Final Blog

The US in 25 Years: Not The Right Direction!

I may get in trouble for the things I may say in this blog, but it must be said! The United States of America is the most dominant nation on the face of the planet. At the same, this nation promotes freedom, justice and peace (I guess so). What is there not to like? Well, September 11th 2001 changed the course of this nation, which will lead to a one-world government, striping away freedom. The stripping of our freedoms are taking place at this time, yet few seem to care. Those who are for it, believe it is best for safety. Former president George W. Bush Sr said on September 11th 1990, "Out of these troubled times our fifth objective...a new world order. I know, this stuff sounds crazy to some, but signs are all around us.

Think about the Patriot Act which was passed in 2001. The Patriot Act, which permits the executive branch of government to conduct surveillance and searches of American citizens without satisfying the probable cause requirements of the Fourth Amendment. Recently the freedom of speech has been taken away. Government may prosecute librarians or keepers of any other records if they tell anyone that the government subpoenaed information related to a terror investigation. Even FEMA concentration camps are rising in America! How could this be? A new system is soon to be implemented. A new system that will take away religious, financial and civil rights. Men and women are even being spayed on 24/7 using the most to-date technology, including social networks. Our world is changing! Is it for the better? Some think so, others like me see a set up. Our government is corrupted and soon everything will come to a climax. Church and state will unite, and men and women will be forced to worship against their own free will. Papal Rome has called for this to happen throughout the world, and even Sunday Blue-Laws are on the books in this country. I could go in-depth, but I must go. Please research these issues for yourself and get out of a fairy-land thought mentality. 25 years from now, this will not be the most free land it once was. It will happen, watch!

Assignment #8

Police Brutality: Problem in America?

This may be silly, me talking about police brutality on the account that my mother worked in law enforcement for over 20 years before retiring a few years back. She worked for the Department of Defense and protected famous people and the Vice President of the United States. I respect those who do their job with honor and integrity. I was always proud of my mother, but was always afraid she wouldn't come home the same night. But, I have always been upset about stories of people being abused at the hands of those who are there to protect the people. Don't get things twisted, I'm not against police in general, but I hate the bad ones who abuse their power. So, what is "police brutality"? Well, to simply put it, its the use of excessive force. The invading of civil rights, and the belittling of citizens only to exalt and abuse their power. David Mangan in a article, "Police Brutality: The Use Of Excessive Force", puts it this way:


"A significant problem in this area is that police behavior is abusive of civilian rights, but it is also considered necessary and appropriate police procedure (Geller, 1996:7). In many cases police go too far when they excessively punch, kick, beat, and shoot people who pose no threat. Injuries and sometimes death result from police use of restraints, chemical spays, electro-shock weapons, batons, dogs, flashlights, radios, and guns (AIUSA Rights 1999. 1-3)".

Unfortunately, this behavior is seen throughout the U.S, and seems to be getting worse. The latest information I could find on police brutality was in 2010. According to National Police Brutality Statistics: From April 2009 to June 2010, 5,986 reports of misconduct has been recorded. And, there are agencies that are seeing more misconduct then others. The top 5 highest misconduct rates by agency are Palm Beach County, FL, New Orleans, LA, Boston, MA,  Forth Worth, TX and (ironically) Baltimore, MD. Is this a problem? YES! The numbers are rising and remember, all misconduct is not reported! So, how is this issue solved? Well, I believe police departments need tougher regulations and stiffer penalties for misbehavior. But, usually they'll either not comment or will back up their cops, for the sake of not looking bad. This must stop, but I believe it will get worse. As citizens we must do all we can the madness!

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Assisgment #7

 Advertisements and Fallacies


This past summer I completed a very interesting class which counted toward my humanities requirement for school. The name of this class was called "Introduction to Logic". This was a very intresting class breaking down logic and difference between valid and invalid concussions. I also came across a chapter called "Logical Fallacies". What is it you ask? According to www.merriam-webster.com, a fallacy is simply "a wrong belief : a false or mistaken idea". Please stay with me. You may ask, "What does advertisement and logical fallacies have to do with each other? I would say, they have everything to do with each other. In this postmodern world full of progange, many are easily mislead, for in many mind's fallacy does not exist. Truth is based on opinion. So this where advertisements come in. The purpose of advertisements is to sell. By weaving in low key logical fallacies, there is greater opportunities to increase sells and public opinion.

I will now give a few fallacies given by the text book, "Introduction to Logic edition 10", and then give examples of fallacies in common advertisements seen everyday. One fallacy is called, "False Cause": Wrongly assumes a cause and effect relationship. Another fallacy is called, "Appeal to Emotion": Which manipulates people's emotion in order to get their attention away from an important issue. Another fallacy is the "Bandwagon" fallacy. This creates the impression that everybody is doing it and so should you. All three of these fallacies can be seen in one Subway commercial . For example, in one Subway commercial famous swimmer, Michael Phelps is seen in a pool swimming. A voice in the background says, "Training has to be a life long passion, fueled by a "foot-long" passion". The message is, to be like Micheal you must eat Subway, this is a funny false cause. A few seconds later, his mother is seen over the pool with a Subway sandwich, ready to fed her son.The massage here is, to be a good mother you must fed your child with Subway. This is an appeal to emotion. Lastly, Michael and his mother says, "Official training restaurant of the Phelp's family, and athlete's everywhere". What is the message in saying, "athlete's everywhere"? This is a form a validation and promoting popularity. Since all athletes are eating it, you should to. There are other types of fallacies such as, Scare tactics, Appeal to the People, False Dilemma (Avoids another choice), Attack of the Person, Red Herring (focus on irrelevant topics to win a argument), Straw Man ( A misrepresentation) and Jumping to Concussions.

Now of course I'm not against Subway in of itself, but I believe we should be able to see fallacies in ads and their messages. So next time you watch an ad, ask yourself, "Is there a fallacy in this ad and what kind? You will become a more logical person, who does not waste money.

Assisigment #6

Soccer: Why is it so popular around the World?

This is a question that has baffled me for all of my life. Why is soccer the most popular sport in the world? All of my life American football has been the craze, here in American, but only "Football" (soccer) tops the list in most of the world. I researched alot of information about soccer, and have learned a great deal. Well, most have heard of the most widely viewed event called the "FIFA World Cup". According to FIFA.com it is estimated that, the average in-home global audience for each match was 188.4 million, up six percent on 2006, while the highest average audience measured was for the final at 530.9 million, up five percent on 2006". Why so much hype every four years in which soccer teams from all over the world compete for the right hold the " World Cup" in their hands? Well, soccer is very old sport. The first indications of an early formal form of football dates back 3,000 years to ancient China. Author Cliff Potter in July 10, 2010 in the article "The Real Truth: World Cup: Why soccer is so popular around the World" says, "So, the game is older than most other sports. It began in a country known for its export of culture and systems, and for its ownership of much of the world in the 1800s. And it was a sport that was easily exportable". The game still has rich history behind it, and still easily explorable all around the world, even though essences of the game has changed. Today its all about the dollar!

Okay, we know that soccer is one the oldest sports in the world and it is easily exportable, but why has it grown to the level of popularly, that in 2010 nearly half of the world viewed the FIFA World Cup, and shown in every single country and territory on Earth! There has to be something more to this! The same author spoken of earlier (Cliff Potter), gives a few reasons why this is so. First reason he argues is, that there are few money issues within this sport. He says, “Unlike even baseball, where there are few money barriers, a single ball is all that is relevant”. There are few money concerns in soccer, which is a plus. Second, “advertising and financing are very big in most countries in the world”. These countries are reaping huge benefits, so I have a feeling everyone’s happy! Also, soccer has a huge pool of talent all around the world, making it more appealing. So, there are many reasons why this sport is so big, too bad that will never happen in America.

   

Assignment #5

Service Day: Interacting With Other Cultures

On 10/2/13, I went out to the community to service. Every single semester here at Washington Adventist University, students embark on many service acts around the Maryland and Washington Dc. On that very day I was close school, passing out Bibles, health magazines and small devotional books. These were not your standard english Bibles and books, but most in spanish. I passed out books in a area filled with those of spanish descent. How did it go? Wonderful! I will quickly share a few of my experiences. The first person I offered to was a spanish woman, who spoke little english, and thought I was selling these books. Along with her two children, she first rejected, then stared at what I offered and began to pull out her money. I told her it was free, and then she smiled with a smile of surprise. I gave her a spanish Bible and a small devotional book, she was grateful.

What else happened? Well, I also came in contact with two spanish gentlemen coming out of a liquor store, looking very down. I offered the books I had, and at first they didn't want anything. As I stood waiting to see more people, the same two guys came back to me a got the books. They both smiled at me, seeing that everything was in spanish. I was truly happy they came back. Lastly, a spanish young man came to me, and asked for books, and wanted to know my faith. He was very eager to learn about Jesus, which warmed my heart. I learned on that day that people from everywhere are hungry for the Word of God, and it is my job to witness continually. I had a great service day!

Assignment #4

Observing And Interviewing Immigrants

I greatly enjoyed my interview with two Mexican immigrants on September 25th. I first observed them while I was walking in a shopping center in Tokama  Park, Md; a city known for a wide range of immigrants. So, I walked and noticed these two men, who laughed up a storm, but spoke in Spanish, so I had no idea what was being said. I continued to noticed them from a far, and I saw one of the men with a very large hat. Man, it was big with all kinds of colors. I then saw one of the men dancing, and I wondered if that was a Mexican dance. Both men looked like they were on their lunch break, just having a good time. I then approached these men, and asked if I could have a quick word with them. As I spoke, they looked as if they had no idea what I was saying. Luckily, there was a friend of these men close by who knew both Spanish and English.

So, in Spanish they explained to me that they were Mexican immigrants, looking for jobs in American to provide for their families. One man told me that they had left the city of Iztapalapa to find a good opportunity for him and his family, who he cares deeply about. The second man told me he and his family was from a city name Leon. They both explained tough times in their cities and chose America. Both men were Christians and believed their God was blessing them. I asked them about their big hats, which are called  sombreros. Both men told me that these hats are usually warn in rural areas in Mexico. This was a 85 degrees day, so I understood why. Lastly, I asked them about the dances they were doing. They told me of the kind of Mexican dance they were doing, which is called "Ace". They told me its history and from what culture it is derived from, which is Latin. Most their dances are used in events such as weddings, celebrations, birthdays and  holidays. I had a wonderful time with these men, and recieved some benefical cultual knowlege. Great experience! 

Assignment #3

Mission Very Possible: Experience at a Baptist Church

On 9/22/2013, I embarked on a mission unlike no other, that was go to a Baptist church on Sunday. Many may be thinking, "Why is that such a wild mission"? Well, I am use to worshiping on the Seventh-day Sabbath, and have never gone to a Sunday church, but I do believe it was rewarding. When I walked into the doors of "First Baptist Church", located in Hyattsville , MD; I felt a warmth from the people around me.They were very friendly. The people were  full of life and very excited to praise God. During this field study, I desired greatly to have a one on one interview with the senior pastor, but I was unable. I enjoyed the service and the message from the speaker. I did noticed that the music was very lively (which I experience at my church every week). A lot of energy filled this place. I enjoyed seeing the different people and brightnesses in their faces. The building its self was very nice and the sanctuary was in order. This was a diverse attendance that was very energetic.
As the service was going on, I became more and more comfortable. I received many hugs and hand shacks.   After the service I did a quick interview with a elderly woman. She told of her experiences at this church and what it has meant to her and her family. She told me of the beliefs of this church and the leadership. I listened and wrote down a great deal of notes. She told me that this church believes in Jesus Christ as Lord and saviour (As I do as well). They believe in giving back to the community and showing the love of God in action (As I do as well). They also believed in the soon coming of Jesus (Same as me). After I listened to this kind woman, I had a fellowship meal with the people. As some may already know, Adventist are known as mostly Vegetarian and Vegan, believing that our bodies and minds are connected and both must be treated with great care. At fellowship meals, usually this plant-based diet is promoted. I see this is different in other circles (which I expected). But, what I was able to eat, I enjoyed and thanked the severs for their hospitality. Overall, great experience! I didn't know how I would handle this religious cultural shock, but things went pretty well! I enjoyed the people and the environment, I would do it again!