Saturday, May 2, 2015
The Greatest Gatsby
This year, I took a different path and decided to take an advanced placement English class to try to improve my language skills, thoroughly analyze different types of works, and expand my vocabulary. I enjoyed most of the topics we covered, but the story that I really enjoyed was The Great Gatsby. This novel is a famous story from the Roaring Twenties that has been turned into two movies and talked about constantly all over America. I had watched the film but by reading and analyzing the novel, I was able to fully understand the meaning of the book and compare it to my every day experiences. Love, hate, money, corruption are many of the few themes portrayed in the story. It made me see the world in a different way. Not everything is the way we see it. It taught me about the 'American Dream'. The dream is a topic we discuss all the time when learning United States History. It is now a concept I fully understand after being able to visualize scenes that the author has so creatively made in the readers mind. Without having to talk about the subject, the author has perfectly described how a person from any social background could make a fortune. However, the most important concept in this story was not how Gatsby did it, but why. Love. And that is why I enjoyed reading this novel and enjoyed being experienced to a new theme.
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Money, Money, Money
If money were no object and I had a once in a lifetime opportunity I would go to a tropical island and enjoy paradise. Before I went on my trip, I would buy all the books, take all the lessons, and learn to be prepared. I would buy all the necessities I need in order to survive. I would buy a tent, a sleeping bag, bags of pina colada mix, some food until I get the hang of finding my own foods or making my own meals, and a bench with some towels.On my trip I would hire professional animal trainers to keep wild life away from me since I like to be in peace, enjoy my trip, and stay safe. I'm not an animal type anyways. However, I would want the guards to give me and my crew some privacy. Oh, I did not tell you? Yes, I am bringing my group along. Mostly male models, but some friends too. I don't like traveling alone. A music box, a variety of albums, and an unlimited supply of batteries. The fun never ends. Since it is a tropical island, the night times will be the best. The stars will shine brightly and the moon will reflect off the ocean and the waves with soothly crash on the shore. Since money is not an option we will also bring an unlimited supply of marshmellows and chocolate while enjoying the environment around us!
Provoking Turkish Anger
"Turkey Recalls Ambassador Over Pope's Armenia Genocide Words"
Source: NY Times
By: The Associated Press
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/04/12/world/europe/ap-eu-rel-vatican-armenians.html?_r=0
"In the past century, our human family has lived through three massive and unprecedented tragedies," the Pope said at a Mass at St. Peter's Basilica to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian massacres. By using these words, Pope Francis risked and succeeded at angering the Turks. "Francis issued the pronouncement during a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica commemorating the centenary that was attended by Armenian church leaders and President Serge Sarkisian, who praised the pope for calling a spade a spade and "delivering a powerful message to the international community," says the reporter for the Associated Press. As Armenians, we all have learned about the tragedies that have occurred during the years of 1915 and even before that. A total estimate of 1.5 million Armenians have lost their lives. Francis defended his words by saying "it was his duty to honor the memory of the innocent men, women and children who were "senselessly" murdered by Ottoman Turks." His use of the term genocide, even though he was quoting from a declaration, upset Turkey. The nation summoned it's ambassador to the Vatican for "consultations" just hours after Francis' comments, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said. "Since this is a situation that we do not approve of, as a first reaction, (the ambassador) is summoned to get consultation," Gursoy said, adding that the Pope's use of the word "genocide" was "a one-sided evaluation." "A one-sided evaluation" is the new excuse and it is how the deniers justify their actions and their continuation of denial.
Source: NY Times
By: The Associated Press
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/04/12/world/europe/ap-eu-rel-vatican-armenians.html?_r=0
"In the past century, our human family has lived through three massive and unprecedented tragedies," the Pope said at a Mass at St. Peter's Basilica to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian massacres. By using these words, Pope Francis risked and succeeded at angering the Turks. "Francis issued the pronouncement during a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica commemorating the centenary that was attended by Armenian church leaders and President Serge Sarkisian, who praised the pope for calling a spade a spade and "delivering a powerful message to the international community," says the reporter for the Associated Press. As Armenians, we all have learned about the tragedies that have occurred during the years of 1915 and even before that. A total estimate of 1.5 million Armenians have lost their lives. Francis defended his words by saying "it was his duty to honor the memory of the innocent men, women and children who were "senselessly" murdered by Ottoman Turks." His use of the term genocide, even though he was quoting from a declaration, upset Turkey. The nation summoned it's ambassador to the Vatican for "consultations" just hours after Francis' comments, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said. "Since this is a situation that we do not approve of, as a first reaction, (the ambassador) is summoned to get consultation," Gursoy said, adding that the Pope's use of the word "genocide" was "a one-sided evaluation." "A one-sided evaluation" is the new excuse and it is how the deniers justify their actions and their continuation of denial.
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Attacks in New Orleans
Knife-wielding New Orleans airport attacker dies
Source: BBC News
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-32003847
Carol Richel, a TSA worker at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, shared the detail as she recounted how a man suddenly produced a machete and chased her down the airport section Concourse B. He was apparently swinging the blade wildly. He stopped when a lieutenant, Officer Heather Sylve, with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, took out a weapon on him and striked him three times. "Officer Sylve is my hero," Richel said Saturday, referring to Lt. Heather Sylve. "She saved my life ... and saved probably a lot of others." The 63-year-old Army veteran died of his wounds Saturday afternoon, the day after he unleashed this terror. The reason however is still unknown. All this confusion came from a man that a neighbor described as sociable, religious and never violent person. On the same day, just before 8 p.m., authorities said, White walked into the airport's security checkpoint and pulled out a can of wasp spray. He sprayed Transportation Security Administration agents and passengers waiting in line. Then he pulled the machete from his waistband and went for another TSA agent, who blocked the weapon with a piece of luggage. White was "unresponsive" when rushed to a hospital, Normand said. And the worst part of it all, when searching White's car, "a bomb squad found smoke bombs in the trunk, as well as three tanks holding acetylene, oxygen and Freon," says BBC News reporter. It was a crazy night at New Orleans International Airport.
Source: BBC News
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-32003847
Carol Richel, a TSA worker at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, shared the detail as she recounted how a man suddenly produced a machete and chased her down the airport section Concourse B. He was apparently swinging the blade wildly. He stopped when a lieutenant, Officer Heather Sylve, with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, took out a weapon on him and striked him three times. "Officer Sylve is my hero," Richel said Saturday, referring to Lt. Heather Sylve. "She saved my life ... and saved probably a lot of others." The 63-year-old Army veteran died of his wounds Saturday afternoon, the day after he unleashed this terror. The reason however is still unknown. All this confusion came from a man that a neighbor described as sociable, religious and never violent person. On the same day, just before 8 p.m., authorities said, White walked into the airport's security checkpoint and pulled out a can of wasp spray. He sprayed Transportation Security Administration agents and passengers waiting in line. Then he pulled the machete from his waistband and went for another TSA agent, who blocked the weapon with a piece of luggage. White was "unresponsive" when rushed to a hospital, Normand said. And the worst part of it all, when searching White's car, "a bomb squad found smoke bombs in the trunk, as well as three tanks holding acetylene, oxygen and Freon," says BBC News reporter. It was a crazy night at New Orleans International Airport.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Gender
What is the impact of the gender roles that society creates and enforces?
Gender roles are based on norms, or standards, created by society. In the United States, 'masculine roles' are usually associated with strength, aggression, and being dominant, while 'feminine roles' are usually associated with passivity, nurturing, and being subordinate. The attitudes and expectations surrounding gender roles are typically based on, not any natural gender differences, but on stereotypes, or over-generalizations about attitudes, traits, or behavior patterns of women or men. Gender stereotypes form the basis of sexism. "Sexism is the prejudiced beliefs that value one sex over another," says a psychologist from Rice University. Gender roles in our society create a sexist environment, where some men or some women do not feel comfortable being themselves or doing what they love. These people face discrimination, oppression, and violence for not going along with society's traditional gender roles. And this type of behavior caused by gender roles should not be acceptable.
Gender roles are based on norms, or standards, created by society. In the United States, 'masculine roles' are usually associated with strength, aggression, and being dominant, while 'feminine roles' are usually associated with passivity, nurturing, and being subordinate. The attitudes and expectations surrounding gender roles are typically based on, not any natural gender differences, but on stereotypes, or over-generalizations about attitudes, traits, or behavior patterns of women or men. Gender stereotypes form the basis of sexism. "Sexism is the prejudiced beliefs that value one sex over another," says a psychologist from Rice University. Gender roles in our society create a sexist environment, where some men or some women do not feel comfortable being themselves or doing what they love. These people face discrimination, oppression, and violence for not going along with society's traditional gender roles. And this type of behavior caused by gender roles should not be acceptable.
Baby in River
"Utah baby found alive in river 14 hours after car crash"
Source: BBC News
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-31791086
On Sunday, an 18-month-old baby girl survived a car crash in a frigid river in Utah. The girl, after being strapped in a car seat for about 14 hours upside-down, was found by a fisherman fishing in that river. The toddler, who was identified as Lily Groesbeck, was upgraded from critical to stable condition after being rescued. However, for her 25 year-old mother, things did not look so good. She was found dead in the car. "Investigators believe the vehicle careered into the Spanish Fork River after striking a cement barrier at about 22:30 local time on Friday," says the reporter from BBC News. They also mention that, "the fisherman raised the alarm at 12:30 local time (18:30 GMT) the next day, after he saw the girl dangling above the water as it flowed through the car." A tragedy, since the toddler lost her mother, but a miracle that the child survived such tough conditions. The water in that river was so cold and frigid. Three police officers and four firefighters who entered the river to rescue the child were later treated in hospital for hypothermia.The temperature dipped to the low- to mid-30s overnight while the child was trapped in the car, investigators said. The 18-month-old is a survivor and the love of her mother's life.
Source: BBC News
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-31791086
On Sunday, an 18-month-old baby girl survived a car crash in a frigid river in Utah. The girl, after being strapped in a car seat for about 14 hours upside-down, was found by a fisherman fishing in that river. The toddler, who was identified as Lily Groesbeck, was upgraded from critical to stable condition after being rescued. However, for her 25 year-old mother, things did not look so good. She was found dead in the car. "Investigators believe the vehicle careered into the Spanish Fork River after striking a cement barrier at about 22:30 local time on Friday," says the reporter from BBC News. They also mention that, "the fisherman raised the alarm at 12:30 local time (18:30 GMT) the next day, after he saw the girl dangling above the water as it flowed through the car." A tragedy, since the toddler lost her mother, but a miracle that the child survived such tough conditions. The water in that river was so cold and frigid. Three police officers and four firefighters who entered the river to rescue the child were later treated in hospital for hypothermia.The temperature dipped to the low- to mid-30s overnight while the child was trapped in the car, investigators said. The 18-month-old is a survivor and the love of her mother's life.
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Undecided Voters- Satire
In this clip from an episode of Family Guy, the main character's wife, Louis Griffin, is running in an election and must make speeches and answer questions to win over undecided voters in her neighborhood. She realizes that her opponent is not answering the questions properly and the crowd is going wild for his answers. In order to beat her opponent, Mrs. Griffin answers the questions with irrelevant, short answers that the crowd wants to hear. With every random answer, she wins over the undecided voters even more. Satire is being used in this scene especially because it is criticizing the voting system in an entertaining and playful way. There are two types of satirical techniques being used: exaggeration and parody.
There is exaggeration to prove that people running for elections do use responses to avoid the true question but are not as random as the ones said in the clip. The exaggeration is just used to let the viewer understand the situation while being amused. There is parody used to show how funny it is that voters actually fall for the sweet nothings they hear runners say. Both these types of satire are successfully used to prove a point.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YOh-rpvjYg&list=PL1C74535C1D3EABE0&index=3
There is exaggeration to prove that people running for elections do use responses to avoid the true question but are not as random as the ones said in the clip. The exaggeration is just used to let the viewer understand the situation while being amused. There is parody used to show how funny it is that voters actually fall for the sweet nothings they hear runners say. Both these types of satire are successfully used to prove a point.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YOh-rpvjYg&list=PL1C74535C1D3EABE0&index=3
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