Self Evaluation

Through out the course, we were given several assignments on highly debated topics. Finally, we got to choose our own social issue. My group came together completely at random- before this assignment I had never talked to anyone in my group. I couldn't have been put in a better group. As a team, we did all of our assignments. We had no problems in one person not working or one person doing all of the work. In GC, we all worked together to find people who didn't know about Darfur and educate them about it. It was a funny experience (almost getting arrested) and enlightening- more than half of the people we interviewed had no idea where Darfur even was. Together, we stayed in the library until 1 am editing a video. Together, we stayed up all night writing our research paper. Between us we must have drank like 7 gallons of Red Bull. Before this project, I had an idea of what Darfur was but I had no idea how serious the matter was. I learned so much about Darfur, and even after the project I will continue following what is going on in this region. Before, I was never much of a person to join a club or donate money to the annoying people walking aroun GC, but after this project it made me realize that those annoying people are working hard for a cause that they believe in. Our cause was Darfur, and I believe in our cause now, too. Learning about Darfur, I have come to realize that people there are stripped of their rights as humans. Women are raped, people are kicked out of their own homes, innocent people are killed, and all because of religion. As a person who has all these rights, I have learned I should take more advantage and try to make a difference. Although I am only one person, I have learned that it doesn't take alot of people to make an impact. If I could take another course on issues like these, I would.

Global Warming

We recently watched Al Gore's movie "An Inconvenient Truth" about global warming. Although I do not neccessarily love Al Gore, I think that his movie really made a difference in raising awareness about global warming. Many people thought it was a phenomenon, and Al Gore put alot of effort into the movie to change the mind of people. I also was interested in the Kyoto Protocol, which is a treaty that every country except the United States has signed to "stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level at a that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system." The only other place awaiting to ratify Kyoto was Australia, which as of today signed the agreement. Once the new prime minister took oath, it was the first thing he did. George Bush refuses to sign a treaty that will decrease the income of the country. He wants to look for a different way of curving global warming. So far, there is no way except to reduce our carbon emission. The United States is one of the top countries responsible for global warming, and people still refuse to see that. Everyday, I read atleast 3 articles in a single newspaper about global warming. Global warming is causing ecosystems to collapse and the animals who live in it to suffer. Although many people think that this has nothing to do with us, it does. If the United States does not ratify Kyoto, global warming affect us sooner than later, and we will all face the consequences of this issue.

The Millenial Student

I had never looked at us the way this video made us look. The thing is, that we didn't grow up in a world where "there is no failure." Back in the day, students did not compete for a 7.0 GPA, or take six AP's there freshman year of highschool. Because we feel like we worked hard, why should we settle for something that isn't sufficient to what we've worked for? And if our parents have worked so hard to get us where we are today, then there is no reason to settle for anything less than what we want. Back in the day, work was something to dread. He says that there is no such thing as a "dream job". If I am going to school for the next four years, there better be a dream job at the end of it. I don't believe in studying something just for the money. If you want a career, it should be something you are passionate about. I don't see what is wrong with the work place being a friendly atmosphere. Work is something you should work hard at, but there is no reason for you to be miserable. This old man should get with the times. We can have our cake and eat it too.

A Day Without A Mexican

At the beginning, I thought this movie was some sort of joke. The actors seemed really bad and the plot seemed terrible... but after I realized that they were doing this on purpose to catch our attention. The movie uses ethos by stating facts and statistics about Latin American workers -- "20% of K-12 teachers are Hispanic" "60% of construction workers in California are Hispanic" This shows to the viewers that the Hispanics are most than just a nuisance- they are the core of their state. The film doesn't dwell on why the Mexican's have dissapeared, just the fact that the state is chaotic without them. The movie uses pathos by depcicting a situation every person can relate to.. a family who's housekeeper has disapeared, and now their home is in shambles. A woman who married a Mexican man, and now he's gone and she doesn't know what to do. A woman who isn''t really a Latina but is called one just because of her appearance. Most people can imagine what their life would be like in this situation. The movie uses logos to show the viewer what would happen if all the Mexicans dissapeared-- the rich people picking their own fruit and vegetables, washing their own cars, and cleaning up their own homes. They would end up doing the jobs they exploited all the illegal immigrants to do for little money. People often complain about illegal immigrants coming into their country and taking over it, but these immigrants do the jobs that no one else wants to do. This movie shows us that without them we would probably complain even more. The movie successfully uses ethos, pathos and logos to show what would happen without the Mexicans and Latin Americans but does so with really bad acting and not so funny jokes.

Fidel

In the movie Fidel, we are introduced to Fidel Castro as a young, ambitious man. Fidel is portrayed as a family oriented man, passionate about the progress of his country and removing it from the hands of tyrants. In the beggining, he is even willing to assist another man into power for the better of his country. But, after the coup, he becomes obsessed with Cuban politics, and decides to take matters into his own hands. Ignoring the danger he is putting his wife, Mirta and his son, Fidelito in, he begins a revolutionary campaign to overthrow Batista. He gathers a group of followers and tells them to leave their personal dreams behind, just as he is leaving his wife and son. Now, they only have one dream - Cuba. The movie may portray as Fidel as someone who has Cuba in his best interest, and maybe he did at the beggining, but the surge of power he gained turned him into a tyrant as evil if not more than Batista. Castro was very confident that his July 26 attack would work in weakening the military- but it did nothing but kill the majority of his followers. Castro doesn't care. At this point, for him, there is no turning back for the "liberation" of Cuba.

Whatever I want to say.

I know i'm supposed to think of a topic all by myself but whatever, it's my journal and I'm going to write about whatever comes to mind, no specific topic in general. That's what people have blogs for either way. It's 4:30 am and I am still awake. I have a Microeconomics midterm i've been studying for since 8pm. I can't sleep because i've had too much caffeine because I am a huge procrastinator and decided to study the night before the test. I'm sure thats something everyone can relate to. Now i'm worried everything I studied won't stick in my head. This is unusual. I don't worry about anything ever. The thing is I had such a chill weekend, doing absolutely nothing and didn't find any time to study. That was stupid. I'll probably do the same thing next time, too. What if I am too sleepy in the morning during my midterm? Oh well. I'll suck it up... Now i'm just sitting in my bed in my dark room. This sounds like a crazy person post!!! AAhhh.....whatever. I'm going to go do my peer reviews since it doesn't feel like i'll be going to sleep any time soon.

Homosexuality in Iran

Recently, the president of Iran visited Columbia University in New York City. After the president of the University introduced him as a "cruel and tyranical leader", Mahmoud Ahmahdijend nonchalantly responded to an interviewer who questioned him on the subject of the executions of homosexuals in Iran that "In Iran, we don't have homosexuals, like in your country. In Iran, we do not have this phenomenon. I don't know whos told you we have it." On the president's website or government run websites, all these references to homosexuality are deleted or edited. This has caused a great stir among International groups, claiming that his comments are "absurd" because several Iranians have been arrested or harassed for allegedly commiting homosexual acts.

The worries of these international groups does not come without reason. On July 19th this summer, a 18 year old male and his boyfriend, a 17 year old male were hung for the public to see. They were charged with crimes of "rape," which was completly untrue. Consensual gay sex of any form is punishable by death in Iran. The perks? Those charged with the crime are able to choose four different forms of death- being stoned, being hung, being halved by a sword, or being dropped from the highest perch. Since 1979, 4000 gays and lesbians have been executed for commiting "homosexual" acts. The barbaric form in which they excute these people is found incredible normal, and being homosexual is above all the most shameful crime one can commit in their culture.

According to their religion (Islam), being gay is one of the worst sins one can commit. The punishments are these:

1)"Tafhiz" (the rubbing of the thighs or buttocks) and the like committed by two men is punished by 100 lashes. On the fourth occasion, the punishment is death. (Articles 121 and 122). If two men "stand naked under one cover without any necessity", both are punished with up to 99 lashes; if a man "kisses another with lust" the punishment is 60 lashes. (Articles 123 and 124). If sodomy, or the lesser crimes referred to above, are proved by confession, and the person concerned repents, the Shari'a judge may request that he be pardoned. If a person who has committed the lesser crimes referred to above repents before the giving of testimony by the witnesses, the punishment is quashed. (Articles 125 and 126).

2)Lesbianism
The punishment for lesbianism involving persons who are mature, of sound mind, and consenting, is 100 lashes. If the act is repeated three times and punishment is enforced each time, the death sentence will apply on the fourth occasion. (Articles 127, 129, 130) The ways of proving lesbianism in court are the same as for male homosexuality. (Article 128)

3) Male homosexuality
Sodomy is a crime, for which both partners are punished. The punishment is death if the participants are adults, of sound mind and consenting; the method of execution is for the Shari'a judge to decide. A non-adult who engages in consensual sodomy is subject to a punishment of 74 lashes. (Articles 108 -- 113)
Sodomy is proved either if a person confesses four times to having committed sodomy or by the testimony of four righteous men. Testimony of women alone or together with a man does not prove sodomy. (Articles 114 -- 119)

No civil rights exsist in Iran to protect gays and lesbians. Discrimination is fully appreciated, and no organizations can be created to fight it because it is prohibited There are no laws to protect homosexuals from violence or harrasment. Articles related to homosexuality are not allowed in newspapers unless they are written in a negative point of view. Many gays have tried to seek asylum in a foreign country, but many have been turned down or deported back to their native Iran. Many European countries have been criticized for this because several of the men and women who are deported end up commiting suicide.

The year is 2007. Several highly developed and important countries are working to abolish anti-gay laws...Canada, Sweden, Holland, Spain.. and we still have those countries who are trying to murder homosexuals: Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan just to name a couple. Killing gay people isn't solving anything, especially in a way that is so barbaric and savage. I did some research on the subject when I watched the Iranian president speak on YouTube..and it intrigued me to follow up on what they were discussing. The thing is, this subject has never really been one I am passionate about... but yesterday, following a huge family discussion with my incredibly Catholic family, I came to realize that even the most religious of people can discriminate in ways that are so inhumane. It got to the point that I was arguing with my grandma, a sweet little old lady, because she insists that if you ask God, he can change gay people. I disagree completly.. being homosexual is something you are born with. It isn't something you can just pray away or confess to a priest. Daily, families are torn apart because of this argument. If your son or daughter has a real problem, such as being an alcoholic or a drug addict, that seems to me to be more of a cause for worry then your child being gay.


http://www.globalgayz.com/g-iran.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20999705/
http://direland.typepad.com/direland/2005/07/iran_executes_2.html

Carlos Jokes..

I think this video is hilarious and totally true on top of that. He is so right about the way people are so sensitive about their culture. I understand that a lot of races have gone through hard times...but that doesn't mean they have to be eternally on the offensive. People joke around with me about being Nicaraguan all the time and it really doesn't bother me at all. I think it's funny. The only time a racial joke about any race will bother me is when its cruel. If you say something that is cruel and hurtful to someone its not funny...but the things that Carlos was saying wasn't even offensive or untrue. I think that he is talking to the minorities in America that forever live on the offensive.. he also joked around with the Whites, which was funny because no one usually jokes around with them. When he talks about down syndrome and all that, I didn't find that offensive either. Shit happens, and just because you are born with something doesn't forever hinder you. Him making fun of ADD and ADHD was especially funny to me, because my little brother has ADHD and I always tell my mom all he needs is a good ass beating. In times like these, the last thing we need is more people getting offended. We need a little more laughter...people should stop being so sensitive!!

Dark Days

The movie was sad and hilarious at the same time. Their stories are tragic...but most of them have a sense of humor about themselves. It seems like they have given up on life. They don't care that they live in this place.. they actually like it. There are other people, like the ones doing crack, that don't even seem to notice their surroundings. I believe that this movie leads back to the conversation we had in class the other day. For that one kid, hes very young, he could have gone to school.. but his dads alcoholism and his moms negligence led him to give up on himself. There was another man whos wife kicked him out because drugs took over his life. I think that there is a certain point that some people get to that they need help..they can't do it on their own. When Amtrak decided to make them evacuate, I think its great that the U.S decided to give them public housing. When someone is down, it is the responsibility of the American to help them up. If we are given so many chances in our own lives, its only fair to give them back to those who haven't gotten as many.

Miss. Teen USA- South Carolina.

I don't think anyone that stupid should be allowed on T.V. I had never seen the clip, only heard things about it, but I looked it up on You Tube and noticed that even the guy holding the microphone couldn't help but laugh. I've never really watched one of these pageants, so I don't know if you have to meet some sort of requirement to be in one or what, but if it is supposed to set an example for young girls all over, they should screen their contestants more carefully. We don't want a bunch of stupid, naked picture taking girls being the poster girls for our country.

Having a blog.

I've always thought that people that had blogs were kind of weird. I don't understand why anyone would want to post everything about their life online. I am not sure what we will be writing about or what people write about when they have these things. It will be interesting to see what everyone else has to say about the topics we will be discussing. Maybe it will change my view about bloggers.