The Last Metablog

            I have noticed that I usually blog about a specific issue rather than an overarching theme. Lately I have been going to the New York Times online because there are many topics featured there that have related to our class, like the post I wrote about America's credit score which reminded me of the short documentary "Detroit: The Troubled City".
        I definitely think that-that topic is worth revisiting because there are so many ways in which the recession has affected everyone in the nation, not to mention the troubles of a major city. I have also noticed that recently I have more directly related my blog topics to class rather than mention our class discussions in passing.
           I am very happy about that discovery because I feel like I have participated more and become more involved in class.  I think our class and our motto (I think of it that way) is like the picture because we jump into discussions that are taking place globally and I think that will really help in the future with being a part of a (global) voice.
          My favorite blog is Every Man For Himself! because it can be related to so many topics, not only our books/discussions in class. I have enjoyed this class and I am still amazed at the topics that we covered, the depth of our conversations, and I think we showed how intelligent and discerning highschoolers (and other young folks) can be and are, no matter what age.
          I hope to see you all next year!

Every Man for Himself!

                 In AIS we are reading a book called the Kentucky Cycle. And in this book the similarities between JT Wells and the King and Duke from Huck Finn are very close. All three characters trick and swindle people out of money and then run off. I think that is the biggest similarity. However, unlike the King and Duke, JT Wells had a sudden rush of conscience and told Mary Anne that he had tricked them (the Rowen family).
                In the Kentucky Cycle and Huck Finn JT, the King, and the Duke tell people stories that they want to hear. Like JT said to Mary Anne, "I say what people want me to say and I am whatever they want me to be" (166).
               JT got so wrapped up in his role that he turned on his own people. Just like how Michael wanted money and land so much that he killed his companion, Sam, without a second thought.
              I feel like this "every amn for himself" attitude hasn't gone away since the 1700s and 1800s. Today many people hurt others to get to the top or to obtain something. That is like how the housing crisis statred because banks wanted more money, and they let people take out mortgages when they wouldn't beable to keep-up payments later. The banks were thinking short-term and wanted instant gratification, but by doing that they made many people homeless, maybe like the movie we watched yesterday about Detroit.

New Illinois Law Passed

                    Yesterday, June 1st 2011, the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act went into effect. This Act allows same-sex partners to have a civil union and are then granted many of the same rights given to married couples. 
                    I think that  Governor Quinn is correct when he says "we look forward to individuals and businesses from across the country choosing to move to Illinois", because Illinois is now one of six other states that also allow same-sex unions. And it is sad that out of fifty states only six have changed their laws to incorporate all its citizens. Now everyone in Illinois truly has the right to freedom of expression/religion. 
                   In our Constitution Unit in AIS we explored how the government sometimes abridged civil liberties. And same-sex marriage I believe falls under the First Amendment with freedom of expression or religion, as the Act is named about/for. 
                  I think that this is progress towards a better society and more equal rights for all American citizens. I hope that other states will soon follow Illinois in authorizing same-sex civil unions.




*click HERE to view the article "Illinois Civil Unions Law Goes Into Effect Wednesday" 

America's Credit Score in Jeopardy

               On Thursday, Moody's Investors Service stated that they might downgrade the U.S.'s credit rating because of issues over the debt limit. And a debt limit is when you have a set amount of money that can be borrowed and once you reach that limit you can't borrow anymore money, which includes the issuance of bonds.
                However, in Congress there was a vote the day before Moody's warning and Congress had decided not to increase the national debt limit. However, that is dangerous because if the debt limit question is not solved soon then it might provoke another crisis. Not only that but Jackie Calmes, the author of this article*, writes that "House Republicans have said they will not agree to increase the debt limit without parallel action on spending cuts of an even greater amount".
               As we were talking about in AIS today, many people in Detroit in 2008 were forced out of their homes because they couldn't afford to live there anymore. That was right at the start of the recession and in 2011 we, the U.S., is still recovering. Another recession would be even worse the second time, especially because we are not fully recovered yet. Which would put more people out of work and make more people foreclose their homes.
              Hopefully Congress will reach a decision soon to help prevent a default of a debt payment and another crisis.


*click HERE to see the article "Fight Over Debt Ceiling Risks Credit Rating, Moody's Warns"

Like Father, Like Son

            In our current book in AIS, The Kentucky Cycle, it is interesting to see that despite Morningstar's (Michael Rowen's wife) best efforts, her son Patrick turned out to be exactly like his father. And as the book progresses the line "like father, like son" is very prevalent because from birth the Rowen family fathers ingrained in their sons a thirst for more land.
            It also seems like Rowen fathers teach their children to be just as ruthless as them because Michael, the founder of the Rowen family, killed many people without a thought, Patrick killed Michael and the man his mother actually loved along with other violent acts. The Rowen family is ruthless because of their ability to kill those in the way of their ambitious quest for more and more land.
           In a way that is still true because like Michael wanted to own the mountains, businesses want to buy put their competition and make tons of money. And that goes along with the American Dream because Michael rose from being an indentured servant to being a some-what wealthy landowner. Many of today's biggest businesses were created in that same way, by people going "from rags to riches".
           And even if they lose it all, they will somehow get it all back too, as was seen in the Kentucky Cycle. That want for money and land was passed down for generations and still holds sway in today's society.

Coming Back from War

             Some might think that going home from war would be very easy and that soldiers would be eager to get home from overseas. However, from the article that I read*, some soldiers dread coming home or find it hard to readjust to society.
            That is because the ex-soldiers were constantly vigilant and on-edge. To help them "blow off steam" they might abuse alcohol, get traffic violations, or get into other trouble. Not only that but many suffer from post-dramatic-stress-disorder as well.
            With all of these hardships about coming home in The Great Gatsby neither Nick nor Gatsby, when they were talking about their experiences in war, mentioned if it was hard to re-emerge in society. But perhaps Gatsby displays his post-war troubles as his obsession with Daisy, even though they had not seen each other for years.
            But maybe because Gatsby did not know many people before he went into the army there was no one to see if he had changed from his experience on the front line.




*click HERE to view the article "After Combat, the Unexpected Perils of Coming Home"

            
            

Class Means Money

          We have started The Great Gatsby in AIS. And along with that we are discussing in detail what social classes are and how they are defined. I think that individually the idea of social standing is very relative because everyone has their own idea of what makes someone middle, upper, or lower class.
         Not only that but many people compare their social rank to that of those around them. So if one neighbor has a mansion and so does the other neighbor while you live in a comfortable house, you might think you are "middle class".
         I also personally think that class is generally defined by wealth (net income). The more lavish a lifestyle you live the more you are put on a pedestal, whether consciously or not because others wish they could live like you. Our economy is set up to reward those make the most money, especially with the tax cuts for those who are already wealthy. More money means more of everything else (like precious commodities like gold, oil, diamonds) and perhaps more respect.
         In Richistan: A Journey Through the American Wealth Boom and the LIves of the New Rich (wow what a mouthful!) Robert Frank, the author, brings up a good point. That the truly wealthy of America seemed to have made a mini-counrty of their own in America that he calls Richistan. This tiny percent of the American population holds a huge percent of America's wealth.
         I would definitely recommend this book because it reveals very interesting facts about today's millionaires and how they effect the rest of the population. This book also helps to prove that many people think money means a higher social rank. Besides, isn't the "American Dream" a dream to get rich?