Issue with Rape in Congo

When watching that clip of Congo, I realized how rape has become such a big issue. I feel really bad about what had happened to these women and children. Those men don't deserve to live and they should be punished. I'm proud that America is caring about Congo and has made it reality to America. But How about all the girls in America, did we forget about them. We don't seem to make it a issue anymore or to even seem to care anymore. I have a friend who has been raped and didn't tell her parents. She lives everyday dealing with the fact that she may never be able to tell her parents or even get justice. We as in America has forgotten about girls who are being raped, even behind closed doors. We must not turn our heads on this issue and we should stand up and do something for both America and Congo.

Congo

Watching this video clip left me speechless. What upsets me is that so many men rape all these women like its something normal. Not only that, but they also rape young children. That is so wrong. I think these women are so strong for continuing on with their lives after being raped and hurt in such horrible ways. These women must feel so thankful for good people like the doctor who help them to recover from what they have been through. Even I feel thankful that the doctor is there to help them. It was good to see that these women got help after their rape and even given an education that will help them to get a job.

Tragedy in Congo

I can not fully explain how I feel after watching this video clip. I cried my eyes out the entire time I was watching it. It is terrifying that this is going on in the year 2009. I feel powerless and sad. I can't believe the tragedies these women have faced. And who are these "people" doing this to them? What is wrong with them? How did they become so hateful and violent? The have no shame and no heart. I can't believe they could do these things to children so young! I have intentionally blocked out that part of the video. I can't think about these horrible things happening to children while I'm here not being able to do anything about it. I feel terrible about every time that I've complained about my a/c not working, or the heavy traffic leaving Lahaina. I can't believe I've complained about such petty things while there is real horror happening to innocent people all over the world.

Rape in Congo

This was a very deep news clip. I was very touched and torn by the different stories that were told. I cannot understand how these so called solidiers can do what they have done over and over again and never gets fined or sent to jail. These rapist are horrible people. As for the Doctor he is more than just a doctor to keep on doing what he does for these women. They are so blessed to have such a person on their side. I am also please that there are others who want to help these women make a difference in their lives. I do hope that one day rape will be no more not only in Congo but everywhere.

Trash Art and Awareness

Some of the things that were going through my mind while watching the video about the man who takes pictures of trash. He labels it as art, but hopes to convey so much more. He wants people to realize the ammount of trash that accumliates in the world, and how truely shocking and disturbing it is. Seeing how much trash we produce, and how dependent we've all become on plastic, batteries, and other items was really shocking. This artist really evokes emotion and makes you really thing about the magintutde of how much waste us humans create.

Rape in the Congo

The footage of "Rape in Congo", is unexplainable to describe in words how I feel about it. I really can't believe what I saw. I could never imagine that a horrific thing could happen in this world and nothing do anything about it. How can nobody want to help? Men in Congo who leave their wives whom have been rape are very hopeless. It is very sad to hear that the men leave their wives because of them being raped. They should except the fact that it happen and be there for them. The men who rape discuss me. They are cruelest men alive. They don't even care one bit. I hate the fact that they let the family witness the rape and they don't even care about how old the person is. Alot of women are being raped and I can't believe that the government isn't doing anything. The women whom are in recovery are very strong and I am very proud that they are doing things to better there life. I really think that the government in Congo have make a law for raping because it is not normal to have rape being done. The women can get very well sick and brained wash. The rape can never be forgotten but could be prevented so that way no other women can get raped.
By Kristelle

Congo

I think that this issue is very important to take a stand in. It is horrible how the women and children are being treated there. I don't think that they should have to go through these horrid situations, it isn't right or fair. It is unfortuate for them especially because they have to deal with the consequences such as disease or even raising a child, even though it wasn't their fault. The fact that the criminals don't even get punished for it is unthinkable. I can't even express how much anger it stirs up in me. I am very thankful that raping is not a very big issue where we live. I can feel comfortable traveling by myself without having the fear that someone might rape me. I think that this should be the feeling that all women have in their home countries, so that they can do whatever they want and not feel scared.

airport security

I thought that the clip about airport security was very enjoyable. I don't believe that we are as safe as we can be in airports or airplanes. I mean yes, they have reduced the amount of liquid that we can carry but that does not necessarily keep up from danger. They don't even know what kind of liquid it is. They don't have the equipment to detect if it would be harmful or not. Like the lady in the video said, two people can combine the liquid they bring onto the plane and cause a lot of damage. To the idea that we are letting everyone know what is going on in our airports does not help either. They could come up with other ways to bring harmful things on planes. I think that airports should up their equipment to find weapons and dangerous powders and liquids.

Rape in the Congo

Watching this video was extremely disturbing for me. Being raped and even mutilated is horrible, but in front of your family and even friends? It makes me thank god that I live in America. There are so many things that is wrong with what is going on in the Congo and it makes me scared for the women and children there.

The fact that some of these women can't even control their bodily functions after these horrible rapes is shocking, and it made me think "What are these women left with? Their husbands have left, they may have diseases, and they're likely carrying a child that belongs to the people who did this all to them."

Besides hearing about the mutilation, one of the most disturbing things was that the rapists literally run their asylum. After committing such a crime, these people aren't even being punished for it. What is the world coming to?

These people need help. Something needs to be done.

Rape in Cong

This was not easy for me watch.. But much more harder for those women, who are going through dealing with being violated physically and mentally. Now traumatized for life. These women and children are not just being raped but mutilated and put on display for the community to watch this happen to them. My heart hurts for them. This has been happening way to long. Why haven't the united states step in to protect these people? Thank goodness for Pence hospital and the doctor who is there to support and help them heal emotionally and physically, what a blessing.

Rape in Congo

I feel this is repulsive and abnormal. I mean, why rape a 3 year old or a 70 year old? Why rape period? Why numerous amounts of women been raped? Just because the soldiers are jaded they shouldn’t rape women, especially the ones they are trying to protect. By raping them, you’re obliterating them, so there really isn’t any motive for soldiers after that. These soldiers should be disciplined and put into prison or something. These women have been slashed, shot and things were injected up their privates, and even I would be praying that I didn’t get HIV as well. Dr. Maquage, or however you spell it, seems like a miracle worker to these women, like he and the organizations that are trying to help are their safe zones. Why have a prison if there are no guards and gates to keep the prisoners in? Citizens in Congo get away with anything; their prison seems like a play ground instead of a prison. Thank God for the organizations wanting to lend a helping hand. The only positive aspect to this is that these women are now being educated.

Distruction in congo

I am unsure how to react. My heart screams for the people of that nation. Women, Men, Children. How can we treat each other in such a manner to where we are subjected to such terror on a daily. Who or What is to blame? How come the US wont steep in and stop this CRAZYNESS. america is sort of known for jumping in everyone's so called problems... Where we have a major issue here. I had no idea about the kind destruction to the mind body and soul going out there. I thought my life was bad Im not even sure if im strong enought to live in such terror... much respect to the surviiers who are strong enough to keep going and finding the hope

Rape in the Congo News

My heart goes out to all the women and their families who have been abandoned by their country. How with all those brutal rapes and murders nothing can be done to protect any of them? I empathize with that mother of two who was raped by six soldiers while her brother was forced to watch and when he was told to rape his sister and he refused was stabbed to death. She was enslaved for 8 months not knowing where her children were. She escapes and finds out shes pregnant. She has the baby and names her Luck. I am not able to endure such madness. To watch someone that close to me get raped and not be able to do anything about it. I would probably take my own life. The youngest rapped was 3 years old and oldest 75. Whats wrong with this world today. It's crazy. This is when I have to sit back, take a deep breath and be grateful for what I have. I have both my parents, 4 daughters, a job, a car, and I am going to college. Sometimes I have a hard time to be grateful for my own selfish reasons. This was a real eye opener for me. It is one of my nightmares with 4 girls. To keep them protected at all times is my number one goal. I will do anything in my power to make sure they are safe. This is when I am really proud to be part of the United States and live in Hawaii. Its not all perfect, but it beats living in Congo. I got to send my love out to that doctor out there who risk alot to keep these women sane and put them all back together. What would they do without him?

The Landlord

Absolutely NOT!!! First the Bible then internet! people when are we going to start thinking for ourselves? Arent there ideas and feelings that should not be censored? If people dont agree with the contents of what ever there reading or watching. WELL then hit the red box to close the window. NOW I do think there should be age censoring on the type of media the youth should parttake in. HOWEVER how can parents be mad when its the very same television that has raised a lage percent of america's youth. I thought the video was GREAT! good old american humor.

Landlord

I decided to choose The Landlord. No, I don't think that the information on the web should be censored. It is a great and much easier resource to find information. I did find the video very humorous and entertaining. Everyone has a choice to whether or not they would like to watch videos like "The Landlord". If you are afraid of children watching them, then it is possible to limit what they see. There are ways to block certain sites on the internet.

I wanted to post this to everyone, especially those who wrote about the Toxic Island. I noticed a lot of people were shocked because they didn't realize this was happening. I agree that the obvious solution is to recycle. I also wanted to point out that the best solution sometimes is prevention. I was in Kmart the other day, and the guy checking me out put my two bottles of bleach in their own separate bags. I thought to myself, "why do I need a plastic bag? The freakin thing has a handle!" The bottle itself is not environmentally sound, why add on top of it? Every day there is so much waste being thrown into the earth without a thought as to what could be done differently.

I have some suggestions to those of you who were appalled by the video clip you saw in class... 1) Reuse all glass jars... don't toss 'em. Don't "recycle" 'em. Re-use 'em!" Cut down on the amount of plastic tupperware you buy, by reusing glass spaghetti sauce jars, pickle jars, baby food jars, etc. Anything glass is safer for you and the earth. Just boil them for 3 minutes after you empty them and voila! You have a clean, safe, non-polluting container for free! 2) If you don't need a bag, don't be afraid to say so. A bag of dog food does not need to be put in yet another bag... no need! Same with a pack of diapers or a container of laundry detergent... they have handles! And yet every grocery clerk instinctively bags everything... don't be afraid to say, "hey... thanks, but I don't need a bag for that." 3) Bring your own bag.. every grocery store now sells reusable grocery bags. I have about 20 of them and still manage to forget them at times. Nevertheless, they are cheap, and even if you only use them one out of five times, you're cutting way down on polluting plastic materials. 4) I know a lot of people do this already, but the plastic bags you do come home with are awesome for bathroom or office trash bags, dog poop bags, car or camping trash bags etc. Think about how much waste could be avoided if every plastic bag was reused just once. Also, you can bring them to your local Farmer's Market, or Salvation Army, and they'll reuse them. Any more suggestions?? Post 'em!

Welcome to Walle World

My Wonderful trip to Walle World

The bulk of my house hold goods are provided to me by an International “Retail Giant” by the name Wallmart. I don’t really care if the products come from China. At this time in my life only one thing matters and that is how cheap can I by my daily essentials or whatever else is on the overly stocked shelves. Honestly, since I shop for myself only, I loath waiting in the long lines behind multiple families who shopping carts are full. However this time different, I am on a secret mission only known to me. I will sit in a lawn and garden chair and feel the shopping experience.
I entered Walle World through the plants department and having forgotten about my secret mission. I headed straight for the Palm Trees. I was hopping the 30$ price tag would be anything but. I see an old Filipino man attempting to lift a 20 pound bag of potting soil. “ Hey! Ta Ta you like me lift that for you?” He smiles and says “bom-by I almost break my back.” “Can! Then we can sue and be rich” I replied as I lifted the Miracle Grow into the cart. We laugh and go or separate ways. Heading towards the lawn and garden display, I made a point to choose the best fitting chair to absorb my surroundings. They were in the same open set up so I choose the red set because it matches my shirt and will help me blend in.
Flop Flop Flop! The sound of middle school boys running around in slippers as they pass by. Mommy! Mommy! Can we have Mc Donalds? A 6 year old pleads. Only if you do your homework replies the Mom. “So did you get that chicks number at Tiki Lounge last night?” Two young men are conversing while stocking up on Pedigree. “You know that! shootz! she took me to her house” All smiles he becomes, “but we neva do nothing she just went to sleep.” After four bags of Pedigree loaded they walk away. Um French fries are being dropped all over the ground as the lil boy just learning to walk holds the lil bag. J.r J.r where are you! If you don’t come here I will leave you J.r J.r. A concerned mother walking through the store. Flop Flop Flop! Man slippers are every where I think to myself.
A hand grabs my shoulder from behind, I scream on the inside. “What you doing in here boy?” I turn around and see Markus, greeting me with a smile. “Shit you scared me! I almost pulled my knife on you” I jokingly reply. “What you doing here writing notes and staring at people? Plotting to blow up the store!” Markus asked. Yeah I’m going to sell this information to Marketing Company’s and Osama. “Na I’m dong this for English class.” “Oh that what’s sup! Well hope you get an A I gotta go back to work.”

“J.r J.r get off that bike! The police are going to arrest you if they catch you!” J.r mom’s yells trying to manipulate the young boy. Five a clock is a perfect time of day to do an observation as such. I am able to see people from different walks of life interact with each-other. The Family with costumes to celebrate Halloween reminds me of the fun day that I can eat all the free candy I can ask for. The “amazingly beautiful Filipino girl” who’s wearing a pleasantly attractive summer perfume that complements her warm smile and long brown hair makes me very happy to be here in this very moment even if I’m to shy to say hello.

Toxic Garbage Island

I felt very disturbed while watching this movie. This movie was based on a bunch of currents that pushed all of the garbage that lingered in the Pacific Ocean into a huge pile named The Eastern Garbage Patch, which is located a couple of hundred of miles off of Hawaii. Watching this movie makes me wonder how the hell did all of this garbage end up right off of Hawaii? It makes me think of grateful I am to live in this beautiful place and we are slowly killing the Earth by doing horrific things like polluting. I feel like we are setting up our children and our future for disaster, by not taking care of our environment.

Plastic Garbage Island

I thought that plastic garbage island was very scary to see. I had no idea how much trash has been collected within our oceans. Here in Hawaii we depend so much on the ocean and we live for what the ocean can provide to us. To see that people have no respect for the ocean is sad and how much gargabe has been accumilated together and all that garbage out there could be larger that then island that we live on. We need to be more mindful of where we put our trash and what we throw away. Anything that we can do to recycle correctly and to try and as they say these days "go green".

To each their own

After recalling the videos that we watched in class I picked the Landlord one.

Humor is humor. Who's to say what is to be censored and what isn't. I believe that if you don't want to see certain things then don't watch them, if you don't want younger people or your children to see them then set limits or monitor while they are on the web. But no I don't think they should be censored. Everyone is old enough to know what they want to watch or should watch while on the internet, or on television for that matter. To each their own right? its good to have a sense of humor and to laugh every now and then

Pacific Patch of "Nastyness"

The post that I thought changed my perspective the most was the video we watched about the Pacific Garbage Patch. I was never a very "green" person. I don't tend to chose organic things over plastics or non-recyclables. Yes, I would collect HI-5 bottles but that was only for the pleasure of the extra 5 cents that one could get. A couple of my friends are completely "hippy-fied," and I never understood why. This video made me want to be more conservative about where trash goes. It's not only plastics that are killing our environment, it's ourselves. We leave our trash everywhere and this is the reason for the Pacific Garbage Patch. It really is a site to see, not because it is beautiful, because it makes you want to be aware. Seeing all of that trash in the water makes me want to go up there and do something about it. For now, all I can do is stay aware of what products that I consume and make sure that they make it into the trash instead of the ocean.

Landlord Response

I feel that inappropriate information should be censored on the internet. This video presents a kind of humor that should not be accessible to young children. The video paints a vivid image that its is acceptable for a toddler to use obscene language and terms. Accessibility by adults is ok because they posses the maturity to distinguish that the video is humerous and unrealistic. Children however may watch this video with the impression that it is ok to rant and rave obscenities as a child. Therefore an appropriate age limit censorship should be applied to internet browsing.

Take Responsibility of Trash Entering Our Oceans.

In the clip we saw of Toxic: Garbage Island, the whole purpose of the clip is to open not just America's eyes but the world's eyes on a topic that people ignore, however we can't anymore. Because its getting bigger and more noticeable that we can't hide that fact that its there. Toxic Garbage Island is something important and we should do something about it. In the state of Hawaii, there are many conservation programs for high school students, it shouldn't be in the hands of high school students only it should be placed in the hands of everybody right now. There is no time to wait, it will only get worst.

Many families use the ocean for family activities or just to fish or dive. It's a place where families grow and share lessons of fishing or the ocean. Can you imagine if instead of catching fish, we start catching loads and loads of trash and plastic. I wouldn't want my future children or future generations to experience fishing or other ocean activities like that. We need to conserve not destroy.

In conclusion, the clip reminded me of all the conservation programs that I joined during high school. During each program we learned about how its our responsibility to take care of our aina and ocean. We should remind ourselves of how the past Hawaiians were, very subsistence ( living off the land). We should turn our backs to plastic, canned, glass bottles or containers, and instead use our natural resources.

entertainment or offense?

The video that sparked my interest most was the Landlord clip. It was the first video we watched and my freewrite was pretty long. I believe that good information should not be censored. If a means of information is needed by anyone, it should be available to the public. If you don't want children seeing these kinds of things, they make things called "parental control" that prohibits them from seeing it. As for humor in this video i thought it was fine. It made me laugh and wasn't too obscene. I don't swear a lot and i certainly don't find the video offensive. It didn't make me uncomfortable either. When it comes down to it, it's purely about entertainment. A lot of people would enjoy it so why not be able to make people laugh. The baby was cute too, she wasn't in a "bad influence" kind of situation because she doesn't even know what she's saying so it doesn't really affect her.

Tainting the Future

I chose the Landlord prompt. I think that the Internet should be censored because there are so many people of different ages and different views out there in the world. Some people find it funny but some find it very offensive. I personally think that in a shallow light this is funny but when you look deeper into it, they are scarring that little girl for life. That might sound a bit dramatic, but the point is that their telling or teaching that kids those words is harmful. She will say it all the time now. In other areas of the Internet, it should be censored as well. An example is provocative pictures, these should not be able to be on the Internet where anyone can access it. Many kids use the Internet for entertainment and schoolwork so they shouldn't be tainted or tempted by this. They shouldn't even have to worry or deal with it. Do we really want to put this into our kid's minds?

Firewalls vs. Responsibility

The free write topic that stood out most to me was Internet censorship or “The Landlord”. I think that if you look hard enough, you can find virtually anything on the Internet, legal or not. But should people be taking time out of their busy schedule to put firewalls up on their computer for their children? Or should the other people be thinking about how their clips may affect people before they post them, or at least post them in places where children won’t be able to get to them?

Personally, I couldn’t help but think that the video clip was a bit humorous, but I’m a high school student that is graduating this year at the same time. By a lot of other people’s standards, this clip may be extremely offensive. If I were to go into the topic of morality in America, I could go on and on about how we are entertainment-wise compared to places in conservative Eastern Asia, but I wont.

My point is, even if people don’t like some of the things that are on the Internet, they will be there, and you should prepare to see them. Whether or not society is wrong is another discussion.

In my opinion, posting things like “The Landlord” in places that are easily accessed shouldn’t happen. The poster/s should take into consideration who will be able to see their content and post accordingly, or at least provide a warning of some sort.

Don't Censor the Internet Bitches!

I chose to post my guided freewrite on The Landlord. I definitely do not think that info on the internet should be censored. The person using the internet should do his or her own censoring. If you don't like it, don't watch it. And if you have children in the house, take control. There are ways to limit what they see. I believe in "Freedom of Speech", and as long as you're not posting child porn or anything else disgusting and illegal, I feel that it falls under this very important amendment.

This video clip is hilarious! I've seen it a few times before, and it just gets funnier. It's funny partly because it's so ridiculous. And anytime I see a baby swear, in real life or not, I laugh. It's completely harmless too because that little girl has no idea what she is saying, and will not remember saying it. There is a certain innocence to it. I would say it is definitely appropriate for an adult audience, but I could see how some people could take offense to it. I'm so glad I'm not one of them, because they're missing out on some funny shit bitches!

The Landlord.

I am just beginning to use the internet and after watching this clip I know realize why I am so strict with what my daughters do when they are on the computer. I am appalled by how many of us can find this kind of entertainment humorous and how many will use other children to get a cheap laugh. We as adults should be examples for our children . Making our own mistakes is bad enough. I am disturbed that our children our watching these clippings and gathering their own train of thoughts on the situation. People who put these kinds of clippings should be ashamed of themselves but it will never happen because society applauds this twisted type of humor. I have lost respect for the parent of the child in that clip.

Should the Web be Censored?

I feel that the information on the web shouldn't be censored, the only reason for it to be censored is for the children but if their parents were smart then they would have set-up a parental control system for the Internet, so that they can control what their child is exposed to. But, if it had to be censored I would think it's because many children search the web for school or amusement and the web is just one of those factors that influence how the child turns out in the end. Many adults don't necessary allow their child to be involved with the type of languages they use on most websites. This kind of humor isn't appropriate, especially when you show a young girl who doesn't even look over the age of four, swearing. What message is that telling our children? But looking another way, if people don't approve then they can always get off the website. The funny thing about inappropriate web pages is that come parents won't allow their children to watch or listen to certain things on the web, but they allow themselves to, which makes no sense at all, it's like they have double standards.

Landlord Clip

I think that the computer is a good resource for gathering information, and yes somethings on there are really funny. Unfortunately, I did not see the HUMOR in using little children to play adult roles to me that is so wrong. I don't think this type of behavior is appropriate..MY opinion! Our Children are only innocent for so long cause soon after that LIFE has it's way. Like I said It's my opinion....

Obscenities are entertaining

I don't think the internet should be censored, it's a useful resource that is available to everyone and should remain that way. When watching the video "The Landlord" I thought it was hilarious, and enjoyed the happy endorphins I got from laughing. Some people definitely will find watching this video offensive, but it their choice to watch it or not. The talk of censoring the internet I think is stupid and selfish. People who freak out about internet obscenities should not overreact and ruin the fun for everyone else. Anyways it's a choice everyone has to make it's not like people are being forced into watching obscene content on the internet. I like to watch funny videos on you tube, and sometimes part of my idea of funny is fowl language. So I'm against internet censorship.

Homosexual Marriage

Thesis: We need to acknowlege homosexual marriages in Hawaii as these individuals comitt themseleves to one another and receive equal rights and benefits as any heterosexual marriages.

Key Supports:
1) Marriage is a union where 2 vows become one no matter what the gender perfrence is.
2) Same sex marriage is an big issue today as interracial marriage was years before.
3) Hawaii would benefit from the same sex weddings as it could bring tourist and help the tourism ecomony.

cyberbullying

Thesis: Parents need to be more envolved with modern technology to keep children safe from cyber bullying and harrassment.

Key Support
1. More children are signing up to MySpace and Facebook to be part of the "in" crowd and some are actually lying about their ages to get in.

2. Some teens are using these free social network to harrass children without being revealed.

3. Bullied teens are commiting suicide because of these hate e-mails and threats.

Music Media

Thesis: People should pay more attention to the words in the music that their children are listening to because the music can cause violent behavior.
1. Some lyrics talk about raping women and when kids hear it, it makes kids think that it is acceptable to do it.
2. When kid's listen to music over and over they pick up they vulgar language in the lyrics.
3. Also lyrics tell kid's that it is ok to be violent and it encourages the acts of violence.

COSMETIC SURGERY

Thesis:
Behind all these issues revolving, I still do believe that having a natural beauty is the real essence of a woman./ Women need to reconsider using plastic surgery to resolve body image issues.

Key Support:
1) Media in America or Celebrity in Hollywood always has a big impact in people on how they should look. When it shouldn't be that way.

2) Living healthy and active alone may just be the key to ones inner peace.

3) Many people now days believe that to be happy in life and be beautiful, they must have the “perfect” body like the super models they see on the television. The advertisement of products today and the way we idolize our favorite actors and actresses in Hollywood also come the repercussion.

Teens and Plastic Sugery

Thesis: The media has a great influence on American teenagers in the idea of the perfect body, and targeted teens who feel that they need to better conform to social communities through plastic surgery should not be allowed to do so.
Key Support:
1) The media in America base their marketing strategies in targeting common appearance and emotional flaws by consumers.
2) The "perfect body" is only an idea that can be subject to the beholder.
3) A teenager's decision in choosing to have plastic surgery is usually based on conforming to the media's idea of the "perfect body."

Personality Development

Thesis: There are many psychological factors that play a part in personality development. If people can understand that, they will be more patient, and less arrogant towards each other.
Key Support:
1)Genetics may play a role in personality development, but a psychologist will tell you that the event that happen in your life, the people you surround yourself with, and your attitude towards life is the biggest factors for personality development.
2)People constantly ridicule others for things they do, but when it all comes down to it, the real reason is because they don't truly understand where the other person is coming from.

Real Estate Opportunity

Thesis: Our current economic situation is providing us the perfect time to purchase a home.

Key Support:
1) Property is the cheapest it has been in the last ten years.
2) Interest rates are down making it easier to afford a home.
3)Fist time buyers will get $8,000 tax credit.
4)There is a large inventory of property for sale.

Media Violence

Thesis: Society’s violence reflects what is shown through media and parents should be aware of the potential violence that their children may face.
Key Support:
1) The average American child watches too much violence on TV and the shown violence could reflect on future violent behaviors.
2) The rise in violence in the society is because of the rise in media violence.
3) Parents should try to do more to monitor their children's television shows because it is the parents responsibility to protect their children or not.

Small Businesses Battle Large Corporations

Thesis: The growth of large franchises and companies are a major contributing factor of why there are so many businesses going into foreclosure all over the U.S during our nation's current time of economic desperation. Communities need to shop at our local mom and pop stores instead of shopping at the larger store chains to keep our small businesses alive and well.

Key Points:
1) Larger corporations that are known nationwide use advertisement and name brands to entice the customer and draw them in.
2) Locally produced merchandise are often more expensive than the prices that chain stores offer which causes the customer to shop at the stores that are more cost- efficient as well as time- efficient.
3) The benefit of buying local items from local companies in Hawaii, is that the currency spent will have a higher chance at staying within the same community or state instead of to the mainland business owners.

Title: Sustainable Energy

Thesis: Given the widespread global problems that fossil fuel production/consumption has produced, it is imperative that renewable, clean, and sustainable energy technologies are implemented immediately.

Key Support:

1) One day of global oil consumption would represent a line of oil barrels long enough to circle the entire planet.

2) The United States alone uses 20 million barrels of oil every day, and only produces 5 or 6 barrels a day.

3) The invasion of Iraq by the United States was predicated under the assurance that Iraqs' military was harboring "weapons of mass destruction" (against the law of The United Nations the U.S. invaded Iraq) Not one of these weapons was found. The United States immediately seized all oil fields. Iraq has the second largest oil reserves in the world.

4) With the recent advancements in sustainable energy technologies there is no reason for theses implementations to proceed immediately

Illegal Immigrants: The Economy

Thesis:
We (the government) should help illegal immigrants become legal citizens so they are helping the economy instead of taking from it.
Key Points:
1. Illegal immigrants affect the economy in different ways.
.. a. Positive – they put their money earned back into America
.. b. Negative – they send their money out of the country to family
2. Illegal immigrants take the jobs no one wants.
.. a. Manual labor – you wouldn’t normally see a typical American working as strenuous jobs for the same amount of pay.
3. America is made up of immigrants from countless countries in search of a better life. We should embrace are fellow dream-seekers into our culture.

A Walk In A Tomato Picker's Shoes

The story of the Naples tomato pickers shocked me. Tomatoes are one of my favorite things to eat. I never really thought about the laborers that helped pick them. Who would have thought that someone could put another person through that kind of treatment and actually get away with it. Their hourly wage should be determined by the time they reach work until the time they leave. I really thought that slavery days were over. It is so sad to think that we are living in a country that speaks so highly of "freedom" and yet we can enslave someone else. It also makes me think of a guy I met at Kalama Park in Kihei. He told me a story about how he snuck across the Texas and Mexico border and walked for four days to get to this so-called "free" country. I remember him saying that he hid in some dead shrubery for half a day. He waited until night to drink from a home owner's water hose. The saddest thing he mentioned was that he thought that once he was in America, that he could also be "free". He also said that it was so hard for him to find work because he didn't have a social security number and often feared the immigration. These poorly treated immigrants in Florida must feel as if they have no other choice but to stay. What a way to go on living. No one should have to indure the beatings and the mistreatment. And on top of that, they are charged outrageous amounts of money for their intolerable living arrangements. Reading this made me feel as if I complain about the littlest issues when there are much bigger things to worry about.

Something tomatoes

i think its trippy on how people can treat others that way and still go to bed at night. even though they are illegal doesnt mean they should be treated less than a human. someone has to do the work but atleast pay hem minimum wage. they make bank i dont see why it would be a problem to pay the people. slavery is messed up and it should be stopped because no one should or deserves to be treated in that way.

I have read the article "The Price of Tomatoes." It was really sad how the immigrants were being treated. Immigrants working in America is illegal, but who else who do all the dirty work if they weren't here? They leave everything behind and come to America hoping to find a new life. They do anything to earn money so they can support themselves and their families. Many of my friends have relatives that come to Hawaii from different countries as immigrants, work illegally, but do not get treated like slaves. It is very sad and heartbreaking. In both cases its wrong. Illegal immigrants working illegally is wrong and whoever is giving them jobs is wrong. An average American would never pick tomatoes for a living and live in conditions like this. For sure I would not want to live like that. With the help of immigrants things are getting done. Immigrants come to American probably because they envy all the freedom we have, they need money and have a better life. But when they get to American it is a different story, they get treated like ****. The lazy Americans who want to make money by selling tomatoes your slaves pick, why do you put yourself in there situation and try live by your rules you give them. Stop being "neat" ; don't care about the process only the results. They care about getting money, and dont care about all the hard work people need to do. I am not for or against any of this because its wrong. This is all i have to say, because if i go on it is not going to make sense. If it this does not make any sense you guys who are reading this, sorry ;

Got Tomatoes

The article about the tomato picking slaves is unreal. I can not believe that kind of thing goes on in the U.S.A. It does not matter who you are you do not deserve to be treated like Lucas was. I mean being beaten, threatened and then to be put in such terrible living conditions is completely inhumane. On the other hand, I think this is one of the more extreme cases and I am going to bet that there are many happy illegal immigrates making less then minimum wage picking tomatoes. The article brings up some good points but some things are ridicules. For instance the slaves who are illegal immigrants do not get medical care. Well that’s too bad because many American citizens do not even get medical. How injured are you really going to get picking tomatoes? A sore back and a few scratches just like any American citizen farmer.

Mystery Meat

I have always wondered why the food at school tasted so bad. From the interview clip of Michael Pollan I now have an idea of why the food at school is also so cheap. The food being served to the children of society is the solution to the overproduction of food from big agriculture companies. I find it to be quite funny that America's other trashcan is its children. I am not completely baffled of the thought that the agriculture decided to recycle the overproduced foods through the children of society, but it sure is funny. I am just disappointed that I did not see this interview until I escaped the mystery meat filled days.

CRUELTY is very unacceptable...

Reading this article The Prince of Tomatoes is very painful. I really do not know how it feels to be a "slave" or being treated unfairly. However, what I can say to this is that it is not fair to treat other human being like us a different way. Just because they are from a different country or state or different skin nor different tones of language. We are all the same. No one deserves to be look down or be treated like an "animal". Having to read this is just disturbing. Therefore, people that migrates to the United States what they really want is to have a good life and give there family a better living. But some people makes it like "they are better than them". On the other hand, we are just the same. We all have the same dream which is having a better life and to have a great education. I guess some people just think that it is okay to treat someone this cruel to make themselves feel good. To end this, I really do believe that the people who treated this immigrants very cruel and treated them like slaves..they should all go to jail or possibly switch places for twenty years maybe..So, they know how it feels to be on that situation and it is not funny at all.

How far have we come?

I knew that field workers lived in poor condition. I knew they weren’t paid very well. What I didn’t know is that they are being treated as slaves. I thought slavery was long gone. Being forced to stay in those horrible conditions is utterly disgusting. These people are arrogant and heartless to treat fellow human beings like this. It seems they have taken a few hundred steps backwards and adopted the mind of that wrongful time. What makes them think they are so much better than these people, these immigrants that they deserve to be treated like this? It doesn’t matter that most, if not all, are illegal immigrants. They are still people that deserve the same amount of respect that the slave owners have, if not more. The immigrants are doing everything they can to just get by AND help out their families back home. They came here to live the “American Dream” and bring their families here. They came to get out of poverty and unfairness, not to be put back in it. The article The Price of Tomatoes is a mind blowing truth showing us we really haven’t come very far as human beings. The slave owners, in my opinion, should all go to jail and therapy. Their mind has to be twisted if they think it is alright to treat people this way.

Price of tomatoes

Of course cruelty, maltreatment, and "slavery" is unacceptable. That being said: If someone illegally migrates to this country to work, then works illegally - it puts them into a completely different level of what is fair or not. Obviously whatever country they are migrating from has zero opportunity for them, and just having the opportunity to work is huge. Poverty level in the U.S.A can be considered rich in many other places in the world. Also by working illegally, the migrants are creating their own problems, as well as taking work away from legal citizens that are unemployed. If these "slave" owners did not have these people to exploit, they would have to pay decent wages and provide acceptable living conditions.

Expensive Cheap Food

Watching the youtube clip with Bill Moyer and Michael Pollan really woke me up. I never realized just how expensive cheap fast food really is. The government is giving farm subsidies to basically help the fast food industry. I agree with Pollan, that these subsidies for corn and soy is contributing to health problems. Corn is used for corn syrup which then is used to sweeten up the sodas. The soy is made into soy oil which Pollan said is what fast food restaurants use to fry their food. There are trans fat in soy oil and Pollan said it is also lethal. These two crops are in fast food industries and because of the recession, many may turn to fast food restaurants because of the prices but people don't realize how unhealthy and how expensive the process is. To get food processed, it goes through a lot of fossil fuel. It's ridiculous how the government doesn't pay more attention to making food policies because people are eating over 300 calories extra a day and there are more people getting type 2 diabetes with the 80% chance of heart disease. The farm subsidies are only contributing fast foods which are given to Americans which then ends up in high costs of health care. Food is the beginning and if the government focuses on this area more then hopefully health problems would decrease and the money spent on these farm subsidies would go to a better cost, like education, health care, or creation of new jobs. Now, I think twice about going to a fast food restaurant, I'd rather eat home cooked meals that are much more healthier and home grown vegetables or local meat. Eating McDonalds is good but the extra calories and all that oil is just so disgusting!

Ignorance

After watching the video about the floating plastic island twice the size of Texas in the ocean I first thought how ignorant we all are for wasting so much plastic. I then asked myself what I can do to reduce my impact on our home. After asking myself that question I realized there are many ways I can do so such as not using plastic bags when I go shopping and instead bring my own reusable bags. I also realized I should stop buying bottled water because I could just reuse and refill one bottle. This video is a big eye opener and I think everyone should watch it.

Malama the Aina

The video we watched about pollution was disgusting.  I myself feel its unnecessary to throw gum wrappers on the ground when you can put it in your pocket and wait until your reach a trash can.  A local saying that I stick with to keep me from polluting is "Malama the Aina" which means to nurture our land.  It gave me a wake up call to reality to notice that not all people like to recycle or just too lazy and impatient to walk to the nearest trash can.  The scenes in the video of where there was trash in the water look so nasty! How could people drive past that?  It not only effects us human being but the animals that live in this water, that drink from it.  I think our economy can change eventually.  It'll just take time for everyone to realize the importance of recycling and how simple we can decrease pollution by not throwing it into the sewer but instead using the trash can:)

Our one and only

The video we watched on Thursday really struck a cord with me. I never knew the pollution in the ocean was that bad. It really makes me think about what I can do, and what people like me can do. I didn’t know about this until I saw this video, so I think there are plenty of others that don’t know as well. I really want to learn more about this topics and what someone like me can do. I think if people can see what is going on, see all the trash in the ocean, then maybe they will think twice before polluting. Maybe if they knew that when the plastic does break down, it breaks down right into the sea life, some of which they will eat. Do you want to eat plastic? I don’t, and I’m sure other people don’t want to as well. This is our one and only home and we need to take better care of it before it is no more.

Aqua Colbert

This video made me think about how much effort people like myself put into our decisions when choosing something to drink, which can even be as simple as water. Some of us look at the idea that whatever water you drink determines your status in society. I like how Colbert poked fun at this fact because it lets the person watching realize, is the effort put into deciding what kind of water to drink really worth it? Some of us like me believe that this type of effort is worth it because it is our money being spent on this decision, and if I want to drink some Smart Water no matter the cost I should be able to.

Plastic Ingestion?!

I am quite surprised at how I am practically ingesting plastic everyday. The video gives me a sense of awareness, but does not give me enough motivation to do something to reduce the my plastic intake. I enjoy drinking bottled water! The video, however, does get me wondering about how many people are dying from plastic poison. It is not a big enough issue for everyone to be aware of. I think an issue that involves poison and threatens the well-being of the planet and of humans should be stressed more in televised news programs.

Going Green

The video we watched on Thursday about all the trash and plastic in the water really inspired me to encourage my friends, family, and members of our community, to "go green". I thinks that the amount of damage we did to our home, this planet, is absurd! People usually don't come home from a long day of work, throw all our trash in our house, and let it pile up. No! We respect our homes and keep it clean. So why do people trash the Earth? This planet is our home, in a much bigger scale. Every piece of litter, every car, every factory contributes to disrespecting, and ruining our own home. It is so disgusting to think about all the trash going into the ocean, breaking down into smaller pieces, and being ingested in the sea creatures. Not only is it harmful for marine life, but some of the marine life are animals that we eat.

some do and some don't

I watched the video in English about how plastics and different types of rubbish is making its own island in the middle of the ocean. Its ridiculous how much people care about this problem and there is a whole lot of individuals who don't care about this problem. Trash is seen all over the place, from cigarette butts, bottles and cans, vehicle parts and more random rubbish. My room mates and I always recycle out plastic bottles, can, and card boards. We leave it outside of our door, but early in the morning or late at night someone comes by and take all the recycling. I'd wake up in the morning to take out more recycles to find that our recycles are gone. I try to do the best i can to recycle. It is such a big problem i don't think it will end. I think it will probably decrease somehow, but not everyone will give in to stop the problem. :)

plastics

I recently watched a video clip about plastics being dumped into the ocean and I think that it is wrong because what we put into the storm drains flow back into the sea. When this happens it is poisoning the sea life and pieces of plastic can be found in the sea life which means that people could be eating plastic which would be harmful to humans. People should get out and start helping out and recycling their plastics and other things. If people keep littering and letting it go into the ocean then we are destroying one of the most beautiful things on this earth, our beaches.

Plastic Waste

The video that we watched in English really caught my attention. I never realized just how harmful plastic can be to our ocean and to ourselves as well. If this message was more out there in the public then people would hopefully think again before throwing away their plastic waste and recycle it instead. If plastic wasn't recycled then it would end up in the ocean in tiny bits and pieces and the fishes would begin eating them and the plastic would eventually end up in us. Its like karma, what comes around goes around. If we throw away plastic it will just come right back to us through fish or other animals in the ocean that we eat. If our country and the rest of the world took part in recycling as much things as possible then our world would be much healthier and we wouldn't have to worry about junk being in our body. It would be so great if our government would have more recycling centers where they reuse all the recyclable items to make things that we could use on an everyday basis, like what Tennessee has.
I hope people will get the message about recycling and how plastic is such a waste and harm to our world and make a contribution by stop buying plastic bottles and just drink from the tap or just buy those 5 gallon jugs. The less plastic the better the world would be.

Questioing simple @#$%

My English class watched a video last Thursday concerning the ridiculous amount of plastic waste that is accumulating on the planet. Here on Maui, I see it everyday. For example: If you drive on the road past the island refuse area you will see plenty of plastic bags caught in the tree's branches lining the road. These are just a few of the"lucky" bags that happen to get caught in the trees. Seeing these, you know that the rest of the bags that don't get caught in the branches blow their way into the ocean: Awesome. When I go to the Grocery store to pick up a six-pack of beer the cashiers insist that the six-pack is put into a plastic bag. When I try to fight them on this, saying I don't want one, I am informed that it is state law that the beer is put into a bag, even though its already in a carrying container. Shouldn't Hawaii's government be making laws that helps stop its pollution instead of helping create it?

Where's my money!

In our english class, we watched a video clip titled: "The Landlord." I really like that video and when the guy opened the door and the little girl was standing outside the house, I thought it was interesting because I wasn't really expecting to see a little girl and for her to swear kind of caught me off guard and at first I was shocked and dissapointed to hear her swear because I was taught as a little kid to not swear but then I realized that everyone is different and everyone was taught different and that video made me think differently.