Ronald Reagan : Classwork

1) What are the problems America faces?

America is too materialistic, we do not understand how unique America is and how important our American traditions are. We are suffering from an economic crisis - materialism is causing misery and depression. Our taxes are unfair and favor the poor who use other people's taxes as an excuse to not work. The Government is too big and too overbearing.

2) What are Reagan's solutions?

We must act today in order to preserve tomorrow - these problems will not go away quickly, but we must continue to work on the economy nevertheless. We need to cut down the taxes as well.

3) What makes Reagan effective here?

He is funny and to the point - he is also witty. It is nice to have a leader who can laugh at themselves.

4) What does this reveal about Reagan?

Reagan truly does not believe that he played a part in the decline of the economy. He strongly believes that his party is RIGHT and the opposite part is WRONG.

5) What policy decisions might Reagan make according to this?

Reagan wants to increase the firepower of America - peace through strength.

6) How did this event effect Reagan's role with the American public?

Made him a public hero - he took a bullet for America. He remains stoic and leader-like.

7) Who is the audience?

The association of Evangelicals.

8) What is the argument Reagan makes here?

It is better to die sooner while still believing in God than live a long life without God at all. Communism is against God.

9) What do you think Reagan's agenda is in this speech?

To reduce the bad morals of our leaders who usually pretend to follow God, but really are selfish and immoral. Ignore the facts of history and declare the arms race over and a giant misunderstanding.

-this is as far as we got in class-

Hunter Thompson

Who was Hunter S Thompson, and was he mentally stable?

Hunter S Thompson is widely known for his decadent drug use including hallucinogenics and alchohol to the point of severe addiction. He was known for his vulgar sense of humor and his style of journalism. His writings were generally centered arround his point of view, where he described the situation according to his feelings and emotions. Thompson created several different personalities and names for himself, until he claimed the lines between who he really was and who he claimed he was were blurred. "I'm never sure which one people expect me to be. Very often, they conflict - most often, as a matter of fact. ...I'm leading a normal life and right along side me there is this myth, and it is growing and mushrooming and getting more and more warped. When I get invited to, say, speak at universities, I'm not sure if they are inviting Duke or Thompson. I'm not sure who to be." It seems as though Hunter S Thomson was an accentric man, fascinated by the vulgar and absurd, who either never knew his true identity, or lost it in the fog of drug use.

Book Portfolio

Since the generation that suffered through the Holocaust and World War Two are rapidly dwindling, it is important that we save the memories and tales of the people who actually experienced this tragedy in order that the generations to come can understand at least a tiny portion of their suffering. Bearing Witness, Stories of the Holocaust, is a collaboration of many short stories written by survivors of World War Two and were directly related to the Holocaust because of their persecution. The main theme in this collaboration of tales is to remind the people who did not experience this travesty of their suffering, and to offer an insight into what life was like for the people who were abused by Nazi Germany. It is about survival and their triumph over death.

Just because this particular collection of stories details the events of the Holocaust, it is important to understand the tales of our ancestors. It helps us understand our origins, and the rawness of human emotions in harsh times. In the twenty first century, it is difficult to understand the extent of damage and suffering when it has happened so far away and so many years ago. To some, it may seem that if they have not been directly related to an event like this, it does not matter if they have any knowledge of it whatsoever. A massive tragedy like this should not be forgotten, out of simple respect to the humans who have suffered through it. It is not only the stories of the victims of the Holocaust that are important to World History. First hand tales of every major event are very useful in understanding what truly happened. Over the years, the truth can be forgotten or twisted, either due to rumors, lost information, or human denial to make us feel better. “The stories in this anthology give us a human face to the statistics about millions. These writers show what happened to ordinary people in many countries of Europe under the Nazis – in homes and crowded ghettos, on the transports, in the death camps, to those to died and those who survived.” – Introductions of Bearing Witness. In order to respect these people, we must learn these tales of their past, however gruesome they may be. They went through more hardship that many Americans today can ever imagine; carrying your hidden infant under your shawl, praying that your friends do not decide to turn on you and devour her, or being torn away from your mother and father to go into ‘hiding’, only to be taken away by a group of conspicuous and frightening men to be trapped inside a reeking rail car. These stories are important for all people to read and understand.

The authors perspective in this collaboration of anecdotes is clearly viewed because of the fact that they are written in first person and describe true tales of the Holocaust. There is no one set category that all storytellers fall into; some are young Catholic boys, some are Jewish mothers, and some are grown men. There was no difference between who was victimized and who was left alone, only their religions and beliefs. All or most these tales are told from within prisons and death camps of Europe. An American during World War Two would not have been able to understand the suffering of these people unless they were enlisted in the army and had the opportunity to be one of the liberators of the enslaved. Jews in Europe were in constant fear of their lives. Although religious discrimination is happening constantly all over the world at some level, a tragedy like this had never happened before in American History. The Holocaust was a unique situation. The period of time that it occurred in probably did not change the circumstances much; if a tyrannical leader came to power in present day, American would probably react much the same as they did in the 1940’s. The true nature of human beings does not change in such a small amount of time as 70 years. Evil men still exist, just as persecution and torture still exist.

People who are fortunate enough to live in a safe country should at least understand the stories of those who have suffered through the Holocaust. It is easy to take for granted all that you have, and to read anecdotes of extreme suffering is able to change one’s perspective. We need to ensure the truth of the matter, and respect these people and their stories.

LBJ - Wilderness Act

Before the Wilderness Act of 1964, there was no real definition of 'wilderness' on American soil. There also was no law preventing all United States territory to be settled and built upon. This would mean that if enough humans existed on America soil, that every last frontier could be conquered, and there would be no reminder of what the 16th century transcendentalists wrote thier poems about, or no fragment of our American History according to the participants of the Oregan Trail, or Western natives's previous home. Although some terrain would be virtually impossible to inhabit, such as the Rocky Moutains or the unforgiving moutains of Alaska. However, if there were no law to protect these places in complete purity they would eventually become poluted in one way or anther. There are currently 9.1 million acres of proclaimed wilderness in the United States. The Wilderness Act was said to promote '...an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.'

The Wilderness Act is a good thing not only for American People but for the rest of the world. It preserves many, many species that exist only in the North American region, and possibly even creatures that reside only in America. If most American soil was inhabited many indigenous creatures would be forced out of thier home, resulting in their deaths and maybe even the demise of thier species. This would disrupt the food web throughout North America. Another plus is that there would be specified limit to the amount of woods and forrest we are allowed to harvest. The vast woods of North America contribute to the global imput of oxygen and the health of the ozone. Also, a large portion of our American history would be lost with the population of the wilderness. The virgin land of the Pilgrim's America would be gone forever. Just seeing pictures of the untamned West helps us understand the inestimable hardship our ancestors had to overcome. The wilderness is in essence the basis of our country.

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.