Antonio's maturity continues to surprise me in the next four chapters. In a conversation with Narciso at the beginning of chapter 13, Antonio talks to him about why he did not stick up for Ultima when talk was going around town. He asks him, "Is that fair?" (Anaya, 138). He means is it fair that Ultima saved his brother and yet none of them were man enough to stick up for her. I was shocked when he asked if it was fair. He is only 12 years old and yet can understand what is fair and unfair in such a convoluted situation. Throughout the chapters Antonio continues to lose his innocence and gain maturity. It is traumatizing enough to watch someone you love get shot right in front of you, but to act as the priest and to take confession is very mature. After this experience I do not see how Antonio could have any innocence left. He had the blood of a dead man on his hands and saw someone take the life of another, twice.
Seeing his brother, Andrew, at Rosie's also contributed to his loss of innocence. When he follows Naricso to Rosie's, Narciso asks to speak to the Marez and Antonio hears the women say, "Which Marez?"(Anaya, 164). This made is evident to Antonio that more than just Andrew have visited the house of the whores. This is very disappointing for Antonio as he looks up to his father and brothers very much. I believe this took a lot of Antonio's innocence and opened his eyes to how frequently people actually sin, even those in his own family. His quote at the end of this chapter was especially meaningful. He says, "I wanted to hate Andrew for being with the bad women, but I could not. I only felt tired, and older" (Anaya, 165). Antonio knows that he is losing his innocence. By saying he feels older it is the same as saying he feels more mature. He has seen someone he thought was innocent at the house of sinners. There is no doubt that he would feel older and more mature after this.
I wonder what will happen with Gabriel, Antonio's father, in the future. He seems to be drinking more and becoming more depressed the more he realizes that his boys are growing up. Gabriel is struggling with the fact that it is his sons' turn to live on the wild side and to go out adventuring. He had his time, and although he wishes he could go on an adventure to California, I think that he realizes it will never happen. He misses the old times and wishes that his sons would travel with him. It is sad that Andrew is leaving with his brothers, but at the same time I do not blame him. He wants to start a life of his own as would any young adult.
One of my favorite quotes from this reading was, "... but where there is no acknowledgment of guilt and penance done for the wrong, there can be no forgiveness" (Anaya, 189). Ultima is the speaker of this quote and is talking about Tenario. At the end of the chapter, Tenario visits the Juniper tree where he killed Narciso. He appeared to be searching for something... a meaning, a justification, or forgiveness. I think that Ultima is very wise and her quote says a lot about forgiveness. If forgiveness is to be granted, one must acknowledge what they have done wrong.
I am looking forward to reading the next couple of chapters and predict that Tenario will continue to cause chaos, but that Antonio will become more mature and powerful.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
White Supremacists Gets 32 Years
Kevin William Harpham, a 37-year-old white supremacist, was sentence to 32 years in prison for placing a bomb-laden backpack along the route of a Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in Spokane, WA, in January. Luckily, police officers found the backpack in time to save the lives of thousands of people. In the backpack was a 6-inch steel pipe with 100 grams of black powder and over 100 fishing weights. He coated the pipe with an anticoagulant, which prevents blood clotting. His plan was to trigger the bomb from afar and watch many people die in front of him. "Today, Mr. Harpham faces the consequences of his hate-filled act. A prototypical 'lone wolf' such as Mr. Harpham presents a particularly vexing threat -- with nothing foreshadowing a carefully planned attack," Laura M. Laughlin, special agent in charge of the FBI Seattle office, said in a statement (cnn.com). It is sad that there are still people like this living in our country. It's 2011 people, time to get over racism.
The author of this article, Michael Martinez, presented no bias in his writing. He did not add any personal thoughts or opinions on the matter. What he did do was present quotes and facts such as age or number of materials to validate his writing. I thought that it was helpful when he added that Thomas Perez, assistant attorney general for the civil rights division, said, "Acts of hate like this one have no place in our country in the year 2011, but yet, unfortunately, we continue to see attempted violence in our communities due to racial animus" (cnn.com). It is true that acts like this do not belong anymore. Martinez did a good job of choosing quotes to use.
Police Officers Need More Sleep!
We rely on police officers to be there when we need them, awake and alert. But what happens when they do not get enough sleep? Researchers are now screening officers to see if they have any sleep disorders and have found that of those screened, 40% had at least one disorder. These disorders include sleep apnea, which results in the sleeper waking up many times throughout the night due to the abrupt stoppage of breathing, and insomnia, which results in the sleeper not being able to fall asleep or stay asleep. The researchers also found that, "those with sleeping disorders were 51% more likely to fall asleep while driving, 61% more likely to violate safety protocols, 43% more likely to make administrative errors, and 22% more likely to be injured on the job, compared to officers reporting no sleeping disorders" (cnn.com). I do not want my police officers to be like this. It is important that they get enough sleep and state officials need to change the laws on this.
The author of this article, William Hudson, was obviously very informed on the topic. He used relevant quotes from the research and from a Sleep Specialist at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA. Hudson also uses many statistics to bring out the logos in the article. The ethos to this article is that police officers are supposed to look out for our safety, but without enough sleep they cannot even look out for the safety of themselves.
Click here to read the article.
The author of this article, William Hudson, was obviously very informed on the topic. He used relevant quotes from the research and from a Sleep Specialist at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA. Hudson also uses many statistics to bring out the logos in the article. The ethos to this article is that police officers are supposed to look out for our safety, but without enough sleep they cannot even look out for the safety of themselves.
Click here to read the article.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Chapters 8-12 Reader Response Journal
I am continuing to enjoy this book. It was happy to see Antonio's brothers coming home but it was also sad to see that they wanted to leave so fast. On page 99 Leon says, "Yeah. It's hell to have seen half the world then come back to this" (Anaya). It is understandable why his brothers would want to keep moving along. I know what it feels like to have traveled only to feel like you are stuck in a rut, doing the same mundane things every day. I don't blame Antonio's brothers for wanting to go their own way and start their own lives. It is sad for Antonio, though, that his brothers are leaving so soon. He was so looking forward to them coming home. I hate when my brothers go back to school, I feel empty. It always feels like I do not see enough of them and I think that Antonio is feeling the same way.
On a better note, I think it is interesting how Anaya italicizes all of Antonio's dreams. It helps to keep the reader on track with the state of Antonio's consciousness.
It makes me laugh when Antonio thinks he is so wise and mature when he is actually only in the 1st grade (now going into 3rd). On page 77 he says, "I was growing up and becoming a man and suddenly I realized that I could make decisions" (Anaya). In my head I'm thinking, "Buddy, you're only like 8... calm down". I probably though the same way when I was younger, though, and I am glad my parents did not let that slide.
Even though Antonio is only in the 3rd grade and might think he is a little more mature than he is, he has a lot of courage and bravery. On page 129, he follows his father outside when Tenario comes back to get Ultima. His courage and bravery far surpass any 3rd grader that I know. He stood by his father's side and in front of 3 scary men with torches and crosses on their heads. It made me mad that Tenario automatically accused Ultima for his daughter's death.
When Antonio says, "I bent down and picked up the two needles that had been stuck to the top o the door frame. Whether someone had broken the cross they made, or whether they had fallen, I would never know" (Anaya, 135). This really made me think. If Ultima's owl had swooped down to pluck out Tenario's eye and distract everyone so that Ultima could remove the crosses, that would mean that she is a witch. I do not think Anaya would've added this to the book if it didn't mean that Ultima was a witch. I predict that more is going to come out that might convince us as readers that Ultima is a witch. Maybe it is not as big of a deal as people make it seem. Ultima may be a witch but she seems to use her powers wisely and for good things. We'll see!
On a better note, I think it is interesting how Anaya italicizes all of Antonio's dreams. It helps to keep the reader on track with the state of Antonio's consciousness.
It makes me laugh when Antonio thinks he is so wise and mature when he is actually only in the 1st grade (now going into 3rd). On page 77 he says, "I was growing up and becoming a man and suddenly I realized that I could make decisions" (Anaya). In my head I'm thinking, "Buddy, you're only like 8... calm down". I probably though the same way when I was younger, though, and I am glad my parents did not let that slide.
Even though Antonio is only in the 3rd grade and might think he is a little more mature than he is, he has a lot of courage and bravery. On page 129, he follows his father outside when Tenario comes back to get Ultima. His courage and bravery far surpass any 3rd grader that I know. He stood by his father's side and in front of 3 scary men with torches and crosses on their heads. It made me mad that Tenario automatically accused Ultima for his daughter's death.
When Antonio says, "I bent down and picked up the two needles that had been stuck to the top o the door frame. Whether someone had broken the cross they made, or whether they had fallen, I would never know" (Anaya, 135). This really made me think. If Ultima's owl had swooped down to pluck out Tenario's eye and distract everyone so that Ultima could remove the crosses, that would mean that she is a witch. I do not think Anaya would've added this to the book if it didn't mean that Ultima was a witch. I predict that more is going to come out that might convince us as readers that Ultima is a witch. Maybe it is not as big of a deal as people make it seem. Ultima may be a witch but she seems to use her powers wisely and for good things. We'll see!
Devastating Elevator Murder
Deloris Gillespie, a 73-year-old women living in Brooklyn, was burned to death in an elevator on Saturday. Her attacker, 47-year-old Jerome Isaac, claims that Gillespie owed him $2,000 for work that he had done for her. She was returning from a grocery-shopping trip in Prospect Heights. He apparently threw a Molotov cocktail at the woman as she tried to exit the elevator to return home on the 5th floor. People fled the building after seeing smoke and hearing the screams of the woman. This is absolutely devastating. A 73-year-old woman! Is this guy serious? If she was not paying him back for money that she legitimately owed him, than he should’ve gone to the police or the Better Business Bureau. Killing her in such a horrific way is disgusting and makes him a coward.
Author of this article, Maria White, provided all of the necessary information to present the story. She added quotes and information on how the man reported himself, “He turned himself in to police overnight or early Sunday morning”. White did not, however, appear to have any bias on the issue. With such a horrific case, it is hard to believe that she did not present any bias.
Craigslist Murder Round Two
Sixteen-year-old Brogan Rafferty will be charged as an adult in Noble County Juvenile Court in Caldwell, Ohio after robbing and eventually murdering David Pauley, Timothy Kern, and Ralph Geiger. All were shot after having been lured into a fake job posted on Craigslist. Rafferty had an accomplice, 52-year-old Richard Beasley. Apparently Beasley has acted like a mentor towards Rafferty, showing him the do’s and don’t’s of pulling off a good murder. I guess Beasley isn’t as good as he thinks he is considering both of them are now facing charges up to life in prison. It is sickening that when the charges were read in court, Rafferty had no emotion and no response to what he had done. How can someone have no remorse? The innocent people he killed were brothers, fathers, sons, friends, cousins, etc.
The author of this article started by introducing the subject by describing that a teenager would be accused for a robbery and murder as an adult. He did not say who the teenager was or exactly what age he/she was. I think that author did this so that the reader would begin to make his or her own assumptions prior to reading the article. The author provided the background necessary to do this without going overboard. The author also provided information about Beasley, the older “mentor”. This helped to form opinions on the man. Overall, this was an informative article.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Overruling of FDA's Decision Will Only Bring More Unplanned Pregnancies
Wow. I am shocked by the news that Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius overruled the Food and Drug Administration’s decision to make emergency contraception available over the counter for all women at any age. Research shows that Plan B One-Step is safe and effective. If she had not overruled this decision, Plan B One-Step, condoms, and pregnancy tests would have become available on the shelves of pharmacies, grocery stores, etc. and would have given women of all ages a chance to prevent an unintended pregnancy. This overruling means that women under the age of 17 will have to get a prescription for Plan B One-Step, which then brings in the issue of dealing with parents, humiliation, and timing. Plan B One-Step can be taken up to three days after unprotected sex, but the percentage of protection decreased by 25% everyday you wait. Time is of the essence and if a teen has to get a prescription, the chances of that being done in time are slim. As it is already, the US has the highest rate of unplanned pregnancies and abortions than any other country in the developed world. This needs to be addressed, not pushed aside or overruled.
The author of this article is Sharon Camp, who is the president and CEO of the Guttmacher Institute, which is a nonprofit organization that works to advance sexual and reproductive health. Camp is clearly upset about the issue and is not shy to say so. She states, “The only groups opposing the FDA's decision were self-styled "pro-family" groups that oppose emergency contraception -- and most other methods of modern contraception – outright”, “To invoke 11-year-olds was not only inflammatory, but diversionary”, and “The entirely science-based decision by the FDA to make emergency contraception more easily available was a chance to take an important step forward for women and for our society. Instead we've taken a huge step back” (cnn.com). As you can see, she is very angry about this overruling, as am I. In the article, Camp used statistics like fewer than 1% of 11-year-old girls have had sexual intercourse and close to half of girls have had sex by their 17th birthday. As she explains, these statistics are real and have effects on the teens that have unplanned pregnancies. Camp does a great job of persuading her readers and making a point about this issue.
Daddy Boot Camp Is A Huge Hit!
Worried about fatherhood? Don't! You can now join over 300,000 other expecting-daddies at "Daddy Boot Camp". Started at a Marine base in California in 1990, these boot camps now take place all over the country... even at a prison in Ohio! This three house class teaches fathers "troubleshooting and diagnostics" such as swaddling and soothing a crying baby, changing a diaper, and dealing with the mother during and after pregnancy. The owner says, "The biggest challenge the dad has is establishing enough credibility so that mom will relinquish control," he said. "If you don't have the hands-on skills, and you don't have knowledge of the (baby's) cues ... it will be very hard to come to any kind of arrangement and have any kind of credibility. Those who don't have those skills tend to get treated as secondary parents. They'll feel sort of left out" (cnn.com). It is cool to think that so many men are trying to become better fathers!
The author of this article used many techniques in his writing. For starters, he began by introducing the topic though the description of Steve Venable, a boot camp veteran. The author also introduced Stephen Goodnough and said that he had "arrived 20 minutes early, admittedly tense. His baby girl is due in less than a month" (cnn.com). It is interesting that the author chose to start the article off this way. It was a good technique to bring in the reader and hold their attention. The author also used statistics and quotes to add logos to the article.
Click here to read the article!
The author of this article used many techniques in his writing. For starters, he began by introducing the topic though the description of Steve Venable, a boot camp veteran. The author also introduced Stephen Goodnough and said that he had "arrived 20 minutes early, admittedly tense. His baby girl is due in less than a month" (cnn.com). It is interesting that the author chose to start the article off this way. It was a good technique to bring in the reader and hold their attention. The author also used statistics and quotes to add logos to the article.
Click here to read the article!
Bless Me, Ultima Reader Response Journal
So far I am enjoying the book. At first I was worried that I would not like it because of all the Spanish words and references, but I think that is what makes this novel kind of special. I do, however, wish that Rudolfo Anaya translated the Spanish words in footnotes or in parenthesis or something! I want to know what they are saying! It is funny because the way the novel is written, it makes it seem like Antonio is at least in middle school... but he is just starting 1st grade! His thought process is very mature and he is very brave for a first grader. When his father goes out to the river to deal with Lupido, I could not believe that Antonio followed! When I was in first grade I would not dare to go outside by myself let alone hide in a bush when there was a possibility of being shot! I was so nervous reading that scene and was hoping that Antonio did not get shot by accident. I am still unsure of my feeling about Luptido. Was it the right thing to do to kill him? I am not sure. He killed an innocent sheriff without reason, so he should be punished. But if he is crazy because of the war he might have been able to be helped out of his state of mind. I feel bad that Antonio is struggling to understand if his father is now going to go to Hell or Heaven. He participated in the murder of a man, whether he was the one who pulled the trigger or not. Ultima says he did not pull the trigger, but isn't it just as bad to have not stopped it from being pulled than pulling it himself?
It made me chuckle when I read, "Why two people as opposite as my father and my mother had married I do not know. Their blood and their ways had kept them at odds, and yet for all this, we were happy" (Anaya, 29), because the entire time I was wondering how they came to marry. His mother is always talking about how bad the Marez his and his father is always ranting about the Luna. I wonder how the met...
While reading I also wondered what war his brothers were fighting in. Does anyone know?
Anyway, I am really enjoying this book so far and look forward to reading the next five chapters. Ultima is very mysterious and makes for a great character. I predict that there will be some drama at school regarding Antonio and the kids who laugh at him. I think one of the best quotes of the chapters is, "We banded together and in our union we found strength. We found a few others who were like us, different in language and custom, and a part of our loneliness was gone... although many a meal was eaten in complete silence, we felt we belonged" (Anaya, 59). It made me happy to see that Antonio found some other students like himself. I predict that they will become closer friends and stick up for each other as school progresses.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Driving = Higher Likelihood of Premarital Sex? I'm not sure about that...
There is much dilemma and controversy surrounding a report given to a high-level advisory group in Saudi Arabia claiming that allowing women to drive could encourage premarital sex. Apparently, the report claims that allowing women to drive will threaten the country’s traditions of virgin brides. How is this possible? I do not know. But they are suggesting that driving will allow for a greater mixing of genders, and therefore would promote intercourse. It seems like a big stretch to me. I drive because I need to get places. It is unfair to think that women in Saudi Arabia have nowhere to be. They are just as busy as everyone else and deserve the right to drive.
The author of this article seems to have a slight bias and might agree with me that women should have the right to vote. He/she claims that this is an “ultraconservative stance”, which I agree with. The writer also uses some background information on the ruling of Saudi Arabia to try to inform his/her readers of the types of policy reforms that have been occurring. He/she also uses quotes to add validity to his/her article.
"Saudi Arabia: Women Driving Will Have Sex, Report Says." Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. N.p., 3 Dec. 2011. Web. 4 Dec. 2011. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/03/saudi-arabia-women-driving_n_1127021.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl3%7Csec1_lnk2%7C117577>.
Crotchless Panties For Toddlers.. Are They Serious?
I’m not sure about you guys, but I would NEVER buy crotchless panties for my daughter. At a store called Kids N Teen in Greeley, Colorado, Erin French found crotchless thongs displayed near kids’ merchandise. Captured by a cellphone camera, French showed a video of the panties to the news station. They are pink with leopard print, lacy, and without a crotch. Clearly these undergarments are promoting sex. It is obvious. So why would a store sell these undergarments to children?! Seriously, the world needs a reality check. A writer for the Heckler Spray blog wrote, “The owner of Kids N Teen says that 25% of her merchandise is actually for teens, which explains the whole crotchless knickers thing, right? Wait. Are they saying that it is okay for minors to buy crotchless knickers? Is that what's going on here?" This is seriously disgusting and disturbing. Its no wonder why children are having sex earlier and the rate of teenage pregnancies is rising. UGH!!!
"Crotchless Panties Sold At 'Kids N Teen' Store Upsets Colorado Parent (VIDEO)." Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. N.p., 4 Dec. 2011. Web. 4 Dec. 2011. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/15/crotchless-panties-kids-store_n_1095184.html>.
The author of this article has a clear and obvious bias. The author writes, “We definitely agree; it's hard to argue that adult products like this should be displayed on the counter for teens to purchase at the mall” and “Crotchless panties at a children's store? Nope, we're not kidding…” (cnn.com). The writer uses quotes from Erin French, the woman who found the crotchless underwear and included the video she took. This was a factual and interesting article but it is unfortunate that it had to be about this kind of subject matter.
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