There's been a huge leap in maturity this year that I've had a tough time seeing over these past months. I hated to admit it or recognize it at first but I started to see it a little over a week ago. I had a project due for one of my classes and as I sat at the computer looking at the clock that read 12:30 a.m., I knew I wasn't going to get it done that night. Instead of falling to the ground and sobbing like I would have ten months ago, I slowly got up and told myself that it was time to go to bed. And I did go to bed. Without worrying. The next day I was able to approach my teacher and ask her if she would be willing to give me an extension. She said yes and said that she completely understand as I explained to her why I was having difficulty finishing the project. Ten months ago, I could not have done that. But this showed me that I am growing up and taking responsibility for my actions.
Simple things like this would have stressed me out in the beginning of the year. Heck, my hair was falling out in chunks, I was stressed out so much. My body was becoming smaller and weaker due to the lack of energy and nutrients it was receiving. By the time I hit February, I looked disgusting. Things were going downhill fast and needed to climb my way out before it became worse. "You're not going to go to college if you don't do anything about this." My mom would reprimand me everyday and threaten to take away the one thing I held fast to: college. When march rolled around, I made a promise with myself to get healthier and not stress over the small stuff. I needed to start enjoying life again.
That's when it clicked: I don't need to be perfect for senior year. I just need to make it through. I started letting go and started doing what I wanted to do. I noticed a difference in my demeanor and my mood. I was happy again. I felt satisfied with my work and not overwhelmed anymore. People noticed this too and I had never received so many compliments. "You look great." Someone would say. "Yeah, I feel great." I can look back now on this year and be thankful for the experience I had. I know now that I am smarter than I think, and stronger than I seem.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
VCU Bound
I can't even really put into words how excited I am to be a VCU Ram. The reality of the situation didn't really hit me until last week when I finally physically saw on the calendar I would be graduating in two weeks. Just two and now tomorrow it will be one, half of those days in which we won't be spending in school. I'm finally looking at the finish line head on and realizing that this year has gone by so fast with so many lessons that I have been able to extract along the way. Lessons in which the consequences weren't immediate but will have an impact later in life. Now I feel as if I can begin a new chapter knowing I can move forward without looking back.
To be honest though, my first choice was not VCU. I actually didn't have a first choice. I was just hoping the college would pick me instead of myself picking it. But it wasn't until I auditioned for VCU's theatre program when I actually realized I wanted to go to this school. I thought I wanted a small school like Christopher Newport. But I ended up loving the large urban life that VCU provided and all the spirit that the school has. It boggles my mind to think that 32,000 students attend that school each year. I keep telling myself I want to meet new people and technically I will be going to a school where I don't know over three-fourths of the population. That actually excites me.
Not only did I audition for their BFA theatre program but I made it in too. Which also floors my mind. 250 kids auditioned for the program this year and only 32 made it. 16 Boys and 16 Girls. People had told me how competitive it was, but I just went into the audition with an open mind not expecting to make it in. But I took this as a sign that I needed to attend the school, that this was not just a stroke of luck. People seem to think that acting is very straight forward and simple but in reality it's not. This is one of the most brutal industries in the world and I'm about to take part in it. But that feels exhilarating. And I can't wait.
To be honest though, my first choice was not VCU. I actually didn't have a first choice. I was just hoping the college would pick me instead of myself picking it. But it wasn't until I auditioned for VCU's theatre program when I actually realized I wanted to go to this school. I thought I wanted a small school like Christopher Newport. But I ended up loving the large urban life that VCU provided and all the spirit that the school has. It boggles my mind to think that 32,000 students attend that school each year. I keep telling myself I want to meet new people and technically I will be going to a school where I don't know over three-fourths of the population. That actually excites me.
Not only did I audition for their BFA theatre program but I made it in too. Which also floors my mind. 250 kids auditioned for the program this year and only 32 made it. 16 Boys and 16 Girls. People had told me how competitive it was, but I just went into the audition with an open mind not expecting to make it in. But I took this as a sign that I needed to attend the school, that this was not just a stroke of luck. People seem to think that acting is very straight forward and simple but in reality it's not. This is one of the most brutal industries in the world and I'm about to take part in it. But that feels exhilarating. And I can't wait.
What? Prom Queen?
If you had told me I was going to be prom queen when I was a freshman, I would have laughed and told you you were wrong. Very wrong. When I thought of the prom queen, I always thought of Barbie which would never equate to myself. Like everyone does, I went through the awkward ugly duckling phase. From the time I was in third grade to about seventh grade, I was not considered an attractive child. I wore the glasses, the braces, and the oh-so-popular short bob cut. Looking back at it, it makes me thankful because if people went through life looking great all the time, it would get boring. There would be no depth to them I guarantee you. But becoming the prom was such a humbling experience. I never knew that people cared so much until they announced my name.
I have always underestimated myself and there's no question about it. I have always thought that I was not good enough to receive the people I have now in my life. I thought I wasn't intelligent enough to be earning the grades that are on my transcript. I never thought this year would be so hard yet so rewarding at the same time. People made me realize this year that there is more that's going on than meets the eye. Like I stated before, I always thought the prom queen was Barbie. That she was perfect. But she's not. No one is perfect and that's what I've come to realize this year. No one is. Barbie will never exist in this world and I realized most people like to vote for someone they can connect to. I just didn't know I would be that person.
I'm thankful though. This title doesn't dictate who I am of course, but it definitely gives me some incite as to how my peers feel about me. After looking at the ballot, I understood why all those girls were on there: because they all truly deserved it. Sanam Hahemi is a great example; she is one of the kindest people I know yet she's also witty and people love to listen to her because she's intelligent. She still thinks that her name was a joke but i keep reminding her that there are so many people that love her and care about her. That's why her name was on that ballot. Yet, she's not perfect either. None of these girls were perfect. And I'm proud to be in a selection of girls that does not believe perfection to be the be-all-and-the-end-all.
I have always underestimated myself and there's no question about it. I have always thought that I was not good enough to receive the people I have now in my life. I thought I wasn't intelligent enough to be earning the grades that are on my transcript. I never thought this year would be so hard yet so rewarding at the same time. People made me realize this year that there is more that's going on than meets the eye. Like I stated before, I always thought the prom queen was Barbie. That she was perfect. But she's not. No one is perfect and that's what I've come to realize this year. No one is. Barbie will never exist in this world and I realized most people like to vote for someone they can connect to. I just didn't know I would be that person.
I'm thankful though. This title doesn't dictate who I am of course, but it definitely gives me some incite as to how my peers feel about me. After looking at the ballot, I understood why all those girls were on there: because they all truly deserved it. Sanam Hahemi is a great example; she is one of the kindest people I know yet she's also witty and people love to listen to her because she's intelligent. She still thinks that her name was a joke but i keep reminding her that there are so many people that love her and care about her. That's why her name was on that ballot. Yet, she's not perfect either. None of these girls were perfect. And I'm proud to be in a selection of girls that does not believe perfection to be the be-all-and-the-end-all.
CT Scans: Could Be Causing Increase in Cancer
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/06/ct-scans-increase-childrens-cancer-risk-study-finds/?ref=health
If I wasn't going into acting, I would probably contemplate the idea of becoming a doctor instead. Medicine has fascinated me and has made me wonder how it works in the body as well as it does. Or doesn't. Some things our bodies can handle, such as sun radiation every once in while (with sunscreen of course.) But according to a new study conducted by the scientists of The Lancet, a British practice, reported that CT scans can increase a child's risk of being diagnosed with leukemia and cancer later in life. "180,000 children who had scans from 1985 to 2002 in Britain. There were 74 cases of leukemia and 135 cases of brain cancer in the group." There may be some confounding factors in this study but the results are alarming enough that people may have to ask whether its genetics or some form of gamma radiation that caused this. "Children under 15 who had two or three scans of the head had triple the risk of brain cancer compared with the general population, the researchers found, and 5 to 10 scans tripled the risk of leukemia. But the baseline risk is extremely low — 4.5 cases of leukemia per 100,000 people under 20, and 3.5 cases of cancer of the brain or central nervous system." says Denise Grady, the author of this article. She's right, in which the chance is small. But several doctors have been trying to figure out the causes of cancer and leukemia and have linked it back to these types of machines which give off these harmful rays. Scientists are trying to make advancements towards protecting young children and their vulnerable skin from any type of cancer or leukemia. They are trying to lower the power of the rays by finding chemicals that will be less damaging, than so those chemicals that have been linked to types of cancers.
Personally, I know I would like to see them make this advancement because it is important that we find a way to not make cancer as prevalent in society. Even though heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in America, cancer is right up there with it. Potentially, there are effects of cancer that we do not have control over such as our genes. But we do have control over the amount of rays that are being produced by a CT scan machine. These children deserve to be able to live a life where they don't have to worry about dying before their parents do. This article emphasizes the importance of keeping a child healthy and cancer free under controllable circumstances. "A major study warning of CT risks to children, based on the Japanese exposure, was published in 2001; it predicted that of the 600,000 children under 15 who were having head and abdominal scans in the United States each year, 500 might ultimately die of cancer caused by the CT radiation." writes Grady. We've come a long way since 2001, and Grady does a good job of acknowledging that fact. We still must protect the future generations from any harm. Any way we can stop cancer is a means of moving in the right direction.
If I wasn't going into acting, I would probably contemplate the idea of becoming a doctor instead. Medicine has fascinated me and has made me wonder how it works in the body as well as it does. Or doesn't. Some things our bodies can handle, such as sun radiation every once in while (with sunscreen of course.) But according to a new study conducted by the scientists of The Lancet, a British practice, reported that CT scans can increase a child's risk of being diagnosed with leukemia and cancer later in life. "180,000 children who had scans from 1985 to 2002 in Britain. There were 74 cases of leukemia and 135 cases of brain cancer in the group." There may be some confounding factors in this study but the results are alarming enough that people may have to ask whether its genetics or some form of gamma radiation that caused this. "Children under 15 who had two or three scans of the head had triple the risk of brain cancer compared with the general population, the researchers found, and 5 to 10 scans tripled the risk of leukemia. But the baseline risk is extremely low — 4.5 cases of leukemia per 100,000 people under 20, and 3.5 cases of cancer of the brain or central nervous system." says Denise Grady, the author of this article. She's right, in which the chance is small. But several doctors have been trying to figure out the causes of cancer and leukemia and have linked it back to these types of machines which give off these harmful rays. Scientists are trying to make advancements towards protecting young children and their vulnerable skin from any type of cancer or leukemia. They are trying to lower the power of the rays by finding chemicals that will be less damaging, than so those chemicals that have been linked to types of cancers.
Personally, I know I would like to see them make this advancement because it is important that we find a way to not make cancer as prevalent in society. Even though heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in America, cancer is right up there with it. Potentially, there are effects of cancer that we do not have control over such as our genes. But we do have control over the amount of rays that are being produced by a CT scan machine. These children deserve to be able to live a life where they don't have to worry about dying before their parents do. This article emphasizes the importance of keeping a child healthy and cancer free under controllable circumstances. "A major study warning of CT risks to children, based on the Japanese exposure, was published in 2001; it predicted that of the 600,000 children under 15 who were having head and abdominal scans in the United States each year, 500 might ultimately die of cancer caused by the CT radiation." writes Grady. We've come a long way since 2001, and Grady does a good job of acknowledging that fact. We still must protect the future generations from any harm. Any way we can stop cancer is a means of moving in the right direction.
Hip Hop: Made to Change?
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/05/arts/music/nicki-minaj-backs-out-of-summer-jam.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&ref=music
I'll be the first to admit that I love pop culture. Like most people, I find it a little more entertaining than other types of news due to the fact that it pertains to the current generation of young adults. For example, there are up and coming artist who create major controversy, like Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and Chris Brown. Though all seem to have quite a trend (i.e. making obscene stage appearances, wearing ill fitted clothing and expressing their opinions about the paparazzi through hand gestures), Nicki Minaj has caused more of an uproar by selling out Gaga and Brown combined with regards to ticket sales and albums. Minaj has been an up and coming artist for about a year and a half now and continues to create songs that are suited for the tween age group and the bubble gum pop culture. D.J Rosenberg of New York's 97.1 Hip Hop station made a comment about Minaj's lack of talent with regards to this genre of music. “I’m here to talk about real hip-hop.” He remarked as he spoke to the crowd who came out for the latest Hot Summer Jam Concert in New York City. Minaj was supposed to perform that day but after hearing the comment, her manager called to confirm that she was no longer going to be a part of the event. While other appearances were made, such as Tyga and Wacka Flocka Flame, the crowd apparently was waiting for Minaj. Rosenberg has made snide comments about her before on his radio station, remarking that she is "not a good representation of what Hip Hop is." But neither are Tyga and Wacka Flocka Flame.
This generation is constantly evolving and changing the dynamics of music. The game is no longer for men but for women too. Minaj has set for this trend, making her way to the top of the charts month after month and earning recognition from every aspect of the music industry. Though she is not my favorite artist, I have to give her credit where credit is due and that is why I chose this article. She was going to be the only female representing the Hip Hop genre at the Summer Jam Concert. Yet, Rosenberg can't seem to keep his opinion to himself, thus making her back out of the performance. Fans were angry and that can affect his job he continues to slam the careers of those who trying to make it in this industry. The article, written by Jon Carramanica, emphasized that this genre of music is not something that stays steady but changes overtime as we become more knowledgeable about the people who are representing it. Minaj is just one example. Did the author have some biased towards her? Yes, but he proposed a good argument in which " Hip-hop is many things, depending on who is drawing the boundaries: sometimes it’s a walled-off fort, sometimes a steady fountain of invention and change." Both sexes should be given an equal chance to create this type of music and people, such as Rosenberg, should not be so against the idea of evolution in the music world. Minaj is the one bringing in the money after all.
I'll be the first to admit that I love pop culture. Like most people, I find it a little more entertaining than other types of news due to the fact that it pertains to the current generation of young adults. For example, there are up and coming artist who create major controversy, like Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and Chris Brown. Though all seem to have quite a trend (i.e. making obscene stage appearances, wearing ill fitted clothing and expressing their opinions about the paparazzi through hand gestures), Nicki Minaj has caused more of an uproar by selling out Gaga and Brown combined with regards to ticket sales and albums. Minaj has been an up and coming artist for about a year and a half now and continues to create songs that are suited for the tween age group and the bubble gum pop culture. D.J Rosenberg of New York's 97.1 Hip Hop station made a comment about Minaj's lack of talent with regards to this genre of music. “I’m here to talk about real hip-hop.” He remarked as he spoke to the crowd who came out for the latest Hot Summer Jam Concert in New York City. Minaj was supposed to perform that day but after hearing the comment, her manager called to confirm that she was no longer going to be a part of the event. While other appearances were made, such as Tyga and Wacka Flocka Flame, the crowd apparently was waiting for Minaj. Rosenberg has made snide comments about her before on his radio station, remarking that she is "not a good representation of what Hip Hop is." But neither are Tyga and Wacka Flocka Flame.
This generation is constantly evolving and changing the dynamics of music. The game is no longer for men but for women too. Minaj has set for this trend, making her way to the top of the charts month after month and earning recognition from every aspect of the music industry. Though she is not my favorite artist, I have to give her credit where credit is due and that is why I chose this article. She was going to be the only female representing the Hip Hop genre at the Summer Jam Concert. Yet, Rosenberg can't seem to keep his opinion to himself, thus making her back out of the performance. Fans were angry and that can affect his job he continues to slam the careers of those who trying to make it in this industry. The article, written by Jon Carramanica, emphasized that this genre of music is not something that stays steady but changes overtime as we become more knowledgeable about the people who are representing it. Minaj is just one example. Did the author have some biased towards her? Yes, but he proposed a good argument in which " Hip-hop is many things, depending on who is drawing the boundaries: sometimes it’s a walled-off fort, sometimes a steady fountain of invention and change." Both sexes should be given an equal chance to create this type of music and people, such as Rosenberg, should not be so against the idea of evolution in the music world. Minaj is the one bringing in the money after all.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Obesity: Another Reason for High Prices and Deaths
http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/sns-rt-us-obesitybre83t0c8-20120430,0,4298976,full.story
Obesity in this country is no longer a problem but an epidemic. Within the last ten years, the percent of overweight people has risen to 60% and 40% for the percent of people considered obese. The word has been around for a long time, but has never been applied to so many people due to the fact it was rare to find someone who was considered obese 50 years ago. But recent generations have created this trend with the invention of new technology, bigger portions and sedentary lifestyles. In Sharon Begley Reuters's article 'As America's waistline expands, cost soar', she talks about the effects of obesity on America and how it has caused the prices of simple things to rise. For example, automobile companies are being asked to test cars to make sure they can support people, who are considered overweight, during an accident. Hospitals are ripping off the toilets from the wall to help those who are overweight patients. These reasons alone are causing size discrimination within this country, and employers are starting to turn away potential workers because of health concerns. This behavior though, only keeps obese and overweight people from working, causing them to be less productive and to gain more weight. Obamacare has placed restrictions on these people who meet these demographics stating, that if they decline Health Care, employers can charge these people 30 to 50 percent more for health insurance. And that's not the only thing they're shelling out for.
According to Reuters, obese men pay an additional $1,152 a year in medical expenses for pills and prescription drugs. Obese women pay over double the amount, paying an extra $3,613 more medical expenses because of their beauty products and procedures they may have. An American who is defined as being healthy will pay over $17,000 in medical bills each year. Most of those will find themselves bankrupt meaning that people who are obese are not only shelling out more money but they will also find themselves in debt. Unfortunately, doctors have to prescribe these pills but that doesn't mean that the person will be covered by Medicare. It's a vicious cycle that this country has created due to the fact that no one knows how to handle this epidemic without one side losing.
This epidemic did not exist 50 years ago. This was not considered a problem. But now it is, and we'll have to find a way to fix it in order to help future generations. As adult obesity increases, so does childhood obesity, leading to another generation with severe health issues. These issues can be prevented though and that's why this topic interest me. Everyone has the ability to make healthy choices, such as to exercise 30 minutes a day or choose celery sticks over french fries. Instead though, Americans are choosing french fries and are sitting on the couch for three hours every night watching mindless television. And they don't seem to care. Reuters points out that most of these individuals are dying at an early age and yet, their health issues effect this country by acting as a precedent for the generations to come. Our country needs to promote a healthier lifestyle in order to slow this epidemic from reaching young children. But it has to start from the sources which are the adults. This country has to do a better job creating an environment that does not advocate sedentary lifestyles and fast food meals. We have to do it though without discriminating against groups that are classified as overweight or obese because it only makes them more resistant to the changes we're trying to make. Reuters wrote this article to send a message that people are paying too much for something that can be prevented from the start. This particular health issue can be controlled so that fewer people fall victim to Type 2 Diabetes or heart attacks brought on by high blood pressure. "The books on obesity remain open." Reuters writes. But this generation has the ability to close them and put them in the past.
Obesity in this country is no longer a problem but an epidemic. Within the last ten years, the percent of overweight people has risen to 60% and 40% for the percent of people considered obese. The word has been around for a long time, but has never been applied to so many people due to the fact it was rare to find someone who was considered obese 50 years ago. But recent generations have created this trend with the invention of new technology, bigger portions and sedentary lifestyles. In Sharon Begley Reuters's article 'As America's waistline expands, cost soar', she talks about the effects of obesity on America and how it has caused the prices of simple things to rise. For example, automobile companies are being asked to test cars to make sure they can support people, who are considered overweight, during an accident. Hospitals are ripping off the toilets from the wall to help those who are overweight patients. These reasons alone are causing size discrimination within this country, and employers are starting to turn away potential workers because of health concerns. This behavior though, only keeps obese and overweight people from working, causing them to be less productive and to gain more weight. Obamacare has placed restrictions on these people who meet these demographics stating, that if they decline Health Care, employers can charge these people 30 to 50 percent more for health insurance. And that's not the only thing they're shelling out for.
According to Reuters, obese men pay an additional $1,152 a year in medical expenses for pills and prescription drugs. Obese women pay over double the amount, paying an extra $3,613 more medical expenses because of their beauty products and procedures they may have. An American who is defined as being healthy will pay over $17,000 in medical bills each year. Most of those will find themselves bankrupt meaning that people who are obese are not only shelling out more money but they will also find themselves in debt. Unfortunately, doctors have to prescribe these pills but that doesn't mean that the person will be covered by Medicare. It's a vicious cycle that this country has created due to the fact that no one knows how to handle this epidemic without one side losing.
This epidemic did not exist 50 years ago. This was not considered a problem. But now it is, and we'll have to find a way to fix it in order to help future generations. As adult obesity increases, so does childhood obesity, leading to another generation with severe health issues. These issues can be prevented though and that's why this topic interest me. Everyone has the ability to make healthy choices, such as to exercise 30 minutes a day or choose celery sticks over french fries. Instead though, Americans are choosing french fries and are sitting on the couch for three hours every night watching mindless television. And they don't seem to care. Reuters points out that most of these individuals are dying at an early age and yet, their health issues effect this country by acting as a precedent for the generations to come. Our country needs to promote a healthier lifestyle in order to slow this epidemic from reaching young children. But it has to start from the sources which are the adults. This country has to do a better job creating an environment that does not advocate sedentary lifestyles and fast food meals. We have to do it though without discriminating against groups that are classified as overweight or obese because it only makes them more resistant to the changes we're trying to make. Reuters wrote this article to send a message that people are paying too much for something that can be prevented from the start. This particular health issue can be controlled so that fewer people fall victim to Type 2 Diabetes or heart attacks brought on by high blood pressure. "The books on obesity remain open." Reuters writes. But this generation has the ability to close them and put them in the past.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
"The Raven" Takes a Nose Dive
http://movies.nytimes.com/2012/04/27/movies/the-raven-with-john-cusack-directed-by-james-mcteigue.html?ref=movies
A.O. Scott's article "A Murderer Tapping at His Chamber Door" does an excellent job summing up what director, James McTeigue's, new movie, The Raven is: a jumbled mess. Predictable? Yes. But I was interested to see what critics had to say about the movie. "The fannish obsessiveness that animates 'The Raven' is its most appealing attribute, and even Poe scholars can forgive it for discarding the biographical record in favor of playful, gruesome fantasy." Scott writes. The director takes all of Edgar Allan Poe's pieces of literature and tries to incorporate them into one movie. It does not work in McTeigue's favor due to the fact that he tries to focus on too many of Poe's literary accomplishments and leaves the viewer wondering why they are learning about all these unnecessary titles and allusions. Not only is the movie's plot unclear but the acting is sub par. John Cusak is not a bad actor. Unfortunately though, he's been placed in a film that he cannot save on his raw talent alone. Scott describes the quality of the performances as either be "over acted" or not on point. Both are extremes that a viewer would notice if the plot is less than entertaining. Another poor quality is the fact that the history of Poe's life is incorrect. For viewer's who don't know much about Poe, there won't be a problem but for those who do, they will find themselves griping endlessly about the misrepresentation of Poe's last days. Scott seems to take pleasure in reading Poe's work and from this article it appears that he is far from impressed with McTeigue's interpretation.
If any popular newspaper company is going to review a movie, it's going to have to be the New York Times. People, like myself, trust the knowledge of their critics because they know what works and doesn't. One of the reasons why I chose this article was to see if this movie was actually good. From the trailers on TV, I could tell it wasn't. A.O. Scott wrote down everything I was thinking though, when I viewed these advertisements for The Raven: boring, unrealistic and unoriginal. The article was entertaining to read because Scott had to find some humor in the worst parts of the movie. After all, a critic can't see a wonderful, action packed movie every time. They have to see some bad films too. To understand what Scott was talking about, I had to research some of this information about Poe to see how many books and essays he had written. He has written many and to know that a director would try to use all of them in one movie makes me cringe. Due to the diction in Scott's article, I could tell he was doing the same thing, sitting through the movie. I like writers like Scott because they give me what I'm looking for: an honest opinion. And because of him, I can save myself $10 and an hour and forty three minutes of sheer boredom.
A.O. Scott's article "A Murderer Tapping at His Chamber Door" does an excellent job summing up what director, James McTeigue's, new movie, The Raven is: a jumbled mess. Predictable? Yes. But I was interested to see what critics had to say about the movie. "The fannish obsessiveness that animates 'The Raven' is its most appealing attribute, and even Poe scholars can forgive it for discarding the biographical record in favor of playful, gruesome fantasy." Scott writes. The director takes all of Edgar Allan Poe's pieces of literature and tries to incorporate them into one movie. It does not work in McTeigue's favor due to the fact that he tries to focus on too many of Poe's literary accomplishments and leaves the viewer wondering why they are learning about all these unnecessary titles and allusions. Not only is the movie's plot unclear but the acting is sub par. John Cusak is not a bad actor. Unfortunately though, he's been placed in a film that he cannot save on his raw talent alone. Scott describes the quality of the performances as either be "over acted" or not on point. Both are extremes that a viewer would notice if the plot is less than entertaining. Another poor quality is the fact that the history of Poe's life is incorrect. For viewer's who don't know much about Poe, there won't be a problem but for those who do, they will find themselves griping endlessly about the misrepresentation of Poe's last days. Scott seems to take pleasure in reading Poe's work and from this article it appears that he is far from impressed with McTeigue's interpretation.
If any popular newspaper company is going to review a movie, it's going to have to be the New York Times. People, like myself, trust the knowledge of their critics because they know what works and doesn't. One of the reasons why I chose this article was to see if this movie was actually good. From the trailers on TV, I could tell it wasn't. A.O. Scott wrote down everything I was thinking though, when I viewed these advertisements for The Raven: boring, unrealistic and unoriginal. The article was entertaining to read because Scott had to find some humor in the worst parts of the movie. After all, a critic can't see a wonderful, action packed movie every time. They have to see some bad films too. To understand what Scott was talking about, I had to research some of this information about Poe to see how many books and essays he had written. He has written many and to know that a director would try to use all of them in one movie makes me cringe. Due to the diction in Scott's article, I could tell he was doing the same thing, sitting through the movie. I like writers like Scott because they give me what I'm looking for: an honest opinion. And because of him, I can save myself $10 and an hour and forty three minutes of sheer boredom.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Raising Taxes on the Rich Raises Anxiety
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/17/opinion/a-republican-talks-sense-on-taxes.html?_r=1&ref=opinion
Money: It's the number one thing that most couples will fight about which most likely leads to a break up or divorce if not handled properly. To be honest, there is no proper way to handle money. Congress creates an excellent example, in which they can't find a way to balance their budget without causing a federal debt or have a bigger deficit than revenue. In this New York Times editorial, the writer talks about a new bill that was introduced in the house to raise a surtax on those incomes who exceed one million dollars. "Representative Rick Crawford, a freshman Republican from Arkansas, says the only serious way to begin cutting the deficit is to combine new tax revenue with spending cuts." Easier said than done. The bill would require the government to come up with a balanced budget for the fiscal year, which would be difficult to determine seeing how this country is suffering from a recession. Representative, Rick Crawford from Arkansas, has been criticized for this proposal due to the fact that he's a Republican and the Democrats dominate the House currently. Grover Norquist said Crawford would be in violation because he did sign the 'no-new tax pledge' when he was running for a seat in the House. But Crawford is more concerned with the amount of federal debt than with the voters' perception. No one else in Crawford's caucus will not take him up this offer and ultimately this could lead to another government shut down if the issues over the new unveiling of the budget aren't resolved.
I have to give Crawford credit, at least he is trying to come up with a plane that may pertain to the government's lack of responsibility for its expenditures and revenues. On the other hand, his plan is somewhat unreasonable because to ask the government to come up with a balanced budget for the year is like asking a two month old to comprehend the concept of walking and do it. It's not going to happen or if does, none of us will be here to witness it. Taxing the rich though isn't a bad idea. This has caused many concerns for Republicans and Democrats alike because the question is not if they can do it but is it fair? Personally, these millionaires, even billionaires are able to shell out a little money to support this nation's debt and it won't hurt them. On the other hand though, it is their money and they have been successful enough to earn that sum of money and it is theirs. It's a tough call and if I were sitting in Congress, I wouldn't know what to do.
It would probably be best for Congress though to find out where they spend the most money and why. As we learned in Chapter 14, Congress tends to spend most of the budget on Social Services to support those who have retired. But why are they spending so much on these people? Like the government, people should be responsible for putting away money for when they retire and balancing their revenue versus their expenditures. In comparison to fifty years ago, more people find themselves in debt than they did in the sixties. Instead of supporting those who have retired by raising the tax on the wealthy individuals, the government should issue programs that would help individuals to balance there budget so they can retire without having to worry. But as for now, the government's focus is not placed on things like that and they we'll just have to find a decent and ethical way to maintain the budget.
Money: It's the number one thing that most couples will fight about which most likely leads to a break up or divorce if not handled properly. To be honest, there is no proper way to handle money. Congress creates an excellent example, in which they can't find a way to balance their budget without causing a federal debt or have a bigger deficit than revenue. In this New York Times editorial, the writer talks about a new bill that was introduced in the house to raise a surtax on those incomes who exceed one million dollars. "Representative Rick Crawford, a freshman Republican from Arkansas, says the only serious way to begin cutting the deficit is to combine new tax revenue with spending cuts." Easier said than done. The bill would require the government to come up with a balanced budget for the fiscal year, which would be difficult to determine seeing how this country is suffering from a recession. Representative, Rick Crawford from Arkansas, has been criticized for this proposal due to the fact that he's a Republican and the Democrats dominate the House currently. Grover Norquist said Crawford would be in violation because he did sign the 'no-new tax pledge' when he was running for a seat in the House. But Crawford is more concerned with the amount of federal debt than with the voters' perception. No one else in Crawford's caucus will not take him up this offer and ultimately this could lead to another government shut down if the issues over the new unveiling of the budget aren't resolved.
I have to give Crawford credit, at least he is trying to come up with a plane that may pertain to the government's lack of responsibility for its expenditures and revenues. On the other hand, his plan is somewhat unreasonable because to ask the government to come up with a balanced budget for the year is like asking a two month old to comprehend the concept of walking and do it. It's not going to happen or if does, none of us will be here to witness it. Taxing the rich though isn't a bad idea. This has caused many concerns for Republicans and Democrats alike because the question is not if they can do it but is it fair? Personally, these millionaires, even billionaires are able to shell out a little money to support this nation's debt and it won't hurt them. On the other hand though, it is their money and they have been successful enough to earn that sum of money and it is theirs. It's a tough call and if I were sitting in Congress, I wouldn't know what to do.
It would probably be best for Congress though to find out where they spend the most money and why. As we learned in Chapter 14, Congress tends to spend most of the budget on Social Services to support those who have retired. But why are they spending so much on these people? Like the government, people should be responsible for putting away money for when they retire and balancing their revenue versus their expenditures. In comparison to fifty years ago, more people find themselves in debt than they did in the sixties. Instead of supporting those who have retired by raising the tax on the wealthy individuals, the government should issue programs that would help individuals to balance there budget so they can retire without having to worry. But as for now, the government's focus is not placed on things like that and they we'll just have to find a decent and ethical way to maintain the budget.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Is The Dream Act Just a Dream?
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/13/opinion/dream-act-for-new-york.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
According to dictionary.com, one the definitions of a "dream" is an involuntary vision occurring to a person when they are awake. This involuntary vision could be anything from a personal goal to a universal freedom and for immigrants, The Dream Act accomplishes both. In this New York Times editorial, the writer talks about the challenges New York is facing right now with regards to The Dream Act. This Act would give immigrants the ability to go to college even if they are not a U.S. citizen. This open doors for them by making them eligible college education and military. Not only would it give them a chance to pursue a college career but also it would give them legal status, something most immigrants lack here in the U.S. Currently, New York is one of thirteen states give immigrants the chance to qualify for in state tuition but they do not qualify for financial aid from the government. California, New Mexico, and Texas are the only states that provide immigrants with financial aid from the government. New York though, is working to become the fourth state to do this. But just like all states, they are trying to overcome the legal challenges they face with immigrants and Senator Andrew Cuomo is standing back to review the procedures and guidelines of this bill. "It's hard to see why Cuomo would be hesitant to support these measures. It isn't the expense." So what is it then?
If I had to take guess as to why Cuomo is not proceeding with this bill, it's due to the controversy it would cause. Back when minorities were starting to go to college to gain an education, it was difficult. The change that society experienced was radical as women changed their roles of home makers to first class workers. The same concept applies to immigrants. People view them as being low on the education radar and not knowledgeable enough of the country's past or present. But why keep immigrants from an education when America itself supports and even advertises the fact that they allow foreigners into this country? The point of this Dream Act is to change the way we've been doing things and start providing people with a resource that is necessary to get a higher paying job. The reason why immigrants came here was to learn more and attain a better life not only for themselves but for their children. There children have no control over their nationality but they can control how far their schooling takes them. If they want to pursue a higher degree of learning, then the Dream Act should be passed by the states. These types of immigrants obviously want to make the change in their lifestyles and the government needs to recognize that.
Not only do people worry about this law but they also worry about things such affirmative action. This already gives immigrants the upper hand with regards to jobs but people can't imagine what it will do with regards to college. If the colleges were to choose between the Hispanic and the white child, they would choose the Hispanic due to their nationality. People view this as unfair because if their child, who is not the minority, is working hard, why can't they be chosen. There obviously has to be a balance in which immigrants can't be awarded based on who they are. They also have to show that they are willing to work hard like everyone else. This argument has come about more than a few times within government and it always has the same outcome: discrimination. Again, the Dream Act would promote an image that is not based on discrimination against other races but an image based on hard work and merit. Personally, if immigrants were willing to come into a new country and start a new life, they're probably willing to work hard and get an education for their own well being.
According to dictionary.com, one the definitions of a "dream" is an involuntary vision occurring to a person when they are awake. This involuntary vision could be anything from a personal goal to a universal freedom and for immigrants, The Dream Act accomplishes both. In this New York Times editorial, the writer talks about the challenges New York is facing right now with regards to The Dream Act. This Act would give immigrants the ability to go to college even if they are not a U.S. citizen. This open doors for them by making them eligible college education and military. Not only would it give them a chance to pursue a college career but also it would give them legal status, something most immigrants lack here in the U.S. Currently, New York is one of thirteen states give immigrants the chance to qualify for in state tuition but they do not qualify for financial aid from the government. California, New Mexico, and Texas are the only states that provide immigrants with financial aid from the government. New York though, is working to become the fourth state to do this. But just like all states, they are trying to overcome the legal challenges they face with immigrants and Senator Andrew Cuomo is standing back to review the procedures and guidelines of this bill. "It's hard to see why Cuomo would be hesitant to support these measures. It isn't the expense." So what is it then?
If I had to take guess as to why Cuomo is not proceeding with this bill, it's due to the controversy it would cause. Back when minorities were starting to go to college to gain an education, it was difficult. The change that society experienced was radical as women changed their roles of home makers to first class workers. The same concept applies to immigrants. People view them as being low on the education radar and not knowledgeable enough of the country's past or present. But why keep immigrants from an education when America itself supports and even advertises the fact that they allow foreigners into this country? The point of this Dream Act is to change the way we've been doing things and start providing people with a resource that is necessary to get a higher paying job. The reason why immigrants came here was to learn more and attain a better life not only for themselves but for their children. There children have no control over their nationality but they can control how far their schooling takes them. If they want to pursue a higher degree of learning, then the Dream Act should be passed by the states. These types of immigrants obviously want to make the change in their lifestyles and the government needs to recognize that.
Not only do people worry about this law but they also worry about things such affirmative action. This already gives immigrants the upper hand with regards to jobs but people can't imagine what it will do with regards to college. If the colleges were to choose between the Hispanic and the white child, they would choose the Hispanic due to their nationality. People view this as unfair because if their child, who is not the minority, is working hard, why can't they be chosen. There obviously has to be a balance in which immigrants can't be awarded based on who they are. They also have to show that they are willing to work hard like everyone else. This argument has come about more than a few times within government and it always has the same outcome: discrimination. Again, the Dream Act would promote an image that is not based on discrimination against other races but an image based on hard work and merit. Personally, if immigrants were willing to come into a new country and start a new life, they're probably willing to work hard and get an education for their own well being.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Please Keep School and Religion Separate
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/02/21/2653566/its-still-praying.html
The south is known for its strong religious beliefs and churches that tend to be within a couple of miles from each other. And if you can't find a church in the south, you're an atheist. But should prayer and religion be separate from school? The answer in this Miami Herald Editorial is yes. The editorial, It's Still Praying, talks about how Gary Siplin, a democratic governor from Orlando, intends to pass a bill in Florida that authorizes schools to be subjugated to "inspirational messages" at events like a Pep Rally or an assembly. "Let it be clear that there is no prohibition for a Florida public school student to pray in a classroom-- many a student has done is before a meal or test." So why try to force this type of action onto everyone else who doesn't necessarily want nor may believe in a higher power? It's a concept this editorial tries to wrap its head around as it describes the bill. Originally the bill was designed to affect public and private high schools but now is intended for all public elementary schools around the state. Several groups like the American Civil Liberties and Anti-Defamation League believe this bill to be unconstitutional and an "over-reach" of the governor. Quite frankly, I also agree.
It's no surprise that this is an issue though. Every state battles with the argument of separation of church and state. Religion is a touchy subject for anyone due to differing beliefs and ideas. For children in particular, religion should not be forced upon them but rather they should be given the right to choose. Florida resides in the U.S.A which is built on democracy. The system they have now works for many people because it doesn't force nor prohibit children to practice religion. When reading this article, I found that even some conservative Christian groups did not agree with the bill either. Even though it is their job to bring people to God per say, the people should come willingly not forcefully. How fair would it be to push people who practiced Christianity into practicing Judaism? Individuals, like the one who wrote this editorial, resent this bill because of the way it was presented and how it might be passed without their consent. The point is, this bill needs to be looked over and debated before coming to fruition just as any bill should.
In conclusion, the editorial also points out that it may be an election year for Governor Gary Siplin. Apparently, governors tend to propose bills that could help them win or at least get their name out there. Well, Siplin could find himself at a loss if he continues to propose this bill that obviously is not in favor with the people. “Had the bill merely made reference to protecting any student speech (religious or otherwise) it . . . would have been able to withstand constitutional scrutiny,” Mr. Stemberger noted. John Stemberger of the Florida Family Policy Council, a group that believes that "God is the author of life, liberty and the family" spoke to Miami Herald about this bill. If a man like him is saying that this bill may be a bit of a stretch, then it's probably fair to say it needs to be done away with. Again, nobody should be told whether or not they need to pray, especially in a public high school where it could cause many conflicts.
The south is known for its strong religious beliefs and churches that tend to be within a couple of miles from each other. And if you can't find a church in the south, you're an atheist. But should prayer and religion be separate from school? The answer in this Miami Herald Editorial is yes. The editorial, It's Still Praying, talks about how Gary Siplin, a democratic governor from Orlando, intends to pass a bill in Florida that authorizes schools to be subjugated to "inspirational messages" at events like a Pep Rally or an assembly. "Let it be clear that there is no prohibition for a Florida public school student to pray in a classroom-- many a student has done is before a meal or test." So why try to force this type of action onto everyone else who doesn't necessarily want nor may believe in a higher power? It's a concept this editorial tries to wrap its head around as it describes the bill. Originally the bill was designed to affect public and private high schools but now is intended for all public elementary schools around the state. Several groups like the American Civil Liberties and Anti-Defamation League believe this bill to be unconstitutional and an "over-reach" of the governor. Quite frankly, I also agree.
It's no surprise that this is an issue though. Every state battles with the argument of separation of church and state. Religion is a touchy subject for anyone due to differing beliefs and ideas. For children in particular, religion should not be forced upon them but rather they should be given the right to choose. Florida resides in the U.S.A which is built on democracy. The system they have now works for many people because it doesn't force nor prohibit children to practice religion. When reading this article, I found that even some conservative Christian groups did not agree with the bill either. Even though it is their job to bring people to God per say, the people should come willingly not forcefully. How fair would it be to push people who practiced Christianity into practicing Judaism? Individuals, like the one who wrote this editorial, resent this bill because of the way it was presented and how it might be passed without their consent. The point is, this bill needs to be looked over and debated before coming to fruition just as any bill should.
In conclusion, the editorial also points out that it may be an election year for Governor Gary Siplin. Apparently, governors tend to propose bills that could help them win or at least get their name out there. Well, Siplin could find himself at a loss if he continues to propose this bill that obviously is not in favor with the people. “Had the bill merely made reference to protecting any student speech (religious or otherwise) it . . . would have been able to withstand constitutional scrutiny,” Mr. Stemberger noted. John Stemberger of the Florida Family Policy Council, a group that believes that "God is the author of life, liberty and the family" spoke to Miami Herald about this bill. If a man like him is saying that this bill may be a bit of a stretch, then it's probably fair to say it needs to be done away with. Again, nobody should be told whether or not they need to pray, especially in a public high school where it could cause many conflicts.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Private vs. Public Matters
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-daum-santorum-20120216,0,5678791.column
Santorum sits on the far right. I mean the very far right. Some, like Meghan Daum of the LA Times, consider Rick Santorum to be an extremist. In her editorial, Santorum: The Personal Isn't Always Political, Daum addresses some issues that have been surrounding him lately, one being his take on gay marriage. He makes it clear that a woman and a man should be the dominate figures in a child's life. He also thinks that gay marriage should be between two men because a child needs a father and without one, they are apparently "lost". "He found that even fathers in jail who had abandoned their kids were still better than no father at all to have in their children's lives." Daum writes. Daum not only addresses the issues surrounding Santorum but also how he has done a poor job of keeping his private life out of the public light. Daum does not actually say it, but indicates that this will be Santorum's downfall if he does not keep it in check. "Santorum's opponents should respect the difference between private life and public policy for this obvious reason: He himself does not."
California is not known for being heavily religous but when faced with Santorum's views, they obviously take some offense to them. Santorum believes that sex should only be used for reproductive reasons and not for pleasure. The streets of LA are not lined with churches, but with places that use sex for pleasure, so LA is not completely on board with this concept. In Karen Santorum's book, she writes about the loss of her son in 1996. Born at 20 weeks, he died two hours later and the Santorum's brought him home to show their children. Apparently, the Santorum's slept with him that night too, with him in between them. To most, this is bizarre and shocking but to the Santorum's it's a way of grieving. So who are we to judge?
The reason why we judge is because Santorum puts his personal business out there. To tell the public about something so personal, like the death of a child, opens the Santorum's up to ridicule because all of us grieve differently. What one person does to heal is not what someone else would do and we feel the need to share our opinions about it. As indicated in Daum's editorial, this could be the death of Santorum's campaign. He has not realized that private matters and public matters are two separate things. While his opponents have realized this, he is still struggling to grasp this concept and as he continues to push his extreme religious views and private burdens onto the public, the farther he will drop in the polls.
Santorum sits on the far right. I mean the very far right. Some, like Meghan Daum of the LA Times, consider Rick Santorum to be an extremist. In her editorial, Santorum: The Personal Isn't Always Political, Daum addresses some issues that have been surrounding him lately, one being his take on gay marriage. He makes it clear that a woman and a man should be the dominate figures in a child's life. He also thinks that gay marriage should be between two men because a child needs a father and without one, they are apparently "lost". "He found that even fathers in jail who had abandoned their kids were still better than no father at all to have in their children's lives." Daum writes. Daum not only addresses the issues surrounding Santorum but also how he has done a poor job of keeping his private life out of the public light. Daum does not actually say it, but indicates that this will be Santorum's downfall if he does not keep it in check. "Santorum's opponents should respect the difference between private life and public policy for this obvious reason: He himself does not."
California is not known for being heavily religous but when faced with Santorum's views, they obviously take some offense to them. Santorum believes that sex should only be used for reproductive reasons and not for pleasure. The streets of LA are not lined with churches, but with places that use sex for pleasure, so LA is not completely on board with this concept. In Karen Santorum's book, she writes about the loss of her son in 1996. Born at 20 weeks, he died two hours later and the Santorum's brought him home to show their children. Apparently, the Santorum's slept with him that night too, with him in between them. To most, this is bizarre and shocking but to the Santorum's it's a way of grieving. So who are we to judge?
The reason why we judge is because Santorum puts his personal business out there. To tell the public about something so personal, like the death of a child, opens the Santorum's up to ridicule because all of us grieve differently. What one person does to heal is not what someone else would do and we feel the need to share our opinions about it. As indicated in Daum's editorial, this could be the death of Santorum's campaign. He has not realized that private matters and public matters are two separate things. While his opponents have realized this, he is still struggling to grasp this concept and as he continues to push his extreme religious views and private burdens onto the public, the farther he will drop in the polls.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Birth Control: Should It Be Available For All Women?
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/11/opinion/collins-the-battle-behind-the-fight.html
In Gail Collins' editorial, The Battle Behind the Fight, she talks about Obama's recent bill to make birth control available at hospitals around the nation to all women. "As you probably heard, President Obama changed the new rules on health care coverage to accommodate the howls of outrage from the Catholic bishops." Well, he "tweaked" it Collins says. He made it so that women can receive birth control if their health policy provides it but if not, their insurance will cover it. Catholic churches are still not on board with the idea but they've started to comply with Obama's bill proposal. Though this seems to have caused a huge uproar, the problem is not the bill but Obamacare itself Collins writes. republicans are not pleased whatsoever with this bill and feel that it reveals Obama's weaker points that will cause Obama to not be reelected in the upcoming year. Recently Rick Santorum made some remarks about what a traditional household should consist of. Even though he points the finger at Obama for trying to "impose his ways on others", Santorum is just as guilty. It's evident that he believes the woman should stay home and provide for her family while the husband works full time. Apparently, women are not aloud to use birth control either, Catholic or not.
Do I personally agree with Santorum? No. Not at all. As hinted in the name, birth control is a form of control and taking it away due to Santorum's own religious beliefs is a bad idea. Both religion and sex are both sensitive subjects because it depends on the individual. There are many Catholic women who use birth control even though the Catholic church does not condone it. There are also many Catholic women who don't. But for Santorum to say that every woman should not have access to birth control is not tangible. Agreeing with Obama, women should have the right to go to a hospital, be it Catholic or not, and be able to receive some form of birth control. It is easier for women to pay $3 a month to protect themselves rather than fearing the outcome of an unexpected pregnancy. Obama is doing the best he can to accommodate everyone's needs but unfortunately, this battle is not centered around the Catholic hospitals or churches anymore but around the Republicans who are against Obamacare.
The goal of the Republican Party is to have elect a new face to represent America, and not one that stands for something like Obamacare. Santorum, unfortunately could be that face. Obama has had a trying year and even though I don't expect him to be reelected, I don't expect Rick Santorum to take his place. Santorum is extremely conservative and his ideas of the American Family just don't fit in with society's values of what America stands for today: hard work and the right to choose.
In Gail Collins' editorial, The Battle Behind the Fight, she talks about Obama's recent bill to make birth control available at hospitals around the nation to all women. "As you probably heard, President Obama changed the new rules on health care coverage to accommodate the howls of outrage from the Catholic bishops." Well, he "tweaked" it Collins says. He made it so that women can receive birth control if their health policy provides it but if not, their insurance will cover it. Catholic churches are still not on board with the idea but they've started to comply with Obama's bill proposal. Though this seems to have caused a huge uproar, the problem is not the bill but Obamacare itself Collins writes. republicans are not pleased whatsoever with this bill and feel that it reveals Obama's weaker points that will cause Obama to not be reelected in the upcoming year. Recently Rick Santorum made some remarks about what a traditional household should consist of. Even though he points the finger at Obama for trying to "impose his ways on others", Santorum is just as guilty. It's evident that he believes the woman should stay home and provide for her family while the husband works full time. Apparently, women are not aloud to use birth control either, Catholic or not.
Do I personally agree with Santorum? No. Not at all. As hinted in the name, birth control is a form of control and taking it away due to Santorum's own religious beliefs is a bad idea. Both religion and sex are both sensitive subjects because it depends on the individual. There are many Catholic women who use birth control even though the Catholic church does not condone it. There are also many Catholic women who don't. But for Santorum to say that every woman should not have access to birth control is not tangible. Agreeing with Obama, women should have the right to go to a hospital, be it Catholic or not, and be able to receive some form of birth control. It is easier for women to pay $3 a month to protect themselves rather than fearing the outcome of an unexpected pregnancy. Obama is doing the best he can to accommodate everyone's needs but unfortunately, this battle is not centered around the Catholic hospitals or churches anymore but around the Republicans who are against Obamacare.
The goal of the Republican Party is to have elect a new face to represent America, and not one that stands for something like Obamacare. Santorum, unfortunately could be that face. Obama has had a trying year and even though I don't expect him to be reelected, I don't expect Rick Santorum to take his place. Santorum is extremely conservative and his ideas of the American Family just don't fit in with society's values of what America stands for today: hard work and the right to choose.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Reflection of the Senior Year
If you had asked me a year ago about what I thought of senoir year, I would have told you it was going to be a breeze, that I was going to be able to kick back and relax because I was officially done. But if you had asked me yesterday what I thought about senoir year I would have responded with one word: stressful. I feel as if this emotion has ecompased my senior year and has not let up since the day school started. It hasn't been a terrible year, but it has been full of work and challenges that I would have never expected a year ago. But I know I'm not the only one who feels the stress of this year. Though it's hard to admit, I know everyone is sitting in the exact same boat. We all want to get out of high school and move on. Some will move on to college and others will move onto jobs. The feeling is mutual though and everyone is just trying to find a way out of high school.
While I have felt the pressures of this year I have also been able to look at the positive aspects and respect them too. If someone had told me I would be on Homecoming Court my senior year, I would have laughed. I wouldn't even consider myself princess material, yet somehow I made it onto the Homecoming Court. People would ask me if I wanted to win and I would just respond with "I'm thankful just to be on the Court itself, winning would just be an added bonus." This year's Homecoming by far was my favorite due to the fact that I was surprisingly stress free for the day and wasn't worrying about things like college applications or homework that needed to be completed. I just went out and had a good time, something that I haven't been able to do much at all since this year began.
I've learned that I can get into college. It sounds silly that I would say that, but I constantly was doubting my chances of being accepted to one. I was under the impression that if you come from Fairfax County and you're applying in state than you shouldn't even count on receiving an acceptance letter. "It's a very competitive environment and your GPA may not be high enough" Ms. Connelly said when my parents and I talked to her about colleges back in April of last year. Though it was a simple remark, it scared me to death and that's when the doubts started. They've slowly stopped though. I've been accepted to two of the colleges I've applied for which are Southern Utah University and UNC Greensboro. I'm still waiting for three other responses but I'm okay now. Seeing that I can get into college has really helped boost my confidence. Hopefully the rest of this year will turn out to be a good end to a challenging year. I don't want to continue to struggle the way I have for the first half of the year. I want to be able to look back on my senoir year and see the positive aspects and take the challenges as a learning experience. I'm not alone and being able to talk to people is just a blessing in itself. I've noticed that people have had a leap in maturity and even though we might not all be friends, we come to respect one another and appreciate each others strengths and weaknesses. That has been a guiding light for me so far and I continue to see it as a reminder that I can get through this year.
Green Evolution May Be a Sour Start Towards a Better Planet
http://www.uclick.com/client/nyt/gm/
Going Green: Will it help or hinder us? Recently, the Chevrolet Volt was voted the 2011 Green Car of the Year. "The Chevy Volt is one of the first American-made electric cars to make its way onto consumer radar in quite some time. While the Toyota Prius hybrid has been dominating the Eco market with Honda Civic riding its coattails, the Chevy Volt is approaching things in a slightly different way technologically." Mark Perlman of technobuffulo.com says. The Chevy Volt may be the first American made electric car, but there are still some issues to be worked out with regards to the definition of "Green" and what it will do for this world.
Glenn McCoy of the New York Times illustrates the idea of Green Movement and how it has negatively effected us. In the cartoon, Obama is dressed as the infamous fairy godmother and has granted Cinderella's wish of going to the Ball by turning her carriage into a "Pumpkin". "Great! The Green car you sold me turned into a giant lemon!" Cinderella is yelling at Obama and is giving him grief for the lack of quality in the Green Car or the Chevy Volt. In most of Glenn's McCoy's cartoons, he does not seem to favor Obama tactics and strategies, but this common factor makes it clear that McCoy believes that Obama does not do a good job of keeping his promises. The reason why Obama is dressed as the Fairy Godmother is because in the story of Cinderella, the Fairy Godmother keeps her promises and tells Cinderella that all her dreams and wishes will come to fruition if she goes to the Ball. She cannot simply walk to the Ball so she relies on her Fairy Godmother to give her a good source of transportation. In comparison, many Americans look to people like Obama to give them guidance as to what is the best way to get from point A to point B without using up a plethora of gas or having the car break down due to faulty technology.
McCoy is smart to use the story of Cinderella because everyone is familiar with the outcome. But what if the outcome changed due to terrible advice given by a "wise" Fairy Godmother"? Through this cartoon, McCoy emphasizes that Obama has pushed for Americans to accept the Green ideas and concepts like the Chevy Vault, yet we do not have enough information to prove "going Green" will be affective or helpful to the planet's current state. McCoy uses the strategies like satire and allusion to show that this plan to move towards a greener planet may not have a positive outcome unlike the story of Cinderellla. While the Chevy Vault is a great idea on America's part, it still has some issues that need to be worked out. For example, the battery life. Just like your regular fuel injected engines, the battery in Green mobiles will not last forever and it will need to be replaced more frequently which means more dead batteries will end up in the landfills.
Again, some of the ideas pertaining to the Green movement are great. Recycling is a proven way to maintain the planet without harmful effects. But we still don't know enough about the Green cars to prove that they will help this planet. Hopefully, Obama will see that he needs to back down on the Green plan and focus on bigger issues like the economy and the Jobs Plan.
Going Green: Will it help or hinder us? Recently, the Chevrolet Volt was voted the 2011 Green Car of the Year. "The Chevy Volt is one of the first American-made electric cars to make its way onto consumer radar in quite some time. While the Toyota Prius hybrid has been dominating the Eco market with Honda Civic riding its coattails, the Chevy Volt is approaching things in a slightly different way technologically." Mark Perlman of technobuffulo.com says. The Chevy Volt may be the first American made electric car, but there are still some issues to be worked out with regards to the definition of "Green" and what it will do for this world.
Glenn McCoy of the New York Times illustrates the idea of Green Movement and how it has negatively effected us. In the cartoon, Obama is dressed as the infamous fairy godmother and has granted Cinderella's wish of going to the Ball by turning her carriage into a "Pumpkin". "Great! The Green car you sold me turned into a giant lemon!" Cinderella is yelling at Obama and is giving him grief for the lack of quality in the Green Car or the Chevy Volt. In most of Glenn's McCoy's cartoons, he does not seem to favor Obama tactics and strategies, but this common factor makes it clear that McCoy believes that Obama does not do a good job of keeping his promises. The reason why Obama is dressed as the Fairy Godmother is because in the story of Cinderella, the Fairy Godmother keeps her promises and tells Cinderella that all her dreams and wishes will come to fruition if she goes to the Ball. She cannot simply walk to the Ball so she relies on her Fairy Godmother to give her a good source of transportation. In comparison, many Americans look to people like Obama to give them guidance as to what is the best way to get from point A to point B without using up a plethora of gas or having the car break down due to faulty technology.
McCoy is smart to use the story of Cinderella because everyone is familiar with the outcome. But what if the outcome changed due to terrible advice given by a "wise" Fairy Godmother"? Through this cartoon, McCoy emphasizes that Obama has pushed for Americans to accept the Green ideas and concepts like the Chevy Vault, yet we do not have enough information to prove "going Green" will be affective or helpful to the planet's current state. McCoy uses the strategies like satire and allusion to show that this plan to move towards a greener planet may not have a positive outcome unlike the story of Cinderellla. While the Chevy Vault is a great idea on America's part, it still has some issues that need to be worked out. For example, the battery life. Just like your regular fuel injected engines, the battery in Green mobiles will not last forever and it will need to be replaced more frequently which means more dead batteries will end up in the landfills.
Again, some of the ideas pertaining to the Green movement are great. Recycling is a proven way to maintain the planet without harmful effects. But we still don't know enough about the Green cars to prove that they will help this planet. Hopefully, Obama will see that he needs to back down on the Green plan and focus on bigger issues like the economy and the Jobs Plan.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Answer to Question #5
If it were up to me, Ron Paul would be the GOP nomination. But it's not up to me and based on the debates, campaigns and the outcome of the Iowa caucus, Mitt Romney seems to be the reasonable nominee. One of the reasons why Romney is a potential nominee is because he hasn't done anything wrong. Unlike his competitors, he has clean image that hasn't been tainted by the media or by the other candidates. For example, Romney is in a monogamous marriage, he has strong core values and he has made it clear that his faith of Mormonism will not interfere with his decision making. With all these factors, it's easy to see that Romney could be the face of American and represent it well.
Another reason why Romney could be a potential nominee is because of his ideas and beliefs. Even though Herman Cain is no longer in the race, his values were that of an extremist. Most Americans don't classify themselves as extremists and they would feel more comfortable with Romney's views than they would with Cain's. Romney is the typical Republican in which he does not believe in gay marriage or abortion. Americans may not agree with all of his views but they know what to expect with him and they don't want to be left guessing whether or not he is going to do something else as president.
Romney has not only shown himself to be a responsible candidate but also he is reliable. Unlike Perry, Romney has done a good job of showing up to the debates and preforming in a mature manner. When he goes to the debates, it shows that he is dedicated and wants to promote his campaign and ideas. People want someone who can be trusted and if Romney continues to attend the debates, than he has a better chance of winning.
Overall, Romney has proved himself to be a strong candidate and it would not surprise me if he wins the nomination. He would pose quite the challenge for Obama making for a more entertaining race in November.
Another reason why Romney could be a potential nominee is because of his ideas and beliefs. Even though Herman Cain is no longer in the race, his values were that of an extremist. Most Americans don't classify themselves as extremists and they would feel more comfortable with Romney's views than they would with Cain's. Romney is the typical Republican in which he does not believe in gay marriage or abortion. Americans may not agree with all of his views but they know what to expect with him and they don't want to be left guessing whether or not he is going to do something else as president.
Romney has not only shown himself to be a responsible candidate but also he is reliable. Unlike Perry, Romney has done a good job of showing up to the debates and preforming in a mature manner. When he goes to the debates, it shows that he is dedicated and wants to promote his campaign and ideas. People want someone who can be trusted and if Romney continues to attend the debates, than he has a better chance of winning.
Overall, Romney has proved himself to be a strong candidate and it would not surprise me if he wins the nomination. He would pose quite the challenge for Obama making for a more entertaining race in November.
Candidates Are Quick to Move to the Next Best State: New Hampshire
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15654769/ns/politics-political_cartoons/t/week-political-cartoons/
The GOP candidates spend several months trying desperately to promote their campaign and image by visiting states they know will help them advance in the race as a front runner for the GOP nomination. Iowa evidently begins the process with the caucus in January. For a year, Iowa receives massive media coverage right up until the caucus is over and then the candidates quickly make their way over to New Hampshire in order to promote their campaign. In Daryl Cagle's political cartoon, he shows how the media rapidly travels from one state to another, meaning the states become yesterday's news once the race is over.
In Cagle's cartoon, both Iowa and and New Hampshire stand on separate sides because, not only are they not adjacent physically, but they also differ in politics too. While the Iowa is a conservative state, New Hampshire tends to be full of liberals and is very democratic. Thus, the opposite ends represent "The Far Right" and "The Far Left". The media is literally running from one end to the other because, not only is it a race for the candidates, but it is also a race for the media. It is their job to make sure that they covering every part of this race and picking up as much information as possible. Some of the techniques that Cagle uses is Personification of the states. In the cartoon, the viewer can see that the state of Iowa has the expression of frustration because the media is no longer covering them. The state of New Hampshire on the other hand is satisfied with the media and is prepared for the immense amount of coverage they are about to receive. Cagle also uses Exaggeration, portraying how the news reporters and journalists can be extremely obnoxious and almost desperate to get to the next state.
Both techniques emphasize that the media is overwhelming and could very well be playing too big of a role in how the caucuses and primaries are conducted. Cagle seems to believe that even though media coverage is important, the states have to deal with too much chaos and uproar causing them to resent the media all together. This is a big issue for states like Iowa and New Hampshire and it places emphasis on the fact that no one has done anything about the problem. The candidates have not taken it upon themselves to equally visit every state which may be why voter turnout is so low. Cagle probably supports the fact that there's too much media coverage and the focus needs to be placed on different state other than the main ones. Even though there have been ideas proposed to change how the primaries and caucuses are conducted, currently they determined by two factors: the candidates and the over bearing media.
The GOP candidates spend several months trying desperately to promote their campaign and image by visiting states they know will help them advance in the race as a front runner for the GOP nomination. Iowa evidently begins the process with the caucus in January. For a year, Iowa receives massive media coverage right up until the caucus is over and then the candidates quickly make their way over to New Hampshire in order to promote their campaign. In Daryl Cagle's political cartoon, he shows how the media rapidly travels from one state to another, meaning the states become yesterday's news once the race is over.
In Cagle's cartoon, both Iowa and and New Hampshire stand on separate sides because, not only are they not adjacent physically, but they also differ in politics too. While the Iowa is a conservative state, New Hampshire tends to be full of liberals and is very democratic. Thus, the opposite ends represent "The Far Right" and "The Far Left". The media is literally running from one end to the other because, not only is it a race for the candidates, but it is also a race for the media. It is their job to make sure that they covering every part of this race and picking up as much information as possible. Some of the techniques that Cagle uses is Personification of the states. In the cartoon, the viewer can see that the state of Iowa has the expression of frustration because the media is no longer covering them. The state of New Hampshire on the other hand is satisfied with the media and is prepared for the immense amount of coverage they are about to receive. Cagle also uses Exaggeration, portraying how the news reporters and journalists can be extremely obnoxious and almost desperate to get to the next state.
Both techniques emphasize that the media is overwhelming and could very well be playing too big of a role in how the caucuses and primaries are conducted. Cagle seems to believe that even though media coverage is important, the states have to deal with too much chaos and uproar causing them to resent the media all together. This is a big issue for states like Iowa and New Hampshire and it places emphasis on the fact that no one has done anything about the problem. The candidates have not taken it upon themselves to equally visit every state which may be why voter turnout is so low. Cagle probably supports the fact that there's too much media coverage and the focus needs to be placed on different state other than the main ones. Even though there have been ideas proposed to change how the primaries and caucuses are conducted, currently they determined by two factors: the candidates and the over bearing media.
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