1) What struck you most about Friday?
It was a hot day and my first thought as I walked into the make-shift camp was that I was going to be sweating a lot and I wished that I had not brought my backpack. But then we saw what the refugees have to suffer, and I was suddenly ok wit being hot and a little uncomfortable. I think what struck me most was the lack of health of some of the children. I didn't realize that many of them are toosick to play and move around, which I see as part of what defines them as children.
2) If Doctors without Borders could change anything about their structure, what should it be?
Our guide talked about the water sources that the refugees use and how they are often far away and in dangerous areas, and/or dirty. Doctors without Borders is working to supply them with clean whatre, but I think that it should/should be an even higher priority. I also think that they need to find more engineers to better design the buildings and structures.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Which Party Will I Register For?
I have no idea which party I will register for. That's the problem! Neither Democrat or Republic strikes me as more right than the other. Or rather, neither one strikes me as more wrong, since they both have valid points, How can I possibly make the decision of whether the government should be in charge of social issues such as who makes how much money?! Should the government be allowed that responsibility, or should it have to strick to what it's allowed to do by the constitution? I might reister for the Demorcratic Party simply because Barack Obama might be the change our country needs, but I also don't like the idea of government making so many choices for me. So, I guess that the answer is that I am Independent.
Will I Vote in This Election?
I really do want to vote, for several reasons. First, because I just turned voting age and I was lucky it was during an election year, and second, because this election (2008) is breaking so much new ground. However, I am not positive I will. For one, I still haven't registered, but there's really two main reasons: I am not very politically educated and therefore, I do not have enough of an opion about the "issues" to choose a party. I have discussed politics with both of my parents (one's Democratic and the other is Libertarian), so I do have some basic opions, but I cna't really apply those opions to a party, much less specific candidates. So, if I don't vote, it will be because I don't want to vote for something I don't understand.
EDIT: I VOTED!!!!!
EDIT: I VOTED!!!!!
My Declaration of Sentiments
When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for an individual to assume further rights to those he/she has occupied, he/she should declare the cause that impels him/her to do so.
I hold these truths to be self-evident; that all adults are created equal; that they are endowed with certain inalienable rights; that among these are the ability to set rules for oneself, independence, and the ability to choose what one wishes to do. It is the right of those who suffer from parents who restrict these rights to refuse to obey them.
The history of modern America is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of the parent toward the adult son or daughter, having directly objected to the establishment of an absolute tyranny over them. To prove this, let facts be shown.
My parents make me obey the curfew set for minors.
There are certain times I may not see my boyfriend, because they don’t trust me, though I am much more sensible and conservative with my actions than many adults much older than I.
They have made me ignorant of my responsibilities and the law by “protecting” me as they did when I was a minor.
I may speak, but they choose not to listen, making my freedom to speak pointless.
Now, because I, an eighteen year old in high school, do feel aggrieved and deprived of my most sacred rights, I insist that I am immediately allowed to have all the rights and privileges which belong to me as a citizen of the United States.
I firmly believe in the Right and the True, and so I sign this declaration.
I hold these truths to be self-evident; that all adults are created equal; that they are endowed with certain inalienable rights; that among these are the ability to set rules for oneself, independence, and the ability to choose what one wishes to do. It is the right of those who suffer from parents who restrict these rights to refuse to obey them.
The history of modern America is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of the parent toward the adult son or daughter, having directly objected to the establishment of an absolute tyranny over them. To prove this, let facts be shown.
My parents make me obey the curfew set for minors.
There are certain times I may not see my boyfriend, because they don’t trust me, though I am much more sensible and conservative with my actions than many adults much older than I.
They have made me ignorant of my responsibilities and the law by “protecting” me as they did when I was a minor.
I may speak, but they choose not to listen, making my freedom to speak pointless.
Now, because I, an eighteen year old in high school, do feel aggrieved and deprived of my most sacred rights, I insist that I am immediately allowed to have all the rights and privileges which belong to me as a citizen of the United States.
I firmly believe in the Right and the True, and so I sign this declaration.
What Makes an American?
An American can anyone walking down the street. We don't look a like, act alike, pray alike (or at all), dress alike or eat alike. We do, however, all call the land called the United States of America home. In other words, America has not become a complete melting pot, but somehow we are still all brought together.
Firstly, I believe that a American is a legal citizen of the United States. Also, usually a sense of patriotism and a desire to preserve what America has decared that it fights for (freedom, individual rights, fair laws, etc.) come with being American, though it is not a requirement. Similarly, the negative stereotypes of Americans (that we are fat, greed, destroying the environment, etc.) are only, if true, a side effect, not a way to judge. So, put simply, America must emotionally and legally call America home.
Firstly, I believe that a American is a legal citizen of the United States. Also, usually a sense of patriotism and a desire to preserve what America has decared that it fights for (freedom, individual rights, fair laws, etc.) come with being American, though it is not a requirement. Similarly, the negative stereotypes of Americans (that we are fat, greed, destroying the environment, etc.) are only, if true, a side effect, not a way to judge. So, put simply, America must emotionally and legally call America home.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Personal Platform
Economy: I would like to be in charge of what happens with most of the money I make. Certain taxes are definitely important, but on issues that only concern me and my health or wealth, I would like to invest my money where I choose. In terms of the nation's economy, it seems to me that our goverment spends far too much in certain areas that most Americans forget cost us tons of money, such as war, imports and investments in inefficient "new" technologies.
Environment: I have always valued nature. In that respect, I believe that we need to take care of it as much as possible. There are other motives for protecting nature, however. I think what people tend to forget is that humans are just another species of animal. I don't think that the fact that we have more developed brains makes us any more invincible than any other species. The fact that we are cutting down trees, the very plant that gives us the most oxygen to breathe, proves that. The Neaderthals lived hundreds of thousands of years before they went into extinction. That a long time compared to the tens of thousands that Cro-Magnons (our ancestors), have lived. I wouldn't be surprised if it was our industrialization, born of our more advanced brains, that brings us to extinction. So, in that respect, I don't feel like we have complete control over what is happening. That doesn't mean that I think we are doomed, so there is no point doing anything, but neither am I obsessed with how horrible I am because I fill up a trash can, or take daily showers. On a final note, though, I do fully support all efforts to clean the oceans, lakes and rivers, to preserve species that are going excint and to become more environmentally friendly.
Military: Our military is here to protect our country and our values. There is no reason we should use our military to invade another country unless it is solely for the purpose of protecting. We are no longer America if we use our military to conquer.
Abortion: I definitely see the need for abortion, or rather the need to women to be able to make their own choice about abortion. Even so, the thought of killing a forming baby makes me cringe a bit. I personally think abortion should only be used right when the pregnant woman finds out she is pregnant against her will, like after having been raped, not after 5 months of carrying the baby. Why would you put yourself through so much of the pregnancy, just to kill the baby? In terms of what girls who are not yet 18 can do, I believe that they should be able to make the decision of abortion on their own, but I do see the value of letting a trusted guardian know, because pregnant girls don't always have access to good doctors, or don't have the sense to fins a good one.
Environment: I have always valued nature. In that respect, I believe that we need to take care of it as much as possible. There are other motives for protecting nature, however. I think what people tend to forget is that humans are just another species of animal. I don't think that the fact that we have more developed brains makes us any more invincible than any other species. The fact that we are cutting down trees, the very plant that gives us the most oxygen to breathe, proves that. The Neaderthals lived hundreds of thousands of years before they went into extinction. That a long time compared to the tens of thousands that Cro-Magnons (our ancestors), have lived. I wouldn't be surprised if it was our industrialization, born of our more advanced brains, that brings us to extinction. So, in that respect, I don't feel like we have complete control over what is happening. That doesn't mean that I think we are doomed, so there is no point doing anything, but neither am I obsessed with how horrible I am because I fill up a trash can, or take daily showers. On a final note, though, I do fully support all efforts to clean the oceans, lakes and rivers, to preserve species that are going excint and to become more environmentally friendly.
Military: Our military is here to protect our country and our values. There is no reason we should use our military to invade another country unless it is solely for the purpose of protecting. We are no longer America if we use our military to conquer.
Abortion: I definitely see the need for abortion, or rather the need to women to be able to make their own choice about abortion. Even so, the thought of killing a forming baby makes me cringe a bit. I personally think abortion should only be used right when the pregnant woman finds out she is pregnant against her will, like after having been raped, not after 5 months of carrying the baby. Why would you put yourself through so much of the pregnancy, just to kill the baby? In terms of what girls who are not yet 18 can do, I believe that they should be able to make the decision of abortion on their own, but I do see the value of letting a trusted guardian know, because pregnant girls don't always have access to good doctors, or don't have the sense to fins a good one.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Republican Party
Part Name: Republican Party
History: The Republican Party was founded in 1854 by anti-slavery activists who opposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act and it quickly became more popular than the Whig Party as the main opposition to the Democratic Party. Its first success came during the Civil War when its candidate Abraham Lincoln took the presidency and later during the Reconstruction. The Party holds conservative ideals. The current president, President George W. Bush, is the 19th Republican president. The Republican’s next presidential candidate is Senator John McCain.
Animal: Elephant
Slogans: “Grand Old Party”, “Don't swap horses in midstream”, “Reform, Prosperity, and Peace.”
Site for Convention: Minneapolis- St. Paul,
Issues platform: The Republican Party hold conservative ideals. It believes in less federal control and more power to the states. Economically, it favors a free market, believing that money will naturally circulate through the economy as people with more money spend it on products made by the middle class and pay their employees who then invest it in banks or spend it.
Famous party candidate/individual: President Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860 at the onset of the Civil War. He is wildly recognized as one of America’s greatest presidents, if not the greatest, because of the way he fought to preserve the Union and ensured that all slaves were freed during the Civil War.
History: The Republican Party was founded in 1854 by anti-slavery activists who opposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act and it quickly became more popular than the Whig Party as the main opposition to the Democratic Party. Its first success came during the Civil War when its candidate Abraham Lincoln took the presidency and later during the Reconstruction. The Party holds conservative ideals. The current president, President George W. Bush, is the 19th Republican president. The Republican’s next presidential candidate is Senator John McCain.
Animal: Elephant
Slogans: “Grand Old Party”, “Don't swap horses in midstream”, “Reform, Prosperity, and Peace.”
Site for Convention: Minneapolis- St. Paul,
Issues platform: The Republican Party hold conservative ideals. It believes in less federal control and more power to the states. Economically, it favors a free market, believing that money will naturally circulate through the economy as people with more money spend it on products made by the middle class and pay their employees who then invest it in banks or spend it.
Famous party candidate/individual: President Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860 at the onset of the Civil War. He is wildly recognized as one of America’s greatest presidents, if not the greatest, because of the way he fought to preserve the Union and ensured that all slaves were freed during the Civil War.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Top Three Issues
Economic stimulus:
I think it is really important for the government to protect businesses as well as peoples' personal savings. I also agree with McCain that the government needs to stop spending carelessly like it has, but I disagree with his exceptions. Just because he is a veteran doesn't make it more worthy of receiving money than for instance, education, in a financial crisis. Also, the economy should have a chance to work this out without government immediately taking complete control of it. Then, the next time, we will have to rely on the government again to foresee the crisis, because we won't be much more knowledgeable as to what to do to prevent it.
Education:
Education really is the key to a successful country, especially a democratic country. Intellegent individuals ensure that their country's government is honest and cannot be corrupt for long. Our culture today encourages youth to focus more on media (TV, video games, music, mivies) than gaining knowledge. The standard is not set very high, but it also is way too focused on tests and scores, reather than the acuition of meaningful knowledge, as well as the skills to apply that knowledge to life. I don't think that No Child Left Behind is the right solution. Students need to have a well rounded education and need to be inspired to take responsibility of their learning.
Environment:
The government must take action towards creating new and better energy sources, preserving reserves and natural inhabitats and supporting clean up projects, especially in the ocean. This is in our best interest as well as plants and other animals. Nature is a beauty that few countries seem to appreciate anymore, but neither should we forget that we are governed by the same laws of nature that the rest of our world is. To make all those stated goals happen, the government will need to invest in science for energy as well as clean up and reservatoion efforts.
I think it is really important for the government to protect businesses as well as peoples' personal savings. I also agree with McCain that the government needs to stop spending carelessly like it has, but I disagree with his exceptions. Just because he is a veteran doesn't make it more worthy of receiving money than for instance, education, in a financial crisis. Also, the economy should have a chance to work this out without government immediately taking complete control of it. Then, the next time, we will have to rely on the government again to foresee the crisis, because we won't be much more knowledgeable as to what to do to prevent it.
Education:
Education really is the key to a successful country, especially a democratic country. Intellegent individuals ensure that their country's government is honest and cannot be corrupt for long. Our culture today encourages youth to focus more on media (TV, video games, music, mivies) than gaining knowledge. The standard is not set very high, but it also is way too focused on tests and scores, reather than the acuition of meaningful knowledge, as well as the skills to apply that knowledge to life. I don't think that No Child Left Behind is the right solution. Students need to have a well rounded education and need to be inspired to take responsibility of their learning.
Environment:
The government must take action towards creating new and better energy sources, preserving reserves and natural inhabitats and supporting clean up projects, especially in the ocean. This is in our best interest as well as plants and other animals. Nature is a beauty that few countries seem to appreciate anymore, but neither should we forget that we are governed by the same laws of nature that the rest of our world is. To make all those stated goals happen, the government will need to invest in science for energy as well as clean up and reservatoion efforts.
Which Party Will I Register For?
I have no idea which party I will register for. Neither of the two main parties (Democrat or Republican) strikes me as more right than the other. Or rather, neither one strikes me as more wrong, since they both have valid points. Republicans believe that the government should do only what the Constitution bestowed it to do, while Democratics believe that social problems, such as poverty, can be best solved when the government takes responsibility for them. I have no basis for making the decision of which one is right! Should the government be allowed that power, or should it allow individuals to make their own choices? I might register for the Democratic Party simply because I do believe that America need a change that I'm not sure McCain can bring. However, I don't like the idea of the government making the choice for me of where much of my money goes... Therefore, I am 98% sure that I will register Independent.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
PSA Example
PSA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4f6Alunk_w&feature=related
I honestly did not like any of the PSAs on the list, so I went looking for one that inspired me. I really like this one for two reasons. The first is that it uses black blindfolds as a metaphor to show that the people speaking are not knowledgeable on the issues, and therefore blind to what is being decided around them. The second is the actual content strikes home with me because I do not feel entirely comfortable voting right now with my limited knowledge.
On the other hand, this PSA was a bit too long, and partly because it is slightly repetative. It also doesn't give the audience much information regarding why they should vote.
I honestly did not like any of the PSAs on the list, so I went looking for one that inspired me. I really like this one for two reasons. The first is that it uses black blindfolds as a metaphor to show that the people speaking are not knowledgeable on the issues, and therefore blind to what is being decided around them. The second is the actual content strikes home with me because I do not feel entirely comfortable voting right now with my limited knowledge.
On the other hand, this PSA was a bit too long, and partly because it is slightly repetative. It also doesn't give the audience much information regarding why they should vote.
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