Controversial writing

This week in my English class we were assigned to read an essay that is posted online that argues for the use of torture. It was a very thought provoking and controversial essay. Here is the link.

http://www.coc.cc.ca.us/departments/philosophy/levin.html

I find Mr. Levins argument to be extremely compelling. He offers examples that many of us can sympathize with. The use of New York City in his essay brings up visions of 9/11. If we could have used torture to discover when the attacks were going to take place in order to prevent that massive loss of life, shouldn't we have done so? I think so. His argument may not be considered ethical by many, but his logic is hard to disagree with. The use of the newborn example is one I can support. If someone stole my child and the only way to get her back was through torture, I'm all for it. I have learned that my own writing is too "safe". I usually choose to not write something that could be deemed as confrontational. I prefer to kind of stay under the radar when it comes to a topic that is this controversial. But I think that most people feel this way. The majority of the population avoids conflict. Most people prefer to "go with the flow" than to "rock the boat". What I found most interesting is that I agreed with the essay. When I first saw the link and read what the essay was going to be about I thought "Are you kidding me? Torture is okay? Who is this moron?". Well, apparently he wasn't kidding, torture is okay and I am the moron. It's very interesting to me that when a point is made with good, clear logic and examples that the average person can relate to your opinion can be rather easily swayed.

Blogging is starting to become a chore

Blogging is really starting to become a chore. Since I know the only people who read this are my boyfriend and a teacher. I already tell the boyfriend everything and so I am really only talking to the teacher. Hi Ms. Geddes. So, back to trying to write this like a diary instead of like I'm actually talking to people.
This last week I finished "The Three Musketeers" and have started on the next in the series, "Twenty Years Later". Not quite as good a read as "Three Musketeers" was, but not a bad book.
I also did manage to finish my informative English paper. I did literally hours of research, but I wasn't displeased with the end result. It did come out a bit clinical, but since it was supposed be informative, it did it's job. I had the worst Math assignment yet. It took me hours and hours to get the study guide done so I could take the test. I spent 4 hours doing Math last night. Ugh. In my Lit class we are reading "The Tempest". Shakespeare is hard for me to read.
I need to spend some more time reading with my kiddo. There are some places in my parenting where I am seriously lacking and encouraging her education is one of them. I always feel so busy, but I guess that when it comes down to it, her education is really more important than mine. I had my chance, now it is her turn. I definitely need to make more of an effort to spend time reading with her. I want to foster the love of reading that I have in her.

English paper undertaking

I have to write an informative essay that ties into a paper we did regarding our personal credos. My personal credo was about how important it is to create family memories. I wrote about my mom's mental illness and how even though most days were a trial, she still managed to create some great memories for us kids. So I decided to do my informative essay about Parenting with Clinical Depression. I have some concerns that this is going to be a much larger undertaking than I am planning. So here I sit at my office, not doing any work, but doing bunches of research to see if perhaps I am getting myself in over my head. I guess we'll see, won't we?

School

Whew, slipped this blog in at the last minute. I almost forgot to do it this week. Whoops.
Anyway, school is going pretty good. I'm still doing good with the grades and managing to keep up with the homework. I'm actually pleasantly surprised at how well I'm doing in math. I've taken 3 tests and am still getting an A in that class. Getting an A in English, but a dreaded B in Literature. Arg!! Ah well, maybe if I get enough A's I can pull that B up to an A.

Hmmm...

Reading back over my previous blogs...jeez...I am such a complainer. Every blog has whining and complaining in it. Now, on one of those I purposely complained, but still...
So, on that note I would like to express just how grateful I am for the life I have. I really am generally happy with my life. I have a beautiful healthy daughter. I am in a great relationship with a wonderful man. I have food on the table every night. I have a roof over my head and a bed to sleep in. I have a job that I basically enjoy. In fact, I am doing my homework at my job right now. I am able to go to school. I have a car and a phone and heat. I am able to decide to go to church and decide which church I want to go to. I have managed to surround myself with good, positive people. I don't have to live in fear of leaving my house like the people in some countries. My goodness, I just have so much to be grateful for....hmmm...I'm going to go hug my kiddo and let her know I love her. Until next week...