#6 Western Involvement

6.  Do you think that Western nations, such as Great Britain, France, Germany, and the U.S. should respond differently to atrocities around the world today? Should they have done more? Why?

I believe that European countries and the U.S. should respond differently. To start, we should be responding by providing aid when necessary. We must not turn a blind eye to the atrocities that are being committed. The countries that hold the majority of the power and have an interest in the resources that Africa holds should  take part in trying to maintain the peace. If we hope to share a stake in the African countries then we should also work to maintain peace. We should use our superior military forces to try and reduce the brutality that is occurring. Furthermore, in the European countries took part in the brutality and it is their responsibility to try and fix what they broke.
While it is clear that we can not be the police power for the entire world, it is important that we still take care of everything we are trying to use, especially if we hold an interest in the resources there.
As humans, we are all equal and everyone deserves a chance to live a great life, so it is our responsibility to provide aid when we can and where we can.

Food Culture

Food. We eat it every day without really thinking of the significance of it. It is more than something that nourishes our bodies (or in some cases doesn't nourish our bodies) . It is a window into our culture and the culture of those before us. Asian food in particular I have always felt bears an important cultural mark. The food of each country is very distinct.  Each style of food that is country-specific holds a place in history. What may be unusual to some is the norm for others.

There are infinite flavors that have resulted from centuries of using produce or spices specific to a region or country. I have been lucky enough to try many different types of food, and I love trying new things because it is not only a new experience but it provides insight into an unfamiliar culture. For instance France is known for their cheese, whether it be Brie or Camembert, it has grasps a piece of France's culture. Italy is known for pasta and biscotti, Japan for sushi, and Greece for gyros. Each country has a food (or many foods) that is just theirs.

In more modern days it appears that the distinction of a food's nationality has become less significant.  Due to the ease of travel among other factors, we have gained remarkable insight into the cultures of others, and therefore the staple food items of other countries. While it is fantastic that we can gain this insight, countries are also now able to produce the same types of food that once were only found in that country. Perhaps this is specific to the United States because we are a blend of many nationalities rather than our own. For instance on any given day if I have a craving for a specific type of food whether it be Indian, Japanese, or Thai, I can have it (as long as I'm up for a maximum 30 minute drive). It is both amazing and daunting the ease with which I can access the food that once was only obtainable in the specific country. It is daunting because of the speed and ease with which our cultures are blending. Soon enough there will not be individual cultures because we will adopt aspects of other cultures, this blending many of them. We have already begun fusing food, such as Asian-American fusion. Food is one of the primary aspects that is blended, and whether it be for better or worse, it allows us to appreciate and admire the history  and individuality of other countries.

Racists, Airplanes, and Constant Terror

A three hour wait at the airport is normal for me, but to my parents, it is ridiculous. Granted, they understand why, but it is still an inconvenience. While the wait may be time consuming, prior to reading the articles I was unaware of the frustration felt by those who are profiled and undergo stricter security guidlines because of their ethnicity or skin color. These essays have shown that it is clear  that national security and racial profiling have greatly increased.

There are both positive and negative impacts and aspects of increased concern for national security.  I now understand how racial profiling has different effects on different people. I think it is important to be tight with airport security, and in order to  be cost and time effective, I think racial profiling can be a positive thing. However, there is a fine line between protection the  nation using selective racial profiling and offending people. Often times this line is blurred. It is hard to be fair and just when only a few groups of people are really closely being observed. While the essays gave me a small peek into what it might be like to be in a profiled group, it is still hard for  me to judge. I can imagine the embarrasment one might feel from getting treated like you are hiding something, but because I am not in that demographic, I don't really know.

One thing that I found interesting in "Close Encounters with U.S. Immigration" was that the man felt like he was exclusively being questioned intensluy because of his race. I felt like the questioning was too severe. In a country where we are supposedly innocent until proven guilty, this man was treated in a manner that deemed otherwise. He was questioned as if he had something to hide, and was treatedas if he was guilty until proven innocent.

I think the increase in national security is meant for the best, but on occasion it is simply offensive. The government needs to perhaps behave in a manner that does not allow for ignorance and racism built on fear to be the ruling power.

Research Paper Update

1) My research paper is about Welfare and the reforms that could be made to it in order to provide benefits to those who deserve it and make it more efficient.
2)
"Eligibility and Issuance Requirements." Eligibility and Issuance Requirements. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Nov. 2012. <http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/foodstamps/PG841.htm>

This website will be helpful so that I have a better understanding of who can get welfare. This knoweledge will be a basic foundation to help me write my paper.

 "Welfare and Welfare Spending." The Heritage Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Nov. 2012. <http://www.heritage.org/issues/welfare>

Becaue all of my other sources are produced by the government, this site will help provide me with opposing views. While the other sites help me understand the system and how it works, this site will help reveal its flaws. I understand however that this site may have a bias and I will have to note that in my paper.

"Welfare Information." US Welfare System. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Nov. 2012. <http://www.welfareinfo.org/>

This is the nation-wide welfare site that will help provide foundation information and help me understand the mobility the states have to make their own rules on welfare.

 "Welfare-to-Work." Welfare-to-Work. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Nov. 2012. <http://www.cdss.ca.gov/cdssweb/PG141.htm>.

This site outlines a program that accompanies the welfare system in California. This program is helpful and as I will argue in my paper, should be made mandatory for all unemployed recipients of welfare.

My Complaint

Well, many of the things I am frustrated by are in grocery stores. To start, I do not understand why grocery stores have, for example, twelve check out lanes and only two of them are ever open. It does not make sense. As a result, there ends up being two or three long lines. Beyond the long lines, I can not stand people who move slowly. No, there is not a need to carefuly select which penny and dime you are going to give me as change. Just quickly grab the change and we can move on with our lives. In addition to that, I can't stand it when the checkout worker is slowly scanning each item and then slowly picks up each item and slowly bags it.  I do not have nearly enough patience for that.
Something else I would like to complain about is dentists. No, not that I hate going, because I don't, but the fact that whenever I go to the dentist, they always try talking to me. Can someone please tell me how I am supposed to respond to questions while I have fingers and tools shoved in my mouth? Oh wait. I  can't. I understand they are trying to be pleasant and catch up and see how I am doing which is nice and dandy, except that I have absolutely no way of responding As a result I generally just end up saying something completely indecipherable. It is like trying to eat and chew gum at the same time, possible, but not a good combination.
While there are many things that I can complain about, I though these two were rather relatable.

Essay on the definition of a SMILE

My essay is here!

Division and Analysis- Swing Dancing Linked

Link is HERE