Pearl Harbor

The question arose in class this week - did the government know that 9/11 was going to happen? And Pearl Harbor? Among other attacks? I found this link when I was researching the subject: http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/pearl/www.geocities.com/Pentagon/6315/pearl.html
I found it very interesting, as well, that this is a hotly debated topic on the internet, seeing as I came up with both views of the question multiple times. One example saying that the government did not know is http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mpearlharbor.html. But the article I personally believed the most was this one: http://www.independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?id=408. It states that there is proof in files that have been obtained by the Freedom of Information Act. It also claims that Admiral James Richardson (commander of the Pacific fleet) quoted Roosevelt as saying: “Sooner or later the Japanese will commit an overt act against the United States and the nation will be willing to enter the war.”
So did FDR know about the attack?? I think so...

Bong Hits 4 Jesus

In the "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" case, I agree that the school had the right to discipline the student in this case, however, I believe that other school teachers could use this to end up suppressing free speech in schools. What the ruling of this case shows that if the school administrator wants a certain political party, say, for the Presidency, than could they say that the school is going to have a "Support " policy and then the students who do not agree could be suspended/disciplined?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b4/Bh4j.jpg

Ending of The Crucible

I loved after the end of the play where it says legend has it that Abby turned up as a prostitute (page 135). It gave me the closure at the end that I was looking for. It's too bad that Proctor had to die, because he was kind of the "hero" of the book (even though he was a pedafile...). I didn't like the fact that Elizabeth got remarried for some reason though.. It just made it seem like a "life goes on" ending to the book.

Moment of Silence

Students should not be forced to recognise a moment of silence in school, as is imposed by the recently passed "Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act", in my opinion. I think it is just another excuse to try and force religion into schools and children. Not necessarily a particular religion, but just religion in general. I am very against religion. You can have your own religion so long as you never say anything about it to me. Religion is not about conversion, in the first place, it's about your own beliefs. Keep your beliefs to yourself and we'll be alright. This bill imposes the opposite, it shoves religion in my face and the face of my peers. This could be argued by people saying "Well then just use it as a 'silent reflection,'" but that is just trying to avoid the fact that this is a blatant act of attempting to unite church and state.

Band-Aids

"Skin color" Band-Aids? What about if you're not white? What if you are African American? We've always talked about biases in this class, and this is another example... Companies do not always think of these things, they just assume that everything's alright.