To Kill A Mockingbird or not to To Kill A Mockingbird? That is the Question....

     In my opinion, To Kill a Mockingbird is an American Classic.  This novel by Harper Lee contains several themes that are relevant to life in today's society.  Some of these themes include equal rights for all people, regardless of color, creed, or background, and avoiding racism.

     To Kill a Mockingbird is based around the central conflict of avoiding racism.  Tom Robinson is accused of rape and is put on trial for his life.  Atticus Finch, a role model for each of us, does his best to defend him.  Atticus is a kind, gentle man who understands the dangers and problems of racism. 
     He also teaches his children accordingly.  He once tells Scout that "It's not okay to hate anybody."  Although he is a brilliant lawyer and defends Tom perfectly, Tom is convicted and sentenced to death with no evidence to support his conviction. He is convicted merely because he was a black man.  Even after being defeated, Atticus does his best to aquit Tom, to no avail.  Knowing the futility of trying to get fair treatment from his white tormentors, Tom tries to escape and is brutally killed.
     Another example of this theme against racial prejudice is when Scout learns about Adolf Hitler at school. Her teacher says she hates Hitler for persecuting Jews, when she lives in a racist community.  Scout later inquires, "How can you hate Hitler so bad an' then turn around and be ugly at folks right at home?"  From the innocent and pure paradigm of a child, she sees that racism is ridiculous-we are all people!  This is evident in her comment to her big brother: "Naw, Jem, I think there's just one kind of folks.  Folks."  This simple comment is a truth that few people in our world understand-except for children.

    Later, in the classroom, the great irony of this classroom surfaces.  The teacher talks about Hitler persecuting the Jews (racism) and then says that he is evil.  She then tells the students that they are lucky to live in a democracy (also plagued by racism!).  Scout gives her an accurate definition of democracy: " Equal rights for all, special privileges for none."  The teacher praises her and says she is correct.  Sadly, even in this great nation run by democracy, racism and lack of basic human rights was a major issue-and still is.

     Although racial discrimination is illegal, racism is still rampant in our society.  However, many high schools remove TKAM from their curriculum to be replaced by "modern" literature.  I think that this is a huge mistake.  TKAM has made me think about my own standpoint on racism and human rights, and realize that it is very, very wrong. This is still a huge factor in society today.  I love TKAM and it has helped me to understand what I need to do and believe about these issues.  I think that removing this book from schools is a huge mistake.  In my opinion To Kill a Mockingbird will remain an American classic an a favorite of mine forever.

Welcome to our Wacky World!

This week I commented on articles of a different nature :)

The first was on an article about the F-35 JSF (joint strike fighter), on of my favorite fighter jets.  I love airplanes!

Here is the Article:
F-35’s ability to evade budget cuts illustrates challenge of paring defense spending

Here is the comment!

The F-35 is an air superiority fighter.  This is the number 1 military aircraft out there.  I think that this is worth the money spent, as long as it stays in the defense budget.  We do spend a ton of money on defense, but that is what makes our military the most technologically advanced and superior military in the world.  The government definitely spends WAY too much, but I think our defense budget is well worth the money.  This aircraft was designed as a result of the competition between Boeing and Lockheed Martin.  This aircraft was far superior to the Boeing X-2 (granted, it is more expensive) and is our nation's newest fighter.  I think we definitely need to cut budgets, but I hope the defense budget is one of the last to go!

Here is a picture of the F35 Lightning II JSF!!!

Here is my second comment:

2 U.S. Troops and 5 Afghans killed in "insider attack"

My comments:

I don't care what war it involves or who decided to go to war. When one of our soldiers dies, it is a cause for sadness and respect to the fallen. Sure, many of our troops do bad things and some are very immoral men. However, I have a deep respect for the American military and the veterans. For every man that participates in these horrible war crimes, we have at least 100+ soldiers that are good, brave, and honest people. The soldiers that die did not start the war. I think it is ridiculous and disrespectful to bash on these soldiers because of the circumstances in which they died. Stop criticizing and have some respect for those men who were willing to die so you can live in a free country. If you aren't willing to give that sacrifice, don't criticize the extremely brave men and women that are!  

I do believe that some of the American soldiers did things that were wrong, but I don't think it is ok to judge the two men that died. We do not know them or what they have done. Only God does. We must have respect for their giving the last full measure of devotion.

Article Attack!

NOTE:  I was very blunt in my response on abortion. Sorry if I offended anybody :)

The first article I commented on was about abortion:
Idaho becomes first state to have so-called fetal pain abortion ban overturned by the courts

Here is my post:

feel that abortion should only be used or even considered in situations in which the mother was not responsible for conception, such as instances of rape or incest.  I also feel that a situation that compromises the life of the mother is a cause for abortion.  However, I do feel that it is not right or responsible for a mother to have an abortion when that mother chose to engage in sexual activity.  If a woman does not desire a child, or even desires one but is not able to support that child, that mother should have the responsibility to either abstain from sex or use birth control.  If a mother is not able to care for or provide a home for that child, having that child in the first place is extremely irresponsible.  I believe that if a woman was to engage in sexual activity and have an unwanted child, then she has a responsibility to care for the child that she chose to create and provide a home for that child.  I believe that any unmarried woman should abstain from sexual intercourse, especially teenage girls.  These people generally do not have the capability to care for a child.  I do not believe in restriction of freedom, but only in defending responsibility.

While I do believe these things from a religious standpoint, I also see these responsibilities for creating life as a moral and societal obligation.

The second one was on gun control in South Dakota Schools:  

South Dakota Law Will Allow Guns in Classrooms

Here is my post:

I am against gun control, but I do have some feelings against guns in classrooms.  While I do think that there should be an armed guard (thoroughly trained and tested), I think having teachers with guns could potentially be dangerous.  I do think it is the right of these people to carry guns, but I think they should not be able to carry guns in classrooms unless they have had extensive FBI background check. I agree with some gun control advocates that those who purchase guns should be given a mental health test. 

                I think teachers should choose not to carry weapons in classrooms, but I also believe it their constitutional right to bear arms. I do, however, think that all schools should have an armed faculty member (trained in security or law enforcement) ready to defend the children at that school at all times.

Ten Times Me!

10 things I know to be true:

The Book of Mormon is true
Joseph Smith was a prophet
There is a living Prophet today-President Thomas S. Monson
God Lives
Jesus Christ loves me and atoned for my sins
I will live with my family for eternity
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true.
I am going on a mission
My family loves me
I have amazing friends!


10 Objects I cant live without:

Computers (homework!!! Handwriting things can be a pain!)
Telephones (what would we do without fast communication in our world?)
Cars
My Cello
Clothes (well hey! I bet you couldn’t either!)
My house
Air Conditioning and Heat!
Medicine
Bandaids!!
A warm place to sleep (I don’t have a bed right now-it broke. I will be getting a new one soon :P)


10 things I should have learned by now:

How to fly
How a transmission works
All of the United States Presidents names
All of the countries in Europe
Why Calculus is relevant to my life
Raise the Leading Tone!
How to effectively practice Cello (yes, I am still working on it)
How to clean my room (I don’t even want to try!)
Why yard work is necessary
Why Dvorak’s New World Symphony is SO AMAZING!!


10 of my greatest fears:

Wasps
Spiders
Death by gunshot
Falling off of a 3,000 foot cliff
Being in an airplane crash (yet I love airplanes!!)
Car crashes (my mom would kill me!)
Kidnappers (not much anymore but when I was little I was terrified!)
Hitting a pedestrian with a car
Breaking a bone
Getting Stitches

The 10 things, places, people etc, that make me the most happy:

The Temple
My family
My friends
The gospel
Utah
Basketball (with friends)
Flag football
My baby sister Laura
Orchestra
Home


10 places I will visit before I die:

Hawaii
Alaska
France
Europe ( I don’t remember a lot of
Mexico
South America
Nauvoo
New York
China
Taiwan

Andrew
Fun, Kind, Talented, Intelligent

Older brother and example to Amber, Stephen, Noelle (Ellie), Julianne, Travis (TJ), Grace, and litte Laura Lyn 

Loves music, family, and fun with friends!
Who feels loved, happy to be himself, and excited for the future
Who needs friendship, family, and freedom to learn
Who gives help to those in need, love to those without, and friendship to those around him
Who fears wasps, spiders, and pain
Who would like to see Nauvoo, China, and Taiwan
Who lives in Utah, in a wonderful house with his amazing family

Sessions