Blog Post 7

Are We Beating Cancer?

Peter Johnson. Are We Beating Cancer?. kellygallagher. n.p.n.d. Web. 21 April 2014. <http://kellygallagher.org/resources/AoW%201314_30%20Cancer%20Fight.pdf> 

AskInYourFace. Preventing Cancer. askinyourface. News Theme, 10 Jan. 2012. Web. 21 April 2014. <http://askinyourface.com/2012/01/10/thirteen-ways-to-prevent-cancer/>

In this article we learn about all of the positive things that we have both learned and done to help prevent cancer. We also learn that cancer is becoming more common due to the way we live our everyday lives. Cancer is a very serious disease and doctors are doing all they can to help save the lives that have been impacted by it. 

This article relates to a book that I am reading called Unwholly. In this book scientists have come up with a way to cure any and all diseases that you may contract by simply replacing the part that is infected. This process is called unwinding. This also relates to my everyday life because I have relatives that have died from cancer and I think that it's wonderful that cancer is becoming easier to cure. 

I am thrilled that we are finding more cures for cancer. However, I think that it's sad that cancer is becoming more common due to things that we do in our everyday lives. I feel that if you have the power to keep yourself from having cancer by not smoking or drinking or just living a healthier life then you should give up those bad habits because it will be worth it in the long run.

Blog Post #6

Company Denies Drug to Dying Child

Elizabeth Cohen. Company Denies Drug to Dying Child. CNN, 11 March 2014. Web. 24 March 2014. <http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/10/health/cohen-josh/> 

Elizabeth Cohen. Company Denies Drug. Photograph. CNN, 10 March 2014. Media. 24 March 2014. <http://m.localnews8.com/health/Company-denies-drug-to-dying-child/24906710>

In this article we are introduced to a family that is in dire need of a certain drug that a pharmaceutical company has in their possession. Josh has battled cancer four times now and has beat it every time, however his most recent battle has left him very sick and Chimerix has the power to help him. Chimerix repeatedly refuses to help this young boy by giving him medication.

In a way this article relates to the book Unwind because both this situation and the book deal with medical problems that could be solved if people weren't so selfish. Also, this article relates to everyday life because people in general need to take care of each other and genuinely care about one another.

When I first read this article I was absolutely appalled to hear that even though this company could possibly help this young boy they weren't even willing to try. Todd Hardy, Josh's father, stated that "He holds our son's life in his hands"(Hardy) this family is practically begging Chimerix and the company does not even care. It is so upsetting to think that the world has become such a horrible place that you can't sacrifice money for a human life.

What is the purpose for using quotes?

In this particular article the use of quotes helped display the emotion of all of the involved persons that were discussed throughout it. Some examples of this are: "He holds our son's life in his hands," Todd Hardy said. "This is just beyond belief to me."(Hardy) and "We've had employees who ask for the drug for family members who are close to death, and the answer has been no," said Mommeja-Marin, the Chimerix executive. (Chimerix).

English Blog Post #5

OMG! Your Teen Actually Talks to You?

Kelly Wallace. OMG! Your Teen Actually Talks to You? CNN, 27 Feb. 2014. Web. 10 March 2014. <http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/19/living/talking-to-teens-communication-parents/index.html?hpt=hp_c4>

                                                        

Steph. Family. Photograph. n.p.n.d. Media. 10 March 2014. <http://empoweringldswomen.blogspot.com/2011/10/birth-control-and-family-planning.html>

Teens often have a hard time talking to their parents or connecting to them. A lot of times they feel that they can't talk to them because they already know their response. This article describes how you should go about talking to your teen and the  best way to get them to open up.

This article relates to me because as a teen I also have a hard time connecting with my parents.  According to Vicki Hoeffle "If your teen thinks, 'I already know what my mom will say about this, so I'm not even going to talk to her,' you can forget about your teen opening up to you"(Hoeffle) I think that my parents make a valid effort to make me feel comfortable talking to them, but often I already know how they will relate to the situation and that makes talking to them very unappealing. 

My reaction to this wasn't surprised, I honestly feel that any half way decent parent is always looking for ways to get their child to communicate with them. I think that it is always important to establish a relationship with your parent or child because being able to communicate is something that every family should be able to do. I sometimes think that teens make it hard to communicate with adults because they don't want to open to them.I think this is partially the parents fault because they forget that they were teens once too and are not always understanding. 

What is the impact of using quotations?

I think that the use of quotations in this selection enhanced the overall product because you began to understand the parents point of view and also get many useful tips. Also, by using quotes the author made the article more authentic because by reading everyday parents' thoughts it was easier to believe, and also made me feel that these tips would actually help.

Blog Post #4

Kansas teen uses 3D printer to make hand for boy. 

Mara Rose Williams. Kansas teen uses 3D printer to make hand for boy. kansas. 24 Feb. 2014, n.p. Web. 24 Feb. 2014. <http://www.kansas.com/2014/01/31/3261314/kansas-teen-uses-3-d-printer-to.html>

Robo-hand. dezeen. photograph. 29 May 2013, n.p. Media. 24 Feb. 2014. <http://www.dezeen.com/2013/05/29/3d-printed-robohand-helps-children-born-without-fingers/>

A boy named Matthew was born with a condition that disabled him. He was born with no fingers at all on his right hand. A boy named mason Wilde loved to make and invent things and this what drew the two very different boys together. When Matthew's mom discovered a new robo-hand she knew that Mason was the boy for the job ans so she asked him to help. Mason made the robo-hand and Matthew is very happy. 

This event doesn't really relate to me however, it does to relate to a book that i just recently read called The Fault in our Stars. The people in this book have disabilities; though they are not the same to that of Matthew's. In this book the people learn to overcome their disabilities and make the best of it just as Matthew did. 

I think that this is an amazing event and I am so happy for Matthew. Also, I have so much respect for Mason because he took the time out of his busy life to make a little boy who he barely knows happy. I feel that people should act like this more often because you never know what act of kindness, big or small, may change a person life for the better. This event affects me because it sets an example for how all people should act towards each other. I think that if everyone did something nice for someone everyday, and it doesn't have to be anything huge like what Mason did, that the world would be such a better place to live in.

How does the author support their claim?

The author supports their claim that by making this robo-hand for a boy who has no fingers makes him happy by getting a statement from the boy that says just that. “He’s awesome,” the boy said, thrusting his mechanical hand high above his head".(Matthew)

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/2014/01/31/3261314/kansas-teen-uses-3-d-printer-to.html#storylink=cpy

Blog Post #3

Justin Beiber's Arrest


Kelly Wallace. Justin Beiber's Downward Spiral: What to Tell the Kids. CNN. CNN, 24 Jan. 2014. Web. 10 Feb. 2014. <http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/24/living/justin-bieber-arrest-talk-to-kids-parents/index.html?hpt=hp_bn11.>

                                                            


C. Waldholz. Beiber's Mugshot. Photograph. lifeandstylemag.com. n.p. 23 Jan. 2014. Media. 10 feb. 2014. <http://goo.gl/lTUK3s>

In this article we learn about Justin Beiber's arrest and what his actions were that led him to this point. However this is not all that the article informs us about, parents are also given tips on how to tell their children about Beiber's arrest. There are many quotes in this article and they give examples on how to turn Justin's arrest into a lesson about what not to do when driving.

This article relates to me because I just got my permit and by seeing the consequences of Beiber's actions I am taught that I should not follow in his footsteps. He was very lucky this time that he didn't injure anyone, and his consequences could have been a lot worse if he did. Also, this event relates to me driving because with unsafe drivers on the road other drivers are put in harms way.

When I heard about His arrest I was not surprised. I agree with a quote that was used in the article that said: "Evan Katz, a behavioral therapist [...] believes Bieber is suffering from what therapists call "imposter syndrome."(Evan Katz) Summed up, Imposter syndrome is when you don't feel like the same person that everyone thinks you are. I feel that celebrities are often more judged than those of us who are just "averagre" people and I don't think that it's fair. A lot of people say that celebrities have it easier then us, and maybe they do, but who are we to judge them? We don't know what it's like to live their life. Just imagine the whole world watching your every move and judging it. So I don't think that we should judge Justin or stop being his fans, I think that we should support him and help him get through this.

How does the structure of the text refine and support the author's claim?

The way that the author wrote this makes it easy to read this article because many quotes are used and each is separated into it's own paragraph. By doing this it allows the author to state a quote and then explain the quote. 

English Blog Post #2

College Student With Elementary Reading Levels. 

Sara Ganim. Some college athletes play like adults, read like 5th-graders. CNN. CNN, 8 Jan. 2014. Web. 26 Jan. 2014. <http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/07/us/ncaa-athletes-reading-scores/index.html?hpt=hp_t1>

                                        

College Football. Photograph. Wikimedia.com. Wikipedia, 23 Oct. 2009. Media. 26 Jan. 2014. <http://goo.gl/Yv5pMH> 

In this article we learn that some college athletes are reading at an elementary school level. Many schools were surveyed and results show that this is in fact true. A survey at UNC- Greensboro shows that about 70% of collegiate athletes read below an eighth grade level. This survey does not speak for all schools, but in many others that were surveyed there is a margin between the academic levels of student-athletes compared to other students who do not participate in sports. It is also said that many of these athletes were given extra help and some did not even participate in their classes but were still given a passing grade. 

This article relates to me because I will go to college one day and it's not fair to me, or anyone else for that matter, if some people are being accepted because of the sports they play. College is a place for learning and sports are a privilege. I realize that sports are for entertainment and that a lot of athletes bring in revenue for colleges but its just not fair if people are being admitted solely based on their ability to play sports. "They're graduating them. UGA is graduating No. 2 in the SEC, so they're able to graduate athletes, but have they learned anything? Are they productive citizens now? That's a thing I worry about. To get a degree is one thing, to be functional with that degree is totally different"(Hawkins). I feel that this quote supports the argument that college is a place for learning, if they aren't learning how are they going to help impact our society positively? 

I think that is unjust for colleges to accept someone who can't handle the educational standards of the university. I also feel that this goes against everything that the educational system stands for. When you go to school you're supposed to learn but some of these athletes can't even read. I feel that this reflects badly not only on the colleges who allow this to happen for their own selfish reasons but also on the previous teachers the student had, the students parents, and the student themselves. If a teacher sees that a high school student, or any student, is struggling this badly with reading or can't even read they should step in and help them academically. If a parent sees this they should try to help them themselves or get a tutor. Lastly, if a student knows that they are having a hard time with academics they should alert someone so that they can get help. If a student can't handle school when it's the only thing that they are focusing on how are they going to handle playing sports and all of the responsibilities that come with them and still do schoolwork?

What is the purpose for using statistics?

I feel that the use of statistics helped to make this article more convincing and also more informative. The use of numbers shows that what they are saying is actually true and makes it more real. When you don't have any data to look at it can be hard to imagine if this is a serious issue. "Many student-athletes scored in the 200s and 300s on the SAT critical reading test -- a threshold that experts told us was an elementary reading level and too low for college classes"(Ganim). This helps me to visualize the incapability of these athletes and to understand that it is very unlikely that they are passing these classes without some type of cheating.

English Current Event #1

Affluenza Defense

Madison Gray. The Affluenza Defense. newsfeed.time. CNN, 12 Dec. 2013. Web. 12 Jan. 2014.
                                         
                                          

Carrearas, Iris. Ethan Couch. Photograph. cbsnews.com. CBSnews. 18 Dec. 2013. Media. 12 Jan. 2014.

In this article we read about a 16 year old boy, Ethan Couch, who was on trial for vehicular manslaughter. Not only did he kill four people but he stole beer from a Walmart and seriously injured two other people in the car with him. Ethan could have gotten up to a possible 20 years in jail but he got no time in jail. The judge, Jean Boyd, felt that he is suffering from Affluenza meaning, in my own words, that he is so rich that his parents paid to get him out of trouble and now he doesn't have to deal with any serious consequences.

In class I am reading a book about a young girl who commits suicide. In this book she sends out tapes to the people who she feels made her come to the decision to end her life. The people who got these tapes were never the same again and though she takes full responsibility for committing suicide the people who got the tapes lives are forever changed. I relate this to this event because I feel that people need to take responsibility for their actions.In both of these cases people lost their lives.

I feel that though he got sentenced to 10 years on probation that still wasn't enough. I understand that he is young but I still feel that he should have done some time in jail. People need to understand that with every action there is a consequence and the fact that he doesn't have to deal with his because he's too rich to tell wrong from right is ridiculous. This event affects me because it allows more dangerous drivers on the road.

The central idea of the article is that as long as you have a ton of money to throw away then you can do whatever you want and get away with it. “She fashioned a sentence that could have him under the thumb of the justice system for the next 10 years,” (Scott Brown). I feel that this quote really reinforces the idea of paying your way out of your problems because as long as he gets a minor consequence then it's overlooked. “Ultimately today, I felt that money did prevail, If [he] had been any other youth, I feel like the circumstances would have been different.” (Eric Boyles). I couldn't agree more with this statement and it just goes to show how corrupt our justice system is. It's not about fairness anymore it's about who can throw out the most money.