Civil Disobedience

I can't post links from home, so either read the text below, or copy and paste it into a Word document for easier viewing!

From “Civil Disobedience”
Henry David Thoreau

Background
The Mexican War was a conflict between Mexico and the United States that took place from 1846 to 1848. The war was caused by a dispute over the boundary between Texas and Mexico, as well as by Mexico’s refusal to discuss selling California and New Mexico to the United States. Believing that President Polk had intentionally provoked the conflict before gaining congressional approval, Thoreau and many other Americans strongly objected to the war. In protest, Thoreau refused to pay his taxes and was forced to spend a night in jail. After that experience, Thoreau wrote “Civil Disobedience,” urging people to resist governmental policies with which they disagree.

I heartily accept the motto, “That government is best which governs least”;1 and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically. Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe: “That government is best which governs not at all”; and when men are prepared for it, that will be the
kind of government which they will have. Government is at best but an expedient; but most governments are usually, and all governments are sometimes, inexpedient. The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government. The standing army is only an arm of the standing government. The government itself, which is only the mode which the people have chosen to execute their will, is equally liable to be abused and perverted before the people can act through it. Witness the present Mexican war, the work of comparatively a few individuals using the standing government as their tool;
for in the outset, the people would not have consented to this measure.

This American government—what is it but a tradition, though a recent one, endeavoring to transmit itself unimpaired to posterity , but each instant losing some of its integrity? It has not the vitality and force of a single living man; for a single man can bend it to his will. It is a sort of wooden gun to the people themselves; and, if ever they should use it in earnest as a real one against each other, it will surely split. But it is not the less necessary for this; for the people must have some complicated machinery or other, and hear its din, to satisfy that idea of government which they have. Governments show thus how successfully men can be imposed on, even impose on themselves, for their own advantage. It is excellent, we must all allow; yet this government never of itself furthered any enterprise, but by the alacrity with which it got out of its way. It does not keep the country free. It does not settle the West. It does not educate. The character inherent in the American people has done all that has been accomplished; and it would have done somewhat more, if the government had not sometimes got in its way. For government is an expedient by which men would fain succeed in letting one another alone; and, as has been said, when it is most expedient, the governed are most let alone by it. Trade and commerce, if they were not made of India rubber,2 would never manage to bounce over the obstacles which legislators are continually putting in their way; and, if one were to judge these men wholly by the effects of their actions, and not partly
by their intentions, they would deserve to be classed and punished with those mischievous persons who put obstructions on the railroads. But, to speak practically and as a citizen, unlike those who call themselves no government men, I ask for, not at once no government, but at once a better government. Let every man make known what kind of government would command his respect, and that will be one step toward obtaining it. . .

Homework 11/8

For homework tonight, read from Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Self-Reliance" and answer the questions I gave you in class:

from "Self-Reliance"

Additionally, you have Vocabulary 9 homework due Wednesday!

From The Crisis CANCELED

It's that time again, you lucky ducks, when I have to cancel your assignment tonight.  I am at home and cannot get the link to pop up to put online.  THEREFORE, you do NOT have reading homework, and simply have your vocabulary 6 hw.

Sleep tight, I know you must be really upset about this ;)

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God - Homework 9/21

Read the following excerpt from the SIX-HOUR long sermon by Jonathan Edwards by clicking on the link below:
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

Then, fill out the guide you were given in class today.  I will be checking this for completion tomorrow and we will be discussing it in class.  YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO THE EXTENSION ASSIGNMENT!

Vocabulary Homework 4 is also due tomorrow!

For our vocab homework, can it be on lined paper or does it have to be on construction paper?

Microsoft Word

Ms. McCarthy,

Originally, I had typed my response into Microsoft Word, but I was unable to transfer it onto the Blog due to format issues or something. Therefore, I had to re-type it. I guess this is no excuse for commenting slightly past 6 'o' clock, knowing as I had all weekend, but I just wanted you to know why it took place. Thanks.

"One Day, Now Broken in Two"

When "9-11" occured, I was only in second grade. Although I was such a young age, I still remember distinctly where I was at the time I first realized something was wrong. In a single file line, my second grade class was being led to the gymnasium by my teacher, Mrs. Price, when another teacher came in contact with her and spread the news. She did not tell us what happened, but instead, led us back into the main building. My mother came to check me out of school that day, and somewhat explained to me what was going on. I instantly became frightened, but being so young, I was unable to fully grasp the horror of the reality to the situation. Over the past few years is when I truly began to realize how terrible this day was to America, and in particular to those who lost someone close to them on this day.

Anna Quindlen's essay discusses the reality of every day life, and that eventually our country is going to have to move on. However, this is not to say that we will forget about this day. Immediatly after reading this article, I strongly agreed with the majority of her opinions. If you are unable to move on and think about other things, than there is no longer anything worth living for. It is unhealthy to live life, such a gift, in constant sorrow and misery. Even if you were one of those unfortunate people who lost a family member or anyone close to them, you still must move on.

Many people believe that from this event, we have become better people. On the other hand, many people seem to believe that all we can learn from this event is that "we are people living in a world of savagery and cruelty". Personally, I feel like I can learn from this event, making me a better person. As life is unpredictable, at any time you could lose someone close to you. Realizing this would cause me to be a kinder person towards my parents and younger sibling, and it enables me to realize that all the things they do for me doesn't deserve a rude statement or spoiled attitude in return. I feel this way because I strongly believe another tragedy like 9-11 could occur at any time. People who really want will find a way to get through security. A lot of third world countries do not agree with the way our country does things, and thinking realistically, world peace is never going to occur. All countries have their allies and their enemies. Whether it is out of jealousy or simply hatred, I strongly feel like another country may attempt to re-enact what occured yesterday, 9 years ago.

I completely agree with what Quindlen said. My favorite part was when she said, “...called our friends a little more often, hugged our kids a little tighter. And then we complained about the long lines at the airport and obsessed about the stock market in lieu of soul-searching. Time passed.” This “spoke” the loudest to me because not only is it absolutely true, but shamefully, that’s exactly how most of the people in the US think; including me. Although I hate to say it, I’m just like those people who were affected by it, but I also don’t even think about it as much. However, it’s probably because it didn’t affect me so vastly like it did for those who were in the twin towers, or the family members who had loved ones die on 9/11. Nevertheless, I feel that September 11^th was a life-altering event. Just like she said in her article, if I were flying over New York City, I would be looking down to see if the towers’ rubble were still there, or cringing in my seat hoping that there wouldn’t be terrorists hijacking the plane. We wouldn’t be as cautious in the airplane terminals, and security wouldn’t be as austere.

When Quindlen asked the questions of if they hated us or if we liked ourselves beforehand, the question that popped in my head was whether or not we Americans hate them now. I remember hearing people talk about how they were stopped before boarding the plane, and how security searched them, just because they were Middle Eastern. We look at them in a different light now as well. It’s not fair clumping them with terrorists just because they look similar, but I digress. I think we have a choice on if we look upon September 11^th as a day or celebrations, an ordinary day, or a day of grieving and remembrance. Like any person’s death, we have that decision to look at that day as the day they went to heaven where they no longer suffer, another monotonous and average day, or we could sit at home and bawl our eyes out because of what transpired. Now, I’m not saying that we should just move on with our lives and forget about what happened, but like the apathetic quote, “Life moves on.” Time doesn’t heal the hurt completely for the loved ones of the deceased, but with each passing day, I believe the pain relieves a little. It makes it easier for them to go on with their lives, but also be reverent about what happened on September 11^th.

One Day, Now Broken in Two

I think what Quindlen said in this essay is true, even after a big disaster life goes on. After 9-11 we slowed down for remembrance and worry but we never stopped there was still things to do and work to be done. Buildings were destroyed and people were lost but life continued. In Quindlen's essay he gave some perspectives some people had.The optimist say that "we are better people than before", the pessimist think that we live in a cruel and savage world, and the realist believe that both are right. I agree with Quindlen that the realist are correct, I believe we live in a cruel world but there are some of us who do do good deeds. I think there could be another 9-11 because we cant really do much to prevent it , yes we have tighter security in airports but who knows maybe it will be planned differently the next time in a way we wouldnt expect. After all we didnt expect it the first time.

One Day, Now Broken In Two

when i first began reading this essay i was thinking where the seperation of the two days came in, then i thought that Quindlen was right everyday americans teenager grownups whoever,are just treating 9-11 like it was just some small thing that happened that it should just be looked at like something that happened in the past and it no need to dwell over it ,when in reality america hasn't been the same since. on 9-11, americans as a whole changed we lost family friends loved ones that are not coming back and people are just going on about there day as if what happened that day never did. i undersand now what Quindlen is saying about how we should treat the days as to different things cause whether people accept it or not 9-11 was and will forever be a historical event. but also should notice as something that brought people together.

Reading Quindlen's essay, I realized that 9-11 has a different meaning to everyone. At first when I read this I did not completely understand what she meant by, the day being broken it two. Concentrating on the last paragraph, I grasp exactly what she is saying. I agree with that, 9-11 is not just a day anymore, it is an event. I also agree that the realists are correct when they say that we are both, "better people that we were before," and "living in a world of cruelty and savagery." That day made us open our eyes realize what was going on in other places. Many people do not pay attention to the war that some of our own are fighting everyday. The attack on the twin towers forced us to envisage exactly what some see all the time. She is right when she says that life goes on. We cannot put the country on hold because of this single, though extremely austere event. We have to push on and persevere through whatever is thrown at us. Giving up would be giving our attackers exactly what they want. 9-11 did not affect me as much as it did others. People who lost the lives of loved ones or those that were near the site when it happened are the ones who were affected most. But, that day has surely left a scar on our country.

When i first started reading this essay what cought my attention first was his theory on how everday we try to cover the events on 9-11 and the day as a whole as if it never happened. I do not agree with his thought that 9-11 and september 11 are two different days. I believe that we should think of 9-11 as a sign and more of an event or action than a day and that were not always protected, that were not safe at all times and that any one thing could happen on any day, meaning life is to short and live life the way you want to be remembered. I think we should think of September 11 as someones birthday or a couples anniversary because thats what we all thought of it before 9-11, why shouldnt we now? Im not saying that we should forget about 9-11 but see as something different than September 11. There are many different point of views on the subject. Two inpeticular from Quindlen's essay, that we live in a world of savagery and cruelty or that we are better people now. I think it made us better people because it helped us notice things we never thought of before. I extremely believe there could be another 9-11. I dont think people want to believe this because there afraid to think about something as devastating as another 9-11 but in the end we have to except the truth. That this country is never fully protected.

I agree with most everything that Quindlen says in his essay. My first reaction to his essay was that he is right that most people have tried to cover up the horror of 9-11 with their daily routines and just live and forget what happened. We need to remember that this day was an attack on our country and when something is done to our country in this fashion, it is an attack on every single one of us that lives in it. I also agree with what he says about that we need to separate 9-11 from the particular day of September 11 because we should think about 9-11 more than just on the particular day that it happened.

People have different perspectives on the events that happened in 9-11. Some say that we are better people now and others say that we just live in a world of savagery and cruelty according to Quindlen's essay. I have to lean towards that we are better people now because I believe that this event made us believe that horrible things can happen and we have no or little control over it so we need to live our lives to the fullest. I believe that there is always a possibility that we could have another 9-11 because there are always going to be attacks on our country since not everyone agress with us. It is like saying that from now on no one is going to be murdered by another. Most wish things like this could happen like that but the world doesn't work like that because certain people do thing their own way no matter if it hurts someone in the process or not.

What does it mean on the rubric when is says that we need to demonstrate engagement with issues raised from readings during class? Is it talking about just the Quindlen's essay or other readings?

Mandatory Blog Post #1

Read the article about 9/11 below from Newsweek:
"One Day, Now Broken in Two"

In a thoughtful, well written response, consider your beliefs and opinions the following questions.  Your rubric is as follows:
Blog Posting Rubric
You do not have to answer all of these, but think about them for your response. Support your feelings using Quindlen's essay, "One Day, Now Broken in Two":

What are your initial reactions to Quindlen's essay?
According to the other, people of different perspectives viewed the events of 9/11 in different ways. What were those ways, and to which do you relate most?
Quindlen mentions that Americans asked themselves two questions. Do you agree with those questions, and what do you think are the answers to them?
Do you think it is possible to divide life into "the mundane and the monstrous," as Quindlen suggests?  What does she mean by this? Are there other instances where this dichotomy (contrast) exists?
Could there be another 9/11? Why or why not?

Hello

Columbus's Journal

Click on the blue link to download a file of the journal.  Enjoy!

from the Journal of the First Voyage to America

Book to read

Sooooo, I've been thinking:

I want us to read something this semester that you all WANT to read...not something that you HAVE to read because it's the only thing in our library or because I love it.  The best thing about our 13-student class is that we can really do whatever we want (following the NC Standard Course of Study, of course)!

What do you guys want to read? Google some stuff when you get a second and let me know what you want to read...we can easily get 13 books of ANYTHING if it's written by an American author. Honestly, I'm even down to read something I've never read (ever heard a teacher willing to learn something new?!)!

So you can think about Catcher in the Rye and Huckleberry Finn if you want (and I would love that!), but think about newer things, too. I want you guys to love reading as much as I do, and the best way to do that is to read and discuss things that are meaningful to us.

Have a great weekend!

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First Day of School

Hope your summer vacation has left you restful and refreshed! Can't wait to start this year off right!