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.