Immigration

Last week we have seen a video about illegal immigrants in the USA and I was very upset. It was very hard to see how people are suffering when crossing the border. And I was really surprised that the such problem exist in America, because the United States is country of immigrants. On the other hand, the problem of immigration is one of the oldest and most painful in the US. Even two centuries ago Benjamin Franklin was concerned that the German immigrants may have a negative impact on the American culture. Each new wave of immigrants face some negative acceptance from old immigrants. In the middle of the XIX century Irish immigrants considered drunkards. In the early twentieth century it was said the Polish, Russians and Italians are very different from local people, their customs and traditions have little common with American culture, so they have very little chance to successfully integrate into American society. Now similar accusations addressed to immigrants from Asia and Latin America. Periodically negativity against immigrants increases. When economy goes bad people think that immigrant steal their jobs, or becoming potential criminals or potential terrorists.
I am also immigrant and I consider myself lucky. I did not need to cross the border illegally or did not get student visa hoping to get a green card somehow. I won a Green Card lottery and I became a resident immediately I came to the US. I know some people in Uzbek community and how they get their status. Most of them spend a lot of money to make first work visa and then green card. A lot of them make a fake marriage with American citizens and pay them twenty – thirty thousand dollars.
I do not know how to solve illegal immigration problem, but I believe that people who think that illegal immigrants are all criminals are wrong. Most foreigners immigrate to America because they want to work and help their families, not because they want to sell drugs or steal something.

Education...what's that??

The fact that our educational system is a problem is definitely not a secret. Documentaries, such as the one that we viewed in class further illustrates this point. I cannot understand why educators, law makers, parents and society have not demanded change. The children that are graduating from highschool are not prepared for their experience in society. As I look back I wonder why we were forced to take subjects such as calculus that the majority of students will never apply this to anything in our future lives. I have a younger sister who is 14 and can tell me about the Spanish-American War, but has not a clue what interest on a credit card means, or why you have to pay taxes out of your paycheck. I understand the importance of teaching history and fundamental concepts, but isn’t the point of our educational system to prepare put children to enter into society. After working with youth the past couple years, it amazes me the lack of accountability that some teachers require. Its evident that our educators are overworked and underpaid. If the youth are our future, why aren’t we making more of an effort to provide the education that they so desperately need. The lack of education becomes a problem for society. Uneducated children are not able to function among their peers. There becomes an increase in crime and deviance as these schools are unable to teach the basic rules to their students. Society needs to start back at step 1 with the basics. Educate our youth so that they can contribute to society and become productive citizens. Parent s must take responsibility for their children’s education. Many parents have left this responsibility solely up to the schools. It takes a village to raise a child. Parents, educators and politicians need to finds solutions immediately to this problem. This is a priority for the United States and should be treated as such. The job is not just for one superintendent, it’s a problem society must tackle together.

Acting out to get your way?

When we are children, we are taught early on which behaviors are acceptable and which behaviors are not. However, every child at some point throws a tantrum. Most parents will not tolerate this behavior and and respond in a manner that will not encourage this type of behavior.
I have observed such behaviors in adults and it is not pretty, but the thing is that rather than being called out on their behavior, people are rewarded for it.
I was in a department store and observed an exchange between a customer service associate and a shopper. The shopper was adamant about getting a discount on an item he was buying that was slightly damaged, the customer service associate politely refused. She explained to the customer that there were multiple of the same item still available without damage. The customer refused to swap his item, and was still adamant about the discount. He became obnoxious toward the associate and requested to speak to the supervisor. While waiting for the supervisor, he continued to belittle the associate. When the supervisor finally arrived, the associate explained the situation, and her reasoning as to why she would not give him the discount. Personally I thought the associate was being completely reasonable, and the guy completely ridiculous, so I was definitely surprised when the supervisor sided with customer and instructed the associate to give him the discount! Here was this guy who not only was extremely disrespectful to the employee, had caused a raucus in the store, delayed the rest of the shoppers waiting patiently in line, and he was getting rewarded for his behavior!
This type of behavior even extends to places where you wouldn't think it could happen. In healthcare for example, you have patients who think their emergency is more important than others, even if the other person is actually having a heart attack. Patients feel they have the right to be catered to, and will not hesistate to act out, make a scene in the middle of an ER full of sick patients, until they get a hospital administrator. The administrator listens to them, validates their grievances, and accomodates their requests. In other words, they are giving positive reinforcement that will only encourage this type of behavior.
Why are people so afraid of telling someone flat out they are being unreasonable?
In part I think the way the customer service industry is structured is to to blame. They have adopted mottos such as "The customer is always right." Certain organizations have strict customer satisfaction policies that practically allow customers to do anything they want. In healthcare, our justice system has awarded so many absurd lawsuits that, healthcare workers are weary when someone threatens a lawsuit.
It's unfortunate because I really do think we shouldn't have to put up with these behaviors, let alone reward them.

We the people want to end Marijuana prohibition

Today, the White House launched its new, long-awaited website “We the People.” This websites provides people with a new way to petition the government to take actions on the significant issues facing United States. “If a petition gets sufficient support, White House staff will review it, ensure it is sent to the appropriate policy experts, and issue an official response.”

The most popular topic is regarding marijuana. Legalizing and regulating Marijuana has received more huge numbers of signatures from people. Marijuana legalization looks to be the hottest topic on the site, and it is the first petition to go to public was for the legalization of marijuana. Moreover, Marijuana-related topics dominate the list.

Some people think Marijuana as in a manner similar to alcohol. Those people argue that Marijuana prohibition has resulted in the arrest of over 20 million Americans since 1965 and countless lives has been ruined. Yet Marijuana prohibition policy has still failed to lower use rates, limit the drug access, and create safer communities. They do not believe that prohibiting such drugs will not achieve those results in the future that it has never achieved in the past.

I disagree with those people. If they really think like that, why do we even need laws? There always will be crimes and chaos in the presence of those laws. That is such an excuse! I am against using Marijuana illegally because it has a high potential for abuse which means it is perceived as addictive and begins to dominate people’s life. I sometimes hear that some advocates of marijuana legalization says the drug cures diseases, makes some people happy, does not seem to be any more dangerous than alcohol. That sounds really foolish to me. What do you think about this issue? Do you think Marijuana should be legalized?

Mandated Online Assignments

It was brought to my attention after last week's class, that there seemed to be a divide as to if online assignments were beneficial or not. There were clear points made from both sides. On one hand some students feel as though online assignment are very convenient as they are not required to hand anything in and are able to technically do the work without even being in class. On the other hand some students believe that online assignments handicaps them from being able to really justify their work before turning in the assignment (this directly relates more to science and math classes) and the fact that there is a possibility that the internet server may shut down for whatever reason and leave that student unable to complete their assignment[s] poses another handicap.

Personally I feel as though classes such as math should not have mandated online assignments. Many online assignments will not give partial credit (as showing your work is collateral damage in the process of completing online assignments) and therefore gives physically turning in homework somewhat of an advantage. However, I also believe that with some subjects, like English or Sociology, where writing is frequent and abundant, should have online assignments be mandatory. Online assignments are not only convenient for the student as far as turning in a paper, but are ecologically beneficial for the environment as well, as many sheets of paper and ink are being spared.

The innovative ideal of enabling a student to turn in assignments virtually has become reality and has sparked conflicts almost as complex as the ideal itself. Whether online assignments are a glass half full, half empty scenario one thing is certain, the world is becoming more innovative everyday and many significant, socialized establishments are attempting to keep up, so to speak, with the times.

11/11/11

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we take time to honor those who have made the necessary sacrifices to defend our nation. Time and time again military members are called upon to protect the interest of the United States. Military members have always answered that call with integrity and honor because they understand what it means to put "service before self." Veterans are some of the few that know the true cost of freedom. For many, the cost of freedom was life. A price that none of us should pay. Which makes us forever in debt to those who made that ultimate sacrifice. I know that I owe my life to the veterans that have served before me. I lack the words to describe the gratitude that I have for the men and women who served and made it possible for me to have the opportunities I have today. By volunteering my own service, I hope that I can continue this tradition of honor.

The courage of our military is only surpassed by the courage of their families, who truly understand the challenge of living with the absence of a love one. My heart goes out to all those who have lost a love one, a love one that has given their all for their country.

Airman's Creed

I am an American Airman.
I am a Warrior.
I have answered my Nation’s call.

I am an American Airman.
My mission is to Fly, Fight, and Win.
I am faithful to a Proud Heritage,
A Tradition of Honor,
And a Legacy of Valor.

I am an American Airman.
Guardian of Freedom and Justice,
My Nation’s Sword and Shield,
Its Sentry and Avenger.
I defend my Country with my Life.

I am an American Airman.
Wingman, Leader, Warrior.
I will never leave an Airman behind,
I will never falter,
And I will not fail.

Hooah!

Animal's Are People Too

There was a documentary that I watched a few years back on the truth to the production company. How we kill the animals we eat and how we treated it. What I saw in the documentary was cruel and in humane. I couldn’t bare on watching the parts that showed the dead animals hanging in the butcher. Another documentary I watched recently was about the sport of hunting. People would hunt down elephants for their tusks and burn tigers to get tiger bones and fur. They do it for the money. Both cases really got to me. It is cruel to think people will kill something so innocent just for the mere cost of it. For another example, I recently went to the Howard County Fair with my friend this year. They had a place in the barn were you can look at the farm animals. My friend and I were talking to this one girl that raised the cow we were petting. We were asking questions. One of the questions my friend asked was, “Do you kill any of your animals?” The girl answered to us saying that she does kill the animals. She even stated that the cow that we were petting, that she loved, that she rose since it was a calf, she will kill for their dinner. I was shocked. Personally, I wouldn’t be able to do that if I raised an animal since it was little. I even get mad when my mom sometimes threatens to get rid of my cats that I had since I was seven. No way! I know it is to put food on the table and to put money in people’s pockets. But, why does it have to happen. The way the people kill the animals is said to be painless. But, it’s still in humane to me. Animals rose only to be slaughtered when they are adults is horrible. This is one reason I became a vegetarian. I don’t go for the thought of harming something that doesn’t need to be harmed. They have the same rights as humans in my opinion. If you watch the documentaries you might think the same way. Not saying you will change your eating habits. It’s just horrible.