Tuesday, January 15, 2013
What's Next
I have always been unsure about what I wanted for a career. I started college wanting to go to Medical School, but found that I loved my social science classes much more than my natural science classes. This is (finally) my last semester of undergrad and I finally have plan. Next year, I hope to complete a one year research Master's program in Psychology. Then I want to work in Washington, DC for 3-5 years. Ideally, I would like to work in the White House or Congress, but any type of government work would be great. Then, eventually, I want to go to Law School. In all likelihood this plan will change a million times between now and ten years from now, but at least I have a plan!
Friday, January 1, 2010
2010: A New Decade
Until a few days before the new year, I didn't even realize it was going to be a new decade, but as it is, it seems like a good time to look at the top ten events of the past decade. Make sure to take a look at the attached article!
2000: Bush Defeats Gore
Or did Gore defeat Bush? This was the first election I really remember being interested in and paying attention to the issues. It's also the election that cemented my belief that the electoral college should be abolished and replace with popular vote. Yes, I do know we are not a democracy but a republic which means that we elect our representatives, which is what our vote does, elects the elctors for our state, but by doing this we are effectively voting for representatives to vote for our representative. The President is our ultimate representative, so why can't we vote for him/her?
2001: 9/11
Did we really handle this correctly, were the lives lost and their families treated with the most respect we can give them? I don't know.
2001: War on Terror
How do you go to war with an idea?
2003: Iraq War
I support our troops as much as anyone can and now that we are there (and still are...) we need to leave on a "good" note. Not that there will ever be a "good" note to this war, but as much as I want our troops out of this war I wholeheartedly believe we never should have been in, ew can't just drop everything and leave. We do, however, need to start wrapping things up.
2004: Indian Ocean Tsunami
Tragic. Maybe we can learn to actually help people who need it?
2005: Hurricane Katrina
Honestly, how can we mess up saving lives in our own country. The emergency response was pitiful, but I'm glad New Orleans is getting back on its feet.
2008: Olympics (China)
I love the Olympics, but why was this one more special than the 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006?
2008: The Crash
I live in Michigan so we went down earlier than 2008, but let's see what Obama can do for us. Maybe the new decade will be better economically; at least I hope so. Too many people have lost their jobs and their homes, and their savings.
2008: Obama's Election
Well 2009 was't great for him, but he was left with a lot of massive problems that probably can't be fixed in one year, so time will tell.
2009: Michael Jackson Dies
Tragic as this was, should it really be in the top ten stories of the decade? Maybe the year, but the decade? Really?
2000: Bush Defeats Gore
Or did Gore defeat Bush? This was the first election I really remember being interested in and paying attention to the issues. It's also the election that cemented my belief that the electoral college should be abolished and replace with popular vote. Yes, I do know we are not a democracy but a republic which means that we elect our representatives, which is what our vote does, elects the elctors for our state, but by doing this we are effectively voting for representatives to vote for our representative. The President is our ultimate representative, so why can't we vote for him/her?
2001: 9/11
Did we really handle this correctly, were the lives lost and their families treated with the most respect we can give them? I don't know.
2001: War on Terror
How do you go to war with an idea?
2003: Iraq War
I support our troops as much as anyone can and now that we are there (and still are...) we need to leave on a "good" note. Not that there will ever be a "good" note to this war, but as much as I want our troops out of this war I wholeheartedly believe we never should have been in, ew can't just drop everything and leave. We do, however, need to start wrapping things up.
2004: Indian Ocean Tsunami
Tragic. Maybe we can learn to actually help people who need it?
2005: Hurricane Katrina
Honestly, how can we mess up saving lives in our own country. The emergency response was pitiful, but I'm glad New Orleans is getting back on its feet.
2008: Olympics (China)
I love the Olympics, but why was this one more special than the 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006?
2008: The Crash
I live in Michigan so we went down earlier than 2008, but let's see what Obama can do for us. Maybe the new decade will be better economically; at least I hope so. Too many people have lost their jobs and their homes, and their savings.
2008: Obama's Election
Well 2009 was't great for him, but he was left with a lot of massive problems that probably can't be fixed in one year, so time will tell.
2009: Michael Jackson Dies
Tragic as this was, should it really be in the top ten stories of the decade? Maybe the year, but the decade? Really?
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Obama Email
Does this really help?
Earlier this year, an email was forwarded around the country about Barack Obama. It accuses Obama of being a radical Muslim working for Muslim terrorists in an attempt to attack the US from the inside. If this was true, do you really think he would have made it this far in politics? However, this email has many holes in its argument.
First, look at the word choice and presentation. The author puts certain words in all caps. This draws attention to them. He has words such as Muslim, atheist, radical, and Christian in caps. Also, he only puts these words in caps when they are used negatively against Obama. For example, he bolds the word Christian when he is trying to say that Obama only joined the United Church of Christ because in order to seek major political office it is extremely helpful to be a Christian. However, he does not bold the word Christian when he says that Obama attended a Christian school (but ironically, he bolded the word Muslim when saying that he attended a Muslim school). Similarly, the verbs used to express certain ideas are very influential. This is also evident when he is talking about where Obama attended school. He first says that Obama “attended a MUSLIM school.” Then he goes on to say that he “also spent two years in a Catholic school.” The tone used in the email is accusatory and angry to the point of being irrational. This tone in itself reduces the email’s persuasiveness. In using such a tone, the author completely ignores the opposing view points. Any good argument concedes to some of the facts the other side presents.
The author also makes many claims about Obama based on assumptions that have no evidence to back them up. He also accuses Obama of being planted by the Muslim radicals to try to destroy the United States from the inside. The only evidence they have for this is that “the Muslims have said they plan on destroying the US from the inside out.” There is no proof that this has ever been acted on and there is even less proof (if you can have less than no proof) that Obama has been the plant. The author also claims that “while others place their hands over their hearts, Obama turns his back to the flag and slouched.” There is a picture in which Obama does not have his hand over his heart during the pledge of allegiance (or the national anthem, it is unclear which was being recited at the time of the picture), but he is not slouching or being disrespectful to the flag in any other way. At the same time, there are pictures of him with his hand over his heart during the pledge of allegiance (see www.obamaotrain.com/images/pledge2.jpg and www.obamaotrain.com/images/pledge1.jpg ). Another claim the author makes is that Obama was raised as a radical Muslim. It is true that he attended a Muslim school, a Catholic school, and a public school. The Muslim school, however, was just the public school in his hometown in Indonesia. CNN investigated after these allegations were made and they found that the school did respect the Muslim religion, but they did not outwardly teach it and they were fair too all students, despite their religion, or background.
It is important that we look closely at things presented as fact by someone who has no name or face. I could start a chain email claiming that my English GSI (teacher) is a racist witch just because she is white with blonde hair and teaches about fantasy worlds in class. This is something that is obviously not true, but if I built up enough “evidence” – that is if I twisted enough of the facts to make it look as though this were true – I might actually be able to convince some people who don’t actually know her. Therefore, make sure you know that what you are reading is from a reputable source, and if anything or anyone makes strong claims, double check the facts.
Earlier this year, an email was forwarded around the country about Barack Obama. It accuses Obama of being a radical Muslim working for Muslim terrorists in an attempt to attack the US from the inside. If this was true, do you really think he would have made it this far in politics? However, this email has many holes in its argument.
First, look at the word choice and presentation. The author puts certain words in all caps. This draws attention to them. He has words such as Muslim, atheist, radical, and Christian in caps. Also, he only puts these words in caps when they are used negatively against Obama. For example, he bolds the word Christian when he is trying to say that Obama only joined the United Church of Christ because in order to seek major political office it is extremely helpful to be a Christian. However, he does not bold the word Christian when he says that Obama attended a Christian school (but ironically, he bolded the word Muslim when saying that he attended a Muslim school). Similarly, the verbs used to express certain ideas are very influential. This is also evident when he is talking about where Obama attended school. He first says that Obama “attended a MUSLIM school.” Then he goes on to say that he “also spent two years in a Catholic school.” The tone used in the email is accusatory and angry to the point of being irrational. This tone in itself reduces the email’s persuasiveness. In using such a tone, the author completely ignores the opposing view points. Any good argument concedes to some of the facts the other side presents.
The author also makes many claims about Obama based on assumptions that have no evidence to back them up. He also accuses Obama of being planted by the Muslim radicals to try to destroy the United States from the inside. The only evidence they have for this is that “the Muslims have said they plan on destroying the US from the inside out.” There is no proof that this has ever been acted on and there is even less proof (if you can have less than no proof) that Obama has been the plant. The author also claims that “while others place their hands over their hearts, Obama turns his back to the flag and slouched.” There is a picture in which Obama does not have his hand over his heart during the pledge of allegiance (or the national anthem, it is unclear which was being recited at the time of the picture), but he is not slouching or being disrespectful to the flag in any other way. At the same time, there are pictures of him with his hand over his heart during the pledge of allegiance (see www.obamaotrain.com/images/pledge2.jpg and www.obamaotrain.com/images/pledge1.jpg ). Another claim the author makes is that Obama was raised as a radical Muslim. It is true that he attended a Muslim school, a Catholic school, and a public school. The Muslim school, however, was just the public school in his hometown in Indonesia. CNN investigated after these allegations were made and they found that the school did respect the Muslim religion, but they did not outwardly teach it and they were fair too all students, despite their religion, or background.
It is important that we look closely at things presented as fact by someone who has no name or face. I could start a chain email claiming that my English GSI (teacher) is a racist witch just because she is white with blonde hair and teaches about fantasy worlds in class. This is something that is obviously not true, but if I built up enough “evidence” – that is if I twisted enough of the facts to make it look as though this were true – I might actually be able to convince some people who don’t actually know her. Therefore, make sure you know that what you are reading is from a reputable source, and if anything or anyone makes strong claims, double check the facts.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Michigan
Ok so this is my random venting...
I'm just waiting for the announcement that the United States is dropping Michigan and becoming the 49 states. I mean seriously.
First, Michigan and Rhode Island were the only two states in the nation to have negative incomes (I'm not sure if that's the right word but it's the right idea) and Michigan beat Rhode Island by quite a bit. Then, Michigan had the highest unemployment rate, almost twice that of the nation. Meanwhile all the polititicians in Washington are going around talking about how great the economy is...well thats bull shit if you ask me. If even one state is doing poorly, like Michigan, then they cannot go on preaching like that as if we don't matter. It started back with Bush's State of the Union Speech last year and has just gotten worse, and both parties do it.
Then, just because Michigan moved their primary too early, we don't get any delegates at the DNC and the delegates votes only count as 1/2 at the RNC. Ok I understand that the state wasn't supposed to move the primary that early, and that we probably should be punished in some way. But I mean it wasn't the voters who moved the primary, but it's the voters who are getting punished. What's the point of even voting in the Democratic primary if it doesn't even count for anything. I mean even though I am planning on voting Democratic in November (I want Obama) I might just vote in the Republican primary so it actually counts for something.
I'm just waiting for the announcement that the United States is dropping Michigan and becoming the 49 states. I mean seriously.
First, Michigan and Rhode Island were the only two states in the nation to have negative incomes (I'm not sure if that's the right word but it's the right idea) and Michigan beat Rhode Island by quite a bit. Then, Michigan had the highest unemployment rate, almost twice that of the nation. Meanwhile all the polititicians in Washington are going around talking about how great the economy is...well thats bull shit if you ask me. If even one state is doing poorly, like Michigan, then they cannot go on preaching like that as if we don't matter. It started back with Bush's State of the Union Speech last year and has just gotten worse, and both parties do it.
Then, just because Michigan moved their primary too early, we don't get any delegates at the DNC and the delegates votes only count as 1/2 at the RNC. Ok I understand that the state wasn't supposed to move the primary that early, and that we probably should be punished in some way. But I mean it wasn't the voters who moved the primary, but it's the voters who are getting punished. What's the point of even voting in the Democratic primary if it doesn't even count for anything. I mean even though I am planning on voting Democratic in November (I want Obama) I might just vote in the Republican primary so it actually counts for something.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Barack Obama - Education
Ok so I'm going to start with the candidate I am leaning towards voting for this year.
Education:
-"Zero to Five": Early learning challenge grants to promote voluntary, universal pre-school
-Increase Head Start funding
-Affordable high quality health care
-"No Child Left Behind": Move from having teachers prepare for standardized tests to testing for college preparation; improve accountability to struggling schools rather than punishing them
-Improve Science and Math in schools through teacher recruitment and professional help in the classroom
-Provide funding for schools to impliment intervention strategies such as parent involvement, mentoring, personal academic plans, etc. to reduce the drop-out rate
-Double funding for after school programs
-"Step Up": Provides summer learning opportunities for disadvantaged students
-"Gear Up," "Trio," and "Upward Bound" to promote college preparation for students from low-income families
-Supports transitional bilingual education
-Recruit, prepare, retain, and reward teachers: Teaching Service Scholarship in return to teaching in a high need field or location; mentoring; increase teacher pay
-American Opportunity Tax Credit: Tax credit for families with college students
-Simplify the application process for financial aid
Ok so this is all good and well on paper. I support all of these positions. However, he plans to hand out a lot of money the country doesn't have. We are still in debt way over our heads and it is growing bigger by the day. I definatly think we should increase spending in education and I also think that the No Child Left Behind, while it had good intentions, needs to be seriously reconfigured. Also, I think that there should be a lot of emphasis on helping struggling schools.
Education:
-"Zero to Five": Early learning challenge grants to promote voluntary, universal pre-school
-Increase Head Start funding
-Affordable high quality health care
-"No Child Left Behind": Move from having teachers prepare for standardized tests to testing for college preparation; improve accountability to struggling schools rather than punishing them
-Improve Science and Math in schools through teacher recruitment and professional help in the classroom
-Provide funding for schools to impliment intervention strategies such as parent involvement, mentoring, personal academic plans, etc. to reduce the drop-out rate
-Double funding for after school programs
-"Step Up": Provides summer learning opportunities for disadvantaged students
-"Gear Up," "Trio," and "Upward Bound" to promote college preparation for students from low-income families
-Supports transitional bilingual education
-Recruit, prepare, retain, and reward teachers: Teaching Service Scholarship in return to teaching in a high need field or location; mentoring; increase teacher pay
-American Opportunity Tax Credit: Tax credit for families with college students
-Simplify the application process for financial aid
Ok so this is all good and well on paper. I support all of these positions. However, he plans to hand out a lot of money the country doesn't have. We are still in debt way over our heads and it is growing bigger by the day. I definatly think we should increase spending in education and I also think that the No Child Left Behind, while it had good intentions, needs to be seriously reconfigured. Also, I think that there should be a lot of emphasis on helping struggling schools.
Personal Paradise
I awoke with a start, hoping beyond hope that last night had not just been a dream, but it must have been. I kept my eyes closed just a little longer, holding onto the picture in my head. Why, why did I have to leave that place? It was so magical, so beautiful…
As I walked off the boat, I had to squint in the bright sunlight. After being in the dark for so long, my eyes weren’t adjusted to light yet. I got to the end of the dock and stepped into the sand. All I could think was how much I needed this, a place to relax. I made my way up the beach, and as I did so I wondered what else was here. I mean yes I wanted to relax, but I didn’t want to be on a deserted island. As soon as I thought this, I heard laughter from behind some trees. I ran over to the trees; the laughter sounded familiar. As soon as I reached the tree line I ran into my closest friends and family. When I asked them why they were there, they just told me they came because I wanted them there. Now, this was all great and everything, but I was a bit scared of it all too. How did they know exactly whom I wanted to see and whom I didn’t? Where did they come from? And how did we all get here? I decided to put it out of my mind for now and to just enjoy it while it was here.
I turned back to my family and friends thinking about what to do next. I think I’d like to play in the ocean, go buggie-boarding and play in the waves, if there are waves. Oh but none of us have bathing suits. Then, all the sudden, one of my best friends called out from the back of the group, “Hey do you guys want to go swimming? I have everyone’s suit.” And I thought to myself that this was just getting weirder by the minute, but we went to swim anyway.
The waves were amazing. We all had a great time, racing on the buggie-boards we found on the beach and playing in the waves. After we were all tired we went to dry off and lie out on the beach or play in the sand. As I lay in the sun, I took in the environment. It was beautiful. The sun was out and it was a warm, but not humid day. I could hear the waves crashing into the shore and feel the sand beneath my toes. The air smelled sweet from the forest behind me and salty from the ocean. I could hear the birds in the sky, the animals in the trees, and my friends laughing around me. It was the most peaceful I had been in a long time.
After a time, I started to get hungry, but I had not brought any food. I sat up and looked around. Many of my friends were back from their various beach activities. We began to talk about where we could get food as many of them we hungry too. One of my friends suggested we go for a walk, back into the trees. Once we were there we began to smell delicious scents, so we followed the scents. They brought us to a large outdoor restaurant. Once we were seated we realized it was like a big outdoor Mongolian BBQ. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and all of us ate way too much including huge desserts. When we asked for our bill the waiter told us that the meal was on the house. Amazed we decided to walk back to the beach for the evening.
Back at the beach, we found a large bonfire. For the rest of the evening, we enjoyed the warmth of the fire and each others company. We talked late into the night until the fire finally died. It was very dark on the beach at this point and we could see the stars with amazing clarity. There was not a cloud in the sky. We decided to take the blankets and sleeping bags left off to the side of the bonfire and set them up on the beach. We fell asleep watching the stars.
…but all good things must come to end I thought as I lay with my eyes closed. I slowly sat up in bed and turned off my alarm clock thinking of how amazing it would be in the world were really like that. What would it be like if we could spend the rest of our lives with our friends and family in the places we loved best and whatever we wanted appeared as soon as we thought about it? Oh well I thought as I got ready for class; hopefully I can at least revisit Paradise in my dreams tonight.
As I walked off the boat, I had to squint in the bright sunlight. After being in the dark for so long, my eyes weren’t adjusted to light yet. I got to the end of the dock and stepped into the sand. All I could think was how much I needed this, a place to relax. I made my way up the beach, and as I did so I wondered what else was here. I mean yes I wanted to relax, but I didn’t want to be on a deserted island. As soon as I thought this, I heard laughter from behind some trees. I ran over to the trees; the laughter sounded familiar. As soon as I reached the tree line I ran into my closest friends and family. When I asked them why they were there, they just told me they came because I wanted them there. Now, this was all great and everything, but I was a bit scared of it all too. How did they know exactly whom I wanted to see and whom I didn’t? Where did they come from? And how did we all get here? I decided to put it out of my mind for now and to just enjoy it while it was here.
I turned back to my family and friends thinking about what to do next. I think I’d like to play in the ocean, go buggie-boarding and play in the waves, if there are waves. Oh but none of us have bathing suits. Then, all the sudden, one of my best friends called out from the back of the group, “Hey do you guys want to go swimming? I have everyone’s suit.” And I thought to myself that this was just getting weirder by the minute, but we went to swim anyway.
The waves were amazing. We all had a great time, racing on the buggie-boards we found on the beach and playing in the waves. After we were all tired we went to dry off and lie out on the beach or play in the sand. As I lay in the sun, I took in the environment. It was beautiful. The sun was out and it was a warm, but not humid day. I could hear the waves crashing into the shore and feel the sand beneath my toes. The air smelled sweet from the forest behind me and salty from the ocean. I could hear the birds in the sky, the animals in the trees, and my friends laughing around me. It was the most peaceful I had been in a long time.
After a time, I started to get hungry, but I had not brought any food. I sat up and looked around. Many of my friends were back from their various beach activities. We began to talk about where we could get food as many of them we hungry too. One of my friends suggested we go for a walk, back into the trees. Once we were there we began to smell delicious scents, so we followed the scents. They brought us to a large outdoor restaurant. Once we were seated we realized it was like a big outdoor Mongolian BBQ. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and all of us ate way too much including huge desserts. When we asked for our bill the waiter told us that the meal was on the house. Amazed we decided to walk back to the beach for the evening.
Back at the beach, we found a large bonfire. For the rest of the evening, we enjoyed the warmth of the fire and each others company. We talked late into the night until the fire finally died. It was very dark on the beach at this point and we could see the stars with amazing clarity. There was not a cloud in the sky. We decided to take the blankets and sleeping bags left off to the side of the bonfire and set them up on the beach. We fell asleep watching the stars.
…but all good things must come to end I thought as I lay with my eyes closed. I slowly sat up in bed and turned off my alarm clock thinking of how amazing it would be in the world were really like that. What would it be like if we could spend the rest of our lives with our friends and family in the places we loved best and whatever we wanted appeared as soon as we thought about it? Oh well I thought as I got ready for class; hopefully I can at least revisit Paradise in my dreams tonight.
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