Political Power

I feel that political power can corrupt anyone in control of it. The problem with this form of power is the obvious fact that corruption faces anyone. The corruption can come in the form of their own desires of another party's desires. Yes, the political representatives can have good intentions, or appear too, but there seems to always be a story behind theirs.

In America, a democracy was created in replace of a monarchy during the American Revolution. In the beginning, the system was used correctly. No control came over it. Currently, that is the exact opposite. Powers such as Wall Street, the Federal Reserve, the Bilderburg Group, ect. have extreme influence over how are government is run. Essentially, in some cases, it doesn't matter if the Presidents of our country have good intentions, because they are controlled by these powers. In most current cases though, such as the Bush Administration, the President willfully took control of this power for simply money.

In America's current situation, "the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer." America's economy is currently based off of capitalism. It may seem to be that the "American Dream" is easily acquired because of this, but in reality, it is extremely difficult. That is because corporate powers, along with others who have influence in our government, make it this way.

Basically, America's government is largely controlled by other powers. These in turn influence the "President" of our country. Like in "Animal Farm," I feel that our country will soon(hopefully) revolt. The people cannot stand this much further. A revolt will idealy occur in which the democratic government is rightfully controlled.

I feel that George Orwell's opinion on political power would be that it can be easily corrupted. Obviously from reading his views based on "Animal Farm," he feels that without the correct governmental ideas, rightful political control will not be existent, as seen in the book. The book is based off of Communism, which always goes wrong; Democracy is harder to corrupt.

In essence, I feel that political power is controlled by not only the "leader" of the country, but can also be controlled by other powers.

Responce Post to Communication

I read an interesting blog post from Amber Chan entitled "Communication."

"I can no longer remember the days when I used to have to send mail or make a phone call from the house phone to talk to a friend or relative that didn’t live very close to me, or just meet with them face to face. "

I feel this is true. Much of our society relies primarily on technology to communicate with others, whether they are friends or not. This is the new standard. Unfortunately, for many, it is a communication breakdown. Communicating solely with the use of internet and face-to-face are two majorly different forms of communication. With the internet, you can talk and have interesting conversations, but really, you will not be able to truly understand a person, their feelings, etcetera. Face-to-face allows people to truly communicate with each other and understand each other. Now, people are more and more relying on internet for communication.

With technology in use for communication, you cannot sense or feel any emotion between one another. A new language is also being created, such as what you use when  you text or IM. Unnecessary words are being removed and messages are usually very short to the point. With that, feeling is removed too. Eventually, people will not know the difference between "you" and "you're;" "there," "their," and "they're." Hopefully, humanity will not rely on pointing and grunting in the future. I feel it is much more pleasant to express yourself with talking with other people; that is true communication; not "?" for "I have a question," and "<3" for "I love you." As anyone can see, that is not true communication and never will be.

What most have forgotten is the fact that you can do what is called grammatically writing one another with correct vocabulary and expressing feeling with one another, through texting, IMing, and even emailing. Our standards for communication have changed and should not because with that change, society will be impacted for the worst. Emotion will no longer exist. I have even read a book call "1984" by George Orwell and in that book, lack of communication is used to control society. Communication is an art that we cannot loose.

Ender Game Post 3

At the beginning of "part 3," one of the most important event in the book happened. Ender was progressed to the position of being a commander. He is now forced to give orders, and to discipline. This new role change showed me an important connection; Ender is very very similar to Colonel Graff. In particular cases, Ender picks on a "launchie" named Bean. Although it may seem like he is pointlessly doing so, he truly cares about him and wants to help him. Ender believes Graff is using him, but does not know that Graff wants to help Ender too and cares about him. Some manipulation must be used to train his army, like Graff used to make Ender a commander.

Because of Ender's newfound success, Ender has made enemies. He truly is competing with the teachers, not the other armies. He wants to beat them. However, Ender's anger with the teachers caused him to make enemies, one in particular named Bonzo. He is eventually forced to fight him, and severely hurts two people. Immediately after the fight, he is forced to fight an impossible battle. This in a sense seemed to break Ender. He no longer cared about winning afterwards; he only cares about having no more enemies. When he left Battle School, the similar feelings of indifference towards life returned.

Ender again returns to school, this time Command School. He does not want to go back because when he does, he is forced to become Peter again. When he destroys the Buggers, he is the only one who does not celebrate because he is sad he destroyed another enemy. He simply wants to have no enemies. Ender also felt manipulated because he never knew he was actually fighting the buggers; he just destroyed their humanity. Although the was was justified, Ender is the only one who thinks humanity could have been saved without war.

When Ender leaves, he colonizes to the bugger worlds with Valentine; Peter would use him if he returned to Earth. He dedicated his life to understanding the Buggers and they both come to the understanding that they never meant to harm one another. The buggers forgave Ender for what he did because they knew he never wanted to hurt them. Ender finally finds his freedom because he has chosen the path he wants to follow, not someone elses.

Responce To Luise's blog post on substitutes

I found an interesting blog post that Luise wrote about substitues.

"I hate it when people try and take advantage of substitutes like if they do not even know the rules of the school. In my old school, taking advantage of substitutes continuously happened throughout the year. I admit it I also used to take advantage but sometimes there is a limit. Some people take it too far."

I have the same feeling about taking advantage of substitutes.  Many if the substitute teachers I have encountered at ASTI are extremely nice. They constantly try to give us meaningful information and do their best when subing, rain or shine. I find that whether or not students like a substitute or not, they still take advantage of them.

An example of a great substitute teacher at ASTI is the one Mrs. Corbally always hires. He is a great English teacher in general. He always has great topics and ideas to discuss regarding lesson plans and never asks much of us. He unfortunately cannot control a classroom properly. Literally, when he talks, no one listens to him; they talk in their own conversations. Yes, he may be boring, but the fact is, he wants to teach us and cares about what we learn. Does nobody understand that? When you are extremely disrespectful to a substitute like him, you are disrespectful to your own education.

I feel that no one respects substitute teachers because socially, that is accepted. I feel this is wrong. Substitutes were once teachers too. The only difference is their job is temporary now. They still care about us and our education. For example, Ms. Corbally's substitute has taken the time to learn all of our names. I have never seen a substitute ever do that. He also takes the time to try and teach us meaningful information. In a sense, you are almost slapping a sub in the face if you disrespect them like many do.

Subs want to help us and care about all of us. We need to in turn show our care for them too. If you don't appreciate your education, leave the classroom instead of wasting the sub's time. Teachers are extremely important figures in society and everyone should realize that; they care for our future, even subs.

Ender's Game: Post 2

As I have continued reading "Ender's Game," I have come to truly realize the importance Ender has concerning the fate of mankind. At the beginning of each chapter, a discussion between Colonel Graff and the highest official of the I.F. takes place; this shows the importance that is placed upon Ender. Everyone is concerned with his progress. Obviously, Graff's faith in Ender is well placed; he has made extreme progress through all the tests that he has been put through. One of the biggest breakthrough's he mad was become accepted throughout battle school by his peers. 


Ender is constantly put into situations where he has to save himself, which usually involves breaking the rules. Throughout battle school, he plays a simulated game that challenges him in certain situations. Throughout the game, he was forced to break rules in order to progress. Much of this is because Graff has put him in situations like this. Ender needs to be pushed in order to become a commander and save humanity. Graff even creates such situations as to make the battleroom scenarios unfair so that Ender can face situations like real war. This compromises the integrity of the entire school, but this again shows the emphasis on how important Ender is to humanity.


With the progress Ender is making, he is also beginning to realize that he is like Peter, and is hating himself for it. This is because Graff is pushing him to become like him. Even Ender's sister Valentine is realizing the same truth. As Ender begin's to realize this, Graff asks Valentine to send Ender a letter which basically allows Ender to "realize" that he has lost his most precious possession in life in life, which pushes him further. Ender is again pushed into becoming a commander.


One of the biggest steps forward for Ender in the book is when Ender becomes promoted to a commander of a group of children for the battle room. This gives Ender a new perspective on battle school because he is allowed to give orders. Ender is in the final stages of training to become what he was meant to do. Ender has realized that he is being manipulated throughout his progress as a commander. The only way for him to become a great commander is for him to blame his teachers on what happened to him, and he is right to do so.

Responce to Mercedes Post

I though Mercedes Thorne's blog post was extremely interesting so I decided to respond to it.

Argument is the root of all evil. A force opposing your own. And idea, a feeling, a person, an opinion. No, argument does not always escalate into something big, but it often turns your opponent more against you than they were before you fought.

I am in total agreement with Mercedes's opinion on arguments. These are a big issue on blogger. Arguments are widely caused over small response posts that turn in to controversial arguments. I too am tired of this. This is an unneeded source of problems. Everyone should recognize that these are only opinions and are not meant to be directed towards anyone. Everyone has the right to be opinionated; you can too, but why in such an attacking and negative manner? Blogger is a place where people can express themselves, not a place where people attack one another.


I feel that this is a problem that is naturally in humans. We are all defensive and argumentative. It is human nature, as Mercedes said. Being argumentative is fine, but not when you are specifically trying to attack someone and cause trouble. 

Enders Game: Post 1

Ender's Game by Orson Scott is a book based on a future society on Earth and that has been at war with an alien race called the "buggers." This war has greatly shaped this society. Everyone is considered to go to battle school at young ages to fight the buggers; Ender is one of these people. He is considered a genius and was taken by the I.F. to train and become a commander.

For Ender to become what he was "destined" to do, Ender was manipulated. Earth is desperate; they need someone who is able to command and lead victory against the buggers. They do this by isolating him from everyone because he cannot conform. He needs to be different. Although what has been done to Ender is immoral, the I.F. sees it as being for the great good of humanity. I feel they are right. Ender is their last chance and they must take every necessary step to ensure Ender saves humanity.

For Ender, leaving Earth to go to battle school was partly a relief and partly saddening for him. Ender is in constant psychological torment because of all the hatred and bullying he had faced throughout his life. Firstly, he is a "third" born; this society looks down on thirds because it is no allowed by the government. Also Ender has had a monitor(a device that has watches him) on longer than any of his other peers. These two factors caused everyone to hate him, but his sister Valentine. Valentine truly loved Ender. She was the only person Ender had. This became a conflict as to whether Ender should leave, but he decided to go when he came to the realization that he could possible become the one who would save humanity from the buggers.

Battle school for Ender became his former life on Earth. As I stated before, the I.F. wanted him to be isolated; they did this by turning everyone on Ender. Everyone hated him and looked down on him. Again, he was put in a situation where he had no friends and only enemies. The only way he could gain friendship was if he proved himself in his training. Training consisted of academic learning, and battle preparation. In battle preparation, children fought in a zero gravity room with fake guns and space outfits. It is extremely strategical. Ender needed to prove himself in order to allow everyone to like him and the I.F  new this.