Saturday, March 28, 2009
ESL?
The topic that I will explore is education in the United States in conjunction with ESL. My general position on ESL is that it does more harm than it does good. I feel that the best way for someone to learn anything is immersion. ESL harms our students by not forcing them to learn English quickly. I also think that ESL does more harm than good because it is a way of segregation. Many times it is even that the students need the ESL classes, but parents that enroll them in those programs. This forced segregation does not allow student to intermingle and learn from each other. Some students may need the ESL, but that does not mean that they need every class taught in their native language. I will need to explore this topic more, but feel that this will be an interesting topic.
Perspective
How is marital union legally defined? It's traditional definition and most widely accepted view of marriage is the legal union between a man and a woman. Conservatives point to biblical references to support the position that only the union between a man and a woman should be recognized by our culture as a valid marital contract. Is failing to recognize the marriage between homosexual couples in violation of their civil right?
Are the men and women we are selecting to serve and protect our rights and communities increasingly abusing their authority? How many times have we turned on the t.v., or read a story on the internet proposing an allegation of police brutality? Are officers accused of abuse being appropriately disciplined? Is the discipline distributed in these cases sending a positive or negative message to the public?
Are the men and women we are selecting to serve and protect our rights and communities increasingly abusing their authority? How many times have we turned on the t.v., or read a story on the internet proposing an allegation of police brutality? Are officers accused of abuse being appropriately disciplined? Is the discipline distributed in these cases sending a positive or negative message to the public?
Positions
What’s Done is Not Done
Bombarded by political and economic upheaval, I feel Americans are constantly being asked to comment, support, or disavow hard-line, domestic and international issues. Fear, intolerance, and abuse of power are the legacy of the Bush administration. Bush infamously made unprecedented restrictions on the Freedom of Information Act as well as took steps to shield the American public from negative coverage of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. In an attempt to manipulate the American people in to supporting a misguided war against “terror,” Bush’s administration engaged polices that defied coveted American civil liberties and institutionalized a system of overt religious and racial stereotyping.
The UnDo-It
Unlike former President Bush, Obama is actively encouraging an atmosphere of “transparency” in government. One of his first acts as president was to reverse the ban on photographing the caskets of America’s fallen soldiers on their return from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. These deeply patriotic images, previously withheld from public scrutiny, symbolize the sacrifices made by Americans and the true costs of war. Although some politicians and private citizens have expressed their grievances with these personal images being made public, I believe these images are crucial in maintaining national accountability for the cause and consequences of war. Our military veterans deserve to be cherished and honored by all Americans, in life and in death: they have all earned the respect to be acknowledged for paying the ultimate price for their country.
The Do-It
Similarly, a new controversy has arisen surrounding the name of what will be a multibillion dollar tower and memorial on the site of the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. Formerly referred to as “Freedom Tower,” the new tower, to be unveiled in 2013, will now be known by its’ legal name, “One World Trade Center.” Citizens and public officials are up in arms and consider the name change an affront to the memories of the victims of 9/11 as well as a symbol of broken promises made to the city shortly after this American tragedy. The destruction of the World Trade Center by terrorist acts became the pillar for which Bush placed his argument for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Therefore, the rebirth of the new tower is aptly named, “One World Trade Center.” The tower’s new name does not diminish the memories of those caught in this tragedy. In fact, by maintaining its former identity it will represent the American precepts that dissenters to our values attempted to jeopardize on that grievous day.
The Didn’t Do-It
The Guantanamo Bay military detention facility will be closed. What will come of the detainees? Do they deserve the same right of due process that American citizens are afforded? Yes: it is the law. The truth is, under the Bush administration, prisoners of “the war on terrorism” have not been afforded the rights established by US Law and international guidelines established by the Geneva Convention. Due to the perversion of US and International laws, hundreds of detainees held at Guantanamo Bay have not been brought to trial. It has also been determined by US military and CIA officials that many detainees are innocent civilians mistakenly swept up in U.S. military raids. Regardless of the facts provided by his own advisors, Bush remained stalwart that every prisoner held at Guantanamo was a threat to American security. As a result, potentially hundreds of innocent men have been held imprisoned for years. If to save but one innocent man, the Guantanamo Bay detainees deserve to face their accusers in an American court of law.
Bombarded by political and economic upheaval, I feel Americans are constantly being asked to comment, support, or disavow hard-line, domestic and international issues. Fear, intolerance, and abuse of power are the legacy of the Bush administration. Bush infamously made unprecedented restrictions on the Freedom of Information Act as well as took steps to shield the American public from negative coverage of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. In an attempt to manipulate the American people in to supporting a misguided war against “terror,” Bush’s administration engaged polices that defied coveted American civil liberties and institutionalized a system of overt religious and racial stereotyping.
The UnDo-It
Unlike former President Bush, Obama is actively encouraging an atmosphere of “transparency” in government. One of his first acts as president was to reverse the ban on photographing the caskets of America’s fallen soldiers on their return from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. These deeply patriotic images, previously withheld from public scrutiny, symbolize the sacrifices made by Americans and the true costs of war. Although some politicians and private citizens have expressed their grievances with these personal images being made public, I believe these images are crucial in maintaining national accountability for the cause and consequences of war. Our military veterans deserve to be cherished and honored by all Americans, in life and in death: they have all earned the respect to be acknowledged for paying the ultimate price for their country.
The Do-It
Similarly, a new controversy has arisen surrounding the name of what will be a multibillion dollar tower and memorial on the site of the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. Formerly referred to as “Freedom Tower,” the new tower, to be unveiled in 2013, will now be known by its’ legal name, “One World Trade Center.” Citizens and public officials are up in arms and consider the name change an affront to the memories of the victims of 9/11 as well as a symbol of broken promises made to the city shortly after this American tragedy. The destruction of the World Trade Center by terrorist acts became the pillar for which Bush placed his argument for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Therefore, the rebirth of the new tower is aptly named, “One World Trade Center.” The tower’s new name does not diminish the memories of those caught in this tragedy. In fact, by maintaining its former identity it will represent the American precepts that dissenters to our values attempted to jeopardize on that grievous day.
The Didn’t Do-It
The Guantanamo Bay military detention facility will be closed. What will come of the detainees? Do they deserve the same right of due process that American citizens are afforded? Yes: it is the law. The truth is, under the Bush administration, prisoners of “the war on terrorism” have not been afforded the rights established by US Law and international guidelines established by the Geneva Convention. Due to the perversion of US and International laws, hundreds of detainees held at Guantanamo Bay have not been brought to trial. It has also been determined by US military and CIA officials that many detainees are innocent civilians mistakenly swept up in U.S. military raids. Regardless of the facts provided by his own advisors, Bush remained stalwart that every prisoner held at Guantanamo was a threat to American security. As a result, potentially hundreds of innocent men have been held imprisoned for years. If to save but one innocent man, the Guantanamo Bay detainees deserve to face their accusers in an American court of law.
Position Paper Ideas
Marines Corps Quality vs. Quantity
I would like to express the ramifications of increased quotas for the Marine Corps and its effect on who is recruited and who is retained through boot camp. Less numbers would be far more effective, because dropping the weaker links (or transferring them to a job in which they would not endanger their fellow Marines) would make a more effective force, and a less dangerous situation in training and in combat. Some people were not meant to handle weapons and those individuals certainly should not be placed in chaotic situations with them, for their own good and for those around them. When writing my paper, I would like to touch on the mental, physical, and emotional requirements that are turned a blind eye to in order to meet quotas. I will also explain what few quality control methods are in place and what makes them so flawed.
Firearm Control
Firearms are obviously misused on far too many occasions, and as a result of this, stricter gun control is a must. But not by wiping them off the face of the earth (an impossibility) or taking them away from responsible citizens. There must be extensive safety training required before purchasing a firearm, and much longer sentences placed on crimes involving firearms. Also, there needs to be more limitations on where they are allowed, and who is allowed to conceal them. And I would also try to rebuke those who say assault rifles in particular should be banned, considering they are used less than other rifles and pistols in violent crimes.
Lowering the legal drinking age
I also think this is a hot topic. It’s a hard one to decide on because no matter if a person is underage they will find a way to get alcohol. I don’t think it makes much sense to be able to smoke, purchase porn, vote and join the military at 18, but you can’t purchase alcohol until 21. There needs to be just one set age for everything and I’m not sure if 18 is the age. I think the military is a good thing for high school graduates that really have a passion to make the military their career, but as far as the rest it doesn’t make sense.
Assisted Suicide
Is assisted suicide right? I’m currently an LVN working toward my bachelors in nursing which makes healthcare topics important to me. I’ve seen patients in their last days of life and I don’t think they are mentally able to decide on a lethal injection. Depression is a big factor when it comes to suicide in general and there are medications that can treat depression rather that ending a life. Hospice is excellent at keeping patients comfortable and pain free during the end stages of life which makes it a more ethical decision over assisted suicide.
I also think this is a hot topic. It’s a hard one to decide on because no matter if a person is underage they will find a way to get alcohol. I don’t think it makes much sense to be able to smoke, purchase porn, vote and join the military at 18, but you can’t purchase alcohol until 21. There needs to be just one set age for everything and I’m not sure if 18 is the age. I think the military is a good thing for high school graduates that really have a passion to make the military their career, but as far as the rest it doesn’t make sense.
Assisted Suicide
Is assisted suicide right? I’m currently an LVN working toward my bachelors in nursing which makes healthcare topics important to me. I’ve seen patients in their last days of life and I don’t think they are mentally able to decide on a lethal injection. Depression is a big factor when it comes to suicide in general and there are medications that can treat depression rather that ending a life. Hospice is excellent at keeping patients comfortable and pain free during the end stages of life which makes it a more ethical decision over assisted suicide.
Should we make a big deal if...
Here I sit thinking of all the issues we should be concerned about. I have read the other posts by my fellow classmates, and may I say good ones !! This is what I am writing about today. Should we make a big deal if President Obama makes an appearance on The Tonite Show? In the interview he made a remark about his bowling skills and the special Olympics. When I awoke the next morning it was all over the news. Yes it was a silly unnecessary comment, he is human, and we all slip up. With the war going on, the economy, the missing children in the nation, the homeless, the elderly not able to afford to live, is it really that huge to make it front page news, all day long. Reporters and news teams, have they NEVER EVER slipped up on camera? We expect our President to be flawless, he is not. By no means should any political official engage in illegal activity, but human we all are. Locally in North County all that air time should of been spent showing the picture of the 14 year old girl from Escondido and her missing since Feburary.
Should we?
Should current victims/survivors rights at parole hearings be retained under California Law?
Victims/survivors have the right to attend their perpetrators parole hearings under strict guidelines. The District Attorneys’ offices work diligently on pertinent issues with public awareness on the increase. Do retain as an appropriate recognition of the victims/survivors integral part in this process..
Should it become mandatory for pedestrians to wear highly visible reflective material at night?
Many pedestrians assert their pedestrian privilege unaware of how invisible they are to the driver at night. A yea position and enactment of subsequent code would increase public safety and pedestrian awareness on this issue.
Anne H.
Victims/survivors have the right to attend their perpetrators parole hearings under strict guidelines. The District Attorneys’ offices work diligently on pertinent issues with public awareness on the increase. Do retain as an appropriate recognition of the victims/survivors integral part in this process..
Should it become mandatory for pedestrians to wear highly visible reflective material at night?
Many pedestrians assert their pedestrian privilege unaware of how invisible they are to the driver at night. A yea position and enactment of subsequent code would increase public safety and pedestrian awareness on this issue.
Anne H.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)