Current Connections #2

     In a recent article on CNN Hundreds killed in Brazil nightclub fire, reporters Shasta Darlington, Marilia Brocchetto, and Helena DeMoura record the tragic story of a southern Brazilian nightclub catching fire early on Sunday.
    The ladies state, "The blaze at the Kiss nightclub in Santa Maria killed at least 232 people, many of whom apparently died from smoke inhalation, state-run Agencia Brasil reported, citing fire officials. Others were trampled in the rush for the exits, one security guard told CNN affiliate Band News. More than 130 people were hospitalized, Agencia Brasil said." The fire started because the acoustic insulation caught on fire. No one knows how the fire started: the police are still investigating the cause.
     According to the text, "About 2,000 people were inside the club when the fire broke out -- double the maximum capacity of 1,000, said Guido de Melo, a state fire official." Maybe if the club had only had 1,000 people in it, more lives could have been saved. There were not enough exits for everyone to get out.
     Many families called their loved ones when they found out the fire had taken place; some did not answer. In the story, the reporters say, "Desperate families and friends wept as they searched for information outside a local gymnasium where bodies were taken for identification later Sunday. Inside, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff met with some of them as they waited on bleachers for word of their loved ones." The president had recently been on a trip, but cut the vacation short when she received the news. That was good of her to be there for her people in their hour of need.
     This sort of reminds me of 9/11. there was not nearly as many deaths, but many people died by the blaze, smoke inhalation, or the roof collapsing; the same causes of death as 9/11.
    We can only pray for those who have lost loved ones, or those who are still in critical condition.

The American Dream

     To me, the American Dream is what people want to do with their lives. My dream is not necessarily one big goal, but rather a series of many small achievements or ideas. Striving for what is important to me is a big part of my American dream, and I intend to acquire everything that I want in this life.
     As soon as I finish high school with a fresh diploma in my hand, that fall I will be looking for a college to derive my education. What I really want is to go to Bible College in either St. Louis or Texas. There, I could further my talent of singing, playing the piano, building the foundation of my relationship with God, and receiving my normal education in the meantime. I do not know what degree I need to become what I want to become, but I intend to research that career and find out. Hopefully, I will not be in school too long.
     Whatever it takes, I will become a librarian. Reading books is a major hobby for me, and I cannot imagine doing anything else. I want to spend my life doing something I enjoy, not moping around complaining about how boring and unexciting my job is. Being a librarian is the only thing I can picture myself doing. I love reading: being surrounded by books, and helping people get the perfect book would just make my day every day. I may be a book worm, but that is part of who I am.
     Every girl dreams of getting married. That is number three on my list. I pray to God that I will meet a dark-haired, dark-eyed guy in Bible College who loves God as much as I do, if not more. He would be perfect for me and I would be perfect for him. We could build our life together after we get married, living out in the country surrounded by nature but not too far from town. I want 4 kids or less, and no more. I could take them to school and tuck them in every night. My husband would mainly support us, since a librarian does not make alot of money. We would grow old together, rocking on the front porch surrounded by our children and grandchildren. I know life would not be all peaches and cream, but I still want to be a happy woman with everything I need.
     So basically, I want what every person wants; a life filled with accomplished goals and dreams. I want a future that is bright and chalked full of good surprises. Having strength, I can overcome the bad times. That is my Amercian Dream.

Current Connection: Jan 14

      In a recent article "Gun violence task force meets video game leaders as debate continues", Mariano Castillo explians the world wide debate on how to control guns and violent video games.
     Castillo says that Joe Biden, our nation's vice president, met with the game leaders on Friday, and Biden says, " 'We know there is no single answer and, quite frankly, we don't even know whether some of the things people think impact on this (gun violence) actually impact on it or not,' Biden said just before the meeting, stressing that video game industry officials are among 'a whole lot of people' participating in the discussion." This nation cannot control gun violence, but our government is taking every precaution to at least lower the crime rate. However so people are not to happy about that, such as the game makers. They will lose alot of money if the states ban violent video games.
     Some states are not waiting for the government to step in, such as Massachusettes. Castillo states, "in Massachusetts, action has been taken against violent video games. Specifically, operators of four rest stops have removed -- at the state's request -- arcade games with guns or 'shooting components,' said Sara Lavoie, a spokeswoman for Massachusetts' Department of Transportation." I do not think that video games are the sole reason  for the violence going on in the country, but it desensitizes the player from the real world and causes them to have those images ingrained in their minds. Violent arcade games should not be at state funded rest stops.
     Massachusettes is not the only state working on weeding out violence. Castillo explains, "In Louisiana, Gov. Bobby Jindal -- like Dewhurst, a Republican -- on Friday proposed legislation to join 17 other states and make mental health records part of the screening criteria for federal background checks to buy firearms." To me, this is a wonderful idea. Guns are not the bad guys, but the one who shoots the gun to intentionally hurt someone should not be allowed to purchase a weapon.
     In my opinion, violent video games are not the big cause to mass destruction. The person who is the one that holds the gun should be to blame. I do not the think the government should take away our guns because then what would we have to protect ourselves. Complete gun control is not the answer.
     Due to the mass murder in Conneticut, the U.S. is in a tail spin looking for the right answer. What would this world be without guns? Remember that it is not the guns fault, but the person who uses that gun is to blame.

Current Connection #2

Article: "Wolf-McGinnis auction draws interest from around the world"
Author: Donetta Sterling


     When most people think of antiques, they automatically believe that they are old pieces of junk that old people collect. But according to the Wolf and McGinnis family, antiques are old treasures that need to be protected. In the recent article "Wolf-McGinnis auction draws interest from the world," Donetta Sterling informs readers of the background story to the antique auction taking place.
     Now deceased, Alexander McGinnis and John Wolf's antique collection is being sold in a pretty big auction. Sterling explains, "bidders from around the world are hoping to get their hands on some very rare items that belonged to natives Alexander 'Clyde' McGinnis and John Quincy Wolf Jr. along with their wives, have managed to collect rooms of antiques, Indian relics, coins, glass and more." Apparently the Wolf and McGinnis couples collected the antiques for many years and took great care of them.
     Sterling interviewed the daughters of the two families, Mrs. Healy and Mrs. Grilli, digging up information on the story behind the antiques. Mrs. Healy, sharing her parents love for the old relics, states, "'I like to think of the many times my parents went to auctions and wanted others to have the same experience,'Healy said.' My parents would be so pleased.'" I like to think of Mrs. Healy as very kind because she chose to give away her parents  prized possessions instead keeping them all for herself. Although, I am sure she kept some.
     Mrs. Grilli apparently had the same spirit as Mrs. Healy because she too is selling her parents treasures. Sterling, interviewing Grilli, explains, "Grilli said that she and her sister, Florence Calaway, had already taken the items they wanted and there's too much left to try to keep. Grilli said she hopes whoever buys the items will them as much as her parents did." Hopefully the next owners of the timeless antiques will take great responsibility of them as McGinnis and Wolf did. It would be a shame if they did not.
     I, for one, love antiques. When I see them, I feel as if I am going back in time. I love exploring the shelves of antique stores and I hope to collect some once I actually have money.
     McGinnis and Wolf obviously had a deep respect for old treasures and hopefully someone with as much love for antiques will buy them at the auction. 
    

Religious freedom: When does it go too far?

     The freedom of religion, used by most Americans, is one of the greatest rights a citizen can have. We have the right to choose what to believe in, and not be persecuted for the decisions we make. But where does it go too far? For instance, if a religion required human sacrifces would that religion still be tolerated? Understanding the rules of this country, I would say no because it's murder, which is illegal in the United States. However, if the freedom of religion is expressed in that way, isn't that their right? Where is the line crossed? These problems must be addressed,

1st Book Review: Inkheart

    Sometimes when you're reading a book, you feel like your living it. You can see the character, feel the air, and hear the conversations taking place. Kind of like a movie in your head. Well in this trilogy the book actually comes to life. Cornelia Funke's Inkheart pulled me into her book within a book. 
     There are a lot of characters in this book; too many to list so I'll just tell you about the really important ones. The story starts off with a 12 year old girl named Meggie. She lives with her father Mortimer, a skilled bookbinder. But her father has a secret. One that he has not even told Meggie. And one day the truth is revealed. Dustfinger, a "fire-eater," comes to Mortimer warning him of an evil villain, a man named Capricorn. You see, one night Mo (that's Mortimer's nickname) was reading a book called Inkheart aloud to his wife Resa and 2 year old Meggie, and all of a sudden three men appear. Not men of this world but the world of Inkheart. Dustfinger, Capricorn, and Basta, a man who loves his knife, all appear but Resa disappears into the book taking the places of the men. When Mo reads out loud out of a book, the words and characters come to life. Capricorn wants to use Mo's gift for evil, taking treasure out of books and such. Meggie soon discovers she also has the gift and with the help of Fenoglio, the author of Inkheart, destroy Capricorn.
     The setting of this story mainly takes place in Capricorns fortress,a dark place covered in shadows, in Northern Italy. Mostly all of the action takes place here, but you'll have to read the book to find out about all that good stuff. But some of the book is in the house of Elinor, Resa's aunt who is obsessed with books.
     This book sort of reminds me of the movie Inception. The film is about a dream within a dream, within a dream, within a dream, and so on. It is a really confusing movie and the book is not half as bewildering, but it still reminds me of the movie. They also made a movie based on the book Inkheart but it was not as good as the book. But is the movie ever than the book?
    I recommend this book for people who love books, lots of evil villains, and action. But this book is a series so you will have to read all three to know how the story turns out.
     

The Presidential Debate

     In Andy Sullivan's recent article "Analysis: Romney Scores in Debate, but will it be Enough?" he ponders on whether the October 3rd debate was enough to pull Gov. Mitt Romney through.
     The Presidential election is coming up fast. Romney wins this debate but will it be enough to make him president? A lot of  people do not think so.
     "Romney won. The real surprise is that he won so clearly," said Paul Sracic, a political scientist professor at Youngstown State University. Voters seem to agree with him. President Obama, the first African American president, may have lost by a long shot but he steered clear of saying stupid statements that would cause his supporters to rethink their choice. Many pollsters expect Obama's polls to go down somewhat, but debates hardly have a huge impact. Opinion polls have only shifted an average of 1 percent in the wake of the 16 presidential debates since 1988. President Obama was in the lead, and he might still be. Was this debate enough for Romney?
     Personally, I think both men would be a good President. Obama pulled us out of a recession (somewhat), but Romney has some pretty good ideas. I am the type of girl who votes for the person and not the party. Both men have good platforms. I am just wondering who is going to make it.
     This presidential election will have a huge impact on our future. And it's up to voters to decide our future. Romney won the first debate but who will win the next? Unfortunately I cannot vote, but I would if I could. We're all wondering who will win... Romney or Obama?