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.