Kennedy Letter

Dear Grandpa Jess,
We've been studying the Kennedy Assassination in History and I'm still curious about a couple things. I know that about two thirds of the population after his murder believed that there had to be more to it than just one killer. I really don't know because I didn't live through it - it seems like everybody just needs a good excuse to not feel as much pain. Its easier to believe that there has to be some big conspiracy to have such a leader killed so simply. I almost think that it was only Lee Harvey Oswald. I think he did it because he was lonely and felt alienated by the world. He must have just wanted to be recognized - and he was. I am curious about where you were when Kennedy as assassinated and what specific memories you associate with it? What do you think about the Lone Gunman conspiracy? I'm not sure how a presidential murder would be much different today, other than the fact that it could be viewed as a racial attack. Humans will still grieve in the same way over a lost leader. What do you think about that?

Christine

the Space Race

Americans engaged in the Space Race because we wanted to prove that our technology was superior or equivalent to that of the Soviet Union. Being at war with the USSR, Americans on the home front were very concerned with the advancements in Soviet technology. Some of this new technology involved missiles and their launching. The Russians were the first to launch a satellite; Sputnik. Many believed that if the Soviets were able to launch a piece of equipment into orbit, the satellite would be able to spy on them, or drop bombs on them from outer space. The fact that the Americans did not have that same technology was a major concern. Another major concern was the Arms Race; the USSR was believed that have many nuclear bombs - how many it was not certain. If ever the Soviet Union and America were to attack each other outright, the Americans would need to have as many or more nuclear weapons than the Russians. The space race was said to have started "not because it is easy, but because it is hard," as Kennedy said it. The Americans needed to keep up the prestige of their country in order to maintain the morale of its citizens.
I believe it is important to continue to study the world and space around us; even if it is millions of miles away. It is against human nature to not explore the places which are unknown to them. It is the challenge that makes the adventure so important. If humans never began to explore the world around them and find new and innovative ways to live, we would still be stuck as Homo Erectus, the upright man in the stone age. It is only human to be curious of his surroundings. So, I believe that adventuring deeper into space is a good feat - possibly landing on more of our solar system's planets or moons to discover more about their composition. There are many outcomes to such exploration; it is not simply a futile waste of money.

Exam Two, the 90's

One:

The beginning of the War on Terror was the initial attacks on US soil; the attacks on the World Trade Centers in New York City, and the Pentagon in Washington DC. These attacks were established and committed by a terrorist group by the name of Al Qaeda. Al Qaeda is a radical Islamist group lead by a man named Osama Bin Laden. Several terrorists traveled to the United States of America, and on September 11th, 2001, their plan went into action. Several passenger jets were hijacked. Their destination was the World Trade Centers in New York City, and the Pentagon. About midday, the first plane struck the World Trade Center about mid way up the building. The workers inside the Trade Center has no idea what was befalling them, yet their official alarm system told them to stay where they were and not try to descend the stairwell. The first tower to be hit was no expected to collapse. Within a short period of time, the second plane was driven into the second tower. By this time, panic had become complete chaos. It was no longer relevant that this could be a mistake of the pilot; this was an attack on US soil. When the twin towers collapsed, more than 2 thousand people lost their lives. The passenger jet crashed into the Pentagon did not devastate the entire structure; yet the people on board were all killed. This launched the War on Terror. Troops were sent into Afghanistan, where it was said the main force of Al Qaeda lay. Bombs were dropped on Afghanistan for hours straight within the first few weeks of the bombardment. Later, it was said that a neighboring country, Iraq was harboring 'weapons of mass destruction.' After invading Iraq, out troops discovered how a man named Saddam Hussein was il treating his people. Pulling him from power, we destroyed all system of government in Iraq. These alleged weapons of mass destruction were never found. However, Saddam Hussein was not closely related to the main reason for invading the middle east; he was not a member of Al Qaeda. Hussein was hanged several months after his capture from a small hole in the desert mountains. Presently, the American troops have not totally withdrawn from Iraq; we cannot leave immediately for the tentative government of Iraq may collapse without out support.

An argument that has existed from the beginning; what is the central front on the War on Terror, Afghanistan or Iraq? Afghanistan was the initial country invaded; mainly because Al Qaeda was and is based there. These terrorists were the cause of the deaths and mass murders of September 11th, which is the only reason we decided to invade. Iraq was a mere whim, there is no proof that there were or are weapons of mass destruction residing within. Al Qaeda is still alive and well in the depths of the Afghani mountains; if these people are the reason for invading the Middle East, then why are we not focusing out energy in eradicating them?

Two:

Although Bill Clinton definitely had his faults; I believe he instated some very useful and affective programs. His suave personality made him popular with the average American, stating that he 'felt our pain.' Although slightly unbelievable now, his acting skills were quite good at the time. The youth of this president, who was actually the third youngest president of all time made him even more like able. Like able enough even, that he was able to lie straight out in the face of America, and still be preserved as honest person. Although I definitely do not condone dishonesty, I must congratulate him in his acting politics. Not many people can woo a nation the way he did. Bill Clinton pushed for the right of gay men and women to be able to serve in our military. Not being entirely sure about the subject of homosexuality myself, I do realize that a willing member of the American populace should be able to serve in the military. Another large step in the evolution of technology, was that Clinton introduced the very first website. This is an incredible accomplishment, considering how large the internet has grown to be, and how important it is currently for all education. Mr Clinton opened up trade route between Canada and Mexico, which potentially has helped out economy. Another important idea is that Bill fought for National Health care and small business and trade tax cuts. On the opposite side, he has many faults which include the discus of travel funding and the affair with Monica Lewinsky as well as the after fact that he straight out lied to America and his wife. This is definite downside.

George HW Bush did not seem to stack up to Bill in his diplomatic and obliging character. Hosting several military operations, George HW began the military operation of Desert Storm and was host to an economy crisis in the early 90's. His son, George W Bush's approval ratings are not much better. Bush Jr did however, instate the No Child Left Behind law and the US Patriot Act which allowed the government to sp upon the public in deeper means to flush out and discover terrorists hiding inside America's walls. Although many controversial subjects occurred under the administration of the Bush's, Clinton's two terms seems to be the most positively productive.

Three:


These were the times that jump started Globalization. During the 1990's, there were many military operations occurring. American troops were sent to create peace in places like Bosnia, Kuwait, and Rwanda. General fighting does not conclude a Great Peace, however to the American troops; their job was to try to create some illusion of this amongst the fighting. The fall of the Berlin Wall also occurred at the end of the 1980's, which could respectively be communicated as a peaceful event.

Inside our country's borders, many advancements were happening. Our country was generally peaceful and happy with its progress. The World Wide Web was introduced, as well as the first sheep being cloned. Windows 95 and Windows 98 were incredibly popular operating systems, and in the late 1990's, the first mp3 player was introduced. Walmart was sent over seas to its first store out of the US, in China. This was the start of Globalization. The Kyoto Protocol was held in Japan to try to reduce green house gas emissions, although the US rejected their plan to prevent Global Warming. There were however, several large domestic crimes committed, like the chase of OJ Simpson and the Columbine shootings. All in all, the 90's did not seem to be such a peaceful decade - however America did advance quite quickly in the world of technology.

What Work Is : Book Portfolio

“What Work Is” is a collection of poems written by a man named Phillip Levine about what he saw and experienced during his life. Many of these poems have been written during the WWI era, as well as before and during the period when Child Labor Laws were coming into effect. A lot of these poems are about children who have found themselves laboring for long hours over tedious jobs to try to make ends meet. Many of them were probably not even paid for their work. It is also about trying to find joy in the small things of life, even though the majority of the time you are working and miserable. The children in some of these poems are also trying to find their way into adulthood and have found that they have already been forced to mature. This collection of poetry is about the general struggles of life, especially dealing with labor.

By the early 1900’s (1904), strong rallies were beginning to be held against child labor. Children would work long and grueling hours in harsh conditions such as coal mines, wool mills, glass factories and farms. Even after child labor laws were passed in 1938, harsh conditions for other workers still continued. In 1914, WWI commenced and demand for many industrial products such as fuel, aircraft parts, ship building supplies, nylon, and food. Goods were rationed out, thus the demand was very great as was the demand for cheap laborers. Growing up in the turmoil of the Great Depression or in times of WWI and WWII, a child's true personality may have been lost in the need for money and labor. Children in those circumstances were not able to play like normal children... many did not even have a family to go home to, but were kept in labor camps over twelve hours a day. Maturing would have to have been a very quick thing... one in that situation would have to be very strong and selfless to be able to survive in such harsh times.
An example about dealing with the hard times and with finding something small in yourself is almost a sanctuary. This quote comes from the poem "Right Cross".

"...all this month I've
gone in search of the Right
Cross, the punch
which had I mastered it forty years ago
might have
saved me from the worst. The heavy bag
still hangs from the rafters of the
garage
turning in no wind, where my youngest son
left it when he went off
ten years ago
abandoning his childish pursuit to me..."

The first few lines convey the fact that the writer has lived a hard life, in which he has encountered many things he or she might not have wanted to. Having a good right hook seems to say he or she has had to deal with a lot of unruly people. It seems as though, that the bag being untouched for many years tells the reader that the man or woman writing this poem has had to make self sacrifices (like giving up on their dream of boxing) to work for a living. A passage in the very beginning of the poem suggests that although they are making it by, living seems to be a chore full of routines and boredom.

"....Though the Great Central Valley
is home for the homeless, the fruit
pickers
of creation, for runaway housewives
bored by their husbands,and
bored husbands,
the rising run does not dip back behind
the Sierras
until we're ready. The Valley Sun
just comes in. We ride, drop
our faces
in cold water, and face the prospects
of a day like last
one from which
we have not recovered."

From just reading a few sentences of Right Cross, it is clear that the lives of the low or middle class people living during the early 1900's was a hard thing to accomplish. There had to be many self sacrifices just to be able to survive. Fun and childhood had to be given up in order to put food on the table; many children were not even given a choice as to whether they were going to give up their childhood for cold reality at such a young age. Even though today in the 21st century, many families are still having to struggle to keep a roof over their head and food on the table... which is why this collection of poetry is about finding small pleasures of life, even if they are faced with drudgery every single day.

Test Essays, Early American Politics

Essay One

Essentially, the Articles of Confederation failed because it did not suit the states and their needs, and it was not specific enough to serve as the basic guidelines of a Nation. The contrast in citizens in the states was very high. Some were wealthy business owners in the Northern States, some were artisans living by sea ports, some were southerners making a living on cotton and whiskey. Yet others were frontier men, living on the edge of the 'civilized' world amongst 'savages' and wilderness. The needs for this wide range of people are extensive.

The smaller states wanted equality in this legislature and voting rights; while the states with the larger population wanted an increased voting rights according to population. The poor peoples, such as farmers in the northern region felt they were not being reasonably represented by the well-to-do pompous politicians. These were all some of the problems being addressed during the Constitutional Convention. Representatives from most states came to this convention to fairly represent their own people. Eventually, an equilibrium was found and most of the attendants were satisfied with the outcome of the convention.

Essay Two

The presidency of George Washington was a swift turning point in America's history. At first the citizens of the states were unsure whether or not one man could rule over a nation without possessing too much power and ultimately causing corruption (which was the very thing they despised, for it reminded then of England.) George Washington, of course, was the perfect candidate. He was equally loved by both the North and South for his bravery and presence. Washington stood on either side of the political line, which was a large reason that he was elected so unanimously.

Ultimately, he set a precedent of high quality and standard. He chose to serve for only two terms in office, thus proving to the people that indeed he was not a dictator, nor did he expect the next to hold office should be either. The debate on how to follow in his footsteps, and what ideals were truly right for this new nation was the cause of the true separation in political parties.

The first parties went by these names: the Democratic Republicans, and the Federalists. The Federalist (led by Alexander Hamilton (?) ) held the understanding that the colonies should be governed by a central government, which would look over the entire Nation as a whole, but still granting the states a legislature so that they were able to govern themselves as well. The Democratic Republicans saw it differently. John Adams and the rest of his political party believed that each state should be its own union; without central government or a central form of currency. Washington's precedent ultimately set the bar for the American leaders in the future.

Essay Three

There are three branches in the United States: the Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch, and the Judicial Branch.

The Executive Branch houses the top leaders of the US. Ultimately the head of all branches and citizens is the President. You must be at least 35 years old and natural born citizen to be able to at least run for this office. The President is counselled by his Cabinet, whom is chosen by him to aid him in being a leader. As well as being head of the other houses, the President is Commander in Chief of all military and naval practices. He also has power to veto any laws that are proposed by the Congress. A President's term is four years.

Next, is the Legislative Branch. There are two houses inside this branch; Congress and the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives is composed of 2 or more representatives from each state who are elected by the people of that state. The Legislature has the power to propose and pass laws. The second house, Congress, is slightly higher up in standing than the House of Representatives. They generally do the same thing as the House of Representatives, only not with the states, but for the Federal Government. The President has the power to Veto a law that is about to be passed if he so chooses. The Legislative Branch, however does have the power to impeach, so in this way they look after each other. To be part of the House of Representatives, you must be a citizen of the state you wish to represent.

At last, there is the Judicial Branch. This branch has power over the court systems and the Supreme court. A Supreme Court judge (appointed by the President) stays in this position for life, until there is due cause to eject him from his office. All three branches have the power of checks and balances, which means that they regulate each other, making this an affective form of government.