A Veteran's a True Patriot
If an American asked if patriotism matters, I would question whether they were American or not. As a natural part of our society, one must be a patriot, for it’s what defines an American from someone else. Soldiers fought and died for America, and would be dis-hearted to see the people they died for become unenthusiastic Americans, passing the day away with TV and video games.
The spirit of true Americans has been increasingly fleeting, and veterans from every war America has participated in are disappointed for the country they fought and almost died for is changing into something they would have never liked to see. You can see it in their eyes, a deep sorrow, for what they’ve been through. Veterans are true patriots, for they love their country more than anyone. If you fight for your country, and lay your own life on the line, you truly, deeply love it.
My grandfather was a Korea veteran, and he admitted to me that he was disappointed with what the world and the country he loved most was coming to. He may have enjoyed his time in the military a little bit more had this country become something better. He’s not around anymore, and I wish America had made him more proud. Patriots are hard to find, but he was one of them.
If you fought for your country, and lost, for example, a leg or arm, you gave that appendage for your country. If it became a lazy, uninterested country, would you be happy? People believe that if they work hard and fight for something, it will honor them. Unfortunately, that is not the case. America is still patriotic. It just needs to be awakened.
Animal Farm = Communism
“Absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Those words couldn’t be truer. When the animals of Manor Farm rebelled against Mr. Jones, they hadn’t thought about how to run the government if they succeeded. They wrote laws that were the complete opposite of how Mr. Jones had run the farm so they could enjoy things Jones hadn’t provided. They hadn’t looked to the future to make laws that would be required. They simply wrote rules that countered current problems and spit in the face of the Czar, but, as time progressed, they stuck to laws that helped as much as an electrician fixing a flood problem. Problems would emerge that only a true genius could fix.
A common problem during the time of the Russian Revolution was that very few people had a proper education. They could be persuaded by the simplest of things. Stalin, Lenin, and Trotsky knew this and utilized it to their full capacity. Intelligence can be as key to survival as food. Knowing dangers, what benefits them the most, and how to survive. Einstein once said that an empty stomach is not a good political adviser. Apparently, it was to the animals Animal Farm.
Soon after Stalin took power, he realized people were literally starving on the streets of Moscow. A very persuasive tool he used was a sudden restocking of food supplies. He made sure the country ate well, but they ate too much and came near to running out of food entirely. On Animal Farm, Napoleon was covering up their lack of food to visitors by placing bits of food on top of barrels and filling them with grass and dirt. He lied to keep up his appearance at the cost of the people’s food. He basically did what Jones was doing.
When Karl Marx wrote the Communist Manifesto, he created laws that were against everything the Czars had put into place. At first, they sounded very appealing and the people had gratefully accepted these laws. But the leaders, both Squealer and Napoleon, had something different in mind. Over time, they gradually replaced an evil with one of even more power. They became exactly what they were opposed to in the beginning of revolution. Not to mention, they also altered the 7 rules of Animalism, which is a mirror image of Communism. Whenever they wanted something or did something that opposed a law, they changed it to accommodate their greed and selfishness. They betrayed Old Major and his dying wish, a bold leader whom they had once admired. But admire him more, they would not.
As time progresses, people, along with everything else, ages and will eventually die. Boxer, the strong-hearted, not-so-strong-minded horse, Napoleon’s loyal and most faithful worker was nearing his time. He had collapsed and was said to be sent to one of the best hospitals to receive the best care he could. Yet another of Napoleons infamous lies. Napoleon saw it fit to send him to his death rather than have an old horse lying around. Stalin had done this numerous times during his iron rule. He did terrible things to innocent and brainwashed people. Many Russians believed that he was the great man who led Russia to glory. That is a misconception. If you look at what Stalin did, one can easily compare him to the most infamous dictator of all time: Adolf Hitler.
A common problem during the time of the Russian Revolution was that very few people had a proper education. They could be persuaded by the simplest of things. Stalin, Lenin, and Trotsky knew this and utilized it to their full capacity. Intelligence can be as key to survival as food. Knowing dangers, what benefits them the most, and how to survive. Einstein once said that an empty stomach is not a good political adviser. Apparently, it was to the animals Animal Farm.
Soon after Stalin took power, he realized people were literally starving on the streets of Moscow. A very persuasive tool he used was a sudden restocking of food supplies. He made sure the country ate well, but they ate too much and came near to running out of food entirely. On Animal Farm, Napoleon was covering up their lack of food to visitors by placing bits of food on top of barrels and filling them with grass and dirt. He lied to keep up his appearance at the cost of the people’s food. He basically did what Jones was doing.
When Karl Marx wrote the Communist Manifesto, he created laws that were against everything the Czars had put into place. At first, they sounded very appealing and the people had gratefully accepted these laws. But the leaders, both Squealer and Napoleon, had something different in mind. Over time, they gradually replaced an evil with one of even more power. They became exactly what they were opposed to in the beginning of revolution. Not to mention, they also altered the 7 rules of Animalism, which is a mirror image of Communism. Whenever they wanted something or did something that opposed a law, they changed it to accommodate their greed and selfishness. They betrayed Old Major and his dying wish, a bold leader whom they had once admired. But admire him more, they would not.
As time progresses, people, along with everything else, ages and will eventually die. Boxer, the strong-hearted, not-so-strong-minded horse, Napoleon’s loyal and most faithful worker was nearing his time. He had collapsed and was said to be sent to one of the best hospitals to receive the best care he could. Yet another of Napoleons infamous lies. Napoleon saw it fit to send him to his death rather than have an old horse lying around. Stalin had done this numerous times during his iron rule. He did terrible things to innocent and brainwashed people. Many Russians believed that he was the great man who led Russia to glory. That is a misconception. If you look at what Stalin did, one can easily compare him to the most infamous dictator of all time: Adolf Hitler.
Traitor Essay
In the novel Traitor, it’s all about hiding and escaping capture. The characters, 17 year old Danny Watts, and his ex-SAS grandfather, Fergus Watts, are avoiding capture and probable execution by British MI6. Fergus Watts was a deniable operator in the drug wars in Columbia. However, he supposedly "switched sides" for the money, and was captured by Columbian forces. He was imprisoned, but escaped and returned to England to find solidarity. But luck wasn’t on his side, and his grandson ratted him out. Now one of the few people who knew Fergus was a deniable operator, he must join his grandfather’s quest to stay hidden.
Danny has never experienced such thrills in his entire life combined, so he makes little mistakes that compromise their cover. However, Fergus usually corrects him. That is, until he gets captured. It will be up to Danny and his companions to free his imprisoned grandfather. Danny has picked up skills along the road and they suit him for the purpose he needs them most. His companions, on the other hand, do not know these skills. One is scared senseless, while the other is bent on going in with Danny. His grandfather was deemed dangerous simply because he had SAS knowledge and that the man trying to eliminate him, was his former officer who never liked him anyhow. That officer became the head of MI6, Britain’s secret service. He knows that he is a traitor but, as anyone would, he doesn’t want to be discovered. Fergus wants to expose this criminal but is meeting stiff resistance in his struggle to do so.
This novel represents how cruel people can be in their greedy quests for power and money. The MI6 leader has mowed down people in his path who could’ve exposed him as a traitor to England. Now, he is on the final hunt for the last man who knows what he has done. He must stop Fergus from making contact with the media or else he’s done for. It is in human nature to have greed, but it is natural in society to suppress this emotion. Many people in history are infamous for not controlling this greed. Hitler in WWII thought he could take on the world, but this did not turn out for him. Fincham, the MI6 leader, may have the same outcome. His quest for power could come to an end because he relied on other people to do his dirty work.
Fergus and Danny try desperately to gain their freedom and expose the true traitor. But MI6 has a multitude of agents, and it’s only Danny and Fergus on the other side. They encounter tight situations and highly trained and experienced personnel. Their relentless drive toward their goal proves there loyalty to their country by going to lengths only the insane would reach for. The dynamic duo loves their country, but there is more than one man behind the throne.
Danny has never experienced such thrills in his entire life combined, so he makes little mistakes that compromise their cover. However, Fergus usually corrects him. That is, until he gets captured. It will be up to Danny and his companions to free his imprisoned grandfather. Danny has picked up skills along the road and they suit him for the purpose he needs them most. His companions, on the other hand, do not know these skills. One is scared senseless, while the other is bent on going in with Danny. His grandfather was deemed dangerous simply because he had SAS knowledge and that the man trying to eliminate him, was his former officer who never liked him anyhow. That officer became the head of MI6, Britain’s secret service. He knows that he is a traitor but, as anyone would, he doesn’t want to be discovered. Fergus wants to expose this criminal but is meeting stiff resistance in his struggle to do so.
This novel represents how cruel people can be in their greedy quests for power and money. The MI6 leader has mowed down people in his path who could’ve exposed him as a traitor to England. Now, he is on the final hunt for the last man who knows what he has done. He must stop Fergus from making contact with the media or else he’s done for. It is in human nature to have greed, but it is natural in society to suppress this emotion. Many people in history are infamous for not controlling this greed. Hitler in WWII thought he could take on the world, but this did not turn out for him. Fincham, the MI6 leader, may have the same outcome. His quest for power could come to an end because he relied on other people to do his dirty work.
Fergus and Danny try desperately to gain their freedom and expose the true traitor. But MI6 has a multitude of agents, and it’s only Danny and Fergus on the other side. They encounter tight situations and highly trained and experienced personnel. Their relentless drive toward their goal proves there loyalty to their country by going to lengths only the insane would reach for. The dynamic duo loves their country, but there is more than one man behind the throne.
Tom Sawyer Summative Response
Mr. Twain likes to illustrate the frivolousness and carelessness of a young boy's life. The dreams of what he wants to be when he grows up, the adventures he experiences. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer paints this picture perfectly in the reader's mind. He just reminds the readers of their childhood by explaining similar experiences in this novel. However, the average American child does not become rich by hidden treasure, or witness a stabbing up-close and personal. Mark Twain exaggerates how children view events at that stage in life to a point where it's simply silly.
This book holds high esteem because of the reminders it sends to adults. It may seem offensive at first, but it’s really just showing how young children acted at that stage in life. Mark Twain had an interesting childhood if these are based on his own accounts. Many people at efficient reading levels would enjoy this novel because, if they’re advanced enough, they can relate to these excerpts from experiences with ease. If they are old and mature enough, they most likely have passed that stage in life and can think back to it.
However, I disagree with Mark Twain for most novels have a point, yet The Adventures of Tom Sawyer doesn’t. It simply tells the tale of Tom at this certain interval in time. It relays no message whatsoever, but shows the reader the crazy things a child who’s young and frivolous at heart and on the outside will do. The part that can be confusing is Tom’s age. There is no statement in the book about how old he is. If he’s around 10 years old, that seems a little young to have a girlfriend and love each other, instead of just playing together like most young children do. The other matter is if he is older. The love part comes into play easily, but one would think he’d be more of a gentleman than a toddler. Teens don’t run away from home to play pirate, yet little kids do. Of course, maybe not run away from home so much as run to the basement or backyard.
Age is a huge question, as is maturity. This may not be Tom’s fault, but his manners have much room for improvement. He is squishing bugs in church, he is sneaking out at night, and he is being a fool rather than a gentleman when around Becky. He believes that most are below him, while some are at his level, and then he looks up to few. Tom’s episode at his funeral was extremely pompous and haughty. He marched in on his own funeral, looking up, being the boss of every one there. He had little respect for them most likely due to the appeared disrespect to him before he ran off and “died”.
This novel has whittled down to an adolescent’s view of life. The realism of it has left something to be desired. Tom’s brain acts like a filter so that most things seen through his eyes are processed to exclude the majority of sinful acts and suffering. Only the exhilarating and joyful events are granted access to the wilderness that is his mind. The world seems like paradise to Tom now, but as he ages, this glee shall flee him.
This book holds high esteem because of the reminders it sends to adults. It may seem offensive at first, but it’s really just showing how young children acted at that stage in life. Mark Twain had an interesting childhood if these are based on his own accounts. Many people at efficient reading levels would enjoy this novel because, if they’re advanced enough, they can relate to these excerpts from experiences with ease. If they are old and mature enough, they most likely have passed that stage in life and can think back to it.
However, I disagree with Mark Twain for most novels have a point, yet The Adventures of Tom Sawyer doesn’t. It simply tells the tale of Tom at this certain interval in time. It relays no message whatsoever, but shows the reader the crazy things a child who’s young and frivolous at heart and on the outside will do. The part that can be confusing is Tom’s age. There is no statement in the book about how old he is. If he’s around 10 years old, that seems a little young to have a girlfriend and love each other, instead of just playing together like most young children do. The other matter is if he is older. The love part comes into play easily, but one would think he’d be more of a gentleman than a toddler. Teens don’t run away from home to play pirate, yet little kids do. Of course, maybe not run away from home so much as run to the basement or backyard.
Age is a huge question, as is maturity. This may not be Tom’s fault, but his manners have much room for improvement. He is squishing bugs in church, he is sneaking out at night, and he is being a fool rather than a gentleman when around Becky. He believes that most are below him, while some are at his level, and then he looks up to few. Tom’s episode at his funeral was extremely pompous and haughty. He marched in on his own funeral, looking up, being the boss of every one there. He had little respect for them most likely due to the appeared disrespect to him before he ran off and “died”.
This novel has whittled down to an adolescent’s view of life. The realism of it has left something to be desired. Tom’s brain acts like a filter so that most things seen through his eyes are processed to exclude the majority of sinful acts and suffering. Only the exhilarating and joyful events are granted access to the wilderness that is his mind. The world seems like paradise to Tom now, but as he ages, this glee shall flee him.
Response to A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
A childs greatest fear is growing up. Innocence to experience. Francie always thought of the world as a big monster. She found out first hand that it's full of evil. The man in the stairwell tought her the first lesson of being on your own. Watching out for yourself. Yet as you grow older, the world offers great and bountiful rewards provided you stay out of trouble. Otherwise, life can be miserable. Francie seems to understand the reality of life knowing that you must work to earn what you wish.
While in childhood, the life you live and the things you do can be a great factor in pinpointing what your life will be like. If you do your homework, and have a near 4.0 average in school, you can tell that you'll get a good job and raise a family and etc. If your a backstreet kid, like most of Brooklyn at the time, life may be less rewarding and more punishing than one would like. A good education gets you far in the world. You can easily see how Katie believes this and is bent on giving her children a better life by giving them a better education. However, Francie is bent on making money to help support the life at home. Her emotions got in the way and clouded her understanding of why a formal education will help her later. She can't get a nice paying job unless she can understand how to do the job. She simply wants to help more than to learn because the helping has immediate results where as education has results that root themselves in the future as time progresses on. Francie has clouded her vision and can't see the benefits of the future.
Neeley has a slightly different way of seeing things in his life. Katie wants Neeley to go to school while Francie works. Neeley wants to work because he likes to earn money while Francie wants to work to earn money to support the family. Francie wanted to go to school until she realized they needed money badly. Neeley still would rather work than be put through the education system he dreads most. Sitting at a desk listening to a teacher is not exactly the most entertaing thing a child can do. When Katie realizes their financial situation, she allows both, reluctantly, to go and seek out good paying work. But only until they can be put through school and still stay afloat on money they will have earned. Francie has a rewarding future ahead of her asuming college goes well and she stays healthy. Neeley may not be the brightest, but he is sure to make it in the real world.
While in childhood, the life you live and the things you do can be a great factor in pinpointing what your life will be like. If you do your homework, and have a near 4.0 average in school, you can tell that you'll get a good job and raise a family and etc. If your a backstreet kid, like most of Brooklyn at the time, life may be less rewarding and more punishing than one would like. A good education gets you far in the world. You can easily see how Katie believes this and is bent on giving her children a better life by giving them a better education. However, Francie is bent on making money to help support the life at home. Her emotions got in the way and clouded her understanding of why a formal education will help her later. She can't get a nice paying job unless she can understand how to do the job. She simply wants to help more than to learn because the helping has immediate results where as education has results that root themselves in the future as time progresses on. Francie has clouded her vision and can't see the benefits of the future.
Neeley has a slightly different way of seeing things in his life. Katie wants Neeley to go to school while Francie works. Neeley wants to work because he likes to earn money while Francie wants to work to earn money to support the family. Francie wanted to go to school until she realized they needed money badly. Neeley still would rather work than be put through the education system he dreads most. Sitting at a desk listening to a teacher is not exactly the most entertaing thing a child can do. When Katie realizes their financial situation, she allows both, reluctantly, to go and seek out good paying work. But only until they can be put through school and still stay afloat on money they will have earned. Francie has a rewarding future ahead of her asuming college goes well and she stays healthy. Neeley may not be the brightest, but he is sure to make it in the real world.
Journal: Road
My father once traveled coast to coast via car. He explained, while traversing the desert, he could see the endless earthen asphalt expansion we call a road stretching to China for all he new. The towering spires of tinted orange rocks seem to stand as if frozen alive. As the road and trip continue, suddenly, the thundercloud appears; so dark and menacing as though it came from the mouth of Hell itself, comes into view. Its size and density turn a bright and clear day to an unearthly, erie night. My father seeks shelter and with luck, finds an unused garage. A few sprinkles suddenly turn to an endless horde of water descending from the heavens. Hail hurles itself towards the earth like a pitch from Alex Rodriguez. God sends a barrage of lightning and claps the thunder like a crash cymbal. The storm seems like an endless onslaught of the nastiest weather ever known to expose itself. With no hope left and no end to this malevolance in sight, the natural blue of the atmosphere returns with trailing puffy white cotton-ball clouds. With the way clear to traverse, my father resumes his trek across the vastness of the United States of America.
When is the Correct Time to Honor Our Veterans?
The best time to honor our veterans is all the time from sporting events to holidays to simply your house. They protected our freedom. We celebrate freedom everyday by just being an American. If we honored our veterans, for example, twice a week, we would be recognizing the men and women who protected us and our rights just a little. What they did was heroic. Not just some little deed to help out with something.
Unfortunately, many of Americas veterans have seen things they or anyone else will never forget. Many have lost friends, siblings, cousins, etc. If we say, “Yay, veterans”, and then be done, they would think that their service and who or what they lost would be meaningless. We cannot find a single way to thank the veterans for their service. Getting them a gift is not enough. They risked their lives to protect their loved ones and their country. No one can repay that favor with a simple token of gratitude.
Some people at home are veterans of loss. Meaning they lost one or more loved ones due to combat. These people may experience the same pain as the veteran of war, just in a different way. When you lose someone, they’re gone forever. You cannot replace them. When you experience this, is there a pain in your heart?
Many veterans will never return home because of MIA, POW camps, and death. If you are a veteran, it means you have had experience with something. In this case, combat. They had experience or else they would be sitting at home, not in the ground. Many veterans are unidentifiable due to burns or explosions. The unknown soldier is the classification for these veterans.
It is sad that there are veterans because it is a sign that humanity can still not settle its differences. There should be no veterans of war. But since there are, we should honor them 24/7. For they made the next step towards peace. Eventually, there will be no wars. Eventually, there will be no more veterans of war. And, eventually, we will not have to honor veterans from new wars.
Unfortunately, many of Americas veterans have seen things they or anyone else will never forget. Many have lost friends, siblings, cousins, etc. If we say, “Yay, veterans”, and then be done, they would think that their service and who or what they lost would be meaningless. We cannot find a single way to thank the veterans for their service. Getting them a gift is not enough. They risked their lives to protect their loved ones and their country. No one can repay that favor with a simple token of gratitude.
Some people at home are veterans of loss. Meaning they lost one or more loved ones due to combat. These people may experience the same pain as the veteran of war, just in a different way. When you lose someone, they’re gone forever. You cannot replace them. When you experience this, is there a pain in your heart?
Many veterans will never return home because of MIA, POW camps, and death. If you are a veteran, it means you have had experience with something. In this case, combat. They had experience or else they would be sitting at home, not in the ground. Many veterans are unidentifiable due to burns or explosions. The unknown soldier is the classification for these veterans.
It is sad that there are veterans because it is a sign that humanity can still not settle its differences. There should be no veterans of war. But since there are, we should honor them 24/7. For they made the next step towards peace. Eventually, there will be no wars. Eventually, there will be no more veterans of war. And, eventually, we will not have to honor veterans from new wars.
Change is the way of life, regardless of what man can do, it can never cease. No one wants change, except for Guy Montag, who wants to turn the course of modern events. The reason no one wants change is because inside everyone, laziness somehow takes control. The level of potential in someone is astounding, yet a barrier of un-enthusiasm and laziness exists between the area where knowledge overrules all, and ambition reaches levels not even the greatest minds can imagine. Montag has broken that barrier, and reached that level. His determination is remarkable, an amount where he may even fight to the death for what he believes. Unfortunately for him, the world is against him.
Plato's Allegory of the Cave is a perfect example of what the situation is. Montag is the hero, the one who will be criticized for believing something different, which happens to be what is right. The world has been in it's colorless and dreary mood for so long, people now think that this is the way of life. Montag knows of the old ways thanks to Clarisse, the girl who awakened the human in Montag. Now that Guy has left the world as it is, and gone somewhere new, he wishes to introduce this new place to everyone, but every time he does, he is turned down and rejected. Just like the hero in the Allegory. He was killed for believing something different, and that is how man's greatest minds have be shut down. By the very people he wanted to help, and may have already.
Human's naturally are subject to an alteration in the course of events. On the other hand, we want the world to stay the way it is. People tend to stick to the way things are at the moment, for they know how things operate in their time period. Ever notice how few elderly people like computers? Computers were science fiction, back when they were growing up, when TVs were the hottest new thing. The people who were still in the cave, are the old people, and Montag is the guy introducing computers to them. They rejected his idea, because it was against the way they knew, the way of life the world had sentenced them to.
To be a true hero, you must stand for your cause to the end. Montag will probably go on to introduce knowledge and books to those similar to him, people in which the real human is alive and awake. Hero's can never announce there discovery, their new thing to show the world, for the world will kick them out, beat them while they are down, and kill them. A hero shows his new way to only those who will except it, and when enough believe in it, it will rise above the old way. In Roman times, Christianity was a small idea, no bigger than a small town. Now, it is one of the biggest religions. Jesus did not yell to the world, "Follow me!" He met individuals who chose to follow him, and when he had enough, he rose up to the Romans. He succeeded, and now, half the world follows what he believes. Montag could be seen as Jesus reincarnated, a savior, come t rescue mankind before he goes to far down-under. There is a hero in us all, but that barrier society created, kills that hero. Just like the people in the cave.
