This American Life: Writing

     This American Life film pertained to writing and how it is used for communication.  The poor boy in the movie was unable to speak unless he wore a terrible mask looking device.  He was extremely difficult to understand and it certainly wasn't the most attractive mask to place on ones face.  However, the boy was able to communicate by writing in the form of typing on the computer placed above his bed.  He could control a small tube with his hand that allowed him to choose the letters he desired and create his own text. This is his only form of communication besides giving people facial gestures that are rather hard to understand.  It is extremely challenging and time consuming for the boy to write out these long sentences to communicate on his computer.  However, it is the only option.  Communication between him and his mom is very important so that she can help him with everyday tasks.  It is very sad to see this helpless boy and realize what he has been through.  Over time he has made progress to stay in touch with other people in the world besides just his family.  Without this tiny tube that allows him to type these written messages on the laptop, he would virtually be shut off from the rest of the communicating world.

MGRP Discussion

1.  The effect of the author's two repeating genres allows the research topic to clearly become stated and show how they feel about the specific subject matter.  The author used journal entries to help readers (specifically students) see the issue at hand and personally realize how it affects their lives.  A couple news articles were also used as a way to professionally provide useful information in an understandable matter.


2.  One idea that I obtained from reading the example papers was to create an artistic menu to show the price of certain items dealing with my topic.  Prices can show the negative or positive effects of individual subjects dealing with my topic.  Another idea I gained was to use a creative or appealing cover and title page that grabs the readers attention, but at the same time is easy to understand what the topic at hand is.  Readers should know exactly what they are about to read before they do so.

Journal Article: Military Use of Dolphins

The Chico News

Dolphins perform in Navy underwater missions

Dylan Burington
Thursday 9 November 2011


Dolphins, and recently other mammals, such as sea lions, have been professionally trained to complete underwater military missions that the Navy assigns them.  These dangerous tasks range from detecting unidentifiable bombs, delivering tools, and seeking out enemy terrorist swimmers.  The mammals are so well trained to the point where the Navy claims that they have only had a couple die.  They also state that no dolphin has accidentally swam away while completing a mission.

With their natural sonar, these mammals are capable of detecting object which the Navy normally can't.  This allows for troops to stay out of these dangerous, unidentified waters.  The Navy can now worry about other important subjects with the thought in their mind that they are safe.  This is because some dolphins have been strapped with surveillance cameras to spot enemy swimmers underneath ships and military vessels.  In the end, many lives will be saved by these intelligent mammals.

As Seen On TV: Military Use of Dolphins

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=gmail&attid=0.0&thid=1338c9a0e7d50dc7&mt=application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document&url=https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui%3D2%26ik%3D9b565ee303%26view%3Datt%26th%3D1338c9a0e7d50dc7%26attid%3D0.0%26disp%3Dsafe%26zw&sig=AHIEtbT2qTH72NJQpiqOk-6sEuPUY97-6w

Song Lyrics: Military Use of Dolphins

The use of dolphins in the Navy, is it right?
I believe so, they help with the fight.
Ask the Navy, they'll tell it true.
They search the sea floor, and the ocean blue.

What they find, saves many lives.
Missions they are doing, aren't more dangerous than knives.
With what they detect, a life will be a save.
One less soldier, will be in a grave.

A dolphin's sonar, is a terrorists fear.
Identifying objects, that aren't very clear.
Doing missions, completing a quest.
With these dolphins, we are truly blessed.

Fairytale: Military Use of Dolphins

Once upon a time, long before mammals were used in the Navy,
many brave troops would risk their lives for their country.
Lives were lost from dangerous underwater bombs and undetectable mines.
Evil terrorists would place these harmful objects underwater where there were unidentifiable.
The military quickly needed to do something about this.
Soon a smart fellow came up with a brilliant idea.
It was to use dolphins in the military.
What could dolphins possibly do more than humans?
A lot in fact.
After intensive training, these intelligent mammals soon became useful in underwater combat.
They fought in many battles and completed various tasks by using their natural sonar.
Defeating and destroying these enemy terrorists' confidence is exactly what they did.
Nearly all of these dolphins returned to the Navy.
Unharmed and healthy as could be.
The Navy could not be more thankful for their everyday efforts in the underwater war.
Many doubted these mammals' capabilities, but they continued to prove the critics wrong.
The End.

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Movie Poster: Military Use of Dolphins

Spoof Ad: Military Use of Dolphins

Military Use of Dolphins: Log #5

Welch, Craig. “Smart And Fast, Marine Mammals Are Guarding Our Military Bases.” The Seattle Times, August 30 (2010). Web. 17 Oct. 2011. <http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/pacificnw/2012662209_pacificpdolphins29.html>.

Summary:

In the article “Smart And Fast, Marine Mammals Are Guarding Our Military Bases” by Craig Welch, the author explains how the United States Navy has trained 80 bottlenose dolphins and 30 California sea lions to patrol the San Diego Bay from al-Qaida or any other invader trying to infiltrate the Trident Submarine Base at Bangor.  However, the current issue is whether or not these military mammals are the proper way to end this underwater terrorism.  The U.S. Navy believes that these dolphins and sea lions are the answer to ending or at least preventing enemy violence in the ocean.  Dolphins are able to track objects through water by using their echolocation, which is much more advanced than even the militaries most sophisticated technology.  These mammals are also able to stay under water much longer than any human diver can, even if equipped with an air tank.  Nevertheless, there are those who think that the Navy is over-training these intelligent mammals to the point where they are suffering.  However, marine-mammal scientists assert that the Navy offers outstanding care with their animals to keep them as healthy and ready for combat as possible.  So what exactly is there to argue about?

Response:

In the 1960’s, dolphins were used for all sorts of military purposes.  Originally, they were testing the hydrodynamic properties of dolphin skin to determine if it was possible to develop more advanced torpedoes.  Since then, they have been used in various missions to deliver mail to underwater troops, patrol ally swimmers carrying explosives, detect bombs, mines, and terrorist divers, and much more.  According to Navy spokesman Tom LaPuzza, the attacks on ships resumed when the dolphins were removed from the program.  He also claims that there were no attacks recorded while the mammals were present and patrolling the area.  Is there a strong correlation between the dolphins guarding the area and less invasions taking place?  That is the question being highly debated amongst the Navy, and critics of their mammal methods.  The U.S. Navy’s intent is to save lives, be efficient, and protect our country from dangerous threats.  As far as we know, they have been rather successful at their job.  I believe we need to leave it to them to decide what is right for our country.  After all, our safety is mostly in their hands, with exception to some marine mammals.  Not ours.

Next Steps:

           In recent years, the Navy has decided to expand their underwater forces to some other useful marine mammals beside the trusty dolphin.  Sea lions and certain types of whales have provided help to the troops dealing with the constant terrorist bomb threats that take place in the ocean.  These mammals are the next step that the U.S. Navy is taking to install a secure system of underwater protection and surveillance.  Based on this source, I believe that the United States Navy is doing their best to provide an organized military group of mammals to defend our Navy’s ships and troops.  Keeping a record of the missions and operations completed will show critics that the method in use is the most efficient and successful.  Providing regular documentation on each mammal’s health will show that professional veterinarians take intensive care with each animal’s life. 

Military Use of Dolphins: Log #4

Pickrell, John. “Dolphins Deployed as Undersea Agents in Iraq.” National Geographic News, March 28 (2003). Web. 14 Oct. 2011. <http:// news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/03/0328_030328_wardolphins.html>.

Summary:

In the article “Dolphins Deployed as Undersea Agents in Iraq” by John Pickrell, the author describes how the United States Navy is using intensively trained bottlenose dolphins to locate potentially lethal and obstructive anti-ship mines which are cluttered amongst the seafloor close to the port of Umm Qasr in Iraq.  Whitlow Au, who works with Hawaii’s Marine Mammal Research Program in Kailua claims that, “dolphins have the best sonar on the planet… the Navy does not have any technological sonar that can find buried mines except for their dolphin system.”  The dolphins’ incomparable sonar capabilities and excellent intelligence make them perfect for detecting mines underwater where military equipment is practically ineffective.  The article also describes how dolphins use vocalizations as a “kind of biological radar to scope out the surroundings.”  This interesting technique allows the mammals to identify objects that would normally be hidden from sight.  The high or low frequency received by the dolphin’s clicking sounds direct them in the route to enemy mines, bombs, or any other dangerous submerged object.  Enemy swimmers, divers, and other terrorist related items, have also been spotted by dolphins and properly dealt with.  Using dolphins for mine detection missions might seem risky, but the Navy strongly argues that the intelligent mammals are not at risk of being hurt, injured, or even killed.  According to Tom Lapuzza, the dolphins are so well trained, that their chances of getting harmed completing a mission are little to none.

Response:

After reading this article, I was informed of some of the first types of missions that dolphins performed in for the U.S. military.  “Blue Game” was the first time that the mammals had been organized in a true combative situation to clear training mines off the coast of Norway in 2001.  I learned that before this time, the Navy started training marine mammals for a variety of operations since the early 1960’s.  Beluga, pilot, and killer whales were also included in the training alongside of the dolphins.  Critics of the Navy’s methods to use mammals in the military say that they are being put in harms way when they have no say in the situation.  Stephanie Boyles, a Wildlife Biologist at the People For Ethical Treatment of Animals in Norfolk, Virginia, claims that even “though the dolphins are perfectly capable of performing the tasks, they are so intelligent and free-willed that they sometimes choose not to.”  She also believes that if the mammals choose to not complete a mission, they could easily harm themselves and human lives.

Next Steps:

As I searched for information about the military use of dolphins, I chose to use this source because it provided a strong argument for why using mammals in the military is useful and why it is cruel and dangerous.  The Navy believes that dolphins carry out important and successful missions all the time that humans simply cannot.  They assert that the dolphins’ exceptional sonar ability allow them to detect important enemy threats that ordinary humans and modern technology simply can’t identify.  The United States Navy has trained dolphins for combative purposes since the 1960’s, so why stop now?  However, those who strongly believe that the use of these mammals is cruel, unethical, and dangerous want it to stop immediately.  Most of them believe that our troops deserve a strong defense, but that this is not the correct method.  They argue that dolphins put not only their lives at risk, but the troops lives at risk as well.  Critics declare that even the smartest of the dolphins can make mistakes, and that these mistakes can easily be life threatening.

Military Use of Dolphins: Log #3

Townsend, Mark. “Armed and Dangerous - Flipper the Firing Dolphin Let Loose by Katrina.” The Observer, September 24 (2005). Web. 12 Oct. 2011. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2005/sep/25/usa.theobserver>.

Summary:

In the article “Armed and Dangerous - Flipper the Firing Dolphin Let Loose by Katrina” by Mark Townsend, the author describes how 36 of the U.S. Navy’s trained dolphins were accidently released by the result of Hurricane Katrina.  These dolphins, armed with ‘toxic dart’ guns, were specifically trained by the military to shoot terrorists and identify spies or terrorists underwater.  The fear now is that these dangerously equipped mammals will mistake a harmless diver, swimmer, or surfer for an enemy terrorist.  Leo Sheridan, an investigator working for the government, claims that these dolphins that escaped must be caught as soon as possible to avoid unwanted injury or even death.  Sheridan believes that even though these dolphins are among the smartest and most intelligent animals on the planet, they can still inaccurately spot a diver or windsurfer for a spy or suicide bomber.  In 1989, the navy began the classified Cetacean Intelligence Mission in San Diego, where the dolphins were trained to patrol, monitor, and protect Trident submarines in the harbor and with stationary warships at sea.  These advanced mammals wore harnesses and had electrodes planted under their skin to allow for the better detection of underwater movements.  The article also talks about how animal rights groups criticize that the use of dolphins in the military has become more secretive and carefully guarded by the U.S. Navy.  However, this criticism was put aside as proof of successful missions arose after the Yemen terror attack on the USS Cole in 2000, and after mines near an Iraqi port were identified and destroyed.

Response:

After reading this article, I was curious as to how many military dolphins were really able to escape into the ocean after the devastating Hurricane Katrina.  It was claimed that experts stated that there were about 36 of the mammals missing.  After hearing that the dolphins had escaped, I thought that it was important that the U.S. Navy immediately caught them so that all the time and money spent training these mammals for military missions did not go to waste.  Besides that, these dolphins were said to possible be armed with ‘toxic dart’ guns which could harm innocent civilians in the waters around beaches in the Gulf of Mexico.  I believe that Leo Sheridan brought up a significant topic about human safety.  He asserted that even though dolphins are extremely intelligent, they could still make the simple mistake of shooting an innocent swimmer who is wearing a wetsuit like the ones the dolphins train with.  The article said that the mystery of the escaped dolphins arose when a group of eight were spotted with the help of the Navy.  I was happy to hear that the Navy scientists who examined the mammals did not release them back into the ocean until they made sure they were healthy and not dangerous.

Next Steps:

As I searched for information about the military use of dolphins, I decided to use this source because it shows a rare case in which the training of military dolphins caused a threat to innocent American lives.  These mammals were professionally trained to complete underwater combative missions, and I believe the Navy should devise a plan of exactly how to catch them if another situation like such ever arose again.  Maybe a harmless GPS tracking device could be planted into their skin to that the dolphins could easily be spotted, identified, and captured.  The U.S. Navy should train the dolphins to stay close to the ships and not roam the oceans freely just because they were released from captivity.  The use of dolphins and other mammals in the military is, in my opinion, a very useful and valuable asset to the U.S. Navy.  However, if they start escaping and become dangerous to the public, it could become a problem.

Military Use of Dolphins: Log #2

Leinwand, Donna. “Sea Lions Called to Duty in Persian Gulf.” USA Today, February 17 (2003). Web. 10 Oct. 2011. <http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2003-02-16-sealions-usat_x.html>.

Summary:

In the article “Sea Lions Called to Duty in Persian Gulf” by Donna Leinwand, the author describes how the U.S. Navy is now using trained sea lions as a way to protect ships from terrorists in the Persian Gulf.  In addition to the dolphins already in use for military security underwater, sea lions have made their way to the field.  They are being used to detect swimmers or divers that seem to be approaching Navy ships and boats.  Once spotted, the sea lions are specifically trained to silently approach the swimmer, attach a clamp around their legs, and swim off without being detected.  Tom LaPuzza, a spokesman for the Navy’s Marine Mammal Program, claims that this is the safest and most effective way to restrain a possible enemy diver without risking the accident if it were to be a U.S. Navy swimmer.  Recently, the Navy has also recruited beluga whales alongside sea lions to deliver equipment to divers, locate and retrieve equipment, detect and mark underwater mines, provide underwater surveillance, and guard and defend ships and submarines.  As well as dolphins, sea lions have exceptional underwater directional hearing and the ability to see in complete darkness.  This allows for the unmatched skill to identify mines, explosives, and other dangerous underwater objects.  According to the Space and Naval Warfare System Center in San Diego, twenty sea lions have been trained for combat there.  However, the military will not release information on exactly how many sea lions are currently completing missions in Bahrain’s harbor of the Persian Gulf.

Response:

After reading this article, I was shocked at how well the sea lions are trained to be able to complete such specific and demanding tasks.  Sneaking up on an enemy swimmer seems like a very difficult and unsafe task, but if sea lions are able to fulfill these objectives, then U.S. Navy lives will be much safer.  I was unaware that beluga whales were added to the arsenal of military mammals, but it seems as though both provide extremely useful help.  They can locate, retrieve, and deliver crucial equipment to the Navy, as well as detect underwater mines.  The Navy stated that terrorists often send swimmers and divers to attach bombs to the bottom of ships.  I am glad to see that sea lions are also trained well enough to provide surveillance and guard the bottom of these ships and submarines from bomb threats.  The article claimed that the training of sea mammals started in 1960 when the Navy purchased a dolphin to study its hydrodynamics and ability to perform underwater military tasks once trained.  This piece of information shows that the Navy has been doing this for at least 50 years now, and have probably determined the safest way to train these mammals and keep them healthy while in captivity.

Next Steps:

As I searched for information about the military use of dolphins, I decided to use this source because it shows how a variety of sea mammals are now being used in the underwater war efforts.  Not only are dolphins being used, but now sea lions and beluga whales are providing security for the U.S. Navy.  I was curious as to the number of sea lions being used at the Bahrain harbor in the Persian Gulf, but secrecy is not always a bad thing, especially in today’s world.  Nonetheless, they did say that the sea lions traveled to the Gulf by plane while being accompanied by their handler and veterinarians.  It is safe to say that the mammals were probably in good hands and properly treated and cared for.  Expanding the use of mammals to sea lions and whales provides a window of opportunity to search for the perfect animal to execute military actions for the U.S. Navy.

Military Use of Dolphins: Log #1

Holley, Joe. “James Fitzgerald; Pioneered Military’s Use of Dolphins.” The Washington Post, January 27 (2006). Web. 5 Oct. 2011. <http://www. washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/26/AR2006012602222html>.

Summary:

          In the article “James Fitzgerald; Pioneered Military’s Use of Dolphins” by Joe Holley, the author describes how Fitzgerald was hired by the CIA in 1964, to perform experiments to determine if dolphins could possibly be trained to perform missions for the Navy.  He came up with this idea of using mammals in warfare when he thought about how they rely on natural sonar for navigation and hearing.  While working with only six dolphins, Fitzgerald and his associates discovered that the animals were rather intelligent and could be used to “seek out underwater mines, attach explosives and eavesdropping devices on enemy ships and help diver recover lost weapons from the ocean floor.”  Without wasting any time, in 1965, the Navy put the dolphins into action.  Tuffy, a bottlenose dolphin, became the Navy’s first sea mammal to complete a military mission by delivering tools and mail underwater to another military post.  Fitzgerald’s work later expanded to sea lions and whales, also using them in missions.  Even though he has past away, his methods are still controversial and therefore, the military tries to keep the mammals’ missions a secret.  Recent operations using combat-trained dolphins in the Iraq war have proven extremely successful.  They were reportedly able to detect six enemy mines during their first 36 hours in water.

Response:

          After reading this article, I was amazed how James Fitzgerald was able to train these dolphins to perform in combative military situations so long ago.  Technology in 1964 was not very advanced, so he figured out a way to use mammals in the Navy that is much safer and effective than previous methods.  I was surprised how Fitzgerald was clever enough to realize that dolphins could be used in the military with their natural sonar as a way to detect mines and explosives.  I thought this was a very good concept considering that human lives are no longer at risk when searching for these dangerous objects.  Those who oppose Fitzgerald’s method should think about the lives that are being saved in the Navy and how much safer his method really is.  His original approach was to create a way in which mammals could be used to complete underwater combat, and he did just that.  Some people who disagree with Fitzgerald’s system believe that it is unfair to use the dolphins because they have no choice.  They claim that the dolphins are being tortured and forced to complete missions that they do not desire.  Opponents are essentially comparing humans to mammals when they are entirely different, and the only positive entity coming out of his method is human lives being saved.

Next Steps:

          As I searched for information about the military use of dolphins, I decided to use this source because it shows where the method originated and what it has done positive for our United States Navy.  I was curious as to how many dolphins the military keeps in captivity to be trained for combat at any given time.  I know that it is not healthy for mammals to be contained in small areas because they are supposed to be roaming the oceans freely.  It would also be interesting to find out if there were any other alternatives to completing these dangerous military operations that could save the lives of humans and mammals.  Perhaps a remote controlled underwater craft could seek out submerged mines and explosives.  Many possibilities for underwater combat exist, but it is up to the Navy to determine the safest and most effective method.

People Should Know About Investing

       I feel as though it is very important for most people to know about the correct way to invest their money.  It is something that many of us don't think about on a regular basis, but if done correctly, it could be the most profitable thing in your life.  However, investing can also be devastating to your pocket.  Investing in the wrong products or companies could cause you to loose a lot of money.  This is why it is crucial to properly manage and keep track of your investment decisions.
       Nearly any amount of money, no matter how small or how large, can be invested.  Whether it be in stock (shares), bonds, or mutual funds, money accurately dispersed into these categories can provide the investor with nice amounts of additional income.  All of these options allow investors to diversify the areas in which they choose to put their money.  Investing is essentially risk taking.  That is why diversifying investments into a portfolio helps to manage risk and hopefully reduce it.
       Endless amounts of strategies are used to invest successfully.  Nobody can predict the future, so usually the best way to determine what companies to invest in is by looking at the stock market.  It allows you to look at the history of companies and see how there have progressed, or digressed over time.  Prices of shares of stock can be viewed to allow investors to determine exactly how much they will be able to spend.  Prices can also help when determining the amount of shares to buy, incase the company unexpectedly goes down the tubes.
       Although it is risky and unpredictable, smart investments can bring almost anybody significant returns. However, diving into stock markets with minimal knowledge about share trading can be extremely dangerous.  So invest wisely and start risk taking.

Can There Be World Citizenship?

According to the dictionary, a citizen is someone who is vested with the rights, privileges, obligations, and duties as an individual member of society.  Elise Boulding was born in Norway, and moved to the United States when she was only three years old.  She grew up when Hitler invaded her country of Norway and realized that no place is safe unless the people of that country make it so.  Boulding stated that, “The more states that follow the pattern of assimilative nationalism as a model of good citizenship, the more the prospect of increasing violent conflicts lie ahead.”  Obviously, this method of world citizenship is one that she does not believe is the most efficient or effective.

          As a result, Boulding thought of a three-fold citizenship concept for every human being.  These three citizenships would include local, state, and the United Nations.  Founded in 1945 after World War II, the United Nations main purpose is to control international law, security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and world peace.  Nowhere in that sentence does it claim that their intent is to try and make world citizenship.

Boulding believes that the most successful way to move from a national interest citizenship to a citizenship based on our belonging to one human family spread across the planet, is to work together with the United Nations.  This idea seems too extreme and far-reaching to be a professional way of dealing with the thought of world citizenship.  I believe that citizenship can be extended as far as the human race wants to.  As to what the correct and most successful method is, I don’t think anybody really knows the answer.  Evidently, world citizenship is entirely what the planet wants to make of it.

Generation Y

       In the articles, the authors stated that "the next great generation," may not be that great after all.  They claimed that all who were, "born between 1982 and 2002 are know as millennials and whiners who have been spoiled by parents who overstocked their self-esteem, teachers who granted undeserved A's and sports coaches who bestowed trophies on any player who showed up.
       This raised a couple of questions for me.  First, what are those who were born before 1982 or after 2002 classified as?  Second, how and by whom is the cutoff for age groups determined?  I feel as though anybody could come up with a certain name or title for any age group just based on what most of the population thinks of them.
       One of the hot spots which caught my attention in the text was when it talked about how the labor market is the worst since the Great Depression, and yet many young students who recently graduated think that they will receive the "perfect job" which they desire.  This Generation Y needs to open their eyes, stop being a "nation of wimps," and realize that they will have to work much harder than past generations in order to achieve the same goals and defeat unexpected obstacles.
       I both agreed and disagreed with the articles on the topic of how sport coaches would give trophies to any player who showed up.  When I lived in Fresno, I was on a soccer team which was very competitive, and our coach would give whoever scored a goal a candy bar.  However, when I moved to Chico, I played CARD soccer which was basically a complete joke, and coaches here would give kids high-fives and say good job for being able to complete the most basic tasks.  I did notice a decrease in the competitiveness of the games, but I believe the level of babying the players depended all on the style of coach.

The Ways We Lie

Stephanie Ericsson wrote about ten different ways in which people lie.

White - "assumes that the truth will cause more damage that a simple, harmless untruth"
An example of a white lie could be if your parent asked you if you did your homework and you just said yes because it would be easier that way and avoid getting yelled at.

Omission - "telling most of the truth minus one or two key facts whose absence changes the story completely"
An example of omission would be sending in your broken phone for a free new one because it randomly broke, when really you smashed it in order to receive a newer version.

Deflection - taking an offensive side in an argument and assuming that you have revealed all of the necessary information
An example of deflection could be if somebody accused you of doing something, and you changed the subject matter to make it sound as if they were the lier or more negative person.

Façade - "seducing others into an illusion" as a way to convince or deceive

An example of a façade would be when you go into an office for a job interview in a nice suit and tie, when really about twenty minutes before you were relaxing and wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt.

Delusion - "tendency to see excuses as facts to filter out information that contradicts what we want to believe"

An example of delusion could be filtering out the facts that soldiers really die in the war because you don't want to believe that it is true since it is a touching subject and you are really emotional.

Dismissal - being told something which is untrue to "dismiss feelings, perceptions, and raw facts"

An example of dismissal would be if you told your friend that you were tired.  They might say no your not, because they want you to hang out with them longer, or participate in more activities.

Out and Out - a lie which can be "easily confronted" and the truth behind the lie is usually known

An example of an out and out lie could be if you asked the child you were babysitting who broke the lamp, and they told you that they didn't, when you actually saw them do such actions.

Stereotypes and Clichés - "often shuts down original thinking, giving those hungry for the truth a candy bar of misinformation instead of a balanced meal"

An example of stereotyper and clichés would be telling a really obese person that they looked skinny as a way to make them feel better or boost their self-esteem.

Groupthink - "psychological phenomenon within decision-making groups in which loyalty to the group has become more important than any other value, with the result that dissent and the appraisal of alternatives are suppressed"

An example of groupthink could be telling somebody in your group project group to do all of the work in order to allow free time for the other members.  However, you find out they didn't do anything and the whole group suffers from the lack of material and everyone receives a zero.

Ignoring Plain Facts - "the real issue is forgotten" and the focus becomes something which is more interesting

An example of ignoring plain facts would be when judges must not be racist and ignore the fact of the skin colors of different criminals in the court system.

Rants

       Complaining has always been something rather easy for me to do.  This ability may be good or bad, but I believe it all depends on who you ask.  Sometimes when we realize that something is not normal, many of us will not stand up and say what we believe.  This is mainly because we are either afraid, or don't want to be "that person".  I usually try my best to avoid ranting about things that bug or irritate me.  However, when something really gets me going, it is very hard for me to stop.
       When grocery stores advertise products as being, "Family Size," I and most others shopping expect these items to contain much more of the certain product.  Yet, they do not.  The bag or object holding the product is instead filled half way, if that.  Nearly fifty percent of the bag is filled with air.  This makes me rather angry because the company is trying to convince the average buyer that there is really more product. The "Family Size" could easily be transferred into either a large or medium size and be full.  No confusion, and the consumers don't have to check the price per ounce tab which most people would need a magnifying glass to see.
       I know there are many people just like me who rant about this exact grocery product placement decision.  Nonetheless, most will not say anything to the store or company because they are fearful or feel as though their power is nonexistent.

Civilogue: Online Comments

       Vicious, anonymous comments posted by various people around the world are certainly not a positive thing in the online society.  It is incredible how such hateful and negative words can be published on a website with that person feeling absolutely no remorse or regret.
       I definitely have to agree with the points being made in the article where they talk about "...how easy it is to sit behind a computer and launch a heap of self-righteous cynicism at something as harmless as this."  I feel as though many humans find any possible reason to say something inappropriate or harmful online.  However, they do this with the ability to stay anonymous and hidden from the real world.
       A "hot spot" developed where the articles talked about fear, and the face people would really present if they were not anonymous.  "...if there were no such thing as consequences: That's the real us."  This quote represents how this "protective force field of anonymity" shields people who comment and allows them to say whatever they desire.
       The articles raised the question of what exactly the Internet should do in order to eliminate improper, inappropriate, and negative comments.  Perhaps a type of filter could be placed on websites that don't allow hateful messages to be posted.  Maybe non-cussing filters should be used to avoid offending certain people who may read the comments.
       Whatever the way of monitoring websites may be, I believe people should still have the freedom to say what they choose, as long as nothing vicious or negative is being said.  Also, websites should force people who want to post a comment display their full name.  This would remove most of the users who put on their "online masks" when sharing their thoughts about a topic.

Freedom

       Freedom means being able to walk outside in the morning, do what you desire, to a certain extent, and feeling safe and secure at the same time.  America is known as “land of the free”, and therefore, the citizens living here should feel that way.  Many countries around the world are not free, and are currently being controlled by their government, terrorists, or fear.  I personally experience freedom everyday.  I am not restricted by any law that inhibits myself to live a free and safe life.  I am able to wake up everyday and realize that I can pretty much say and do what I would like to.  Sure, people may think I was unusual or weird, but who really cares?  Many people around the world desire to live in America because of one thing and one thing only.  Freedom.

This American Life: Haider Hamza

       Setting up your own booth which says, "Talk to an Iraqi," in the heart of New York takes some serious bravery.  However, Haider Hamza was somehow able to do this and feel like he was relieving some tension between the American public and the country where he was born.

       One of the "hot spots" that caught my attention in the video was when the two soldiers on the beach were strongly disputing to each other about the war.  They weren't even "talking to the Iraqi" (Haider).  Instead, they were fighting amongst themselves and accomplishing nothing.  Also, a "hot spot" arose when the older man at the car dealership started telling Haider about the war and what was good for the Iraqi people.  He wasn't asking any questions, and as Haider said, it was a "conversation with the enemy."

       At first, I had a difficulty understanding what Haider meant when he described America as being the parents and the Iraqi's as being the babies.  I now realize that he was stating that America shouldn't have total control over the country just because of something the terrorists started.  Iraqi's should be able to live their lives without America constantly directing and managing what their country needs to do.

       One of the parts which I agreed with what Haider said was when he said, "Everybody hears what it is easier for them to believe."  For example, most Americans believe what the army is doing is good.  I happen to agree with this.  However, most people never hear about the death of innocent people from other countries that are involved in the war.  If they knew the entire truth, I feel as though many people would change their perceptions and believe what they thought was right.

10 Things About Dylan

1. I cut my pizza with a fork when it is too hot to pick up.
2. I love looking at shoes online, but I rarely purchase any.
3. My dog's name is Nike because Nike is my favorite brand.
4. I don't like cake or ice cream, but ice-cream cake tastes pretty good.
5. I shower every morning and night.
6. I used to think the saying was "The whole white world."  Now I realize I was racist when I was little.
7. I hate when people say umm and like repeatedly.
8. My nickname was Twohands because when I was little, I had to shoot a basketball with two hands.
9. I was born in Fresno, but have lived in Chico since I was nine.
10. My dad owns eight McDonald's restaurants.