writer`s week

first off, am i the only one that didn`t see you spoor because i was totally there with a bunch of the people in our class today 4th hour. haha so yeah. i agree with everyone who says they loved daph. i have heard and met daph before thursday. i think it`s so crazy how when we were freshmen she was one of those people that played in the passing periods and now she has a deal with a record label. i also thought the FAN BOYS was really funny i`m not gonna lie, mr herriges part almost made me pee my pants. i had him for a teacher last year and we made fun of him for that all the time. i`m really pissed they didn`t perform though because i`m not gonna be able to see it next year. whatt aaa busttttt. oh and don`t think we didn`t hear their little diss to you too spoor. haha ;) i really do love writer`s week i think it`s something so cool and original that our school does. now that i think about it though i wish i would have done something like read at writer`s week or something out of my character while in high school and i applaude anyone who did so because it takes a lot of guts to put yourself out there like that.

Writer's Week

I have to say that I did not get to see Daphie Willis yesterday, but I did get to see LeAlan Jones. He had a great speech and was very interesting to listen to. He was born in the ghetto in Chicago and was influenced greatly by his grandparents. He talked about how he was born in the ghetto but still strived for excellenece and with the motivation that he had he did become sucessful. He also mentioned the sterotype people have if people are from the ghetto and how people think that since people are born in the ghetto that they can't be very successful or smart for that fact. Furthermore he talked about how he had see a 5 year old boy throw from a 14 story buiding to his death. And he talked about how our government merely looks the other way and helps other 3rd world countries when we (the U.S.) have problems just like the 3rd world countries we are helping. All in all, this speaker had a lot to see and made me think differently about some things in the world.

Writer's Reaction

I stayed after to see Daphnie yesterday and I have to say she was awesome! She has such a good voice and when she sings it sounds so natural. I definitily remember when I was a freshman seeing her in the halls and now seeing her so successful is crazy. Someone asked a question in the audience when she had started the band and she said around sophomore year....that was only a few years ago and she's already opening for concerts. The singer Pink used to open concerts and look at her now, she's everywhere from B96 to MTV. I think Daphnie is going to really successful and keep moving up fast since she already got so far within a short period of time. In addition not only does she have a wonderful voice but she can play guitar AND she writes her music. That is talent my friends. Also I love how they have a green van called "The Mystery Machine". It reminded me of Scooby Doo because they went on all their crazy adventures in a van and that is exactly what Daphnie and Co. are doing on their trips to concerts. They must be having a lot of fun. It's awesome to see someone follow their dreams 'cuz it gives me a little hope.

writers week

Yup, I saw daphne willis and i loved her. I actually bought her Cd afterwards because she really reminds me of Jack Johnson's music almost. LeAllen Jones was really good because his book, and what he spoke about talked about his experience growing up in the ghetto. I don't think most people from Fremd really have an idea about what that is like. A lot of the time in movies guys from the ghetto are portrayed as gangsters who are really tough. In reality I really liked how Mr. Jones stated that they are really just people who are going through some tough situations, and alot of them are very sensitive and thoughtful deep down. I think that his speech was really powerful because he really gave a clear message to the audience that you can do whatever you want and achieve whatever you have a passion for if you just put your mind to it. It just goes to show you shouldn't believe stereotypes you see, and that people can overcome obstacles put in their way and create a succesful life for themselves.

Writers Weeks

I wish i could have seen the guy that Jory talked about because he sounded reallyinteresting. I love writers week and i understand that a lot of writers and artists are pretty liberal but it kind of bothers me how a lot of times they take the opportunity to force their opinions on us. I think that writers week should only be about art not politics. i saw reggie gibson and he performed a piece about president bush and although i couldnt help but think that it was unnecessary, it was a good performance andit sounds like the guys jory was talking about didnt express his feelings through his writing, he just talked about it. i just think that we hear enough about politics everywhere else and i just wish we could all be spared at writers week.
and did anyone see daphne willis!?! they were so good and its so awesome how somebody who only graduated a few years ago has come this far.

Quick Reaction

I know we all have a lot to say about drinking but I would like to talk again today about who I saw in writers week. Today during 2nd and 3rd period, a man by the name of LeAlan Jones spoke about his very interesting novel, Our America: Life and Death on the South Side of Chicago. He started preparing this book before he was even in high school with his best friend. They started a talk radio show about the real life of how the ghetto is like in Chicago. They were only 13 years old and their radio/documentary won many awards and was nation wide. He is 28 now and he said he has won over 30 awards for that book that used to be a radio show. The reason why I bring this up is because at the end when he answered questions he talked about plitics and it got me thinking about this class. The main point he brought up that stuck in my mind was about invading Iraq. He said that we should have worried about our own country first before invading other countries. What makes Iraq's situatuion different than the ghetto's all across the U.S. Why can't our president fix the poverty and drugs on the streets of our own city. What makes the U.S. different than Iraq when something like a Virginia Tech shooting happens or NIU shooting. We seem to have our own problems to work out before we should help others. This man, Mr. Jones, gave a great speach and shows how educated a man from the ghetto can still be with what is going on in the world today and I just wanted to recognize it on this blog.

Drinking

i agree with lauren that the drinking age should not be lowered. it is not going to solve any problems but instead promote drinking at an earlier age. it works in euorope where the drinking age is liek 16 or something, because that is how their society and culture is. its been like that and they never had problems like we have. so there is no point in lowering the age for drinking in the US. more people are going to abuse it and people are going to become alcoholics at an earlier age, not saying that all alcoholics are old people. lowering the drinking age will only cause more problems with our societies and it will not change anythign for the better. i think we shoudl keep the drinking age what it is now because only lowering it will cause choas. if anyting i think the tolerance level for the drinking and driving should be lowered so that people who are of age and they drink and drive, they have to be less toxicated legally. our society is alright right now with the drinking age at what it is and i think it shoudl stay the same and not be lowered.

DrUnK WiTh PoWeR

I personally do not agree that the drinking age should be lowered. Honestly, the law doesn't stop some kids...most kids... from thinking twice about drinking and I don't think that just because its a lower drinking age all of a sudden our society will become responsible. Seriously, its not just kids that act ridicuous when it comes to alcohol. There are many adults who use and abuse the power to drink. I could say I HATE when people drive drunk and I started a topic on this a while back on the blog. For everyones sake find some other way to get home and stop being so selfish. It's not funny, its not okay and it only takes one slip up to hurt someone or yourself. The lowering of the drinking age would only encourage drinking and with the way society views drinking and partying, there is no way that lowering the age limit will solve problems. I intern at plum grove and was talking to a kid... i couldn't believe that kids were having drinking and smoking parties!! Trust me... its not the law thats stopping them or making them rebel, it's our sucky society that let all of our morals out the window

drink up me hardy's yo ho!

I think that the drinking age should be down to 18 at well but only becuase people want it more and more becuase it is illegal to drink it and i think that if we legalalize it sooner people wont want to do it as much and there wouldn't be as much of a problem with it. At the same time though kids might take advantage of it might eventually get worse but i think it wont be as bad as it is now

I don't know i think that the drinking age should be changed to 18. If we can go to war then we should be old enough to drink. Also if you can buy cigarettes at 18 and smoking is much worse for you what not be able to drink. If they have a problem with drinking and driving then they should crack down on other laws rather then the drinking age.

The Drinking Age...

I understand that the drinking age is 21 because that is when our brains are pretty much done developing, but wouldn't you think that by then we would be smart enough not to want to damage it. Okay, so people will make a toast at a wedding with champaign, or a couple will have some wine at a nice restourant, but how can adults not realize the suffering their body is taking. Kids are so caught up in social image that they can't see the mistake they're making. Adults should know better, and set a better example for their children. This is why I don't understand the drinking age because it inspires kids to sneak alcohol, and it allows adults to endulge on a poisonous substance.

Drinking & Age

To answer Rooney's question, i don't think the drinking age should be changed from 21. The reason the drinking age is 18 in Europe is b/c kids rarely drive in Europe...they walk everywhere. Drinking at 18 is acceptable in Europe, but not as much in America where most teenagers drive.

I don't think drinking wine or beer at the dinner table is harmful. Even drinking while camping is relatively harmless. Drinking alcohol lightly or in specific situations is totally acceptable IMO. Alcohol only becomes a problem when teenagers throw a party and do regretable things like get DUIs and get raped. I feel like teenagers in Europe drink more conservatively than American teenagers and are less of a liability than American teenagers.

Anyway, it's not hard for teenagers to get away with drinking under age if they're not idiots about it.......

drinking/drinking age

I'm not sure how i feel about drinking...i know it's a stupid thing to do, especially if you are underage, but i think that no matter who you are, alcohol is going to have the same effect on you no matter what age. It doesnt matter what they make the drinking age to, becuase we know that every weekend people are always trying to get hookups and find people to get them "stuff." It's amazing that people are drinking at 12 years old, i didnt know that. I dont think there is any reason for that, those kids arent even mature yet, let alone capable of handling themselves drunk. . I'm not saying that we're any better, but i think we have somewhat more knowledge about alcohol and it's affect. As for 21 being the legal age, i dont even know. Personally by the time 18 i think it's the same thing as being 21. I dont know why i think that, but if you're getting into bars at the age of 19 down at college campuses and drinking, you mine as well be a 21 year old, or even going down to mexico for spring break. i dont know, drinking is a topic that i cant really explain how i feel about it.

drinking age

Since everyone thinks no one can handle themselves when drunk, do you think it's smart to have our drinking age at 21? Because from my perspective it is such a novelity to teenagers in America; they drink as much as possible when they get the chance which a far and few between. Or would it be smarter for the drinking age to be signifigantly lower than 21 in places like Europe? Where by the time you're 12 (in France at least) you're having wine with most meals. Making alchohol not such a novelity, and being educated on alchohol's effects even before being able to drive (I do believe there's a lot less drunk driving accidents among teenagers in Europe than America). You make the call, how should it be?

Drinking

I agree that drinking can be stupid and dangerous. There are so many people who drink and put themselves in danger because they do not know when to quit. If you are in a dangerous environment around people you don't really know, anything can happen and people need to look out for that. I have heard so many terrible stories like Chris told us and it is scary to think that that can happen so easily and so often. People need to think before they do anything that can harm them or someone they know and be extra careful when they are around alcohol.

drinking

I find drinking unpleasant and definitely not fun at all. When I see someone drunk and out of control, it disgusts me to see them so helpless. I remember I was at a party with a friend who drank so much that she was completely out of it and she was so dependent on me. I'm glad that I was there for her because without me, I wouldn't have known what could have happened to her. Chris's story really makes me upset about how the girl made the wrong decision of putting her in a place where she could be taken advantage of, even if she didn't want it. If she was so drunk to be unaware of her surroundings and what was being done to her, then there is a big fault on her too and I think she has no excuses either. People should really be careful and know their limits because it's a crazy world out there that we all need to be careful of.

Drinking

I agree with what Charis and Justyna said. I can understand the people that drink to be social and don't overdo it. What I never understand are the people who decide that they are going to drink as much as they can because that is just stupid. I don't understand why you would want to be anywhere where you are too drunk to even understand what is going on around you. It helps to have friends who look out for you and make sure that you don't do anything to put yourself in danger but the choice to keep your drinking under control is up to you. Seeing people way too drunk is not attractive at all and you feel like they have absolutely no control over what they are doing. I think that if you are going to drink, you need to know your limits and you need to do it so that you can still be aware of what you are doing. You should never be so drunk that you can't control yourself and you will probably end up doing some things you will regret later on.

I understand where Justina is coming from. I have been at parties sober and you realize when you are sober how stupid some people can look. My friends and i like to go out and party but no matter what we always look after each other. I went to a party the other day and everyone was drunk and when we got there my friend who had been drinking opened the door for us and she could not even stand then she turned around to walk up the stairs and fell and ended up having to crawl up the stairs. It was defiantly not attractive. I also think its different if you know what its like to be in their place you can sympathize with them.

Oh Dang!!

I heard the same story that chris heard and it is horrible to hear that can happen. I don't understand why people even consider rape as a good thing to do. It's horrible to do that to another person no matter what variables are in place. Alcohol, drugs, or pure enjoyment; no not happening. I'm afraid to go to college because it is common to happen if you drink the jungle juice. So don't drink it! Rape is seriously a bad issue and nobody should do it. Drinking and Driving is also really bad because it causes a lot of deaths and it usually turns out that the drunk driver lives while the innocent people live. It makes no sense to drink and drive, it's completely stupid and it's stupid to even drink until you black out too. There really isn't a point to drink to the point where you can't remember anything and or puke becuase who wants to puke really? not me!

Drinking...

I agree with Justyna that I would never want to be helpless or even appear helpless. When I hear about people drinking, I wonder what they think is going to happen, they'll start thinking clearer and make responsible decissions? Of course not. People want to have a good time. Unfortunately they believe that if people aren't making complete fools of themselves then it's not a party. I am definitely NOT the party type. I won't put myself in uncomfortable situations. Some students feel comfortable around smoking and drinking, but that is a dangerous and sometimes fatal misstake. What happened to Chris' friend is upsetting, but I'm glad that he shared it because everyone needs to understand that kids are not invincible.

Rape and Alcohol

I've heard a lot of stories like the one Chris has mentioned. I have never actually experienced it but I have been close enough. If people are going to go party all night they should always bring someone that they can trust to watch over them. Although most of the time they both end up getting drunk. When you get drunk you don't know what the hell your doing until something terrible happens. I've learned my lesson with drinking and know when it's time for me to stop so I can still control myself because when I can't it's not very fun anymore. I can't understand however what triggers a friend that you might have known a very long time to take advantage of you. If you're at a party with new people you obviously want to be able to "keep up" with them but end up getting more wasted than you actually wanted to be just because you tried to look cool. Lately I have been showing up to parties late since I work late and have seen girls so drunk they couldn't even crawl straight.I've realized I never wanted to look that helpless. Girls need to know who they are partying with and always bring a few close friends. In addition trying to keep up with the guys to look cool isn't always going to turn out the way they wished , be smart and don't binge.

Rape

Rape has always been a scary thing to think about for me. Whenenever the t-shirt line comes to our school, i always go in to read them. It's disgusting to think the kinds of things that happen to people around the world, and we always think that it could never happen to us. As you guys have been saying, it's a scary situation whenever alcohol gets involved, becuase you never know what you're going to do, or you never know what's going to happen. I'm sure she wasnt thinking that shew as going to be taken advantage of that night. I think in most cases, you always have to think that the worst is going to happen in order for you to be alert and watch out for yourself, or as one of you guys said, have someone else look out for you. It is very important to know your limits, because i've seen people who just dont even care about the amount they take in, and crazy stuff happens. It's really sad that people think to do those kinds of things, and it's unfortunate, but always be careful when you're drinking.

rape

First of all, I really hope everything on here stays confidential; because it is a bit of a risk and takes some courage to put something up like Chris did. I know a lot of people will immediately think, know your limit, which is exactly what you should. But, honestly, most kids in a drinking situation won't be thinking that. So, if u know you're getting shwasted, or whatever, and you know you won't pay any attention to your limits (which is a bad idea), then at least tell a friend to watch you. Because you need to do at least something to prevent situations like this, because any regular person could be on either side of this situation...

Rape

I never like hearing stories like the one chris just posted and it always makes me sad. We all know that kids our age drink at parties and even if you don't there are always others who do. There is no stopping it but you always hope that it is just turns out to be a fun time and no one gets hurt. In reality that is not always true. When alcohol is invlolved, especially with younger kids, it can be very dangerous. High school kids are stupid and do stupid things and when alcohol is in them it makes them do even dumber things. Everyone thinks that nothing bad will happen to them, only other people. Well what if that other person is your friend? Or what if that other person got hurt because of you? These are all things that are very possible to happen when you drink and/or drive drunk. As you can see from Chris' story anything can happen when you drink or if you are around people who drink. No one can stop all kids from drinking but if that story doesn't give you second thoughts, or any other sad story like that, I don't know what will.

Rape

Im going to try and not mention names and where I was, but something really bad happened over the weekend. I hoping that this blog will remain confidential. Over the weekend I was at a party. There was drinking and every one was having a good time. I didnt really know that many people at the party so I decided to leave. When I left with my friend I told him how funny it would be if the party got busted. It did and it wasnt so funny. Of of the girls at the party passed out after drinking to much. When she woke up, she was naked and there was one of my friends in the room. That night she went to the hospital saying she was raped. The rape kit came came back positive. Right now my friend is sitting at the police station facing a Class 1 felony of sexual harassment. I guess the moral of the story is that it could happen to anyone. I never thought that it would happen to anyone i know. Know your limits and always have a way to get home.

death penalty

I completely disagree with the death penalty, and believe it should never be used. Statistics show that it is not an effective crime control, and in some states where the death penalty is enforced crime actually increased. Also the death penalty just creates more racism and inequality among the people in America becuase the criminals who have more money can afford a good lawyer, and is therefore more likely to not be charged guilty. Those who don't have a lot of money will get a lawyer who is not going to be as good or as motivated to defend the criminal, especially if he is not being paid. More black people are put to death, and although they cannot proove this is the reason it just doesnt seem right that one race should have a significantly larger percentage than another race who tends to be more wealthy. Overall putting a criminal to death does not typically end the suffering of the those who lost a loved one, and vengence is not a good way to solve a problem.

death penalty

Oops I accidentally posted a blank entry but anyway back to the death penalty topic, I think it's wrong. And although there are those circumstances where I could see that it may be necessary or ok to use it, for instance the whole Osama, Hitler and the other extremely bad people, I still think that it's a little too much for just the ordinary criminals. I agree with everyone who said that the criminals should suffer for the wrong things that they committed instead of getting the easy way out. I think that it would be worse to have to live and stay in jail with the feeling of guilt instead of just simply choosing the easy way out and dying. And like mentioned before for those who are in jail but are really innocent, I think that by elminating the death penalty, it'll give those innocent people in jail a chance to be proven not guilty.
I also like the quote lindsey mentioned but the death penalty isn't the only way to kill someone though. Can't giving someone a life sentence to jail eventually kill someone? So there's no need to have the death penalty in my opinion.

death penalty

Death Penalty... meh

I do not agree with the death penalty, its morals, or its reasoning. "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind" said Gandhi. There's also the saying "Be the bigger person" and I think it directly applies with the death penalty.

Killing criminals doesn't stop crime. The death penalty does not frighten criminals like we think it does. Besides the system of capital punishment in our country is so uncivilized and hardly efficient, that its sort of sad. We hardly are able to kill these criminals without so much rigor being spent on each case that it comes a kind of joke to finally put one to death.

Also, there have been reports about innocent people being killed by our government because of capital punishment. To me, it's awful for one innocent man to go to jail, even worse than one guilty man not going. We need to weigh our options and the risks that we take using the death penalty, and to me, they seem too lopsided.

death penalty

The death penalty is definitely a very touchy topic. I think it is necessary at certain cases, like Lindsey and Sean were saying. If they are criminals who caused so much pain and death to many people, then they should experience a hard punishment for their terrble deeds. It's hard to admit the fact that there is a chance for a criminal to change and be given another chance, and change is hard to achieve. However, there is always that slim chance that the criminal can lead a better life and be forgiven, but it's too difficult to see that, especially when someone is the victim or victim's family. When the criminal is someone who's been given several chances and they are just created more mayhem, then it's their decision to be better or not and their outcome is determined by their change.

Who deserves to die...

I like that quote Lindsey found. I also agree that the death penalty is necessary in special cases, such as Sadam, and Osama. I don't believe in just killing off all common criminals, but if the criminal has a mind focussed only on killing and ruling, then they have no purpose in life. The men and women in prison are hopefully people who want to correct themselves, and make a drastic, positive change in their life. So, the death penalty should not be our first instinct, but it is reasonable in drastic situations.

death penalty...again

I also forgot to mention, that even though I do support the death penalty, I only support it in extreme circumstances. I don't believe that we have the right to kill someone unless they are like Hitler or Bin Laden who have devastated the lives of many. I also agree with Sean that they shouldn't be rewarded with a quick and easy death. They should suffer like they made others. I saw a bumper sticker awhile back that I loved. It said...

It's God's job to forgive Bin Laden...it's our job to arrange the meeting.

Death Penalty

The death penalty is a weird topic. I do believe that spending the rest of your life in prison is far worse than instant death and relief from the world and thoughts of the crime haunting you the rest of your life. Also I think that depending on the crime I think that the death penalty should be far more painful than a simple shot. I mean if a person is going to rampage and go killing a bunch of people because he is unhappy with his life, I dont think it is quite fair that he just gets of with a simple injection that ends his worries and his/her life. All in all, I really don't think the death penalty is a good choice unless it reflects the crime, pain wise, as the convict as done.

Death Penalty

This is very weird because my friend and I were just talking about this during lunch and he had a strange opinion. He felt that it should be the choice of the person who committed the crime whether or not they die or spend the rest of their life in prison. This would be unheard of and probably would never happen but it made me think about what death row people would choose. I personally don't support the death penalty and I think that having someone spend the rest of their life in jail is far worse than an instant death. Also, if you keep someone in prison and then somehow they are proven innocent down the line, at least they are still alive and you can let them out. I know some people feel that holding a ton of prisoners in jail costs much more but I think it is right to leave them in jail. They did something horrible so they should have to live with that on their conscience for the rest of their life.

death penalty

i agree with what dani said, i also dont believe in the death penalty. i dont know what makes us feel that by killing a criminal, we have found justice. even though they may have killed someone, that doesnt make it right to 'get back' at them by taking their life too. life in prison is very extreme, but for those that deserve it i think it is a more humane and better punishment overall because they actually have to live with what theyve done. and then there's always the slight possibility that they were innocent and with the death penalty, there's no way you can take that back... like imagine how the family would feel. with life in prison, if the convicted was found innocent, theres no way you can give back those years they spent in there, but atleast they have the rest of their life to live.

Death Penalty

I am not sure what I think of the death penalty. On one hand, I don't think that we should continue to use the death penalty because I don't think that will solve anyone's problems. It will never erase what the person did and being locked up for the rest of your life and having to live with the guilt you have is good punishment enough. On the other hand however, why would it be fair if the criminal was like a serial killer and was able to live while all their victims were killed and their families had to suffer. If someone killed one of my family members than I might want them to have the same thing done to them. I don't know I am still not sure what I think.

crime/death penalty

i personally dont believe in the death penalty because if you ask me it would be a much worse punishment to live out the remainder of your days in prison living with your guilt. and many of you proved my point when you said you would prefer the death penalty to a life in jail. also, many innocent people have been sentenced to death in the past and to prevent this from ever happening again, the death penalty should be abolished. and i know it doesnt sound like a very good reason but two wrongs never make a right and i think that crime and viloence are trends and it has to stop somewhere.

It all depends on what age I was when I was sentenced and if I I really was guilty or not. if I was older I definitely would just choose death, because who wants to spend there last years of life locked up. But if I was younger I might. Also, if I knew I hadn't committed the crime I would do life in prison since there would be a chance they would eventually find the criminal.

Crime

We don't live in a perfect world and many crimes go unpunished and sometimes unnoticed, which is very unfortunate. I dont know first hand how many of the cases are handled and too the limit of extent they pursue them but being punished when innocent should be a illegal crime in itself. But to the question, would i rather be sentenced to death or life in prision, i think i would choose life in prision. I can't truly account for my decision since im not in the severity of a situation like that, and i probably can't begin to comprehend it, but i would rather choose to live my life then take an easy way out like death. But thats my own personal view from knowing myself, others who would choose death have their own reasoning and it doesnt mean they are taking the easy way out (not that there is in this situation), i would choose to live. You never know, like this one story of a guy who broke his leg before he can get on a plane for vacationw ith his friends, everyone said he had the worse luck, but later that plane crashed..bad example but something good may come out of something bad? dunno basicaly i would rather choose to have life in prision.. i think..

criminals

i do think and agree that it is a shame that there are criminals out in the world that have gotten let off the hook if you will because they figured out a way to scam and bet the system. it`s a scary thought to think about those people walking the streets just like you and i. CSI, the original one not miami or new york, the vegas one is my favorite show ever. i love how they figure out exactly who commited the crime and how the person who actually did it is always found. the right man in always punished and the innocent never blamed. it would be nice if we lived in a perfect world like that don`t you think? speaking of jail time though, would you rather be sentenced to death or life in prison? i would personally rather be setenced to death because i think life in jail would be horrible unless i truly didn`t commit the crime. what do you think?

ok

speaking of prison and jail! i just saw American Gangster! and i cant believe that after all the people how died! and lost! exset... that he just turned in a few guys that he knew! and only got 15 years! This goes back to where we got innocent people, how go to jail just for being at the wrong place at the wrong time! that really suck's! you've got a drug-lord / murderer making millions! getting treatment that some people can only dream of!

cRiMiNaLs

It is very unfortunate that there are cases that peple are wrongly accused of situations or criminals are set free. A life or time in jail at all can destroy a person mentally. If someone is accused over and over and only has time to sit in jail and think, there are some cases where the person finally confesses to the crime becuase he/she actually convinced themselves it was true. In those cases then there are criminals still walking around with no punishment for their actions. There will always be crime, and its impossible to capture everyone and punish all that have done wrong, but let's get the criminals that do get questioned, and make sure we get it right.

criminals

i agree with both mindy and nicole. It's horrible that people have to spend time in jail when they are innocent. Even if it is just for a short period of time, let's say 6 months, they dont deserve it. It's scary to think that people are just being let off and free after committing any crime. I watch those shows like CSI and at the end of every show, they show you that back room with all the boxes of cases that need to be solved/cases that are already solved, and to see that they have a majority of those not discovered is amazing. I dont know how realistically it compares, but it's scary to think that people can get away with anything. I dont understand how many years later this Japanese man can just be getting arrested for his murder now...how all of a sudden do they just try and figure this stuff out from that long ago; it just doesnt even make any sense. People should be not getting away with anything these days.

criminals

Yeah, I've watched many news stories and documentaries about how after DNA was discovered, lots of people who spent almost a quarter of their life in jail, were proven to be innocent and released. It's crazy how a strand of hair can prove their innocence, but I think it's so unfortunate and almost awful that they had to go through much of their life in prison, away from their family or maybe disowned by their family, shunned by friends and the public, and so much unbearable pain from being lonely and accused. I guess on the other hand, it's very unfortunate that some of the ones who are guilty, are still walking around or went around not caught and having someone else who is wrongly accused be punished for the bad things that they didn't do.

man arrested

Yesterday a Japanese businessman was arrested for the murder of his wife which took place in 1981. He is 60 years old now and has been previously convicted but then the verdict was overturned ten years ago. I think that it is so unfortunate that after crimes take place if they cannot find out who did it right away murderers or rapists can walk the street for years until they are caught, and have the opportunity to commit many more crimes. I the ways that crimes end up being prosecuted, and the ways that criminals and punished doesn't always have true justice. People have been given life sentences in jail, or put to death and then later been prooved innocent. I just think that people should not be able to commit a murder an then go unpunished for years. Criminals should be kept off the streets and the innocent should be kept out of jail

writer`s week

i agree with the whole adiministration not allowing students to miss classes for writer's week completely ridiculous. writer's week is something unique and a once in a life time experience that us as fremd students get to be apart of. i have never heard of any other school doing something like this. we have many talented writer's come through and it is a shame that our administration is taking the opporunity away from us. our freshmen year i got called out of my 8th period class to go to the jaymes huddleston experience and if something like that were to happn again i think it's terrible that they wouldn't allow close friends and family of those types of situations go see that performance. i also think kids used to get called out often to go support their friends that were performing in writer's week and i think it takes a lot of guts to get in front of your peers and read something like that. i mean honestly though if you really want to go, i say lie, like they are really ever gonna find out and track you down.

writers week

i agree with sean that the administration has simply taken alot of small things and blown them up to be huge problems. it seems like theyve really cracked down harder this year then ever before, but its not like our class is any worse than any other class before us... i dont know, the writers week thing is stupid i guess but i kinda dont feel like it is affecting me that much. i think its a pretty ironic situation though... ditching class to go to writers week and gettting punished for it. i dont know, i just think its pretty awesome that we can have something like writers week and that literally everyone gets excited about it. other schools dont really have anything like it, like palatine high school has writers day but its not like what we have.

Administration...

I also do not completely agree with the administration and their dicission to ban students from being called out of class to see writers. What if this student wants to become a writer him or herself, but they aren't able to go see one of their favorites. They should at least have a limit, that way you can get out of a class for writers week, but you can't be called out of every class. I wasn't there on friday but I hope everyone enjoyed writers week!

writer's week

About the whole administration thing about Writer's Week, I think that the rule is a little too much. I understand their side a little bit of how students sometimes have their parents call them out saying they're 'supposedly' going to writer's week but they really don't. Like this morning I was in the bathroom and I couldn't help but over hear the loud freshmen girls talking about writer's week and how they were going to have their moms call them out so that they can ditch in the cafe or something. So to that part and extentI can understand the administration's point-of-view and from where they're coming from.
However, like everyone said, Writer's Week is a time to experience and listen to different people from everywhere speak about their writings and passions. On top of that our very own Fremd students get the courage to share their very own writings with everyone else, so I do think that it's important to support them for their courage and support them and encourage them. And for this reason I think the rule set on Writer's Week is a little too ridiculous along with all the other recent rules.
I didn't get to see Dave Clapper, but I did get to see Mary Fons and I loved her. She was so funny and enthusiastic about sharing and everything. My favorite part was when she did her 'iron chef' poems, which she picked a random student from the audience and wrote a quick poem about them. It was hilarious especially when she wrote a poem for this one sophmore guy.
"LOTRO-Lord of the Rings Online" haha who was there 1st hour??

Back to writers week

Haha this is all really funny. I agree with everything that people are saying right now. When I think of adminstration I think about the poem Mr. Wenkoski wrote about writers week and how you can't get called out anymore to go to WW. Did anyone hear that from Mr. Johnson it was really funny? Anyway I want to go back and talk about writers week for a second because I didn't get a chance to earlier and I heard something really funny in the auditorium today during a presentation. I am going to breifly react to what I witnessed. Today I saw Dave Clapper third period and thought he was definately and interesting speaker. He read many poems to us and talked about his student life here at fremd. He claims he was a nerd and even the schools mascot which I think is pretty sweet. He is now living in Seattle writing very much and mostly about sex. A lot of his work is about sex and he was unable to read them because they were innapporopriate. But for my English class I read one and I was shocked as to what I saw. He was very detailed and very thorough in his descriptions. What was ironic today in the auditorium was that a kid asked him about the same work called "spike.Resonance." The kid thought that the story was about him rapping his mother and I thought that was funny because he was completely wrong even though I thought the same thing. Dave explained to us that it was about a drug addictict getting rapped and thinking about her mother and it was somewhat of a sad poem. I don't know I thought it was funny and I wanted to add a little reaction to the first writers week day this year.

Administration

I argee with everyone on the fact that the administraion is taking these little things way to seriously and should loosen up a bit. The whole thing with Halloween was just stupid because nobody really does anything (learning wise) on Halloween anyway, ao I don't see why it would a distraction to dress up. I mean we have been dressing up since kindergarden, why take the fun out of it now. Also the Vocal Valentines being removed is really kinda bogus, since it merely took 30 seconds to complete, and since it was a way to imbarass someone, I mean whats funnier then that. The banning of these little things are just causing more problems then they actually were when they were happening. In the end I think administraters should just suck the fun out of everything else at school so school is merely a learning environment and no fun is to ever occur.

administration

amen to what you have all been saying. the administration is being very strict this year, and it's making our senior year suck. all we wanted to do was have fun costumes on halloween, but obviously they dont want that. I dont understand the concept of "cancelling" halloween because how long have people been dressing up?? probably many years, and it's really weird that all of a sudden it's getting distracting. Even the teachers said that they were sad about not being able to dress up. that was a very sad day for everyone. and valentines day?? what the heck is that all about?? what happened to the vocal valentines?? those used to be the best things ever. i used to send those to my brother every period when he was at school and they were seriously the best embarassing thing ever. they're so fun to hear everyone sing and it's a joy for everyone. ANNND the number one thing for me is that the free spots are taken away. I think that is the meanest thing ever because now people dont even get the chance to park @ school. I hate the administration. let's just say thank god that its our last year. It should be getting worse after this. holler.

Administration

I agree with what everyone else has said and I think that the administrators are going a little crazy with all of these bans. The ban on Halloween costumes was ridiculous and they just made things worse because instead of having many people dress up and have a good time, they banned it because it was too distracting. When have you ever been distracted so much that you can't learn on Halloween? I really liked HallowWeek for the whole two days that it lasted because they weren't really breaking any rules. We were told not to dress up on Halloween, they never said anything about not dressing up the other days. Vocal Valentines were good on Valentine's Day and I don't understand why they needed to be taken away. I think that it was not that big of a deal to have some girls come into the classroom and sing for 30 seconds but apparently that was too long for our learning to be interrupted. Finally, the whole thing about not being called out for Writer's Week is also too strict. I mean they say that we are the only school that does Writer's Week and they make a huge deal about it but if you really want to see someone and you have another class that period, you are out of luck. Administrators shouldn't care about little things like this and the ruined some great memories with all of these new rules.

Administrations

I think the adminitration has gone crazy. i agree with justyna when she says that our administration has gotten really strict with banning haloween and the vacol valentines. what i hated the most is that they took away the morning announcements. i dont know whats going on half the time in our school because they took those away. they said it was because it took too much time of the class period which isnt a good exscuse because most classes you end five minutes until the bell anyways. i dont know what the administration is trying to prove with all these new rules, we are already one of the top schools/district. and the poem that was read i thought was really lame. and i agree with justyna again with getting called out to go watch one of the speakers. if your mom is willing to call you out then why shoudl the school say they cant. the kid is the one who is going to miss what is learned on that day and if their grades hurts because of that its their fault. this school is becoming more and more strict as the years gone by. i even realized prom got a lot stricter too from waht my brother told me it was. i am glad i am leaving this school in less than half a year so id ont have to listen to these administrators or their rules any more.

Our administration

I derfinitily have to say I completely agree with what rita said. The administration is becoming too strict. The Halloween costume ban was so crazy. I don't think I was ever so upset when I head about it at school. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays and one of the best days at school. I really couldn't understand why they would use a distraction to students as an excuse since there are so many more distractions around us anyway. It's not like one student would be dressed up in a class but at least half. We would come to class check out our costumes maybe talk about them and laugh at them for the first 10 or less minutes o class but then it's all over with and we get to learning. There are people dressed in chains and crazy clothes everyday in school, how is that not a distraction? When people have a mohawk a foot high in class how is that not a distraction? All people would think about is how it stays up! Is that not a distraction? And the vocal Valentine thing too. OMG IT's 30 SECONDS for crying out loud. Valentine's day comes only once a year and so does Halloween. After all these years we never had a problem until now because it is a distraction. Most teachers would also prepare lessons in a way that on those days we wouldn't be learning anything too important like maybe just going over a test from the day before. I hate all this crap. Soon people are going to be dropping out because school is going to get so strict and boring. I think the highest attendance days used to be Halloween and other fun holidays anyway. I know I would even get up earlier cuz I was excited to come to school. Oh and as of Writer's week, that comes once a year too and we actually learn from all the speakers. They are all awesome and I love going there. But as of that lame poem if you can't get called out to see someone you really want to that's just ridiculous. What is happening in this school? It's becoming a jail to keep us in class without distractions that aren't really necessary to be banned in the first place.

Administrators are crazy

Okay, so while we are all talking about writer's week, I think we can touch up on how crazy our administrators are this year. And not just about writer's week, but EVERYTHING. Remember Halloween? And the ridiculous rules set upon us because the costumes were distracting or inappropriate? What happened to the idea that if some people come dressed in costumes that aren't suitable for school getting sent to the office or having be forced to change? Just because administrators are awful at enforcing the dress-code rules doesn't mean they couldn't try for halloween... instead, they decided to impose on any "fun" that goes on at this school ever, and ruin it for all of us who enjoy doing something interesting for ONE lousy day of the year. And I'd also like to point out how many kids decided to rebell, and then the administration realized how much more everyone cared and there was instead of one day of distractions, there was one whole week.

Also, Vocal Valentines? Remember those? We used to get thirty seconds during valentine's day and hear what other people did for other people even if it was a joke. Everyone was happy. And teachers even had the option of not choosing singers to come because of a test or just because they have no heart. That's perfectly fine, but banning it for everybody! These aren't distractions from the learning enviroment, instead, they act as thirty second breaks to seven hour days that teachers and students need in order to focus! Everyone needs a stinkin' break, and it's for one lousy day. I'm seriously getting mad right now just thinking about how ridiculous some of these new rules are.

And I am really looking forward to writer's week. I'm reading fifth hour on wednesday. :)

Writers Week

I'm also looking forward to Writers Week too. It's nice to meet actual modern day poets and writers whose works we read now. I also enjoy hearing the works of other students in this school because it amazes me how we have so many talented writers in this school. It must take a lot of guts to get up on stage and read your works in front of your friends or people you know at school. I really respect those who can do that and not feel self-conscious about their writing.
I'm glad that we will be able to go to Writers Week during class.

writer's week

i love writers week!!! its one of my favorite times of the year and although i am very dissapointed that im not going to be able to see some of the performances that i wanted but i do understand why we arent allowed to be called out. its not meant to be an excuse for kids to ditch class and there simply isnt enough room in the auditorium fo everybody if they could go.
one of my teachers suggested that we hold it in the gym but then it would put all gym classes on hold for the week and there would be a HUGE fuss about that. i think that writers week is such a cool thing and we really need to find a way to expand it so everybody really gets the whole experience. and although the administration have been outrageously strict this year, i have to give them props for trying...
and i know i missed the boat on posting about the WBC but OH MY GOD! i was watching some of the stuff right now and i am just disgusted with them. i dont understand where people think that its ever okay to say some of the horrible things that they do. i am ashamed to even live in the same country as these people, if they think that God hates the USA so much they can leave!

Writers week

I look forward to writers week every year because i love hearing different people's point of views, and reflections on things. It is such a privledge that we have well known authors that come to our school to speak, and that kids who attend the school can share thier writing with others. Students who have the courage to share thier writing really enjoy having the support and reasurrance in knowing that thier friends can come an see them. If a parent is aware of the circumstance and will allow thier kid to skip and class to go to writers week i think that the school should respect that decision, and respect a parents authority over thier child's life. If we can get out of class because there is too much snow on the ground, or we are visiting a college, I think we should be able to skip class to hear people who have put thier creativity to use. Every story, poem, and explaination heard at writers week may have some unkown impact on you, and may teach you a lesson that could change either what you want to do with your life or how you treat others. Writers week can be an inspiration and a learning experience to many people and should not be denied to students.

WrItEr'S WeEk

Agreed. What a lame poem. That just sucks that you cannot support your friends and famiy without being punished. I understand it would get crazy and whatnot with everyone being called out, but if more teachers set the time aside to apprecitate the students and staff's efforts and talent for a week or a few days, maybe so many students wouldn't have to get called out. Writer's week really is a great time to hear others work and appreciate writing and maybe encourage others to write as well. I know in the past I have been blown away by some of the people I have heard and respect them for going up in front of their peers. Their is some great talent at writer's week and I thinking keeping us from seeing it is like dangling meat in front of a dog but pulling it away. I got called out to hear my brother sing and play piano my freshman year and I'm glad I did cause there was no way I would not be there for him and watch him. Another one of the schools lame rules I don't approve of. Let's just reflect HOW MUCH the school has changed this year. Ahh

Writer's Week

So I am really looking forward to Writer's Week, but I agree that it is stupid for the school to mark us truent if we get called out of class to go see a writer speak. If that is the only chance you get to see the writer and you want to see them so much that you get called out of class, what is the big deal? It is still a school function and you are still learning right? As far as the poem that was read in class, I thought it was really lame but props to whoever would put in that much time to write a poem about the rules of WW.

I think its totally crazy that we would get in trouble for something like this. The administration is taking its power to far. They should be more focused on protecting our school or getting the kids in trouble that deserve it. I feel that it is that persons choice to miss a class, and they are the ones that will have to make up the work and its their grade so why not let them. Administration should be honored that kids want to see writers week, they should not focus on trying to punish them. Also if a kid gets their parent to call them out and they stay in school, they could easily leave since they are called out...which is worse.

WW & Rules

Yes, the poem read by the administrators was ridiculous and unthinkably lame. If somebody wants to see a specific writer, let them see him/her--it won't kill anyone. Kaitlain and Lindsay are right about how the administration is making a problem out of nothing. I have friends speaking who i won't get to see b/c they won't be presenting during my English period. Thank god we're seniors and this is the last semester we have to deal with this crap b/c the rules at Fremd will only get worse...

chiga- chiga- what?

I think that it is rediculous that we are being threatened about being called out of class to see a school function. It doesn't really make sense to me becuase they want us to go and yet if someone feels extremely passionate to see a speaker and their teacher wont let them they get a truant if their parents call them out and they go to WW. At first i thought the poem was okay just talking about WW and then they turn it on us. How many people have to have been caught skipping class to see a speaker within the school to make it such a big ordeal? I really don't think that it is that big of a problem that we need to enforce a threat upon it.

writers week

Yeah...I thought that poem was ridiculous. Like, I understand it for the kids who use it to ditch class, but if they're actually going there to see someone, I don't think it should be an issue. I know our auditorium is tiny and we can't fit a lot of people, but they know Writer's Week is super popular. They should move it to a bigger space...how about the south gym?? Yeah it doesnt have the same "atmosphere" but we might be able to fit more people. I just think that this school just has WAY TOO many ridiculous rules now and this is just one to add to the list.

Writer's Week

Today a VP came in and recited a poem about how if we got called out to see a writer's week performance, we would be truent. How does everyone feel about this message, and poem (if you heard it)?

westboro

i watched a few of the clips on the westboro church also and really, i dont understand how a person can think that they are following god by preaching hatred. they arnt a church, theyre more like a fascist community, with fred phelps as a modern-day hitler. even though what they preach and picket is awful and disgusting, i agree with those who say that they still have the right to do it. it's sad that there are people in this country that are so ignorant and close-minded and hateful... but they are allowed to believe what they want. they may offend the majority but theyre really the ones that are hurting themselves, theyre miserable people, no one can live happily with so much hate in their life. as for the poor children born into those families, i feel bad for them.. theyve been told to hate since they were born, they really dont have a chance.. theyve been brainwashed. what i dont get is how did the phelp's family get any followers in the first place? its an awful thing what these people do, but i think giving them publicity is what they want. i think they truly believe what theyre saying, but i think they like getting a rise out of people too.

Westboro

I agree with what Brian Rooney said about the video on Youtube. There are two reasons that people would be saying all of these things. One, they just want to get publicity and their 15 seconds of fame, saying things that just get them attention. Or, they could really believe in what they are preaching. Although I do not agree with them nor necessarily like them, they have freedom of speech and are allowed to say what they think. If people are really that upset with what they have to say, dont listen to them. Honestly, i do believe that they are preaching their beliefs, however, i feel that the kids who are saying "God hates fags" and stuff like that never had a chance because their parents probably taught them that since they were born.

Westboro People

If these erratic protesters hate America so much, they should get the hell out. I think every American would support and enjoy seeing them getting deported. I guess the problem is that everybody hates them and no other country would want them reeking havok on their own territory. Freedom of speech allows these people to protest all they want. They're lucky to be in America because in most other parts of the world they would be imprisoned or dead.

Westboro

I think we can all agree that the whole country hates Westboro Church. What they do is sickening and, if it weren't for freedom of speech, they would all be in jail. This is a widely shared opinion in America. But, I did see an interesting perspective on a youtube video about them. In the video, the maker asks the Lord to have mercy on the souls of Westboro Church. It utilizes one very powerful quote by Jesus Christ, before he was crucified, as he says, "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do." I really believe that these people don't know what they're doing is wrong beyond belief. Hopefully the Lord can forgive them, because I know no one else will...

Disrespect

I think those people should be shot. The family members just lost a loved one and these people go there and disrupt this time a morning. If I could get a bunch of people together, I would love to protest one of their funeral when they die. I know it wont do much in the end but I want them to know what it would feel like. You have the people that go to this church, then you have the complete opposite, the bikers that come out to help drown out the noise. Of course they add their own noise from their engines, but it keeps the hate and disrespect out of the burial of fallen soldiers.

Westboro Church

Just like everyone else who either read or saw the Westboro movie clip, I was extremely appalled and left speechless. Sitting in front of my computer listening to these people gave me chills and made me angry. I totally agree with what everyone mentioned. It is absolutely unacceptable for people like the people from Westboro Church to picket funerals, picket other issues and/or just yelling at other people on the streets that are walking by. With rita, jory, and everyone else, I understand that they have the freedom of speech on their side so it's ok to voice their opinion but don't you think there's a limit to how much should be said and done? This issue made me think back on the flag issue on whether or not if it was ok for people to burn the flag or whatnot. I think that these two issues are similar. I'm not saying let's put a limit to how much freedom of speech one person can have but it's just not right for the Westboro people to picket the funerals of American soldiers who fought bravely and died honorably for this country. It's just unbelieveable and to this moment I'm still angered by what these people are constantly doing and most of all, how they're tainting the minds of their children.

Westboro Religion?

I have not watched any of the YouTube videos about these people but from the other posts that I have read, they sound like some of the worst people in the entire world. To say that it was good for a soldier to die makes me sick. I know that some people are not liking that we are still in Iraq but to blantantly disrespect the men and women who fight for our country is sickening. I also heard that they thank God for 911. These people seem like they just try to be as far away from normal as the possibly can just so that they can get some national attention. I know that they are brainwashing young children to think as they do and that is one aspect that is especially scary. The fact that they are raising kids to think this way means that these children will probably be screwed up for the rest of their lives. I just hope that someone can put an end to this crazy religion. I know that they think they have freedom of speech and freedom of religion but some of the things that they are doing are so wrong and they need to learn a lesson.

Westboro

I watched a couple videos about this group of people. I'm just shocked that people would actually protest a funeral. This is probably one of the saddest things that anybody ever goes to in their life. And people are going to portest it because they think it was God's doing to have the people killed from NIU. In all honesty that is quite ridiculous. I watched another video that was about a guy who was going to stand up to the protesting of the westboro church at NIU. He posed a good question towards the people of Westboro church, he asked them if they themselves would protest a funeral if a crazy maniac came to their church, went inside, and starting shooting people of their church. Im really interested to hear what the people of Westboro would say to that. All in all, my opinion on the people of Westboro church is that they are ridiculous and should get in trouble for what they are doing.

WeStBoRo

This whole thing is crazy. I know it's freedom of speech and all but I don't think it is morally right for people to disrespect soldiers and families that way. I think a HUGE reason we have so many problems these days is becuase we have thrown all of our morals out the window as a counrty. If people continue to live and see improper ways to live by they will continue to pass it on to next generations until we collaps as a nation. Look at most of the reasons these school shootings and crazy things happen, its usually becuase the shooter was unaccepted or made fun. If people started to respect eachother and hold on to old morals we would already start cutting down violence. I think that the Wesboro thing though is another way to just continune disrespecting the commujavascript:void(0)nity and it is only causing more problems than fixing them. They complain about how everyone else is doing wrong things, but if they were to really look at what they are doing they woud see that they are part of the problem.

WeSTBORo

I have not seen the videos on you tube about Westboro but I have seen enough photos and enough articles to understand the situation. It's really hard to realize for me that these things are actually true. Just yesterday I watched a hidden camera video of how the Columbine shooters actually shot the students and killed themselves. I was not able to realize that people were actually able to kill like it was a video game. What leads to these attacks is what I wonder. Same with the NIU shooter, he was an excellent student and even gave teachers flowers to show his gratitude and then one day he comes to school with a gun. However the Virginia Tech shooter was trying to get a point across. He complained that the students rich clothes and cars weren't enough and that it was all going to end. In the end of his speech he spoke as if he wanted to be God by saying "for all my brothers and sisters and children." To me I think people just want power or attention and that is what Westboro seems to be doing. They are trying to completely reverse a religion the opposite way to be noticed and have power because people that believe in God might become afraidof them. That is just my opinion but America is seriously a great country and after learning about Korea I really do feel greatful to live here but still can't understand why people are starting to do such crazy things.

So i did not see the videos that rita was talking about but i have heard of this. People are crazy! i dont even know what goes through peoples heads these days. Like the NIU shooter... he was very smart i heard and was a psychology major... go figure how ironic he just stopped taking his medicine. My brother knew one kid that was shot. he got shot in the back head and neck and still survived, he said he was probably one of the strongest kids my brother knew. He was a state champ wrestler and always had a lot going for him. Its sad that one crazy person can take the lives of so many.

Westboro Protest

I have no idea what goes on in the mind of people who believe in the religion of Westboro. Like who do they think they are. How can they go to a funeral of a dead solider who risked their life for their country and have signs that says "good thing another dead solider is being buried". what is wrong with these people. they arent even a religion, i dont think god wants people to go hold up signs to peoples funerals. if my son or daughter died in action and i saw people protesting at the funeral, i would probably lose my mind and try to kill all of the people in the protest holding signs. i would risk my life to and go to jail for my son or daughter who risked their life in a war to stop all these stupid minded people. these people have to get a life and find a real religion that doesnt protest against funerals of soldiers.

Westboro

I decided to take rita's advice and look at youtube for the westboro protests and I could not believe what I saw. What would make these people say and think of all these things that they do? I don't know what type of god they believe in but I don't know how they would think he would bring this upon anyone. Anyone who wishes death upon someone as punishment is sadly disturbed in the head. There is no way that America could treat them that badly to act this way. I understand that this country may have provided tough times for people but what country hasn't? If they think America is so bad then I agree with Rita, why don't you live somewhere else? Go try living in North Korea and see how great it is. Or go try living in a country full of poverty and no luxuries like america and then come back and try to tell us how bad america is. I think that these people should be grateful to live in a country like america and rethink their thoughts on what they are protesting. I feel horrible knowing that people in our country think the way that Westboro Baptist Church believes.

Westboro Church

After watching the Westboro Church videos I was completely shocked. I cannot believe that anyone could ever do that. Picketing the funerals of American soldiers and saying that they are happy that the soldiers are dead right in front of their friends and families is horrible. Now they are going to do the same to the victims of the NIU shooting. I do not believe that people should be able to do something like this under any circumstances but like Rita said it might be seen as freedom of speech. I honestly don't know if anything can be done to prevent these people. I can't understand why these people are still in America if they hate our country so much.

Westboro Church

Here's a somewhat new topic that ties into NIU, sort of.

So, I was on you-tube procrastinating homework until I stumbled on the Westboro Church clips and started watching. I was so amazed at how brainwashed and ridiculously crazy these people are. They follow the Westboro Baptist Church that was founded by the Phelp's family, and their website, no joke is either godhatesamerica.com or godhatesfags.com. They picket outside funerals of dead soldiers with signs that say "Thank God for Dead Soldiers" and "America is Doomed." They are so radical, and recently, they have come out saying that the NIU shooting, along with other school shootings, is due to america's love of fags.

It's disgusting, to say the least. But it's freedom of speech right? They are allowed to parade around outside of funerals, disrespecting soldiers and their families. Seriously, go on youtube and look up Westboro church. The images will disturb you, but I can't help but think if anything cna be done. I guess they have right to say whatever they want, even if they are preaching hatred. They weren't responsible for 9/11 but have picket signs that say "Thank God for 9/11" and you can't help but wonder why don't they just leave America... I don't know. I was blown away and thought I should bring the topic up for discussion. Can they do that?

niu

These events seem to be occurring more often then before, i do believe a lot has to do with psychological damage and media attention, but small steps might be able to prevent it. Mr sponsel was talking to our weights class about it, and said something like, if we treated every1 with respect, and tried to stay away from labeling people and such, maybe it would do a great deal of help. I believe what he said makes alot of sense, if someone was able to reach out to these people, and every1 got out of their comfort zone maybe it might help, even if a little.

Personal Experience

I feel awful for the families that lost a child. My brother goes to NIU and we were all petrified when we heard about the shooting. We had relatives, friends, and neighbors constantly calling to notify us and to ask questions. Since none of the students had cell phone service during this time we could not check on my brother Ben. Thankfully he texted a friend later on and the news that he was okay spread like a wave of relief. I truly feel sorry for all the families who had to endure this crisis personally.

NIU

I feel horrible for the familes that have to deal with their loss. School shootings seem to be a lot more common now more than ever. I do not know why this is happening, but it is really disturbing. The sad thing is, there is not really much anyone can do about it. You can never be too safe unless you trap yourself in a bubble. It's a shameful part of human nature that there are people out there like that, but no laws and saftey percauions will fully secure things like this from happening. I hate to hear about these types of things and I can only hope the families recover from this as much as possible. If your going to kill yourself anyways... don't take others with you. What a scum bag!

NIU

I also agree with Nicole on the fact that school shooting are becoming a lot more prevalent. I think that if someone were to think about bringing a gun into school they think about it more and more as they see all these school shooting on the news and how much publicity it brings in. I us but if they weren't to focus as greatly on these shooting, though it is very tragic and important, that 'future' shooters would not have that much motivation to do it anymore. I know that is probably a ridiculous way about it, as that people dying is something that we need to know about, but if it wasn't such a big highlight on the news I don't think future shooters would have that much motivation anymore.

NIU

It seems to me like school shootings are happening more and more frequently. What scares me the most is that it can happen anywhere, and then to think that we are graduating and almost everyone I know who is a senior will be attending college. When someone makes the desicion to bring a gun to school and kill kids it is not a spur of the moment choice, it is brought on by a lifetime of experiences and emotions. I feel like the frequency of school shootings should be a wake up call to societies that we need to do something different. Kids need to understand that violence and anger shouldnt be used to solve problems, and that students who have questionable behavior or seem isolated should have others who reach out to them to help. You never really know what a person is thinking, and when people are treated the wrong way you never know how they may handle that. It just scares me to think that other kids who may have considered coming to school with a gun might follow in the footsteps of people like the guy at NIU because they see all of the attention it gets in the media.

NIU

This whole NIU shooting incident really makes me concerned. Firstly, I would have to say it's crazy how we were talking about gun control and then the NIU shooting fits with what we have been discussing really well. My question is how this guy was able to obtain all the bullets and gun he used for the shooting. Also, could stricter gun control been able to prevent this incident and other incidents like this. I was lookng through the internet and there have been so many shooting incidents lately. I read that a teacher shot some of her students around a week ago. My heart really goes out to the victims and their families.

Women and Man

I think that the news reporters should not view the actions that people do because there will be people who go shoot schools up just to get on tv. It has already be inforced in the MLB because they feel that if someone runs out and tries to fight a pitcher and it is shown on T.V. then it will get more people to run on the field just to be on T.V. i think that if the shooter was a women then the news would have reported the story a lot different. they might have said that it was becasue she was a girl but i think that all the people who go and shoot schools up are all the same and there is something wrong with them. there should be high security at colleges to prevent these events to happen since they are occurring more and more often.

woman vs man shooter

i never really took into account how it`s always a white male shooter when these kind of things happen. as i already stated i don`t think they should put his name out there in public and after spoor talked about it, it really creeps me out that our society is really ok with the fact that the shooter was a man and if it were to have been a woman they would be start discriminating in a way to all women and how we should never be allowed to should anger in such form. when it shouldn`t be acceptable on any level for any human being to ever shoot anyone especially in the fashion of the niu shooting.

NIU

The shooting at NIU was definitely came as a shock to everyone. Having something that tragic happen just an hour from us. I know about 10 people at Northern so it was really scary to learn what happened. I agree with Esther that the gunman's name should not be revealed. A lot of people who do things like this just want national attention and I don't think we should encourage anyone else to perform such a selfish act.

Northern Illinois University

The shooting at NIU is beyond word description, I think. The first time I heard of the happening was at home. This incident hit me the most because it happened so close to home and I knew a couple of close friends that went there. Thank goodness none of them were hurt in any way whatsoever but it was a close call. I was also in megan's gym class when the freshmen from NIU came in to talk about what happened. Just hearing him describe what happened was unbelievable. He went on to say that when the gunman came in everyone sitting down in class thought that nothing serious was going to happen and so would I if I were in that situation.
When I heard of this news it just reminded me once again about the gun issue and how we should have a stricter rule on possessing a gun. I know it wasn't just the gun that caused this problem. It was also the mental status the gunman was in but if there were stricter rules against possessing a gun then I think that this incident could've somewhat been prevented.
On another similar issue to that I think that they shouldn't revealed the gunman's name. I know we as the people want to know these things and poke our nose into hot issues like these but I believe that the name should remain kept quiet and maybe let known to the families of the victims.

niu

peter kirnick also came into my 3rd period class right before spoor`s class today. what kate said is completely true and i believe him when he says if any one tells you what they were thinking they are lying because you just react in these types of situation. you just get out and save yourself. if he would have been sitting right front instead of left front he could not be here anymore. it`s crazy how things like this happened. i also have two cousins that go to NIU, i don`t know how your relationship are with your cousins but mine are more sisters than cousins, and let me tell you when you find out about the shooting it`s a terrible feeling. trying to get ahold of them and just making sure everything is all right. my one cousin was somewhere right near the lecture hall and when she got out of class she says bloody people outside in the snow and just ran back to her room not knowing what to do. keep all those families in your prayers. and after i thought about this for awhile, i agree with what spoor said about not putting his name out there like they are. i instinctively just said yes but not everyone in the world needs to know just the people who`s lives is dramatically effected. it is also giving an entire family a horror label for something they never saw coming and had nothing to do with.

NIU

in my 6th period class today Peter Karnick, whos a freshman at NIU now and was in the lecture hall where the shooting happened yesterday, came and talked to our leadership class about what happened. when asked about his initial reaction when the gunman walked in with a raised shotgun, he just said your mind goes blank, you go on instinct. he said there was a silence and then everyone just dropped. he went on to say that there is no way to react to a situation like that, the police were there in a matter of minutes, but by then it was too late. theres just no way to prepare youself for something like that. its awful and so scary because its the reality of living today, it could happen anywhere. but i dont think thats a reason to live in fear, things will always happen. but still, how many shootings will it take and how many people have to die before something is done? there is obviesly something that needs to be done about stricter gun control, because there is only so much the schools can do security wise. we have a right to bear arms but we also have a right to be safe in our schools.

Northern Illinois University

I was shocked to hear that something like this happened so close to where we live. From what I have heard it sounds like this student was on medication and he began to act irradically after he stopped taking these pills. That just goes to show that these people need to be monitored better when they are on medication so that doctors can report when their patients stop taking medication. This kid sounded like he had his problem under control when he was taking his medication so I don't understand why he would just stop taking his medicine. I don't understand how this kid could have gotten his hands on a shotgun just one week before he did what he did. Gun control laws need to be much better so that these people don't get there hands on weapons. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who was hurt, killed and affected by what happened at NIU and that school will never be back to the way it was before yesterday.

I think its ironic that we have been talking so much about gun control and i came to school to day and first thing i hear is about the NIU shooting. Like i said in one of my earlier posts i dont think that guns should be banned competly but they should make it alot harder to obtain guns! this just goes to show that our goverment needs to focus its attention on more areas. I dont know how many more school shootings are going to happen before they take action!

It's clear that something has to be done about gun control. To be honest, I am not quite sure what could be done, but something needs to be set in place to make it incredibly harder to obtain guns with stricter requirements and more in-depth background checks. The fact that the shooter at NIU had 3 different guns shows that it was probably too easy to get these guns, although I am not sure if the police have determined how he was able to get a hold of the guns. I hope this incident has opened the eyes in some of the politictions and influences them to pass stricter gun control laws.

NIU

I was shocked at the news last night. First of all what is happening in this country with students. Most of these shooters are people who feel left out and lonely. But there are so many programs and projects that try and make students realize that we can't leave people out. We are been learning to be fair and accept others since kindergarten. On the other hand our laws are obviously not strict enough if these shooters somehow get a hold of guns and other dangerous weapons. These events at school scare me to attend college. The Virginia Tech shooting was a tragedy but it wasn't so close to home. Now we had a shooting at NIU! What is happening here? Why do people get ideas to kill for their depressions rather than solving it another way? Why is KILLING and SHOOTING OTHERS on their mind for revenge? Not only that but they take their own life as well. I can't understand this but it really bothers me what these YOUNG teenagers do. Not only that but events such as these will end up making laws and other inspections in high scools so strict our country won't be called FREE anymore. Just like airports where we can't even bring nail clippers or filers on a plane, soon it'll take more than an hour just to walk into college.

Gun Control

My heart goes out to all students and staff at NIU...

On the case of gun control, being a sloppy issue in my point-of-view, I believe that radically amending the constitution or banning the right to bear arms would be unbeneficial. We know, let's face it, that making alcohal illegal till the age of 21 hasn't done much or illegalizing Marijauna. Just because the government doesn't support things that people do, doesn't stop people from doing it. On the contrary, they take extra steps and precautions in order to do exactly what they want to do regardless of laws or how many violations they are committing. The same thing for gun control would happen. Their would be an even more active black market because people still want weapons, people are still paranoid.

There is almost no way to go in my opinion, except for making it even harder to obtain very dangerous weapons. I know its hard now, and weapons are still being obtained by people who are not using them to hunt dear of protect themselves in case of robbery or a fight in an alley. However, banning guns would just make the black market spin out of control, inciting more of a riot than a peaceful atmosphere.

NIU

In any cases even if! We did band gun's! A bomb would of been used instead! Then every one would get killed! Its really scary to think about...when and where this kids.... How all this years kept themselves from doing harm then out of nowhere they decide to take themselves down along with innocent people howl! work really hard and living there own lives! suddenly die for no reason...pointless...
There should be a brain examination! before entering any college!!! something to stop!!! this insanity!!! from happening year after year!!! i' had friends how seriously really quit college just bc of fear alone!!!

NIU

I agree with others who said we need to do something about the gun violence in this country. But, if you decide to erase an/or radically amend the right to bare arms, you open the door for every one of our rights to be erased and/or radically amended (ie: freedom of speech, religion, right to assemble, etc.).

NIU

First, this is a horrible occurence and I hope no one here will ever have to go through something like this. My prayers are with the victims and their families. I guess mental illness is really the only way to find a motive for the shooter. Because none of the students in this class really knew this person, and he was a senior (i think) who walked into a Gelogy 101 class which is a first or second year level class. To answer the question before, their admissions will go way down. With a threat earlier in the year, and now an actual shooting, with nothing really done (even though the school may have tried) to stop it; it's an obvious reaction to rethink enrolling in such an environment.

NIU

This shooting is a little unnerving. Im going to NIU in the fall and I think the campus is going to be much different that what is used to be. After the Virgina Tech shooting, I knew college shooting were a possibility but i never thought it would happen around here. I wonder how this will affect their admissions?

correction

i meant to say **harmed in the shooting in my last sentence

NIU shooting

I think that what happened this afternoon at NIU is horrible, some guy just walked into a lecture hall and fired a shotgun. I heard on the news that this guys had two hand guns as well. If this guy is crazy enough to walk into a room and shoot at people, it is beyond me how he is able to purchase guns. I think that we should really strengthen the laws about owning guns because we never know when something as tragic as this can happen. I hate to go against one of our constitutional rights but in cases such as this, I think more action needs to be taken because five people are dead now, including the shooter and many others are injured.

NIU

I agree with alisson cozzi 100%. This situation goes entirely with what everyone has been talking about this whole week. There has been way too many school gun shootings in the past decade and people need to realize this when choosing a side on guns. I don't know how these kids got a hold of the guns but it is obvious that it was too easy. If any student can just grab a gun and start firing off rounds in a classroom then there is a huge problem. The rights to bear arms need to be regulated by the government and needs to be done fast. Our country needs to make it very difficult to get their hands on a gun or these shootings will not stop. It is sad to say that this is what our country is coming to but it is reality. I am sure millions of people would agree with me that it is sad to hear about situations like this. I hope that some way, some how our government will put an end to this. Because if they don't then it could be our friends, family, or even children who suffer from an incedent like this in the future. My prayers go out to those who were armed in the shooting.

NIU Shooting

WOW!! are these people serious? it's very ironic that we are discussing this topic, but now hopefully the people who agree that its okay for people to have guns i hope this can open up your eyes a little bit. How sick can these people be to just go around wanting to shoot their guns at people. Last month before finals, NIU didnt have school becuase there was a gun threat, and today there is a shooting. As i know right now, there are 15 victims and 2 are dead. The whole school is obviously on lockdown. it's so just sad that a person would think to do something like this especially in a setting where there are thousands of people that could be hurt, or for that matter dead. I hope now that people can realize that by this point government should take action in the right to bear arms.

Guns

i believe that people should have the right to have a gun for protection or hunting only. i think the government should do multiple back round checks on a person before they permit them to have a gun. It makes sense to get a gun of you are a person who cant protect them selves from intruders or from any one. i think that people who have criminal records or have a record of being abusive should never be able to have a gun. they don't deserve one if they are a criminal or abusive cause then it would just lead to murder. i also think people with anger problems or people with bipolar disease should not be able to have one because you never know when they will snap and make a mistake. overall i think that people should be allowed to have guns for protection or hunting but there should be thorough back round checks done before one can obtain a gun.

i dont think that the goverment should have the right to bare arms 100%. Yes i understand that shootings happen and people are stupid with guns but its all about the person. I think that if people are smart about their guns then its fine they should not be taken away. I think that the goverment should just make it harder for people to get guns. Hunting is a hobbie and its not fair for someone to have their hobbie taken away just because there are some people that are being irresponsible.

Guns

While we were doing the activity with the worksheet, the gun topic stuck to me. I understand that people want to keep guns for their own protection, but sometimes protection can lead to either killing someone on purpose, or accidentally. Yes i understand that parents keep guns but they "lock them" or "hide them" so there kids dont get a hold of them. believe or not, some of those kids are smart and will find them and will use them. There are so many unnecessary shootings that happen by kids getting a hold of guns. I think that government should regulate the right to bear arms 100%. I don't know waht to necessarily think about hunters, but i think that's a different story, because like Mr. Spoor said, you aren't going to walk around killing people with a gun you would hunt with. As far as weapon control, i dont think that people should be able to carry guns unless they are going to be using it for necessary purposes.

guns

i think that guns need to be strictly regulated. yes, it is a right to own guns for protection and hunting but its seems that within the past fifteen years or so, shootings have become a much more common occurance. guns have become a serious threat to public safety. i am not like, up-to-date on the current gun control laws, but somehow it seems that more teens are ending up with guns in their hands. of course there will always be extremists wholl go to any lengths to get a weapon in their hands with the intent to hurt others, but i think that there needs to be something done to make it more difficult. its kind of tough though because im definately against violating any of our rights, but it seems that in this current day and age gun violence is just too common to sit back and do nothing. i think that there are ways to control guns but not violate our right to bear arms.

Gun Control

The bottom line is that there needs to be some sort of gun control law in the United States. A lot of people say that it is in the Bill of Rights that we have the right to bear arms but these people are misinterpretting this statement. If anyone was allowed to get a gun anytime that they want, any crazy homeless guy in downtown Chicago could by a gun for his own personal use. It seems like it is very easy to get a gun even when we have these laws so if we didn't have any gun control laws, the problem would be even bigger. Guns will always be a problem in the United States but I just hope that the government is doing everything that they can to prevent the problem from getting any bigger.

Gun Control

I think it is important to have some sort of gun control. To not regulate the owning or purchasing of weapons is foolist and irresponsible. Guns how ever should not be completely out-lawed. As people, we have the right to defend ourselves. We should be able to carry firearms. Statisics show that in places were conceiled weapons are legal, there is less crime. If we all carried a 9mm pistol, road rage would be almost stopped and pick pocketing would be a thing of the past. Of course there would be regulations on owning those weapons.

what can be done?

Justyna made a great point that if something is illegal then people will go through great measures to obtain it. I understand that households may feel safer with a gun in their house, but if they can obtain a gun for safety, why couldn't a lunatic buy one to rob a store. There needs to be a compromise on how to maintain gun control without banning guns. Brian Rooney had mentioned in class that guns should come cheap, but the bullets would be extremely expensive. This would regulate the severity of someone owning a gun. Of course a rich person could always buy whatever they want, but no solution is perfect.

Gun Gun Kill

I do agree that guns should be regulated because like others have mentioned before if everyone has a gun to "protect" themsselves no one will be safe. If you are walking down the street with a gun on you, it would be like silent war because everyone around you will will have a gun too. Just one accidental shot could trigger a massacre. Another point of view includes guns in a household. Parents could be hiding guns to keep their family protected but then again if someone goes on a mad rage and destroys the house to find the gun, once they get a hold of it no one knows what is coming next. It could be easy suicide or kids at school. If the gun was never there to begin with, maybe that person or others would have enough time to be saved. However I also agree with what Nate had said. If something is illegal we can still get it. I'm almost positive that everyone in our class knows where or who to get weed from. Oh wait but isn't it illegal? Guess people can get away with it. Because things are illegal many people want them more and will find ways to get them. Same thing could happen with guns if they become illegal.

Gun Control

Since I firmly believe that the right to bare arms is something that should never be taken away, I think the government needs to come up with a solution. Just as D.A.R.E. educates the youth of America on drugs, and sexual education educates our youth on the effects (good or bad) of intercourse; there should be more education on gun control. Children will always be curious and always want to see what happens when the try something new, unless they know better before hand. Just as D.A.R.E. and sex ed. have protected Americans before, education on firearms needs to do so as well.

gun control

When it comes to objects like guns, I really believe that our government should strongly regulate them. There are so many psychos and crazy people out there that without strong gun control, they would be running around abusing their right to bear arms. For my second quarter book, I read Fist, Stick, Knife, Gun. This book was about the violence problem in America and how it's evolved from violence dealing with fists and just physical, but eventually it has evolved to guns, which has definitely gone out of control. The author of the book, Geoffrey Canada said that he believes there should be stronger government control on guns and even if this is impossible, he believes that all handgun sales in the country should be banned.

Guns

I don't think people should be able to just buy guns whenever they want them. Look on the news and you see kids who come into schools with guns to kill people, you see little children who accidentally get killed from handling thier parent's gun, and thinks like Tinly park where woman had to die because a man shot them. People who want to use a gun out of anger and hatred to harm other people can devise a way to get a gun. Although there are regulations on how to keep your gun locked up and safe many people do not follow these precautions or they get lazy and there is proof in the stories you hear about people who accidentally get shot. No one would need to buy a gun for protection if they didn't need to fear criminals out there who would bring a gun into thier home. Guns just put a threat of violence out there for many people who fear what could happen, but without them that fear could start to be eliminated and less people would want to buy them for protection. The people who want to use guns to commit crimes are only strength and given more power by being allowed guns so easily, and they should not have access to them period.

GuNs

This topic was a no brainer for me. I strongly agreed that there should be gov't regulation on gun control. As i said in class today, it seems ridiculous that people would be able to freely own a gun. What would the use of buying if for protection help  if everyone has one. We can't take the chance to make it any easier for criminals to get ahold of weapons either. I know charis mentioned how Mr. Spoor said hand guns are made for one purpose in mind...to kill, and i think that crime rate would increase rapidly. Not to mention the overall atmosphere of the U.S would become more paranoid due to the fact that we have anyone running around with guns and weapons. I understand people like to hunt and get guns for that reason, but i know you need a permit to do so in some states and that is at least a step to keeping some order. I think gov't should be more involved though and regulate this issue because quite frankly, I dont want to live to see the day where i have to keep a shot gun in my house out of fear... although i probably would never even do that even if i thought i should.