Humping a Load of Misery

Foreign grey skies littered with unfamiliar birds and birds of steel, along with the dreams and imaginations of the young brave men of war were the witness of all of the things they carried. As Atlas is depicted holding the weight of the world on his shoulders and we may interpret the symbolism as man’s burden of being caretaker of the world, The Things They Carried paints vivid pictures to show and teach us; the futility of the hump, the correlation between the tangible and intangible things that they carried and the logistics of war.

The hump of which Tim O’Brian writes is a long arduous walk from village to village that the soldiers make day to day, symbolically represents the unrealized dreams, the burden of the ever present weight of terror, and the aimlessness of war. Lieutenant Jimmy Cross humps his love for a girl who may never return his affection is a long journey that may never come to realization. He even gives up on her in the end. Humping a war zone could almost be likened to the terror of walking that dark and scary hall way as a child. O’Brian writes that they were like animals, marching endless, from one village to another, winning nothing and losing nothing; (O’Brian 602) drawing the gross parallel of the futility of war.

There is a strong correlation between the things that the men carried on their backs and the things they carried in their hearts and minds both of which symbolizes a great weight. Ted Lavender carried extra ammunition and drugs which shows the great weight of fear he carried inside of himself; not unlike the other men in the platoon. After writing about the ways the men would deal with the war by using hard vocabulary, O’Brian writes, “They were tough. They carried all the emotional baggage of men who might die. Greif, terror, love, longing-these were intangibles, but the intangibles had their own mass, and specific gravity, they had tangible weight. They carried shameful memories. They carried the common secret of cowardice barely restrained…” (O’Brian 604-05) O’Brian demonstrates throughout the story that the most important thing for the men is concealing their fear. That in and of itself is a heavy burden to carry.

The way in which the author chooses to write bears symbolism worth mentioning and may carry the story’s theme of the misery of war. The Things They Carried is written in a logistical form cataloging what the men carried and weight of each item brings to the attention of the reader that the war zone is real. Though we as civilians may not consider what counting the cost of war may be, the powers at be count the cost of war. “…and for all the ambiguities of Vietnam, all the mysteries and unknowns, there was at least the single abiding certainty that they would never be at a loss for things to carry.” (O’Brian 602) This is all too reminiscent of the toy soldier-dispensable and many.

As I think about the many humps that I make under my familiar skies of degrading colors of blues, pinks and oranges, the things that I carry may be things of solace; music, my wedding band, and my camera. I may carry in my heart hopes for myself and my family. Tim O’Brian, with his unhappy characters causes the reader to peer beyond the iron curtain into the misery of war and perhaps, as I did, consider the blessings of the day.

O’Brian, Tim. “The Things They Carried.” Literature An Introduction to Fiction Poetry, Drama, and Writing. Ed. Kennedy, X.J. and Dana Gioia. Longman: NY, 2010. 595-607.

ch ch ch cheesecake!

I could not let this little sweetheart go unnoticed.

http://www.omnomicon.com/baby-cheesecakes

cha cha chai

I love tea and coffee and what I would think is the happy medium between the two-chai tea.

While exploring this new blog that I found, I discovered this recipe for chai.

check it out: http://www.omnomicon.com/chai-tea

(caution: this lady uses language at times that I do not)

i am so looking forward to May

you just gotta love this!

I have just the cream to go with this beauty.

http://www.omnomicon.com/strawberry-heart-shortcake

(caution: this lady uses language at times that I do not)

who gets a birthday party this year?

amazing idea for a birthday cake.
check out this blog to get the instructions on making wonderful cake.
http://www.omnomicon.com/rainbowcake

free audiobook download

Ok, I missed out on telling you about the free audio book download for February from christianaudio.com. The book is called Not for Sale. It's about modern day slavery and what modern day abolitionist are doing to upset the booming business of human trafficking. I have begun listening to it and have been greatly affected by the information and stories that are presented there. If you are still interested in that book here is the link: http://christianaudio.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=not+for+sale

Now for the book of the month of March- Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney. I have read this book a couple of times and have found something each time helpful to my Christian walk. Furthermore, this is a good book to challenge yourself to make sure that you are in the faith. Here is the link for the free download: http://christianaudio.com/free_download.php

However you choose to use the book, I think that what chistianaudio.com is doing is a great way to get Christians reading. I know that I have a few friends who are concerned about Christians "peddling the gospel." I for one am very happy that they are offering a means for those of us who have limited funds and space to be able to take part of the great resources that are out there for our edification.

Lord bless you and you glorify Him

Rena

This little light

As of late I have had spring on the brain, in a big way. Maybe you can relate. I don't know if it's the nesting instinct kicking in, but I have been itching to rearrange, decorate and plant. In my burst of inspiration and search of new ideas I happened upon some really cool stuff.

One of those great finds was this cool paper lantern.

I am planning on hanging a few of these clustered above the soon to be armchair find that will be situated in the corner of my small living room. I can't wait to get started on my set. To try it yourself, you will find the instruction here .

Happy Crafty!

Dwayne Tryumf's 777 intro

Just as we misuse the word awesome to describe anything but God, the word hot shares this calamity.
When I say that this video is hot, believe me because this man is spitting with tongues of fire

The cost

The love that this young father and mother have for their precious little one will break your heart.

Response essay #10 of "Memo to John Grisham: What's Next-'A Movie Made Me Do It'?"

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. .

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.

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

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?

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.

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.

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.