An Imperial Message

This parable by Kafka is written simply, yet is almost impossibly difficult to fully understand. I think that this story is open to many different interpretations, because Kafka never really explains his true purpose to us. I found it interesting that he wanted to destroy these writings before he died, but they were still published after his death.
I think that Kafka is playing on the idea that humans are distant or removed from God in this lifetime. If the Emperor represents God in this story, then he is claiming that God is dead, or dying. But in what sense? Does he mean that God is dead in our eyes, or that he literally does not exist? I think Kafka is trying to tell us that if God had a message for us, humankind would not be able to grasp it or comprehend it in its full complexity and true nature. I think he is also saying that it is impossible to reach every person and make them understand your message, or whomever's message it may be. The "Emperor's messenger" is running a hopeless race in trying to deliver the "message" to all of the world. Kafka says it well when he states that the "world [is] crammed to bursting with its own refuse". There is a lot of crap in this world that people get stuck or slowed down in, inhibiting them from noticing the true nature of the world around them. It is impossible, in my opinion, to understand the full spectrum of reality in the current human condition.
Many figures in history have played the role of "messenger" in many different ways. Some were messengers of peace and justice, others messengers of death and destruction. But I think Einstein said it best; "Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods".

Discrimination is a Virtue

"Discrimination is a Virtue" is an article which discusses how so many people do not understand the true definition of the word discrimination. This essay by Robert Miller explains how an "entire generation has grown up believing that "discrimination" means "racism"". He further details the idea that our culture has become obsessed with the idea of equality for all people. In almost every aspect of our society, including education and politics, we try not to draw any lines between students as well as candidates.
When it comes to the Democratic presidential nomination race, little is said about the candidates' policies in the media. Their focus tends to be on skin color or gender instead of the actual issues. For example, how many people know that Barack Obama is actually opposed to gay marriage, although he does support civil unions? In general, many people seem to think that because women or black people have been "discriminated" against in the past, no real discrimination is needed in where they should place their vote. Assuming anything about a candidate based on race or gender is not fair to the candidates. We need to understand that Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are two very different people with different policies. Don't get on the bandwagon with so many others and vote for one or the other based on some clouded bias.

Argument Visual

This graph shows the major producers of hydroelectric power in the United States. The Bureau of Reclamation is responsible for the power generated by the Colorado River Storage Project. The graph explains that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is second in power generation only to the U.S Army Corps of Engineers. This is relevant to my paper because it shows how much of a role the Bureau plays in providing power to the country. Without this source of power, alternative methods would have to be found. These would include less clean sources such as the burning of coal.

Prospectus Questions/Concerns

1. Although the author takes an even-handed approach to the subject of plagiarism, he or she does not give their personal opinion on the subject. Should this be included in the prospectus?

2. The author could have done a better job of explaining the topics he or she will be discussing in the introductory paragraph. Also, a well defined thesis in the introductory paragraph would help to round out the authors purpose.

3. The author needs to work on the transitions between paragraphs. Although the paper had a good tone, stronger transitions would have helped the paper flow more smoothly.

Black English

Baldwin makes a compelling argument regarding language in his essay "If Black English Isn't A Language, What Is?". Language is our most powerful tool as humans and is one of the few traits which distinguishes us from every other species on earth. Baldwin points out how much of a role language really plays in our personal and cultural identities as well as our view of the world around us. He claims that the language of the black culture in the United States is just as much of a language as the white man's English. He supports his claim well using historical evidence to describe the evolution of this language. The origins of black English are deeply rooted in our country's past and the decisions made by our forefathers. He reveals that when slave trading began in this country "blacks came to the United States chained to each other, but from different tribes. Neither could speak the other's language". Language is a tool born out of necessity, and Baldwin explains how this was also true for the blacks forced to come to America. He also explains the important role that black language and culture has played in every facet of our society.
Baldwin is explaining to us that this language is a window into the black culture as well as a revelation of the injustices and immorality faced by black people in the past. It reveals to us the underlying notion that American history has created some people that think "that they have nothing to learn from the poeple of a country that has managed to learn so little".
Overall, this author does a good job of using historical evidence as well as a powerful sense of ethos brought on by his credibility in the subject to persuade the audience.

Dihydrogen Monoxide

At first glance DHMO.org may seem like a perfectly normal website with a respectable cause. The writer is extremely creative with the way he explains the "dangers" of dihydrogen monoxide. He makes sure to stay extremely vague with his explanation of the supposed research done on the chemical. They say things such as "dihydrogen monoxide is the major component in acid rain" and "thousands die each year after inhaling dihydrogen monoxide". Although both of these statements are true, their purpose for writing it this way is to scare people into thinking that this is a lethal chemical. But with about thirty seconds of research from an outside source we find that this is a complete hoax. Dihydrogen monoxide is nothing more than a fancy name for H2O, water. The first suspicious thing I noticed about the site is the non-functional links on the page. Not only are most of these links pages created by the same group, but half of them don't even work. Also, there is no way to contact anyone from the "Environmental Assesment Center" given on the homepage or any other. This site is obviously unreliable in every way, except for a good laugh.
I have to admit that when I first began to read over the website, I didn't think anything was too odd about the website. When the common person reads over a name like "dihydrogen monoxide" they assume they are being given the scientific term for some horrible chemical they know nothing about. This website plays on the gullibility that so many people succumb to when they don't think critically and don't look at an outside resource. I wonder how many people have actually bought items from this site without realizing what they were buying!?

"Middle-Schoolers Get the Pill"

An article from "The Week Daily" website explained that a school board in Portland, Maine, passed legislation to allow students between the ages of eleven and thirteen to receive birth control pills with permission from their parents. The idea of children being sexually active at the age of eleven is a touchy and controversial subject no matter which side of the argument you are on. Both sides make valid points to support the validity of their arguments.
The majority of conservatives agree that it is immoral for people to be having sex at such a young age. Their evidence includes the fact that their has been an increase in underage pregnancies as well as sexually transmitted diseases throughout the years. A counterargument to this might be the idea of providing condoms as well as birth control pills to prevent pregnancy and disease from occurring in young people.
Liberals claim that conservatives are being too "puritanical" with their beliefs and think that these kids should at least be given the option of birth control if they decide to make that choice. The Boston Globe also stated that the school is not just handing the pills over to girls but stated that they must "first travel a long-even arduous-road of counseling. Their is evidence to support the fact using that using protection does decrease the possibility of pregnancy as well as transmission of disease, but certain perspectives are overlooked in regards to this argument.
One theory overlooked is the idea that providing students with condoms contraceptive pills at such a young age can actually lead to an increase in sexual activity. The logic behind this theory is that kids are easily persuaded, and that if they are given these instructions by teachers and parents, they may be persuade to believe that it is a cultural norm for people their age to be having sex. This in turn could cause them to become sexually active at a premature age whether they are interested or not.