"I See You Winding and Grinding Up on that Pole"

The title of this blog sounds familiar, doesn't it? Of course we all know this famous song by Akon because it became a huge hit this year. It appauls me how such a dirty and obscene song could become such a classic. The title alone is degrading "I Wanna ___ You." The radio trys to cover it up and say its "I Wanna Love You", but we all know the real meaning. The sad part is in today's society this is what we consider a love song. Why is it that every song that becomes popular involves the use of drugs, crimes, cheating and sex? What ever happened to singing about sweet romance or reaching for your dreams? What agitates me the most is the disrespect these songs have towards women. Women are no longer referred to as beautiful and special, but rather sexy and b*tches. Male Rappers, in particular, try to portray this trashy image of women in the public eye. The way they describe their encounters with women is so graphic and rude towards females. In fact, their descriptions are utterly disturbing. Picture this, your at a club with the lights flashing and your dancing. What song do you typically hear? "Smack That" and "Buy you a Drink." Both songs imply that a man will meet you at a club and take you home with him. I don't see how females can dance to music that sheds them in a negative light. They treat women with no respect. These rappers infer they will "Buy you a drink" and then get lucky with you. An article I find quite intriguing relating to this topic can be viewed at http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/archives/id/41608/. Take the time to read it and see what a disgrace today's top ten in the music industry truly is to humanity.

An Eerie Prediction

No one quite understands the complexity of the nuclear industry. All we know about it is that atomic bombs destroy the foundations of countries and can kill millions of civilians. What will it take for us to realize the severity of nuclear weaponry and increase security to protect the well being of our country? What will open our eyes to make us see that all it takes is one atomic bomb to wipe out the home we have worked so hard to establish? In John McPhee’s work The Curve of Binding Energy, he brings upon many urgently important topics that should be addressed, as we are currently in a nuclear age with advancing technology.Theodore B. Taylor was one of the most significant individuals involving nuclear power. However, in his later years he became extremely concerned with the fact that it was possible for any person to create a weapon of mass destruction of their own. Knowing this, he aimed to warn the public about homemade nuclear weaponry in an effort to better our security. In McPhee’s work this warning is presented and is emphasized with great importance. McPhee raises many different issues throughout the story. However, what I find most important was Taylor’s argument regarding safeguards. It is essential that we increase and improve our security because terrorists’ attacks are inevitable, as claimed by Taylor. I believe that this work instills fears in those who read it because it opens our eyes to the simplicity of creating a nuclear bomb. Nuclear attacks can take place at anytime because the nuclear materials are easily accessible. Therefore, we must take more intense measures to insure safety and the effectiveness of our security, especially in this new millennium. If bombs weren’t challenging to create back in the 1970’s, there are going to be even easier to create in the year 2008, due to all the techonologial advances. Taylor claimed that any person with moderate technical skills and perseverance could construct their own atomic bomb. This is extremely petrifying because we see how close our country could be to a traumatic terrorist attack. I agree with Taylor in that we need to take more precautions when dealing with safeguarding our nuclear materials. This warning that he provides for us should make us realize that nuclear bombings will be less difficult to occur in the future. Uranium -235 and Plutonium -239, the materials used to create a bomb, need to be strictly contained in all safe places. This book should be used as a wake up call to the United States in making us aware that it is urgently important that these materials are safeguarded to the fullest. If I could describe this book in two words I would call it an “eerie prediction.” After experiencing the September 11, 2001 attack, we have all realized how easy terrorist attacks can be and we see how far a terrorist will go to complete the ultimate destruction. It’s as if Taylor’s claims to McPhee had foreshadowed what would occur several decades later. I find it truly appalling how this warning presented to us in the 1970’s regarding security would become of great need on that tragic day. Taylor made it clear that terrorists’ attacks will occur in every civilization, and sure enough it did in our nation. It even makes me wonder if this attack was in some way inspired by this book. Although, the demolishment of the World Trade Center did not involve an atomic explosive, it is ironic how the World Trade Center is mentioned as a possible terrorist attack target in the book. We should appreciate this book for its intellectual warning. It’sAlthough I believe security is now at the highest peak than ever due to our tragedy back in 2001, the US Atomic Energy Commission should still continue to substantially strengthen its rules for security for nuclear material. After all, Theodore B. Taylor did make a terrifying case that terrorists could easily steal nuclear material and make a bomb from it. If the September 11, 2001 attack did not make us realize the significance of his warning, then I don’t know what else will.

It Shows Rather Than Tells...

“Fiction”, “Nonfiction”, “Mystery” and “Romance”, are just a few of the many types of genres that a book can be classified as. Each of these genres are unique in their own way and succeed through different demographics. One in which I find extremely appealing, is Creative Nonfiction. Through the use of literary styles and techniques, Creative Nonfiction, takes valid truths and facts and develops them into an accurate narrative. Creative Nonfiction is utterly intriguing in the way it combines nonfiction elements and literary elements. It incorporates the facts, such as essays, explanations and research, with literary items including story, characters, setting, language and narration. The information is not made up, but takes a more interesting approach in presenting it. It provides real world facts and issues in an appealing matter. Furthermore, it allows for the information to come alive through the use of setting, characters, scenes and narration, which accounts for the “creative” aspect. As a result, one will understand the main point better for Creative Nonfiction “shows rather than tells.” Lastly, it is known for uniting storytelling with journalism. “Ultimately, the primary goal of the creative nonfiction writer is to communicate information, just like a reporter, but to shape it in a way that reads like fiction.”(Gutkind,Lee, The Best Creative Nonfiction.) The two novels we have read this semester are both valid examples of Creative Nonfiction books. All Around The Town by Herbert Asbury discusses the murder, scandal and riot in old New York. Opposed to just listing the facts and research of each incident, Asbury creates a literary narrative while incorporating the actual events of old New York. In The Curve of Binding Energy, John McPhee presents information on Theodore B. Taylor’s life in the same approach used by Asbury. Rather than just sounding like they are reporting data, both works have more of a fictional and thrilling effect. As a result, both stories gain a sense of creativity, therefore creating more attraction to the reader. Although Creative Nonfiction did once go by the name “Literary Journalism”, it is immensely different than that of journalism. Journalism can be defined as the reporting of information that is researched and gathered. Both Journalism and Creative Nonfiction report information discovered, however, Creative Nonfiction expresses it in the form of a story using literary elements, rather than just straightforward data, which is evident in journalism. Furthermore, Creative Nonfiction is also different from Creative Writing. Both genres present information with a sense of creativity and imagination. However, the information in Creative Nonfiction is always real facts and is accurate, whereas Creative Writing can be a work entirely made up. As a result, Creative Nonfiction, I believe is a more effective method of genre than the other two. This is because it has the characteristics of both. It informs the audience on important issues and topics, similar to journalism, but does it in a fascinating and imaginative way, like that of Creative Writing. Additionally, the methods we use to write a successful Creative Nonfiction work are methods that will assist us in writing better academic papers in college. Creative Nonfiction requires you to research thoroughly and be capable of describing the events accurately. These skills are very useful when writing just about any paper. Furthermore, when writing in regards to this genre, it is necessary to be creative and make the stories and people come alive. It is also essential that you construct a clear style that has rich texture, dramatic pace and rhythm. Lastly and most importantly, when using this genre you should write to enrich the lives of others with a sense of value and hope for the importance of our lives and our history. Evidently, these are all wonderful characteristics that will enable you to progress into a stronger writer. I believe Creative Nonfiction is the most unique genre. Not only does it make important information accessible, it makes it full of life and wonder. Creativity is an amazing aspect of writing, especially when discussing actual events. Creative Nonfiction tells of our history and humanity in a way that will appeal to all.

Career Unraveled in Scandal

I'm sure we have all heard about the scandal with Governor Spitzer. I find it amazing how disgraceful a politician can be to society. Although I could really care less about Spitzer's personal life, it just makes him look like a horrible person in the eyes of the public. I mean if he wants to go out and spend $80,000 on a prostitute thats his business, but he shouldn't do it in a way where it will be revealed to the public and ultimately cause him his career. A very intelligent man who worked immensely hard to be in the position he is in today, has now just demolished all of his efforts and hard work because of his encounters with the black market. As far as I'm concerned, his career as a politician and a lawyer is destroyed for good, because the civilians now just see him as a dishonest, cheating, pig. What amazes me even more than his wife still standing by his side, is how his sex partner "Kristen", has benefitted from this scandal and is now making millions of dollars. Have u picked up the paper lately? The first ten pages of the newspaper are all pictures and stories about her. This really makes me wonder what is wrong with society. Not only is her life story and photos irrelavant, it also is sending off a bad signal to society, especially to young girls. It's telling them go ahead: be an illegal prostitute , sleep with a politician and make millions of dollars. What boggles my brain is how there are so many other important issues going on today and all everyone cares about is the Governors sex life. By no means am I defending him, but I just feel we need to let it go. We are dragging this issue out and making a "whore" a celebrity, like we really need anymore of those! I mean what happened , happened. The Governor knows what he did and he resigned. Just leave it at that. As for his little "mate", she needs to stop gaining all this publicity, fame and fortune for sleeping with an important figure of society. This whole story gives our government a negative image. Lastly, the way the media keeps exposing this whole thing makes it even worse and more intense.

Instilling Fears

According to Ok! Magazine as well as several other sources, Britney Spears apparently has a stalker. That must be so increibly freaky to have someone watch you and invade your personal life; in her case more than it already is. They believe it is a mysterious obcessed fan who is sending her letters and gifts. It is currently being investigated by the FBI. The stalker is sending her all threatening letters with horrible handwritting, as well as inappropriate toys that is just disrepesctful and degrading. In fact, whats really scary is that he sent a picture of himself with his eyes cut out. He appears to be a middle aged white male. In addition, he has Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's names on the outside of each package. This makes it even more mysterious, as to what the couple has to do with Britney Spears. Although it may seem far fetched, it is a serious issue that must be handled immediately. This stalker might just be doing as a prank for laughs, but thenagain he could be insane and extremely dangerous. I personally hate Brintey Spears, but I would hope that the FBI takes the necessary measures to find this guy, for I would not like to see her hurt or possibly dead. I find it truly amazing how lame people are. Do you honestly have no life that you must sit around and try to bring other people down. What this man is doing is irrelavant and unecessary. He doesn't realize how much trouble he can be in, when its not even worth it.

"The grass isnt always greener are the other side."

I'm sure you have all heard the saying "the grass isnt always greener on the other side." This quote is actually very true and has great meaning to it. When we look at celebrities we see fame and fortune, beauty and perfection. I remember as a little girl I wanted to be just like the Spice Girls or Mariah Carey. I looked at them and idolized them. I wish I could live the life they live. They could buy whatever they want , go wherever they want and look like what ever they want. Everyone wants to be a celebrity. However, as I got older I realized being a famous star isn't as great as just living a normal average life like I do. After reading all the articles how celebrities such as Lindsey Lohan and Britney Spears turn to drugs and alcohol abuse to ease their pain, makes me realize they are not better than your ordianary person. Living the life of a celebrity can be glamorous and fabulous but is also very stressful and allows you to have no personal life. The media and the public can become so overwhelming , that being astry from a normal lifestyle only forces you to hit rock bottom. I'm not saying every celebrity turns into failure, but I find it truly amazing how stars could be so incredibly famous and have everything they want but still be miserable. People would die to live the life they do, but yet they throw everything away that they have ever worked for. Look at Marykate and Ashely Olsen. They have been admired and love since the "Full House Days." They worked since they were babies to make it to the top. Now look at where they are today, sniffing cocaine and perging their food. I guess being in the publics eye all the time isn't the best thing. Everyone always wishes they were someone else or had what somebody else had. But maybe if we could just all be content with who we are and what we have we wouldn't fall into seirous issues like depression, drug abuse or eating disorders. In my opinion, I believe celebrities are too overpressured trying to put on an image and be someone their really not. You should be famous because you have a special talent that can inspire and entertain the public, not because you take vulgar pictures or do drugs. I feel as if celebrities put on a mask everyday to just be what they think the audience wants them to be. The only advice I can give is be yourself and love who you are. It's not about money or fame or status. Ironically, everyday middle class people seem to be living a happier life than those that have six houses, ten cars and all the fame and fortune in the world. Love accept who you are, because people should love you for the true you.