Thursday, May 19, 2011

"The River" by Garth Brooks
What do I want to do with my life? I am fairly sure that my calling is to become an Officer of Marines. I will have to be physically fit and will have to live exemplary morals. The first step to becoming a marine officer is doing good in high school so that I can earn a bachelor's degree, a requirement to become an officer. I will then need to earn a commission through one of many routes. After earning a commission I will officially be an Officer of Marines but that is only the start of the journey. Before I receive orders I will go through at least a year of training which I beleieve will prove to be one of the roughest parts of the river. I know that the whole process will be physically challenging but I will find new limits for my body through toughness

"No Retreat, No Surrender" by Bruce Springsteen
I will never surrender my religion. When I'm feeling philosphical or feelig blue, I can always look at my religion. God is always there when you aren't sure of something or when you have made a big mistake. There is no time you cannot turn to religion because noone can stop you in America. He is there even when nothing else in the world is

"School Days" by Chuck Berry
School this year was okay but for the most part was just waiting it out until high school. I received Home Economics for an elective the first semester which was not my first choice. It seemed like their was always a project we were suposed to be working on. Math provided everyone with endless home work and history day took up at least half of the school year although I was able to go to the state level. Again this year the academies split me apart from most of my trusted friends leaving me with few people to hang out with during lunch. I think I've found that I will most likely have the same amount or more home work at Whitney but in talking to high school students there will definitely be more opportunity for extra curriculars at the next level and more freedom, along with more responsibilty. If there is one thing that I have learned about myself this year it is that I am less shy than I thought previously or that I have possibly become less shy.

Monday, May 2, 2011

How "We Weren't Born to Follow," composed and performed by Bon Jovi, represents America today

Song Url: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF3D2oiy6YA
lyrics: http://www.elyrics.net/read/b/bon-jovi-lyrics/we-weren_t-born-to-follow-lyrics.html
            The song "We Weren't Born to Follow" is very representative of current American culture because of it's two distinct themes. The first theme is if you aren't having the best of luck, don't give up and everything will pan out tomorrow. Much of America is using this mindset because they have been hit hard by the recession. Losses of housing, vehicles, and other assets are common, even 2 years after the start of the recession. Many have to work multiple jobs solely to feed their family, and this song talks about "the hopeless and the hungry."

             The next theme of the song is to "stand up for what you believe." This part represents many who haven't been hit as hard by the recession. This second theme is often interpreted as helping people in need, as this is how Bon Jovi meant it. There are many people in need right now and not only in America. With all of the natural disasters, revolutions, and diseases in the news, many people want to help out financially and with their own man hours. Additionally though, it can be perceived as a call to voice your opinion by becoming active in protests and talking at other public events. There are people of all ages who do this in the United States today.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

The Foresight of Former Presidents

     In President George Washington's farewell address, he warned our country of many problems he saw developing and many problems he thought might develop. Here are the major ones he discussed, in my words:

First, he warned about the party system knowing it could split the congress and America as it has. Today this system has caused deadlock in passing laws and a constant power struggle within America.

He warned that declines in religion and morality could cause corruption and a lack in the trustworthiness of people.

A common sense sort of advice he gave was that irresponsible and unnecessary accumulation of government debt without revenue to back it up would anger citizens and cause problems all around.

He thought permanent foriegn alliances were unadvisable and, in his time, they were but in contemporary times alliances seem to be completely necessary in meeting our own needs of fuel and resources. We went against his warnings when we joined as a permanent member of the United Nations.

Washington's final piece of advice was never upheld in this contry, if in any way possible, and that was to keep a military establishment that wasn't too powerful. Seeing how our military is arguably one of the strongest in the history of the world, we certainly did not stop to think about this one.

 article used: http://www.kiplinger.com/columns/washington/archives/time-to-end-thetwoparty-system.html

         President Washington warned centuries ago that a two party system would be detrimental to American politics. This shows today, as both parties are so far apart and set in their ways that congress is mostly deadlocked, as shown in the article. This is partly because the media makes lots of money pushing political extremism. Washington warned against the two party system because he knew it would split Americans. His words are true today because it can be argued that things are worse now because politicians who are found to be thinking in the middle often do not get campaign money and are exiled by their party leaders. In addition, the more centrist thinkers in politics don't get headlines and the media latches on to extreme views argued from the far left and the far right because they know that controversy sells newspapers and builds television and radio audiences. So Washington's views have sound logic in today's political world because the noise made by the extremists gets all the attention and the majority of the voices are drowned out or silenced.One of the few political leaders in the middle who still has the power of the pulpit is President Obama. When he campaigned he appealed to the middle to his advantage and still tries to do so today but is often plagued by a divided Congress that has polar views. Washington's warnings have been heeded by some, but apparently not enough to make a difference today.


        Next, in the farewell address of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, many more modern warnings were given to the American public. His main thoughts were:

Ike thought that we should put national interest ahead of politics. This does seem easier for him to say, though, because his congress often collaborated with himself and his cabinet during his terms.

Eisenhower also said that there is no quick fix or one size fits all solution to any crisis. This is evident in the current recession that will probably only completely mend itself years from now.

Another bit of wisdom from Dwight is that balance is the best strategy. Balanced spending, balanced budget, and balnced programs would benefit America greatly.

Like Washington, Dwight D. Eisenhower told us not to spend beyond what we can afford. If we had heeded that warning, we wouldn't find ourselves plagued with trillions of dollars of debt.

Ike said that we should also spread the nation's smartest throughout the public and private sectors, not allowing one to hoard all the best workers.

Finally, he said that we need not allow special interests to dominate the government, America, and the people. We should not put too much power in any, and especially, the wrong hands, out of reach of the citizens.

 article used: http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/recession-2010

       One major, seemingly obvious warning from President Eisenhower was that we should not spend more than we make. This is evident in the recession of 1980-1982, the Great Depression, and now. America was in worse shape in 2008, and we are definitely healing, but we are still weaker than before the recession. Often when there is a recession, unemployment runs very high leading to suspicion of how the government spends money. An anxious public that is either unemployed, teetering with joblessness, or fearful of losing a home loses trust in its government when it reads about wasteful spending. It is difficult for people to pick up a newspaper, watch television, or listen to the radio and rarely hear any good news about the economy or the moves made by government leaders. Wherever you turn, the news seems bad which feeds continuous "recession" dominated ideas into the news. So there are certainly a lot of pieces of news that "gloom and doom" economists can hang their hats on these days. It seems that government leaders with polar opposite veiws of what's good for the country need to find away to agree on ideas of how to balance the government checkbook. This would restore confidence in the public knowing that their leaders understand that when families are strapped and need to cut back, their national leaders are willing to do the same. Eisenhower's point is crystal clear and would be most welcome by a deficit plagued government in 2011.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Gangsta's Paradise & Non-Violence

These are the original lyrics to the song "Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio

As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I take a look at my life and realize there's not much left
Cause I've been blastin' and laughin so long that
Even my ma'ma 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'-
As they grew 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


Been spending most our lives living in the Gangsta's Paradise
Been spending most our lives living in the Gangsta's Paradise
Keep spending most our lives living in the Gangsta's Paradise
Keep spending most our lives living in the Gangsta's Paradise


They got the situation, they got me facin'
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'm an educated fool with money on my mind
Got my ten 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
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-fow'?
The way things are goin' I don't know


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

Been spending most our lives living in the Gangsta's Paradise
Been spending most our lives living in the Gangsta's Paradise
Keep spending most our lives living in the Gangsta's Paradise
Keep spending most our lives living in the 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 dont know what's cookin
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!


Been spending most our lives living in the Gangsta's Paradise
Been spending most our lives living in the Gangsta's Paradise
Keep spending most our lives living in the Gangsta's Paradise
Keep spending most our lives living in the 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

And this is my interpretation

As I walk through this place of iminent death
I realize my life will be short and theres not much left
Because I've been attacking and laughing at people so long
Even my mama thinks that I'm insane
But I've never crossed a man that wasn't deserving
and no one treats me like a punk
don't say anything or go anywhere that other gangs might not like
or they might kill ya
I dont like to make myself look bad but Ive got to look-
As they grew I see myself being shot
I'm the kinda guy little kids look up to
On my knees in the night
Saying prayers in the street light

We've been stranded in this place where gangsters thrive
We've been stranded in this place where gangsters thrive
We're gonna be stranded in this place where gangsters thrive
We're gonna be stranded in this place where gangsters thrive


They know the situation that I'm facing
I can't live an average life because I was raised by the strip mall
So I have to know the gangsters well
I can't watch too much TV or I'll chase dreams and die trying
I have an education and need money bad
I've got ten dollars in my hand and I'm ready to steal or make some more
I'm armed and ready to fight
and my friends are ready to fight too so don't make me mad
Death isn't far away
and I've gotta follow through or I'll die anyway
Im twenty three years old but will I live to be twenty four?
Right now, I'm not sure

Why are we not able to see that
the victims here are you and me

We've been stranded in this place where gangsters thrive
We've been stranded in this place where gangsters thrive
We're gonna be stranded in this place where gangsters thrive
We're gonna be stranded in this place where gangsters thrive

All I care about is money and power
that's all I can ever think of
Everyone's trying to get out but they don't know where to go
Something's happening in the kitchen but it might not be food that's cooking
I'm told I need to learn but there is no one to teach me
If they don't understand me there is no way to get to me
I bet they can't and they won't
I bet they're front; that's why I know my life's gonna be short

We've been stranded in this place where gangsters thrive
We've been stranded in this place where gangsters thrive
We're gonna be stranded in this place where gangsters thrive
We're gonna be stranded in this place where gangsters thrive

Why are we not able to see that
the victims here are you and me
Why are we not able to see that
the victims here are you and me. . .
Can you live a non-violent lifestyle in a violent environment?
          
       As shown by Mahatma Gandhi and Aung San Suu Kyi, it is possible to live non-violently in a violent environment. However, this does take a tremendous amount of self control. For instance, many bullies pick on the people they know will not fight back, so most likely there would be people who threaten you with violence. When they are violent to you, you would have to fight the instinct to defend yourself. Gandhi thought non-violence was the key to fighting violence itself. Since your attackers may give up when they don't get a reaction out of you (Gandhi). These people are also weaker than the non-violent (Gandhi). Many people have been persecuted by other people who do not like anyone of a particular race or religion. Anger, frustration and political upheavals have led to many dangerous and explosive violence all around Mahatma Gandhi and Aung San Suu Kyi. This has required tremendous discipline and restraint and an iron clad resolve in their belief systems to endure. America's armed forces have been placed right in the middle of violent reactions in Iraq and other Middle East locations. The troops have been assigned peace keeping missions in an effort to quell uprisings but they have been attacked (Palestine, Israel, Iraq) sometimes for religious reasons, sometimes for political reasons and sometimes because people think the Americans are there to take over and run their country and they don't want that. This has tested the troops to the point of either striking back with non lethal means or kill in order to survive. The reason the troops have been placed in Iraq are varied. America removed a dictator, America also has oil interests in the region and the nation's leaders also feared weapons of mass destruction. America's reason was not to torment citizens of Iraq and other middle eastern people. For a respected peace keeping leader like Gandhi, the situation in Iraq may have been avoided by embracing the idea that non violence is the only way to combat violence. He said a nation must embrace religious freedom and allow the will of the people to rule (Gandhi). It is possible to lead a non violent lifestyle in a violent environment with self discipline, with strong morals and an inner belief that peace will always overcome violence and aggression.



Thursday, January 6, 2011

Adam Smith, Economics, and the Big Three Bailout

         Adam Smith was a renowned Scottish economist who developed the basis for the economy employed in the current U.S. and worldwide. He studied moral philosophy at Glasgow University beginning at the age of 14. In the year 1750, he began compiling writings with his a man named Hume. This collection later became known as the start of the Scottish Enlightenment. In 1751, Adam took a staff position at Glasgow as the Chair of Logic and, later, the chair of moral philosophy. Adam Smith published his first book in 1759, titled "The Theory of Moral Sentiments", included many of his lectures he gave at Glasgow. Its overall message was that communication depends on sympathy between the individual and the wider community. After becoming an author, Smith focused much more on economics. In 1762, he started to tutor a French Duke's step-son. After this, he went home and became a part of the Royal Society of London and used the next ten years to write his final book, "The Wealth of Nations." Afterwards he went to live with his mother and became a member of the royal society of Edinburgh. His book was published in 1776 and stated that the formation of a free market economy would create a higher standard of living. This economy would be highly democratic and competitive. Its basis would be on the concept of supply and demand. He thought government interference would wreck a free market economy and that the government's sole purpose was to act as a referee and stop things such as mafia tactics. The economic principles of Adam Smith can be summarized as freedom to try, freedom to buy, freedom to sell, and freedom to fail.
    
            The free market, an idea developed by economist Adam Smith, is an economy where companies are allowed to compete, thus creating lower prices. In this capitalist economy, buyers also compete, offering more for a good or service if they are having trouble buying it. The concept of capitalism also calls for households and private businesses to completely control the economy and, by this, an invisible hand will balance the economy. Another facet of the free market system is supply and demand. When there is a high demand for an item that is in low supply prices go up and businesses make money. However, when there is a low demand and a large supply, businesses lose money. In a pure competition setting, businesses decide what production methods to use, who and when to employ workers, and what goods to produce. Therefore, they need to supply goods and services and demand capital. However, households supply capital by deciding how much labor to give and demand goods and services through basic necessity. In the theory of pure competition, these demands and services would perfectly balance out, letting all succeed, but in practice many fail. A market is another piece of the capitalism puzzle. Markets are simply the place or situation where labor, goods, or services are exchanged. The two forces of a market are supply and demand, the amounts of which determine prices. The free market/ capitalist system is basic in theory, but complicated when trying to apply it to our world.

          The Big Three auto bailout was caused by the big economic downturn. It seems to me like Detroit pulled a fast one on D.C. And they did it knowing that there isn't a very structured repayment system for the money they borrowed, totaling $24.9 billion for GM and Chrysler. In addition, Ford asked for $14 billion in loans from the federal government, but was rejected. When reviewing all the facts involved in the bailout, this seems unfair to the taxpayers who end up 'holding the bag' for large corporations. These domestic companies don't even produce half of the vehicles purchased in the U.S., showing that Americans feel that oversea companies produce a better product. The automakers have been very lazy in adopting new technologies (besides plush features) in the last decade, devoting their time to producing large, inefficient SUVs and pickup trucks instead of researching fuel efficient and alternative fuel vehicle designs. Already, before even having paid off their loans, these companies are breaking promises, starting with Chrysler who promised to debut an electric vehicle in 2010. This did not happen. I think it is unfair to average citizens, like a real estate agent in Portland, Oregon or a farmer in Lincoln, Nebraska, when big automotive corporations can siphon tax dollars from Congress because of their high profile and political connections. The bailout is the type of deal that inflates cynicism in voters across America and escalates mistrust in the government.      

Friday, November 19, 2010

Articles of Confederation: The beginnings of our federal government

       The Articles of Confederation were a set of legal documents that set down the first boundaries of America's first federal government.In this government, the only group was the confederation congress, a group of representatives consisting of men from every state.  A few of the limits of the articles were that there was no chief executive (such as the president), laws needed approval by nine out of thirteen states instead of a simple majority of seven, the congress didn't have the powers to tax citizens, draft an army or collect debts from the states, and there was no national court system. The articles also kept the power to settle interstate disputes from congress and made sure any changes to the articles were to be approved by every state.  The foremost reason the Articles of Confederation were written this way was to keep the federal government weak.  This was because the United States had just gained independence from England, which had a very strong central government.  The problems with the Articles were that congress had next to no power, interstate disputes were hardly ever resolved, it was very hard to change the Articles, congress received little funding, it was hard to pass federal laws, there was a lack of leadership in federal government, and a federal would be very hard to pull together in the event of a war. All of this led to an ineffective central government. Maybe the most problematic of these features were that there was no chief executive who could order people around which meant noone could take order among their peers. The fact that the government couldn't collect money from the states also caused many problems with little funding. There was an understanding that the federal government needed to be weak, but the Articles of Confederation take that too far by shackling a federal government with little funding and much too little power. If someone had attacked, the fact that the fedeal government couldn't draft an army but knowing their were willing soldiers out there would be like having a sword that couldn't be unsheathed when someone attacked. To conclude, the Articles of Confederation was a great attempt at creating a relatively weak federal government, but in the end left too little power to "the feds."

                                                                This is Kyle C, signing off