May Blog

  I have not yet decided exactly what I want to do with my life. I do not want to choose and decide upon one pathway before I know all my options and what I am capable of. Currently, I like the idea of becoming an editor of a book publishing company in order to fill the world with even more books. A career is not what I dream about most, however. My main goal in life is to be happy and live life to its fullest.
  Reaching my goals in life will be difficult. First, I must work hard and strive to accomplish what I set out to do. I also need to find a career that I enjoy. Lastly, I simply need to live a life that I love. Although that is easier said than done, I believe I can accomplish this.

  Some "rough waters", or tough times I might face would be not finding a job that I love, or any job at all. Also, I might find that I am totally unhappy with my situation in life and have no idea how to rise up and fix it. However, with enough determination and hope, I believe that if I try hard enough, never giving up and loosing hope, I can overcome these tough times and move on.

 I strongly believe in being a vegetarian. It enhances my relantionship with other animals, espcailly meat animals, and the world in general. It makes me feel great to know I am not contributing to cruelty in slaughterhouses around the world and the global cost of these.

  I believe being vegetarian enables you to eat a more healthy diet. Red meat, especially, is in no way good for you. Also, due to the length of our intestinal track compared to those of carnivores, it has been deduced that we did not evolve as meat-eating mammals. Globally, the effect of raising animals for slaughter has a tremendous effect. I believe by not buying meat, I am causing less animals to be raised and killed for slaughter. Last, I feel a lot better about the fact that I am not eating fellow mammals, so to speak. I have a small flock of chickens in my backyard currently. Although we use them for egg production and never meat, I feel better playing with them knowing I am not eating any of their species. Because of these ideals, strongly believe in vegetarianism.

   


  School, in general, was pretty good this year. I had two new teachers and two old teachers, so it wasn't a totally new environment but I still got to experience more teachers and teaching styles. I actually learned a lot this year, especially academically. The only bad parts of the school year was when I procrastinated on projects or tests and I had to stay up late finishing. During the last few months of school, I got a little bored. Not because I was not learning anything, but because I was tired of the unchanging routine. So, I am very excited for a new school environment.  
  School was so much fun this year as well. I was much more confident this year than last year as a seventh grader, and actually enjoyed learning some things this year. Also, I have super good friends that made this year really great for me. I'll be sad when the year ends and we have to say goodbye; most of them are not going to my high school. Still, middle school was, over all, a pretty cool experience.

   I learned a few things about myself this year. Especially concerning projects and big, daunting tasks, I easily feel overwhelmed and procrastinate. I always pull through in the end, but there is a certain stress level involved. The few times I have actually been on task and completed a project ahead of time, I feel much better and happier. So, I learned that it really, really pays off to be ahead of things rather than bordering on behind. Hopefully I will succeed with this in high school!

            
                    

April Blog

The song Twenty-One Guns by Greenday represents the years of 2010 and 2011. It is a song promoting surrender, anit-war, and peace. The twenty-one gun salute is the highest honour one can receive upon a burial. The lyrics show fighters and soldiers thinking back and wondering if the cause he or she is fighting for is worth it all, especially death. This song is an anthem for surrender, asking us to lay down our arms, and give up the fight. The song is saying that war is so terrible, causing ruins and destruction, and people are so hurt by it.This song relates to the years 2010 and 2011 because it calls to end the wars and suffering that have occurred these past years. It represents the current fighting throuought countries in the Middle East. It symbolises the world need for peace in a time of constant fighting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBtzpXSMcZg&feature=related

Febuary Blog

Washington's Farewell Address in summary:

• A strong and united federal government is necessary for the country to have a strong future.

• The two-party system caused people to constantly argue with others in opposite parties rather than work together.
  

• Morality and religion are very important, especially in court.
  

• Government should not borrow too much money, especially from other countries.
  

• Permanent foreign alliances are bad because it puts the neutrality of the United States in danger.
  

• An over-powerful military establishment is not good because it can be turned against the people.
  

Eisenhower's Farewell Address in summary:

• Work for the better of the country, not for politics.
  

• Don't assume that one correct answer or solution will instantaneously resolve a crisis.
  

• Balance is essential to solving all problems.
  

• Be careful to not overspend.
  

• Be careful of the special interests do not take over our government.

Washington believed an over-powerful military establishment is not good because it can be turned against the people. Overspend on Yesterday's War is an article written by Mark Thompson and found on Time.com. Most importantly, this article stated that, as of 2008, 4.5% gross domestic product should go toward defense. This is not factoring in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Also, Navies, Armies, and Air Forces are requesting billions of dollars for the funding of new weapons, ships, and aircraft. So, 4.5% of all gross domestic product is going to American Defense in peace-time. This is clearly that Washington warned against, because the government is overspending and causing the military to become too powerful.



Eisenhower believed that it is important not to overspend. Congress Urged to Raise Debt Limit is an article found on Reuters.com. This article is stating that the government must soon raise the debt ceiling because we will soon be in debt surpassing the current debt ceiling, which is 14.3 trillion dollars. Because we have overspent so much, we are in huge amounts of debt, and must soon raise our debt ceiling. The article predicted that by the end of March 2011 we would hit the debt ceiling. This article shows how Eisenhower's warning has gone unheeded, because our country is now in so much debt we must soon raise the debt ceiling.

January Blog

As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I take a look at my life and realize there's nuttin left
Cause I've been blastin' and laughin so long that
Even my ma'ma thinks that my mind is gone 

I realize that my life is practically over because I've been blowing it off. Also, everyone thinks that my mind is gone.

But I ain't never crossed a man that didn't deserve it
Me, be treated like a punk, you know that's unheard of
You better watch how you talkin, and where you walkin
Or you and your homies might be lined in chalk
I really hate to trip, but I gotta loc'- 

I am justified in doing what I have done. It is important to me that nobody disrespects me.

 
As they croak I see myself in the pistol smoke, fool
I'm the kinda G the little homies wanna be like
On my knees in the night
Sayin prayers in the street light

I have killed or seen people killed, but I am a role model for little homies, praying at night.

We been spending most our lives living in a Gangsta's Paradise
We been spending most our lives living in a Gangsta's Paradise
We keep spending most our lives living in a Gangsta's Paradise
We keep spending most our lives living in a Gangsta's Paradise

Look at the situation, they got me facing
I can't live a normal life, I was raised by the strip
So I gotta be down with the hood team
Too much television watchin' got me chasin' dreams 

I was raised so I could never live a normal life, especially with the situation that I am facing. So, I give up on my dreams and be content with my life and the 'hood team'.

I'm a educated fool with money on my mind
Got my tin in my hand and a gleam in my eye
I'm a loc'ed out gangsta, set-trippin banger
And my homies is down, so don't arouse my anger, fool

and I stand up for my friends. I am smart and ambitious, I want money. I also stand up for my gang and have them behind me.

Death ain't nuthin but a heart beat away
I'm livin life do-or-die-a, what can I say?
I'm twenty-three now, but will I live to see twenty-four?
The way things is goin' I don't know

I am living in the moment, with death just around the corner, and I don't even know how long I will live, and I don't really care.

Tell me why are we, so blind to see
That the ones we hurt, are you and me

None of us understand that we are just hurting each other.

We been spending most our lives living in a Gangsta's Paradise
We been spending most our lives living in a Gangsta's Paradise
We keep spending most our lives living in a Gangsta's Paradise
We keep spending most our lives living in a Gangsta's Paradise

Power and the money, money and the power
Minute after minute, hour after hour
Everybody's runnin, but half of them ain't lookin
What's goin on in the kitchen, but I don’t know what's cookin 

We only care about money and power, all the time. I am supposed to learn and know, but how?

They say I got ta learn, but nobody's here to teach me,
If they cant understand it, how can they reach me?
I guess they can't; I guess they won't
I guess they front; that's why I know my life is outta luck, fool!

If they can't relate to me, they cannot teach me; I am out of luck.

We been spending most our lives living in a Gangsta's Paradise
We been spending most our lives living in a Gangsta's Paradise
We keep spending most our lives living in a Gangsta's Paradise
We keep spending most our lives living in a Gangsta's Paradise

 
Tell me why are we, so blind to see
That the ones we hurt, are you and me
Tell me why are we, so blind to see
That the ones we hurt, are you and me

Can a person live a non-violent lifestyle in a violent environment?

Yes, a person can live a non-violent lifestyle in a violent environment. Although living non-violently is beneficial overall, it is still almost non-existent because it is so difficult. Gandhi, Aung San Suu Kyi, Martin Luther King Jr., and other non-violent advocates are famous because they are few in numbers: a non-violent approach to life is not easy. In the long run, non-violence pays off. Violence may be quicker and seem more efficient, but non-violence has a greater impact throughout time (Nancatube). Also, when people are working together non-violently, almost all goals can be achieved (AssociatedPress). Adversaries, when armed with weapons, often don't use their full intellect, instead they rely on a gun to help them along. Gandhi believed that physical force is used by people with weak minds, while strength is not only force, but rather the ability to express one's ideas (Mrholtshistory). Violence is a weak form of communication, while non-violence is stronger and more long-lasting. For example, India gained freedom with Gandhi's non-violent policy. So, India might have a less violent future and approach because of Gandhi. Also, Gandhi believed that non-violence is the only thing that can, eventually, overcome violence (Mrholtshistory). So, a non-violent approach is beneficial to all involved.

Although non-violence is obviously the better way to go, it is extremely difficult. To live non-violently, one must be willing to be unjustly treated with violence and not fight back. For example, Martin Luther King Jr. faced the unjust and violence-filled matter of segregation but still prevailed without resorting to violence. It is only natural for people to want to respond to violence with more violence. A natural response to someone hitting or hurting is to hit or hurt  back. Yet, to live non-violently, a person must overcome this urge and respond in other ways. Responding with violence, especially in a violent environment, can endanger one more than responding with non-violence. A person committing a crime in the street is not as likely to be violent to another unless they show signs of violence themselves. When a person pulls a gun on someone with a gun, the level of violence is likely to escalate. One person might be killed so the other person can protect themselves. Using the non-violence philosophy is extremely difficult and rare because it goes against basic human nature. People who have been able to overcome this human nature have made positive impacts for the better. By doing this, they are honored and admired throughout the world. Although living a non-violent lifestyle in a violent environment is very difficult, it is possible and will be beneficial to many in the end.

December Blog

Who was Adam Smith and what did he believe about economics?

Adam Smith was a famous economist born on June 5th, 1923 in Kirkaldy, Scotland. He entered the University of Glasgow at age fourteen to study philosophy and in his twenties supported the idea of natural liberties and a free trade market. (JackTaylor92) He is famous for writing The Wealth of Nations, which explained his ideas about a free trade market. The idea of a free trade market was revolutionary. Adam Smith believed that if free trade existed, markets would work at maximum efficiency, as if guided by an "invisible hand" (XKohlTrainx). He thought that if there was minimal government intervention, the entire economy would prosper. Competition was a key feature in the success of an economy. Competition leads to more production, which lead to more profit. This leads to better quality and more customers. The more customers, the lower prices would be, causing a bigger and better variety of goods and services to be available (Adam Smith and the Natural Laws of Free Market Economics). Adam Smith also believed that if the government tried to control the market, it would create inefficiencies. The only purpose of the government was to referee the free trade market by watching out for fraud, coercion, monopoly, and other unjust activities. The four economic principles Adam Smith believed in were the freedom to buy, the freedom to try, the freedom to sell, and the freedom to fail. He also believed that labor was extremely important, whereas most people thought that land was the key to success. He also stated there was a need for an education system. The Wealth of Nations was so popular that it influenced many other economists. Governments allowed for more free trade in some countries and many still do today. Adam Smith died on July 17th, 1790.


What is "Capitalism/Free Market System"?

Capitalism is an economic system that relies on households and private businesses to control the economy. The free market system is necessary for a capitalist economy. In this market system, goods are taxed minimally or not at all. Sellers in a free market want to sell their goods for a higher price to gain more profit, but buyers want to pay the lowest price possible so they will have more money. This becomes equilibrium when the quantity supplied is the same as the quantity wanted (Fishback). There are six factors in supply and demand: buyers, income, compliments, expectations, preference, and substitution (Plethoras). The roles of the households and businesses are vital to this system. The businesses decide what goods or services to produced, while households decide what products or services to buy. The choices of the businesses determine how much labor or capital a business will need; while households request goods or services, and supply labor (through jobs) and capital (through savings and investments) (Case). Government interference depends on the type of market system. However, government is always necessary, to some extent. The government has more power than households and privately owned businesses, so provides services that households and privately owned businesses cannot achieve. For example, the government establishes property rights, uses police forces, and maintains a court system.


Should the U.S. Government have bailed out the auto industry?

Yes, the U.S. Government should have bailed out the auto industry. Loaning the Auto Industry money was the right choice because the consequences of bankruptcy outweigh the fact that the Auto Industry is totally at fault for their lack of money. General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler (also known as the big three or Detroit) each asked Washington for billions of dollars to avoid bankruptcy when they were faced with a bad financial situation in 2008 (Bowmer). The point of the loans was to give operating money to The Big Three. Detroit desperately needs the financial aid (Newman). If the Big Three went bankrupt, it would cause over 3 million layoffs, which would make the economy even worse. Other countries already supply over half of the car sales in the U.S, so losing Detroit would drastically decrease the number of American car sales. However, some people argued that the car companies were solely at fault for not becoming more energy efficient when they had the time and funds. Auto Makers could have been processing alternate energy vehicles years ago, but instead they profited from selling large trucks like SUVs and Hummers (Amadeo). Even though these statements are true and the fault lies within the companies, there is nothing the Big Three can do about it now. However, The Big Three promised to develop more energy efficient cars, as well as streamline the number of brands produced. Ford also promised to develop more hybrids and battery powered vehicles, as well as increase the production of smaller cars. The government ended up loaning GM six billion dollars, Chrysler four billion dollars, and Ford five billion dollars (Amadeo). Ford has made more money in 2010 than the last five years combined. General Motors is profiting, and Chrysler is even hiring new workers (Bowner). Hopefully Detroit will profit and become more environmentally friendly. Even though the fault lies within Detroit, loaning them billions of dollars to keep them from bankruptcy was the correct choice.

November Blog

1. What were the Articles of Confederation?

The articles of confederation created a central government with limited power.

2. What were the key features of the articles?

• No Chief Executive.
• Laws needed approval by nine of the thirteen states.
• Congress did not have the power to tax citizens. It could only request tax money from states.
• Congress did not have the power to draft an army. It could only request states to send men for military services.
• No national court system.
• Any amendments to the Articles must be approved by all thirteen states.
• Congress did not have the power to collect state debts owed to the federal government.
• Congress did not have the power to settle disputes among states.

3. Why do you think the continental congress shaped the articles of confederation the way they did?

The continental congress shaped the articles of confederation the way they did because they feared that if they gave themselves too much power, the states would rebel. Because the Unites States had had bad experiences with a government that had too much power, they were extra wary against a controlling government. To prevent this, the Continental Congress gave themselves limited power. For example, laws needed to be approved by nine of the thirteen states so each state had power and there was no strong central government. Also, the congress could not draft and collect taxes because they feared it might get out of control like it had with England.

4. What were the major problems created by the articles of confederation?

There were quite a few problems created by the articles of confederation. Because there was no Chief Executive, there was a lack of leadership from the central government because there was no single leader. Because laws needed approval by nine of the thirteen states, it was difficult for states to come to an agreement. The federal government didn't have the funds to operate effectively because states were not required to pay taxes. Also, congress did not have power to collect state debts. Congress also might have a weak army because they did not have the power to draft an army. Because the Congress had no national court system, sometimes justice would not be served. Last, disputes among states often were not resolved since Congress did not the power to settle these disputes.

5.Which features do you think caused the most problems, and why?

The feature in the Articles that caused the most problems was that Congress was not able to tax, draft, or collect state debts. Although this was smart to ensure that the government did not become too powerful and tyrannical, the government would not be able operate functionally without funding and support. The feature of the Articles that also caused the most problems was that congress could not settle disputes among states. This caused problems because if two states were fighting, congress could not do anything to resolve conflicts.

6. What changes do you think need to be made to improve the government?

 The congress should be able to tax citizens, draft citizens during war, and be able to collect state debts so they would have more funding and support. Also, a Chief Executive would stabilise the government. Although a Chief Executive had the risk of becoming tyrannical, it would be worth it to have one central leader. In order to ensure the Chief Executive did not get too much power, restrictions could be placed so the Chief Executive did not have total control.