As I Sit and Think...

I am very pleased with how the first marking period has gone. I do not think it is easy but I do not think it was difficult either. I find it challenging but not too challenging. I enjoyed doing this blog project and I'm very excited for the projects throughout the year. I really like the class I'm in for English; I think we have a really solid group that is comfortable sharing with the rest of the class. I feel like I'm already becoming a better writer and I only hope to keep getting better as the year progresses. I enjoy the discussions we have in class. The books have not been so bad yet. I'm proud of how I've been doing this year because I normally get Bs or Cs in English class so having an A is an accomplishment. My goal for the second marking period is to maintain my A and keep working hard. It might be a bit of a challenge because my sport will be starting soon and it can be hard trying to balance school and sports. I just have to stay focused and not give up. I believe hard work beats talent when talent won't work hard.

Music and Lyrics

Kanye West song Amazing relates to, To Kill A Mockingbird because at a point in the song Kanye says "It's amazing, I'm the reason Everybody fired up this evening I'm exhausted, barely breathing Holding on to what I believe in No matter what you'll never take that from me" I related this quote to Atticus. When he took on the Tom Robinson case, he was aware that there was a strong possibility that he would lose. Tom Robinson is a black man on trial for raping a white woman. As soon as people in the town of Maycomb heard that they automatically assume Tom is guilty. Atticus really wanted to help Tom. He stay with Tom to protect him from people that were after him. He presented a really excellent case, with superior evidence. He believed Tom was innocent and he did not give up hope. No one was going to convince him that Tom raped Mayella. Atticus took on a hard trial and people were really anxious to see what he would bring to the table. Unfortunately it was not enough to let justice be served.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH4JPgVD2SM&ob=av2e

Don't Ask Don't Tell

If someone wanted to serve this country shouldn't they be able to? According to the U.S military "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy, the answer is no. The policy was signed by former president Bill Clinton in 1993. This policy allows anyone that is openly homosexual or bisexual to be discharged or prevented from serving in the military. The full name of the policy at the time was "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Don’t Pursue." "Don’t Ask" mandates that military or appointed officials will not ask about or require members to reveal their sexual orientation. "Don’t Tell" states that a member may be discharged for claiming to be a homosexual or bisexual or making a statement indicating a tendency towards or intent to engage in homosexual activities. "Don’t Pursue" establishes what is minimally required for an investigation to be initiated. "Don’t Harass" was added to the policy later. It ensures that the military will not allow harassment or violence against service members for any reason. During his presidential campaign, then-Senator Barack Obama stated in an open letter that he "called for us to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell". During 2009, President Barack Obama advocated a policy change to allow gay personnel to serve openly in the armed forces and stating that the U.S. government has spent millions of dollars replacing troops expelled from the military. The number of service members that have been discharged each year from 1994 to 2006 range anywhere from six hundred to twelve hundred. In 2005, the Government Accountability Office found that the cost of discharging and replacing service members because of their sexual orientation during the policy’s first 10 years totaled at least $190.5 million. This amounts to roughly $20,000 per discharged service member. A federal court in Riverside, California, ruled that the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which bans gay men and lesbians from serving openly, is unconstitutional. The "don't ask, don't tell" policy violates the First Amendment rights of lesbians and gay men.With U.S. military and public opinion now firmly in opposition to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” it is time to put an end to this outdated, discriminatory policy. It’s time for the best, most powerful military in the world to change its stance toward gay men and lesbians serving. I almost relate this policy to many schools that do not allow same sex prom dates. The schools encourage students to hide how they are and stay in the closet instead of embrace it. All people should be able to be open about their sexual orientation instead of feeling ashamed.

http://gaylife.about.com/od/dontaskdonttell/i/dontaskdonttell.htm
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/gays-military-pentagon-announce-humane-approach/story?id=10194160
http://articles.cnn.com/2010-01-27/politics/obama.gays.military_1_repeal-policy-that-bars-gays-servicemembers-legal-defense-network?_s=PM:POLITICS