People are boycotting tween heartthrob Justin Bieber because of his alleged pro-mosque comments about the mosque building on Ground Zero.
It's too bad that these people were sadly misinformed and were basing their anger on an article written by a satirical media website similar to the satirical news source, The Onion. That's typical society, today. They read something somewhere, not checking or scouting out other sources, and immediately believe it. Why? Because it's published, of course. Also, why boycott a young celebrity for their views? Bieber is 16. Even if he did say such a foolish thing, which he did NOT, what does boycotting do? It simply makes the die-hard Bieber fans even more supportive and cohesive as a fan group.
Don't take it so personally if someone is pro-mosque. I don't support the building of the mosque in this particular location so close to Ground Zero, but perhaps people weigh religious freedom over respecting lost lives. It's not a personal vendetta against the families of 9/11 victims.
Why has our society become so impulsive and ignorant? You can't believe everything you read. Even I could be lying to you this very minute. Better check your sources.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Affirmative Action
According to Wikipedia, "Affirmative action refers to policies that take factors including "race, color, religion, sex or national origin" into consideration in order to benefit an underrepresented group at the expense of a majority group, usually as a means to counter the effects of a history of discrimination."
Now that college decisions for early applicants are rolling out, I'm thinking about how many spots are available for each university and how many spots will be taken my students at my school, students of my ethnicity, students of my socioeconomic background, etc. My friends and I were discussing the concept of affirmative action in regards to college admissions today, and there was equal dissent on both sides of the argument. On one hand, I do think that admitting people of certain races such as African-Americans, those of Hispanic origin, and other under-represented minorities is essential and very beneficial to society. Every person deserves a chance to receive an education and to have the chance to do something with their lives. Yet, I wonder if there are people who might be undeserving of a spot at a top university, but because of their decent grades and race, they are admitted.
I've seen it happen at my own school. But, who am I to judge? All I care about are my own acceptance letters. And yet, I can't help but feel frustrated that a spot well-deserved by a friend who has straight A+'s and perfect extracurricular activities, as well as passion, might be filled by someone due to affirmative action. I know that the college admissions process is really a gamble. Sometimes, it's just not your day or the reader just didn't click with your essays. But when it comes to affirmative action, I have to say I am against it.
If a student, REGARDLESS of his/her race has worked hard to get good grades, even when having to support a family and work long hours to earn money, like my own parents did, then they should have no problem getting into a top university. Hard work pays off, no? Those people deserve that chance just like everyone else. But, if my parents could do it, and if millions of other people can do it, so can they. You can't use the "Well, I come from a bad background" excuse forever. At some point, you have to break the cycle. Don't always just blame it on your race. If you work hard, you'll be rewarded. You can't expect things because of your race.
Now that college decisions for early applicants are rolling out, I'm thinking about how many spots are available for each university and how many spots will be taken my students at my school, students of my ethnicity, students of my socioeconomic background, etc. My friends and I were discussing the concept of affirmative action in regards to college admissions today, and there was equal dissent on both sides of the argument. On one hand, I do think that admitting people of certain races such as African-Americans, those of Hispanic origin, and other under-represented minorities is essential and very beneficial to society. Every person deserves a chance to receive an education and to have the chance to do something with their lives. Yet, I wonder if there are people who might be undeserving of a spot at a top university, but because of their decent grades and race, they are admitted.
I've seen it happen at my own school. But, who am I to judge? All I care about are my own acceptance letters. And yet, I can't help but feel frustrated that a spot well-deserved by a friend who has straight A+'s and perfect extracurricular activities, as well as passion, might be filled by someone due to affirmative action. I know that the college admissions process is really a gamble. Sometimes, it's just not your day or the reader just didn't click with your essays. But when it comes to affirmative action, I have to say I am against it.
If a student, REGARDLESS of his/her race has worked hard to get good grades, even when having to support a family and work long hours to earn money, like my own parents did, then they should have no problem getting into a top university. Hard work pays off, no? Those people deserve that chance just like everyone else. But, if my parents could do it, and if millions of other people can do it, so can they. You can't use the "Well, I come from a bad background" excuse forever. At some point, you have to break the cycle. Don't always just blame it on your race. If you work hard, you'll be rewarded. You can't expect things because of your race.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Really Now?
I've talked about WikiLeaks before, but it frustrates me that the founder Julian Assange says that he doesn't feel guilty for what he did, and that the law isn't simply what "Hillary Clinton says it is." No, the law is not to be manipulated by those in power. The law is to protect the people and establish equality and balance in the country. The law is not to abused. But neither are our rights.
We have a responsibility to the people to inform them of the truth, yes, but to also protect them. The world is not a perfect and honest place, Mr. Assange, and just because you publish these documents isn't going to make the world a better place. If anything, more chaos will ensue. Some things are meant to be kept secret. All the horrible things revealed about the United States government and espionage are revolting and disappointing. But, though this is no justification, other countries are doing it, too. What do you plan to do about it? It's easy to reveal all this information and point fingers, but if you don't have your own method of rectifying the status quo, don't bother criticizing. It's annoying.
We have a responsibility to the people to inform them of the truth, yes, but to also protect them. The world is not a perfect and honest place, Mr. Assange, and just because you publish these documents isn't going to make the world a better place. If anything, more chaos will ensue. Some things are meant to be kept secret. All the horrible things revealed about the United States government and espionage are revolting and disappointing. But, though this is no justification, other countries are doing it, too. What do you plan to do about it? It's easy to reveal all this information and point fingers, but if you don't have your own method of rectifying the status quo, don't bother criticizing. It's annoying.
Thar She Blows
North Korea bombs South Korea. Why is that not surprising? With South Korea continuing its naval drills and North Korea continuing its nuclear tests without authorization from the UN, it was bound to happen. But, my question is: What will the world do about it? i.e. What will the U.S. do about it?
My father and I agree that the United States probably won't directly intervene, as usual. It isn't our place to just go around fixing other people's problems and fighting people's battles. However, South Korea is our ally. North Korea is a threat to the Korean peninsula, and perhaps more importantly, Japan. Scary.
I wonder what would happen if North Korea bombed Japan? I think the United States might get a tad bit angrier. Will the United Nations really do anything? North Korea isn't going to listen to the UN. They want to break free of an international peacekeeping organization because they don't exactly want peace. They want to dominate South Korea and unify it to make one GIANT DPRK.
The United Nations today doesn't strike me as a very powerful organization...in times of crisis, people look to the United States. Funny.
My father and I agree that the United States probably won't directly intervene, as usual. It isn't our place to just go around fixing other people's problems and fighting people's battles. However, South Korea is our ally. North Korea is a threat to the Korean peninsula, and perhaps more importantly, Japan. Scary.
I wonder what would happen if North Korea bombed Japan? I think the United States might get a tad bit angrier. Will the United Nations really do anything? North Korea isn't going to listen to the UN. They want to break free of an international peacekeeping organization because they don't exactly want peace. They want to dominate South Korea and unify it to make one GIANT DPRK.
The United Nations today doesn't strike me as a very powerful organization...in times of crisis, people look to the United States. Funny.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
In the Shadows
I read an article called "The Shadow Scholar" today. It was a full confession/report from a man who assumes the name Ed Dante for the purposes of this article. Dante earns money by writing papers for students all over the United States. He writes term papers, research papers, homework assignments, you name it, for his paying undergraduates, graduates, and sometimes, as he claims, those who are working towards their Ph.D.
Yes, it seems like Dante thinks very highly of himself as he boasts of his capability to write 75-page papers in ridiculous amounts of times, but the gist of the article is so disturbing. Dante takes no responsibility for his contributions to these ever-growing now-commercialized cheating rings, but he acknowledges that what he does is wrong. He simply reports the truth of the matter; he isn't slapping anybody on the wrists. But he brings up a valid point. Who is to blame?
It is our society. Like I have mentioned before, people use the excuse that the ends justify the means. We do what it takes to "succeed." But how do we define success? By the A+s we get on a report card? Or by how much we learn? By how much money we make? Or by how much love and support we have amongst family and friends. What is success?
By today's standards, success means winning, earning money, and getting good grades, depending on what age you are. Even teachers use Dante and other people like him, which just goes to show you that the apple doesn't fall very far from the tree.
So how do we stop cheating?
Well, that's the million-dollar question.
Yes, it seems like Dante thinks very highly of himself as he boasts of his capability to write 75-page papers in ridiculous amounts of times, but the gist of the article is so disturbing. Dante takes no responsibility for his contributions to these ever-growing now-commercialized cheating rings, but he acknowledges that what he does is wrong. He simply reports the truth of the matter; he isn't slapping anybody on the wrists. But he brings up a valid point. Who is to blame?
It is our society. Like I have mentioned before, people use the excuse that the ends justify the means. We do what it takes to "succeed." But how do we define success? By the A+s we get on a report card? Or by how much we learn? By how much money we make? Or by how much love and support we have amongst family and friends. What is success?
By today's standards, success means winning, earning money, and getting good grades, depending on what age you are. Even teachers use Dante and other people like him, which just goes to show you that the apple doesn't fall very far from the tree.
So how do we stop cheating?
Well, that's the million-dollar question.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
What's More Important?
I was reading an article about how in American high school football, even when the opposing team may have a 50 point lead, that team will not knee down in recognition of the fact that they have won. They keep going until they have a 70 point lead instead.
It makes me wonder...in today's society, what is really important? The end product? Or the lessons learned and the way in which we achieve that end product?
Do we care about the A+ instead of the rich knowledge presented to us? Do we care so much about that A that we cheat to boost our GPA in hopes of pleasing parents and getting into a "top college"?
Coincidentally, I also read an article about a cheating scandal at UCF. Some students who were interviewed claimed that everybody cheats, so why make a big deal that about 200 students cheated on a midterm exam? That's right, people. Everyone does it, so it makes it okay. If everybody jumped off a bridge, would we all do that, too? I wouldn't.
I know that our society is all about innovation and more importantly, goals achieved at a ridiculously fast rate. But what are we losing along the way? Our morals? Dignity? Pride in our work?
It's sad. All I know is that if someone took my place a university because he/she cheated along the way and achieved much higher grades than I did, I would feel a bit angry.
It makes me wonder...in today's society, what is really important? The end product? Or the lessons learned and the way in which we achieve that end product?
Do we care about the A+ instead of the rich knowledge presented to us? Do we care so much about that A that we cheat to boost our GPA in hopes of pleasing parents and getting into a "top college"?
Coincidentally, I also read an article about a cheating scandal at UCF. Some students who were interviewed claimed that everybody cheats, so why make a big deal that about 200 students cheated on a midterm exam? That's right, people. Everyone does it, so it makes it okay. If everybody jumped off a bridge, would we all do that, too? I wouldn't.
I know that our society is all about innovation and more importantly, goals achieved at a ridiculously fast rate. But what are we losing along the way? Our morals? Dignity? Pride in our work?
It's sad. All I know is that if someone took my place a university because he/she cheated along the way and achieved much higher grades than I did, I would feel a bit angry.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Oh, Keith
Keith Olbermann. I think it is rather hilarious that he was temporarily "suspended" by MSNBC, simply because he donated to campaigns of Democratic party candidates in the election this past week.
We all know Olbermann is a liberal, just as we recognize that Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck are more of what we call conservatives. Sean Hannity has been known to donate to his fellow Republican party candidates' campaigns, but Fox News has not suspended him. Interesting that MSNBC (and NBC) are attempting to maintain some kind of "we are neutral" facade by "suspending" Olbermann.
...Yeah, I don't think MSNBC is neutral. So, this little stunt was probably unnecessary and ridiculous.
It's not like we didn't know Keith over there was a liberal.
We all know Olbermann is a liberal, just as we recognize that Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck are more of what we call conservatives. Sean Hannity has been known to donate to his fellow Republican party candidates' campaigns, but Fox News has not suspended him. Interesting that MSNBC (and NBC) are attempting to maintain some kind of "we are neutral" facade by "suspending" Olbermann.
...Yeah, I don't think MSNBC is neutral. So, this little stunt was probably unnecessary and ridiculous.
It's not like we didn't know Keith over there was a liberal.
