Monday, June 18, 2007
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Leadership
Although when it came to the bias and contradiction, two of those names stand out above of all the others. Adams and Jefferson were complete opposites in the sense that, they disagrees about everything. As Joseph Ellis puts it, "they were an incongruous pair... the Yankee and the cavalier, the orator and the writer, the bulldog and the greyhound..." They were like the first democrat and republican in America. Jefferson being the democrat and Adams the republican; Jefferson is a self contained man whose idea of a debate was that it was a "violation of the natural harmonies," when Adams' idea of a debate was a ruthless argument. They were different, they don't even debate in the same way. So how could it be that two different types of people, within a government, are able to work out many different problems without causing anarchy and loss of the democracy itself? They give some and lose some. It is a matter of giving up one idea for one you think is better. This creates a well balanced government, of which will last for many years to come.
Leadership is something that needs a certain characteristic that one man can not possess. To be a good leader you have to be open to new idea's and not hold on to the power of leadership. To be a good leader you have to accept the reality that you can't be there forever. This quality, although very minuscule has a great effect on the people. When George Washington became president of the United States of America, he knew he wouldn't be there forever. Four years pass and Washington declared his resignation of office. Thus proving that George was not an advocate for his own prosperity.
However, a major characteristic that was needed was the intelligence that one man possessed. Thomas Jefferson was one of the most intelligent of the founding brothers. He had a way with words that no one else could match. Overall, Jefferson had the confidence that he will be remembered. When Jefferson was on his deathbed, he whispered "Jefferson still lives" (Joseph Ellis, Founding Brothers). By this Jefferson's ego sought to tell him that his would be remembered throughout the ages.
As you can see, there were many characteristics that were required for the revolution and one man can not have all those qualities. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson collaborated in a way that no other group of people had before them. They, in times of futile disagreement and war, were able to come to many agreements through contradiction and bias ideas. Though it came to many times were their disagreements may have overcome their need for freedom, they pulled through. They declared their right to be free and have a democratic government; christened The United States of America.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Perplexity
Why do we Americans seem to blame others for our misfortunes? We have done it since the start of our country. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed by the Founding Brothers of the United States of America. They signed to remove themselves from the King and depart on there own, with their new idea of a government.
Notice how in the Declareation of Independence it states that "...the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States..." This shows how the colonists blamed just one man for the "repeated injuries and usurpations."
Why just one man? Why not blame the country? Instead, Thomas Jefferson wrote that the King was "A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people." Thus, saying that he was not ready to be a ruler of the people who want him to "...Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good..."
A ruler who wanted what was best him and not for the people was not who they wanted to rule America. The most perplexing thing about the Declaration of Independence is how they stated that "Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us... They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends." Even though they state that their brittish brethren have unwarrantable jurisdiction or unwanted authority over the colonists. They refered to their "enemy in war" as their brethren. Why? We declared war on them, yet we call them our brothers? Was this to make all the people of the war seem to be innocent and the King seem evil? This may have been a great way to persuade the people or it could have been one that slowed the revolution down. This is perplexity, in the sense that we are uncertain of what was really meant by this. Maybe the colonist blamed the whole country. Maybe they really dud think it was the King. Either way, they were able to stray from the Brittish and establish a well working government. We succeeded in are Independence, but failed to point the gun at the people but only at the King. The question is why...
----The following video is narrated by Robin Shields on the Library of Congress website.---
About The Video:
"Robin Shields discusses the American Declaration of Independence, focusing on its distribution through early American newspapers. Fifteen newspapers containing the Declaration from the Library of Congress' Serial and Government Publication Division's American newspaper collection are profiled. Shields highlights the importance of newspapers for the success of the American Revolution and the influence newspaper printers had on the independence movement."(Library of Congress)
Watch this video
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Propaganda Project
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
John Hancock
May 6, 2007
“At the risk of our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor,” John Hancock signed the Declaration of Independence as the President of the Continental Congress. According to the Famous Signers of the Declaration by Dorothy Horton McGee, he put the largest fortune in America and his own honor on the line for “his native land.” John Hancock followed in his uncle’s footsteps and took over his uncle’s business when he got older. This one man, with his great fortune, was risked by one tax that was forced on him and other businessmen by the English.
Graduating from Harvard in 1754, John Hancock entered his uncle’s firm as a clerk. In 1760, his uncle was so impressed by his work that Hancock was sent to represent the business house in London. “Having had long Experience of his Uprightness & great Abilities for Business…” Hancock’s uncle’s spoke of him when he hired him on January 1, 1763 as a partner of the firm of importers, merchants and ship owners. Yet, this partnership did not last very long, for Thomas Hancock died and left his great fortune to John Hancock on August 1, 1764. More than a year later, John Hancock was named the selectman of Boston, as his uncle was before
him.
The Stamp Act was founded in 1765; it was made so they would needed a special stamp to make any document a “legal” document, thus when anything was sold, traded, or shipped; the proof of legality would have to be a stamped document. This would cost the businessmen much more money. Also, many did not feel that it was a viable act and didn’t abide by it. For instance, John Hancock sailed the Boston Packet in the middle of December without the legal stamp, and all the cargo was taken and was used to pay the Royal Officers in support of the British East India Company.
“It is a Cruel hardship upon us & unless we are Redressed we must be Ruin’d…” John Hancock was trying to promote the expulsion of the Stamp Act, for its “fatal Effects of these Grievances you will Sensibly feel; our Trade must decay...” A month later Hancock was writing the protest of the Stamp Act and within this document he wrote of how this act weakens “the best Security of our Lives Libertys and Estates…” This “Cruel Act” and submits him and the commerce to what he referred to as “Slavery.”
With the help of “The Sons of Liberty,” John Hancock was able to enforce his boycotts and persuade the people to revolt against England. This in turn, led to the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773. On this day, the colonials threw three hundred and forty chests of tea valued at ten thousand British pounds (back in 1773), hitting England where it hurts the most. England had finally received the message that the colonists were not going to follow by their rules for any longer.
Throughout the many battles with the English, New England was successful in their revolt for freedom from England. The “Sons of Liberty” were able to prevent the English from controlling the New England ports and governments. On July 4, 1776, the most historical name in history was signed on the Declaration of Independence. John Hancock signed the document that would save his life, fortune, and sacred honor or would have sentence him and New England to live a future of intolerable taxes and acts by the rule of one.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
John Hancock Essay
Sunday, March 4, 2007
The Theme Throughout All of History
On the contrary, they were not much different. Homo erectus had developed ways to use tools and were as much advanced as the Homo sapiens, but lacked the social aspect to modern life. What I am trying to say is that, before humans had developed a written language, there were conflicts between them of who was more superior to the other. Thus, when you look back to the American Indian Wars, there seems to be a direct relationship to the fighting and turmoil.
The Europeans had to think of them as not human, to make them seem characterless, that way they would have no regrets to conquer them. There was many-recorded writing about the Native Americans on whether they were minor farmers or if they were great farmers who brought great surplus. In addition, there was some on how the Native Americans were so hostile that they would kill and scalp n enemy just to become a man, when some writing spoke of how they were perfect and did not kill. Both of them are very wrong, but together post a real aspect to the Natives world, i.e., if the Natives had killed their enemies, there would be no more culture because there would be no people to support it. Also, if they did not kill how would they have protected their lands from others (like the Europeans) and feed their people? In addition, if the Natives were such bad farmers how could they have fed and taught the Pilgrims how to farm on a day we celebrate? Also, if they were such great farmers and took up so much land with the farming, why did the Native Americans still have to scavenge for food? The reality portrayed on the Native Americans is skewed in both ways. The truth is not one of the other, but lies between the two.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Native Americans vs. Europeans
The mystical function was a large influence on an individual in the Native culture. They would be taught that they have spiritual power, which if you find, may change you life in many great ways. They also thought that nature is very mystical to them. When they would sacrifice an animal to feed their family they would show gratitude toward the animal, who gave its life, by dance or song. These spiritual rituals would be taught by the elders and without this knowledge they couldn't carry on the religion and culture. Thus, when they met the Europeans, they lost a lot of their culture.
When the Europeans came over and started to have consistent contact to the Natives, they found that their are many cultural differences between them. The Europeans believed heavily on the scientific path, but with a belief in one god. God, is that spiritual part of the their lives, but when they go home to eat, they didn't give thanks to the animal, but God. Whom they believe let them have the chance to eat a great meal.
In summary, they had some conflicts that hurt their relationship. When the Europeans came over, they started to clear land and kill animals like it was nothing. This is because the Europeans believe that killing animals and clearing land for large homes wasn't against what God wanted. Yet, the Natives saw this as blasphemy and were mad that they were doing such evils. Also, the Natives were taken as slaves by the Europeans, and the Native that fought, died. Thus, this starting a great conflict that would end the cultures of thousands of the Natives tribes. Because of the greediness of the Europeans, they started to ask for gold and other minerals that the Natives didn't have. This was impossible for the Natives, not only because they couldn't speak English but they literally didn't have what the Europeans were asking for. But, when the Europeans didn't get what they wanted, they would kill the Native Americans.
This was bad. Like was stated above, when the elders die, the culture dies. Now, that millions of the Natives are dead or dying, they are taking with them, the culture.
In conclusion, conflict and violence was, undoubtedly, inevitable. The Europeans were very wealth driven. They wanted to find the fastest and most economical way to make money. That said, if anything got in their way, they would find a way around or resort to fighting their way through. This causing the great conflict between the two cultures and causing the demise of the Native Americans elders. By the end of this war, it was estimated that millions of Natives were killed because of one nations greed, but the worst of it was shown through the massacre at Wounded Knee. The Seventh Cavalry killed hundreds of women and children out of spite, not for defense. Thus, showing that violence can not be avoided in some cases because some people have their mind on one thing. When it comes between morals and what they want, both of the cultures were for what was best for them, instead of who gets hurt in the process.
Monday, February 5, 2007
Accepted
Look at the homeless that we have in our country. Do you think people accept or tolerate them. Hard question to answer isn't it? Truly, everyone is tolerating them. When people walk by and hand them spare change, they no it's not going to change their lives. Twenty cents can't start a life over, but no one is going to say that to their face. Most likely they have gone through very tough times and still can't dig out of the hole they're in. Yet, people do go around and say that the homeless are doing what best for them, do you?
That's the difference between acceptance and tolerance. The bigger question is do we accept or tolerate beliefs? Once again, it is that our society today and long before only tolerate beliefs. If you ask any Christian if they accept anything that's against their religion, they will say no. But, do they tolerate it? If they didn't how would they survive in our world today?
Thursday, February 1, 2007
MYTH
The definition of a Myth is a legendary story that usually involves a hero and his or her adventure with no real facts or a natural explanation for it. Yet, Campbell explained a Myth as an experience of life that may change your perspective on how you live your life. When you tell your story, many may not believe it. For instance, an old fisherman who spoke of a big fish that was as big as his leg that when he caught, he let go. Many people didn't believe him and didn't take any look at if he was right or not. Some went searching for this fish. Many probably would give up early, but there would always be that one who would try to find this fish, and he or she would be that lucky one to find this mysterious fish that was as big as a mans leg. You search for this fish thinking in the back of your head that this fish doesn't exist and that the old man is crazy. Then you caught him, and you reel him in. Then what do you do. You have proved that the Myth of one man is correct and that the fish was beautiful and majestic. You would think to yourself about if it's worth it to kill something so great to achieve so little. Soon, you will find yourself back on shore. You won't have any proof that the big fish is real, except your experience. Your experience that proved to you that you shouldn't sacrifice a life, to accomplish nothing.
You now know that the fish is real and you tell it to everyone. Soon, you are the old man who tells the story to a young one, who thinks your crazy, but walks away towards that same lake you were at, carrying a fishing poll...
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Native Americans vs. Indians
I don't believe that because of one mans carelessness and inhumanity one group of people had to suffer. I think that when it was proven that the natives were not from India, then they should have recant the old name and replace it with a more politically correct name. One that wouldn't offend anyone. Also, I believe that the way the people were treated because of how they were different, was very uncivilized.
The final 'Massacre' of the Indian Wars that involved the U.S. Seventh cavalry and the Lakota Sioux at 'Wounded Knee'. The Sioux had put up a peace flag at their camp, but the army set up their guns despite it. They aimed it at the tribe which included 120 men with 230 women and children. Those numbers dropped when an accidental shot was fire when a gun was dropped. This gun shot startled the cavalry and they fired all of their guns. They ended up killing over 15o men women and children, while wounding 50.
In short, I believe that what happened at 'Wounded Knee' was an example of how people can't except something new and take their actions to the extreme. Throughout all of history people have been discriminating against people for how they look compared to the majority of the people. For instance, Africa Americans used to be enslaved because they were not white like the people who came their. Then, they revolted and one excepted as equals today. African Americans were also given names because of how they looked, and not who they really were. Thus, if we had only judged the people for who they were and not how they looked they we might not have had all of the civil wars, for everyone would have be known as equals.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
The Great Economy
block cut smooth and well fitting that design might cover
their face. With usura hath no man a painted paradise on his
church wall... no picture is made to endure nor to live with but it is
made to sell and sell quickly with ursura, sin against nature."
--Erza Pound, (Medici Money, Tim Parks, pg. 1)--
It knows that it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed.
Every morning a lion wakes up.
It knows that it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death.
It doesn't matter if your a lion or a gazelle.
When the sun comes up, you better start running."
--Mandarin Proverb, (The World is Flat, Thomas L. Friedman, pg. 137)--