"A person’s own selfishness is one of the most harmful things in life."

For some, the most important things in life are being able to come in first place. To be ahead of everyone else to get the story of a lifetime or to protect ones own reputation for selfish reasons. Nevertheless, should a person own intentions, wants and/or aspirations come before another’s person need? Even if this means that this person intentions can have an affect on a person life or well being. To me, a person’s own selfishness is one of the most harmful things in life. Recently while watching a movie watching a movie titled “Return to Paradise,” an issue that distressed me the most was the selfishness of one reporter named M.J whose part was played by Jada Pinkett Smith. Reluctantly, M.J’s character was willing to put a man’s life at will in order to get a story that could make her career. Although, she knew the harm that writing this news headline could bring to a man’s life, she proceeded to push for this article for her own selfish reasons because she needed a story and had to make a deadline for her career. However, M.J was able to get her story at the expense of a man’s life. Although, it was not her intentions to cause this man’s death or her actions alone which lead to this horrible ending her selfishness did have a major part that lead to this. If only she would have put her own greed aside and thought to back off of this story or to even think of the way that she had worded this article to show make a point and not to throw claim or judgments to another this story could have played out very differently. From watching this touching film it has made me think about my actions to think primarily how my actions could affect those around me. Sometimes you have to put other ahead of yourself even if sometimes you have to take a dive the outcome of it all can be entirely worth it.

Cowboys V. Mounties

The U.S has always been known as “The Land of The Free” and “The Home of The Brave”. But, who would ever think that this “brave” country would add bully to its list of descriptive traits? After reading Sarah Vowell fascination with Canada and her comparison of the U.S cowboys and the Canadian Mounties has left me to view the U.S in an entire new light. Although, I have lived in the U.S all my life, which, is only 18 years there is a lot about this a lot about this “Brave” country that I am unaware about. It is my own lack of knowledge that intrigued me the most with Ms. Vowell obsession with Canada and yet, her critique of America. It is “my head in the sand” that had me to over the look the hostile patriotism that the U.S carries high up on its shoulders that never brought this issue to my attention. However, I do agree with her on many issues. For instance, her outlook on the U.S cowboy and the symbolism there is behind this image and the way that it comes off to others including myself. When I think of the symbolism behind a cowboy I image a person high up on a horse with a rifle by their side and a Marlboro cigarette lit in their mouth. A person ready top seize fire on anyone that may come within contact of them. It is this same very image that got me to thinking the message that America is sending out to other countries. I feel as though just like the Canadians, America could have also handled its allies through conversation instead of continuing war that is still in progress. But, that is an entire different subject. What does this image send out to those countries that may not want to go into war but may just want to drink a cup of tea and handle their disagreements as adults?

"A WHOLE NEW PERSPECTIVE"

In the mist of reading a book titled “Into the Wild”; the story talks about a young man named Alex whose character intrigues me and yet touches me in a way. I find Alex character to be very courageous the thing that many people lack especially me. I have always been a very shy person, very inhibited and very self conscious. Alex does not share any of these characteristics which are what intrigues me the most about him. He is willing to do some of the most demeaning jobs that many people would turn down such as: cleaning rats from out of holes and getting down and dirty for a little of nothing. Alex is so sure of himself that it did not bother him at all of what people thought of him such as his appearance. Alex lived for himself to and to find the one thing that would make him happy which was going into the wild, Alaska. Once I was introduced to Alex in the beginning of the story; I was most certain that Alex character was insane ungrateful and even spoiled because of his actions. The fact that he burned all of the money that he left in his pocket, donated all of his savings, leaving his parents to grieve and going into the wild alone and unprepared. Once I began to continue reading the story it hit me that Alex just wanted to be truly happy. This story inspires me not to be so inhibited and to step from out of “the box” my own world. Enjoy the little things that I have and not to be so self involved with materialistic items.

Citizen-Student?.....

November 4, 2008 opens the door to one of the most controversial and possibly historic elections to come about. For me as a current college student, as well as many other teenagers this may be a first time experience for many to get out and vote, or at least register to vote. Voting is a way to have your opinion count; to be able to speak out. There are many countries that are not able to have a freedom of speech towards there government as we do as citizens. Being able to vote is just one of the many rights as citizens that we possess. Our vote can have a major affect on many everyday scenarios such as a higher tax increase, or the effect it can have on our school system and our colleges. I have never really kept up with the many issues that surround me in an everyday fashion, when it comes to politics. Just as many teenagers I have always been more involved with the latest gossip about celebrities and the hottest fashion statements. But, when it really comes into play; at this present moment in my life, it has never hit me so drastic that voting can have such a major impact on my life as well as the life of my peers. Knowing this has made me want to stay informed and become more aware of the issues that our present candidates has to offer .For instance each candidates outlook on the war in Iraq and the soldiers that fight for our country. A close friend of mine, brother has been drafted into the war; my vote could have and effect on him, his family, and most of all the thousands of other soldiers who are fighting or even plan on fighting in the war. Getting out voting makes a major difference in our community. The candidate that we each place a ballot, we are also placing a ballot for parks renovations and the minding of areas that are in need of repair. So be sure to choose wisely.

"Love is the triumph of imagination over intellegence"-Henry louis menken

At a recent book club meeting held on NSU north campus based on the book House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III , touched bases on many everyday issues that a lot of people face each and every day such as faith and destiny, love and the power of love that it can even have on the highest caliber of people leaving, them to commit even some of the most horrid and yet complex crimes in order to protect those in which they carry this obsessive feeling for just as a bear would protect its young cubs from it’s surroundings. But does love really mean to be someone’s body guard to protect them for what their significant other believes they should be shielded from? Or should a crime go looked over because it is a crime of passion? The again can love really have the power to have someone under it’s spell for so long or is it’s one’s own wants, imagination and inhibitions contribute to love’s misconception? Or yet, could love truly be a misconception for lust? Truly when it comes down to it everyone has their own definition of love if it is to be a person protector or to be one’s soul mate.