Tuesdays with Morrie

We think because we're human, we're something above nature. Everything that gets born, dies. (Page 173)


http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nMsrxV2h_Ms

A Call for Compassion

May 6, 2013

President Barack Obama
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Barack Obama,

My name is Jordan Miller and I am a freshmen attending Scituate High School in Scituate, Massachusetts. I am writing this letter in order to give a voice to the canines affected by puppy mills. I write this to inspire you to take a stand against these horrific actions. 

In puppy mills, the food and water they are fed is often contaminated and crawling with bugs. The cages they are put in are overstuffed with dogs, so they are unable to move much, play, or exercise. The cages the puppies are kept in are rarely cleaned, forcing them to stand in their own urine and feces for long periods of time. They are usually malnourished and infected with numerous diseases. Puppies in mills are found with bleeding or swollen paws, feet falling through the wire cages, severe tooth decay, ear infections, dehydration, and lesions on their eyes, which often lead to blindness. 

As someone in the position of great power, I strongly encourage you to do everything in your power to stop this animal cruelty. This is an abomination and should not be tolerated. Even though they are not human beings, that does not mean that they are not suffering. They need a voice to cry out for help and I hope that this raises the awareness for these inhumane acts. 

I thank you for your time and hope that you consider this issue. 

Sincerely,

Jordan Miller

Found Poem- Where is God?

Man asks and God replies

We don't understand His replies

God is testing us

He loves us

Where is God?

I spent years seeking my God 

I pray to the God within me

Oh God,Master of the universe

Give me strength

I was alone without God

Where is God?

We have thanks to God

He loves us

Thank God

Blessed be the Almighty

Where is God?

Night Chapters 7-9 Prompt 3

The events in Night express what happens when people lose compassion for their fellow man. For example, when a Parisian lady threw coins to the natives, there were "two children desperately fighting in the water, one trying to strangle the other" (Wiesel 100). This shows how two children were willing to kill, just for a bit of money so they could survive. It displays how even children will fight to the death if that means that they will survive. In addition, when bread landed in the wagon "a battle had ensued. Men were hurling themselves against each other, trampling, tearing at and mauling each other. Beasts of prey unleashed, animal hate in their eyes. An extraordinary vitality possessed them, sharpening their teeth and nails" (Wiesel 101). This displays how the men would do absolutely anything they could to survive, even if it meant using every last bit of strength to defeat their fellow man. These actions express how when people lose compassion, they are willing to kill their fellow man. Elie Wiesel expresses what happens when people lose compassion for their fellow man. 

In this memoir, the author displays how people betray their loved ones when compassion is lost. For instance, when one of the men was able to obtain a crust of bread, "a shadow had laid down beside him. And this shadow threw itself over him" and he was beaten by his own son. This shows how a son is willing to betray his own father to survive because he lost all his compassion during the events of the war. It expresses how one willing to do whatever is necessary in order to survive, including killing their own flesh and blood. Furthermore, when he woke up after the first night there, "a thought crept into [his] mind: if only [he] didn't find him! If only [he] were relieved of this responsibility, [he] could use all [his] strength to fight for [his] own survival, to take care only of [him]self" (Wiesel 106). This shows how Elie was thinking how the rabbi's son was thinking, and was almost relieved by the possibility of his father's death. This expresses how when people lose compassion, they will lose all of their love and even personality of who they really are. Elie Wiesel displays how people will betray their loved ones when they lose compassion for their fellow man. 

Night Chapters 5-6 Prompt 10

Elie Wiesel's Night had several moving sections. For example, after the day of work on Rosh Hashanah Elie met up with his father and "took his hand and kissed it. [He] felt a tear on [his] hand. Whose was it? [Elie's]? His? [Elie] said nothing. Nor did he. Never before had we understood each other so clearly" (Wiesel 68). This shows how close Elie and his father were, they communicated without actually using spoken words. This displays how in life people can be so close they just understand each other without any explanations. Also, in some cases they know each other more than they know themselves. Furthermore, when his father had been called out and was giving Elie a few of his possessions, Elie said "Don't talk like that, Father. I don't want you to say such things. Keep the spoon and knife. You will need them as much as I. We'll see each other tonight, after work" (Wiesel 75). This shows how Elie didn't want to believe that his father was going to be executed even though it seemed like the only possibility at the moment. This expresses how sometimes people will refuse to believe something if it means losing their loved one, or something else that is difficult to accept. Night included numerous moving messages expressed through the characters. 

Night by Elie Wiesel had many powerful passages. For instance, when he was in the infirmary a fellow patient told Elie "I have more faith in Hitler than in anyone else. He alone has kept his promises, all his promises, to the Jewish people" (Wiesel 81). This shows how even though the patient was a victim of Hitler, he was the only one he could trust to keep his promises, whether they were good or bad. This represents how people don't always have something to believe in, so they have to believe in a negative force in their life. In addition, when the prisoners were running all through the night "long since, [they] had exceeded the limits o fatigue. [Their] legs moved mechanically, in spite of [them], without [them]" (Weisel 87). This shows how they were running without actually willing their body to, it was as if they were doing it automatically, against their will. This displays how when people are so numb to a feeling, they almost don't realize they're actually doing it, but it just happens as if its not even them. Elie Wiesel expressed many moving messages in Night. 

Night Chapters 3-4 Prompt 7

In Night, Elie Wiesel expresses the imagery through interesting details. For example, when describing on of the SS officers, Elie explains he was "a tall man, in his thirties, crime written all over his forehead and his gaze. He looked at us as one would a pack of leprous dogs clinging to life" (Wiesel 38). This demonstrates the author's use of similes to illustrate certain images in the reader's mind. It also displays how he not only described the man's physical features, but in a way he was also able to express the man's attitude towards the inmates. Furthermore, when describing his German tent leader, the author wrote he had "an assassin's face, fleshy lips, hands resembling a wolf's paws. The camp's food had agreed with him; he could hardly move, he was so fat. Like the head of the camp, he liked children" (Wiesel 48). This illustrates a mental image of what this character looks like because of the specific details the author chose to include. It also reveals some of the things that might have taken place involving certain adult individuals who particularly liked children. The author was able to form mental images through his detailed descriptions. 

Elie Weisel's imagery not only illustrates physical features, but also certain emotions. For instance, when Idek was taking out his anger "[Elie] happened to cross his path. He threw himself on [Elie] like a wild beast, beating [him] in the chest, on [his] head, throwing [him] to the ground and picking [him] up again, crushing [him] with ever more violent blows, until [he] was covered in blood. As [Ellie] bit [his] lips in order not to howl with pain, he must have mistaken [his] silence for defiance and so he continued to hit me harder and harder" (Wiesel 53). This demonstrates how those in charge would treat the inmates with their various brutal acts. It also expresses Idek's anger, if he had been that harsh on Elie he must have been pretty furious. In addition, when the child had been hanged, he was too light "and so he remained for more than half an hour, lingering between life and death, writhing before our eyes. And [they] were forced to look at him at close range. He was still alive when [Elie] passed him. His tongue was still red, his eyes not yet extinguished" (Wiesel 65). This illustrates an image of what the hanged child look like, and how the author was able to express this image through his specific details. It also demonstrates the brutality of the Nazis by their moral and emotional ability to hang a child. Both emotions and physical features are expresses through Elie Wiesel's detailed writing. 

Night Chapters 1-2 Prompt 10

Night by Elie Wiesel is an interesting memoir, containing many moving messages. For example, when Elie was awakening people of the ghetto, one of his father's friends "...got out of bed and began to dress, automatically. Then he went over to the bed where his wife lay sleeping and with infinite tenderness touched her forehead. She opened her eyes and it seemed to me that a smile crossed her lips. Then he went to wake his two children. They woke with a start, torn from their dreams" (Wiesel 15). This truly displays the love of a couple, the way he wakes her ever so carefully so as to disturb her as little as possible. Also, in the way she smiles when she awakes to see him there next to her, how they seem to have an unspoken communication. This expresses how love between two people can show itself in the smallest of actions, because of the true appreciation of one another. Furthermore, when Elie's family had just settled into their new home in the smaller ghetto, his mother kept repeating "We cannot give up. We cannot give up" (Wieser 20). This shows Elie's mother's immense perseverance, because of her refusal to back down, even when she had so many factors against her. This displays how when it is necessary some people can step up by giving others so much of their strength that they are completely exhausted, yet they still persevere. A variety of powerful messages is demonstrated in this memoir. 

In Night, the author expresses interesting observations on humanity. For instance, when groups of people were moved to the second ghetto, "People rather got along. There no longer was any distinction between rich and poor, notables and the others; we were all people condemned to the same fate—still unknown" (Wieser 21). This shows how they were all equal after all of their money and objects with monetary value were gone. It reveals how everyone is equal when it comes down to the basic qualities. Also, the people in that ghetto were faced with the same fate, just as all of humanity is with death which further proves the equality. In addition, when Mrs, Schächter was screaming on the train, eventually everyone's "...terror could no longer be contained. [Their] nerves had reached a breaking point. [Their] very skin was aching. It was as though madness had infected all of [them]. [They] gave up" (Wieser 26). This shows how under such stressful conditions, they all eventually are driven to a point where they can no longer take it. This situation exemplifies how people can only handle so many problems and negativity. At one point they might finally crack, which could very well mean them going insane. Elie Wieser reveals some insight on humanity through his memoir, Night. 

Romeo and Juliet

"Well, Juliet, I will lie with thee tonight" 5.1 (37). In the context of when Romeo said this, it was very sweet and captured the idea of the nature of love and how Romeo would rather die and be with Juliet dead, than not be with her while living.

Act 4 Connections

http://youtube.com/watch?v=RL7lEe36MYs

A Little Piece of Heaven by Avenged Sevenfold tells a tragic and gruesome love story. At the beginning he is explaining that their love had been so strong for far too long and that he knew something was going to go wrong. He then kills her before she could do anything to mess anything up. It's a bit morbid, but he thinks she is perfect now that she is dead and can't do anything wrong. He then does profane things to her because he is psychotic and so obsessed with her. Her ghost then comes back to kill him for what he did to her and he realizes the wrong in what he had done. 

This song explain what some will do in the name of love. For example, when he says that their "love had been so strong for far too long, [he] was weak with fear that something would go wrong, Before the possibilities came true,

[he] took all possibility from [her]".  This explains that he was worried that she was going to do something that would mess things up, so he had to kill her before she did. It also displays how some people will do anything to keep the person they love from leaving them and loving someone else, even if that means destroying them. Furthermore, after he realizes the wrong in his actions he says "[he] will suffer for so long to make it up to [her]. This reveals that he truly loves her and is willing to accept any punishments that will prove his love to her. It also expresses that some will go through immense suffering in order to make the person they love happy. This song demonstrates what some people will do in the name of love. 

Disagreements

Parents and children's often disagree on certain things, sometimes they are resolved peacefully. For example, when I was younger, I wanted to go to my friend's house to hang out but I wasn't allowed to go. This shows how the child wanted to do something but the adult disagreed. This conflict ended after the adult made it clear as to why they did not want the child to go to the place. Furthermore, when I wanted to go to the mall, I was not allowed to go for various reasons that were discussed. This displays how a child and an adult disagreed on something, but the adult got their way. This also shows how it was resolved peacefully because the terms were discussed. There are often disagreements between children and adults, which are sometimes peacefully resolved. 

However, sometimes when a child and a parent disagree, it ends with another conflict. For example, when I was younger there was a time that I wanted to go to my friend's house, but I wasn't allowed to so I rode my bicycle there. This shows how the child was defiant to the parent's requests after an argument. Also, it displays how the disagreement ended in more conflict because I was also not allowed to ride my bicycle alone on a main rode. Furthermore, when I rode my bicycle on a main road, it ended in a conflict because I was not supposed to. This exemplifies how a conflict wasn't ended peacefully because the child had to endure a long lecture that was very loud. Also, it displays how children have to obey rules or they will face the punishments. Disagreements between parents and children do not always end peacefully.  

Decisions

People make decisions based on their feelings as well as logic. For example, when Romeo decided to fight Tybalt he was in a temporary rage at what happened to Mercutio. This shows that he wasn't thinking clearly because his best friend was just killed. Also, if it had happened in a different context he might have thought it through more and not just acted on his feelings. Furthermore, when I take an exam I need to make sure that I have enough time to finish all of the questions so I do the hardest ones first. This shows how I use logic to complete it because I am answering the most challenging questions and then speeding through the easy questions. Depending on the situation, people use either logic or feelings to make decisions. 

The decisions people make can have a huge impact on the people around them. For example, when Romeo and Juliet decided to get married, it involved their families and basically all of Verona. This shows how a small decision can effect the people's families and even a whole city. Their choice had such a huge impact because of their family rivalry which had also taken over the city. Furthermore, when I decided to join the field hockey team, I was an additional player to the team. This shows how a decision can impact a lot of people because the team then had more midfield players. This also allows other players to rest as they are substituted out and thus helps us become a stronger team. The decisions people make can have a huge impact on the people around them. 

Romeo and Juliet 3.1 Cartoon

http://Pixton.com/ic:fuecevvn

Romeo and Juliet Advice Column

Dear Columnist,

I really need your advice, but let me explain to you a little about my family before I tell you my problem. My family and another family have been rivals for as long as anyone can remember. My father can't even stand the thought of anyone in our family talking to any of them. The feud has gotten so bad that the whole town seems to be against each other. I don't think that my father will be satisfied until Lord Montague is dead or just gives in first. 

Now on to the problem. I am in love with the enemy. Last night at my family's party he showed up. After we saw each other across the room we ended up making out. I really feel like there is something magical between us. I can't get him out of my head, I haven't stopped thinking about him since we kissed. I want to see him again, but I know my father would be really angry if he found out. What do you think I should do?

-Juliet

Love Song

The Way I Loved You by Taylor Swift can be used to help determine the nature of love. For example, when Taylor sings "But I miss screaming and fighting and kissing in the rain" (Swift). This shows that even though the relationship is over, she still looks back to the times she had with him. Also, it demonstrates how even though screaming and fighting may not usually be enjoyable but she misses doing it because she was passionate about the guy. Furthermore, when Taylor sings "You're so in love that you act insane" (Swift). This proves that she was indeed in love with the guy and that they acted a little crazy at sometimes. This demonstrates the nature of love because its saying that being in love causes you to act insane which would mean that the nature of love is crazy. Taylor Swift's "The Way I Loved You" can be used to help determine the nature of love.

The Verdict is Out

Although both the Prosecution and the Defense had strong arguments and excellent presentations, there can only be one winner. The defense had compelling evidence that overruled the opposing argument. For example, when Johann was explaining the difference between the guns and how their accuracy varies, as well as the difference in the bullets and how their shape affects its momentum, it was very clear. Also, when the point of how criminals don't follow the law so why would they follow gun control laws. Additionally, it was clear that only criminals would obtain the firearms because they would buy them on the Black Market just like narcotics. Overall, the defending argument was stronger than the prosecuting argument.