Dreams

According to the video and the text, dreams are something everyone has.  There are many theories about dreams. Some believe that dreams are a symbol of what is being repressed in real life. Others believe that dreams have no connections or meaning to the real world. Dreams are considered an “alternate state” of mind. They happen unconsciously most of the time.  Sometimes we dream because something is bothering us or running through the mind. I believe dreams are influenced by things that happen while you’re awake. Then, you process what you took in that day. Dreams may serve as a sign of what is bothering us or what we need to change in our lives. Other dreams may serve no specific purpose at all. I am one to have the same reoccurring dreams and very rarely do I ever have a new dream. Recurring dreams are usually caused by something in life that needs to be changed. Nightmares often affect me too. It is also rare that I ever have good dreams. Typically nightmares are caused by traumatic experiences or something to cause fear. Other times, nightmares may not even be related to anything. We should pay attention to recurring dreams, events that happen in them, and the setting. Who is in the dream and what role do they play? I live in the country. I have a recurring dream that I am in my back yard on a field trip with my classmates and a teacher, although I don’t know who any of them are. There are no familiar faces. Out of nowhere the teacher is screaming at us, telling us to run inside because we are being chased by a bear. We barely make it into the house before the bear pounces at the front screen door. I am now alone in my house, wondering where my teacher and classmates are and if they are alright. Will the bear get into the house and why is it only coming after me? As soon as I find out that everyone is okay, the dream instantly begins to replay and reply until I wake up. There have been a few times that I woke up physically crying because I was screaming and crying in my dream. On many occasions, I have had dreams that I’m being abducted and I’m trying to scream from the car window and nothing will come out. I would believe my bear dream to symbolizing something following me throughout life that bothers me. I think if I could eliminate whatever that is, that dream may end. The dream about not being able to get anything out when I’m screaming, I think this has to do with my issues with communication. I want so badly to share with people my thoughts and emotions, but I have difficulties speaking out and sharing what I am feeling. My body shuts down and doesn't allow me to speak. That is a challenge that I need to overcome and I think the dream is a potential reminder to keep working at it. 

Generation Debt p. 230

I agree with Suze Orman; when we absolutely have to rely on credit cards to get us through life, we are in trouble. It may not necessarily mean that the generations today don't know how to handle their money. You have to take into consideration the economy and how that is playing a role with financial issues. You are just beginning your life as an adult and you are automatically started off with debt from school loans or paying back financial aid that you received, if you choose to further your education after high school. I would disagree with the article by stereotyping girls as having a closet full of shoes and clothes or a guy having a flat screen TV and nice furniture when it comes to having debt. Many college students may be trying to live on their own and having to busy the bare necessities they need to survive, while still paying bills. Gas and car costs need to taken into consideration as well. Students need transportation to get to and from work, school and other places. Public transportation is an option but not everyone has the perfect schedule to take public transportation all the time. I do not think all young adults are incapable of handling their own money. Sometimes using a credit card may be necessary though, as long as you can pay it back.    

Praying in school

Should prayer be allowed in public school?

While you might believe in God or a certain religion, your peers around you may have other view points. Everyone has the freedom or has the right to their own choice of religion. Should praying in public schools be mandated? Absolutely not. However, i do believe that praying should be allowed on your own personal time in a public school. If prayer was mandated in public schools, it would be a violation of the constitution. Although times have changed and parts of the constitution may be irrelevant now, I don’t believe the separation of governmental institutions and religion has changed. With the many different Gods and the many different religions, forcing students to pray would be unfair. Encouraging or teaching specific religions is also unfair. That would be pushing or forcing a religion onto someone. I believe if a child is going to believe in a religion, they’re going to grow up being taught to follow that religion based on their parents values. As long as it’s not a disturbance to the class and it is not a disturbance to the child’s grades, prayer should be allowed. Many pray before eating or pray before a major test. Some pray for comfort  when they’re going through rough times. That’s okay. People are allowed to follow their religion and do as they please. Someone who is praying on their own time is not causing harm unto anyone else as long as they are not pushing people or forcing their religion onto others. Forcing someone to be taught religion in a public school could make students feel uncomfortable or unwelcomed into the school setting. Students may disagree on religions and many do disagree. Having to talk about your beliefs in school can also cause bullying. With the many different beliefs, kids could be teased or tormented for what they believe is right. Bullying is already a pretty big issue, not only in high school, but the younger generations as well. I think teaching religion in public schools would just cause more controversy.

I am against praying being mandatory in public schools, but i am for it being allowed on your own personal time. I think making it mandatory would do more harm than good. Parents would be upset, children may have more of a risk of being bullied, and  rights of the constitution would be violated. Everyone has different beliefs and i think they should have to right to not be taught certain religions in school.  

"Should Prayer Be Allowed in School?" The Premiere Online Debate Website. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Sept. 2013.

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New Fuel Options

I think the idea of using hydrogen as fuel is a great idea, but I agree with the author of this article (starting on page 197 in our English books). There is no way to efficiently store the fuel. As many advantages as the hydrogen fuel has like its abundance and cleanliness to the earth,   there are major downfalls that play a big role in determining whether or not the hydrogen is a good source of fuel. The author poses a good argument, and supports her argument well. It is simple to think that we could easily begins using that as fuel, yet it is not so black and white when it is written down on paper. As if we thought prices of fuel are high now, the cost of fuel then would sky rocket. There is no possible way to contain that significant of an amount of hydrogen for everyone to use as fuel. Say a gas tank could hold six gallons of gasoline; when it holds hydrogen fuel it cannot nearly hold as much as regular gasoline. Finding some way to convert to a greener fuel is a fantastic proposal. We just need to find out which fuel s most efficient for the sake of our natural resources and preserving them, saving money, and finding a way to store the fuel properly. Perhaps someone will one day discover the key to maintaining a greener fuel economy while saving money at the same time. I think more research should be done to find a more practical, greener fuel to keep this Earth green.

Accepting everyone!

The author of the article, Julia Cheng, tells us a little bit about herself. She is 5 foot 4 inches tall and naturally very thin. The article is about how women are scrutinized for their body types, especially naturally thin women. While I was reading this article, I made note of the key ideas. I noted how the author thought of herself, how others thought of her and treated her, and how she would overcome the negative effect the world had on her. I found it to be interesting that many people told her "you don't understand how lucky you are" yet she still got many negative comments and reactions like "real women have curves" or "don't you eat anything". People accuse her of not eating and harming herself. In all reality, she cannot control her body. Like women who have a hard time losing weight, she has a hard time gaining it, and she gets scrutinized for it. She also brought up a modern day organization. "Real beauty" is being promoted by dove. Women of all shapes, sizes, and ethnicities are on the cover of magazines, showing the world that everyone should be accepted and not judged by their body. The only problem with this campaign is that Dove did not include very petite women. The article written by Julia Cheng is about loving your body and loving who you are. Although she gets negative reactions, she learns to accept herself the way that she is, and so should every woman who has ever been scrutinized for their weight. Nobody should be questioned or accused of something based on their appearance. Also, women should not base their self-esteem or independent body goals on what the media shares. The campaign through Dove should not influence anyone. It is good to love your body the way it is and the 'real beauty'. If there is a campaign to show 'real beauty' thinner people should be included. Since Julia has learned to accept her body the way that it is and she can do anything she sets her mind to. She would like to encourage anyone with similar problems to love themselves the way they are. I think the article proves a good point. Not only bigger women should be encouraged to love their body. Everyone should learn to accept their bodies whether they are big, tall, short or small. Build your body to your own standards and do not fall to the pressure that others put on you to change it. Others should also be taught to not judge someone else based on appearance. If we want to stop eating disorders and disorders related to appearance in young adults or children, media should include all types of women including the thinner ones. If they want their campaign to be successful with all people, this will show 'real beauty'. I can relate to the topic because I too went through the same problems. I was too concerned with what other people thought about my body and not concerned enough with what I thought about my own body. Similar to the author, I had to learn to accept my body the way that it is. Then, I did not let my worries consume me or restrain me from doing what I wanted to do. My ideas did not change after reading the article. I 100% agree with the perspective from which the author is writing from. Women should not be discriminated against because of their size, shape, or ethnicity. Shouldn't all body types and styles be accepted?

http://ic.galegroup.com.library.icc.edu/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Viewpoints&dviSelectedPage=&limiter=&u=peor81815&currPage=&disableHighlighting=&displayGroups=&sortBy=&source=&zid=&search_within_results=&p=OVIC&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ3010128243

Is Social Networking A Waste of Time

We find ourselves asking, Is social networking a waste of time? According to Bernhard Warner, social networking is not such a waste of time. Students are already using technology and social networking outside of class and often times in class to work on school work and communicate with their fellow classmates. Why not embrace the modern day form of communication? While I think it is great to embrace using social networking as a form of communication and creativity, I think it is hurting the way many people communicate in person. Students should be able allowed to work together online, but should still learn and know how to personally work together as a group. I do not believe that Bernhard has a valid argument as to why students should use social networking for school. In a recent survey, a little over half of five-hundred english students admitted to checking social networks during class. Sure, they checked it during school hours, but was it strictly for school purposes or not?  Students check social networking sites as a distraction, something to give them a break. It is good for students to be able to have an outlet. Whether this outlet is used for school purposes or not may make all the difference. Social networking should be slowly worked into the curriculum for some instances like a psychology or english class, but not for every school subject. Social networking should be left alone as an outlet for people to escape. It should be something for people to let their creativity and feelings show. That would be a way to show artistic skills for school work and projects.  

Leagalizing prostitution; yes or no?

Legalized Prostitution

 

Prostitution should be legalized in all U.S. states. I believe that it would help financially, lower crime rates, and provide a safer health environment for those working the occupation . In Newark, New Jersey, the estimate is that close to 60% of all prostitutes carry the AIDS virus. Yet, in the relatively "free market" of Nevada where prostitution is legal, none (as of 1989) of the state-licensed prostitutes have ever tested positive for AIDS (The Case for Legalized Prostitution) .  Based on statistics from other countries or even some U.S. states with legalized and regulated prostitution (22 countries and certain counties of Nevada), it has been  proven that crime rates were lower, STDs weren’t spread nearly as much as with illegal prostitution, and the government brought in more money. I think prostitution should be legalized in the U.S. but kept under strict health requirements and health checks. It would help the country eliminate many of the problems with prostitution such as the  spread of STDs, lowering crime rates, and bringing in money.

If prostitution were to be made legal, it would help decrease crime rates in the U.S. Currently, it is assumed that as much as one-half of a typical urban city's prison female population are prostitutes. In America, an estimated 80,000 people are arrested each year for soliciting sex (A Look at Prostitution Statistics). In fact, the city of Los Angeles alone spends close to 100 million dollars annually dealing with illegal prostitution(The Case for Legalized Prostitution). These costs involve incarceration costs, the cost of meals each day, and basic living necessities like clothes, water and electricity. If prostitution is legal in all U.S states, there wouldn’t be as many males or females in prison for prostitution. That also means less people in jail or prison who have been involved with a prostitute. Therefore, with fewer crimes, there are not as many people in jail, and the government or the tax money does not have to go towards keeping criminals locked up. When people are no longer being put in jail for prostitution, the government and taxpayers actually save money.

Legalizing prostitution would actually help the U.S. economy financially. Legal prostitution could be classified as an occupation, thus, it would be taxable. The Dutch sex industry makes over $500 million a year (Hughes, Sporcic and Mendelsohn), and the Netherlands population is only around 16 million (Why Prostitution Should Be Legalized in the United States). If the sex industry in the United States fit proportionally with the Netherlands population and with the sex industry income, then the United States would have a sex industry that earned about $9.375 billion annually (Why Prostitution Should Be Legalized in the United States). Because the U.S. is in so much debt, the income of money from prostitution would put a pretty decent dent in the amount of debt the country is in.

Legalizing and regulating prostitution would also help the country prevent the spread of STDs and help keep the health rates at a higher level.  Today, new laws have been imposed to bring stiffer penalties to prostitutes who test positive for HIV/AIDS. In some other countries however, prostitution is legal, such as in Netherlands, Turkey, Switzerland, and New Zealand. These countries have strictly regulated brothels which are a reason for their lower STD rates (Why Prostitution Should Be Legalized in the United States). The law is that they are to be tested every month with a blood test, and they should have a license from the government stating that that person is legally a prostitute and is checked monthly for diseases. Therefore, regulation of prostitution can only help prevent diseases from spreading and make the sex industry less of a health hazard. Prostitutes are sometimes victims of murder, rape, or some type of harassment. If prostitution were to be legalized, the women or men in the situation of being harassed could go to the police and report abuse without having to fear being taken to jail or prison for being involved in something illegal. This also goes with the lowering crimes rates as previously talked about.

Many may argue that prostitution is morally wrong based on religion or personal beliefs, but more good things come of it being legalized rather than it being illegal. A study proves that 76% of prostitutes came from a family that regularly attended church (Prostitution). Many people practice religion some way or another. Prostitution is looked down upon in many religions, but it is called “the world’s oldest profession” (A Look at Prostitution Statistics). It has been happening since the beginning of time; it started way before it ever became a big controversy. For those who believe it is morally wrong, they have the right to not include themselves in such activities. Meanwhile, it is someone else’s choice whether they want to participate or not. Participating in legal prostitution could be compared to going to church. It is one’s personal decision or personal choice to do as he or she pleases and take part in activities that others may not want to.

 Legalizing prostitution would help the U.S. with the tax incomes, crime rates would be lowered, and the health of the people in this kind of industry would be under regulation and kept in check instead of free roaming, unhealthy people. An estimated 1% of American women, or over one million people in the United States, have worked as prostitutes (Did You Know? Little Known Facts in the Prostitution Debate). Why not give these people a chance to try to make a living like everyone else in this country? Although it is not an ideal “career”, prostitution happens whether it is legal or not. Legalizing and regulating prostitution would only create a safer environment for those pursuing that career.  Prostitution should be as legal and regulated as any other jobs or occupations in this country.

http://www.fff.org/freedom/1293e.asp>.
http://voices.yahoo.com/why-prostitution-legalized-united-606721.html>.
http://www.hawaii.edu/hivandaids/Prostitution%20Statistics%20IL.pdf>.

 

Works Cited

 

"A Look at Prostitution Statistics." Finding Justice. Eric Dye, 12 Oct. 2012. Web. 06 Nov. 2013.

 

Armentano, Paul. "The Case for Legalized Prostitution." The Case for Legalized Prostitution.

Paul Armentano, Dec. 1993. Web. 23 May 2012. <http://www.fff.org/freedom/1293e.asp>.

 

Hoehn, Robert. "Why Prostitution Should Be Legalized in the United States." Yahoo!

Contributor Network. Robert Hoehn, 22 Oct. 2007. Web. 23 May 2012. <http://voices.yahoo.com/why-prostitution-legalized-united-606721.html>.

ProCon.org. "Did You Know?" Prostitution.ProCon.org. ProCon.org, 2 July 2009. Web. 23

May. 2012.

"Prostitution." Hawaii.edu. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Nov. 2013.

<http://www.hawaii.edu/hivandaids/Prostitution%20Statistics%20IL.pdf>.