Censroship NOT Progression

Does censoring Americans freedom of speech allow the government to hide certain plans from the public? Maybe but it is certainly stopping America from progressing. The government continues to censor people’s voices. This censorship allows the government to limit the type and amount of information the public can obtain. This is what happened in both the Civil and Cold wars, when the government stopped the Presses right to publish what they wanted to publish. This allows the government to do what it likes without opposition, like when Colin Powell did not tell the truth to United Nations. If there were to be no freedom of speech, then there would be no checks and balances. If the reason the government says that they are suspending freedom of speech is to keep us safe, then look no further then what Benjamin Franklin said "They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security"

How Do You People Read?

When people are bringing up quotes in class, I do not know how they found them? When I read a book I only seem to pick up on the big picture and never seem to pick up on the themes in the book. For instance, I never picked up on the certain colors or the eye references while I was reading The Great Gatsby. The first time I picked up on it was in class when Mr O'Connor tells us about them. I do not know whether it is that I read too fast or am not careful enough? But either way I am not denying that they are there.

Flags of Our Heroes

This picture has a totally different meaning than any other flag because it shows the ultimate sacrifice for your country. It also shows the ultimate respect for the flag. In fact it used to not be allowed for the media to take pictures of flag draped coffins until Barack Obama recently allowed it.

Introduction

"In mercenaries dastard is most dangerous; in auxiliaries, valour. The wise prince, therefore, has always avoided these arms and turned to his own" Machiavelli said in The Prince. (62) Yet the United States has not heeded this advice, and instead has increasingly turned to private military contracts to take over military jobs. The United States says they use private military contracts because the size of the military has shrunk, it is economically efficient, and the contractors are trained in special areas.

What to write about

While I was reading the articles for my junior theme, I got to thinking how and what type of information I was going to use for my paper. When answering the question: Why does the U.S. privatizing the military? I was wondering if I should talk about the pros ad cons of each side. Also, if I should write about the history of private armies that does not pertain to the United States. I was also wondering if I should look for someone to interview who has a hand in the military or private military, or whether I should ask some one who wrote about the subject.

Racism Is Over

While we were talking about the letter to the New Trier School Board Jillian said something to the effect of the school board should have banned Huck Finn no matter the race of the person writing the letter. This got me thinking about how ever since Barack Obama became a major candidate for president everyone thinks that since we have an African-American running for president racism is over. This is just simply not the case. For one, he has gotten many letters himself threatening his life from racist people. Also, to believe that one African-American person can change the image of an African-American is preposterous. It certainly helps there image but it does not change instantly. This myth of progress, which Obama has so nicely tapped into, has made people believe that we have slowly but surely overcome racism, and now everyone is equal. Clearly we need to rethink this because not everyone is equal, men and women are not equal Black, Hispanic, White, Asian, no one is equal.

What Projectors Are Projecting?

While we were talking about the things that our school puts up. That's when it hit me, I was looking right at it. The projection screens say something about our school to. They say New Trier is a progressive school, with technology that will help foster our students education. It also says that we are better because most schools in the country do not even have any projectors.

Dark Knight Cobwoy

While I was reading the log post about cowboy presidents and later saw the Oscars, I got to thinking about how that Cowboy image shows up in the movie. At the end of the movie the Joker says something to the effect of if you do not want to play my game leave the city. This is like the image of former President Bush the cowboy telling Saddam to leave Iraq within 48 hours. I think that this image attributed to the movie being so popular because the American public can not get enough of that image of the wild wild west.

NFL and Pedigree

When I was watching the Pro bowl today, I saw a commercial for the dog product pedigree. It talked about how people should adopt dog from shelters. All I could think about was how the NFL is angling to make themselves look good. Especially before Michael Vick is released and probably reinstated into the league. Which will cause a uproar from animal rights activists. I think the NFL is just watching out for themselves as a business, and will point to this when they reinstate Vick. Just as people say they are not racist because they have African-American friends; the NFL will say that they are helping the cause because they have a sponsorship with Pedigree