Bullying

Elementary and secondary schools around the country are beginning to actively address the problem of bullies. In your own opinion, is bullying an issue that should be addressed by the school or left to parents? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

Bullying is becoming a very controversial issue, in American society. Although bullying begins at school, for most students, it does not end there. Students use social networking websites to verbally abuse each other or one particular person, which is known as cyber bullying. Realistically speaking, most teenagers do not like to discuss bullying with their parents, and are too afraid to tell an administrator or authority figure, at school. But, I do believe that school officials should address bullying, rather than getting the parents involved. Although parents do have the parental right to know what is going on with their child, parents do have a tendency to blow situations out of proportion, which can make things worse for their child. School officials should address bullying because the students are in their care, and when victims choose to take matters into their own hands, it generally ends in tragedy.

Children spend the majority of their day in school. With that being said, I believe that their learning environment should be one of the places they feel most comfortable. The staff and administration are responsible for the safety and well being of every child that attends the school, from the first bell, until the dismissal bell rings. Harassment from other peers usually takes place at school, which makes it the school’s responsibility to settle any disputes that occur on school grounds, before the situation reaches a climax. I am aware that teachers and staff are a small population, compared to their students and cannot be everywhere all of the time. But, if ever they suspect any kind of harassment, I think they should act on their instincts and talk to the victim. Teachers are more than educators; they are mentors and guardians, to a certain extent.

This country has seen some of the worst tragedies, due to bullying. In most cases, the victim decides to seek revenge on those who tormented them. For example, the Columbine High School massacre that occurred on April 20, 1999, was a result of constant harassment and bullying from other students. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold went on a killing spree and held the entire school hostage for hours. 12 were killed, and some were injured. Not only was this a murder, but also a mass murder suicide. The two boys killed themselves, after all of the damage had already been done, leaving behind years of trauma and heartache for the victims and their families. This tragedy would have never happened if their peers did not constantly bully them. I am not trying to justify their approach to the situation, but the bullies are at fault, as well. The staff and administration at the school could have possibly prevented the situation from reaching that point. According to reports, their parents were negligent, which supports my stance on this issue. Some parents do not pay attention to their children, which is why the school should handle such situations, depending on the circumstances.

In conclusion, parents do have a right to be involved with certain situations, but I feel that the school should handle bullying because it more than likely takes place on campus. Children are in the school’s care for the majority of the day and when victims choose to take matters into their own hands, it generally ends in tragedy.

Favorite Film

A great and epic film comes along as often as a shooting star is seen streaming across the night sky. Some movies have the power to impact an entire generation, while others fail to rise to the occasion. With that being said, not all great films are given the recognition or publicity that they deserve. If you mention the film V for Vendetta, you will more than likely encounter a very puzzled expression, followed by the question, “what movie is that?” I know this because I used to be that person. After I saw this film, I fell in love with it and even felt a tad guilty for my ignorance of such a powerful movie. V for Vendetta is my favorite movie because it shows that the power of people as a whole, can overcome any form of oppression, even being oppressed by their government. It also stresses the importance of knowing and protecting your inalienable rights. I believe that everyone should see this movie so that they never fall victim to totalitarian rule and if they ever do, they will know how to address the issue.

The film takes place in England, in the future. In this time era, there is a war going that led to the collapse of America and England has been taken over by a dictator, who ensures the “protection” of the citizens of the country by using terror tactics and intimidation. This movie is very similar to George Orwell’s 1984. There is a man, who simply goes by V, trying to save the entire country from the totalitarian rule, by reminding them of what they have lost and what this country has become. In the film, V says, “People should not be afraid of their government, the government should be afraid of its people.” This character is so eloquently spoken throughout the entire film. But, it is this particular statement that holds so much power. I cannot reveal the ending of the film, but what I can say is that this statement acts as one of the film’s many themes and holds great truth, as far as how people should view their power in society.

What our government tells us may not always be true. There are many conspiracy theories circling around, and there have always been. But, it is quite simple for government officials to create “epidemics” and blame them on someone else. Some people in power, or those who are trying to gain power, use this strategy so that they can be viewed as the savior. In return for salvation, they seek complete control and compliance from everyone. This is one of the ways that the dictator in V for Vendetta was able to control the people of England. Some people believed that George Bush used 911 to have more control over the people. The document that followed this was The USA PATRIOT Act, which violates our 4^th Amendment. This film is like a warning to all people. It is easier than it may seem to take control over an entire country.

In conclusion, V for Vendetta is a film that is completely underrated. It makes people realize that they are the most powerful force in their government, not the government itself. It also warns people by making them aware of the ways a totalitarian can come about and take over. This is a wonderful film and I highly recommend it.

Cats and Dogs

Cats and dogs are age-old rivals. Well, this is according to people. They are both animals, but they are very different. I have never owned a cat, but I have been around them and they seem very quiet. I have had a dog before, and they are much easier to play with and get along with.

Cats seem like they keep to themselves and are willing to play whenever they feel like it. Dogs are always willing to play with you, you can pet them and they are not very moody. Being around any moody person or animal is kind of nerve wrecking. Cats seem like they lay around a lot and they are very hard to get along with. They just seem really wrapped up in themselves and I like to play around and love and animal and for an animal to love me. I am not saying all cats are like this, and perhaps I will meet a cat that has different qualities than the ones that I listed. But, from what I have observed and from the stories I have heard, they just do not seem like fun animals.

I think that dogs really are man’s best friends. They are very loyal and energetic and I enjoy being around them. With a dog, I feel very protected and loved at the same time. I get closer to a dog and they are very fun to be around. Dogs are just wonderful and I love them very much.

Formal and Casual

The idea of formal clothing has changed within the last 50 years. Today, many people consider a nice evening gown or dress and a suit to be formal clothing. But, let us not forget that in the past, people wore this type of attire everyday. In the 1800s, people dressed extravagantly on a regular basis. Back then, this “formal” attire may have been considered casual. I do not think that today’s idea of casual is better or worse than the clothes that were worn, in the past. I do think that men look nice when they wear a collard shirt and tie, however. But, some people think that this type of attire should only be worn on special occasions.

People do look at you differently when you wear formal clothing. It is a sense of maturity that most people assume you have, just based on how you look. I do not think that this is correct, but this is how society thinks. Casual clothing would be considered a shirt with a pair of jeans, which I have to say, is very comfortable. But, I doubt that someone would wear this to a wedding. It is simply not appropriate for the occasion.

Formal clothes are not better or worse than causal. They are both a form of clothing and one is more comfortable than the other. I definitely think that there is a time and place for a type of outfit and casual clothes do not go with every occasion.

Raw and Cooked

Food is important, in order to live. If you think that you can live without food, you are a bit mistaken. Food comes in many different forms and many people have different ideas of what food is. Food could be bugs to some people, live bugs at that. Some people think that it is wasteful not to eat every bit of an animal. Some people believe that food is not food if it is raw while others believe that raw food is the real food. Raw food and cooked food is a very simple subject to compare. It is simple to scratch the surface and just say that one is cooked and one is not. But, it is so much more to it than that.

Some raw food is pretty good, while it is in its uncooked state. For example, vegetables and fruits are better for you when they are fresh. They still retain all of their nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. If you cook a vegetable, it may taste better, but that does not mean that it is still as good for you.

Some foods are better when cooked because you can get sick if you eat them raw. Some people do eat raw meat; I do not think it is very healthy to do so. Raw meat can have worms and since you do not get to see how your meet is processed, you do not know what kind of bacteria is in it. You can season raw meat and eat it, but I doubt it’ll taste the same and I really think it is unhealthy.

Spicy and Sweet

It is a flame that cannot be extinguished for a very long time

It can come from a pepper, or many different spices

Nevertheless, you send off a signal to the brain

My taste buds are numb, and my mouth is in pain

You have a taste, but you also have the potentially to numb the rest of my mouth

After I eat too much of it, I feel like I want to scream and shout

Spicy foods, you know you are just like a hot flame

Blazing without any ammunition to get you started

After that one taste of you, I do not know what to do

My mouth just hurts so badly

Many people love you, many people avoid you, and many people hate you

Many want you, but they cannot take the pain

Leaving me gasping for air and a tummy ache

It is just too bad you taste so great!

You are everyone’s guilty pleasure

You take many forms and shapes

Whether you are a pastry, a fruit or even a cold frozen treat

You taste so good to me

Sweet food, you have a way of making me want more and more

I do not love you, but I adore you

But just like the spicy, you sometimes leave me with regret

When I sit and rub my stomach, I fret

Why did I overindulge?

You taste sol good, like heaven and a dream

Kids, adults, and teens we all love you, but you don’t love us back

You can cause diabetes and are no good

But you taste so good

Yet, I feel so guilty

Weather (Poems that describe how it affects the mood)

The air outside is warm and seems to sooth my soul

The perfect temperature to loose the jacket but it would still be fine to have it

The wind seems to supply us with this gentle breeze, warm

This pleases me, and everyone around me too

There smiles seem brighter, their attitudes much lighter

What is it about the mid 70s?

The reason escapes me, but I do not try to seek this truth

It is one of those things that only God would understand

After all, He is the man with the master plan

This weather, warm, yet cool

The rain seems to be falling down from the sky

Heavy, you can hear it hit the window

When you breathe, it can be seen

Me, I am usually bundled up in a warm coat

How can I still be cold?

When I get in a warm space I feel the warm air beneath surrounding me

This warm air makes me feel very sleepy. How can I be?

By the time lunch hits, I am in the mood for homemade chili.

I wish we had a fireplace because I would bundle up and sleep there, for sure

This cold weather is so hard to ignore

It puts me in a sleepy place

This is unbearable

I feel like I am in a sauna

I dread stepping outside and I can feel the sweat run down my forehead

No jacket for me, even if it was cool this morning

The only words in my head are shade and AC

Everyone seems so grumpy

Could it be this blazing heat?

Probably, because I am in a bad mood to

Clouds, where are you?