Honors Literature Writing #2

Honors Literature Writing #2

(Hint: you are responding to the 1998 AP Literature Question)

In his essay "Walking," Henry David Thoreau offers the following assessment of literature:
"In literature it is only the wild that attracts us. Dullness is but another name for tameness. It is the uncivilized free and wild thinking in Hamlet and The Iliad, in all scriptures and mythologies, not learned in schools, that delights us."

Choose a novel that you may initially have thought was conventional and tame but that you value for its "uncivilized free and wild thinking." Write an essay in which you explain what constitutes its "uncivilized free and wild, thinking" and how that thinking is central to the value of the work as a whole. Support your ideas with specific references to the work you choose.

Blog #18: Newspapers & MSB
Magda learned .....
I didn't do a good job organizing my time so I did not get my article critiqued.
From this experience I learned that I need to make a calender with due dates and make sure I accomplish them.

-calender

-brainstorm

-looking for good info(books)

-interviews

-get along with my group

-divide work

Blog #17: MSB people, groups & orgs!

There are not that many organizations helping clean tj's water, that I researched online.
http://www.limpiemosnuestromexico.com/
-contact them through e-mail or phone because this place is no in tj
http://www.valores.tijuana.gob.mx/
-video interview I can go down to tijuas and ask them questions to support my topic.
http://www.cut.edu.mx
- video interview
http://www.cespt.gob.mx

-video interview (thinking of questions)

Honors History Writing #2

America needs William McKindley
magda aguirre

The stock market crashed, last year, resulting in a widespread economic depression leaving many to struggle. More than 3 million people are unemployed, and 15,000 businesses, 600 banks and 74 railroads were forced to declare bankruptcy. The government has no plan to end this economic depression. The elections are coming up and more then ever Americans need change. Americans cannot afford another selfish president that does not care about the nation. The depression of 1893 has left most families in debt with no hope. The USA needs to move in a new direction and William McKinley will help guide this country.

“..this year is going to be a year of patriotism and devotion to country. I am glad to know that the people in every part of the country mean to be devoted to one flag, the glorious Stars and Stripes; that the people of this country mean to maintain the financial honor of the country as sacredly as they maintain the financial honor of the country as sacredly as they maintain the honor of the flag.” Says William McKinley in one of his speeches convincing all of us that he cares about our nation.

The fundamental question that will determine our future, this November 3 in the elections, is how is each presidential candidate thinking of getting the country out of this terrible depression that is affecting everyone?

The United States is in the climax of 400 years of violence within our own country. It began with Columbus establishing that this continent belonged to certain white men. The nation is facing a dramatic depression because of the many bad presidents that did not do well administrating this country. This severe depression has strengthened the idea of over-seas market. American factories are making more than what the American people can purchase, the production of oil is more than can be consumed. Several years before the election, McKinley already thought of the solution, he said, “We want a foreign market for our surplus products.”

In contrast, William Bryan believes in making the same mistakes that have been committed. Bryan’s plan is to replace gold with free silver, providing easier money to farmers in poverty ‘creating money’. He thinks that with more money circulating the economy, the USA will be able to come out of the depression. But the truth is it is impossible to ‘create money’. He is tricking all the poor farmers in the south, claiming that there will be more gold and silver for everyone but the prices of food and goods will rise. Therefore, how will they be able to afford it?

A great opportunity in our interest of commerce is being presented. The nation more then ever needs a good president like McKinley who will make good decisions. There are armed troops overseas in places like Argentina, Japan, Ryuku, Bonin Islands, Nicaragua, Uruguay, China, Angola, Portuguese, West Africa and Hawaii who are protecting the interest of this country. The USA also posses the Philippine Islands; and if William Bryan becomes president he would return the islands to Spain! It is absolutely immoral to do it; the USA is responsible for the Philippines, as they cannot administrate themselves.

More than any other candidate, William McKinley is need at this critical moment. His experience with business will completely change the United States, from being the country with economical problems, depressions and panics to becoming the world’s most powerful country. This is the perfect time to make the change; it is time to export products like tobacco, cotton and wheat. Doing so will generate jobs to all different social classes from the workers to the owner of the company. Bryan’s plan of replacing gold for silver, even if it may work, will not generate jobs and will complicate the international trade because silver is worth less, in addition the rest of the world uses gold.

There is a way to get out of this terrible depression and become the most powerful country in the world; America needs William McKinley in office!

Citations:
Zinn, Howard. "The Empire and the People by Howard Zinn."History Is A Weapon. 24 Oct. 2009

Blog #16: MSB comments, ideas, plans, critiques and more!

From Dani's blog post, "Re: Optional Assignment"I realized how a documentary can be interesting if you spend time with it and make sure that the transition are smooth. I also realized how important music is in a video. the song has to be different with no repeating beeps. seeing the video made me think that i have to record shoot from different angles it will make it look professional.

From Yesenia's & blog post,Blog #15—Possible MSB products I thought it was really cool how she was planning to make an art piece, like an animal made from trash (Aluminum soda cans). i think it is really creative, even though i am making a documentary she made me remember about being unique and creative. I am still thinking of what I'm going to add to my documentary to make it different and attention getting.

From Ruben's & blog post,"Narrowing it down" I thought his main idea "How and why should americans use there business skill to clean up the beach and make money at the same time?" is really strong, he is going to come up with a powerful project. His idea made me think of what other question can help me make a good documentary.

Blog #15—Possible MSB products

video/documentary or a photo essay



I'm going to do a documantary informing people of how we are affecting the water pollution and what we need to do to stop.

The pictures on the top is an example of the colors i wanted it to look like.

I'm going to use a wide or fish eye lenses to able to capture the scenery better, and I'm going to play with the contrast to make look different and professional.

I like the interviews its good way to add evidence

Blog #14—MSB Questions & Resources

How are we contributing to water pollution? and how can we stop?

-how do we contribute to the sewer? what can we do to do less effect?
+my sewer sciences note book.
http://www.sandiego.gov/

-what happens to the stuff in the street? what can we do to prevent it?
http://www.epa.gov/

-where dose plastic and trash end up? what can we do? recylce? re use?
+ http://en.wikipedia.org

Blog #13: Industrialization and Coastal Environments

People in Virginia are scared to drink tap water or take showers because the water is really toxic, they completely try to avoid contact with water.
Basic Facts: People are getting scabs on their arms, legs and chest whit the shower water (polluted with lead, nickel and other heavy metals) caused painful rashes. Heavy metal in water also effect your teeth, the enamel is eaten away, what makes them nice white and shinny.

The article doesn't really talk about how the metal end up in the tap water, the who!

I Would like to talk about who or what is polluting the water, and how bad this really is, maybe get statistic to impact people. I will also liked to explain why it is so bad and what it exactly does to your body.

TOXIC WATERS
Clean Water Laws Are Neglected, at a Cost in Suffering

In fact, her entire family tries to avoid any contact with the water. Her youngest son has scabs on his arms, legs and chest where the bathwater — polluted with lead, nickel and other heavy metals — caused painful rashes. Many of his brother’s teeth were capped to replace enamel that was eaten away.

Neighbors apply special lotions after showering because their skin burns. Tests show that their tap water contains arsenic, barium, lead, manganese and other chemicals at concentrations federal regulators say could contribute to cancer and damage the kidneys and nervous system.

“How can we get digital cable and Internet in our homes, but not clean water?” said Mrs. Hall-Massey, a senior accountant at one of the state’s largest banks.

She and her husband, Charles, do not live in some remote corner of Appalachia. Charleston, the state capital, is less than 17 miles from her home.

“How is this still happening today?” she asked.

When Mrs. Hall-Massey and 264 neighbors sued nine nearby coal companies, accusing them of putting dangerous waste into local water supplies, their lawyer did not have to look far for evidence. As required by state law, some of the companies had disclosed in reports to regulators that they were pumping into the ground illegal concentrations of chemicals — the same pollutants that flowed from residents’ taps.

But state regulators never fined or punished those companies for breaking those pollution laws.

This pattern is not limited to West Virginia. Almost four decades ago, Congress passed the Clean Water Act to force polluters to disclose the toxins they dump into waterways and to give regulators the power to fine or jail offenders. States have passed pollution statutes of their own. But in recent years, violations of the Clean Water Act have risen steadily across the nation, an extensive review of water pollution records by The New York Times found.

In the last five years alone, chemical factories, manufacturing plants and other workplaces have violated water pollution laws more than half a million times. The violations range from failing to report emissions to dumping toxins at concentrations regulators say might contribute to cancer, birth defects and other illnesses.

Optional assignment
1. Find out the basic history of a specific industrial, real estate or park development in San Diego County. List the facts that outline the basic history (who, what, where, when, why/how).



Who: corvette diner
what: a hamburger restaurant (50’s style diner)
when: in 1987 22 years ago by David and Lesley Cohn
where: (before) hill crest (now) 2965 Historic Decatur Road.
San Diego, CA
why:business!! money!!
Owner: David is currently a board member of the SDSU Hospitality and Tourism Management Program, California Restaurant Association, Gaslamp Quarter Association, Commissioner for the CA Travel and Tourism Commission, past president for The San Diego Restaurant Association, and past Chairman of the Board for the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Restaurants they own: Dakota Grill & Spirits, Kemo Sabe, Blue Point Coastal Cuisine, The Prado at Balboa Park, Indigo Grill, Gaslamp Strip Club, Mister Tiki, Island Prime, Pineapple Grill

2. Post a photograph, map or artist's representation of the development you chose.


















3. Then explain a current issue that involves the development you chose—what's going on now and why should we know about it?
They moved corvette diner from hill crest to liberty station, it's bigger now and more parking!!
-i didn't not know that the manager chief was mexican =]
daniel an immigrant from Cuernavaca Mexico


4. Post an excerpt from—and link to—a relevant story, photo essay, video, podcast, news clip or similar media that expands our knowledge of the development or area you chose.
1.http://westcoat.com/blog/?p=225
2.http://www.cohnrestaurants.com/restaurants/corvettediner/

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

In the novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain demonstrates the cultural collision between Huck’s own identity and the values that were forced upon him by the morally corrupt southern white society. With the help of Jim who is and African slave, Huck matures and gains confidence, builds a mind of his own, and learns to value life and freedom. During the difficult journey to freedom, Huck is free from society; able to make his own decisions without restrictions.

In the beginning, Mark Twain introduces Huck as a rebellious, immature and strongly against “civilizing” which seems natural for a thirteen-year-old boy. He comes from the lowest levels of white society, with an alcoholic father that abused him all his life. Eventually he was adopted by Widow Douglas who attempted to civilize him by taking him to school, teaching him about religion and indoctrinating him with the same social values as white middle-class boy should be taught. Huck felt he didn’t belong in the Widows house, and the Judge decided he had to live with his dad. Huck didn’t understand the contradiction of society. He felt he was seen as property (a slave), that he belonged to the owner no matter what. “I didn’t want to go back to the widow’s anymore and be so cramp up and civilized, as they call it.” With low confidence and the fear of facing his problems and saying what he believed in, Huck faked his death and escaped to an Island away from the restrictive society. “I laid there in the grass and the cool shade, thinking about things and feeling rested and ruther conferrable and satisfied.” When Jim and Huck meet on this Island, they escaped in the raft that carries them toward “freedom”. For Jim it is toward the free states; for Huck, an adventure and being away from his abusive father.

In addition, Huck’s liberal mind and growing relationship with Jim leads him to question many of the teachings that he had previously received, especially regarding to race and slavery. Throughout the novel, Huck is put in many situations where it’s his moral beliefs or his conscience, which he builds from being Jim’s friend. He first had the power to turn Jim in to the authorities, but he didn’t. “Well, I’b’lieve you, Huck. I-I run off.” Huck promised him he wouldn’t say anything. “I saved him by telling the men we had small-pox aboard; and he was so grateful, and said I was the best friend old Jim ever had in the world, and the world, and the only one he’s got now.” Towards the end of the novel his dislikes for society reappear and influence the important decision he makes. Jim is sold to the Sawyer’s family and Huck is the only one that can save him. The more Huck thought about what was the right thing to do, the more he felt he was taught the contradiction of what’s “right”. He completely forgot about all the morals he had learned and built his own mind from his conscience. “I was trembling.. I studied a minute, sort of holing my breath, and then said to myself: All right, then, I’ll go to hell”

Finally, during this struggle to “freedom” Huck learns to value life and the opportunities he has. Once Jim was free he was still thinking of traveling west, no longer specifically running away for freedom but from avoiding regular baths and mandatory school. Also, Jim made Huck realize that the widow wasn’t that bad. She was just trying to help him by teaching him how to read and write. Education is something not everyone one has. “What did the poor old lady do to you, that you could treat her so mean? I got to feeling so mean and so miserable I most wished I were dead. ” Huck matured through all this process. He learned to read the world around him, to distinguish good, bad, right, wrong and friends. He also valued the importance of what the journey to freedom meant to Jim, and he was the one that was helped the most. Huck started from not caring about anyone, not even himself, to risking his life to save his black friend the only guy he felt comfortable with. “We said there warn’t no home like a raft, after all. Other places do seem so cramped up and smothery, but a raft doesn’t. You feel mighty and free and easy and comfortable on a raft.”

Thanks to Jim, Huck learns what life really is; a struggle. He matures by accepting that he can no longer run away from his problems because they are everywhere. He builds a mind of his own with his experiences. He also learns how life really is and finally learns to appreciate life. In the beginning of the book we were introduce to a lost child who had no morals. But it wasn’t his fault. His family didn’t spend time with him, so he learned everything by himself. He was independent, so it was really hard to for him to transfer from living in the woods (uncivilized) to living in a rich house with slaves and fancy things, which, for him, had no value. But Jim did everything his father and the widow did not do. He spent time with him. He heard him talk, but didn’t criticizes him or force him to become someone else. Rather, he gave him advice, love, and called him “honey”, like a good parent would. For Huck, it was a great experience. He learned that not everyone is like his dad or the people he meet before.

Blog #12: Media Saves the Beach questions

How are humans and animals affected by pollution?
- water pollution=bacteria= sick and dead animals, and people.
- many of us eat fish
- water sports
- tourist places need clean beaches
How are we contributing to water pollution?
-sewer
-plastic
-not recycling.. cleaning up..
-oil spills
why dose this matter?
-opinions people
-we eat fish
- living things that need our help

Optional assignment



-I love how the music goes with the video
-I would like to have this as an intro
getting peoples attention
things ill add for the video +fish eye lens +contrast





+I like pictures with a lot contrast

Honors History Writing #1


The gang known as “The Caucasian Crew" had been out on "beaner jumping" missions for almost a week. 37-year-old Marcelo Lucero was attacked and stabbed to death by this group of high school students in Long Beach on November 8th 2008. This was the second report of an Ecuadorean immigrant killed in a month, in the same area. Even though more than 145 years have passed since the civil war ended. Slavery was exchanged for discrimination. We are now experiencing the bad effects of a modern civil war.
Although the modern KKK, is not exactly the same group that terrorized African Americans in the 1860’s they still have the same basic goals and ideas; they just have adapted over time, to be able to infiltrate into different government fields, like ICE, border portal, police and politics.

Joseph M. Arpario who calls himself "America's Toughest Sheriff," is a law enforcement officer, and the sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona. He transformed his police department into an immigration enforcement agency with President Bush financial support. But less than a year ago the Department of Justice for civil rights violations started investigating him. Joe Arpario has been target of 2,150 lawsuits in U.S. District Court and hundreds more in Maricopa County courts. Arpario is accused of housing prisoners (immigrants) in tents, making them appear before media TV cameras wearing pink underwear, shackling them in chain gangs, and trespassing into neighboring jurisdictions to unlawfully dump immigrants at the border for deportation. This is Modern Slavery. Joseph M Arpario said in an interview “being called the Ku Klux Klan is an honor.”

During reconstruction, once that civil war ended they passed the 15 amendments that prohibit the state or Federal Government from using a citizen’s race, color or previous status as slave voting qualification. But as a result the Jim crow laws “Separate but equal” made it almost impossible to be able to vote. They did things, such as the literacy test, which meant if you couldn’t read or write you couldn't vote. Sadly, I think this is repeating its self again.

Unfortunately millions of African American and Latino students in the United States are not getting an equal education to most whites. This is not only because of the urban schools they attended, where “the teacher worries more about the student not getting in a fight then providing a good education”. The money that schools get comes from the local property taxes. So in communities where the houses and businesses are less expensive, the schools don’t get enough money to provide a high quality education. This is unfair. This is institutional racism. If we financed schools differently every student, regardless of his or her "race", could get a high quality education would out having the necessity of going to a better school far away from their community.

To enter a good collage today you need to score well in a test called the SAT. Research has been done to prove that this test is directed towards middle class Caucasian students. A bilingual student, automatically take more time analyzing each question. They read the question in English translated in to their 1st langue and translated back and as we all know the SAT is timed so this is a big disadvantage. Most African American and Latino student, don’t have economical support to pay for collages, they depend on the financial aid. Of those who decide attended a community college, only 3% graduate from a 4-year university. This clearly is a sneaky way of keeping minority out of good collages. America takes pride in being a diverse melting pot, yet we contradict ourselves with exams such as these.

“They say that war ended a long time ago. But around here it’s like it’s still going on”[1] Many of us think we have reached a modern society were color and culture is not an impediment for anything, and that we are all have the same opportunity. But the truth is that we are really living in a society where racism is thrown under the rug and ignored.
Somewhere along the way we have forgotten to respect and value people regardless of their race and culture, strong stereotypes have been formed, hard to overcome, this is the prize of living in a capitalist country where he have liberty. The truth is that discrimination is never going to end we need to work in education and tolerance because “Respect for the rights of others means peace.” Benito Juarez.

As for “The Caucasian Crew” All seven teenagers face a charge of first-degree gang assault. After Mr. Lucero’s death, many immigrants told the investigators that the “polices our not taking our reports of attacks seriously, often blaming the victim; there’s little point in going to the police, who are often not interested in our plight and instead demand to know immigration status.”




Works Cited

[1]Horwitz, Tony. Confederates in the Attic. Vintage, 1999. Print.

-Ecuadorian guy killed and other info
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/Latinos-Targeted-on-Easter-LI-56744592.html
http://www.longislandwins.com/blog/in_the_news/marcello_luceros_killing_follo.php
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2003687591_robinson01.html
http://pubrecord.org/nation/3835/sheriff-arapaio-slapped-another-civil/
http://afroamhistory.about.com/od/jimcrowlaw1/Jim_Crow_Laws.htm
http://www.workers.org/2008/us/arpaio_1106/
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2003687591_robinson01.html
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/102105
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separate_but_equal
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/03/nyregion/03suffolk.html?_r=1



"Civil War Quotes and Facts." Civil War Quotes and Facts. Nella_Ware. Web. .
Horwitz, Tony. Confederates in the Attic. Vintage, 1999. Print.
Klan, Ku Klux. Bringing a Message of Hope and Deliverance to White Christian America! KKK. Web. .