A Legacy of Kindness and Pereseverance

Tradition Tradition. These two words perfectly illustrate the impact of To Kill A Mockingbird on The American public education system and American Literature.

 Harper Lee takes a simple story set in a poor Southern town and sucks the reader into a story full of integrity, racial discrimination, and love. The story helps keep alive our nation’s past mistakes in order to help us avoid repeating them. By studying To Kill a Mockingbird High school students learn of the evils of bullying and the affect of an individual on a community.

            The description of the trial of Tom Robinson provides an example of our country’s legal system as well as showing the injustice and cruelty of racism. Racism can be directly related to bullying in school. It is the stronger person or group picking on the smaller or weaker group.

 In Harper Lee’s book the majority is the Caucasians of Maycomb and the group being picked on is the African American’s. The African Americans did nothing to deserve being persecuted and hated but because they were a minority and because the white people believed themselves to be superior Tom Robinson was convicted to satisfy the majority.

 By humanizing Tom Robinson and those who defend him, Harper Lee gives depth to our Nation’s past that would otherwise go largely forgotten. As High school students continue to study To Kill a Mockingbird they not only realize the negative affects of bullying but also the good that they can do in their community.

            The small community of Maycomb is forever changed by Atticus Finch’s choice to put forth his best efforts in defending Tom Robinson, despite persecution from members of the community who were once his friends. At one part of the book a mob has gathered outside of the Finch’s house and things could have gotten ugly.  Rather than being cowed by the number of people of against him, Atticus boldly declared “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till the truth’s told…. And you know what the truth is.”

However, despite Atticus’s best efforts Tom is convicted. What may have appeared to have done little good has forever altered the community and strengthened his ties with his children.

Atticus Finch and Mr. Robert E. Lee Ewell will forever remain as an example of hero and villain. Just as these two characters have changed my life, they can change yours. As high schoolers study To Kill a Mocking Bird the number Atticus Finches will grow and continue to have an increasingly good affect on our American Heritage.

Cyber attacks and Nuclear Arms

If I lived in South Korea I would definitely be in support of the development of nuclear arms. During the Cold War, the policy of Peace through Strength served to not only race America ahead technologically but to also prevent an all out war with the Soviet Union. It wasn't a reduction of arms, but rather the upper hand that lead to the diffusion of the Cold war.

I believe that if South Korea has concrete means of retaliation, North Korea will be much less likely to attack. It does not make sense that a nation would attempt to attack some one who could retaliate in a much harsher manner

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/11/world/asia/as-north-korea-blusters-south-breaks-taboo-on-nuclear-talk.html?pagewanted=2&src=mv

The fact that Cyber attacks have "moved to the forefront" of the US's concerns with China is saying something. China has extensive nuclear arms and over two million people in their army. The fact that cyber space attacks ranks alongside our national debt and nuclear arms throughout the world must mean that there is even more attacks than the government is letting onto.

Cyber attacks are just another form of espionage. I don't think asking China to regulate crucial American Information intake is going to work. Rather than trying to weaken China's cyber influence we should focus on strengthening ours.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/12/world/asia/us-demands-that-china-end-hacking-and-set-cyber-rules.html?hp

Cancer claims Chavez and North Korea flexes its Nuclear muscles

Wow! I had no idea how unstable Venezuela was until I read this article. You should read it. It's definitely informative.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/06/world/americas/hugo-chavez-of-venezuela-dies.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Communication is the lifeblood of civilization. If the media and press do not keep people informed, rumors fly like dangerous bullets and pandemonium reigns. I think that everyone would agree that Venezuela is an excellent example of leaders using communication to gain support.

 As stated in the above article, Chavez utilized the media as one of his greatest assets. Up to the point where he was no longer physically able, Chavez faithfully appeared on television and radio in order to communicate with The Venezuelan people. Now that their leader has fallen silent chaos has ensued. Although I view Chavez's work as one of a modern tragedy and wrong, I feel that he was an excellent example of using language to gain support.

"Peace Through Strength"

I feel that the best way to deal with North Korean aggression is national strength not polite international warnings. America's strength is a result of reliance on the hand of Providence as well as military strength and technological edge.

During the Cold War, the phrase "Peace through Strength" drove America's foreign policy. As a result of this policy a shooting war never commenced. Reduction of arms on the enemies side only make attack that much more tempting. If you were able to steal your neighbor's Ferrari without retaliation the only thing between you and a new car is your moral standards. Conversely if you thought you would be imprisoned for sip stealing at a 7-11 you would not put your mouth any where near the rim of that cup until you were safely in your car. Although these examples our small I believe that the same principles apply to nations. 

Peace is most likely to be obtained as America strengthens her nuclear arms and air force technology not by cutting her nuclear arms down to below 3000 and politely asking a someone who hates everything to do with freedom to put their guns down.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/08/world/asia/north-korea-warns-of-pre-emptive-nuclear-attack.html?pagewanted=1&src=mv

It's Me

Ian
The eldest of 8

30 waist 34 length (pants)

Hair like a porcupine

Monkey ears

My sister's name is Daphne

My look alike is Jesse

Levi is next

Followed by sallow faced bright eyed Meredith

Meredith was the youngest until Gideon

Portia became the baby Until

Wyatt

I adore siblings (sometimes)

diving in the ocean is unbeatable

and the idea of life after death is essential

I feel

like a string bean strung tight

like a cat purring near the fire

like a chauffeur

Who gives 

occasional compliments

sarcastic remarks

his all, sometimes

Who fears

Up chucking into a toilet bowl

being bowled over by an avalanche

after being mauled by a bear

Who would like to see

The mysterious ocean floor

The bloody Colloseum
The boundless barrier reefs

Who lives

Among chaotic youngers

While spouting laughter like a beached whale

With 3 meals 4 snacks a day

Boggess

10 places I will visit before I die

1. Florida
2. Nauvoo
3. Alpine
4. Idaho
5. Rome
6. American Fork
7. Salt Lake City
9. Highland
10. A tropical reef

The 10 things, places, people etc, that make me the most happy

1. Lake Tahoe

2. My grandparents house

3. The temple

4. My mom

5. My dad

6. My siblings

7. Reading a good book

8. Listening to music by the Piano Guys

9. Swimming

10. Making a basket

10 of my greatest fears

1. Death
2. Throwing Up
3. Getting Kidnapped
4. Being lost in the mountains
5. Having a sibling die
6. Getting an -A
7. Being mauled by a bear
8. Being eaten by a lion
9. Getting cancer
10.Killing someone in a car crash