Semester 2 Blog 8

Choice # 1) In a well developed, thoughtful piece of writing that uses direct quotes, explain the relationship between your honors novel and the time period that fostered it's creation.


My honors novel talks about the Vietnam War and the anti-war attitudes that were created during its duration. The author, Ron Kovic, describes his story of the Vietnam War. He illustrates the childhood fantasies of war and how society pushed him to join the military for the beginning duration of the book. Kovic talks about his childhood passions, and he mentions all of the people that were heroes to him when he was a child, "Like Mickey Mantle and the fabulous New York Yankees, John Wayne in The Sands of Iwo Jima became one of my heroes". The way Kovic was exposed to war and the military, the more inclined he was to join. This reflected a part of culture that was in the USA leaving World War II and nearing the Vietnam War. One scene really brings out the idea that society encourages military involvement when Marine recruiters come in to Kovic's high school and give a speech to all the boys interested in the military, "'The marines have been the first in everything... There is nothing finer, nothing prouder, than a United States Marine.'... I was going to leave on a train one morning and become a marine." Because of that one event, led on by American society at the time, Kovic joined the Marines and went to the Vietnam War, losing his legs and his lifestyle with 2 years of service and three bullets on the Vietnamese soil.


Kovic shows the change in attitude towards the war and growth of anti-war culture in America with his own internal change in view. He decided to protest against the war and partake in the anti-war cause as a speaker, telling his story to crowds of people. "The terrible injustice that took the lives of more than 58,000 Americans and over two million vietnamese. We had to act. We had to speak." This quote concisely brings out the feeling of the time, that nobody wanted the war anymore. This understanding of war and massive protest of it, routed in our culture now, is reflected today as it was during Kovic's time. And the same forces battle for supremacy, the forces that want to recruit people (including 18 year olds) for war, and those who want to prevent any military action as is possible. Kovics story thus covers the thinking of the time period and beyond, since before the Vietnam War, people were more ready to go into war for a cause. Kovic underlines the point with the anti-war argument that there was little point and reason for going into the Vietnam War.

Semester 2 Blog post 7 (Honors)

Mr. Black Liberty was born after the civil war, when Mr. Slavery lost the arm wrestle with Mr. American Justice. Lady Liberty had given birth to the little child on the hearts and minds of her African-American civilians, and from the day of his birth, Black Liberty was a fighter. Right after his birth, Black Liberty screamed with life and growing strength. His mother raised him up, with care, and it was only when he was a teenager that Black Liberty met his cousin, Discrimination. Discrimination was a nasty child, and the cruel kid was raised by his father, Mr. Slavery. All through school, Discrimination tormented Black Liberty, bullying him, deeming him unpopular, and going out with his girlfriend Black Beauty. Black Liberty struggled in his education, and he could hardly communicate with his teachers or other peers in America High School. This led to the disadvantage of Black Liberty, he couldn't develop at all, and as everyone in American Theology class knew, if one was to survive as a theology in America, they had to become big in the American population. Black Liberty decided to fight back against Discrimination one day, punching Discrimination in the face and causing a bloody nose. Discrimination did not stop though, he went to the principle and got his parents to scold Black Liberty. Black Liberty was in trouble, and he could not fight back without help. Several new kids began to attend school in the second semester, Black Rights, Women Power, Religious Tolerance, and Black Women Rights (nicknamed BWR). With these and other friends, Black Liberty was able to fight back Discrimination and when. It has been 2 year since then, and now Black Liberty and his fellow peers are in their Junior year of American Theology high school. With a lot less hate and torment in classes, Black Liberty continues through with his studies, and is doing exceptionally well with his grades. Discrimination still tries to pull tricks on Black Liberty, but with a lot less force than before, since Black Liberty and his friends have formed a strong group together (Called the Liberty Rights Squad). They are currently taking office in student council and ASB, and for now are the most influential students in American Theology High.

Semester 2, Blog 6

1. "Pitch 2: I would also like to write about the mistreatment of Asian and Cinema. There is a long history of prejudice and discrimination for Asians, especially in cinema. I would like to bring to life what I learned about it during my internship."

I like this pitch because it has an historical aspect to it. It not only portrays history, but it also relates to his work at the same time. This article could give the reader important knowledge into a part of the internship and the history related with it. If the author played his cards right and wrote the story well with some research material behind him, he could make a very deep article that could grab readers and make them enjoy the text.


2. "1) I'm thinking about doing one on a cat's/dog's POV. As how they feel once they come into the hospital. Scared, worried, whatever."


This pitch could make the article place the reader in a different point of view (in this case, the PoV of the animal involved in the story). It also hints at the author's internship and her passion for animals. The author needs to be careful to make the reading reflect a bigger concept. I really like the idea of twisting a point of view to make a big point about society.


3. "3. Although dentists are usually seen as scary horrific people, they are actually some of the hero's of the world." 


This article pitch has the potential to bring a new thought to the reader. Not that all of the readers will hate dentists, but informing the reader with information about dentists and internship experience at a dentist office could make for a good article. I like the idea of clearing the bad light of dentists and bringing them into a good light for the public.

Semester 2, blog 5

1. People work in society. In some instances, people tend to be more "robotic" than human in their work. They work, coming to and fro, almost like bees, buzzing along and working for the hive. Here is a point of view from an intern working with insects, and what he says looks alike between bees and the human race.

2. Every want to know what it would be like to work at the San Diego Natural History Museum? Ever want to get a taste of behind the scenes work with insects in the Entomology Department? Then this article is for you!

3. Work. Everyone must go through it. Question is, where to begin? One young man went through an internship experience to learn what 'work' really is. In his article, Tomas Pena will articulate his experience and how it has helped him to understand work.

Semester 2, Blog 4

http://www.NaturalNews.com/031082_iPhone_pollution.html
This article is inspiring because it has information about a big issue, and even though it touches up only a little on the issue, it creates big thoughts for the reader. It also implies that some action needs to be taken (such as not purchasing Apple products regularly or keeping an eye on Apple in case something else environmentally un-friendly occurs.) This is also a reminder of how society is degrading the environment with industry.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/14/web-of-popularity-weaved-by-bullying/?ref=health
This article talks about school bullying and how it doesn't follow the stereotypical rule of 'Bully picking on the Nerd'. It talks about more of the social hierarchy in schools and how bullying can occur between rival students. It also concludes quotes from professionals on the subject (which I think is good for structure and perspective).

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/health/15brain.html?ref=health
This article is about whether or not surgery should be done for OCD patients and patients of other psychological diseases. It includes both pro point of view and con point of view. Supplying both sides gives the ready a better understanding of the situation (although there is always support for a certain side later on in pro/con articles)

Semester 2, Blog 3

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/684923/an_interview_with_famous_forensic_scientist.html?cat=17

The interviewer started with a great intro that got me hooked, and the engine is written well about that Forensic Scientist's work, and what motivates him in his work.

It starts with a conclusion and brings the reader perspective of the interviewer and the interviewee. It also goes into a description of the work that the interviewee has done. The interview goes in a question-answer format

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8599597

The interview had a great engine throughout the entire story about JK Rowling's perspective in making her Harry Potter books and her social life. Big thoughts went through my mind and I really gained Rowling's perspective.

It begins with an excellent intro, and it goes through a question-answer format, with both the interviewer and interviewee point of view involved. It has additional information in attalics throughout the interview, and content wise its structure is good.

Semester 2, Blog 2

I have read a little bit from the fable called "Our Iceberg Is Melting", by John Kotter. It tells about penguins who need to change where they live in order to survive.

What caught my attention from this tail is that many businesses who don't change usually cannot hold up very long against the changing economical and social environment. This is what the fable is trying to say, change is essential to survival. I have had a couple of chats about it recently even before reading the book and it seems to be essential and applicable to several situations.