Blog #8 The Case of Torture

In Michael Levin's The Case for Torture he asks the question, is it right to torture someone to gain information that would save lives? Levin is pro torture, he feels that the means justify the end. Torturing one person to save the lives of thousands seems like a no brainer. However, what about our civil rights? What about due process? When is it acceptable to throw these rights out the window and torture someone? Should there be a set number of victims before we allow torture? In Levin's writings he makes several valid points. He points out that if a newborn was taken, all of the mothers would want that person tortured to find their child. This would throw that number theory out the window. It is also known throughout history that assassinations and pre-emptive strikes have saved millions of lives. Another valid argument is the death penalty. It may not bring back a victim, but the criminal will not be killing anyone else either. The terrorist seem to have no regard for human life, their victims are innocent, unknowing everyday people.
While torture may be morally wrong to most, the logic behind using it makes sense. If we can torture one person to save the lives of thousands isn't that worth it? The Western culture is different from the Eastern cultures, perhaps they don't even know about due process and civil rights. Either way, they are coming to our country and killing our people. For me, once they decide to step on American soil, plant a bomb, run a car into a building or whatever; their rights end.
The opposing views would like you to believe that torture will only gain misguided information that is usually not reliable. Which does pose a good question. The other argument is why do they care, they are giving their lives to do this, so what have they got to loose? They also contend that by trying to kill a target ( a leader ex: Bin Laden) they will kill or hurt many innocent people, and not even get who they are targeting.
http://www.debate.org/debates/Torture-is-sometimes-morally-permissible./5/

Although there are arguments for both sides, to me the rights of one person who is causing harm to innocent people is not as important as saving a life or lives. As a terrorist they chose to lead this life. Who are we to enable them and make it easier for them?

My Interview

I decided to interview my husband Dean. He is very artistic and handy. He loves to paint, remodel our house and he also works with wood. Ever since I have known Dean he has worked with wood. Not only is he creative and talented, but with his art background he has made some beautiful things.
Question 1
What is your favorite wood to work with and why?
Answer: Walnut. The wood grain pattern ,the slight variation of the colors, and the "burl". (the burl would be the patterns and circles that the wood has in it)
Question 2
Is this a hobby that anyone can pick up?
Answer: Yes
Question 3
Why are you so good at woodworking?
Answer: My father, he taught me but better than that, he let me use all of his tools and let me make mistakes. This brought out a competitive side in me and I wanted to be just as good or even better than he was.
Question 4
What advice would you give to someone who wants to try their hand at woodworking?
Answer: Learn safety rules and don't be afraid of failure.
Question 5
What is the one piece you have made that you are most proud of?
Answer: A walnut jewelery box.

The jewelery box was made for me as a Christmas present. I still use it and treasure it as one of my most precious gifts. There are many gifts given over the years, but really most of my favorite gifts from Dean have been ones that he has made with his hands. There is something about knowing that he put the time, love and hard work into something so plain as a piece of wood and turned it into a beautiful treasure for me. A one of a kind masterpiece.

Am I wrong?

Am I wrong to think that our country needs to help our people first?
 Am I wrong to want the homeless to have a warm, comfortable place to live?
Am I wrong to want children to have great educations, food in their bellies, a roof over head and parents that love them and don't have too much stress in their lives?
Am I wrong to feel for the countries out there in the wake of their disasters, yet wonder why it is that our country can't take care of its own, but still continues to send aid everywhere else?
Am I wrong for wanting America to be that great land it used to be?
Am I wrong for feeling bitter about loosing my job to a third world country?
Am I wrong for buying a foreign made car?
Am I wrong for hating Walmart and all that it stands for?
Am I wrong or am I just a proud American who has had enough?
Am I wrong, or could it be I am right?
Wrong or right, good or bad. I am who I am.
Life has a funny way of molding us into the people we are through the actions, trials, tragedies, and love brought to us.
It is what we do with those major tramas in our lives that decides if we lived our lives, or if life lived for us.

6th Blog Assignment

In the poems "Workday" and " Did I Miss Anything?" we are to figure out what the theme of each poem is and then three elements/ poetic devices used in the poems.
"Workday": I think that the theme is how she doesn't really fit into either world. She is a worker, yet she also goes to school. An American Indian, yet an educated one.  The 3 elements are Imagery: 'the broken knees with pins in them' Analogy: plays out throughout the whole poem. By comparing the work life to the student life. Objective Description: "walking on the avenue the beuatiful feet, the perfect legs."

In "Did I Miss Anything" the theme is how one choice that you make can lead to a really wrong path or a great outcome. By choosing to miss/skip a class you may not miss anything, but it also might just be that class that holds the key to all the answers. It's your choice, do you want to risk it?
Irony: "Nothing-When we realized you weren't here we sat withour hands folded on our desks in silence, for the full two hours.
Symbolism- "Nothing- When you are not present how could something significant occur?"
Structure- The Nothing paragraph's are to the left margin no indentations. The While paragraphs are indented . This seems to highlight both of the different paragraphs and makes you notice there is a difference.

My Week

Wed. morning I got up and headed to the airport to pick up  my son. He is home on leave for the next week. This visit is bittersweet, as soon as he gets back to Alaska he will be headed to Afghanistan for a year. This means limited communication and not seeing him for at least 6 months and possibly longer. The good news is that after his flight got in, we headed to the jewelry store and he bought a beautiful diamond ring for his girlfriend. While she was in class, he surprised her and proposed. Although I didn't get to see it, I hear it was quite an event. Although there isn't an official date yet, the planning has begun. This next year hopefully will go by quickly. As both her and I will be graduating in May, my boy will be coming home and then there is all that wedding planning. Dresses to try on, invitations to make, what flowers.........oh the list goes on and on. Yesterday was quite possibly one of the best days of my life. Now I not only have a wonderful son, but a beautiful daughter too! Congrats Holly & Zac! I hope that all your dreams come true, that you fall deeper in love with each other every day and most of all you have lots of kids for me to spoil. I love you guys :o)