mother weeps, even now, when speaking of him; though she surrounds herself with things of him. The grief from the loss, drew my younger brother inside of himself, and nearly tore the two of us apart. Strangely enough, I have not yet found the proper way to grieve the loss of “my twin.” This will not be hard to believe for someone who has experienced such a tragedy.
Just as a phoenix is rebirthed from its own ashes, hope claimed a home with some of us again. At the conclusion of the funeral service a dear friend of mine and mother of Rah-Ja’s youngest son, came to me. She, like the rest of us, felt the loss deeply. After observing me and speaking with me she noticed a certain peace that I had that she wanted for herself. She told me that she wanted to live a new life. She expressed her interest in knowing Jesus Christ in the way that I did. She wanted to be a Christian. My friend grew tired of living the street life and admired my life. I can say that was one of the happiest and most humbling things that I experienced during that time in my life. I say humbling because I knew of the pain that I felt inside, yet I was happy to be used by my Lord to share with my friend the peace that she could have through Him. A year later she had gotten married and left the street life. After going through many difficulties, my younger brother, Rahsaan, realized how fleeting life is and reconciled several things in his life; one of which was his relationship with me. Now we are closer friends than we have ever been. Rahsaan continued his college education and graduated this summer. As for me, though Rah-Ja was gone, and it grieved me to let him go, I was able to develop relationships with his children. Some of them visit with me on a fairly regular basis.
With the questions, sadness, and the triumphant hope that were a part of my loss, it was a queer experience that was necessary for my growth as an individual. Even though there may not be a saying for great losses, my brother, “The Thinking Man”, as we loved to call him, left us with a saying: “Never lay [sic] with the dogs, instead fly with the eagles.” With that, I am content to hold on to.
Happy Thanks Giving...a laugh for the holiday
I just so happened to check an old email address that I rarely use and came across this funny note just in time to share for the holiday. I hope that you enjoy.
A young man named John received a parrot as a gift. The parrot had a badattitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of the bird'smouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. John tried and triedto change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite words,playing soft music and anything else he could think of to "clean up" thebird's vocabulary. Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelledback. John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even ruder.In desperation, John threw up his hands, grabbed the bird and put him inthe freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed. Thensuddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for over a minute.Fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the door to thefreezer. The parrot calmly stepped out onto John's outstretched arms and said, "Ibelieve I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I'msincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I fullyintend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivablebehavior." John was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude. As hewas about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in hisbehavior, when the bird continued, "May I ask what the turkey did?"
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
How many men behind the curtain?
This is a very gripping video. No matter how you view the men involved, the chronicle of the systematic activity of one family to control the worlds' currency is not to be missed.
warning: the words are written in white. I had a hard time reading them, but I paused it when I needed to. The entire video is filled with quotes and facts until the very end, which is an excerpt from a presidential speech.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Those Darn Home-schoolers
Don't think that you are making a difference as a home-school family? Or perhaps you don't think you can. Here I have posted an email that I received from a fellow soldier. After you read it you may change your mind, and maybe even smile.
> SONNY SCOTT:Home-schoolers threaten our cultural comfort
6/8/2008 9:39:01 AM> Daily Journal
You see them at the grocery, or in a discount store.> > It's a big family by today's standards - "just> like stair steps," as the old> folks say. Freshly scrubbed boys with neatly trimmed hair> and girls with> braids, in clean but unfashionable clothes follow mom> through the store as> she fills her no-frills shopping list.> > There's no begging for gimcracks, no fretting, and no> threats from mom. The> older watch the younger, freeing mom to go peacefully about> her task. > > You are looking at some of the estimated 2 million children> being home> schooled in the U.S., and the number is growing. Their> reputation for> academic achievement has caused colleges to begin> aggressively recruiting> them. Savings to the taxpayers in instructional costs are> conservatively> estimated at $4 billion, and some place the figure as high> as $9 billion.> When you consider that these families pay taxes to support> public schools,> but demand nothing from them, it seems quite a deal for the> public.> > Home schooling parents are usually better educated than the> norm, and are> more likely to attend worship services. Their motives are> many and varied.> Some fear contagion from the anti-clericalism, coarse> speech, suggestive> behavior and hedonistic values that characterize secular> schools. Others are> concerned for their children's safety. Some want their> children to be> challenged beyond the minimal competencies of the public> schools. Concern> for a theistic world view largely permeates the movement.> > Indications are that home schooling is working well for the> kids, and the> parents are pleased with their choice, but the practice is> coming under> increasing suspicion, and even official attack, as in> California. > > Why do we hate (or at least distrust) these people so much?> > Methinks American middle-class people are uncomfortable> around the home> schooled for the same reason the alcoholic is uneasy around> the teetotaler. > > Their very existence represents a rejection of our values,> and an indictment> of our lifestyles. Those families are willing to render> unto Caesar the> things that Caesar's be, but they draw the line at> their children. Those of> us who have put our trust in the secular state (and> effectively surrendered> our children to it) recognize this act of defiance as a> rejection of our> values, and we reject them in return. > > Just as the jealous Chaldeans schemed to bring the wrath of> the king upon> the Hebrew eunuchs, we are happy to sic the state's> bureaucrats on these> "trouble makers." Their implicit rejection of> America's most venerated idol,> Materialism, (a.k.a. "Individualism") spurs us to> heat the furnace and feed> the lions.> > Young families must make the decision: Will junior go to> day care and day> school, or will mom stay home and raise him? The> rationalizations begin. "A> family just can't make it on one income." (Our> parents did.) "It just costs> so much to raise a child nowadays." (Yeah, if you buy> brand-name clothing,> pre-prepared food, join every club and activity, and spend> half the cost of> a house on the daughter's wedding, it does.) And so,> the decision is made.> We give up the bulk of our waking hours with our children,> as well as the> formation of their minds, philosophies, and attitudes, to> strangers. We> compensate by getting a boat to take them to the river, a> van to carry them> to Little League, a 2,800-square-foot house, an ATV, a> zero-turn Cub Cadet,> and a fund to finance a brand-name college education. And> most> significantly, we claim "our right" to pursue a> career for our own > "self-fulfillment."> > Deep down, however, we know that our generation has eaten> its seed corn. We> lack the discipline and the vision to deny ourselves in the> hope of> something enduring and worthy for our posterity. We are> tired from working> extra jobs, and the looming depression threatens our> 401k's. Credit cards> are nearly maxed, and it costs a $100 to fuel the Suburban.> Now the kid is> raising hell again, demanding the latest Play Station as> his price for doing> his school work . and there goes that modest young woman in> the home-made> dress with her four bright-eyed, well-behaved home-schooled> children in tow.> Wouldn't you just love to wipe that serene look right> off her smug face?> > Is it any wonder we hate her so?> > Sonny Scott a community columnist, lives on Sparta Road in> Chickasaw County> and his e-mail address is sonnyscott@yahoo.com. > > Appeared originally in the Northeast Mississippi Daily> Journal, 6/8/2008,> section 0 , page 0
> SONNY SCOTT:Home-schoolers threaten our cultural comfort
6/8/2008 9:39:01 AM> Daily Journal
You see them at the grocery, or in a discount store.> > It's a big family by today's standards - "just> like stair steps," as the old> folks say. Freshly scrubbed boys with neatly trimmed hair> and girls with> braids, in clean but unfashionable clothes follow mom> through the store as> she fills her no-frills shopping list.> > There's no begging for gimcracks, no fretting, and no> threats from mom. The> older watch the younger, freeing mom to go peacefully about> her task. > > You are looking at some of the estimated 2 million children> being home> schooled in the U.S., and the number is growing. Their> reputation for> academic achievement has caused colleges to begin> aggressively recruiting> them. Savings to the taxpayers in instructional costs are> conservatively> estimated at $4 billion, and some place the figure as high> as $9 billion.> When you consider that these families pay taxes to support> public schools,> but demand nothing from them, it seems quite a deal for the> public.> > Home schooling parents are usually better educated than the> norm, and are> more likely to attend worship services. Their motives are> many and varied.> Some fear contagion from the anti-clericalism, coarse> speech, suggestive> behavior and hedonistic values that characterize secular> schools. Others are> concerned for their children's safety. Some want their> children to be> challenged beyond the minimal competencies of the public> schools. Concern> for a theistic world view largely permeates the movement.> > Indications are that home schooling is working well for the> kids, and the> parents are pleased with their choice, but the practice is> coming under> increasing suspicion, and even official attack, as in> California. > > Why do we hate (or at least distrust) these people so much?> > Methinks American middle-class people are uncomfortable> around the home> schooled for the same reason the alcoholic is uneasy around> the teetotaler. > > Their very existence represents a rejection of our values,> and an indictment> of our lifestyles. Those families are willing to render> unto Caesar the> things that Caesar's be, but they draw the line at> their children. Those of> us who have put our trust in the secular state (and> effectively surrendered> our children to it) recognize this act of defiance as a> rejection of our> values, and we reject them in return. > > Just as the jealous Chaldeans schemed to bring the wrath of> the king upon> the Hebrew eunuchs, we are happy to sic the state's> bureaucrats on these> "trouble makers." Their implicit rejection of> America's most venerated idol,> Materialism, (a.k.a. "Individualism") spurs us to> heat the furnace and feed> the lions.> > Young families must make the decision: Will junior go to> day care and day> school, or will mom stay home and raise him? The> rationalizations begin. "A> family just can't make it on one income." (Our> parents did.) "It just costs> so much to raise a child nowadays." (Yeah, if you buy> brand-name clothing,> pre-prepared food, join every club and activity, and spend> half the cost of> a house on the daughter's wedding, it does.) And so,> the decision is made.> We give up the bulk of our waking hours with our children,> as well as the> formation of their minds, philosophies, and attitudes, to> strangers. We> compensate by getting a boat to take them to the river, a> van to carry them> to Little League, a 2,800-square-foot house, an ATV, a> zero-turn Cub Cadet,> and a fund to finance a brand-name college education. And> most> significantly, we claim "our right" to pursue a> career for our own > "self-fulfillment."> > Deep down, however, we know that our generation has eaten> its seed corn. We> lack the discipline and the vision to deny ourselves in the> hope of> something enduring and worthy for our posterity. We are> tired from working> extra jobs, and the looming depression threatens our> 401k's. Credit cards> are nearly maxed, and it costs a $100 to fuel the Suburban.> Now the kid is> raising hell again, demanding the latest Play Station as> his price for doing> his school work . and there goes that modest young woman in> the home-made> dress with her four bright-eyed, well-behaved home-schooled> children in tow.> Wouldn't you just love to wipe that serene look right> off her smug face?> > Is it any wonder we hate her so?> > Sonny Scott a community columnist, lives on Sparta Road in> Chickasaw County> and his e-mail address is sonnyscott@yahoo.com. > > Appeared originally in the Northeast Mississippi Daily> Journal, 6/8/2008,> section 0 , page 0
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Modern day Slavery
This is reality for many children outside of America today... What will we do about it?
Friday, June 13, 2008
Jumping in
I have had this blog spot for about a year and half now. My original intent for it was to write articles on a specific topic. I wrote the first article but never published it. Why? For two reasons: In my mind I didn't think that I was ready to speak on such a topic nor did I feel that the people who are in my sphere of influence (you all if you are reading this) were ready to be confronted with it either. So I held it and continue to hold it. Secondly, I was apprehensive because I desired to do a good job. There are many blogs out there and some seem to be used as avenues for people to vent their thoughts- public diaries so to speak. Which is fine, but I wanted my site to be a resource that enticed people, of all sorts, to come back. In short I desired to create a forum that would be mutually edifying to the glory of God. In the mean time I added links that has proven helpful to me over the years. It was only a few days ago that I realized that by adding the collection of links that I did, the blog was actually living up to the name. Therefore, I hope to add thoughts, links and different things that would be relevant to the culture. And who knows I may get around to publishing that "first" article. Until then whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do it to the glory of God.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
