At home, I didn't have a whole lot of free time. I spent most of the week working on my observation project for psychology and watching American Horror Story. .I also managed to get out to the book store for the first time in a while. I bought a few new books, I am really looking forward to reading. I am slowly, building my library of poetry and horror literature. Also, I almost got in a car accident on the way to school. The car was in my lane going the wrong way.
For class this past weeks we have been working on our Room for Debate Assignment. I am collaborating on this with Arthur Gandy and Courtney Huff. This project was challenging because we were limited to 1,000 words. Between the three of us and all of the ideas we have, we could have written a whole book. This assignment was really interesting and informative. During class we had time to work on it/ discuss the assignment with our group. Arthur, Courtney, and I talked about many different ideas for this paper, for example, "devils advocate" playing both sides of the argument, or statute of limitations behind background checks. Ben also, joined our discussion giving valuable feedback about our topic.
At home, I didn't have a whole lot of free time. I spent most of the week working on my observation project for psychology and watching American Horror Story. .I also managed to get out to the book store for the first time in a while. I bought a few new books, I am really looking forward to reading. I am slowly, building my library of poetry and horror literature. Also, I almost got in a car accident on the way to school. The car was in my lane going the wrong way. I am really looking forward to tonight's class. I can't wait to work on my Room for debate assignment with Courtney and Art. I can honestly say, I was really disappointed last weeks class was cancelled. This project has been rather challenging. I'm hoping between the three of us, we can write something magical.
This past week I started Physical Therapy at a new location, as my prior PT was not working out. I'm really excited about the new office. My physical Therapist seems to be knowledgeable in Ehlers Danlos Syndrome!!! I think this place will work out great. For this assignment, we were asked to pick a topic from New York Times, Room for Debate section. Since, this post will be the initial ground work for my official Room for Debate Assignment, I chose to write about Gun Control. As a gun owner this is a topic that impacts me directly in my daily life. I read many articles and individual opinions on this topic before narrowing it down to a few, that I feel state a powerful argument.
Glenn Harlan Reynolds, a distinguished professor of law at the University Of Tennessee College Of Law. Glenn states on October 5, 2015, “according to a recent pew poll, more Americans support gun rights than gun control.” He talks about the reason being, people are unable to trust the government for protection. “If you want more gun control, you need more trust. And if you want more trust, police and politicians must be more trustworthy.” Alec Macgillis is a political reporter for ProPublica. He believes the recent mass shooting and carnage would have zero political effect on the gun debate. “Gun control groups…. Have trouble getting voters to agitate and to prioritize the gun issue the way that gun rights defenders do.” Those in support of gun rights are backed by committed supporters. These individuals are willing to make calls, and put in the extra time. Gerry Connolly , a Democrat, has represented the 11th District of Virginia since 2009. In 2010 he stood up against an opponent who supported the N.R.A.. This individual opposed closing the gun show loophole and suggested the Virginia Tech massacre would not have happened if the students were carrying guns. After all this, Gerry stuck to his position. He supports background checks for all firearm purchases, and would like to ban guns from schools as well as mental health centers. He also stated, there should be a ban on assault-style weapons because they are made to kill a large number of people rapidly. "Surely we, as a civilized society, can now move beyond the ridiculous argument that any restriction of any kind is an assault on individual liberty." "We have been lulled into a passivity and fatalism with the logical fallacies and thuggish tactics of the gun lobby at a terrible cost." Lee Drutman , a senior fellow in the program on political reform at New America and the author of "The Business of America is Lobbying How Corporations Became Politicized and Politics Became More Corporate." “Until a pro-gun control group can match the organized people power of the N.R.A. and affiliated pro-gun groups in the rural and suburban districts and states that hold the balance of power in Congress, no mass shooting is capable of changing the politics of gun reform.” He feels that, Organizations/ people who support gun control have not proved gain enough votes to determine the outcome in a close election. These groups are growing. however they still have a long way to go in order to be successful in political matters. Lee also mentioned, location has everything to do with gun control or gun rights believes. Minimally populated states have a higher percentage of gun owners, these states have an unfair disadvantage in senate. "For even modest gun control legislation to pass, majorities in both chambers must be convinced that the political cost of opposing gun control is higher than the political cost of crossing the gun lobby." Robyn Thomas is the executive director of the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.” A poll taken in 2014 by Quinnipiac University, shows 92 percent of gun owners and 86 percent of Republicans support background checks for all gun sales. Even though the majority is in support of background checks, the N.R.A. are still in opposition. "It boggles the mind that a lobbying group could be so out of step with the American public and its own members and yet still thrive. Is the gun lobby a paper tiger that will soon be revealed for what it is, or is it an actual threat?” I believe in the end it all comes down to trust, or the lack of trust. The government has become corrupt and the citizens of America do not trust the people who are supposed to lead and protect us. Politicians are abusing their power and changing their opinions based on popular vote in order to keep their position of authority. There are those who do not trust the government, and those ‘sheep’ who blindly follow orders for “authority or fame”. I fully agree that we need extensive background checks as well as mental illness screenings. In order to join the military you have to pass a psych evaluation. In order to purchase a gun, you should have to as well. But ultimately, I will not hand over my gun without a fight. No one not even the government has the right to dictate whether or not I can own a gun. Until the politicians can be trustworthy nothing will change. Taking away guns is not the solution to control. All that will do is leave innocent people defenseless. The second they take away are guns, the criminals will still have them and even if they don’t these people will think of other ways to kill people, ie. knife, water, bombs, fists, poison…etc. Guns do not kill people, people kill people.. In class this past week, we discussed Rhetoric . The Rhetorical concepts are : Logos (text), Ethos (author), Pathos (audience), Telos (purpose), Kairos (setting). Mangini also talked about the five canons of rhetoric. I believe the they will be a useful tool in my writing process. 1. Invention - creating ideas 2. Arrangement - Organization 3. Style - tone, genre 4. Memory - Shows change 5. Delivery - how you get it out there (soft spoken, fast, loud, etc..) Mangingi said a quote that really stood out during the lecture: "We live in a soundbite culture." Soundbite means- a small amount of what is said, is actually heard. Although, this information was helpful. The part of the class I took the most away from was the end when we discussed Essay Structure. Over the past week, I worked more than normal. So, I did not have quit as much free time for writing. What little free time I did have was spent sewing. I handmade my Halloween costume. I finished my costume just in time for my Halloween gathering. In class last week, we finished presenting our Adaptive Mindset Assignment (AMA). A few classmates including myself presented. I read my story without any hesitation. I had no issue's speaking to the class. And in turn I received really great feedback. A few suggestions were to begin my story with a symptom, or when I first started college and take out the part about high school. As well as, discuss in further details how I had/ have a growth mindset.
My classmate Anna's AMA really stuck out, in the best way. She wrote about personality types and her personality type (phlegmatic) adapting. "Phlegmatics are stuck trying to connect and adapt to be stimulated in a sanguine world" I had never heard this terms before, Thank you for teaching me this Anna. In class we also discussed the Elevator Pitch we had to prepare for, as part of our midterm portfolio. I struggled to figure out exactly what to say over the course of the week. I researched elevator pitch's for college students, and for students arguing a grade. Finally after several days of brainstorming on this project, I completed my argument. And I can not wait to hand it in tomorrow. At home I had a good week. My fiancé and I went to a haunted house with our friend Pete. Then last night I surprised Brandon (my Fiancé) with dinner at his moms house. A few weeks ago I asked him mom to coordinate her day off with mine and Brandon's. I told him I would be gone for a little while Monday and could not tell him why yet. To my surprise he didn't ask many questions. So, yesterday morning I got up, went grocery shopping, and headed to my future mother in laws house in Boyertown. She helped me make chicken piccata with asparagus, and potatoes. While we were cooking Brandons mom called him and told him to come over because she "got a piece of furniture stuck in the hallway". He then called me asking when I would be home and told me he was going to his mom's. A little while later Brandon showed up at his moms house and was surprised I had dinner ready for him. He later told me he knew I was at his moms house the whole time. Apparently I am not good at surprises. Today Is an emotional day. My older brother Justin would be 23 today. Unfortunately, he passed away 2 and a 1/2 years ago. We were really close and I miss him every single day. There is a whole in my heart which can never be filled. To wish him a happy birthday the past two years I have baked a cake. This year I made brownies, because who doesn't love brownies? I love you Justin, Happy Birthday big brother!!!! After reading the Democratic Debate Transcript, and several days of contemplating what a good majority of the candidtes responses actually ment, I have come to the conclusion most of it doesn't make sense. They do not answer the question directly, 90% of their responses entail either discussing a completely different topic or repeating the question with slightly different wording. With that being said I wanted to focus on the issue of gun control. When discussing gun control and shooting in Colorado, Bernie Sanders responded saying: SANDERS: I think the governor gave a very good example about the weaknesses in that law and I think we have to take another look at it. But here is the point, Governor. We can raise our voices, but I come from a rural state, and the views on gun control in rural states are different than in urban states, whether we like it or not. Our job is to bring people together around strong, commonsense gun legislation. I think there is a vast majority in this country who want to do the right thing, and I intend to lead the country in bringing our people together." Alittle earlier in the conversation he also says: SANDERS:" As a senator from a rural state, what I can tell Secretary Clinton, that all the shouting in the world is not going to do what I would hope all of us want, and that is keep guns out of the hands of people who should not have those guns and end this horrible violence that we are seeing. I believe that there is a consensus in this country. A consensus has said we need to strengthen and expand instant background checks, do away with this gun show loophole, that we have to address the issue of mental health, that we have to deal with the strawman purchasing issue, and that when we develop that consensus, we can finally, finally do something to address this issue." After reading this and still not fully understanding his stance on gun control I read another article about Bernie Sanders addressing gun control. in this article the writer says "As his rivals in both parties have pointed out, his voting record on gun control legislation is varied." To me his stance on gun control is not clear. He continues to push the idea of mental health being a major concern and the driving force of crime with guns. However, his voting pattern does not support his argument. He speaks of "going after" manufacturing companies, but not small gun shops. I am unable to agree or disagree with his overall view, but I do disagree with his idea of just going after manufacturing companies. Allowing someone to purchase a gun, who then ends up killing someone with that gun, is the manufacturers fault just as much as it is the gun shop, the person using the gun, and the individuals doctor/ family's. We have to handle all aspects of the gun purchase, not just the company who made it.. What is your opinion on Bernie Sanders take on Gun Control? You can add a PDF document to a page using the Embedded Document element (which is provided by a company called Scribd). If you're not sure how to create a PDF, there's very likely some free options for creating basic PDFs right on your computer. Step 1.) Drag the document element to a page (you can find it under the Media section of Elements), a large box will appear. Step 2.) Click the indicated area of the box Step 3.) Select the Upload File option from the toolbox. Step 4.) Select the file you want to upload from your computer. Step 5.) Give the file a little time to upload and you're all done!
I do not like the changes to weebly editor, it looks very odd. Although I do like that it shows you how many visitors to your site oyu have. Before class this week I sat in the hallway with Art, he asked how I was doing and we began to discuss my diet. I told him about how I am very limited in what I can eat. My diet mainly consists of rice. I am nightshade, soy, corn, dairy, msg, and gluten, free due to my many health issues. After class, I spoke with Mangini about how I struggle to speak infront of people. He said (may not be his exact words) he did not notice this internal battle, he said I speak eloquently. This conversation sparked a grand revelation on my way home from school. I have spent my entire life searching for a home that I thought didn’t exist and now I know that’s not true, I am exactly where im meant to be if for some reason Brandon and I split up Yes I will be sad, but what ever happens. I am ment to be right here right now. I finally see the light. I found the good in my illness. It no longer controls me. I have never felt the way I feel now. Ive never been so empowered I finally understand the true meaning of confidence and love. And just being happy with who you are I will change the world with my voice. With my words. I am NOT my illness. I am not this condition that no one has ever heard of. It will not define me I am an incredible fighter, I am eloquent. I am intelligent I am me. I have power ive never had a revelation like this before. I am god’s creation I finially love myself I am finally happy for the first time in many many years I don’t regret my decisions over the past two years. I don’t have fear, that night was the firt time in a long that I was not afraid to talk in front of people I didn’t doubt myself I didn’t feel the tightness in my chest the anxiety the self doubt the fear that I was wrong I knew that was where I was ment t0 be and what I am ment to do. I will inspire people I will change the world because now I am happy with myself I can do it for me I can do it because that is my purpose. My purpose is to change the world with my words. I never thougth I would achieve this. I do not question my decisions I don’t doubt I am going to accomplish great things. At work on Friday, October 9th I watched a tornado form. I have never seen one before. To be that close was both exhiliarting and terryfing. I heard a coworker say that it touched down in Collegville however I did not check the news to see if that happened. Check out the video. I know I already posted a draft of my This I believe story, but I would like to take a moment to write another short post about a completely different topic, to honor my sister graduating from her after care/rehab program this coming Monday. I will be adding to this throughout the weeks/months to come, Although this is a true story the names have been changed to protect privacy.
I Believe in redemption. Christmas eve 2013, 8pm. Little did I know, this night would forever alter the course of my family. I was curled up on the couch under the blanket with my boyfriend, we were watching Firefly. My phone rings: the screen says, incoming call Mom. I wasn't going to answer the call, but something in my gut told me it was important. "Hi mom" "Sarah, are you home? I need to tell you something." "Yes I'm just sitting here watching t.v. Whats wrong?" I could hear it in her voice. I knew something tragic happened. Trying to hold back tears mom said "Rose is in the hospital, she is barely holding on." I have never felt fear as I did in that moment. Fear is an overpowering emotion. I could not breath. My heart felt as if it had been ripped out of my chest. My sister was dying and there I was 3,000 miles away, sitting in a house with people I had only just met a few weeks prior. Mom began to explain what had happened. She received a phone call from the police. They told her a young woman believed to be her daughter was found in the streets wandering a neighborhood. She collapsed. A kind elderly woman (an Angel in disguise) saw her and called an ambulance. By the time she got to the hospital her heart beat was barely there. She was fading fast. I have never cried as much as I did that night. My sister is my best friend, my partner in crime. I could not live without her. The doctor's managed to keep her alive, barely. As they began to run a tox screen. Mom and I waited for what seemed like an eternity to hear the results. My sister had overdosed.... her drugs of choice were cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin. Throughout the night, she almost slipped away several times. Once the doctors knew what was wrong, they were finally able to stabilize her. Although her vitals were okay, she was still unconscious and unresponsive. My mom did not leave her side, the entire night. Not even for a moment. That night was the longest night of my life. I did not sleep. The fear of losing my sister had completely taken over. Sometime in the middle of the night my phone rang again. As I was sobbing I managed to form a few coherent words. "Hi mom, is she going to be okay?" Struggling to speak mom said, "The doctor says if she makes it through the night , he is hopeful she will recover. Her heart rate is stable. She is breathing again." "That's good news. Mom I can't lose her." "I know sweetheart..... pray." "She is still unconscious and unresponsive... If that woman did not call an ambulance when she did, Rose would not be alive right now. I have to go, I love you." "I love you too mom, I'm so sorry I'm not there." The rest of the night I sat on the couch staring at the clock as the hours ticked by, crying harder then I have ever cried before. I did not know my body was capable of producing so many tears. I must have fallen asleep for a few hours, when I awoke the sun was beginning to rise. On Christmas morning I pulled back the curtains to watch the sky turn orange and pink. Today should have been a magical day filled with joy, laughter, presents, and family. Instead, the only thing I felt was fear, panic, regret. I blamed myself for not being there. I thought if I would have stayed in Arizona maybe I could have saved her. Maybe she would have listened to me. A few hours after waking from my short restless slumber, my mom called once more. This time with new news. "Sarah, she is awake! Rose made it through the night. She is slowly recovering." I should have been overwhelmed with happiness, relief that my big sister was going to live. However that did not happen. I was still filled with fear, because in that moment I knew this was only the beginning of a long road through hell. When she woke up the first words she spoke were "why am I here, what happened." |
AuthorI am a writer striving to reach higher education. Please join my journey in showing the world having a disability does not define the person. Archives
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