'Tis The Season For A Typhoon

"Typhoon Slams Into Philippines, 1 Million Evacuated"
By: Rosemarie Francisco
Source: Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/06/typhoon-philippines-million-evacuated_n_6280576.html

A typhoon hit the Philippines and nearly a million people in the Philippines were evacuated for safety precautions on December 6. "A powerful typhoon roared into the eastern Philippines on Saturday, bringing lashing rain and strong winds that felled trees, ripped off tin roofs and toppled power lines in areas still bearing the scars of a super typhoon 13 months ago" (Source 1). This natural disaster was awfully tragic and heartbreaking for the citizens and the people who call the Philippines home. Fortunately, there was no casualties in the recording of locally named Hagupit Typhoon. Hagupit means "lash" in Filipino. "As the storm barrelled in from the Pacific, power was cut across most of the central island of Samar and nearby Leyte province, including Tacloban City, considered ground zero of the devastating super typhoon Haiyan last year" (Source 1). An eye-witness reported to the Huffington Post, saying, "The wind is blowing so strongly, it's like it is whirling," Mabel Evardone, an official of the coastal town of Sulat in Eastern Samar, said on local radio. "The waters have risen now." (Source 1). The weather bureau PAGASA said, Hagupit had weakened to a category 3 storm, two notches below "super typhoon," but could still unleash huge destruction with torrential rain and potentially disastrous storm surges of up to 4.5 meters.

What happened in the Philippines was tragic. I would not wish that on my worst enemy. To see someone's home get demolished and have an immediate evacuation, knowing if they stay there, they will be in severe danger is just awful and I would like to send my regards and prayers over to the people in the Philippines and I would like them to keep there spirits up, because it can only get better!

Al-Shabab

"Somalia's Al-Shabab Says It Killed 28 In Kenya"
By: Tom Odula
Source: Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/22/al-shabab-kenya_n_6203708.html?ir=WorldPost

On Saturday al-Shabab infiltrated a bus and made people read from the Koran and those who refused and could not recite them were shot and brutally killed. "Somalia's Islamic extremist rebels, al-Shabab, attacked a bus in northern Kenya at dawn Saturday, singling out and killing 28 passengers who could not recite an Islamic creed and were assumed to be non-Muslims, Kenyan police said" (Source 1). Specifically speaking, nineteen men and nine women were the people who were killed and someone by the name of Ochwodho was though to be killed, but in reality he was not, so he survived and shared his perspective and his eye-witness on the tragedy. Al-Shabab was not ashamed of this act! "Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the killings through its radio station in Somalia, saying it was in retaliation for raids by Kenyan security forces carried out earlier this week on four mosques at the Kenyan coast" (Source 1). The Kenyans were not silent and peaceful about this. They retaliated with force when Kenya's military sent out airstrikes and killed forty-five rebels, so the twenty-eight who were killed; their deaths were avenged and then some. "Ochwodho told AP that the passengers who did not look Somali were separated from the others. The non-Somali passengers were then asked to recite the Shahada, an Islamic creed declaring oneness with God. Those who couldn't recite the creed were ordered to lie down. Ochwodho was among those who had to lie on the ground" (Source 1).

What the Somalian rebels did was absurd! Killing innocent civilians for not being able to recite some sort of Islamic "creed". It was awfully brave for the Kenyans to retaliate in such fashion, bombing a rebel camp and killing forty-five rebels from them. What happened to those twenty-eight innocent people was uncalled for and tragic, may them rest in peace, but it just unfortunate and frightening to see that the world does not have any sense of humanity remaining.

Technology?

Not touching any technology for just half an hour was a tough challenge that I greatly accepted. I felt like a part of me was ripped away from me and after those thirty minutes, when I reconnected with my phone and especially my music, I went back to normal. I went outside and just looked at the sky, the cars passing by, and the people passing my home. I saw this homeless man walking, but in an extremely drunk manner. This pizza man delivered some pizza to the neighboring home and their dog ruthlessly began barking as if the pizza man was a sort of threat to the people he was delivering pizza to. After the pizza man left, the dog stopped barking. All types of people were either going to LACC or leaving, and it made me wonder, where are these people going? Who are they? What do they want out of their lives? Finally, I saw another homeless man, who was Armenian, that was looking at the sky and it looked like he was having an altercation with it. I began to laugh, then I decided that I had done enough without my phone.

Honestly, thirty minutes like this was not enough for me to feel a sort of change or difference. I still feel the same. I felt blessed to have a home and a family because by looking at those homeless people struggling to find shelter or get food I realized how blessed I am to have a permanent home and a loving family I have. I realized that everyone has their own life. Right now I am typing a blog post but somebody else can be doing something totally different. I realized that life keeps moving. It is not worth having a bad day because the world is still going to keep moving, it is not going to stop because you are sad, so their should not be a day where you are sad and you should do whatever you want to do and not pay attention or listen to others opinions because at the end of the day it is your life and you dictate it.

Bankrupt Detroit Not So Bankrupt Anymore

"Judge Approves Bankruptcy Exit Plan For Detroit"
By: Ed White
Source: Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/07/detroit-bankruptcy-plan-approved_n_6122660.html?ir=Business

Detroit has finally come up with a plan that will expel them from bankruptcy. This city has been bankrupt for a while now and the violence and danger rate has raised significantly. Although, on Friday, a judge cleared an 'exit plan' that will free Detroit from the bankruptcy and also make it safer. "The plan calls for cutting the pensions of 12,000 non-public safety retirees by 4.5 percent, erasing $7 billion of debt and spending $1.7 billion to demolish thousands of blighted buildings, make the city safer and improve long-neglected basic services" (Source 1). Detroit which is the base for the car industry; that is they are nicknamed the Motor City, became the largest city to ever claim for bankruptcy in U.S. history. "Detroit was brought down by a combination of factors, including corruption and mismanagement at City Hall, a long decline in the auto industry, and a flight to the suburbs that caused the population to plummet to 688,000 from 1.2 million in 1980. The exodus has turned entire neighborhoods into desolate, boarded-up landscapes" (Source 1). Detroit's size was also a factor to claim for bankruptcy. They just did not have enough revenue because of the decline in the auto industry, so they remained in debt for years. "With more square miles than Manhattan, Boston and San Francisco combined, Detroit didn't have enough tax revenue to cover pensions, retiree health insurance and buckets of debt sold to keep the budget afloat" (Source 1).

This is great news and another step forward for the Untied States and especially the city of Detroit. By finding a way to free Detroit from bankruptcy had to be done, it was unacceptable. What was done so efficiently on Friday leaves the corruption and debt in the history of Detroit that people wish never to see again and makes the future a brighter day and something that the people who live in Detroit will look forward to. The darkest days are behind Detroit. Whatever happens now will only get better and be for the better.

2035

Although I do not have a vivid idea on what the year 2035 would be like, I do have a slightly vague imagination. The high schoolers will be rather less social because of how much more advanced the technology is going to be. I could definitely imagine technology being the foundation of every students curriculum with holograms and tablets as computers. There would be no need for any paper. Twenty years from now Siri might be your teacher and all you would have to do is submit your answer my talking to it or typing notes instead of jotting them down like it is done today. The next generation experiencing a backlash concerning education is unlikely because once again the technology would be so advanced that it would corrupt the students mentality and though process and learning ways and study habits. I still believe high school students will go to classes and interact with other students but not as much as it would be now or before now, but if a teacher were to be absent, I can definitely see a robot filling in or a hologram of the teacher popping up and the teacher teaching the class in that form. School will still be based on memorization and the act of just passing the class. I do not think it will ever be about just purely learning the subject. Reading to me is inevitable when it comes to school, because what else can you possibly do if reading literature of some sort is not incorporated into the agenda. Nothing I have said is a guarantee, but one thing is a guarantee and it is that I can not see myself being a teacher ever; not just twenty years from now.

Power Trip

"Power Struggle Plunges Burkina Faso Into Chaos"
By: Brahima Ouedraogo
Source: Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/02/burkina-faso-power-struggle_n_6089460.html?utm_hp_ref=world

Pandemonium struck after the long time president had been forced out of presidency in Burkina Faso, a West African country. One fatality had already been recorded during the outbreak. This is started when Blaise Compaore, a president for 27 years, resigned and fled to Ivory Coast with his family. "About 1,000 people had gathered Sunday afternoon at the Place de Nation in Burkina Faso's capital to demand a civilian and democratic transition a day after the military announced that a lieutenant colonel would serve as interim leader until elections could be held" (Source 1). Saran Serene went to the headquarters who is the opposition politician, was planning on being interim president, but Gen. Kwame Lougue showed up and decided to use military force. The people although, though otherwise, "The army cannot lead us. They have disqualified themselves," said Sankara, who is of no relation to the late slain Burkinabe leader with the same name. "This is the result of a popular insurrection." (Source 1). "We call on the military to immediately transfer power to civilian authorities," said State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki. "We urge civilian leadership to be guided by the spirit of the constitution of Burkina Faso and to move immediately towards free and fair Presidential elections."

Considering the fact that Burkina Faso has been stable in the political standpoint ever since Compaore became president brings some worry to the citizens. However, the people should get the power and it would not be a good idea to have a military dictatorship type of government, so it would not be rather right if the army lead the country. The army taking full control of the country is a horrible idea, so a the end of the day the people should get the power and decide what to do with it, but in a proper and fair manner.

"I Know Why The Caged Bird Cannot Read"

Francine Prose mentions why she does not agree with the curriculum of high school students. Prose justifies these theories based on personal experiences and also quotes from intellectuals. The SOAPST helps us distinguish what Prose is actually trying to tell the audience. It helps to break down the essay and have a better understanding on the key points rather than wasting time on unimportant points that is thought to be important. The subject of the essay is the concern of educational curriculum regarding the English subject. The occasion was on September 1999 in the Harper's Magazine. This magazine was a notable one at the time so Prose got many people to look into her views and having the building ethos in the beginning of her story just makes things more intriguing for the audience to continue reading so that they can understand the perspective of an intellectual. Although the essay was published in a magazine, the audience was targeting and directed to the English teachers, not just the magazine readers. The primary and intended audience were those teachers, but the magazine readers were also part of the audience. The purpose for publishing this essay was to inform and also to persuade. The speaker was non other than Francine Prose. The tone was critical, informative, persuasive, superior, and professional. By establishing this tone, Prose implements this professional authority that makes readers read more and want to completely comprehend what she is trying to get passed to them. Francine Prose's essay changed many perspectives on the high school curriculum.

Obviously Have Not Heard About Separation Between Church And State

"Someone Smashed The Disputed Oklahoma Ten Commandments Monument To Pieces"
By: Sean Murphy
Source: Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/24/ten-commandments-monument-smashed_n_6042612.html?ir=Politics

An individual crashed into the Ten Commandments Monument in Oklahoma too pieces. "The 6-foot-tall monument was erected in 2012 with the blessing of Oklahoma's conservative Legislature. The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma has been suing to have it removed, arguing that it violates the state constitution and could be seen as a state endorsement of a religion." A sedan was left behind after the crushing of the monument and it was being investigated for clues, so the suspect can be targeted in a faster process. Mike Ritze, a Republican state Representative said that this attack is being considered a hit on Oklahoma and not a religion issue even though the Ten Commandments are basically God's ten rules while living; because of this monument being build many other groups have gotten imaginative and proposed monuments of their own to be made, but in different states. "The monument's placement has led others to seek their own on the Capitol grounds, including a satanic group that earlier this year unveiled designs for a 7-foot-tall statue of Satan. Other requests have been made from a Hindu leader in Nevada and the satirical Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster."

Even people who believe in God should not have agreed to the making of this monument back in 2012. The making of this monument was bound to cause pandemonium because not all people believe in God, others have their own beliefs and viewpoints and that should have been taken under consideration before making this monument. The idea of having a separation of church and state is the exact opposite of what Oklahoma decided to do in 2012.

Schools Have Education Mixed Up With Memorization

Schools have it mixed up nowadays. The say they are providing education to the students but they are not. Schools are giving memorization lessons. Students are more interested in passing the test rather than fully comprehending the material. If the GPA was not as emphasized as it is, students would probably stop memorizing so much and realize that since grades are not the distinguishing factor for if a student is considered smart or not, which they are, they would learn the subject instead of find a way to get the material stuck in their head for a day, pass the test, then completely forget about what they even took the test on after a week. Another thing that schools are doing; they are sending us into the world blindly. They should focus more on teaching us material that will be useful throughout the students life, not something that will never be used like imaginary numbers, unless a student decides to major in mathematics. Schools have it all wrong. By indirectly telling students that grades define them and that is how universities will distinguish them is the reason why students memorize instead of getting educated. Some schools do not challenge the student the way they are supposed to be which leads the student to slack off and not care. Although schools are the opening pathway to a potentially lucrative and dreamlike future for the students, they are also responsible for putting a blindfold on the students entering the intrinsic depths of life.

Welcome... Or Not Yet At Least

"Catholic Bishops Scrap Welcome To Gays"

By: Vatican City(AP)

Source: Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/18/catholic-bishops-gays_n_6008300.html

On Saturday, catholic bishops in Vatican City decided to take away the welcome to gays. Many propositions other than welcoming homosexuals were declined also."Two other paragraphs concerning the other hot-button issue at the synod of bishops - whether divorced and civilly remarried Catholics can receive Communion - also failed to pass" (1). The paragraph concerning the homosexual individuals stated that respect and hospitality needs to be given to these people even though it defies the order of God, but the paragraph did not pass the two-thirds majority which was needed for it to pass. "Rather than considering gays as individuals who had gifts to offer the church, the revised paragraph referred to homosexuality as one of the problems Catholic families have to confront. It said "people with homosexual tendencies must be welcomed with respect and delicacy," but repeated church teaching that marriage is only between man and woman. The paragraph failed to reach the two-thirds majority needed to pass." (1) The end result of all these votes showed that the church is spilt up into different viewpoints and perspectives. Some Catholic protesters who are pro-gay said that the outcome was disappointing. Although they were disappointed they looked at the bright side, which was the openness to even discuss the topic of welcoming homosexuals.

Many people would have thought the world was extremely far away from seeing a possible consideration from the Vatican City, that gays or homosexuals may be possibly welcomed. Although the proposal was denied because it did not meet the majority of votes which were needed, it shows that people have come a long way from being closed-minded to open-minded. If the Vatican City, the most religious place on this earth, gave some thought to welcome gays, there should not be any reason why anyone else would not. The Vatican City set a precedent on Saturday, a precedent that will sooner or later revolutionize the world and bring it one step closer to welcoming homosexuals in the holy city.

Community Service

Community service being a mandatory priority or being an optional extra curricular aspect in a students doings to be able to graduate has been argued for years and community service still remains to be a mandatory priority for the students who wish to make it to an exceptional university in order to succeed with excellence. Some of these documents suggest community service to be an action which is mandatory while other documents suggest community service to be an optional doing. Both documents provide logos and ethos, it just depends on what side the majority is on and that takes persuasion but mainly what the majority already thinks is the correct path to go with community service. As said in document number 2 community service is needed to stay mandatory for the survival of the community that we help. The Dalton School said, "We must each play a role in contributing to our communities so that these communities can continue to survive and prosper" (pg. 155). The Dalton School provided a useful fact because if thought about without the service and volunteering of students, not many people are going to volunteer out of having a good heart. The community needs to continue to grow and by the mandatory community service hours that have been implemented in a high school students life in order to graduate has been a great move toward the well being and health of the community. This way the community that the student chooses to help will be aided by other students as well and by students who will be coming in as the next freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and even seniors.  Community service should be a mandatory service to high school students so that the community will be given a chance to, like the Dalton School said, "survive and prosper" and that is how students gain experience and realize what they want to do and what type of individual they want to continue their life as.

Share The Attention!

"Yemen's Capital Fell To A Rebel Group And The World Hardly Noticed"

By: Eline Gordts

Source: Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/04/yemen_n_5923602.html

A Shiite rebel group has taken over Yemen, but nobody seemed to notice until they recently established an agreement brought by the UN which allows a new government to be formed without the constant killing and the non-stop fighting. Eline Gordts said,"Last week, a Shiite rebel group that had taken over swaths of Yemen, including its capital, signed a UN-brokered agreement with other political parties to form a new government and end the fighting that has claimed the lives of at least 300 people" (1). Disregarding the push for peace, Yemen is still appeared to have many political conflicts ahead. Houthi fighters attacked Yemen and in a couple days made the army of Yemen stand down while the Houthi fighters took control of the major governmental posts in the capitol of Sanaa. Background information about the Houthis would be, "The Houthis belong to Yemen's Zaydi minority, a Shia sect that controlled the country until 1962. The group started as a Zaydi revivalist movement in the '90s, with its power base in the northern Saada province, on the border with Saudi Arabia. It was named after its then-leader Hussein al-Houthi, but its members refer to themselves as Ansar Allah, which means "Partisans Of God"" (1). This is not something new. The Houthis have had six wars between the central government throughout the years 2004 and 2010. 

For starters, the world should have paid more attention the falling out of Yemen's central government. Knowing that nobody noticed while the rebel group that has been trying to get control of the country finally does, is scary because the world should be more aware and involved in the out going of country conflicts especially between rebel groups who have aspirations and to take over because they have the ambition and relentlessness to do so. Yemen and these other second or third world countries need more attention and the first world countries and the UN should provide them with it.

Hey United States, It's Just Business. No Hard Feelings?

"Turkey Inching Toward Alliance With U.S. in Syrian Conflict"
By: Anne Barnard and Mark Landler
Source: New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/28/world/europe/turkey-hesitant-to-ally-with-us-in-syria-mission.html

"No American ally is closer to the threat of the Islamic State than Turkey, and no country could play a more important role in a coalition that President Obama is assembling to combat the extremist Sunni militants." (1) Although Turkey seems to be the one ally that is the closest to the threat of ISIS, they seem very unenthusiastic and overly resistant to join the forces against ISIS with the United States. The Syrian Kurds are fleeing to Turkey for escape from ISIS while the Turkish Kurds are going into Syria to help their Syrian Kurdish friends. Turkey is in a gigantic dilemma which is defeating the islamic militants or the ISIS while not evolving the power of their Kurdish protesters. Obama is ambitious to get Turkey to join the side opposing ISIS because at the moment Turkey has been aiding ISIS with all sorts of accessories. "Mr. Obama wants Turkey to stop the flow of foreign fighters traveling through the country to join the Islamic State. As a NATO ally, Turkey could also take part in military operations and provide bases from which to carry out airstrikes in Syria and Iraq." (1) Turkey does not want the Kurds to gain power so they will not try to get independence. Although Turkey does not support what ISIS is doing, if Turkey decides to help the United States the Syrian Kurds will generally gain power which is helpful for the Turkish Kurds hungry for independence. Turkey's main concern is tension possibly rising on the border. Supposedly, Turkey sees the Kurds as a much greater threat than the Islamic State.

Turkey does sympathize and understand what the United States have to do, but if they were to participate in the retaliation to ISIS, all sorts of trouble will arise for the Turks. The Kurds will gain power and they will try to break away from the Turkish rule. As said in the New York Times, Turkey thinks of the Kurds as a much more threatening group to their cause then the Islamic State, so there is high doubt that Turkey will take the leap of faith and help the United States put a stop to the Islamic State. In the picture above Turkish Kurds watch closely as the Kurdish forces fight off the Islamic State.

The Heavenly Flavor

Cookies 'n Cream oh Cookies 'n Cream. Just saying the name brings salivation to my lips and crave to my taste buds. You are more a need than a want because I am convinced that I simply cannot live without the intense flavor of Cookies 'n Cream roaming in the depths of my stomach. This flavor serves as an edible companion. It does not matter whether it is your darkest hour or your brightest day, enjoying this ice cream flavor is inevitable and amazing. Considering the creation of this heavenly flavor, I am more than assured that a God of some sort exists because something this delicious cannot be man-made, no way! It is what keeps me sane and makes me stay in this happy state of mind. The beauty is indescribable, just thinking about it brings tears of joy streaming down my face. This flavor totally freezes time and allows me to make the days count and not count the days. All the adjectives in the world could not possibly describe the taste. You would have to taste it to feel how I feel. The first time I laid my eyes on it, I knew something was different about this extraordinary flavor; different and unique from all the others. The Cookies 'n Cream flavor is luscious, creamy, sweet, mouthwatering, appetizing. I could write a book longer than the Bible explaining how amazing this is; truly God's gift, but I would rather have you see for yourself on how amazing the Cookies 'n Cream ice cream flavor actually is.

The Spotlight Leans Over To Different Terrorist Group

"Al-Qaida's Syrian Cell Alarms U.S. More Than Islamic State Militants"
By: Ken Dilanian and Eileen Sullivan
Source: Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/13/syria-obama-isis_n_5815388.html

ISIS or formally known as the Islamic State has the spotlight because of the videos of numerous executions, the United States face a far more further headache. The group's nucleus would be the Khorasan group who are veteran al-Qaida militants are still heavily affiliated with the al-Qaida. "But the Khorasan militants did not go to Syria principally to fight the government of President Bashar Assad, U.S. officials say. Instead, they were sent by al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri to recruit Europeans and Americans whose passports allow them to board a U.S.-bound airliner with less scrutiny from security officials"(1). This brings a far more severe threat to the United States than ISIS because by the recruiting from the Khorasan, the United States could possibly be caught by surprised and when they are not prepared. "In addition, according to classified U.S. intelligence assessments, the Khorasan militants have been working with bomb-makers from al-Qaida's Yemen affiliate to test new ways to slip explosives past airport security. The fear is that the Khorasan militants will provide these sophisticated explosives to their Western recruits who could sneak them onto U.S.-bound flights"(1). Considering this intel the United States should be at the edge of their seat trying to find a conclusion to this jigsaw puzzle. If the Khorasan provide the recruits with these non-detectable bombs which allows them to get past airport security then the United States is in trouble and should immediately put the ISIS situation on hold until this far more threatening problem is brought to rest.

This article finally proves to the citizens and the government of the United States that they are not untouchable and they have a weakness and a loop hole just like every other country. What the United States needs to do is find a solution to this issue that brings alarm and concern to the people who live in the United States. Airport security should be upgraded so bombs that tamper with the security do not exist and are not to worry about. The U.S. needs to fix this and put a stop to it, immediately.

Ariana Grande's Album Review

"My Everything"
By: Rob Sheffield
Source: Rolling Stone
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/ariana-grande-my-everything-20140826

Rolling Stone writes a review about Ariana Grande's album, My Everything. The beautiful pop star shocked the world with her debut album in 2013 called, Yours Truly. Rolling Stone says this album, "is where the 21-year-old Nickelodeon starlet grows up"(1). Rolling Stone uses automatic ethos because everyone knows who Rolling Stone is and how famous they are with writing reviews, so the fact that Rolling Stone is writing a positive review about Ariana Grande's album just makes life even better for Ariana. "It's a confident, intelligent, brazen pop statement, mixing bubblegum diva vocals with EDM break beats" says Rolling Stone, which brings a pathos appeal to the audience who enjoys diva vocals and EDM break beats. The claims that Rolling Stone make are that Grande's album is the album where she grows up, the only terrible song was "Just a Little Bit of Your Heart" because it simply did not fit her nor her personality, and also that Grande's voice is better than the select pop, diva, r&b stars such as Selena Gomez. There is no logos appeal to be found because even though it is credible and trustworthy, it is especially opinionated. Some of the audience might like the songs Rolling Stones degraded, but considering the credibility, this website's album reviews are rarely wrong. The Rolling Stone gave Grande's album a three and a half out of five which clearly means it was almost perfect. The reason why it was not a perfect score were some of the songs that the Rolling Stones did not find appealing and some of the features who were not a right fit to Ariana.

Terrorist Group Elects a New Leader

"Somalia's Al Shabab Confirms Ahmad Godane Dead, Names New Leader"
By: Somalia's Associated Press
Source: Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/06/ahmed-godane-dead_n_5777212.html?utm_hp_ref=world

After the death of Somalia's al-Shabab extremist rebel group, a new leader was chosen on Saturday. The killing of the former leader was said to be a U.S. airstrike which Barrack Obama confirmed as true, because of the link al-Shabab has with al-Qaida. The U.S. killed Godane also known as  Mukhtar Abu Zubeyr who was a spiritual leader for these terrorist groups. Al-Shabab was offically considered a terrorist group by the United States in 2008. The U.S. had put a seven million dollar bounty on the information that led to Godane's arrest. Al-Shabab has confirmed that they still have connections and are linked with al-Qaida. "The Somali group had to appoint a new leader following the death of Ahmed Abdi Godane who was killed with two other officials by a U.S. airstrike Monday. The attack took place 105 miles (170 kilometers) south of Mogadishu, where al-Shabab trains its fighters" (1). The new leader was agreed to be Ahmad Umar, also known as Abu Ubaidah, said the said rebel commander for al-Shabab, Abu Mohammed. There was doubt that al-Shabab would not be the same after the changing of leaders and they would soon join the Islamic State group, but that was all speculation. Al-Shabab said, "Avenging the death of our scholars and leader is a binding obligation on our shoulders that we will never relinquish nor forget no matter how long it takes" (1).

This article brings worry to the United States. Another terrorist group is on the enemy side of the United States and this just cannot be good. Although the United States is the most powerful country and a terrorist group will not make a big dent on America, more and more countries and terrorist groups are starting to dislike the United States and the one thing we cannot afford is too many enemies, but on the other hand by completing these types of missions the United States has been making some friendly, trustworthy, loyal allies.

The Epidemic Gets a Law

"Sierra Leone Makes Hiding Ebola Patients Illegal"
By: Clarence Roy-Macaulay
Source: Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/23/sierra-leone-ebola_n_5702536.html

Sierra Leone has passed a law on Friday which has hiding an Ebola patient illegal. The people hiding the patients will be arrested and can face up to two years in prison. This drastic standard was implemented to the people of Sierra Leone so there would be cooperation between the citizens and the government. Hiding an Ebola patient can put the healthy individual at risk of catching the disease and nobody wants this epidemic to spread more than it already has. The law is understandable, but possibly sentencing the person hiding the Ebola patient to a couple years in jail just instills fear in the people of Sierra Leone. "A total of 2,615 infections and 1,427 deaths have been recorded in the Ebola outbreak now hitting West Africa, according to figures released Friday by the World Health Organization. Sierra Leone has been hard-hit, with at least 910 cases and 392 deaths" (1). By neighboring countries closing the borders Sierra Leone is heart broken by the abandonment and isolation by their allies. A British national who was living in Sierra Leone was tested positive for Ebola; being the first British citizen to have the Ebola disease, but Ebola is a very low risk and concern for the people in the United Kingdom. "The overall risk to the public in the UK continues to be very low," (1) said John Watson, deputy chief medical officer, "Medical experts are currently assessing the situation in Sierra Leone to ensure that appropriate care is provided" (1).

This article shows the severity of the situation. The concern is so high for the countries in Africa that a blockade is in place through almost every country border such as Guniea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Senegal, South Africa, and Cameroon are among some of the countries imposing border restrictions. Although the concern for other continents is low, people should not turn a cheek on this issue and stop the spread before it turns into a pandemic.

"Speech to the Troops at Tilbury"

Queen Elizabeth's speech, "Speech to the Troops at Tilbury", was a heartfelt and emotionally touching speech. By using SOAPST to decipher the speech and analyze it to get a better understanding, the audience will find out by doing the SOAPST that the subject is on going to war and motivating her people to fight till death. She says during her speech,"in the midst and heat of battle, to live and die amongst you all..."(Elizabeth, 41). She approaches the fact that she is an old lady by saying,"I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king..."(Elizabeth, 41). She uses the proper syntax by using the word we, which states that she is the same as the people she is motivating, but towards the end of the speech she says my people, in order to solidify that she is the Queen of England and their ruler. The occasion is before going to war against the Spanish Armada. The audience is non other than the people of England and the military. The purpose of the queen's speech is to inform and to motivate. The speaker is obviously, Queen Elizabeth I. The speech's tone is rather emotional, powerful, optimistic, and courageous. By putting the SOAPST together the audience understands the reason of why she is giving the speech, who the speech is being addressed to, where the speech is being held, who the speaker is, and also what the tone and purpose of the speech is. The piece proves to be effective to the audience and purpose because after her speech, the English went on to defeat the Spanish Armada. Queen Elizabeth was extremely inspirational, who's speech was arguably a major factor for their victory.

The Deadly Epidemic

"WHO: West Africa Ebola Death Toll Passes 1,200"
By: Clair MacDougall and Stephanie Nebehay
Source: Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/19/west-africa-ebola-death-toll_n_5690470.html

The symptoms of Ebola include fever, vomiting, bleeding and diarrhea. This epidemic was first detected in, which used to be Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo, in the mid-1970s. Ebola is spread by connection with blood and body fluids of people or animals who have been infected, it is one of the world's deadliest diseases because scientists are still yet to find a cure; killing up to 90 percent of the people or animals who have been contaminated. Pandemonium has risen and Ebola has been amongst the world for 4 months now and the death toll has risen above 1,200. "As the Geneva-based World Health Organization rushed to ramp up the global response to the outbreak first detected in March, including emergency food deliveries to quarantined zones, it announced that deaths from it had risen to 1,299 as of Aug. 16, out of 2,240 cases"(1). "Between Aug. 14-16, Liberia recorded the most new deaths, 53, followed by Sierra Leone with 17, and Guinea with 14"(1). The WHO said, "Food has been delivered to hospitalized patients and people under quarantine who are not able to leave their homes to purchase food. Providing regular food supplies is a potent means of limiting unnecessary movement"(1).

This article justifies the importance of why the human population should take Ebola seriously and not think of it as a joke. The article informs the audience about the situation in parts of Africa and tells the audience to be prepared for the worst. Ebola is a serious matter, let the world hope it does not spread to neighboring countries to the point where the whole world is contaminated with Ebola. This article is exceptionally informative, giving the audience background information about the disease and also the present situation in parts of Africa. If it is not treated properly the epidemic can turn into a pandemic with a blink of an eye.

Most Valuable Power

Vitamin Water did a grand job with this advertisement in the year 2011. This advertisement uses ethos, logos, and pathos. One of the automatic ethos appeals in this advertisement is the picture of Kobe Bryant. The whole world knows who Kobe Bryant is; he is the All-Star shooting guard and future Hall of Fame inductee for the Los Angeles Lakers. The second and final ethos are the words "vitamin water" on the bottom of the advertisement under the checklist, because this shows that the advertisement is trustworthy and has credibility. The logos in this advertisement is the checklist which gives some of Kobe Bryant's accomplishments. Vitamin Water wants to tell the viewers that Kobe Bryant has achieved 3 championships and 1 MVP award while drinking Vitamin Water. The pathos in this advertisement are the words all the way at the bottom which read "try it... it works for kobe." Vitamin Water gives the viewer an emotional desire; if this sports drink works for Kobe Bryant it may work for the consumer too. Another pathos is the overall tone and physique of Kobe Bryant's body which tells the audience, the reason why Kobe Bryant is so defined is because he is drinking Vitamin Water, so it not only intrigues the audience but gives them an emotional hope that they can have the same physique of Kobe Bryant. The makers of this image also pick the luscious red flavor in order to catch the audiences' eye. This advertisement is effective to athletes everywhere and to the audience who idolize Kobe Bryant, because they would buy the drinks in the mind set of being just like him. In all honesty though, there is only one Kobe Bryant and there will never be a duplicate, so the audience should not get their hopes up.

Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451

Bradbury did an astonishing job by writing a book about the future where everyone is narrow minded and cannot express themselves. This book takes place in the twenty-fourth century. The book was written so beautifully that I could not put the book down until it had unfortunately come to an end. Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 was labeled as a “bestselling masterpiece” and I could not have agreed more. The novel gives a glimpse of life in the future and the changes that have been implemented on the American society. The future of the American society does not consist of any books. If any books were found they would be burned. Ironically, the individuals who would burn the books were called firemen. Firemen are supposed to put out fires but in Fahrenheit 451 the firemen commence fires. Ray Bradbury tries to tell us by books being outlawed in Fahrenheit 451 that books enhance your knowledge and thinking, so by putting a restriction on any piece of literature the superiors of America do not need to worry about any revolts because without books the civilians cannot distinguish if a situation is handled right or wrong. The American superiors or in other words the government do not want the people to be rebellious and develop new ideas and observations about how the American society should actually live. Bradbury has envisioned the United States’ future as a dystopia but also emphasizes the importance of books and how knowledgeable ideas would not be brought up if literature has not been read. Books should not be taken for granted; instead it should be appreciated because that is where we perceive our wisdom.