Do you feel the US is ready for an African American president or will the majority still be prejudice?
I think the US is ready for an African American president, I just don't think the Us will be ready for Barack Obama. The majority aren;'t going to have prejudice, he just needs to focus more on appealing to the African American demographic.
First of all- I don't think Barack Obama needs to worry about people being prejudice against him. If they were outright attacking him for being black, it would hurt their image. Joe Biden, anyone? 'I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy'. I'm surprised he's still in the presidential race after the public outlash against that comment. And Rush Limbaugh's comment about Michael J. Fox, earlier this year. That one hurt him badly. I don't think anyone is going to sacrifice their public opinion by speaking out against Barack's skin color- we've seen the consequences. Hello, it's not like we haven't notcied that the man is black. And some of the greatest leaders of our time have been black-MLK, Malcolm X, Nelson Mandella, OPRAH. I really don't think the race factor will hurt him anyway- it may even help him.
Barack doesn't really need to worry about appealing to white voters- he needs to focus on the black ones. As bad as it sounds, his problem isn't that he's too black, it's that he isn't balck enough. The African American demographic can't relate to him at all- and with their growing numbers, he may face a potential issue. There was even an opinion piece on this very issue on CBS Sunday Morning- the opnion being that his lack of black shouldn't be affecting people's opinions of him the way it is.
I think the Us is ready for a black president, we just aren't ready for Barack Obama. What we need right now is a strong personality to get us out of the multitude of problems we're in now- not someone who doesn;t really have strong opinions or any type of plan whatsoever. He's getting by on the fact that he's good looking, personable, and people are intruiged by his skin color. He frankl;y isn't all that strong and we don't really know what he stands for because he hasn;t made it known. He doesn't strongly advocate his opnions or what he'll do for this country at all. JFK was the same way, and as much as people liked him because he was good looking and personable, he was not all that great of a president- that's what we'll be headed for with Barack Obama.
Barack Obama needs some serious campaign reconstruction if he thinks he;ll have a chance of presidency. He needs to appeal to the African American voters and let us know his views before he can continure. America is ready for an American American, Barack just needs to pull his weight.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Feburary 27th
What are your views on the trimester?
We all know the end of this year will bring one thing- the dreaded trimester. The trimester is only going to bring trouble for students- it gives some students unfair advantages, time in between classes will only create issues, and the rigorous curriculum caused by condensing a year's worth of material into 2/3- and I just can't see if working out at Seaholm.
So you've got math first trimester and third trimester, but your friend has it second and third. In between the two trimesters, it's not like you're going to have time to look at your math to review what you need to know for the thrid. Third trimester rolls around and your friend who just had the class will probably understand the new material better because it's still fresh in their mind, and they've been practicing the things you'll need to apply and you haven't. You, are screwed. Your friend will be doing better simply because they happened to get math back to back. The trimester scheduling will create unfair advantages because some students will klnow information better than others, and the kids with unfortunate scheduling will suffer.
Ok, so maybe you do happen to get math back to back first and second trimesters- you don't have it third. 3 months without math. Then, summer. Two and a half months without math. Your schedule arrives in the mail and it turns out that you're fortunate enough to get math back to back- second and third trimester. That means you don't have it first- three months without math. Eight and a half months without math. That's the alm,ost equivalent to a whole school year- without math. you're going to be so rusty by the time you get back to school, but with haviung only 12 weeks of class, and the work being A LOT more of your grade, you aren't going to have enough time to catch up. You simply can't have those few weeks of getting your feet wet- you've got to start off with a high grade right awat. Too bad for you if you can't remember what you learned from the last year. The break inbetween classes created a sproblem if you want to get a good grade in a class.
Another concern- condensing 18 weeks into 12. True, we'll have every class everyday, but that's six weeks of material obliterated. Classes will be so tightly packed with information- kids won't be able to breathe! there will be a test just about every week in every class- the stress factor will explode. The teachers will have to give significant amounts of homework every night trying to pack in all the information in a certain amount of time- and the kids will only have one night to do it. Both teachers and students will be so stressed out because it's going to be difficult condensing 18 weeks into 12.
I don't think the trimester will work at Seaholm because it's just going to bring too much stress.
We all know the end of this year will bring one thing- the dreaded trimester. The trimester is only going to bring trouble for students- it gives some students unfair advantages, time in between classes will only create issues, and the rigorous curriculum caused by condensing a year's worth of material into 2/3- and I just can't see if working out at Seaholm.
So you've got math first trimester and third trimester, but your friend has it second and third. In between the two trimesters, it's not like you're going to have time to look at your math to review what you need to know for the thrid. Third trimester rolls around and your friend who just had the class will probably understand the new material better because it's still fresh in their mind, and they've been practicing the things you'll need to apply and you haven't. You, are screwed. Your friend will be doing better simply because they happened to get math back to back. The trimester scheduling will create unfair advantages because some students will klnow information better than others, and the kids with unfortunate scheduling will suffer.
Ok, so maybe you do happen to get math back to back first and second trimesters- you don't have it third. 3 months without math. Then, summer. Two and a half months without math. Your schedule arrives in the mail and it turns out that you're fortunate enough to get math back to back- second and third trimester. That means you don't have it first- three months without math. Eight and a half months without math. That's the alm,ost equivalent to a whole school year- without math. you're going to be so rusty by the time you get back to school, but with haviung only 12 weeks of class, and the work being A LOT more of your grade, you aren't going to have enough time to catch up. You simply can't have those few weeks of getting your feet wet- you've got to start off with a high grade right awat. Too bad for you if you can't remember what you learned from the last year. The break inbetween classes created a sproblem if you want to get a good grade in a class.
Another concern- condensing 18 weeks into 12. True, we'll have every class everyday, but that's six weeks of material obliterated. Classes will be so tightly packed with information- kids won't be able to breathe! there will be a test just about every week in every class- the stress factor will explode. The teachers will have to give significant amounts of homework every night trying to pack in all the information in a certain amount of time- and the kids will only have one night to do it. Both teachers and students will be so stressed out because it's going to be difficult condensing 18 weeks into 12.
I don't think the trimester will work at Seaholm because it's just going to bring too much stress.
Feburary 22nd
Does society's definition of success yield happiness?
The American Dream has become society's definition of happiness. As we see from Jay Gatsby, Charles Foster Kane and Andrew Carnegie, ahceiving it doesn't yeild happiness.
When I think about the American Dream, I think of one man in particular- Jay Gatsby. He had everything- the people, the house, the money, the air of excellency. He had all these things and yet all he wanted was one- Daisy. She was his driving force- he worked to get enough money so he would be sociall accepted enough to marry her, he moved across her lake so he could look at her green light. What happens when he acheives these things though? He certainly doesn't get Daisy back, and he doesn't gain any happiness by that.In fact, he happens to die after finding out he can't get her back. She was the sum total of his existance- all the things he'd gained meant nothing and therefore couldn't possibly have made him happy.
Another man driven by something he could never get back was the fictional character, CHarles Foster Kane. Everything he did was in search of his childhood sled, Rosebud, which represented the life he was robbed of having. This fueled his business, his politics, his marriages- big decisions always seemed to occur when he was searching for Rosebud. It was something he never got back though- maybe tangibly, but not emotionally, and he was miserable slaving over his search for it. He never acheived happiness.
Andrew Carnegie spent his life in misery as well. He was always striving to acheive the impossible, always working, slaving over his steel work. He thought being at the top would bring him happiness, that money would solve all his problems. But while taking this path, his public image faltered, and even though he did lots to try and improve it, nobody really liked him. His relationships with people diminished and the only person he ever really had was his mother. She was his driving force- but how would one feel if their only friend was their mother? I doubt they'd be beaming with joy. In choosing the American Dream, Andrew Carnegie gave up happiness.
Society's definition of success calls for too much from those trying to acheive it. The American Dream is just that- a dream. It's an illusion that money and productivity will yeild happiness, and as we've just discovered, that just isn't true.
The American Dream has become society's definition of happiness. As we see from Jay Gatsby, Charles Foster Kane and Andrew Carnegie, ahceiving it doesn't yeild happiness.
When I think about the American Dream, I think of one man in particular- Jay Gatsby. He had everything- the people, the house, the money, the air of excellency. He had all these things and yet all he wanted was one- Daisy. She was his driving force- he worked to get enough money so he would be sociall accepted enough to marry her, he moved across her lake so he could look at her green light. What happens when he acheives these things though? He certainly doesn't get Daisy back, and he doesn't gain any happiness by that.In fact, he happens to die after finding out he can't get her back. She was the sum total of his existance- all the things he'd gained meant nothing and therefore couldn't possibly have made him happy.
Another man driven by something he could never get back was the fictional character, CHarles Foster Kane. Everything he did was in search of his childhood sled, Rosebud, which represented the life he was robbed of having. This fueled his business, his politics, his marriages- big decisions always seemed to occur when he was searching for Rosebud. It was something he never got back though- maybe tangibly, but not emotionally, and he was miserable slaving over his search for it. He never acheived happiness.
Andrew Carnegie spent his life in misery as well. He was always striving to acheive the impossible, always working, slaving over his steel work. He thought being at the top would bring him happiness, that money would solve all his problems. But while taking this path, his public image faltered, and even though he did lots to try and improve it, nobody really liked him. His relationships with people diminished and the only person he ever really had was his mother. She was his driving force- but how would one feel if their only friend was their mother? I doubt they'd be beaming with joy. In choosing the American Dream, Andrew Carnegie gave up happiness.
Society's definition of success calls for too much from those trying to acheive it. The American Dream is just that- a dream. It's an illusion that money and productivity will yeild happiness, and as we've just discovered, that just isn't true.
Monday, March 5, 2007
Feburary 21st
What do you think is a central theme in the Kite Runner? Is this a universal theme or specific to Afghanistan or Middle Eastern culture? Use examples from your life or other cultures we've studied.
I think a central theme of the Kite Runner is the virtuous suffering for the sake of others, like Jesus. We've seen quite alot of Jesus figures this year- Hassan, Simon from Lord of the Flies, and the suffering savior worshipped in Russian Orthodox Christianity- which means that it's a universal theme, not specific to the Middle East.
Being raped wasn't the only time Hassan suffered for Amir. He was a servant! He'd wake up at the crack of dawn every morning to work- cleaning, cooking, and doing manual labor- so Amir wouldn't be inconvenienced with doing it himself. However, his ultimate sacrifice was the incident that took place in the alley after the kite fighting tournament. After that, Hassan was broken. His life was ruined, all so he could get Amir's kite back. He was alot like the timid Jesus, accepting fate without resistance- the Jesus worshipped in Russian Orthodox Christianity.
Suffering is so prominent in Russian culture, so naturally it would be praised. Boris and Gleb became national and religious heroes after accepting their death without resistance, which we read in To Serve God and Uplift Humanity. In the Russian short story 'The Servant', a muzhik (servant) is stranded on an island with two government officials who force him to work for them under horrific conditions. He ultimately saves their lives by getting them off the island, even though he remains stranded. For this he was praised. Russians pride themselves in surpressing self interest for the good of others. Perhaps it's because they want to see themselves as acting like the suffering Christ they worship.
Another Christ like figure who was sacrificed was Simon, from Lord of the Flies. He gave the ultimate possesion, his life, trying to inform the rest of the boys what they'd feared and fought over was the most harmless of things. Simon is the most obvious Jesus figure we've studied thus far, and there are many parallels between he and Hassan. From their love of nature, to their timid nature, to the sacrifices they made, they are like brothers, both of whom posses qualities that mirror those of Jesus.
Suffering is a central theme in not only the Kite Runner, but many cultures we've studied this year. I think part of the reason why it's so universal is because it mirrors Christianity- the world's largeat religion.
I think a central theme of the Kite Runner is the virtuous suffering for the sake of others, like Jesus. We've seen quite alot of Jesus figures this year- Hassan, Simon from Lord of the Flies, and the suffering savior worshipped in Russian Orthodox Christianity- which means that it's a universal theme, not specific to the Middle East.
Being raped wasn't the only time Hassan suffered for Amir. He was a servant! He'd wake up at the crack of dawn every morning to work- cleaning, cooking, and doing manual labor- so Amir wouldn't be inconvenienced with doing it himself. However, his ultimate sacrifice was the incident that took place in the alley after the kite fighting tournament. After that, Hassan was broken. His life was ruined, all so he could get Amir's kite back. He was alot like the timid Jesus, accepting fate without resistance- the Jesus worshipped in Russian Orthodox Christianity.
Suffering is so prominent in Russian culture, so naturally it would be praised. Boris and Gleb became national and religious heroes after accepting their death without resistance, which we read in To Serve God and Uplift Humanity. In the Russian short story 'The Servant', a muzhik (servant) is stranded on an island with two government officials who force him to work for them under horrific conditions. He ultimately saves their lives by getting them off the island, even though he remains stranded. For this he was praised. Russians pride themselves in surpressing self interest for the good of others. Perhaps it's because they want to see themselves as acting like the suffering Christ they worship.
Another Christ like figure who was sacrificed was Simon, from Lord of the Flies. He gave the ultimate possesion, his life, trying to inform the rest of the boys what they'd feared and fought over was the most harmless of things. Simon is the most obvious Jesus figure we've studied thus far, and there are many parallels between he and Hassan. From their love of nature, to their timid nature, to the sacrifices they made, they are like brothers, both of whom posses qualities that mirror those of Jesus.
Suffering is a central theme in not only the Kite Runner, but many cultures we've studied this year. I think part of the reason why it's so universal is because it mirrors Christianity- the world's largeat religion.
Feburary 20th
Why does Raskolnikov keep giving his money away?
In a city like St. Petersburg, where many people expirience the depths of poverty, Raskolnikov is bound to see people in far worse situations than he. As a result of his pity, Raskolnikov keeps giving his money away.
Rakolnikov feels bad for Marmeladov and the way his family must depend on their daughter, Sonia, who earns money as a prostitute to support at least four other people. This he learned after having heard Marmeladov's drunken ramblings in a bar. He brings the man back home, only to see the shithole in which they live. He realizes the situation they're in and gives them all the money he had left in his pockets thinking, 'without my money, they might not have a thing tomorrow.' He feels bad for Sonia, for Marmeladov, and for Katherine Ivanova, his wife- all of whom had gotten used to their destituted lives.
Another person Raskolnikov feels bad for is the young girl he sees in the park who is a complete mess. She was drunk and vulnerable, and he assumed she'd been taken advantage of. He felt so bad for her, he gave a policeman money to take care of her. He has a moment of compassion here, which tells us that our protagonist is might have some good in him. He's overcome with anger and pity, which makes him give away twenty kopecks for the safety of someone he has no ties to at all.
Marmeladov's family seems to be on the receiving end of Raskolnikov's generosity quite often. When he's killed, Raskolnikov gives Sonia money for her father's funeral. He knows their story, and knows that a funeral is the last thing they can afford. Raskolnikov often finds himself feeling bad for people who are in worse conditions than he, and feels compelled to do something about it. THis definatly says something contradictory about his character.
Raskolnikov is an enigma. He murders and pays for funerals. He feels contempt and compassion, and this sense of inner conflict makes him give away his money- it shows us he really isn't that bad.
In a city like St. Petersburg, where many people expirience the depths of poverty, Raskolnikov is bound to see people in far worse situations than he. As a result of his pity, Raskolnikov keeps giving his money away.
Rakolnikov feels bad for Marmeladov and the way his family must depend on their daughter, Sonia, who earns money as a prostitute to support at least four other people. This he learned after having heard Marmeladov's drunken ramblings in a bar. He brings the man back home, only to see the shithole in which they live. He realizes the situation they're in and gives them all the money he had left in his pockets thinking, 'without my money, they might not have a thing tomorrow.' He feels bad for Sonia, for Marmeladov, and for Katherine Ivanova, his wife- all of whom had gotten used to their destituted lives.
Another person Raskolnikov feels bad for is the young girl he sees in the park who is a complete mess. She was drunk and vulnerable, and he assumed she'd been taken advantage of. He felt so bad for her, he gave a policeman money to take care of her. He has a moment of compassion here, which tells us that our protagonist is might have some good in him. He's overcome with anger and pity, which makes him give away twenty kopecks for the safety of someone he has no ties to at all.
Marmeladov's family seems to be on the receiving end of Raskolnikov's generosity quite often. When he's killed, Raskolnikov gives Sonia money for her father's funeral. He knows their story, and knows that a funeral is the last thing they can afford. Raskolnikov often finds himself feeling bad for people who are in worse conditions than he, and feels compelled to do something about it. THis definatly says something contradictory about his character.
Raskolnikov is an enigma. He murders and pays for funerals. He feels contempt and compassion, and this sense of inner conflict makes him give away his money- it shows us he really isn't that bad.
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