Girl Woman Mom

Censorship: The Demons of Privacy or the Provider of Safety

aemd97 — Mon, 02 May 2011 21:37:03 +0000

This was for a class.
Censorship can give safety or deny privacy. Censorship is important, but it can be over done. Censorship can be helpful like when things are checked for explosives, poison, or drugs. But when censorship crosses the line, the fine line between safety and privacy, things are not very pretty. Censorship should protect us from things that want to harm us, but at the same time not over do it. We do not need everything hidden from us, but we don’t need to die from a dangerous thing sent in the mail. We need only our mail checked for explosives and other such things, not for the content.
Content is not that important. The government doesn’t have the right to violate someone’s privacy. The point is people say and write many things, which can be interpreted in many ways. Someone might say “the weather seems nice today”, they could just being saying that or it could be a code to bomb the Twin Towers, who is to know? People may just be speaking, and it is harmless and normal. Should they be killed or punished for speaking? Then there is no need for the mouth, it would be pointless. Some conversations via email, phone, or letter, could possibly be a plot against the government. But on the other hand should the government insulate everyone? Or should content not be checked. The belief is that privacy is a given and it should not be taken away whenever the government feels threatened. The government can censor so many things. You can censor anything related to differences. Like morals and other more confined topics. Or even content on a TV set doesn’t completely need to be checked. The definition of censorship is the act or practice of censoring, where censor means an official who examines books, plays, news reports, motion pictures, radio and television programs, letters, etc. for the purpose of suppressing parts deemed objectionable on moral, political, military, or other grounds. Censorship in the form of editing and cutting is fine, but when it starts to come around because of the content. Then it is not censorship anymore, it is restrictions and suppressions. The simple censorship for little mistakes, is removing anything not deemed appropriate or even normal, then it is just control. For example, National Geographic has recently shown advertisements featuring a new season of a show called Taboo, a show where people are in love with objects. That is not seen as normal but it is out there, so maybe you do not allow children to watch it, but it should be shown to the public.
There is a line. One, who crosses, starts something, a revolution, even. The line is putting bombs, explosives or poisons in something. The one, who crosses, kills someone, just one person and a revolution starts. After this, everything is checked for any type of bad thing. Then privacy is gone as well. To check for explosives, drug and other such things is needed for our safety. But a package or letter does not need to be opened for this. Today, in America, the postal service has come up with many ways to check our mail and deliveries without needing to open the packages. Should every package be opened? No. They can be examined without touching the package, sniffer dogs and other things related to that, may be used. Another example is the bleeping of curse words on television and the web. This is not needed. People can hear cuss words, walking down the street or even in your house. So trying to protect children from it is not needed. Children can hear this anywhere, so why deny them what the world really is? Should the government lie to us about how the world really is? Should it be sugar coated, either?
In the story, “The Censors”, a man, Juan, writes a letter to Mariana. He knows it will probably not get sent, due to the fact the Censorship Division reviews all letters for anything that could be possibly against the government. So Juan goes and gets a job at the Office of the Censorship Division. When he does this, he gets so in to his job that puts his own letter in the censorship pile and then is killed by the government. First off, this is not right. Juan should not have had to worry. His government should have given his letter privacy as long as the letter did not have any explosives, poison, or drugs, etc. Secondly, he should have not been killed. He wrote a letter, there most likely wasn’t much of a threat, unless the made it in to one. This is an example of crossing the letter in to privacy. The government in this story, was so concerned with safety, they neglected privacy. Like the FCC, Federal Communications Commission, who censors American media, picks what is allowed to be shown on primetime and other things. They pick if a solider dying on a field can be seen on time. Should the government tell us what is bad and what is good? When do we have the decision? Do we have the decision? If you keep going on censorship, then will we be able to make are own choices? Can we have it both ways?
Censorship can show the demons of privacy or can be the provider of safety. Which way do you want it? Is there good? Can there be a harmony of the two? You can have safety, but can you have it over done? You want privacy, but that privacy might get you killed. Can you protect your children from bad things on TV and still watch those things yourself? If something is to horrible to think about should the government keep it from us? So how do you see it? Censorship, Burden or Blessed?

Other Person’s View

aemd97 — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 20:52:57 +0000

In school, in a class some would considered pointless, we were learning about the immigrants and Ellis Island. One assignmnet was to write what our teacher calls OPV’s (which stand for Other Person’s View). We got an immigrant assigned to us.
My assigned person was Theodosia Callicrates.
“You escaped an oppressive family life in Greece when you were 18. Your uncle was the “hook” in America who agreed to pay your passage to the New World. On board ship you met a young handsome Greek whom you married after arrival in America. When you are not mothering your seven children and a dutiful wife, you work for a few hours each day in your uncle’s candy shop. You also wrok part time as a Loyalty Oath official at Ellis Island.”

My four OPV were on the following topics(in order): Why Immigranted, Journey, Ellis Island, Life in America
First: Sorry, I must have gotten rid of it.
Second:
5/26/1958
Dear Diary,
People on the boat smell horrible. I smell. The smells are just repulsive. There are no baths, conditions are not proper. I can’t deal with this torture, even though it isn’t as bad as my home land. I can get good treatment since I didn’t have much money. I wasn’t able to get a high-class seat on the boat. Most on the boat, believe America is better, they got money sent to them from family members who were already living in America. But Uncle and I just sit here in our beds, bored out of our minds. There is nothing of much worth to do to pass the time away.
-Theodosia Callicrates

9/6/1958
Dear Journal,
I have met someone. Someone, I think I could live with ‘til I am old, in a chair, knitting. I met, Evander Demetrious, on the boat to America. I met him around the third day abroad, I just haven’t written. I am in love. Evan and I will travel to America together, and marry. I can talk to Evan about everything, and just like me he doesn’t care too much about money, but has enough to support both of us in America for over 3 months. Uncle is so happy for me. He approves of my love. I will be given the chance to choose my husband, due to the fact, America is the land of opportunities. I am done writing. I want to be with Evan.
-Theodosia Callicrates

2/13/1959
Dear Diary,
I feel ashamed, I haven’t written in so long, but there wasn’t so much to write. That is a lie. There was, I am pregnant. Evan and I are going to be parents. Uncle is mad, because of my age. But on the other hand, Uncle is thrilled because he approves on the man I am with. Evan is excited as well, he is only 21. We want more babies. The doctor, I meet aboard, believes I have one month or so, before the birth, which means, my baby will be an American. Evan and I are so glad. In America, the medical care is far more advanced then Greece. I just want to live as an American, not in the death trap of my home land.
-Theodosia Callicrates

Third:
4/6/1959
Dear Diary,
I remember traveling in the gateway of America. I could help but wonder what would happen to my child when we were in America. I have found my journal I wrote when I went through Ellis Island. This is some of the words and entries I wrote while I passed in America.
We have docked over three days ago. I am writing after waking up from a small slumber after I gave birth to my babies. Yes, Babies. I have birthed multiple children at once. Things like this never happened in Greece. Mom and Dad would be horrified if they knew I had children. They ruined by hopes of love, life, and happiness. Evan and or family deserve more than could be provided in Greece. The doctors took my babies right after the birth. I was so scared. Evan ran after the nurse, to get our baby .But she knew Greek and said, “Its fine. We are just going to check the babies for diseases and provide them with some food. They will be fine, trust me!” And they were. We had third babies, one boy and two girls. We named the only boy after Uncle Dorian. Our two beautiful daughters were given the names, Alexandra and Phaedra, like my favorite aunt. Evan picked the name Alexandra because his sister had the same beautiful name. Each child, I had were Americans. They don’t have to get through as much tough processing. They just get their American rights. Evan is a little worried. We might not have enough money to take care of the children. We both need good jobs. I don’t know what to do. But, as Americans, we will have so many opportunities. We will like as Americans not Greeks.
-Theodosia Callicrates

Fourth:
Dear Diary,
I am now at the age of 43. I continue to work at Uncle’s candy shop and the immigration station. I am happy where my life is at. To record my life and experiences for the future generations of Callicrates, I wrote this in English.
Now, I have done much over the years. I will give you the basic information.
I have six children total. The following is a list of them:
*Phadera—22 (children-1. Demetrious 2. Evander)—now has a great life
**Alexandra—22(children-1. Peter 2. Mason 3. Sara)
***Dovian—22(married to Kristina-children 1.Theodosia 2. Marisa)
****Jase—21(who is at the age, where he is legal to drink…that has become his new hobby)
*****Iris—17(loves to sleep around…a lot)
******Gerorgia—14(enjoys a box that projects pictures…I am pretty sure she calls it TV)
Anyways, I am the co-owner of Dovian’s Candy House. To inform you on the status of the rest of my family, Mom has recently died. This happened after mother separated form Father and moved to Rome with the Italian man she was forcing me to marry. She died while giving birth at 58. I knew Greece had bad mental technology. My neighbor is 56 and just had a baby boy. And she is alive watering her plants next door.
Evan and I are very happily married with our six children with their seven grandchildren. He is teaching Greek at a high-school. His students love us, I hope this is because Evan is a good teacher, not that I donate free candy to the school, all the time.
Overall, I have had a great life and I know I can say if I wouldn’t have moved to America, I might have died. I would be married to a man my mom was having an affair with. My Father would be pissing me off about every little thing. I would be lonely with Uncle to talk to. I am so grateful I moved to the States.
-Theodosia Callicrates

There is the story, I created regarding Theodosia.

A Quote to Remember

aemd97 — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 20:12:14 +0000

“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.”- Confucius

The first time I heard this quote was today. I was in French class, learning through the method of my principal drawing a girl on our Smartboard. (Dr. Jackson, my principal is teaching French to some classes because he is fluent in the language, and he was trying to teach us some of the words for clothing and body parts. Anyways) We said, “Maybe you should just write (or say) the words so we can learn them. Then our “teacher” said, the quote above, we just sat there and we’re like “What?”. Now, reading it over, it makes sense. I am also remembering times, that I have listened and forgeten, when I saw it but did really get the point, and when it was hands-on and I understand what I learned. So, take that quote with you, and think, I need to “do” more. And stop just dealing with just the minimum of hearing and seeing. AND DO!

FCAT Song

aemd97 — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:10:03 +0000

I wanted to introduce the FCAT song to all of my readers. It is a song about FCAT to the tune of the famous Tik Tok, by Ke$ha. The song was writen by tb-two* author Domonic Botto. The song was first used at his school for a Pep-Rally for the FCAT, but I think everyone has had to many of those, already. So I will not be the one to punish you with another pep-rally. But anyways, here is the FCAT Song:

“Wake up in the morning feeling like Einstein,
Got my thinking cap on and I’m feeling fine.
Before I leave grab my pencils and my backpack,
‘Cause when I get to school I’m taking the FCAT.

I’m talking eating a healthy breakfast
Getting a lot of rest, rest
Turning off my cell phone
Drop-topping, bubbling all those C’s, C’s
Trying to get a 3, 3
This is going to be so easy …..

(Chorus twice)

Don’t stop, beat the clock
Get a 3, 4, or 5
Be prepared, stay aware, and watch how you thrive

Tik tok on the clock but this party won’t stop
No, oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh

Not a care in the world,
Cause I’ve got no fear
Better get a 3 or you’ll be back next year
Now the tests are all ready
And we’ve all sat
The Eagles [school icon] are ready to take the FCAT.

We’re going to do our best, best
And going to pass this test, test
Forgetting all the rest, rest
Now, now we go until they call time out, out

‘Til Langston [Assistant Principal for Curriculum] shuts us down, down
‘Til Chapin [Assistant Principal for Student Affairs] shuts us down, down
Allen [Assistant Principal for Student Affairs] shuts down …

(Chorus twice)

Wasn’t that just the best? Well, if you didn’t think so you must not take the FCAT. ‘Cause that would just pump you up to take such a awesome test. And plus, it is a lot more kid-freindly with the new lyrics.

Bayshore Pets

aemd97 — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:55:26 +0000

Bayshore Pets is a family owned little pet store in Bradenton, Florida. The pet store has been in business for over 15 years however, for the past 2 years it has been owned by Kelle and Ron Robichaux. Two years of pets and perks for all of the customers. Pets, they sell in the store, include lion-head rabbits, fish, birds such as parakeets, ferrets, guinea pigs, frogs, large black sharks, comet goldfish, boas, pythons, and much more. “We sell everything, but dogs and cats.” ~ said Kelle, the owner. The shop does have supplies for dog/cat owners though. Near the counter, there are products such as flea medication for dogs and cats, shark tooth necklaces, dog cologne, dog treats, and training whistle. The store has started to breed some of their snakes and lizards. They have kind hearts by taking in some rescue pets to sell at their shop.
Here is a little background information on how the shop was started and the people who own it. The owners Kelle and Ron have two kids Ronnie (26) and Jeremy (16), who help their parents maintain the store. Mom (Kelle) is the one who started to get the pets when her kids were little. She loves animals. Well, they all do! Kelle told me, “The thing that makes us unique is that we all genuinely love working here. We truly live our passion!” They also have an employee named Mike, who is like the reptile guy. Mike is like a walking, talking computer on reptiles. But, don’t tell him I said that.
Another interesting twist of fact, Kelle says, “I have been bitten by almost every animal we have, but Ron hasn’t been bitten by any. Not one”. But, with Jeremy it’s the spiders, his mom, Kelle not so much. Ronnie loves his snakes, but, is kind of the fish guy of the store.
Even at home, there is a mini pet shop you could say because they own four cats, one dog, and a tank of saltwater fish.
Here is a quick story for you. Ronnie started to catch snakes at the age of 10. He brought a rat snake home when he was 11. Kelle was fine with it. She loved it. If that was me I wouldn’t have let him in the house.

A Touching Story

aemd97 — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:34:18 +0000

Ferret Girl (Amanda Davis) has a new friend. Her name is Amy Diaz. And she is in the sixth grade and is a killer writer. Here is story about her life. When she lived in Miami, a hurricane hit. And this is her story…

I remember shivering in the dark holding a pillow and clutching my faded pink teddy bear. At the time, I thought they would be the only things I’d have left when the hurricane stopped. If it it ever did. Maybe, it would keep going to see how much I could take. To test my strength when I was just a little girl, alone and scared.
I was living in Miami at the time, on a friendly joyful cul-de-sac with all my friends. I loved to climb trees, and I could always got the farthest up. I thought it was my special talent. My magic. However, I had absolutely no idea of what would happen next. When Hurricane Katrina hit Miami, I was taken by suprise.
Not only did Katrina hit, another one did too. I was only about eight and it was alot for me to handle. The storms lasted foer what seemed like forever, and my younger sister’s wails at the the thunder and lightning were becoming deafening. I don’t think I cried during the storm,but I knew I cried after.
When it was safe to go outside,a dn I had gathered all my strengt, I was ready to see what Katrina did. As I walked outside, the tears came rushing out. Katrina killed my tree. It certainly looked dead to me anyway. It was bent in all sorts of awkward angles, and it’s brancheswere scattered amongst other debris.
There wasn’t much I could do but cry. And crying was never fun for me. So I wiped my tears and stared at the damage that had been done. I knew in my heart that it could’ve beeen worse. Some people’s houses were destroyed. Some people in other places had died. I looked around at all the other people’s faces. Devastation, Anger. Sandness. my joyful cul-de-sac was lost in a hurricane of our own. Far worse that Katrina.
From that day, I learned that there are good things and bad things in life. But it’s never as bad as it gets. I have a lot in life and a lot to learn. But, this may have been the most important lesson of my life. There will always be hard times, but comparedto others, conditions aren’t really so bad. And crying won’t make things better.
It took a couple days to get the tree taken away and get my yard back in order. But soon, everything was back to normal. I found another tailer tree to climb, and was teaching my younger sister how too. I almost wanted to thank Katrina in the end. One day, I did, and now I feel stronger. I’M ready for whatever else the world has in store for me.

Happy Brithday, Cammy. Your pal, Devi!

Beautiful Quotes

aemd97 — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:16:32 +0000

To start this post off, here is a beautiful quote:

“Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it.” -Confucius (551 B.C.-478 B.C.)

This quote is very true. Everyone has their own unique beauty if they show it. There will be people who are so different from you, they might not appreciate your beauty. Some of those people haven’t yet found their true beauty, so they don’t know that they have it.

Emily Dickinson said such a wonderful quote.

“Beauty is not caused. It is.” -Emily Dickinson

Beauty is like love,they both have not specific meaning. And that is what Emily explains in this quote. Dictionaries may try to give love and beauty a definition, but everyone puts their own special definition to these words.

There is one more lovely quote on the way:

“A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” – John Keats

Keats makes a point in this quote. Things of beauty are joys forever. Joy can come from beauty and love as long as you let it.

2010 is now Here!

aemd97 — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:57:43 +0000

2010 is now here in Almanacs.

The 2010 edition of Time for Kids is out in stores now. This almanac is the coolest ’cause there are fun facts, new information, and up-to-date news. This 9” by 6″ book holds awesome info that goes all the way back to the first president. It also includes information on subjects such as Books and Literature, Geography, History, Math and Money, and Science.

Now you are probably like, “What can I do with that?”. If you go to school, trust me you can use it. Do you remember that horrible last-minute report on global warming, your science teacher assigned? Will there is a entire section in here called Energy and the Environment. And the cool book also has some contents on subjects, you might really enjoy, such as Movies, Music, TV, Sports (Soccer, Tennis, Dog sledding, Horse Racing, and Surfing). So might even enjoy some of the fun facts about the US and fun facts all through the book.

You might be thinking, didn’t she say there where almanacs? Yes I did. And if you are like me, you probably like to get the Nationial Geographic Kids magizine, every month. But this time the cool fun facts are in an almanac. Plus, info on so many different subjects like Holidays, Animals (pets and wild), and some History. They also have a couple of pages titled Homework Helper, which is at the end of each section. They have weird but true facts, same as if the magizine. Fun things are in here like Culture Connection, Going Green, and Wonders of Nature.

So check out this books at your local bookstore!

By: Ferret Girl

To be Cool…Or Not to be Cool?

aemd97 — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:12:09 +0000

The popular question, haven’t we all heard it before? To be cool…Or Not to be Cool? You need to think. What is better for you? Not Sue the seventh-grade meanie, just you. So if you LOVE to read and she doesn’t, do you just stop doing something you love?? NO! You do what is true in your heart and what makes you feel good. If you want to pick up a book and she wants to pick up her new blackberry.

Do you go and bug your parents to death,just to get something you know you really don’t want? It is ok that each of you wants to do different things. There isn’t anything wrong with having different things you want to do. It doesn’t make one of you better than the other. It is you and her are different people and like different things. And that is okay.

You probably have heard of the saying, “If someone jumps off a bridge, you do it too?”. While it the same idea, you do want you want to and she can do what she wants to do. You both are in differnet grades and in different age groups who cares, what the other person does? But now, does that mean that I am cooler? Sorry…but no. You both are cool to your own friends. Maybe to the “popular crowd”,your not but that is ok too.

The point is there is no right or wrong answer. It is all about being true to who you are and not needing to be cool or not cool.

Please share your idea about this subject too below.

By:Ferret Girl