Alternative Energy Sources

For my research paper, I chose the subject of Alternative Energy. The main question I'm looking to answer is "Should the government subsidize alternative energy sources?", which basically determines if the government should provide incentives (economic and political) for these energy sources. My position is for the subsidization because it is good for the environment, it would reduce the dependence on foreign oil/gas, and it would create new business opportunities. Throughout reading articles and researching this topic on the Internet, I have discovered many interesting facts about alternatives. There have been many attempts at finding, funding, and executing plans in order to decrease greenhouse emissions and support local and national companies (like for the production of ethanol). An article titled "Alternative Fuels: E85 and Flex Fuels" revealed that all cars manufactured after 1980 can use at least E10 (10% Ethanol and 90% gasoline) which would not only be cheaper but reduce emissions significantly. Also it would decrease the dependence on foreign oil. This is just one example of the many options we face to improve the environment, dependence on foreign oil, and create new business opportunities. It is not only a potential benefit but a responsibility we face.

Outside Reading #2

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult is beginning to unfold. The novel is told in the perspective of Anna Fitzgerald who describes herself as a "freak" and "refugee-skinny with absolutely no chest to speak of, hair the color of dirt, connect-the-dot freckles on my cheeks that , let me tell you, do not fade with lemon juice or sunscreen or even, sadly, sandpaper."(Picoult 9) Anna's older sister, Kate, was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia when she was two, and Anna acts as her allogeneic donor. Whenever Kate needs a replacement or transplant, Anna is the person who is turned to for these parts, whether it is a bone marrow or stem cells. I can sense the constant fear of the family that Kate will have another relapse where the cancer that is "hibernating" takes over her body again. This emotion is experienced when Anna was upstairs talking with her mom, and downstairs Kate suddenly began to sob. Overtaken by fear, Anna and her mother sprint down the steps to find Kate crying about an event on a soap. Situations like these occur many times, but after this certain event took place, Kate rubbed her lower back, the place of her kidneys, and Anna knew that trouble was arising. It will be interesting to follow Anna and her family throughout this engaging story.

"What you say online could haunt you"

After reading this article and discussing it in a worksheet, I believe that school administrators and college admission workers should not be permitted to have a Facebook or MySpace for the purpose of checking up on students. First of all, if a student was found doing something inappropriate or illegal in pictures or on posts it is unconstitutional to discipline or fire them according to that evidence. The school's authorities do not extend past the point of school, unless it is the case of a private school where a contract is signed for the students to give up their rights to school officials. Also, I think that even disciplining someone based on these websites would not necessarily affect the school environment in a positive way. That sort of action is more likely to disrupt the system than help. Of course, there are always the exceptions of potentially dangerous situations in the case of firearms or other signs of actions that could danger the student body or society. Lastly, always checking up and monitoring students' profiles inhibits the right to freedom of speech and expression. In a sense, these online sites were created for students to reflect themselves (or not), and with schools constantly watching over, they would be hesitant to personalize their profiles and other aspects of the site. Overall, allowing administrators the privilege to discipline or fire people based on Facebook or MySpace is a violation of rights, expression, and ineffective.

Outside Reading Quarter 2

For my Outside Reading book, I chose My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. I received many recommendations from friends and family who read it saying it was a fast read but very sad. Even though I'm already getting a piece of that impression after only being a few pages into it, I believe the book will be a good page-turner and suspenseful. So far in the novel, there is a character Anna who describes herself as different than most kids a sense of maturity and curiosity about the nature of simple events. For example, instead of just acknowledging a family, she wonders why and how families choose the amount of kids they have. After this description, Anna went to a pawn shop to sell a necklace that seemed to have significant emotional value, but the reason for this is unknown this far in the novel. I'm looking forward to discovering more truths about this character as the book unfolds.

"All My Sons" Reflection

Overall, I enjoyed "All my Sons" by Arthur Miller. The plot was interesting to predict as it unfolded throughout the play, and the events were fairly different from any other book we've read in school. Miller structured the story in a way that the reader jumped into the perspective of the characters right off the bat in the beginning of the play. After a while of learning the situations of the characters, I developed an opinion on the case between Joe Keller and Steve Deever that Keller was innocent. When the truth behind Keller was revealed in the end of Act II I was surprised because the secret was covered up so well up to that point. As for the theme of the story, I think that it revolves around making decisions relative to family and strangers. In my opinion, it is right to put strangers before family, but only to a certain extent. In Joe's case, he chooses to harm soldiers in order to maintain his job and financial income for his family. I believe that decision was inappropriate and selfish, which reflects Joe's character. Joe's behavior reflects the Keller families decisions throughout "All my Sons", but despite this fact, the play was entertaining.