http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2011/06/23/does-4-h-desensitize-kids-to-killing/?hpt=hp_bn8
I'm so outraged by this I can't even think what to say. To attack 4-H like this is just
despicable, and what's more the people attacking haven't even been in 4-H. Now, I don't raise live stock, but I know people who do and to say that they are "desensitized" and basically calling them murderers is slanderous and appalling. 4-H teaches kids the humane and ethical way of raising animals, something we need in a society where most of our meat comes from inhumane factory farms! Kids in 4-H learn much more than raising animals. They meet new people, new friends, learn social skills, learn work skills, and teaches them about the world around them. Overall, 4-H is about helping kids be the best they can be, "to make the best better". Maybe if the commenters were in 4-H they wouldn't be so close-minded and ignorant. The fact is that slaughter is part of raising and animal. It has been a part of human culture since homo sapiens transitioned from hunter-gathers to farmers (without which, civilization never would have started). We are omnivores and require both meat and vegetables to get our essential amino acids, to survive. If you don't want to eat meat and supplement your amino acid intake other ways, that's fine it's your opinion. If you feel that you can't raise animals for food, that's perfectly fine too. But you can't force your opinion on others and attack an organization that you know absolutely nothing about. It is simply bigoted, slanderous, disgraceful, cruel, and shameful.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Boisterous Bruins Celebrate in Boston, Callous Canucks Burn City
They did it! The Bruins are bring home a Stanley Cup for their fans, the first since 1972! The game was a shutout; 4-0 Bruins. It was an exciting, heart pounding game and even I found myself, who has never ever watched hockey before, unable to tear myself away.
Fans in Boston's took to the streets. Jumping up and down, screaming, yelling, and shooting off fireworks. Even in the small towns across Massachusetts people were honking hours, yelling, and giving impromptu fireworks displays. Boston can't wait for their Bruins to come home so they can see them riding down the street atop the Duck Boats.
However, I think its important to note that although Boston got rowdy it never got violent. A few people who had partied a little to hard, may have been asked to leave by police, but for the most part fans behaved themselves. As one local news reporter said, "It's just good old fashioned celebrating."
It was a very different story in Vancouver where some fans were so distraught that they took out their anger by destroying property. It was on the verge of a riot. At one point people were jumping over a giant bonfire. How much of a sore looser do you have to be to do that? More importantly how stupid do you have to be? Other fans were disappointed but congratulated the Bruins any way and started looking forward to the cup next year. One woman decked out in her Canuck fan gear jumped in front of a news camera and screamed, "We still love you!!". That's a faithful fan; that's how the rest of Vancouver should have been acting. Instead they booed, screamed bloody murder, and tore apart their own town. Where's your dignity? Where's your pride? Come on Canucks, grow up.
Fans in Boston's took to the streets. Jumping up and down, screaming, yelling, and shooting off fireworks. Even in the small towns across Massachusetts people were honking hours, yelling, and giving impromptu fireworks displays. Boston can't wait for their Bruins to come home so they can see them riding down the street atop the Duck Boats.
However, I think its important to note that although Boston got rowdy it never got violent. A few people who had partied a little to hard, may have been asked to leave by police, but for the most part fans behaved themselves. As one local news reporter said, "It's just good old fashioned celebrating."
It was a very different story in Vancouver where some fans were so distraught that they took out their anger by destroying property. It was on the verge of a riot. At one point people were jumping over a giant bonfire. How much of a sore looser do you have to be to do that? More importantly how stupid do you have to be? Other fans were disappointed but congratulated the Bruins any way and started looking forward to the cup next year. One woman decked out in her Canuck fan gear jumped in front of a news camera and screamed, "We still love you!!". That's a faithful fan; that's how the rest of Vancouver should have been acting. Instead they booed, screamed bloody murder, and tore apart their own town. Where's your dignity? Where's your pride? Come on Canucks, grow up.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
On the Grid
So we all know that we live in a very digital age. No question about it. I mean the average person has about a bagillion electronics on their person at all time. But, have you ever stopped to think just how plugged in we are?Just yesterday I finally gave into my friend's pleading and set up a tumblr account. (Don't get me wrong, I'm already addicted. It's the perfect way to satisfy my criminal minds obsession :P) But, it got me thinking. I probably have over 20 accounts on the internet. I have a facebook, a yahoo, a tumblr, a blogger, an iTunes, tons of accounts for college websites, and countless other accounts (such as on Taylor Swift's website, Owl City's app, abc.com, dogchannel.com, playlist.com the list just goes on)
How many of these accounts do I actually use? I only check the first five daily, the rest I haven't been on in weeks, months, or even years. Do I remember their passwords? Nope not really. Will they just stay there forever? Probably, yeah.
It's been said the internet is forever, and I'm just wondering how much of a digital trail I'm leaving behind.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Student Death Sentence
Your sitting is small, stuffy room. Your scared stiff and from looking around you can see that everyone else in the room is just as terrified. Suddenly you hear heavy footsteps approaching you, you see a dark body leaning over you. SLAP! A packet of paper drops heavily onto your desk. That's right its the dreaded Summer Reading Assignment.
We've all been through it, and some of us are going through it now. Students are forced to read assigned books over the summer and complete assignments on them. For some, it is simply an unpleasant task that needs to get done. These kids don't let the assignments taint their love of reading. For most however, summer reading and school assignments is like a death sentence, one that obliterates any interest in reading.
The problem with Summer reading is that its structure sabotages its purpose. It is meant to foster a love of reading, especially in younger students. However, by choosing the books for the students teachers are instead fostering contempt for reading. Imagine this: you walk into a bookstore looking for a good read. Suddenly, an employee walks up to you and says, "I'm sorry, but you can only buy one of these twenty approved books." What if you were not interested in any of the books? What if there was a book that you really wanted to read that wasn't on that list? Would you be angry? Would ever come back to that store? Well that's how most students feel about Summer Reading and they apply those feeling of frustration and anger towards all books and reading.
My suggestion is that instead of offering a limited list of required titles, teachers should offer suggestions. How hard would it be to say, "OK you assignment is to choose a book that is 200 pages long, read it over the summer, and make a poster, movie, or power point about it." This way, teachers know the kids are reading at their level while the kids feel in control and enjoy reading about a topic of their choice. I understand, at the high school level at least one classic has to be read to jump start the curriculum, but the free reading book still needs to be fun.
Until, teachers, librarians, and principles realize the flaws of summer reading the book hatred epidemic will continue to spread. Case in point, almost 75% of my Honors 11 English class rarely opens a book, including those assigned during the school year. It's time to turn the page in summer reading and start a new chapter in which the characters are bookworm students.
We've all been through it, and some of us are going through it now. Students are forced to read assigned books over the summer and complete assignments on them. For some, it is simply an unpleasant task that needs to get done. These kids don't let the assignments taint their love of reading. For most however, summer reading and school assignments is like a death sentence, one that obliterates any interest in reading.
The problem with Summer reading is that its structure sabotages its purpose. It is meant to foster a love of reading, especially in younger students. However, by choosing the books for the students teachers are instead fostering contempt for reading. Imagine this: you walk into a bookstore looking for a good read. Suddenly, an employee walks up to you and says, "I'm sorry, but you can only buy one of these twenty approved books." What if you were not interested in any of the books? What if there was a book that you really wanted to read that wasn't on that list? Would you be angry? Would ever come back to that store? Well that's how most students feel about Summer Reading and they apply those feeling of frustration and anger towards all books and reading.
My suggestion is that instead of offering a limited list of required titles, teachers should offer suggestions. How hard would it be to say, "OK you assignment is to choose a book that is 200 pages long, read it over the summer, and make a poster, movie, or power point about it." This way, teachers know the kids are reading at their level while the kids feel in control and enjoy reading about a topic of their choice. I understand, at the high school level at least one classic has to be read to jump start the curriculum, but the free reading book still needs to be fun.
Until, teachers, librarians, and principles realize the flaws of summer reading the book hatred epidemic will continue to spread. Case in point, almost 75% of my Honors 11 English class rarely opens a book, including those assigned during the school year. It's time to turn the page in summer reading and start a new chapter in which the characters are bookworm students.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Surprise! It's Memorial Day!
It seemed to have snuck up on everyone this year. May was mostly cold, wet weather; especially during last few weeks when it seemed to rain everyday. Then BAM its Summer. The hot weather came barreling in, shoving the dismal weather aside, and giving us all shell shock. Then, to top it off it turns out Memorial Day is right around the corner. Who would have guessed with all those rain clouds hanging about.
Well the clouds were gone and it was time to commence operation Mango Dolphin Sunshine (that is Memorial Day Setup). That meant purging closets and dressers of those cumbersome fall/spring clothes and replacing them with light, fun summer wear. Perhaps, the memorial day sales were even taken advantage of. Now its time to tackle the pool. Step 1) Open it. Step 2) Move in the lawn furniture. Step 3) Deploy pool noodles and floaties.That just leaves the grill, a swift and precise operation: clean and deploy charcoal, burgers, and hot dogs.
Now its D-Day, time to put Mango Dolphin Sunshine to the test. First, it's off to parades with the family, to cheer as the floats and veterans go by. Then, its time to remember the true purpose of Memorial Day by thanking our veterans and honoring our dead. Maybe this means attending a Memorial Day ceremony or putting flags on graves. Finally, its back to the house to kick back in the pool and enjoy that hot dog.
Happy Memorial Day Everyone! And thank you to those who are serving or who have served our country!
Well the clouds were gone and it was time to commence operation Mango Dolphin Sunshine (that is Memorial Day Setup). That meant purging closets and dressers of those cumbersome fall/spring clothes and replacing them with light, fun summer wear. Perhaps, the memorial day sales were even taken advantage of. Now its time to tackle the pool. Step 1) Open it. Step 2) Move in the lawn furniture. Step 3) Deploy pool noodles and floaties.That just leaves the grill, a swift and precise operation: clean and deploy charcoal, burgers, and hot dogs.
Now its D-Day, time to put Mango Dolphin Sunshine to the test. First, it's off to parades with the family, to cheer as the floats and veterans go by. Then, its time to remember the true purpose of Memorial Day by thanking our veterans and honoring our dead. Maybe this means attending a Memorial Day ceremony or putting flags on graves. Finally, its back to the house to kick back in the pool and enjoy that hot dog.
Happy Memorial Day Everyone! And thank you to those who are serving or who have served our country!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Lemonade Mouth: Just Another DCOM?
[CAUTION: SPOILER ALERT!]
The plot, unfortunately is all too predictable and somewhat unoriginal. Its vaguely a mix of the plots of the High School Musical, Camp Rock, and Cheetah Girls movies. The movie starts out by following the stories of the five different band members. They first meet in detention and soon start singing and playing together. The music teacher hears them and encourages them to become a band and play at the Rising Star Competition-the winner of which gets a recording contract. She hopes the band can show the school that the arts and sciences matter just as much as sports. (Ms. Darbus's goal in High School Musical) Working together as a team and supporting each other (Cheetah Girls) the band soon becomes a local sensation, spreading their message of "being heard" (a lot like Stick With the Status Quo from HSM). Right before the competition, however, the band hits major road blocks in the form of injuries and fights within the band (Cheetah Girls 1,2,+3; Camp Rock 1+2). After a few hours in jail, however, they realize that friendship is stronger and get back together. When the leave the police station they are determined to perform at Rising Star, but their injuries prevent them from giving a performance at all. However, even though they loose; they know that their friendship is forever, have learned valuable life lessons, and become famous on their own. (Cheetah Girls 1+3; Camp Rock 1+2). In the end their success and determination results in their high school building a new auditorium and paying more attention to the arts and sciences. (again HMS).
The characters, however, are certainly interesting. Each as there own problem that they rely on their friends to deal with: divorce/new mom, mom dead/dad in jail, not living up to a dad's expectations/boy trouble, not living up to an older brother, and not fitting into a genius family. Although almost every DCOM involves similar problems (including HSM, Cheetah Girls, + Camp Rock), it still gives depth to the story line and allows regular kids who may be facing similar issues relate to the characters.
One thing that did surprise me was the issue of a dad in jail and a parent dating a much younger woman. These issues certainly happen in the real world, but Disney has always deemed such issues as too old for the channel. Recently, the channel has been integrating older dialogue into their shows (ex: A character on the comedy Shake It Up said he thought the word couture meant "lady parts") In most cases, I think that Disney is going a little too far; especially since Disney was always considered "safe" programming for concerned parents. In Lemonade Mouth, however, I think Disney is simply recognizing changing times and offering guidance on problems that many of its viewers face.
Finally, we come to the music. The music isn't Grammy winning, but its not that bad either. The songs are upbeat and catchy, without being HMS dance numbers. They have lyrics you can sing along and that get stuck in your head. I honestly wouldn't mind listening to them on the radio.
Overall I would give Lemonade Mouth a B+. True, it's a typical DCOM, and not incredibly original, but it's still a fun, upbeat movie to watch. Am I going to rush out and buy the DVD? No. Will I watch it when they play it on Disney Channel now and again? Sure.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Spring Fever
It is the last day of school before April vacation and every EBHS student's thoughts are on the upcoming vacation and imminent end of the year. I recently sat down with junior and sports star Jess and asked her to share her own thoughts.
Q: The last few weeks have been quite hectic. How busy have you been?
A: Pretty busy considering I have two proms coming up. They are two months apart, but I've been making all the appointments and stuff. Plus I have track and work.
Q: What do you plan to do over vacation?
A: Probably sleep, hang out with my friends, work, go to track.
Q: Have you gotten any homework to do over vacation?
A: Yeah....I don't want to talk about it. Sore Subject.
Q: What do you think the teachers do over vacation?
A: Not homework, and not going to work, and not going to track; and I'm jealous.
Q: You mentioned the upcoming proms; tell me about them.
A: EB's prom is April 29th and I'm pretty much all set. Coyle's prom is May 26th and I'm not at all set for that one. I'm wearing the same dress for both.
Q: What does your dress look like?
A: Its blue and its mermaid style and it has a sparkly beady thing right there (pointing to left side).
Q: What part of prom are you most excited for?
A: To wear my dress. I've been staring at it for two months and I haven't gotten to wear it yet. I only wore it at the fitting and the lady still has it.
Q: Do you think you can make it through the last thirty days of school?
A: Absolutely Not!
Q: What do you want to do during the upcoming good weather?
A: Hopefully go to the beach.
Q: How do you think it will feel when the seniors leave and we become seniors?
A: Awesome, but I'm friends with a lot of them so I'll miss them. It will be cool to eat outside; well I've already eaten outside, but it will be cool to be allowed to eat outside.
Q: The last few weeks have been quite hectic. How busy have you been?
A: Pretty busy considering I have two proms coming up. They are two months apart, but I've been making all the appointments and stuff. Plus I have track and work.
Q: What do you plan to do over vacation?
A: Probably sleep, hang out with my friends, work, go to track.
Q: Have you gotten any homework to do over vacation?
A: Yeah....I don't want to talk about it. Sore Subject.
Q: What do you think the teachers do over vacation?
A: Not homework, and not going to work, and not going to track; and I'm jealous.
Q: You mentioned the upcoming proms; tell me about them.
A: EB's prom is April 29th and I'm pretty much all set. Coyle's prom is May 26th and I'm not at all set for that one. I'm wearing the same dress for both.
Q: What does your dress look like?
A: Its blue and its mermaid style and it has a sparkly beady thing right there (pointing to left side).
Q: What part of prom are you most excited for?
A: To wear my dress. I've been staring at it for two months and I haven't gotten to wear it yet. I only wore it at the fitting and the lady still has it.
Q: Do you think you can make it through the last thirty days of school?
A: Absolutely Not!
Q: What do you want to do during the upcoming good weather?
A: Hopefully go to the beach.
Q: How do you think it will feel when the seniors leave and we become seniors?
A: Awesome, but I'm friends with a lot of them so I'll miss them. It will be cool to eat outside; well I've already eaten outside, but it will be cool to be allowed to eat outside.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)