Current Event - Mother & her daughters abducted in TN

A mother and her three daughters were abducted recently in Tennessee by Adam Mayes. Two bodies were found in relation to the abduction, but the bodies have not yet been identified to the public. I've been hearing about this story all day. It's all over the media and it's all anyones been talking about. I was a little scared hearing about it. Even though I hear about little kids getting taken all the time this one scared me because one of the girls was only two years younger than me. Not only did they take her but her mom as well. I can't imagine the horror they are going through. I pray that they're found and that their abductor put in prison. Some of the rumors say he plans on taking them to Mexico and using them for money, probably prostitution. It's so sickening. There are so many other ways to make money. He's scarred those girls for the rest of their lives. I hope they make it through their crisis alive. My heart goes out to them. It breaks my heart to think that this could've happened to my family. It makes me think twice when I'm out of the house, I'm more alert now. I appreciate having my family around. Even though my mom is really strict and protective, I understand. If she wasn't the way she is with us, the probability of a situation like this happening to us would be much higher. I wish we lived in a world where things like this didn't happen. I guess that won't ever happen... For now I've just got to worry about my family and hope that these girls and their mother are found alive soon.


Source:
CNN Wire Staff, . "Bodies found in probe of alleged abduction of 3 Tennessee sisters, mother." CNN. N.p., 2012. Web. 5 May 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/05/us/tennessee-missing-children/index.html?npt=NP1>.

Part Three - Life of Pi

WOAH.

Not only did I get caught up in reading the book as if Pi was real. I got caught up thinking that the story with the animals was true! I didn't see the change in stories coming at all. The book never tells which story is true, but I think it's safe to assume that the one without humans is the accurate story. I make this assumption with the thought that, we humans like to "sugar coat" things, make this seem better than they really are. Pi changed his story as a way to cope with the tragedy I think. At the same time... part of the stories don't match up. Pi trains Richard Parker  in the version with animals. If Richard Parker symbolizes Pi for the story without animals, who does Pi symbolize in the story. If Pi is Richard Parker, there needs to be someone who is Pi. Was that just an added character? A figment of his imagination maybe? Someone to keep him company? That's the only mismatch I see, but that doesn't necessarily mean the story without animals isn't the real story. I think the way the author wrote the book was very thoughtful. It points out how savage we are in nature although we hate to admit it. When worst comes to worst, thats what happens. The story sounds a bit extreme, with the cook butchering the sailor and all, but I can see how the desperation could cause a person to do something so horrible. Now, I don't know if I would be able to do that, but I can see how someone else would. After all, the first level on the Hierarchy of Needs is Survival. People will do whatever it takes to save themselves. It's sad to think that Pi would have to witness all the events first hand and its mind boggling to think of what he must've been thinking. He grew up around animals, he understood them and he understood how dangerous they were in the wild. Altering the story from humans to animals is probably the only way he could accept what had happened. I think the story with the humans is right, but I could see the animal story being true as well.

Part Two - Life of Pi Analysis

I really didn't think I would like this book. It's actually really interesting to me. Pi becomes almost an animal himself. He kills fish with his bare hands even though it's totally against his beliefs. His character completely transforms. I think its ironic how he knew so much about animals and now he's almost like one himself. His only focus is survival. Before he talked about how animals usually prefer the zoo to wild life. Now I know why, even though the animals are caged up they still have food and shelter and all the other necessities. Out in the ocean Pi and Richard have to fend for themselves. Its better in my opinion to live a somewhat controlled life than one that is unmerciful, unreliable, and savage. Atleast the animals in the zoo don't have to worry about survival. They can enjoy their lives. I remember in class you said that sometimes people forget Pi is a fictional character because they're so into the book. It's so true! You can feel his desperation, his savageness, its all so real. It's a wonder he didn't kill himself long before he discovered Richard Parker was even still on the lifeboat. And the cannibal guy who tried to eat him.... that was probably the freakiest part. I complain at school how hungry I am, but none of us really know what hunger is. I can't imagine being hungry enough to kill someone, someone who's trying to survive just like me. I don't really understand why Richard Parker chooses not to harm Pi. Without Richard Parker, Pi would be long dead. Is it destiny? A god given miracle? Luck? Animal Instinct? I don't know, but I think it's pretty cool. Im curious to find out if Pi ever explains his interpretation of why.

Current Event 2 - New charges relating to 2010 oil spill

This article is about a former BP engineer who is being charged with destroying evidence that ties him to charges relating to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill back in 2010. He deleted text messages off his phone that clearly said that the oil flow rate was too high. The company also lied about how much oil was really spilling into the gulf each day. The way I see it, deleting the messages wasn't going to make a difference. If anything, it made him look more guilty. I don't know much about off-shore drilling, but it seems pretty dangerous. I think its completely irresponsible for an oil company to drill knowing that its not safe. They cost themselves more money repairing the gulf and cleaning up, than they would have if they would've sold the oil. These companies need to be better regulated and supervised. This incident was feels like it occurred so long ago, I can't believe employees are just now being charged. It's really disappointing to think that these people ruined the gulf and its environment, and there are people at fault who are just now being charged.


Source:
Matt, Smith. "First Criminal Charges filed in BP oil spill."CNN. N.p., 2012. Web. 26 Apr 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/24/us/gulf-oil-spill/index.html?hpt=ju_t4>.

Life of Pi - Part One Analysis

I think its kinda cool how we get to know Pi before we know what the mystery event is. The story reels you in. Pi's character has a certain aura that reels the reader in, making you want to find out more about him. The way he thinks is simple but unique. Animal rituals and instincts seem basic, but he uses it to explain human life which gives the concept a whole new twist. I was a little hesitant and cautious while reading the part about his father feeding a live goat to the tiger. At first I thought his father must be crazy. There had to be another way to make his point. It's so vivid in my head when I think about it, it's kind of scary. I guess Pi's father knew what he was doing, because if I'm the reader and I got scared... I can't imagine a little boy like Pi watching it in real life. Its a harsh way to teach his kids a lesson, but he got his point across at least. We forget how truly wild zoo animals are. It's almost as if humans had no religion and no government. We'd all be savages. Pi also talks about how zoo animals rarely run away. I applied that to the whole "religion and government" idea. People may complain here and there, but I think if given the choice we'd all stick with religion and government anyway. Without religion, life has no meaning. Although the government might control us, we're better off that way. Just as the animals are safe at the zoo, rather than fighting for their survival in the wild. This book makes me think about Disney's "the Jungle Book". Pi reminds me a little of Mowgli, they both have respect for the wild. At the same time they understand animal life and its a part of them.

Trayvon Martin (R.I.P.) - Current Event

I realize this probably isn't the first blog you've read so far about Trayvon Martin, sorry in advance :P


I was completely speechless when I heard about the shooting a couple weeks ago. I didn't understand why Zimmerman wasn't in jail and why he even shot Trayvon in the first place. I lived in Florida for nearly 15 years and I knew vaguely about the 'stand your ground' law. The way I always perceived it was that you could only shoot if they were on your own property. I thought that if you were able to remove yourself from the situation that you were supposed to do so. This man pursued Trayvon even after dispatch told him not to (which is what makes me mad the most). On top of that, Trayvon wasn't even armed. He had a pack of skittles and an ice tea, he didn't stand a chance! Just because you see a African-American teenager wearing a hoodie doesn't mean they're automatically a danger. The cops had already told him that they were going to take care of the situation. Why on earth would he think taking this kid's life was in reason? Did he think he was going to be some kind of neighborhood hero? Neighborhood watch people aren't even supposed to have weapons, let alone use them! Not only did he violate that rule, he disobeyed orders given to him by dispatch police. This whole incident is just....... Everyones whooping and hollering now that he's charged with second degree murder. What I'm saying is, wasn't Casey Anthony charged with murder? And didn't she get away with it? There's so many loop holes and flaws in the laws we have it makes me wonder what's really going on with our government system. The 'stand your ground' law is incredibly vague, who knows how many people have avoided murder charges with this law. I won't be satisfied until Zimmerman's behind prison bars and the 'stand your ground' law is repealed. There's way too many people getting away with murder, way too many innocent lives being lost. It's not right...


Source:
Kelly , Frank, and Smith Matt, eds. "Task force to consider 'stand your ground' after Trayvon Martin death."CNN. CNN, 19 April 2012. Web. 19 Apr 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/19/justice/florida-stand-your-ground/index.html?hpt=hp_c1>.

The rest of Fahrenheit 451 - Analysis

Throughout the book, Bradbury emphasizes the negative effects of technology and societies dependence on it. I think it’s ironic how the book ended, with the atomic bomb destroying the city. The people in Fahrenheit 451 were consumed by technology. They didn’t have time to think, they were constantly either in their parlors, or listening to their seashells, or speeding down the highway. I think what sparked Montag’s way of thinking was Clarisse, and also Faber. They both seemed to overlook the fact that he was a fireman and tried to enlighten him to the world of independent thinking rather than a world consumed by technology. Faber told Montag that the only way to achieve happiness was exposure to books and other forms of quality information, leisure to think, and freedom to act. I totally forgot about him saying that until I re-read a couple parts of the book. Now in the countryside Montag actually had time to think and the freedom to do what he wanted. He finally transformed into his true-self. He always talked about how he didn’t know what caused him to make some of the decisions he did (talks about how his hands acted one their own). He actually has room and time to reflect and realize his true purpose, memorizing the bible to preserve and pass down for the benefit of society. His purpose is to spread the knowledge of books and help others achieve happiness like he did. Even though the hobos only have some technology, they aren’t overwhelmed by it. They know about books and are knowledgeable. If the society in Fahrenheit 451 was more like the hobos on the countryside (technology in moderation) they possibly would have survived.

About Dover Beach:

“For the world, which seems
To lie before us like a land of dreams
So various, so beautiful, so new,
Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light,
Nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain”

I think the connection to Fahrenheit 451 in this is that the society seems to be perfect and happy, but it’s only the illusion of happiness that they see. They don’t have love, perfect example being Montag and Mildred. Their country is at war, which shows there is no peace. And the last part, in Fahrenheit 451 they have no remorse or care for those who have passed. When Clarisse died, no one cared. That one friend of Mildred’s talked about how if her husband died she would simply remarry. None of it matters, their life has no purpose; once someone dies everyone moves on and no one cares. They don’t leave anything behind in the world to benefit society either. Technology dominates their thoughts and blinds them from the realization that they are not happy and their society is covered in flaws.