English Portfolio

Matt- for some reason the "link" button isn't working for my blog. But they might not be showing because it could possibly be my computer. So, I have posted one blog with the URL's (that unfortunately you will have to copy and paste into the URL bar)... and I also posted another blog using the "link" button in the blog editor. For me, this blog appears empty, but maybe for you the links might show up and work for you. I've had this problem before with the links and I think we've talked about it, but I'm sorry for the hassle!
Cat

URL's without Links for portfolio

Links:
http://catswarblog.blogspot.com/2008/04/to-citizens-of-us.html
(letter #1)

http://catswarblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/dear-soldier.html
(letter #2)(new post)

http://catswarblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/faith-postsecret.html
(new post)

http://catswarblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/wishing-no-memorieswar-no-more.html
(new post)(creative writing)

http://catswarblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/google-war-collage-of-words.html
(new post)

http://catswarblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/war-in-communication-reaching-others.html
(own design)(new post)(creative writing)

http://catswarblog.blogspot.com/2008/04/collaboration.html
(group post)(photo analysis)

http://catswarblog.blogspot.com/2008/04/reading-photograph.html
(photo analysis)

http://catswarblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/la-tomatina-tomato-war.html
(post with medium other than photo/writing)

http://catswarblog.blogspot.com/2008/04/i-remember.html
(creative writing)

http://catswarblog.blogspot.com/2008/04/rootless-tree-war-in-relationships.html (creative writing)

English Portfolio

Dear Soldier:

You must remember first and foremost: you have the support of many. Your family and friends, teachers, parents, children, even strangers, are all behind you. Your decisions have influenced the hearts of many, and everyone is proud despite the sadness you might feel. Being so far away is never easy. Some might enjoy it at first, but you've been thrown into a tough position. Continue to serve your country with pride and dignity. Do what you feel is right. Keep an open mind and strong heart. What you're doing is right, courageous, and most of all loyal. You have devoted yourself to something that many others would never consider in a thousand years. Stay strong even at the worst points. Stay positive. Do not let the hard times break you. As General MacArthur once said, "However horrible the incidents of war may be, the soldier who is called upon to offer and to give his life for his country is the noblest development of mankind." Listen to these words and believe them... consider their meaning. You are going to discover that life should not be taken for granted. Although you will learn the hard way, it's a lesson that few people will ever learn. You will appreciate life more than anything once you return home. You have sacrificed a lot for the lives of innocent people, and for your country. Count your blessings, and enjoy every day that is given to you. When you return home, continue to stay strong. The war can often bring a man down. Enjoy life, yet continue to work hard, and most of all, remember that you are loved. You are someone to be looked up to; being proud of you doesn't even come close to how we feel. There is nothing more important in this world in doing what you love, as long as you continue to make wise decisions along the way, help others, and enjoy life.
With love,
Your family back home

La Tomatina, Tomato War

Red mush, everywhere.
Smashed to pieces.
Fighting, screaming, yelling.
Adrenaline, drinks, 2 hours of madness.
Disaster, a mess, extreme clean up.
Preparation, battle.
winners and losers.
Rush.
In your face, up and close.
Tradition.
Strategy.
Rules.
The beginning, and the end.

No, this isn't your average war. This is the annual tomato fight, La Tomatina, in Bunol, Spain. A tradition from a Spanish rebellion in 1945. One of the largest, most exciting food fights in the world (or so I have been told by my dad) happens every year in one of the most culturally interesting countries. I can only begin to describe to you what the sounds and smells are like from hearing personal accounts... but thanks to the internet... pictures and sounds can be seen here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPQCH1b_LgE&feature=related
http://www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/fiestas/tomatina.asp
http://www.boingboing.net/2005/09/08/spains-annual-tomato.html

Descriptions of people, places, and things, are often one of the most interesting and exciting pieces of writings to read. Imagination is key in descriptions, and it's usually exciting to imagine in your own way how something looks. Thanks to blogs, however, with the click of a button any reader is able to see exactly what a writer is discussing. Descriptions are great as long as you have imagination tools, but everyone knows a picture is worth a thousand words (and descriptions aren't often that long). The modern technology of blogs now allows viewers to read while seeing an object that is thousands of miles away all simultaneously. So while you sit at your desk... you can visit another country and view the marvel of the largest tomato fight with a few clicks of a button.

Faith; postsecret

"Take some time to stop and smell the roses." How often do people actually follow this advice? As humans have evolved and as technology has changed our lives, people have become less interested in many aspects of life. Nature...relaxation...thinking...spending time with others... Often, the majority of human lives are spent entering dates and important meetings into the newest Blackberry phones or into our iCalendars in the newest MacBook's. As time goes on, people become more and more interested in their own lives, and less interested in caring about others. Why should we care? Don't we already have enough on our plates with school, work, family, going out, eating right, etc. etc.? So what about when we do take the time to stop and acknowledge the feelings, dreams, and hopes of others? Whether its friends or strangers... it often means a lot when you take time out of your day to think about someone other than yourself. Although we are all guilty of being self-indulged and self-involved we should probably look at this picture everyday. Someone felt better knowing that people were taking time out of their day to see how others felt.... what they were thinking... just simply what was on their minds. Caring for others often means more than we realize. A simple thing that we learned in kindergarten is seemingly forgotten in the modern world full of the newest designer clothes, new electronics, and an enormous amount of diet books (do these even ever really work?) The point is... take the time to stop and smell the roses... enjoy life for a minute, and ask someone how their day is going (but do this meaningfully). If this advice still doesn't get through to you, I recommend Baz Luhrmann's "Everyone is Free to Wear Sunscreen." It's all about the benefits of enjoying the brighter sides of life... something that everyone should do.

So what's my secret? Maybe I am guilty of forgetting about others and worrying too much about grades, my own problems, and many other things. But simple acknowledgments of others will now certainly mean much more than before.

song URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ7AzBIJoI&feature=related

Google: "war"; a collage of words

Vengence is the ultimate weapon,

any large scale, violent conflict
extension, the word is now used for any struggle
"war on drugs, war on terror"
90-95% of known societies engaged in at least occasional warfare
human beings are inherently violent
peace does not really exist.
war as an extension of animal behaviour, such as territoriality and competition
Psychological warfare, Guerilla warfare, Cyber warfare, Energy warfare, Biological warfare
60,000,000–72,000,000 - World War II (1939–1945)
907 - Falklands War (1982)

War was a multicultural American funk band of the 1970s from California
The year was 1969, and the band had the nerve to carry the name War at a time when peace was the slogan in an anti-Vietnam America. "Our mission was to spread a message of brotherhood and harmony," -Lonnie Jordan.
"Our instruments and voices became our weapons of choice and the songs our ammunition. We spoke out against racism, hunger, gangs, crimes, and turf wars, as we embraced all people with hope and the spirit of brotherhood. It's just as apropos today."

War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political communities. Thus, fisticuffs between individual persons do not count as a war, nor does a gang fight
War is a brutal and ugly enterprise. Yet it remains central to human history and social change.
Is war always wrong?

WAR was the first and most successful musical crossover phenomenon that forever fused rock, jazz, Latin, and R&B, while transcending racial and cultural barriers with a multi- ethnic line-up; a musical melting pot

War in Communication, Reaching Others

(my own design of a creative writing piece)

War is described in the dictionary as: active hostility or contention; conflict; contest: a war of words. Although there are many other different definitions, this one can be extended to ideas of war on poverty, drugs, people, etc. In my personal life, the war in communication sticks out most to me. How has our technology evolved over recent years? Text messaging is mostly how we communicate, how we relay messages, how we have our regular conversations everyday. Using my own text messages (the last 50 or so; which are in bold) I twisted words and produced my own writing on the conflict between people communicating.

I saw you called, why?
are you alive?
you never back this up
well, I'm sorry I missed it
Are you awake?
What are you doing?
This feeling of not reaching you
shattering
Where are you now?
I can't hear you.
Frustration.
Don't stay wherever you're at now
I'm home, I'm here, Wish you were here
Please Leave.
No satisfaction.
How do I know what is going on?
To those by my side,
Let's drink to this.
I just wanted to ask, a few simple questions
When are you done?
I miss you
But I don't... I don't forgive you
I just want to know what's up
Is this my routine in life... am I supposed to be here?
or there?
Last said:
"girl, you want to call me and tell me whats going on?
I want to know why you're upset?"
I wish I could take a safe ride back to you
How do I know you don't talk to your ex's the same?
Just come.
I can prove it to you,
When is the next time I can see you?
So my final point, I just want to see your face
Even a picture might do me justice now.
come down.
See you in 10?
So irresponsible.
Confusion.
How come you don't talk to me anymore?
Silence.
Do I deal with you any longer?
Or let it be? Let you go?

Wishing No Memories....War No More

(changing words of a war song to create a new song)

Leaving is in the action, running, needing
Tough transitions, and tough risking moods
The sounds carry
Losing, caring

Where's the phantom in madness
easy, though meaningless, thoughts lose love, believe life
So I hear promises when I go through the adventure
Finally, then, thoughts do think, welcoming, ask me for my presence
They sang with what love they found through scars
But did anyone guarantee you any safe place to be overly beautiful
I was lost, nevertheless
Here cries your naked grey-sky
Tainted life, like a script forgotten, then make sweltering wrecks
One faith in, one faith out, screaming in the adventure
I'm on tour
I'm on my way to justice
Finally caring, deep shaping
Let the feelings out... better
I just want to sing, but kiss my eagerness on this complicated perfection
Wait, just think teardrops, sing thoughtfully- this perfection
We gain too only throw peace
let the loving angels rejoice
running
running
the madness ensues
the madness ensues
this sad place more heated than the mountains, elevated
the madness ensues
the madness ensues
Why? without the vindication, slumber is the moon, elevated
the madness ensues
this sad place must help, thoughts think me, everyday
the madness ensues
the madness ensues
when will this vindication
sing perfection
sing perfection
Why death wants no witness, no martyrs
Leave me happy, tangerine sweet
Perfection, oh perfection
We doubt, want no wordplay, no memories
Let me help the memories elevate, now
perfection, now perfection, oh perfection, oh perfection
We doubt, we want no wordplay, no meaning
Leave me happy, tainted unwritten sad pages
Sad places
Lord, please
We doubt, want no wordplay, no memories
we doubt, want no wishing, no meaning
We doubt, want no wordplay, no memories
we doubt, want no wishing, no meaning
We doubt, want no wordplay, no memories
we doubt, want no wishing, no meaning
ay, perfection
oh, perfection
we do want nothing without no meaning
no, no leave me happy, you sing
perfection, peace
say plenty, say poison
we doubt, we never, we note, more
no no no no
say peace, say perfection
we don't want nothing without nothing, misunderstand
no meaningless readings
running
running
running
running
running
running



"War No More"-Wyclef Jean
Light is in the air right now
Two thousand and two rebel music
The saga continues
Listen, children

What's the problem in Manhattan
Every ten men they look like Bin Laden
So I have problems when I go to the airport
First thing they do they wanna ask me for my passport
The said Wyclef we love the Fugees the score
But did anybody give you any strange package to bring on board
I was like 'no'
Here comes your national guards
This look like a scene from the movie Star Wars
One foot in, one foot out standing in the airplane
I'm on tour
I'm on my way to Japan
First class, dark shades
Let the fuschia out bed
I want to sleep but keep my eyes on the cock pit
Why just think they stay target- the pilot
We gonna take over the plane
Like the Los Angeles riot
Riot
Riot
The Middle East
The Middle East
The street pack more heat than the Middle East
The Middle East
The Middle East
When will the violence sleep in the Middle East
The Middle East
The street pack more heat than the Middle East
The Middle East
The Middle East
When will the violence
Say peace
Say peace
We don't want no war no more
Let me hear the streets
Peace, oh peace
We don't want no war no more
Let me hear the Middle East now
Peace, now peace, oh peace, oh peace
We don't want no war no more
Let me hear the USA say peace
Say peace
Lord, peace
We don't want no war no more
We don't want no war no more
We don't want no war no more
We don't want no war no more
We don't want no war no more
We don't want no war no more
We don't want no war no more
Ay, peace
Oh peace
We don't want no war no more
No, no let me hear you say
Peace, peace,
Say peace, say peace
We don't want no war no more
No, no, no, no
Say peace, oh peace
We don't want no war no more
No more riots
Riots
riots
Riots
Riots
Riots
Riot

Rootless Tree-The war in relationships

Rootless Tree
by Damien Rice

"what i want from you
is empty your head
they say be true,
don't stain your bed
we do what we need to be free
and it leans on me
like a rootless tree
what i want from us
is empty our minds
we fake a fuss
and fracture the times
we go blind
when we've needed to see
and it leans on melike a rootless...
so fuck you, fuck you, fuck you
and all we've been through
i said leave it, leave it, leave it
it's nothing to you
and if you hate me, hate me, hate me
then hate me so good that you can let me out
let me out of this hell when you're around
let me out, let me out,
let me out of this hell when you're around
let me out, let me out,
what i want from this
is learn to let go
no not of you
of all that's been told
killers reinvent and believe
and this leans on me
like a rootless...
so fuck you, fuck you, fuck you
and all we've been through
i said leave it, leave it, leave it,
it's nothing to you
and if you hate me, hate me , hate me,
then hate me so good that you can let me out , let me out, let me out
let me out of this hell when you're around
let me out...
and fuck you, fuck you, i love you
and all we've been through
i said leave it
it's nothing to you
and if you hate me
then hate me so good that you can let me out
let me out...
it's hell when you're around"

link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rndltmm3oE



my own rootless tree
this is a war, internal and external
it starts of slow, sometimes with hope and happiness
but it seems that all of these have the same endings
if you listened to the words
maybe you would understand
it sounds a little intense
but we all go through this feeling of frustration

I have a passion for this
a passion for something you don't
its not the anger i relate to
but the passion for something strong

I have a passion for being a rootless tree
being the one that is able to move with ease
with leaves that sway, and a mindset that never stays

I don't relate with the violence
I relate with the excitement of always changing my mind
being a rootless tree
my favorite lines, empty your mind
this makes life more interesting, more deep, more profound
saying what you want to say

it must be the truth that draws me into this melody
"we go blind when we needed to see"
we never make the right decisions
of love and life

or at least often we believe we didnt...

I have no one to send these words of a song to
I don't have this anger
I'm happy and content, but I am still a rootless tree
I've already learned to let go, yet something draws me
to these words and emotion

love me... hate me... let me out...lean on me..
like a rootless tree

So then mockingbird

Early in morning she is

Not ecstatic but rather tired

Where’s coffee?


How will she survive?

A mockingbird quietly flies intently

Towards the window

Determined to fulfill destiny


Will it succeed?

What purpose compels flight?

Mockingbirds have no intentions

But to do morning awakenings

She still sleeps soundly


With anger said mockingbird,

Refuse failure continue mocking

Woman does not awaken

Spray with hose…retreat

These Boots- Group Collaboration Photo Analysis

The theme behind this photograph is a simple one: war is tragedy. Through the author’s utilization of landscape and background, the theme can be seen. Rather than the theme contributing to the purpose of the photo, I believe the purpose of the photo is to portray the theme. By exposing the recently deceased soldier’s name on a personal item of his, this picture appeals deeply to an audience’s emotions, therefore evoking some sense of reaction. It’s insignificant that the content of this photograph isn’t entirely included in the shot, for example, the toes of the boots. The reason for this is that the boots stand as a symbol for the tragedy this country is suffering through and even in its entirety, there is never a complete story given. Even without the toes of the boots, or a face to the name, the emotional appeal portrayed by this photograph is irrevocable and the theme is unmistakably revealed.

Space is a very important aspect of this photograph. The foreground is obviously of the pair of shoes. They are centered, which makes the photo semi-symmetrical. The tops of the boots slump to the right from the viewer’s perspective, shifting the viewer’s eyes toward the background. The tag on the boots, being in the foreground, allow the viewer to read who these boots belong to and that they have been taken off a deceased soldier. The grass is a constant image sloping up from the front to the back of the photo. This makes for a great transition from foreground to background, naturally moving the viewer’s eyes to the back. In the background is an ambiguous person blowing their nose, probably crying, at a gravesite/shrine to the departed (presumably from war). There is no vantage point in particular, the trees in the left side of the background sort of fade into the boots, bringing the focus back. This might make the viewer think about how uncertain the future is, there is no clear vantage point in sight for any of us. It’s a grim thought, but we will all someday end up like the soldier to whom those boots belong, we just don’t know when.

Lighting is a key component to this photograph. It helps bring out the image of shoes in a bright way so that they capture attention immediately. The lighting of the sky also appears to be cloudy and overcast with little sun, and somewhat blends in with the background of the photograph. This lighting of the sky makes the background of the photo (with the people and other pictures) seem blurry. This blurred effect also brings out the image of the shoes to capture a viewers attention. Texture is also a very significant and prominent part of this photograph. It is clear to see that the shoes are very worn away and have certainly been through the hardships of war. The detail and clarity of the shoes in the photograph is almost perfect. The shoes almost appear to tell a story with the way they are weathered away. One could only imagine the hardships that the soldier who once wore the shoes faced.


Obviously the most striking element in the entire picture is the boots. The boots take up half the picture but yet they emphasize such a strong sense of emptiness. The spectator starts to scan the boots from the bottom and as the viewpoint rises we expect to eventually reach the human legs filling them, however we don’t. Instead we find a vacant and flimsy top that lays collapsed on its fellow companion. The boots that were once filled with the feet of Lance Cpl. Kevin S. Smith, that once were scurrying across the Iraqi desert and stepping over the owners of other lifeless boots, now lay motionless and hollow in unfamiliar territory. The deflated boots are obviously a symbol of the man that used to fill them but they also express companionship in a field of boots that were also once filled by the limbs of brave soldiers.

By: Cat, Charlie, Janina, and Ryan

I'm A Little Bit Country...

The South Park episode entitled, "I'm a Little Bit Country," deals with reactions to war. There are two main plot lines throughout this cartoon episode. In the first plot line, the townspeople are quarreling over whose opinion on the war is the right one; for the Iraq war or against it. The protesters of the war say that the war is unjust, while the pro-war crowd claim that the protesters are being un-American. The second plot line is of the kids of South Park (Cartman, Stan, Kyle and Kenny) and their 4th grade class. Their teacher wants them to better understand the issue by presenting on what the forefathers of America would think of the town's conflict.

This cartoon episode offers multiple sides of the for and against war conflict. While it is a completely fictional comedy show, the view points of the townspeople are pretty close to real-life opinions. The town physically splits in half over the argument: The side for war and the side against war, separated by a line. When the townspeople realize that either side needs things from the opposite side, they all agree to share the town but just argue and fight all the time. This is basically how America functions. Because of our rights to speak freely, we can (and many do) voice our opinions very strongly. Each 'side' of the town gathers together and rally for or against the war, making picket lines and protest songs. Some people (the children) end up blindly protesting just to get out of class, and when asked what they are protesting, they just read off the signs they are holding. I feel like this is a reflection on a hefty part of our society; people protesting for the sake of protesting, not knowing all the facts on either side of the issue. At the end of the episode, the whole town gathers together at a concert/rally with one stage split in half. On the pro-war side is a country band singing about how America will kick everyone's ass if they don't support the war, and on the side against war is an alt-rock band singing about peace and equality. After an argument on stage, the two sides finally come together and create one side- the American opinion; this consists of going to war, but letting protests go on, "Having your cake and eating it, too." This is a very interesting way of looking at the ideals of freedom of speech and Democracy; in the episode, those exact words were used by Benjamin Franklin when Cartman manages to time-travel. It is a raw way to look at our political system, but it really is true. -charlie peck




Although South Park is mostly known for its comedy, and often sometimes despised by some viewers as too offensive and crude, the show often portrays common topics that occur in the real world. One such major topic would include the war in Iraq and how people in America often seem very divided. The episode first begins with the four kids (who are the main characters) leaving school to find a huge protest going on. They are given protest signs and soon a news crew rushes over to ask them their opinions about the war. At first, the children aren’t quite sure what to say, but soon they simply read off of their signs and eventually get more and more into protesting the war. This aspect shows how in real life, some people know so little about the war and don’t really have strong views, but are sometimes pushed into thinking one way or another by other people. Further into the show, the town draws a line where one side are the protesters and the other side are those who are pro-war. As the two sides continue to argue, they mostly forget arguing about the war and move on to other less important things. They start arguing about who will be able to use the town square on the weekend to hold their rally’s and other meaningless things, and soon it seems as if the argument of the war has been forgotten. Each side begins to sing “I’m a little bit country” but with new lyrics expressing how one side is a little bit pro-war, and the other is pro-peace. As said by Charlie, this is a very raw way to look at war, but at the same time a lot of the views expressed (although expressed in comedic ways) are very real and are occurring in our society now. While incorporating everyday ideas about war into the show, South Park still manages to make a joke about how these problems will be ever-continuing. -cat rutledge

video link: http://www.southparkzone.com/episodes/701/Im-a-little-bit-Country.html

Reflection

This is a serious problem. After years of change and making differences, it's almost as if more problems have arisen as women have been given more opportunities. This hardly seems fair. Why should someone's sacrifice to fight for their country, their people, and their patriotism, result in violations by the opposite sex. Women should have rape as their last worry while fighting on the battle lines. It should NOT be an issue that is becoming ever prominent. It should NOT go "unnoticed" by commanding officers. It should NOT continue to happen. It should NOT ever happen.

But it is happening.

There needs to be changes, and they need to start happening now. There needs to be more knowledge on this subject, more news coverage, more anything. The possible loss of lives in the Middle East should be the only thing families should have to worry about back home. Why should it ever cross their minds that their loved ones are facing sexual abuse with people who they are fighting alongside with? It shouldn't.

But it is happening.

The Women's War

During World War II, women's roles in the war appeared to have a good deal of importance. Although many of them couldn't fight, they still were encouraged to do things to support the troops while at home. Popular posters such as the one above were commonly seen and used to boost the moral of the women in America. Jobs, such as being phone operators, were vital to helping the troops fight the war. Some women gladly took on these roles, while others protested the fighting. Today, many women have taken a step further in supporting America and it's wars. Now, it is not uncommon at all for women to fight along side men in Iraq. Although many are proud of the women who are stepping up, we have to ask if this becomes a safety issue. Yes, these women are doing something great for their country, but MANY are facing the danger of being raped and harassed by their fellow soldiers. And what's worse is the fact that these rapes often go "unnoticed" often giving the impression to male soldiers that these cruel acts are ok. For quite some time news of these rapes and problems has been hardly covered or even reported at all. Recently the NY Times printed an article, "The Women's War," about women who face these horrific problems all due to the fact that they simply supporting the war and fighting for America.



Something needs to be done immediately for the women who are facing sexual abuse for trying to support a cause they believe in. They should not be faced with these problems under any circumstances. Just by looking at the picture of the woman from the NY Times article, it is clear to see she has a story to tell. The look on her face and the way she is standing almost says it all. This war on women should not be able to continue any longer.


copy and paste this link for more information on the NY Times article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/18/magazine/18cover.html

War Between the States

The photograph seen here, taken by Matthew Brady, is of Alan Pinkerton, Abraham Lincoln, and General John A. McClernand. Two of the more prominent figures of this photograph are Abraham Lincoln (center) and Alan Pinkerton (left), who was Lincoln’s bodyguard. Alan Pinkerton formed his own private detective agency in 1852 and was one of the first to do so. Some say his motto “We Never Sleep” may be where the term “Private Eye” came from. He solved an extreme amount of crimes which lead him to gain considerable fame over time. In 1861 he discovered a plot to assassinate Abraham Lincoln who was about to travel to Washington D.C. for the inauguration. He successfully guarded Lincoln and foiled this attempt at Lincoln’s life, which became one of his more notable accomplishments. He eventually was hired to work for the Federal army’s secret service, the Union Intelligence Service, in 1861–62. Although during this time some said he failed at his job, he continued his detective work throughout his life and continued his many great accomplishments. This photograph is a perfect demonstration of a documentary photograph, as it depicts part of the Civil War, and a time where President Lincoln was still living. The content of the photo is interesting in the way that three men are standing in all different directions. Although it makes the photograph appear random, the focus is still on the three men. The background and setting are also very interesting because they are less focused, which puts even more emphasis on the men. The setting also clearly shows the living conditions in the Civil War as a soldier or general.


http://www.bryantbooks.com/cgi-bin/bryant/4398
http://www.biography.com/search/article.do?id=9441102

Power in Photography

On November 5th, 2006, Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death after being proven guilty of many crimes against humanity. One photograph captures the moment when Hussein was given the verdict.

The content of this photograph is simply a close up of Hussein and a mystery arm holding him back. This picture captures his expression as the center of the photograph. The theme of this photograph is a struggle for power between Hussein and the people he murdered and the judge and Hussein. The angle that the photographer took when capturing this photo was straight on. This is interesting because the verdict was also straight on: death. His face is unavoidable and so is his sentence. The background is a typical courtroom, symmetrical and very geometric. This contrasts with the foreground which is organic and rather chaotic. Also, the photograph is shallow because the lens seems to be close to Hussein- even the background isn't far away. This closeness to Hussein relates to his closeness to death. Framing in this photo is key; it focuses on Hussein and not on the person who is holding him back.

The major source of power in this photograph is the subject. The expression that the subject conveys shows a struggle of power between Hussein and the rest of the world.

Power of Photography

While it seems very simple, this picture, by Boris Vdovienko, actually does seem to speak 1000 words. Firstly, the content of this picture is very powerful. We are shown a family who we might assume is being forced to travel elsewhere due to war in Russia. They carry a load of things on a cart that seems to be the only personal belongings they have left. Both men carrying the carts are leaning forward which gives the effect that these carts are not easy to pull along. We can hardly see their faces, but anyone looking at the picture knows the mood is glum. With hardly anything left except for their surviving family and a few personal belongings, they probably are finding it hard to keep going at this point in their lives. This makes the photograph give any viewer a sense of sadness for the situation these people were faced with. This sadness that the content of this photo conveys also classifies this photograph as expressive. On top of this, the photograph can be called a documentary photograph, because it is capturing a moment in time of the Russian war, where innocent civilians are seemingly leaving almost everything behind to escape problems. Lastly, one of the most striking parts of the photograph is the space. There is hardly anything surrounding the people. Due to the fact that there are no other people, animals, cars, etc., we feel an even stronger emotion of sadness. These people are truly alone and being forced to travel through desolate places, possibly in hope of getting somewhere safe.

To the citizens of the US

To the citizens of the United States, what can we do to improve the talk of war in America? Firstly, we all must understand that although war is a negative topic, we might act more positively about the upsides to what we are doing. Even though many people disagree with what is going on, those that do not should keep a positive mind set when writing articles or discussing the problem. We should focus on important things such as when we will be getting our soldiers home safely. In articles we might attempt to leave out or avoid using too many drab and unhappy words. If there is nothing good to say about the war at all, we might try to be more unbiased and simply relay the facts without too much of our own opinion. On a positive note, there are some articles out there that are unbiased. However, the majority of articles use negative words (such as “bleak” or “miserable”) which enhances our negativity of the war. In the movie “Jarhead”, Sgt. Siek states “I could be working with my brother right now. He's got a dry-wall business in Compton. Does the inside of office buildings; you know, the metal studs. I could be his partner, said he'd give me that brand new Dodge Ram Charger. You know, the 318 Magnum? The beast? All indoor work, too, lots of AC. I could sleep with my wife every night, fuck her, maybe; take my kids to school every morning. And I'd run his crews, too, probably increase productivity 40 to 50%. Make $100K a year. Do you know why I don't? Because I love this job. I thank God for every fucking day he gives me in the corps, oorah.” This is an example that can be related to true-life. Some soldiers really do appreciate what they are doing, and the citizens of America should certainly support them by talking more positively. So from here on out, let's make this a bigger priority. The most we can give to a soldier is the support they deserve. So give it, and give it positively.

matt rotando's 104 blog

www.104aboutwar.blogspot.com

NY TIMES War Article

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/08/world/middleeast/08military.html?ref=middleeast"


This article mainly discusses how the number of attacks from Iraqis on our forces have recently subsided in the last few months. Yet, in March, these attacks are now doubling. This is because there have been a large number of new attacks on what is called the "Green Zone" where Iraq's central government, and the American Embassy, are located (Sadr City). Attacks on civilians have mostly remain unchanged, but the reason for an increase in other attacks is mostly in part due to the Prime Minister's decision to create a military campaign in attempt to retake control over the port of Basra from Shiite militias. However, despite all of these increases in attacks, the numbers are still down from years before. So while there has been some success, the Shiite militas are still a problem. This data was not confidential and was supplied to the New York Times.

Surprisingly this article seems very unbiased and the author seems to give very factual information. He discusses both how people will most likely continue to criticize Bush (which makes him sound pro-war) but also discusses how there have been some military mistakes made and somewhat leans to a negative side of the war (i.e. how deaths are still going to continue). Also, his quote "the number more than doubled in March from the previous month, according to statistics compiled by the American military in Baghdad. The sharp increase in overall attacks, to 631 in March from 239 in February, reflects new strikes against the Green Zone...Violence in Sadr City first flared more than a week ago after Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki started a poorly coordinated military campaign to retake the southern port city of Basra from Shiite militias." Using words such as "sharp," "more than doubled", and "poorly coordinated campaign" show that this war certainly does have its problems. Overall, as stated before, this article does seem mostly unbiased to readers.

I don't remember

I don't remember much before being five years old. I don't remember my sister being around that much. I don't remember actually moving from one house to another. I don't remember when my grandparents left California to move across the country. But mostly, I find it hard to remember yesterday.

I find it easier to remember things from long ago, a month at least. On a bad side of things, college has taught me it's hard to remember some weekends, or distinguish one from another. I remember having fun, but I don't always remember what was said or what made everything so fun. I can always remember before... it gets hazy a few hours in sometimes. Pictures are definitely one way to remember these times, and so are friends.

I remember

I remember sitting with my mother. I remember being 5 years old, eating saltwater taffy. I remember my favorite flavors and eating until I felt sick. I remember the big comfy chairs sitting side by side in our favorite living room. I remember living in California and all the memories that were left there. I remember my birthday that year, and why it will be the most important. I remember the house we lived in, the street we lived on, and the park next door. I remember every room, Lucky, our pet, and the new swimming pool that year. Before we left, I remember planting the apple tree with my dad, but the pictures help me not to forget. I remember leaving that house for a bigger one on a higher hill, to fit in with everyone's standards of Orange County. I remember the new memories that came with the new house. Bigger house, bigger memories. But I also remember the other reason why we left the first house.

I remember finally leaving our second home to leave the place full of too many standards. I remember starting over, hating it... then loving every moment of it. I remember realizing that not everyone acts how they did where we once lived. I remember getting to know people who were more relaxed and wore sweats everyday. But I still remember the first house and the apple tree that has more importance than most understand. I remember one summer of high school leaving with my best friend back to California. Our parents had no idea, but I had a car and a license. I remember going back to see the houses.. and of course the apple tree.

I remember the new friendships and the new stories, and then getting ready to start all over for the second time. Moving to Arizona. I remember hating it as well, then falling in love with it as I had before. But most of all, I still remember where I started and what I started with in the first house.

Lee Mall

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