P.O.W ?

     Hypothetically, let's pretend that I am a part of the United States armed military and I am on a mission. To capture and obtain information on IED bombs in the Iraqi area. I go on day by day hoping not to suffer a loss or do something I may regret. Unfortunately this did not happen. My squad ran around a house where we found IED bombs in the floor. The residents are captured and held as Prisoners of War. These terrorists are held captive and interrogated. They are sleep deprived and starved unless they give us information about another home in the area that also has IEDs in the floor tiles. Trying our best to maintain order and respect to these "men", but they do make it hard as they curse our name and country, while at the same times spitting at our feet. Any harm that come to these people could prove dangerous to our mission. Our own country may find us as savages, or scum because of the things we may have to do to get the information we need, to keep them safe. Pressure builds, patiences is thinning, not able to take one more insult, one man of my troop backhand slaps one of the captives. He looks wide eyed and then starts telling us where the IEDs are located in the next home down the road. Though it may have been wrong, it was necessary to get what we needed to finish the mission... Getting the image of the face was burned into my head. It's hard to think about, even hypothetically, much less think about how soldiers right now are experiencing this, and are thought of as lower than scum. The pressure would get to them, but torture is varied.     

The Game Called Life.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://img.brothersoft.com/screenshots/softimage/c/call_of_duty-_black_ops_-_prestige_edition_trailer_hd-395423-1282125110.jpeg&imgrefurl=http://www.brothersoft.com/games/call-of-duty-black-ops-prestige-edition-trailer-hd.html&usg=__fuBYfQkUVfM7dqys-EB4NzCqPCI=&h=720&w=1280&sz=151&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=K9wKPPTVbpG6pM:&tbnh=132&tbnw=193&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcall%2Bod%2Bduty%2Bblack%2Bops%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1018%26bih%3D682%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=109&vpy=233&dur=131&hovh=168&hovw=300&tx=193&ty=99&ei=kGEBTeb1MIH58Aai57zoAg&oei=kGEBTeb1MIH58Aai57zoAg&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0
     It seems as though many games in this generation are based off of war and shooting. Games such as "Call Of Duty" and the alien war game of "Halo". These games take the intensity of battling in war, and transfers them to a controlled universe where when you take a bullet for a comrade, you can just hit "reset" or you will spawn again in another area. Sadly we all know that in life and real war, this does not happen. Due to these games, some young children have violent anger spasms or signs of aggression in their daily lives. Some people might say that games like this should not be even made because of the violent content. All though these are the same people who BUY their six year old child the violent game, when the label says "M for mature". These games are made for mature ages because for them, it is an activity to do when they have free time, and relives some stress. As apposed to the six year old child that is playing it twenty-four seven every day. Though these games are somewhat educational as they give players the ability to see into a war infected area. Even as the player goes throughout the game, they are only playing a "simulation" of actual battle for their life. So violent war based games to a point do diminish some feelings and violence of ACTUAL war. I personally think, that with the right boundaries of playing these games should still be allowed. Due to the fact that yes in reality these are just games, nothing more. An account of times the player may get even more intrigued and go look up history on the war they are doing battle in willfully just to get a better understanding of what they are up against. Also for those that wish to enter the military, though its not accurate as it could be, it could give a feel for battle overseas. It also gives players the ability to get out some post aggression and stress from their everyday life. The rate of players are high among high school students and college students as well. As the stress of school work and social pressure gets to them, they use the video games to escape and break free of their dilemmas for a couple for hours. Ever wonder how veterans would view these games ? Well I would think that they would either appreciate and tell their grandchildren of the stories that the games reminded them of, or they would be insulted because people are just playing without seeing and experiencing the true feeling of losing your companion to a land mine or enemy soldier. You never know though, grandpa may surprise you and jump in the game with his PS3 controller and kick you and your online friends' butts ! Player- "Granpa how did you do that ? ",Grandpa- "I was the actual soldier this is based off of", Player- "Woah"

The Last Words Written...

     Back in World War 1, the communication lines were limited. All the soldiers could do to stay in contact with their families and loved ones, was to write letters. Looking at time now, it seems so ridiculous since we have our emails, UPS, FED-EX, Facebook, Twitter, text messaging, and all these technological ways to interact with one another in sheer seconds ! While as these dying or war heroes wrote, they didn't know if they would even live long enough to see a response as the letters took to nearly four to six weeks to arrive in the states and to return to sender. Sadly there was no "rush packaging" options back in the war. One letter I have viewed; "Well Aunt Jean, there is one person who will miss you on Christmas day and he is sitting in a digout wondering what you are all doing and wishing you the best of Christmasses and the happiest year of all.
Loving ????(Sean or Sam)". This poor soldier fighting on Christmas, and not knowing if it would be his last Christmas ever. Hoping to live just to get a reply from his Aunt. It's tragic how much they must've gone through, and to think, as his Aunt was reading this, she didn't know if he was still alive, or if he had perished in battle. Makes you appreciate the devices we have huh ?

Let's Take This To The Sky !

     Dogfights. One crazy way to battle, in the sky. With it just being a scary THOUGHT I'd hate to feel what it would have felt like to actually be fighting in a plane back in WWI. Though it also seems intense and adrenaline pumping. Just stop and think, what was going through the minds of the pilots back then ? Were they excited, or were they terrified, crapping their pants ? I would feel both terrified and excited simultaneously.  The spins, twirls, dives, etc all tricks one must learn to survive. Picture flying forward, head on, to another plane. Then hearing gun shots and firing back, maneuvering around just to stay alive and then circling back to take an offense. Many lives being lost in the process we mourn, as the survivors and heroes we all know, even those who died in battle remain heroes in our hearts. Being able to return from a battle like that must have made soldiers appreciate life so much more. I for one know I would have cherished everyday on if i had to encounter with another in the air behind a fighter plane.

The Scarface Of Imperialism

     Imperialism. One small word, but a huge impacting meaning. A nation overpowering another. This happens throughout our world, throughout history. One can find imperialism anywhere. Police, military, schools, but in this case, an example would be the movie Scarface. As the young Tony Montana acted by Al Pacino, comes from the overpowering and brutal nation of Cuba to the United States. He arrives in Miami, Florida, Vice Beach to be exact. Noticing that it is difficult to make an honest living on working, Al Pacino is motivated to being a big time gangster to be successful. In his revolutionary statement, "first you get the money, then you get the power, then you get the women" his words became his inspiration to keep on going. Soon after he started becoming a drug cartel. First working for a higher power which he helped build up by overpowering other cartels and other gangs into backing off their "sales" and "territory". At one point Tony Montana has a conversation with his friend he is moving up with, that also motivates him to keep going through their hard times: "I want whats coming to me" "Whats coming to you Tony ?" "The world chico, and everything in it". This small time gangster faces many challenges as he starts taking over other's businesses such as clubs and restaurants. Violence was definitely a key point as the higher power had larger and more powerful weapons to hold down their positions. Like many nations do today, they flaunt off their big and powerful weapons just so others would not dare to test them in combat. Sending messengers to their employers reminding them of their debts or making new deals and ties to benefit themselves. Tony Montana gets quite involved and builds his name up with others to not surprisingly take over his own boss. He established a relationship with the highest gangster he knew, and with his assistance, brought himself to power. Sounding familiar ? Many countries today do this also, "hitching a ride" with rising powers and finding themselves up there. Eventually, our little Tony grows up and is running his own show, calling the shots to his own people. He is now the largest and most powerful gangster in South Miami. With the name Scarface, due to the scar he received when he first arrived, he now rules over many other "nations" of gangs. Even having political power, so his lower mobsters can do their assignments without must trouble. But like all great powers, they rise, then fall. Tony Montana is found betrayed by one of his own. Being attacked in his own house, in the famous scene, he is sitting in his chair, waiting for the wave of mobsters to gun him down. As he lifts his weapon and says "say ello to my little friend" and starts firing off, not going down without a fight. While defending himself he watches as what he has worked so hard for and build up, is now crumbing in the massive number of bullets being shot around. Finally dying by taking the bullets flying, the great power has fallen, and a new will rise. Many countries have suffered the same type of faith, i.e. the Greeks, the Romans, Trojans, and so on. Imperialism lives today, and will continue to live, and power is great and one must always obtain it. Sadly history will continue to repeat itself and also show the powers rising, and falling. Question is.. whose the next Scarface? And who will be their assassin ?




Image source;
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.wallpaperpimper.com/wallpaper/Movies/Scarface/Scarface-1-1024x768.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.wallpaperpimper.com/wallpaper/download-wallpaper-Scarface-size-1024x768-id-137210.htm&usg=__ZHPckREOgLbAfMoXt1IShTsTQzY=&h=768&w=1024&sz=86&hl=en&start=20&zoom=1&tbnid=fGpK0CAziLKfOM:&tbnh=160&tbnw=213&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dscarface%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1017%26bih%3D685%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:10,533&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=300&ei=h6TkTM-xBcGXnweivqT4BQ&oei=gKTkTNiRIoT68AbeytWkDQ&esq=2&page=2&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:20&tx=72&ty=17&biw=1017&bih=685

QueenLili !

QueenLili
Alls Good, Peeps Lookin' Fine, And Our Governments Movin' Up ^__^
01/14/1893 10:43AM

QueenLili
Oh ! We Have New American Settlers ! Enjoy Your Stay Guests :)
01/14/1893 3:56PM

QueenLili
The Americans Want Sugar Cane To Export Back Home, We Have Enough To Share !
01/15/1893 7:20AM

QueenLili
Okay Now The Americans Are Just Being Greedy, Trying To Take All Our Plantations...
01/15/1893 5:00PM


QueenLili
These Fools Think They Can Come Take Our Territory Like That ? Yeah Right ! TAX TIME ! >:)
01/16/1893 12:32PM

QueenLili
Maybe Taxing Wasn't Such A Great Idea... They Brought In The Marines... Gotta Turn Over The Land, It's Safest For Our Country -___-
01/17/1893 2:47PM

QueenLili
I Promise You My People, That I Shall Try To Negotiate Peacefully With These Barbarians In Getting Our Home Back !
01/17/1893 9:51PM

Need Some Death Work Done ? Call Up A West Indian !

     When building the Panama Canal, there was bound to be hardships. At first when the French began, the white Europeans died rapidly from violent rocks,to disease. Same dilemma the United States faced when we took over the construction. What many don't know was the use of West Indian workers. West Indian Countries, the "Caribbean" was closely located and full of people. French and Americans used that to their benefit, and took the people of other countries to work. For I descend from West Indian heritage, being Guyanese. Knowing that the term "West Indian" is rarely spoken for or even heard of. Theres not even a choice on standardized tests that say "West Indian", as they are so unheard of. But Americans and French know them, and had them do their dirty work. The dangerous work or building the Canal. Some carrying dynamite on their heads, others pushing through the construction site and digging. It's funny how stronger nations tend to bully those around them into doing things they would not put their own people to work for. How about some West Indian recognition ? Pretty sure they deserved it. As many deaths, French, American, and West Indians faced when building the Panama Canal. Racking up to about 25,000 deaths... 

Charlie And The Communist Factory.

     In The Communist Manifesto written by Karl Marx, he states two classes, the bourgeoise and the proletariats    . These two classes can relate to a common and lovable movie, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". The bourgeoise basically being the middle class suppressed by an even higher class, or Charlie, being unable to obtain the things he needs for his poor family. Also the proletariats, or the Ompa Lompas, as they are the workers for an even higher power. Finally the leader or highest power is Willy Wonka himself. In the Manifesto, it says that the bourgeoise try to step up and in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" the children that don't listen to Willy Wonka and go off to disobey and try the candy or taste the river. The factory itself is meant to be the utopia which Marx describes, a perfect world, self sufficient, and when something doesn't fit, remove it. It's amazing how concepts from The Communist Manifesto could be right in front of us, not even realizing it. 

Want To Overthrow Your Government ? Let Us Show You How !

     The School Of Americas was said to be established in Benning, Georgia in the United States. This school funded by tax payer dollars, was meant for one purpose, to train those in other countries how to overthrow their government and make them Pro-America ! How ridiculous is that ? I mean seriously, as if the United States didn't have enough expenses to worry about, and to get involved with other countries' government ? Yes it may have been in good cause to expand our country and get more bonds and peace makings, but the way it is built off of is insane. Taking a native of a Latin country, schooling them in the art of overthrowing, brainwashing them to be Pro-American, couldn't have been that well. For example, the well known dictator Noriega happened to be a graduate from this same school, and he successfully overthrew his government and took control, but his teachings backfired and he went power crazy. I don't think America should be having a school to teach others to overthrow their government, we're getting too involved with other countries when focusing on our own should be our main priority. So if you're in a Latin country and want to overthrow your government, just give us a call..

To Blog Or Not To Blog ?

         All through this quarter blogging has been a big part of our grade. Though it was a bit of a stress to keep up with them overall it was an interesting ordeal. Being able to have an assignment where all we have to do is type is a little easier or I should say better suited for our generation's learning potential. Using the fact that students spend most of their time anyways online, creating assignments on a social network they can easily access really intrigued them. It was exciting to blog. Blogging helped getting emotions and ideas out in a none aggressive manner. Although as great the blogging assignments were, the weekly articles seemed a bit much. Having twenty blogs per quarter is totally reasonable, that I agree, but six hundred word weekly articles are somewhat overwhelming. I don't think that they should be gone completely, more like a suggestion to make the articles every two maybe three weeks ? Or even make it somewhat less words than six hundred words. Sometimes even, the article topics aren't something one can write six hundred words on. Yes it is challenging to write so much but writer's block occurs highly often. My blogging experience has been phenomenal I must say. Some topics were difficult to write, others were fairly easy, but then again it could be just my own premise on them. As long as we have twenty blogs per quarter is a great thing, because we can mix match blogs. Thank you Mr.Meechin for making only fourteen blogs due instead ! It wouldn't have been terrible to do twenty but fourteen blogs made life so much easier. I doubt this is six hundred words, but I have nothing else to say other than I am excited and looking forward to next quarter's blog topics and lessons !

Blogging With A Passion.

       Throughout the first quarter, many of the blog topics seems intriguing. Some more than others were fairly easier. But by far my favorite topic would probably be one of the first topics, the one that asked if History mattered. I mean it was such a controversial topic, that received so many different opinions on the same note. Different reasons on why it is or isn't. It gave us all a chance to express our voice and I mean face it, who doesn't want to be heard right ? All in all these topics were certainly something else, and definitely looking forward to next quarters' topics !

Blogs Vs. Paper ?

    Blogging is definitely a different experience compared to just plain writing assignments. It gave me a feeling to express my thoughts to the lessons. Also a better way to visualize and coexist with the activities in class. The only downfall about it is that some blog topics may not appeal to my eye or that I don't get the chance. The weekly articles are a bit overwhelming at times. But once i start writing it's pretty easy to let things flow and come out word by word. Seemingly it doesn't take as long to blog as it does to write, typing is like just another part of our generation because we're constantly on the computer or technology so typing is MUCH easier. Thank you Mr. Meechin for blogging assignments rather than journals ! 

History Lies.

    By the quote of "History is a lie commonly agreed upon" Voltaire has one simple meaning. He means that the history that is taught is basically those that agree that makes their own country looks better in the textbook. Students that are unaware think that we have the greatest country and that nothing bad has ever happened or that our founding fathers have never done anything against what they stand for. Yes the United States is an extravagant country, but there are lies that are told and should have some light shed upon them. There are adults in this country that have no idea what has truly occurred. Is this the kind of people we want walking around our land, uneducated and oblivious ?

Welcome To The United States !

   As the second industrial revolution sparked, so did the peak of immigration to the United States at the time. Citizens from all over the world started to migrate to the East or West coast of the States. One of the most used immigration centers is the one on Ellis Island. Though now all records have been digitally recorded, they still have kept the old records of past families and pictures. Looking through these documents you can tell that the families were nervous for their future in this country. Their new life began with some changing their last names, or just adjusting them. Others must've felt excited and anxious to begin anew on this country that has been rumored to "pave their streets with gold". Thinking that they'll become rich overnight can be a tricky thing. After realizing that life in the States wasn't as easy as they assumed it would be, some parents fled back to their home countries, but leaving behind their children, hoping that their future would be brighter and one day make something out of themselves and carry on the family name...

Six Word Story

  Family Of Six, Left With One

Workin' Hard Or Hardly Workin' ?

   Many of the factory employees worked much harder than we do today. They had hard times working, working from sun up to sun down. Hands and feet worn down, eye lids barely open, factory worker's jobs were their lives ! From the songs they sang describes their work days. "Song of the Shirt" is about a rough day, just to make a shirt. Nimble minds were hard to find, as all dreaded to even wake up and go to work. Their must have been just miserable. Waking up early to go to the factory; some even lived on the factory grounds. Working hard with little pay until late during the day and dragging themselves back home to do it all again in the morning. Because of these conditions, the whole labor laws have been established. Who knows where we'd be if those working lives followed us today ?

The Ol' Wild West

 During the episode of Gunsmoke the director portrays many Wild West stereotypes. The episode opens with the good old cowboy riding in on his noble steed. With the cowboy hats, belts, mustaches describes the ideal cowboy within the old town. Also having a saloon with a woman at the bar counter. The whole act of being a cowboy in the wild west is shown as a tough rouged man who owns the town. Once the public have seen things like this they assume thats how a cowboy really is or was. Not truly knowing the facts we as Americans follow the fact of television or media. A typical reason for why the TV series was so popular for its time is that the show presented what the audience wanted to see. Rough tough men as cowboys who take care of business and women who would do as told. The amount of drama and action scenes tributes to their success as the gun fights or standoffs is another stereotypical cowboy way to settle things. So we see that the cowboy has been portrayed into a strong manly man mainly because of our media showing us shows like Gunsmoke.

A Real Life Game.

  While playing the game of Oregon Trail, there are many matters where one can learn from. The game taught one first hand how choices while taking the trail effected everyone. How the families who traveled had a hard time. A teacher could go on and on about how bad or cruel it was for those families, but by engaging in the game, a student would obtain a better understanding. Sad truth, that some families never even made it to the West. Problems occurred such as sickness, starvation, restlessness, etc. Gaming is an activity many teenagers, even young adults enjoy participating in. So learning through gaming is possible if the said game is entertaining. As making their own decisions within the game to help grasp the feel of the lesson. Most students would learn better from it, as for others might not be effected by the different lesson. From my opinion lessons within gaming intrigues many and benefits students in more ways than one.

Were The Free Slaves Truely Free ?

   Back when the Union had successfully won against the Southern Confederacy in the Civil War, Lincoln had set the slaves free. This was a double edged dagger for the newly freed slaves. For one, they were free and granted American freedoms, but not having a penny to thier names and no where to go, they turned to the system of sharecropping. During the Reconstruction time period white land owners set up a system where many huts were scattered across his land and all black slaves rented part land, tools and such. To repay the landowner the once forced to work slaves had to relinquish half of thier grown crops to the landowner, and to add insult to injury, had to work by the landowner's command. Also not having the ability to leave one's home if there was work to be done. So were the free slaves REALLY free ? Seems to me that they were still slaves, just without the abusing which I'm sure some still recieved from an unhappy caretaker. Why even bother freeing the slaves if they were still stuck to the plantaion fields ? At least though, it was a step for Americans to accept African-Americans into America. Indeed these former slaves had a harsh time building up thier work but they did what was neccesary for thier families. So they took the work and the harassment a little more just with knowing that they were now freed, even though it was a covered freedom.

Goodmorning Forgiveness.

  As the Civil War ended President Lincoln had a thought to grant amnesty to the Southern Confederacy. I believe that such an act should not have been granted. Lincoln was generous, but sometimes he needs to know when enough was enough. Looking from his point of view, he wanted to keep the whole country together, so pardoning the Southerns he thought would have brought Americans together, but the Northern Union did not share Lincoln's optimistic view. They pictured it as, they had fought for the Northern Union's peace and all those sacrifices and miseries just so the Confederacy would get a slap on the wrist and be okay. Lincoln, in my opinion should have sentenced the leaders of the rebellion to an imense punishment of some sort, not just a general pardon. Presidents should be setting an example of why citizens should obey the law, because if the Confederates just got a slap on the wrist for a whole Civil War, others would think they could get away with minor crimes. Punishment was definitely in order for that crime of seccesion.

Union Vs. Slavery !

  Lincoln's main concern was truley to keep the Union together, because he wanted America to stay together ! Even though he also focused on abolishing slavery, he believed that the Union was far more important. If the Union was to fall apart, so would the whole concept of their Democratic society. Lincoln could have just put all his efforts into ending slavery, but without the Union or American society what good would it be ? As many presidents would see, that keeping the country together is one of the most important goals, if not the NUMBER ONE goal. So for those of you who think Lincoln should've focused on halting slavery, think; not having slaves yes, but also no America either... Think about it.

Stop Being So Stereotypical !

      Why are people believe in outrageous stereotypes ? I mean really, why are they so spread out ? Yes there are some sets of people who fit the stereotypes, and thats fine. But it's still not right to judge EVERY single person of that group, race, age, gender, just because a few fit that. It may be funny to see some random person who fits a stereotype, I admitt I would laugh too. An example, how students at one school may refer to some Puerto Ricans as "Mira Miras" because they are always saying that to get someone's attention. It may be amusing but it doesn't describe every Puerto Rican. Or even how America views Muslim, Islamic believers. The media has led to let Americans believe that all Muslims are terrorist when they're not. It's just ignorance that fuels these kind of obserities ! I believe that the stereotypes of all kinds have spread because we want to see things that suit us, or that we find amusing. It's wrong when it is taken too far and then ostracize one person because of a stupid stereotype. I say get to know a person before you judge them, and don't believe everything from media or people about stereotypes. How about you get up and find out for yourselves what some people are like, you might make a good friend, or even find that someone you've been looking for.

Is It Just Dust In The Wind ?

      People question, "Does history matter ?" The answer is varied. Some may think that it happened and let it go. Others choose to reconcile on those past events that made a difference. History DOES matter though. As many say "History repeats itself" wouldn't it be nice to know what has happened so we can try and prevent the wrong that has happened from happening again ?! As for just throwing history away like a scrap of food or something, it's more like throwing away a part of your own life. Do you know where you come from, do you know where your parents come from, whats the story behind your culture ? Ask those questions to any random person, most wouldn't be able to even answer those simple questions. As it seems most people treat history like it's nothing, like it's an inconvenience or like a tumble weed in an old western.. or even.. dust in the wind.

Should You Leave The Past Behind ?

   Many countries tend to leave out the embarrassing parts of their history. Question is, is it the right thing to do ? I think not. Every piece of history needs to be learned whether good or bad. How else will they learn from their mistakes ? Or how will they know where they have come from. Yes some events may be so terrible to recall, but is it not necessary to acknowledge "Yes this has happened, but we have grown and moved from that". Some officials may just see the negative about those things, but they should consider that, Hiding things from their citizens will cause mayhem as whenever they do learn, they will think the government has been lying and hiding items of interest from them and rebel. Therefore think about it, countries NEED to include every detail of their history in their learning facilities whether good or bad, even "the great nation" of The United States