Crazy Love Response

This article was slightly confusing as I was reading it. The author seemed to jump from one idea to the next and it was hard to follow. The end was more understandable but the author's writing style is what threw me off. The beginning talks about love and how it can make people do crazy things that they normally would never. Love can make you set aside your values in order to impress your significant other, or it could have the opposite effect and make you a better person. I can relate to some of the things mentioned in this article based on past experiences. Although, I feel as if the author is taking the specialness out of the aspect of love and talking about it as if it is not important. He talks about "shopping for a mate" which I guess in reality is true but I feel that it should be talked about with more respect. Love is an awesome thing and it's not like shopping which is what he compares it to. It almost sounds as if the author doesn't even really care about love. He mentioned that if you are married to someone and a better person comes along, then basically just drop everything and move on. I don't agree with this at all. If you are with someone, you can't just up and leave and basically throw them out. it's unreal. Overall, I don't agree with what the author is trying to get across. Maybe he has never been in love and that's why he has the views that he does.

To Resist Hitler and Survive response

The Holocaust is one of the most well known events not only in Germany alone, but throughout the whole world. It was absolutely devastating in every way imaginable and cost thousands their lives. The money spent on memorials is past the millions, which it should be. It is nice to see people commemorate those who suffered during this hard time, for they deserve it. I can't even believe the Nazi's could be so brutal. How could anyone not have any sorrow for killing their own kind? I have always been fascinated with the Holocaust so this article sparked my interest. I did not know that people hang wreaths on their doors as their own memorial. It was a very sad time but also brought out the best in some people. Those laying down their own lives so someone else could survive and speaking out against the things they did not believe in. I agree with the author when she talks about not only honoring the victims but also the people who worked to stop rise of Hitler. Their efforts were great and they stopped at nothing. I am glad I picked this article because it helped me to learn some new things. The Holocaust was a terrible event, but many extraordinary people helped to bring it to an end.

When You Have to Shoot First response

After reading this, I totally agree with what the author is trying to portray. It seems wrong initially to kill someone point blank when they have done nothing wrong. But, also security measures and orders have to be followed, or the safety of civilians is at risk. In the case of the incident at Lebanon, the author thought at first killing the wounded attacker was wrong. Although he still had use of his hands which posed him as a threat. I could not imagine having to make a decision whether or not someone dies. It is wrong to take the life of others, because it's not our say. But if it is a threat to you or the people around you, it is your duty to ensure the safety of others. When I read the two incidents, I can completely understand why the people had to carry out their orders. It is better to be safe than sorry. It is sad to think that the suicide bombers have families that love them, but not everyone is brought up to do the right thing. I am glad that our country has so many people willing to risk their lives for our safety every single day.

Iraqi Kids Playing War Games response

I found this article to be very interesting while I was reading it. I never knew how much of an impact the Iraqi war had on the children living there. It doesn't affect us as much in the United States because we don't see the terrorists and suicide bombers in day to day life. That terrible life is all that surrounds those poor kids. I could never imagine growing up in such circumstances. The part about the toy store owner shocked me. He said about 95 percent of the toys he sells are guns. This number is absolutely staggering. The kids come in looking for "the biggest and most harmful toy guns." It is even more surprising that some of the parents think this is totally normal and harmless. If all the violence is what the kids are soaking up, they are more likely to become violent towards everyone else around them. In the end of the article, the author talks about how the children are frustrated and refuse to do their work. This is because they think that they will have the same fate as so many others before them: getting displaced or killed. In my opinion, the parents of these children need to realize that these "games" are having no positive effect. I would never sit back and let my child go to the extreme to make up that they are killing others. They need to be reinforced of all the people that love them and are trying to help them escape that terrible life. I would never stand for my child to act out more violence than they are already exposed to.

The Butterfly Effect Response

When I initially read this article, I didn't agree with almost everything it had to say. I understand that everything we do has an effect on our surroundings, but a butterfly flapping its wings? I just don't see how this would cause a tornado in Texas. It sounds ridiculous to me. Maybe this is only an analogy but it sounded like the author was dead serious. I know that things we do have a ripple effect and it only spreads out. I agree with the author when he begins to talk about what humans are doing to the ecosystem. We are causing massive amounts of pollution, which in turn, has terrible effects on the world. The air we breathe becomes contaminated, along with our water supply. This is partly due to dumping trash into the ocean. Everything we do in life has a chain reaction, whether it be positive or negative. Many things are preventable, and there are increasing efforts to better the world we live in. Although the butterfly effect is far fetched in my opinion, I do agree that everything we do has an impact on something or someone.

"Go Back to Black" response

When I first began reading this article, I was slightly confused. I had no idea that there are so many different ways to say "black". I got from the author that he would rather prefer being called "black" versus "African American". I thought that many people used to take offense to being called black. The race name game can be very difficult in that some people are more laid back than others. It has definitely become less of an issue now than it was about 30 years ago.

The article also mentioned the many different areas that distinguished groups of black people from one another. Such examples are black Caribbean, black African, or African American. No matter where they are from geologically, they are all united in what they endured over the years.

Another huge recent issue which is a huge accomplishment among African Americans is the election of Barack Obama. As everyone knows, he is the first African American president of the United States. From personal observation, I know many black people were likely to vote for him because they could relate. They were happy that their race could be represented in the White House. The only thing that makes me extremely angry is that I found so many African Americans wanted to vote for him because of his race only. When asked about his policies, they knew next to nothing. I am not generalizing this to everyone, but several accounts. From personal experience, my university was definitely one sided. Barack Obama posters were plastered all over the place, but almost none for the opposing party. Many people were band wagoners. I am also happy for Obama's accomplishments, because he worked hard to earn them. I just hope people realize their true priorities.

Your Gamete, Myself response

After reading this article, I had many different feelings and opinions. The whole idea of egg or sperm donation and in vitro fertilization doesn't bother me. I would actually consider donating my eggs if it was to benefit someone else and give them the chance the have a family. I know the Catholic religion is opposed to research related to egg and sperm experimentation. I think that if it can benefit society, why not support research?

I've heard that there are some dangerous aspects of egg donation; possibly inability to have children later in life. I think the best time to donate would be when you have already had kids of your own and don't plan on having any more.

One of the hardest things is when your child finds out that their mother wasn't their birth mother. In the article, the author mentions that she believes that it is the child's rights to know who their real mother is and where they came from. Many kids end up wanting to find their biological mother. I believe it is better to be well informed than to have your past hidden from you. I know that if I was either adopted or came from an egg donor, I would want to meet my mother. This process also allows older women to have the ability of having children. The oldest woman on record was the age of 60 when she became pregnant. Over the years, egg/sperm donation and in vitro fertilization has become increasingly popular. As research furthers, it will only continue to grow.