cc#2

In a recent article by Alex Rodriguez in the LA Times entitled "Pakistan sends former Taliban fighters to militant  rehab."   Rodriguez tells how former Taliban fighters participate in " deradicalization" programs, taking place in countries such as Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia, which are designated to re-educate former and present radical fighters bound against the U.S. One individual participating in the program, "Ahmed", claims "I would never admire what i did 11 years ago." and "It was a blunder on my part. I was immature, but it was my decision, and i am still paying the price for it." Rodriguez informs his readers on two main ideas, 1. How this helps these individuals 2. How many individuals were affected.
                    This program, in my opinion, seems to help the well being of those in the wrong by giving them a chance to make it right. Even the level of crimes committed may still be forgiven if stopped. The fact that it has helped one person could possibly  have saved one thousand lives in the same time.
                       From a database of Afghan-trained fighters and extremists monitored by Pakistani authorities, 600 were selected to participate; about half of them agreed. Many had fought with the Afghan Taliban against the U.S.; others came from Pakistani militant groups seen by the West as a continuing threat, including Jaishe-Muhammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba, the organization behind the 2008 attacks in Mumbai, India, that resulted in more then 160 deaths.
                          To me, this is just one step closer to piece between radical members, foriegn and domestic, and those countries affected by acts of terror.

Afghanistan police training

          In a recent article by Laura King in the LA Times entitled "Afghan police recruits to be rescreened; U.S. suspends training ,"  King informs her readers of two purposes in writing this article: 1) explain the "insider shootings" 2) inform readers on the suspended training and new recruits.
            "American special operations forces have suspended the training of new recruits to an Afghan village militia until the entire 16,000-member force can be rescreened for possible links to the insurgency, U.S. officials said Sunday." In King's article, this statement describes the repercussions of an "insider shooting" which has came from several members that have been trained by the U.S armed forces. All trainees must be rescreened before training will begin again. This is schelduled to last almost a month. Even though we trust our "partners" in Afghanistan, we still can not have insurgents with our weapons shooting us with the training we gave them.
          Forty-five NATO service members have either been murdered, or wounded by these new trained insurgents. Therefore this will delay the time of training, the trust between trainer and trainee, and the amount of trainers for them. After the war between countries i understand the tension that will be boiling between officials, yet if one is trying to help another i cannot comprehend the killing that goes on both sides of this arguement. If the war is over why is there still a need to fight?
          Maybe one day there will be actual peace between the east and west, but the training of police officers will impact greatley the control of their government and basicly give Afghanistan a fresh start in the world of Democracy.

Inferences

One conclusion I drew from the infographic WTC time line is that the new World Trade Center will be a very safe, structuraly sound building. For one, there will be 45,000 tons of structural steel used in the rebuilding of the World Trade Center. 45,000 tons of steel is six times the amount used in the making of the Eiffel Tower. Also, 3 foot of concrete, which is impregnated with reinforcing steel, will be protecting the outer shell of this master piece. The logical explination for this structural reinforcing is not to scare terrorist from attacking us, but to all together deflect it.

Tyler's reading bucket list

To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee - This title came to mind because Mrs. Gilmore recommended that every student that has not yet read this book should deffinatley pick it up! Most students have also read this and highley recommend it. In the recommendations people have said that it is about these children that are "investigating" their neighbor who never leaves his house and seems to be pretty creepy.
Looking For Alaska by John Green - Looking for alaska caught my eye because it seems to be very adventureis. What i concluded from the description is that John Green is depicting a story from adventures in alaska. Espically since this book is on the "Top 100 List" it has been chosen as one of the main titles on my bucket list and i hope to read it very soon.
The Book Theif by Markus Zusak - I do not have much background information from this book, but that still does not stop me from wanting to read this. It seems to be a book set in the older ages and is a knew selection of reading that i will soon be attempting.
Harry Potter Series by J.K Rolling - This particular series is on my list because i have seen some of the movies. I recall that Mrs. Gilmore looks down upon seeing the movie before reading the book. This why i will try to redeem myslef by reading the series. The series is about a young wizard that is orphaned to live with his aunt and uncle. They treat him with the most faint signs of being nice. Then young harry is intrused to the world of wizards and the school (hogwarts) which is where his adventures will soon begin.
Hunger Games Series by Susan Collins - This series resembles times of civil war, where the government is basicly torturing their citizens. A fellow student recommended this series to me by describing how this girl has to hunt for her own food which is highley illegal in their society. The "Hunger Games" is like randomly picking two children from each major city and making them fight to the death. This series portrays how wrong and cruel this is to do to even enemies much less citizens of your own country.
I am Number 4 by Paticus Lore - In the video, this book is set out to be about a group of people with special powers. I think theres like 8 people in the group? Yet numbers one through 3 have already been killed and it tells that it is number fours job to save the world. This story interest me greatley. I espically want to read it before i watch the movie.
Miss Perguines Home For Pecuiluar Children by Ransom Riggs - The description of this book tells about children in a very old house. These children are "special" that meaning they can do what others cannot. There are people that stand strongly against these children living and prefer lock them away in a jail or dungeon then to care to help or support them.
The Perks Of Being A Wall Flower by Stephen Chbesky - In the video of this book it shows how a student is constantly bullied and implies how wrong it is.
Calico Joe by John Grisham - This is another book that i havent heard much about, but iv been told that it is a very good read and is well worth my time.
Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare - I do not know anything on this book either.

forgivness is earned

If I was to be one of the passengers left behind on the sinking Titanic I would not forgive anyone that left people diliberatley just to save themselves. Asking a victim of the Titanic to forgive those to blame would be like asking jews to forgive Hitler and his Nazis. It would take a very sympathatic person to forgive people leaving them to freeze to death just so they can leave. What makes their lives worth more then those who died? Greed is what killed half of the people in the Titanic. I would not expect anyone to forgive something as extreme as leaving me to die in the cold shark infested/ iceburg infested water.

the deffinition of good literature

       Reading good literature pulls us closer to present and past cultures in which thrive from it. Because Steinbeck's novel, "of mice and men", exposes the faults and inner conflicts of society in the 1930's, it is a prime example of good literature.
        In Steinbeck's deffinition good literature is pulled from four main chacteristics. These chacteristics consist of exposing faults of society, showing nner conflicts, showing greatness in people, and helping understand each other. In these chacteristics, "of mice and men" expresses these greatley. It exposes the major fault in racisim from that generation and the greatness of how people helped one another.
        Racisim was one of our biggest problems in society in the early 1900's. The book, "of mice and men" shows how African American people were treated. An example, "Where the hell is that God damn nigger?", is one good representation on how black people where reffered to in "of mice and men".
         Another wrong doing of people was the treatment of mentally challenged men and women. Lennnie, a character from "of mice and men", was picked on, bullied, and humilated because of this. From "of mice and men", "George- You gonna have troyble with that Curley guy. He's gonna take a sock at ya first chance he gets. Lennie- Don't let him sock me George!" Curley believed that since Lennie was mentally challenged he could pick on him and get away with it.
          In conclusion, "of mice and men", In John Steinbeck's deffinition, is a prime example of good literature. It is important to read good literature because it leads us closer to our present and past culture which thrives from it.

Hear the Roar

       Batesville Motor Speedway is a very memorable place for me and many others. I always remember going to the races with my Grandpa and the sound, smell, and taste overwhelming me. The smell of popcorn and motor oil rushing through your nose, and the roar of the engines and the screaming crowd beating your ear drums.
       The sight of the speedway is amazing. The aggressive drivers, the jumping and moving crowd, and the ambulance and firetrucks awaiting a crash, gives you a rush of excitement. It is devastating when there is a crash. Some people think it is exciting to watch, but others, those that are the family of a racer, are in shock because they don't know if there driver will be ok.
        I have many memories with family and friends at the Batesville Motor Speedway. This is why I feel it is an important part of my life.