On Monday, May 12, a major earthquake, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale, jolted southwestern China’s Sichuan Province (Response). Hundreds of aftershocks followed in the same area. The quake destroyed thousands buildings in the area, as well as infrastructure like communication networks and electrical towers. Thousands of people died or are missing, and more than 270,000 were injured (Response). The earthquake left an estimated five million people homeless. Many schools were destroyed, including one that had at least 900 students in it. This earthquake is the worst natural disaster to hit China in 30 years.

More than 35,000 staff and volunteers with the Red Cross Society of China are on the ground distributing food, water, tents and other essential items (Response). Red Cross volunteers are also attending the injured and offering emotional support during this trying time. The Red Cross Society of China is a very strong organization with extensive experience responding to disasters. The American Red Cross has long history of working with the Red Cross Society of China, including after this year’s severe winter storms.

The American Red Cross is prepared to provide $10 million to support relief efforts following the devastating 7.9 magnitude earthquake in China’s Sichuan province (American) . These funds will be used to provide immediate relief including the purchase and distribution of relief supplies, coordination of logistics and transportation of disaster workers to the hardest hit areas. This contribution will assist the Red Cross Society of China, whose employees and volunteers have been helping survivors since the earthquake struck on Monday, May 12. According to the latest reports, tens of thousands of people have been killed, and many more are missing or trapped by debris (American).

“Already we have seen a great outpouring of concern and support from across the U.S. for those whose lives were shattered by this disaster,” said David Meltzer, senior vice president, International Services for the American Red Cross. “We are working closely with our international partners, including the Chinese Red Cross, to provide vital assistance to those in need.” (American).

The $10 million will go toward the preliminary appeal by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, on May 15, calling for a total of $19.3 million (American). The appeal will support the relief operations through the purchase and distribution of supplies, coordination of relief efforts, and deployment of staff to the affected area. Together, the appeal aims to assist approximately 100,000 people over the next 12 months.

“The American Red Cross Commits $10 Million to Assist China Earthquake Survivors.” May 22 2008. http://www.redcross.org/pressrelease/0,1077,0_314_7732,00.html

“Response to the China Earthquake.” May 22, 2008. http://www.redcross.org/news/in/profiles/Intl_profile_ChinaEarthquake.asp?s_src=pre_aspLink

“Red Cross Comes to the Aid of Earthquake Survivors in China.” May 22, 2008. http://www.redcross.org/article/0,1072,0_312_7727,00.html.

I didn’t previously know about shark fining, but from this information I think it is horrible. Sharks do not mean any harm to humans, as they fear us more than we fear them. Sharks do not wait in the water for swimmers hoping to eat a good dinner. An interesting article about an under water photographer, Rob Stewart, tell the story of how he exposed a multi- million dollar illegal shark fishing operation in Costa Rica. America is fueling this business with ignorance and greed so that more and more species can get closer to extinction.Shark fishing is where where sharks are captured illegally, de-finned and then thrown back into the ocean to sink to the bottom and die (More). This is definitely a call for us to look at how we share to world with other living creatures. Rob Stewart’s partner, Paul Watson, is a controversial sea captain who is responsible for sinking nine whaling ships in his attempt to stop whaling around the world (More).Rob Stewart was with his partner and collided with a fishing boat, and they went to Costa Rica when they charged them with murder. This team exposed the corruption involving the Taiwanese mafia that was allowing all this illegal fishing and how they tried to detain and have them arrested (More).In the film Rob made about his adventure, he connects the way that sharks, as predators, have shaped the evolution of the eco- system not only under the sea, but for the whole earth. In the film, Sharkwater, it is mentioned that seventeen countries have come on side to ban shark fining. The awareness about shark fining is certainly growing, especially with this film coming out and with the awareness of more countries.Shark fining is extremely cruel and wasteful of our recourses around the world. It is good for making soup, and can be used in medicines, but there are other things we can use in replace of sharks. Humans are using the earth in incredibly unsustainable ways (More). We need six planet earths to sustain life based on our resource uses here in North America (More.) We’ve wiped out 90 per cent of the large predators in the oceans. We waste 54 billion pounds of fish each year. Eight million people die from starvation every year (More). We need to change the way that we react to other eco-systems, and the natural world, in order to maintain both ways of life.In a letter to the President of Ecuador, WildAid and Conservation International write, “The populations of sharks cannot hold at present levels of unmanaged and uncontrolled harvesting. The loss of sharks will affect the coastal and oceanic ecosystems. Once depleted by an indiscriminate fishing, populations recover very slowly or cannot recover at all,” (Ban).
It continues, “The tourist industry, which brings enormous benefits to Galapagos and all the country, will be affected. The Galapagos Islands attract visitors from all parts of the world, and without healthy ecosystems, the number of visitors, especially in the growing dive industry, will be reduced. It is estimated that $10 million dollars are generated annually by from diving, compared with a little over $1 million from shark fins,” (Ban).
Interesting Article: Mundo Azul
“Ban on Shark-Fining Sought.” IGTOA Newsletter. 10 May 11, 2008.www.igtoa.org/newsletter/2005/february05/#article1.bg2“More Afraid of s than we are Afraid of Them.” Only Magazine. 10 May 2008. onlymagazine.ca/Film/sharkwater“Sharks” Mundo Azul. 10 May 11, 2008.www.mundoazul.org/deutsch/sharks.htm.

On April 8, 2008, American Airlines decided to cancel as many as 500 flights, which affected about 54,000 travelers. By doing this, the airline lost tens of millions of dollars (American). This airline decided to make maintenance checks along with increasing its fees and overcrowding some of its flights after he raise in fuel (Chang). This is the second inspection after the Federal Aviation Administration did not approve the airplanes the first time because the emergency inspections were not done properly. Since the problem was within the Airline’s control, American had to pay for hotel rooms, meals and transportation for thousands of passengers (Bailey). Many customers, such as Raul Garza, called the “red flag for American” and said that they might not use that carrier in the future (Chang). This man complained that flying is too inconvenient and more stressful than it should be (Chang). There were passengers that trusted American Airlines in being better safe than sorry, but it made people such as Roxanne Devries nervous. She said,

“Why were they flying if they’re redoing the same inspections?” (Chang).

The reason that airlines such as American are conducting inspections is because a $10.3 million fine against Southwest Airlines was given for missed safety inspections (Chang).

Traveling by air has grown much more popular in recent years, but the oil prices have gone up, there is more safety concerns against aging aircrafts, and the planes are more crowded. The price of oil has more than doubled since dropping to 52$ a barrel in January 2007 (Bailey). American is in a dilemma, as buying a new fleet of planes would be damaging to their bank statement, but it would attract more customers that want a safer flight. Airlines have top make a tough call whether to buy a new set of planes when the economy is at a low and their business may not improve.

An aviation analysis noted that, “They cant fund a new airplane, but the aging fleet is costing them more to operate, not just in maintenance but from risk of cancellations because of missed inspections,” (Chang).

Reading this article made me nervous about flying, since the passenger of the plane is in no control of whether their plane has been recently inspected. It is scary to think that a plane I could have been on did not have its wire bundles checked properly, and the wires could have jammed to cause an accident.  I would be extremely frustrated if I was on a second leg of a flight and I found out that my flight was cancelled. It so happened that there was a fisherman who was stopped half way in his journey, so he couldn’t get his fish home to freeze in time. Since this incident did not only happen to American Airlines, flyers must be patient with their future travels, and people must learn that airplanes are getting more difficult to run. This occurrence is no coincidence, since there has recently been a new round of airline bankruptcy filings, including ATA Airlines, Skybus, and Aloha Air (Bailey). It is shocking that some people’s luggage went direct, but the passenger was left in the airport overnight with only the clothes on their back. The world population is becoming more and more international, but the airlines are not making a profit. As the ticket prices go up, less people will start flying, and less gas will be guzzled.  

Chang, Andrea. “American Airlines cancels as many as 500 flights”. Los Angeles Times. 9 April 2008. 24 April 2008.

travel.latimes.com/articles/la-trw-american-airlines-cancels-up-to-500-flights-9apr09

“American Airlines ‘normal again.’” BBC News. April 13 2008. April 24, 2008. news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7345323.stm.

Bailey, Jeff. “American Cancels 1000 Flights in New Sign of Trouble.” The New York Times. 9 April 2008. 24 April 2008.nytimes.com/2008/04/09/business/09cnd-air.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=us

Most people have noticed that Hillary Clinton has a harsh tone when she speaks, where as Barack Obama seems more approachable and eloquent. Hilary told her crowd in a speech that although Obama sounded persuasive in his speech, she is the one that is, “a proven force for change,” (Clinton). Clinton made a connection to Martin Luther King Jr. in her speech that was directed to Obama,

“I would point to the fact that that Dr. King’s dream began to be realized when President Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, when he was able to get through Congress something that President Kennedy was hopeful to do, the president before had not even tried, but it took a president to get it done,” she said. “That dream became a reality, the power of that dream became real in people’s lives because we had a president who said we are going to do it and actually got it accomplished.” (Clinton).

This comment is offensive to Dr. King, as Clinton made him seem insignificant without the control of a president to commence the Civil Rights Movement. There have been many comments from Obama supporters that have accused her of being insensitive to the struggle of African Americans. As we have studied in civics, Martin Luther King put his life on the line for his people, and began the Civil Rights movement with little to no support from the white upper class, including the white police and government officials of his country.
It is true though, that if Hilary was truly not supporting King, she wouldn’t have been working on behalf of civil rights, women’s rights, human rights for years, “I know how challenging it is to change our political system, and I have the highest regard for those who have put themselves on the line,” (Clinton).
Obama commented that he never commented on what Hilary said about King, although many people think that she does not know how to control her words during her speeches.
The founder of Black Entertainment Television and a defense of Clinton, Robert Johnson, raised the subject of Mr. Obama’s drug use as a young man,
“To me, as an African-American, I am frankly insulted that the Obama campaign would imply that we are so stupid that we would think Hillary and Bill Clinton, who have been deeply and emotionally involved in black issues since Barack Obama was doing something in the neighborhood — and I won’t say what he was doing, but he said it in the book — when they have been involved,” Mr. Johnson said (Clinton).
It was extremely offensive of Johnson to attack Obama on events that have nothing to do with the election. Clinton took this comment and said that it was referring to Obama’s sime spend as a community organizer. Obama has made no offensive references to Clinton, as Clinton continues to speak before she thinks. It is hard to tell what is an honest response in this election, as each party tries to cover up for racial, and personal attacks. Obama has gained so much support from his ability to speak, while Hillary is aggressive and verbally attacks her opponent without thinking in the shoes of all Americans.
“A lot of people talk about his ability to give a great speech. And there’s no question that he is truly gifted by God with an ability to speak to people in a way that touches them,” Senator McCaskill of Missouri said.
“To me, that is the whip cream in the cherry. To me, this is a man who has incredible intellectual heft, he’s a very smart guy with a wide soul who is not afraid to figure out a new and different way to tackle problems.”

“Clinton and Obama Spar over Remark About Dr. King.” The New York Times. January 13, 2008. April 10, 2008www.nytimes.com/2008/01/13/us/politics/13cnd-campaign.html?_r=2&pagewanted=2&hp&oref=slogin

“Clintons Move to Tamp Down Criticism From Blacks About Recent Comments.” 13 January 2008. 10 April 2008.www.nytimes.com/2008/01/12/us/politics/12clinton.html?fta=y

“Obama Giving Clinton a Race in her Backyard.” 12 January 2008. 10 April 2008.www.nytimes.com/2008/01/12/us/politics/12york.html?fta=y

It is astonishing to think that almost seven percent of the population has either a tube stuck into their hip, or has to go through severe pain by stabbing them selves with needle. If stem cell research could eventually decrease the pain and hassle that millions of people have to go through every day, why not try it? Science shouldn’

t be stopped for a religious or moral idea. By studying the stem cells, scientists cal understand how they transform into the many specialized cells that make us what we are (Research). This study may show us what leads to multiplying cells of cancer and various birth defects. The human embryonic stem cell has brought public debate. Pluripotent stem cells (cells that can develop into many different cell types of the body) are isolated from human embryos that are a few days old (Research). Pluripotent stem cell lines have also been developed from fetal tissue (older than 8 weeks of development) (Research). These embryos used for stem cell research could become humans, but they are so young that this cannot be considered killing a baby. I agree with Sophie in that this cannot be considered murder, as these embryos are commonly discarded and never developed into a human being.

The main controversy is over the consumption of donated embryos that will never enter a uterus. There is no evidence from ancient religious texta about embryos, as they did not know that we would be creating these cells in a laboratory. These is no test for whether and embryo is a person (Ethics). Edmund D. Pellegrino, M.D., of Georgetown University states that the official teaching of the Holy See of the Roman Catholic is unequivocal in its opposition to the use of embryos as means (Ethics). For one who holds that we should treat every embryo as a person for purposes of the duty not to kill, embryo-destructive experiments could gain justification only if it were argued that it is sometimes permissible to kill some persons in order to help other persons, and that is an uphill argument within any moral view (Ethics). But the official teaching of the Holy See is not the only interpretation of Catholic tradition. Margaret Farley, Ph.D., of Yale University explains that in history and in present theological discussion, there is more than one Catholic line of reasoning, including a strong Catholic moral defense of humanitarian embryo use. For one who concludes that we are not obliged to refrain from using embryos that will never enter a womb, embryonic stem cell research is a case of fostering a worthy end by using only non-persons as means (Ethics).

It is necessary to acquire as much information as possible on stem cell research, as it could be a “God-send” for those with disorders such as diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’

s, stroke and damaged tissue (Stem).  

“The Ethics of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research.”

  International Society for Stem Cell Research. Guenin, Louis. Mar. 31, 2008. http://www.isscr.org/public/ethics.htm

Research Ethics and Stem Cells. In Stem Cell Information [World Wide Web site]. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2007 [cited Monday, March 31, 2008] Available at http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/ethics

“Stem Cell Research is Necessary, Important,”

The Daily Reveille. Browne, Erik. Mar 31, 2008. http://media.www.lsureveille.com/media/storage/paper868/news/2007/02/01/Opinion/Stem-Cell.Research.Is.Necessary.Important-2690720-page2.shtml

Eliot Spitzer, a major participant in the United States government, deserves all of the punishment that he received for taking part in the prostitution circle. I completely agree with Vincent Romano, who said that he now knows what embarrassment the people that he prosecutes must go through. Spitzer will surely get a taste of his own medicine, and I don’

t think he would dare go back to his old job after the lies he told. Even if this had nothing with prostitution, Spitzer broke the code of his moral crusade, and would be dismissed in any situation that involved moral principals. If Spitzer were in the industry of business, his crime would be less significant, because it is a personal matter.

Spitzer’

s job was to accuse people involved in prostitution, and he ended up spending over $80,000 dollars on hiring his own prostitutes (Spitzer). One would think that with much experience with criminals and prostitution, Spitzer would know how to hide his evidence, but he went out of his way to cover his tracks, triggering the bank to alert the IRS (Spitzer). This man seems like a spoiled brat who is used to getting more than he needs. Spitzer has a wife and family who must be desperate for a supplier if they want to stay united. This millionaire has gone as far as Florida to meet these women, and has been doing it for over 10 years (Spitzer.)

            Spitzer, and anyone involved in the government should know that they can be wire tapped if they are doing something illegal. If he wanted to run for public officer, he should have kept his act clean, because people are always watching every move he makes.

I thought this political cartoon was a funny representation of Spitzer:

http://www.politickernj.com/finally-focus-isnt-new-jersey

“Spitzer Prostitute Details: $80,000 Spent, Mood Music, Multiple Prostitutes, Up To A Decade Of Use And An Ever-Present Security Detail.”

The Huffingtonpost.com. March 12 2008. The Huffington Post. 17 March 17, 2008. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/12/spitzer-prostitute-detail_n_91116.html

Recently in Johannesburg, South Africa four white students were seen in a video that contains five black housekeepers taking part in activities in the style of those held on the show “Fear Factor.” Two of the white men taking part in the video were students at the University of Free State and were banned from campus after the video was released. This video, they called the “Reitz Fear Factor,” showed these black Africans in a race, but it was played in slow motion with the background music from “Chariots of Fire.” In a different scene, these housekeepers are competing to drink a bowl of stew while on their knees. The white males had urinated in this mixture before it was given to the contestants. The black employees were laughing when they started to drink the stew, with potential urine in it, and it was claimed that they were aware of the reasons for making this film (“Whites”). The four white students created the video in reaction to the school’s efforts to try to integrate its residences. Eighteen years after the official end of apartheid, they were still separated into white and black dormitories (“Outrage”). Apartheid is the practice that separates people according to race (dictionary.com). At the end of the movie, there is a message saying, “That, at the end of the day, is what we think of integration,” (“Outrage”

).

This video was shocking, and contained many offensive racist references in it. It is surprising to see how inconsiderate people can be towards their community even if they are trying to convey a message that they feel strongly about. The video contains disturbing content that would be banned anywhere, no matter the race of the people in the video. The activities that the black Africans take part in are humiliating, and show how the white race had more power, brains, and speed than the black race before the white-minority rule in 1994.  Just because the racist actions are less common, there are still tensions between the white and black race around the world. South African people will have to join the effort to make their country unify, and videos that satire the racial problems do not remind the nation of their goal. The deputy chairwoman of the South African Human Rights Commission, Dr. Zonke Majodina, said, “We’ve taken for granted that just scrapping the old apartheid laws is going to make things work better in our vision for a nonracial South Africa, but in fact it’s not going to happen overnight,” (“Outrage”

).

There have been recent protests to the new integration laws on campus, but these small riots should not prevent the two races coming together in the same institution. This video makes people aware of what is going on in South Africa, but it brings up negative reviews and the stronger urge to fight racism in Africa. The white students are laughing at the black workers as they play rugby, and the workers are forced to complete senseless tasks so that they can be to ones to laugh at. The South African government is not doing nearly enough to bring about a change in attitudes (“S. Africa”

). Former president, Nelson Mandela, said,

“We’re in denial that there’s a problem,” (“S. Africa”

)

South Africa has horrifying racist past, and South African universities have undergone massive changes since the fall of the apartheid state 14 years ago (“S. Africa”

). Although there is progress, the government must grab this bull by the horns and take action to successfully integrate South Africa.

SOURCES

“Outrage over a racist South African university video.”

The Citizen. 27.Feb 2008. Citizen.com. 28 Feb 2008. http://www.citizen.co.za/index/Article.aspx?pDesc=1,1,22&Type=top&File=080227153211.yzplymec.xml

“Whites tricked blacks into consuming urine, university says.”

CNN. 28 Feb 2008. CNN.com/world. 28 Feb 2008. http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/02/27/saf.racist.video/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

“S. Africa students sorry for racist video.”

CNN. 29 Feb 2008. CNN.com/World. 28 Feb 2008. http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/02/28/saf.racist.video/index.html?eref=rss_world

This post was interesting, clear to understand, and informative, especially since I have not been following the presidential campaign as much as I should be. I was intrigued to read more about the tensions between Hillary and Obama than the number of delegates they each have. From this article, I get the impression that Obama and Hilary seem quite awkward when they are around each other and they have very different beliefs on what needs to happen in the government. It is true that each of these people as president would make history, but it would be even more remarkable if these two could work together in the government to bring the positive power of women and African Americans to the United States.

This election is starting to become more of a race to put the other candidate down rather than trying to motivate and excel each candidate’s own campaign. On a CNN excerpt video, Obama accuses Clinton of saying that Obama wasn’

t apposed the war from the start, and then goes on to say that America needs some one to change the government and improve the health care system immediately (“Tensions”). Clinton responds by saying that Obama was against the war in 2002, but he took off his speak from his website, and agreed to what Bush was doing in Iraq in 2006. This clearly does not mean that Obama was for the war, and Clinton was making false assumptions. Later in this video of the debate in South Carolina, Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton start verbally fighting and continue to interrupt each other. Clinton continuously accuses Obama of being supportive of the republicans. Obama has good evidence of his fight against republican Ronald Reagan, and it shows how experienced he is as an average US citizen, working on the streets, while Hillary was working as a successful lawyer (“Tensions”). The heat between Obama and Hillary strong, and it is starting to get personal with the backgrounds of each candidate and their spouses.

As you said Amanda, the catty moments are increasing and the issue of race is becoming a touchy subject in the elections. As you mentioned, Hillary said, “These are caucus states by and large, or in the case of Louisiana, you know, a very strong and very proud African-American electorate, which I totally respect and understand” (Clinton dismisses weekend losses). Hillary is inferring that Obama is lucky to be black, and have so many African followers in the state that he won, Louisiana. Also, Clinton made a comment about the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s role in passing landmark civil rights legislation, arguing that it “took a president to get it done” and credited Lyndon Johnson (”Clinton, Obama”). Other black leaders, like South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn, took offense at Clinton’s remarks. Obama said that he didn’t want the campaign “to degenerate into so much tit-for-tat, back-and-forth that we lose sight of why all of us are doing this”(”Clinton, Obama”). The candidates both have strong campaigns, but Obama is reasonable and wants to stay out of “drama”

  with Hillary.

“Clinton dismisses weekend losses.” CNN Political Ticker 10 Feb. 2008. 10 Feb. 2008     http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/ .

“Clinton, Obama Surrogates Fan Tensions”

. The Wall Street Journal. 15 Jan. 2008. 14 Feb. 2008. http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/01/15/clinton-obama-surrogates-fan-tensions/

“Tensions Flare Between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton at South Carolina Debate.”

22 Jan. 1008. 14 Feb. 2008. http://www.midasoracle.com/2008/01/22/tensions-flare-between-barack-obama-and-hillary-clinton-at-south-carolina-debate/

The US economy in 2008 is looking bleak, say many economists. The main problems will consist of stress in the housing markets and high oil prices that will reduce consumer spending by 1.8 percent. For example, in Arizona, the spending patterns will be the worst in 15 years and early 2008 will feel like a recession to the consumers. Also, in late 2007, the holiday sales improved by 4%, the least improvement since 2002. Experts say that in the housing market, sales will continue to decline for most of 2008, as builders try to shed inventory. An economist, Stuart Hoffman, said that if the house prices fall 8-10 percent, the country would go into recession, but it would be good news for young buyers. With the upcoming election, the candidates will be highly concerned with the economy and rising oil prices. With all these factors being reasons why the US may go- or has already entered recession, the rising unemployment will greatly affect the families of Greenwich, CT. Many families in this town have fathers that commute to Stanford or New York City to work for companies such as UBS, Citibank, or Merril Lynch. In January, the government reported that fewer jobs were added in December than in any month since August 2003. For example, in October 2007, UBS said it would cut about 1,500 jobs, or about 7%, of its investment-banking workforce. Consumer-dependent companies such as retail fell, since people are less willing to spend if they think their jobs are at risk. Even president Bush said in his speech that the nation, “can’t take economic growth for granted.” If the leader of our country doesn’t have any good news for the economy, than the US may be in trouble. The jobs report was the biggest indicator for the US economy in early January. In December, the economy added just 18,000 jobs, much below analysts’ estimates of 60,000 additional jobs. Since 2004, annual job growth has dropped to its lowest level, and the unemployment rate went up to 5 percent. Although Mr. Bush says that our economy has a, “strong foundation,” he is considering more tax cuts in an effort to boost the nation’s sagging economy.   Sources: ’“Fears on Inflation and Jobs Give 2008 a Stumbling Start.” nytimes.com. 23 Jan. 2008. The New York Times. 23 Jan. 2008. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/05/business/05markets.html?scp=2&sq=2008+employment+stock+market “U.S. ECONOMIC FORECAST FOR 2008: BLEAK.” Csmonitor.com. The Christian Science Monitor. 23 Jan. 2008.http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1228/p01s07-usec.html?page=2.  “Subprime Meltdown Leads UBS to Big Losses and Layoffs” Relistr. 23 Jan. 2008.   http://relistr.com/real-estate/subprime-meltdown-leads-ubs-to-big-losses-and-layoffs.html 

The first half of the year has been a challenge for me, but has also gone by really fast. We have read so many books in such a short period of time, but we have had such interesting discussions in class. Now that I am in an honors english class, there is much more competition to get a good grade, as everyone is aiming for the A. Everyone is involved in class and much work is completed by the end of the block. Its pretty sad to say, that the only thing I can remember off the top of my head from this semester was the Macbeth project, becuase it was a fun group activity. We didnt do many Interactive and creativity projects while working on books, which is my favorite part of english class. I am glad that this class didnt consist of writing day after day, rather it was a brainstorming block each day. We all managed to get ideas from one another and come up with intelectual theories. Although we didnt all bond as people, we bonded as writers and readers. The days where Mr. Wasserman would start us off with a statement and we would have to persoinally define, or explore the idea were the greatest. In English I was able to think in many different view points, and express my personality without being questioned. English was a place where everyone could be themselves and have achance to speak. This class had a sucessful set-up and a non stress environment.