tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13779268355624490362024-02-20T15:15:56.435-08:00Bilge, Braggarts and BolsheviksJordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291041568127563659noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377926835562449036.post-90163043357889863342008-04-06T21:13:00.000-07:002008-04-07T09:28:59.636-07:00Rhetorical Analysis - Research<p class="MsoNormal">Culturally, the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> came late to rating its movies, as most all other countries already had been rating their cinema for decades. The MPAA's film-ratings were instituted on 1 November 1968, in response to religiously-motivated complaints about the sexual, violent, and profane content of American cinema, after the MPAA's 1966 revision of the Production Code of America.</p> <p>Before July 1, 1984a minor trend of cinema straddling the <span style="">PG</span> and <span style="">R</span> ratings (per MPAA records of appeals to its decisions in the early 1980s), suggesting a needed middle ground. In summer of 1982, <span style="">Poltergeist </span>(1982) was re-rated <span style="">PG</span> on appeal, although originally rated <span style="">R</span> for strong supernatural violence and marijuana-smoking parents. Disney's <span style="">PG</span>-rated Dragonslayer (1982) alarmed parents with explicit fantasy violence and blood-letting.<o:p></o:p></p> <p>Because of such successful appeals, based upon artistic intent, many mild, mainstream movies were rated <span style="">PG</span> instead of <span style="">R</span> because of some thematically necessary strong cursing, e.g. <span style="">Tootsie</span>,<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span>Terms<span style=""> of Endearment</span>, Sixteen<span style=""> Candles</span>, and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>Footloose. These censorship reversals were consequence, in large measure, of the 1970s precedent established by All <span style="">the President’s Men</span>. Had these movies been released after 1984, they likely would have been rated <span style="">PG-13</span> because of their content.<o:p></o:p></p> <p>In 1984, explicit violence in the <span style="">PG</span>-rated films Indiana<span style=""> Jones and the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Temple</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:placename st="on">Doom</st1:PlaceName></st1:place></span> and<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span>Gremlins were "the straws that broke the parents' backs". Their complaints led <st1:city st="on">Hollywood</st1:City> figure <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Spielberg" title="Steven Spielberg"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;"></span></a> Spielberg, director of <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on"><span style="">Temple</span></st1:PlaceType><span style=""> of <st1:placename st="on">Doom</st1:PlaceName></span></st1:place>, to suggest a new rating, <span style="">PG-14</span>, to MPAA president Mr. Valetini. Instead, on conferring with cinema owners, Mr Valenti and the MPAA on<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_1" title="July 1"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;"></span></a>,<br />July 1, 1984 <span style=""><o:p></o:p></span>introduced the <span style="">PG-13</span> rating, allowing in children older than 13 years of age without a parent or an adult guardian, but warning parents about potentially shocking violence, cursing, and mature subject matter; though weaker than an <span style="">R</span> rating, <span style="">PG-13</span> is the strongest unrestricted rating. The first widely-distributed <span style="">PG-13</span> movie was Red <span style=""><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Dawn" title="Red Dawn"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;"></span></a>Dawn</span> followed by <span style="">Dreamscape </span>(1984), and <span style="">The Flamingo Kid </span>(1984), although The<span style=""> Flamingo Kid</span> was the first film so rated by the board. <span style=""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p> <o:p></o:p></p> <p> <o:p></o:p></p>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291041568127563659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377926835562449036.post-66784116457399390392008-04-03T10:06:00.000-07:002008-04-07T10:09:04.683-07:00Technical Application<p class="MsoNormal">The movie rating system has had a number of high profile critics. Film critic Roger Ebert argues that the system places too much emphasis on not showing sex while allowing the portrayal of massive amounts of gruesome violence. The uneven emphasis on sex versus violence is echoed by other critics, including David Ansen, as well as many filmmakers. Moreover, Ebert argues that the rating system is geared toward looking at trivial aspects of the movie (such as the number of times a profane word is used) rather than at the general theme of the movie (for example, if the movie realistically depicts the consequences of sex and violence).</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Many critics of the MPAA system, especially independent distributors, have charged that major studios' releases often receive more lenient treatment than independent films. They allege that <span style="">Saving Private Ryan</span>, with its intense depiction of the D-Day invasion of <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Normandy</st1:place></st1:State>, would have earned an NC-17 if it were not a Steven Spielberg film. The independent film <span style="">Saints and Soldiers</span>, which contains no sex, very little profanity, and a minimum of violence, was said to have been rated R for a single clip where a main character is shot and killed, and required modification of just that one scene to receive a PG-13 rating. The comedy <span style="">Scary Movie</span>, released by a division of The Walt Disney Company's Miramax Films, contained "strong crude sexual humor, language, drug use and violence" but was rated R, to the surprise of many reviewers and audiences; by comparison, the comparatively tame porn spoof <span style="">Orgazmo<i>,</i></span> an independent release, contained "explicit sexual content and dialogue" and received an NC-17. On the other hand, the studio distributed film <span style="">The Passion of the Christ<i> </i></span>received an R rating despite graphic depictions of violence.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Another criticism of the ratings system is the apparent arbitrary nature in designating PG-13- and R-rated content. Many critics (professional, the general public and religious and moral groups) believe that the content of recent PG-13 films equals that of R-rated films from the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s. For example, depictions of sexual content, violence, profanity and other objectionable content in a PG-13 film from the late 1990s on may have been considered "R level" in the 1970s and 1980s. A Harvard study suggested that the rating system has allowed far more violence, sex, profanity, drug use and other mature content in 2003 than they have allowed in 1992 in PG and PG-13 rated movies.That study found this when they noticed that an R-rated movie released in 1992 had the exact same content levels as a PG-13 rated film released in 2003.</p>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291041568127563659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377926835562449036.post-47959352375598844842008-04-01T23:25:00.000-07:002008-12-09T09:52:44.788-08:00Free Write - "Britain, Britain, Britain"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Q0_mO7-6WQE/R_pn1hLGPnI/AAAAAAAAABg/19VaMCMfg9k/s1600-h/ents_lb_large.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Q0_mO7-6WQE/R_pn1hLGPnI/AAAAAAAAABg/19VaMCMfg9k/s320/ents_lb_large.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186572090006191730" border="0" /></a><br /><p>I have recently become infatuated with the BBC television show Little Britain, a character-based sketch show written and starring Matt Lucas and David Williams. While some British-humor shows go over a lot of people’s heads, this show’s targets are almost invariably the easiest, cheapest groups to mock: the disabled, poor, elderly, gay or fat. Even though the humor sounds simple and maybe trite, it’s incredibly creative and fresh. Some of the show’s repeat sketches feature a group called “Fat Fighters,” The Kelsey Grammar School, Lou and Andy, and Daffyd Thomas, a man who claims to be the only gay in the village.</p> <p>Another feature of this show, which continually amuses me is the narration from Tom Baker, the fourth Dr. Who. To me the most amusing portion of his narration comes in the opening credits of the show, which is different every time. He has said things like "Britain...We've had running water for over 10 years, an underground tunnel linking us to Peru, and we invented the cat", or "Unlike other countries, Britain has people of two genders: women and men."</p> <p>If you haven’t seen this show, you must do all that is in your power and means to do so! It will change your life forever.<o:p></o:p></p>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291041568127563659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377926835562449036.post-34973279016986386902008-03-27T22:01:00.000-07:002008-03-27T22:02:23.821-07:00Rhetorical Analysis - Research MPAA Rating SystemWhat is the purpose of the rating system? The movie rating system is a voluntary system sponsored by the Motion Picture Association of America and the National Association of Theatre Owners to provide parents with advance information on films, enabling the parent to make judgments on movies they want or don't want their children to see.<br /><br />Do the ratings indicate if a movie is good or bad? No, the system is not designed to serve the function of "critic." The ratings do not determine or reflect whether a film is "good" or "bad." The system is not intended to approve, disapprove or censor any film; it merely assigns a rating for guidance -- leaving the decision-making responsibilities to the parents.<br /><br />Who gives movies their ratings? Parents give the movies their ratings - men and women just like you. They are part of a specially designed committee called the film rating board of Classification and Rating Administration. As a group they view each film, and, after a group discussion, vote on its rating, making an educated estimate as to which rating most American parents will consider the most appropriate.<br /><br />What criteria do they use? The rating board uses the criteria you as a parent use when deciding what is suitable viewing for your child. Theme, language, violence, nudity, sex and drug use are among those content areas considered in the decision-making process. Also assessed is how each of these elements is employed in the context of each individual film. The rating board places no special emphasis on any of these elements; all are considered and examined before a rating is given.<br /><br />Is the rating system a law? No, the rating system is strictly voluntary and carries no force of law.<br />Can a rating be changed? Yes, the rules permit movie producers to re-edit their films and re-submit them in hopes of receiving another rating. Producers may also appeal a rating decision to the Rating Appeals Board, which is composed of men and women from the industry organizations that sponsor the rating system. A two-thirds secret ballot vote of those present on the Appeals Board may overturn a rating board decision.<br /><br />Do all movies have to be rated? No. Submitting a film is purely a voluntary decision made by the filmmakers. However, the overwhelming majority of producers creating entertaining, responsible films submit them for ratings. All five Classification and Rating Administration rating symbols have been trademarked and may not be self-applied.<br /><br />Who enforces the ratings? While the decision to enforce the rating system is purely voluntary, the overwhelming majority of theaters follow the Classification and Rating Administration's guidelines and diligently enforce its provisions.<br /><br />How do you get more information about a rating? For additional information about the voluntary movie rating system and ratings for new releases, visit the Motion Picture Association of America's home page on the World Wide Web. The address is <a href="http://www.mpaa.org/" target="_blank">www.mpaa.org.</a> Or, in select cities, you may use the interactive phone guide, MovieFone.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291041568127563659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377926835562449036.post-61169650124871276612008-03-25T10:31:00.000-07:002008-04-09T10:32:27.962-07:00Free Write - My Baby Brother part deuxAs my baby brother has grown older his lexicon of bizarre sayings and phrases has grown as well. If anyone has read my first posting on this blog, you would have learned about his “silver tongue,” discovered some of his favorite sayings, and had a small taste of his maniacal outbursts. I’m here today to share with you a little bit more.<br /><br />From an early age he would frequently ask us questions about life in general. These were simple queries when he was young. Once during Sunday school, a teacher had given a particularly spiritual lesson that prompted many of the children in the class to become more interested in the life of Jesus. They asked the teacher many questions ranging from his birth to his death. My brother decided to participate in the Q and A as well and raised his hand. When the teacher called on him he asked, “How much birdseed do you think a goat could eat before it blew up?” Later in life I guess my brother was still interested in religious matters because one day at the dinner table he asked my father, “Are we Jew bastards?” At another point in my brother’s life he became fixated on “what if” questions. My other brother, who is just a few years younger than myself, would frequently talk about owning a Mercedes Benz after he grew up and got a respectable job. My baby brother would then ask, “What would you do if I bought a Hummer and rammed your Mercedes while you slept?” The other brother would respond with something like, “I’m always going to park it in the garage so you couldn’t do it!” My baby brother would then respond by saying, “Well, I just blow off the front of the garage with some dynamite that I’m going to buy and then I’ll run it over with my Hummer and then maybe your wife too. What would you do then?”<br /><br />A sensitive subject has emerged in my brother’s life in the past few months – his girlfriend. He seems to be very protective of her and will do anything to defend her honor if he feels it being threatened. If I ever ask general questions about her, he always responds, “I don’t know.” Where does your girlfriend live? I don’t know. What’s your girlfriend’s name? I don’t know. Have you kissed your girlfriend yet? “SHUT UP!” One time my wife, other brother and I were asking some questions about the girlfriend on a rare occasion when my baby brother began to open up a little about his personal life. One of us, I can’t remember who it was now, had the audacity to ask my baby brother “So are you going to make out with your girlfriend tonight?” To which my brother responded, “SHE’S NOT MY WHORE!!” Once right before church began my mother decided to probe into my brother’s personal life as well. She saw an attractive looking girl and jokingly whispered to my brother, “She cute, why don’t you ask her out?” My baby brother then replied, “I HAVE A GIRLFRIEND MOM!!! SHE LIVES IN SCAPPOOSE!!!” in the loudest voice anyone had ever heard. The entire church congregation obviously turned to see what the commotion was all about and began staring and silently judging my family. My other brother then whispered, “Nice going, idiot.” My brother then mustered all his strength and yelled out at the top of voice, “WHY DON’T YOU SHUT UP?!”Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291041568127563659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377926835562449036.post-53927725576396760762008-03-23T10:49:00.000-07:002008-04-09T10:50:58.867-07:00Rhetorical Analysis - ResearchCouples in the United States who live together before marrying may be more likely to consider divorce than those who do not, according to a study released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's health statistics division.<br />The report on marriage, divorce, remarriage and cohabitation said 75 percent of American women have been married by age 30 and about half have lived with their partner outside of marriage.<br />The study's findings are based on interviews conducted in 1995 with about 11,000 women ages 15 to 44.<br />Couples who did not live together before marrying had a 31 percent chance of splitting up after 10 years, compared with a 40 percent chance for couples who cohabited before marriage, the study found.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291041568127563659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377926835562449036.post-37421170806555441412008-03-20T22:28:00.000-07:002008-04-07T10:30:09.459-07:00Technical Application<p>An “R-card,” a parent permission slip issued by the GKC Theaters chain, which has theaters in 24 cities, including <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Bloomington</st1:place></st1:City>, in five Midwestern states.<o:p></o:p></p> <p>The R-card costs $2 and allows youth to attend R-rated films unaccompanied by a parent or guardian, as would otherwise be the case for anyone 17 or younger. <o:p></o:p></p> <p>So far the chain has sold about 700 R-cards at 10 of its theaters, said James Whitman, vice president for theater operations and marketing at GKC, who dreamed up the card. The company's theater in <st1:city st="on">Elkhart</st1:City>, <st1:state st="on">Ind.</st1:State>, began offering it yesterday, and its theater in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Traverse City</st1:City>, <st1:state st="on">Mich.</st1:State></st1:place>, a popular family resort area, will make it available next month. </p> <p>But critics are denouncing the R-card as both a maneuver around the movie rating system — which was set up to help parents sort out which movies were appropriate for their children — and an abdication of parental responsibilities.<o:p></o:p></p> <p>"It distorts it and disfigures" the rating system, said Jack Valenti, president of the Motion Picture Association of America, which administers the ratings program. In a telephone interview from his <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Washington</st1:place></st1:State> office. Mr. Valenti continued: "Not all R movies are alike. There are some R movies that children should not see."<o:p></o:p></p> <p>Yet as long as the ratings have been administered, young people have found ways to get around them, like the generations-old practice of buying tickets for one movie and sneaking in to another. Ticket sellers and takers at many theaters are barely old enough to see R-rated movies themselves and occasionally encounter peer pressure not to bar their friends.<o:p></o:p></p> <p>Ratings themselves manage to remain in dispute: Michael Moore loudly complained when his new picture, “Fahrenheit 9/11,” received an R rating, which means it will be seen only by an adult audience or young people accompanied by a parent or guardian.<o:p></o:p></p> <p>And also by the relatively modest number of youngsters who have R-cards. <o:p></o:p></p> <p>The R-card came about this spring. Mr. Whitman said he was simply trying to serve a customer need: parents who were tired of sitting through ear-splitting pictures with their action-film-loving teenagers. "It was parents who were coming to the box office and saying, `You're forcing me to see a movie that I don't want to see,' " Mr. Whitman said.<o:p></o:p></p> <p>He added, "You can't say it's a parental guideline and then say the parents have no choice."<o:p></o:p></p> <p>Movies are an important way for parents to guide their children's development, some critics of the R-card argue. "I lump movies and entertainment in the same category as drugs and alcohol," said Rodney Gustafson, a syndicated columnist and creator of GradingtheMovies .com, a Web site that gives details about movies' content, including sex, violence and profanity.<o:p></o:p></p> <p>"You have not only the opportunity but the responsibility to be able to teach and guide your children according to your own values," he said. By giving a teenager an R-card, "you've decided, `I'm not going to do that,' " said Mr. Gustafson, whose column appears in 60 newspapers in the <st1:country-region st="on">United States</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></p> <p>Kirsten, reached by telephone, did not see it that way.<o:p></o:p></p> <p>"I already rent rated-R movies, so going to see them isn't a big difference," said Kirsten, whose parents previously gave her permission to check out R-rated films from local video stores like Blockbuster. <o:p></o:p></p> <p>The movie sale and rental chain, which has a policy against renting R-rated movies to those younger than 18, will make an exception as long as the parent makes a notation on the account, said Randy Hargrove, a Blockbuster spokesman. Sydni's mother, Maureen Norris, who called a reporter after her daughter was interviewed, said she trusted her daughter to choose movies that she was mature enough to watch, either in theaters or at video stores. <o:p></o:p></p>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291041568127563659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377926835562449036.post-29645807048594244232008-03-18T09:16:00.000-07:002008-03-19T12:40:41.226-07:00Free Write - America's Favorite Past TimeMany children play sports when they’re little. Either by choice or by force, most of us have ended up playing something. I was a bit of an anomaly because I had to beg my parents to let me play tee-ball and baseball. Around the ages of 7 and 8, my father had some strange notion that the only sport I needed to participate in was swimming. I personally thought he believed the Earth was headed towards some type of apocalypse that involved the polar ice caps melting and the only survivors would be those who knew how to swim well. Each year I would begin begging in January to be signed-up for tee-ball. When that became too tiresome for my parents, I began expressing my desire to play in other ways. The only pictures I drew were of baseball diamonds, pitchers, batters, etc., the only thing I ever wrote about in school was baseball, and if I ever had to create some type of poem or limerick for some reason, it was sure to be about baseball. Every year my efforts paid off and I was signed-up to play. Before the season started I would try to prepare myself in every way. I would start by stocking up on Big League Chew. If you want to be a real baseball player, you MUST have Big League Chew. Next I would begin an oil regiment with my glove. Before the season started I’d usually go through 2-3 bottles of oil. Usually my glove was moist for the first couple games, but it didn’t matter because it was oiled up just like the real players’ gloves. After that I’d begin thinking of potential names for our team because for some reason the organizers could never do it themselves. I’d start out simple with actual MLB team names like the Twins, Mariners, Red Sox, etc. These names were always contingent, however, on what our uniforms were going to look like. I’d then move on to some animal names that were sure to strike some fear into our opposing teams. The Hawks, Eagles, Sharks, Lions and Cobras were always popular. These names would then transition me to another level entirely. This level would consist of names like the Thundercats, Dragons, Killers, Nazis, Sorcerers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the like. When it finally came down to starting the season, however, I became incredibly nervous and constantly thought about my potential performance. Even after several practices, I never really lost that feeling in my stomach. Now that I look back I wonder what I was ever nervous about. I would go to the plate to hit a stationary baseball on top of a large rubber pole at a team full of little kids who all had no idea how to field how to even field a soccer ball, let alone a small baseball. Whatever our team was called or how soft my mitt was, I always had a good season and have vowed to force my children to become baseball players.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291041568127563659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377926835562449036.post-74906932636097516532008-03-13T22:55:00.000-07:002008-04-09T10:57:41.095-07:00Technical ApplicationCohabitation is replacing marriage as the first living together experience for young men and women. When blushing brides walk down the aisle at the beginning of the new millennium, well over half have already lived together with a boyfriend.<br />For today’s young adults, the first generation to come of age during the divorce revolution, living together seems like a good way to achieve some of the benefits of marriage and avoid the risk of divorce. Couples who live together can share expenses and learn more about each other. They can find out if their partner has what it takes to be married. If things don’t work out, breaking up is easy to do. Cohabiting couples do not have to seek legal or religious permission to dissolve their union.<br />Not surprisingly, young adults favor cohabitation. According to surveys, most young people say it is a good idea to live with a person before marrying.<br />But a careful review of the available social science evidence suggests that living together is not a good way to prepare for marriage or to avoid divorce. What’s more, it shows that the rise in cohabitation is not a positive family trend. Cohabiting unions tend to weaken the institution of marriage and pose special risks for women and children. Specifically, the research indicates that:<br />· Living together before marriage increases the risk of breaking up after marriage.<br />· Living together outside of marriage increases the risk of domestic violence for women, and the risk of physical and sexual abuse for children.<br />· Unmarried couples have lower levels of happiness and wellbeing than married couples.<br />Because this generation of young adults is so keenly aware of the fragility of marriage, it is especially important for them to know what contributes to marital success and what may threaten it. Yet many young people do not know the basic facts about cohabitation and its risks. Nor are parents, teachers, clergy and others who instruct the young in matters of sex, love and marriage well acquainted with the social science evidenceJordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291041568127563659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377926835562449036.post-71934345390938779752008-03-11T12:37:00.000-07:002008-03-19T12:40:56.862-07:00Free Write - QuotesHere are some interesting quotes from Papa Lenin:<br /><br />"Crime is a product of social excess."<br /><br />"A lie told often enough becomes truth."<br /><br />"It is true that liberty is precious - so precious that it must be rationed."<br /><br />"One man with a gun can control 100 without one."<br /><br />"The most important thing when ill is to never lose heart."<br /><br />"Destroy the family, you destroy the country."<br /><br />"Despair is typical of those who do not understand the causes of evil, see no way out, and are incapable of struggle."<br /><br />"Whenever the cause of the people is entrusted to professors, it is lost."<br /><br />"You cannot make a revolution in white gloves."<br /><br />"Worst of all, it is women who usually have to do, usually alone, all the dirty work of the kitchen and household, work that is unimportant, hard, tiresome, and soul-destroying."Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291041568127563659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377926835562449036.post-81190554782984358092008-03-08T21:47:00.000-08:002008-04-14T09:47:38.590-07:00Rhetorical Analysis<p class="MsoNormal">Divorce is on the decline in the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">USA</st1:place></st1:country-region>, but a report to be released today suggests that may be due more to an increase in people living together than to more lasting marriages.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /> Couples who once might have wed and then divorced now are not marrying at all, according to <i>The State of our Unions 2005</i>. The annual report, which analyzes Census and other data, is issued by the National Marriage Project at <st1:state st="on">New Jersey</st1:State>'s <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Rutgers</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placetype st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="inside-copy">The <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> divorce rate is 17.7 per 1,000 married women, down from 22.6 in 1980. The marriage rate is also on a steady decline: a 50% drop since 1970 from 76.5 per 1,000 unmarried women to 39.9, says the report, whose calculations are based on an internationally used measurement.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="inside-copy">"Cohabitation is here to stay," says David Popenoe, a <st1:place st="on">Rutgers</st1:place> sociology professor and report co-author. "I don't think it's good news, especially for children," he says. "As society shifts from marriage to cohabitation — which is what's happening — you have an increase in family instability." <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="inside-copy">Cohabiting couples have twice the breakup rate of married couples, the report's authors say. And in the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">USA</st1:place></st1:country-region>, 40% bring kids into these often-shaky live-in relationships. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="inside-copy">"It is important now to think beyond the divorce rate to other kinds of couple unions and look at how stable they are," says Barbara Dafoe Whitehead, a social historian and report co-author.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="inside-copy">"It's a pretty short period of time for that change (cohabitation) to have occurred and to have taken hold in the way it has," she says.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="inside-copy">In the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">USA</st1:place></st1:country-region>, 8.1% of coupled households are made up of unmarried, heterosexual partners. Although many European countries have higher cohabitation rates, divorce rates in those countries are lower, and more children grow up with both biological parents, even though the parents may not be married, Popenoe says.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="inside-copy">The <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">USA</st1:place></st1:country-region> has the lowest percentage among Western nations of children who grow up with both biological parents, 63%, the report says. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="inside-copy">"The <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region> has the weakest families in the Western world because we have the highest divorce rate and the highest rate of solo parenting," Popenoe says. <o:p></o:p></p>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291041568127563659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377926835562449036.post-19969115273646183032008-03-06T09:12:00.000-08:002008-04-14T09:13:08.691-07:00Technical Application - Arranged Marriages<p>A pragmatic (or 'arranged') marriage is made easier by formal procedures of family or group politics. A responsible authority sets up or encourages the marriage; they may, indeed, engage a professional matchmaker to find a suitable spouse for an unmarried person. The authority figure could be parents, family, a religious official, or a group consensus.<o:p></o:p></p> <p>In some cases, the authority figure may choose a match for purposes other than marital harmony. Some of the most popular uses of arranged marriage are for dowry or immigration.<o:p></o:p></p> <p>Though now a rarity in Western countries, arranged marriages in countries such as <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> are still prevalent today. In rural villages, the marriage of a child often has much to do with family property. Parents adopt the practice of child marriage and arrange the wedding, sometimes even before the child is born (though this practice was made illegal by the Child Marriage Restraint Act of the Indian Government). In urban <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>, people use thriving institutions known as Marriage Bureaus or Matrimonials Sites, where candidates register themselves for small fees.<span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since October 2007"> A related form of pragmatic marriage, sometimes called a marriage of convenience, involves immigration laws. According to one publisher of information about "green card" marriages, "Every year over 450,000 <st1:country-region st="on">United States</st1:country-region> citizens marry foreign-born individuals and petition for them to obtain a permanent residency (Green Card) in the <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">United States</st1:country-region></st1:place>." While this is likely an over-estimate, in 2003 alone 184,741 immigrants were admitted to the <st1:country-region st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> as spouses of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> citizens.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291041568127563659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377926835562449036.post-47002435144593775932008-03-04T09:30:00.000-08:002008-04-14T09:33:43.490-07:00Free Write<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">I think we could all learn a thing or two from these lyrics!<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">Pure Imagination<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><br />Come with me<br />And you'll be<br />In a world of<br />Pure imagination<br />Take a look<br />And you'll see<br />Into your imagination<br /><br />We'll begin<br />With a spin<br />Traveling in<br />The world of my creation<br />What we'll see<br />Will defy<br />Explanation<br /><br />If you want to view paradise<br />Simply look around and view it<br />Anything you want to, do it<br />Want to change the world?<br />There's nothing<br />To it<br /><br />There is no<br />Life I know<br />To compare with<br />Pure imagination<br />Living there<br />You'll be free<br />If you truly wish to be<br /><br />If you want to view paradise<br />Simply look around and view it<br />Anything you want to, do it<br />Want to change the world?<br />There's nothing<br />To it<br /><br />There is no<br />Life I know<br />To compare with<br />Pure imagination<br />Living there<br />You'll be free<br />If you truly<br />Wish to be<o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">The Wondrous Boat Ride<br /><br />There's no earthly way of knowing<br />Which direction we are going<br />There's no knowing where we're rowing<br />Or which way the river's flowing<br /><br />Is it raining, is it snowing<br />Is a hurricane a-blowing<br /><br />Not a speck of light is showing<br />So the danger must be growing<br />Are the fires of Hell a-glowing<br />Is the grisly reaper mowing<br /><br />Yes, the danger must be growing<br />For the rowers keep on rowing<br />And they're certainly not showing<br />Any signs that they are slowing!</span>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291041568127563659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377926835562449036.post-64775157831185006372008-03-02T22:53:00.000-08:002008-04-09T10:59:27.811-07:00Technical ApplicationThere have actually been numerous studies that have examined whether living together before marriage is a good idea. The data shows that people who have multiple cohabiting relationships before marriage are more likely to experience marital conflict, marital unhappiness and eventual divorce than people who do not cohabit before marriage.<a href="http://www.godandscience.org/doctrine/livingtogether.html#n01">1</a> Although some of these effects might be due to the characteristics of people who cohabit (e.g., they tend to move from one relationship to another), recent studies suggest that the cohabitation experience itself contributes to problems in marriage. The reason why cohabitation may setup couples for failure in marriage is because cohabitation is just a test. Since all couples suffer from some incompatibility, when the other partner "fails" the test, the person moves on to the next partner. A succession of cohabitation failures results in an inability to maintain commitment - the most important part of a marriage relationship.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291041568127563659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377926835562449036.post-3194484238066051912008-02-28T20:57:00.000-08:002008-02-28T21:01:24.376-08:00Rhetorical AnalysisI like to pretend this is mine and my wife’s song. I think it describes marriages in America pretty well.<br /><br />Pedro the Lion - Options<br /><br />We were walking, holding hands<br />With our bare feet in the sand<br />And the seagulls overhead<br />When I broke the spell and said<br /><br />"I could never divorce you<br />Without a good reason<br />And though I may never have to<br />It's good to have options"<br /><br />But for now, I need you<br />But for now, I need you<br />But for now, I need you<br /><br />But it was only in my head<br />Because no one ever says<br />What they really mean to say<br />When there's so much at stake<br /><br />So I told her I loved her<br />And she told me she loved me<br />And I mostly believed her<br />And she mostly believed meJordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291041568127563659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377926835562449036.post-68327995766106026512008-02-26T18:05:00.000-08:002008-12-09T09:52:45.098-08:00Free WriteI once owned a black 1985 Volkswagen Scirocco. Volkswagen produced this car from about 1974 until about 1989 in the United States; however, they were sometimes hard to come by and quite popular among European/Volkswagen car enthusiasts. In fact, they were so popular that many people wanted to start a Scirocco club, similar to those where the people own Corvettes or Ferraris.<br /><br />I was approached on countless occasions by strange men who saw me near my car or driving. They would stop whatever they were doing, come up and start conversations about the car. They would always tell me some story about how they used to own one or their friend owned one or their girlfriend’s dad owned one. Then they would proceed to tell me how they want to start a club and they’ve already talked to some other people who own Sciroccos, and we should all get together so we can show off our cars, talk about our cars, make animal sacrifices to the Volkswagen gods, and get Scirocco tattoos all over our forearms and necks.<br /><br />Don’t get me wrong. I love Volkswagens and I loved my Scirocco. It was a great, reliable little sports car that people sometimes mistook for the Back to the Future car. My whole family loved the car and we all did everything we could to keep it in good condition. Sometimes my dad or brother would drive it on a Saturday or Sunday just to see how many people asked him to join a club too; the weekends brought out most of the maniacs.<br /><br />I never joined a Scirocco club, much to the disappointment of the strange men and my friends, who just wanted me to go see what the meetings were like so we could make fun of them. I guess I just didn’t love me car as much as some, I guess. To this day I still look for Sciroccos, they’re not hard to miss, and if I ever get the chance to talk to the owner I always ask them to join a Scirocco club, just to make sure everyone who owns that particular kind of car gets to have the same experience I had. I always get looked at funny, but I assume it’s the same look I gave the others before me.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172218894334619874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Q0_mO7-6WQE/R8dprklg8OI/AAAAAAAAABY/wvBbA6Om3Ag/s320/83wob.jpg" border="0" /><br />P.S. The license plate on my Scirocco contained the numbers 566. These numbers were the inspiration to perhaps one of the most demonic bands to date: 566 and the Mopeds of the Apocalypse, Satan’s own doomsday band.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291041568127563659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377926835562449036.post-7337485433710632232008-02-24T12:20:00.000-08:002008-12-09T09:52:45.277-08:00Rhetorical Analysis<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Q0_mO7-6WQE/R8J6-shNslI/AAAAAAAAABQ/U-ty4njviKY/s1600-h/pedro-the-lion460.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170830539695698514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Q0_mO7-6WQE/R8J6-shNslI/AAAAAAAAABQ/U-ty4njviKY/s320/pedro-the-lion460.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Pedro the Lion – Never Leave a Job Half Done<br /><br />“Blood stains on the carpet, blood stains on my hands. Drag her toward the kitchen, hide the evidence. Oh, the toil a lie can bring, quitters never know. But lies can be the perfect things, if they never show. The crisis posed a question, just beneath the skin. The virtue in my veins replied, 'Quitters never win'. She almost ruined everything. Oh, the toil a lie can bring, quitters never know. But lies can be the perfect things, if they never show.”<br /><br />This song, which is about a husband who has just murdered his wife and is now trying to cover up what he did, poses perhaps two arguments. By simply reading straight through the lyrics, the argument is that if you lie you can get away with it. People, who are quitters, don’t see a lie through until the end and don’t know that “lies can be the perfect things, if they never show.” However, from the tone and certain words in song, it seems as though this is a very cynical argument. David Bazan is most likely making the argument that even though quitters never win, that phrase doesn’t apply to all situations.<br /><br />Because this is a song, the intended audience would likely be anybody who listened. The intended audience is also those who have the audacity to say that “winners never quit” or “never leave a job half done.” Obviously, these are not eternal truths or sayings.<br /><br />The cynical nature of this argument is very effective. By juxtaposing the phrase “quitters never win” with a situation where a man is trying to hide the evidence of killing his wife brilliantly shows paradoxical nature of all encompassing phrases working in real life situations. By also suggesting that the “virtue in my veins” told him that quitters never win also adds to the cynicism.</div>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291041568127563659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377926835562449036.post-32239303227416100752008-02-21T23:18:00.000-08:002008-02-21T23:25:55.408-08:00Technical Application - IntroductionsAs Susanna Clarke took off her high school letterman’s jacket to don her favorite college sweatshirt, she gave herself a look in the rearview mirror of her Mercedes Benz CLK550 and decided she was ready. She confidently walked into the admissions office of the very college written on her sweatshirt. She’d hadn’t turned in her college application yet, but decided that an early visit to get to know the university officials wouldn’t hurt. Luckily, when she walked in, several people were free and she was able to talk in great length with each of them about her interest and desire to attend. Susanna felt pleased as she walked out of the office into the fresh, spring air towards her car. Once she had sat in the driver’s seat, she grabbed a list from her purse and crossed off the number one spot. She took off the sweatshirt and then grabbed another from the back. A different sweatshirt and a different college name. She started the engine and thought about the long road ahead of her. Three more colleges to visit and three more meetings where she’d have to feign a smile, excitement and interest. Even though she hated doing it, she knew it would help her chances of getting a good education. At least she was traveling in style and always knew she had the financial support of her parents. What she didn’t know was the situation of William Golding, who didn’t have the money to do what Susanna was doing to sway a potential admission decision his way. He was leaving his chances only with his application and fate. What he didn’t realize was fate has a way of being manipulated by unfair and unethical admissions procedures.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291041568127563659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377926835562449036.post-12667205466524205602008-02-19T22:50:00.001-08:002008-02-19T22:50:52.793-08:00Free WriteLiving in this landlocked, useless state, I am often allotted a large amount of time to reminisce about my previous residences in far grander places. When I was about eight years old my father was enlisted in the Navy and we were all stationed in Anacortes, Washington, a city near the San Juan and Orcas Islands in Puget Sound. We lived not far from several piers and docks, which allowed my father and me to discover several interesting hobbies, one of which was shrimping. The salt air and abundance of fresh, locally-caught salmon and crustaceans instilled a lifelong love for seafood in me, and when my father and I found a way to get free seafood, I assumed I had died and gone to fish heaven, if God would allow such a place to exist.<br /><br />One day while we were walking along the wharfs to see what the fishermen had caught that day, a grizzled, portly man stinking of fish pulled up a curious looking contraption attached to a rope from below the pier, full of plump shrimp. Next to him was a bucket brimming with the same type of shrimp. As we got closer I realized what the astute fisherman had done to catch these delectable sea-treats. He was using an empty, one gallon milk jug. He cut a large hole in the top of the container, but was careful not to cut too close to the handle because that was where the rope was to be attached. He then cut numerous slits around the entire container, small enough that the shrimp could not escape. We were told that under the particular pier we were standing on was a common feeding ground for the shrimp. The trick was to lower the trap right next to the pier piling, which was where the shrimp congregated. The hole in the top of the milk jug allowed the shrimp to swim into the container to, but as you pulled the trap up from underneath the water, the holes allowed the water to leave, but not the shrimp. It was simple, inexpensive and quite ingenious. The only missing piece was the bait. What would possible tantalize shrimp enough to swim into a milk jug? As I asked the question, the fisherman seized me with his filthy, rough hands and pulled me close to his parched, cracked lips. I could smell his foul breath laced with rum and jerky. In a spit-filled hiss I received my answer. Canned cat food. I looked at him with bewildered eyes as a maniacal laugh erupted from his sunburned face.<br /><br />My father and I speedily left the pier, not only to get away from the lunatic, but to also go home to make the shrimp trap and try it for ourselves. We took a trip to the pier the next day and sure enough the trap worked. The canned cat food proved to be irresistible and the cat was eager to give up her canned dinner in exchange for fresh shrimp.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291041568127563659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377926835562449036.post-68559080425501888682008-02-17T22:22:00.000-08:002008-02-18T10:27:57.127-08:00Technical ApplicationHere is what I’m leaning towards for the upcoming paper:<br /><br />WATCO:<br /><br />Allowing the practice of demonstrated interest to continue in the college admission process (A) on the overall student population (B)<br /><br />Allowing the practice of demonstrated interest to continue in the college admission process will negatively affect the diversity of the student population by giving an unfair advantage to those with money and connections to college and university officials (C)<br /><br />Audience:<br /><br />This paper will first and foremost be targeted at university officials and administrators who are directly involved in the college admissions process. This paper is meant to curb their continuing usage of demonstrated interest, and expose the disparities that are being created between the applicants who are accepted and rejected. This paper is also meant to persuade potential third-party influencers, such as high school college advisors, club presidents and private school officials who are still pushing this practice among their own student body as a viable way to help your chances of getting into the university of your choice.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291041568127563659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377926835562449036.post-91074433787127699042008-02-14T21:52:00.000-08:002008-02-14T21:55:03.704-08:00Rhetorical Analysis - ResearchDemonstrated interest - High school students express their desire to attend a particular college by visiting the admissions office, introducing themselves to the admissions officers and trying to attract the attention of admissions personnel by performing stunts like sending photographs of themselves wearing the college’s sweatshirt. Officials at 56 percent of the 595 colleges surveyed by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling reported that they consider demonstrated interest as a factor when selecting students to accept.<br />This trend is disturbing. The practice of demonstrating interest is largely limited to higher-income students attending high schools that are geared towards preparing students for college. Low-income applicants cannot always afford to visit numerous colleges to meet with admissions officers. Many public high schools do not have college counselors or guidance counselors who are knowledgeable about the most recent developments in the college admissions game, so most public high school students are not as aware that they should indicate in this manner their interest in the colleges they want to attend.<br /><br />Some concerns about the growing importance of the demonstrated interest factor are:<br />• It is helping colleges ensure a higher yield ratio in a skewed manner,<br />• It is biased against students from low-income households who might not be able to afford frequent trips to campus or have e-mail access,<br />• It is turning the whole admissions process into more of a game.<br />Despite the concerns, fewer and fewer students are willing to ignore the demonstrated interest factor these days.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291041568127563659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377926835562449036.post-5625272470778488442008-02-12T22:37:00.000-08:002008-12-09T09:52:45.444-08:00Free Write<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Q0_mO7-6WQE/R7KRoMhNskI/AAAAAAAAABI/G7Yeos3PNnM/s1600-h/1980_Ford_Fairmont_2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166351842288710210" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Q0_mO7-6WQE/R7KRoMhNskI/AAAAAAAAABI/G7Yeos3PNnM/s320/1980_Ford_Fairmont_2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Shortly after getting my license at the age of 16 I found myself out of work. At the time, I rarely had more than a few dollars to my name, but my lack of money did not curb my insatiable desire to drive. Even though my car almost continuously read “E” on the gas gauge and I ignored it to pursue my young, teenage dreams.<br /><br />I was driving one sunny, Friday afternoon and notice that, as usual, I had barely any gas. I had enough to buy a couple of gallons, but since it was Friday I obviously had more pressing financial endeavors in store in the coming hours. I shirked the gas station and continued on my way when I felt the car begin to jerk slightly. I stepped on the gas to find that instead of moving forward, the unresponsive engine was slowing bringing me to a stop. I couldn’t believe it. I had always gone this far before. When I looked at my surroundings I was shocked to learn that I stalled in the middle of the intersection. I quickly jumped out and began pushing with no one willing to help me – everyone seemed to already know what was going on and decided they should punish me for my teenage stupidity.<br /><br />There are two key positions when pushing a car. One to steer the vehicle and one to push. Both are equally important, as I quickly learned. With only myself pushing the car and no one in the driver’s seat, my car began veering off and, before I realized where I was going with the car, we both ended up in the ditch on the side of the road.<br /><br />Luckily for me, when I walked to a near by grocery store to phone for a tow truck I stumbled upon my grandfather buying cottage cheese and lottery tickets. He, of course, help me out, called and paid for a tow truck and bought me some much needed petrol.<br /><br />Everything turned out OK in the end, or so I thought, however when I showed up for school on Monday I learned that several “influential” students saw my little incident and began spreading the news of my idiocy. When I went to church on Sunday I also learned that the bishop’s wife had seen me actually push my car into the ditch, yet did nothing. Thanks, sister. </div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>P.S. The picture is an accurate representation of the type of car I had when I was 16 - A 1981 Ford Fairmont stationwagon.</div>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291041568127563659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377926835562449036.post-18273919950874068272008-02-10T17:51:00.000-08:002008-12-09T09:52:45.598-08:00Rhetorical Analysis - For the Motherland!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Q0_mO7-6WQE/R7JyeshNsjI/AAAAAAAAABA/uCun4VjofAM/s1600-h/136400967_cfcd4d996f_o.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166317594219491890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Q0_mO7-6WQE/R7JyeshNsjI/AAAAAAAAABA/uCun4VjofAM/s320/136400967_cfcd4d996f_o.jpg" border="0" /></a> This Russian poster, which says "Under Lenin's banner - forward, for the motherland, for our victory," is a striking example of communist propaganda. The main purpose of the argument is to motivate, inspire and encourage those going to fight in World War 2; however, its main argument is to fight in the war for communism, the USSR and, most importantly, Lenin, who has given the people everything they have.<br /><br />Audience:<br /><br />Of course, this poster is aimed at those Russians going to fight, but because we know that this is communist propaganda, the poster is also aimed at everyone who has or could have something to do with the war.<br /><br />Ethos/Pathos/Logos/STAR:<br /><br />The credibility of this poster depends on how you look at it. To someone outside of Russia, this looks completely bogus, but to an actual citizen of the country, during the same time period, this was probably completely credible. Under communism, since everything you have and all the information you receive comes from the state, the people to trust them, especially under Stalin who would most likely send them to a gulag if they didn’t.<br /><br />The theme is very emotional to Russian people and, during this time, would be effective at stirring up both sentimental and patriotic feelings alike.<br /><br />Logically, this makes sense. With everyone working together, the motherland is stronger and we can achieve victory. This poster has also replaced an “under God” slogan with “under Lenin” so, technically, those fighting are still possibly protected by a higher power.<br /><br />Effectiveness:<br /><br />Again, this depends on who you are. To Americans this seems ridiculous. To Russians, however, this would be very effective at the time. The communist propaganda machine was one of the most effective in the world, and was great at deluding the masses into thinking like the state. This poster conjures up incredibly patriotic emotions and would convince a people to die for a cause.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291041568127563659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377926835562449036.post-13330303182601432472008-02-07T22:03:00.000-08:002008-02-07T22:06:02.905-08:00Technical Application - Style or Letter From a Concerned OwnerFirst:<br /><br />I’ve come to the end of my rope, friend. Your lack of respect is astonishing. As I look back on my pain filled days, in that hour of quiet meditation we all find when the suffering prevents us from sleep, you have invariably caused me the most anguish. When you heard my screams, did you feel joy? When you cut into my flesh, did you laugh? When you saw the streams of blood on my hands and face, did you rejoice? I have tolerated your malfeasance long enough. You will pay the price for your sins. Whether it is by my hand or the hand of your Maker, you will suffer the consequences of your actions.<br /><br />Second:<br /><br />I’ve come to the end of my rope, friend. I am astonished at your lack of respect. As I look back on my pain filled days, in that hour of quiet meditation we all find when the suffering prevents us from sleep, you have invariably caused me the most anguish. When you heard my screams, did you feel joy? When you cut into my flesh, did you laugh? When you saw the streams of blood on my hands and face like the varicose veins of a World War 2 veteran, did you rejoice? I have tolerated your malfeasance long enough. A price must be paid for your sins. Whether it is by my hand or the hand of your Maker, you will suffer the consequences of your actions. Not only will your guilt weigh upon your soul like the world upon Atlas’ shoulders, but your eternal salvation shall be in jeopardy.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291041568127563659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377926835562449036.post-14572036427640949952008-02-05T22:41:00.001-08:002008-02-05T23:48:27.388-08:00Free WriteI was recently thinking back to time when I lived in Russia while I was doing missionary work. In a city I was living in called Novokuibishevsk I came in contact with a very strange man around Christmas time. He was very amiable person, full of joy and happiness. His character was magnified by a great bushy, round belly, great stature and large bundle of hair he kept under a beanie. Before talking to him I noticed that he always smiled and was always cordial to everyone he met, which was quite uncommon in comparison with his comrades. However, not everyone was glad to see him because also unlike many Russians, he refused to wear clothes in the winter except for a pair of boots, gloves, bicycle shorts and his beanie. He didn’t look especially cold and, to great astonishment, he wasn’t shivering or frostbitten. As I conversed with him, I learned that he had been healed by a priest at the local Russian Orthodox cathedral and was now immune to all disease, sickness or ailment. He also informed me that he walked around in the winter practically naked to be a witness to all that the Russian Orthodox Church had the power to work miracles. He had no interest in hearing about my religion, but was happy to talk to me just the same. He invited me to walk with him for a while, but I figured that it was best not to support another religion while I was trying to support my own, and I had no desire to strip down to my underwear and walk around town, which was his stipulation to the endeavor. After parting ways I saw him around town quite a few times. In the pure white, Russian winter, one couldn’t help but notice the pale, fleshy figure lumbering down the sidewalks. I left that city about a month later and never saw the man again. However, every time it snows I get a little smile on my face and picture an oversized, hairy Russian man wearing nothing but bicycle shorts and boots coming my way.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291041568127563659noreply@blogger.com1