Mark, Chapters 1-10

I think John has been understated. He paved the way for Jesus and was converting people to the Christian faith before Jesus, but John is a little detour in the life of Jesus, while I believe he deserves more because he did help Jesus' cause quite alot.

I find the symbolism of the dove as the holy spirit. A dove is harmless but we attribute to it a mysticism, an intelligence of sorts. We see it as peace and good intentions, but with a certain amount of power. It is white and therefore associated with being clean and pure. But the dove also has a feminine quality to it, which surprises me in Catholic/Christian religion where it is governed by predominantely male figures and women are reduced in power, the few real important roles held by them are: the prostitute (Mary Magdalene) which can be the evil of women but also the ability to gain redemption and be cleaned by God's power and the mother (The Virgin Mary) where she is deprived of sex (Jesus is conceived without sexual relations) and her role is to care for house, husband, and son. I am of course not a psychologist by any means but I would love to consult with a psychologist the gender roles and significance of women in the bible.

Matthew, Chapters 23-28

I found it striking that Jesus would refer with respet to the figure of Moses (Chapter 23, verse 2). First of he was clashing with the traditional Jewish structure and preaching something entirely different to Judaism. However, I realized upon reflecting, that a smart man like Jesus would understand the respect his followers would have for this figure as they were in turn Jews. Not only that but Jesus had been raised Jewish himself and knew the effect he would have on his crowd of converts.

Another exampleof Jesus being very smart (politically in speech giving at least) he in verses 3-6 of chapter 23 calls on the social inequalityof their society and how the rich and powerful exploit them and with this, he gains the support of the poor and unhappy majority. In seeing this thousands of historical examples flooded me, like the French Revolution in which the poor, tired of the oppresive and decadent monarchs who used the national bank as spendign money and held banquets while their people starved. The beginning of Soviet Russia was also made possible by the tired poor taking arms against the tzars, and this appeal to the common people also made possible the election fo Salvador Allende in Chile, which sadly lead to Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship.

Matthew, Chapters 13-22

I immediately picked up on the fisherman theme that is so commented in the New Testament, as the sea is mentioned in the first verse. Many of his disciples were fishermen, and Jesus was called "A fisher of men" and the fish is a christian symbol. However I wonder whether this was intendend or if his disciples added their own view to it.

If we take away the godly and divine aspect of Jesus, you still see a great man, a very wise man. He was ahead of his time, preaching love and forgiveness. And he spoke in parables, which remind me of so many great texts and thinkers before. Gilgamesh, Greek Myths, the Analects and the latest and most complex the Tao whose metaphors required reading of each chapter to be done twice or thrice. Jesus is easier to read in that way because he preached to a simple people and therefore his metaphors are simple too. It was also sophisticated selection method, like clubs picking better patrons and preschool better applicants, because it made sense to the smarter, the more aware, the ones that were "best" to have in following and these in turn could explain to those who weren't as worldly.

Matthew, Chapters 1-12

Like all of us, I was reluctant to start bible reading again. And sadly, my fears came true. The first chapter of Matthew is eerily similar to an earlier Genesis chapter, and in both of these, all that happened was a long and boring tale of genealogy, which have the same format: "Person 1 begat Person 2 and Person 2 begat Person 3" and so on so forth. The bible sadly is fond of repeating itself. But, it does pick up when it begins to tell the veyr familiar nativity story, which struck me as we are so close to Christmas.

Today people easily raised the children of others, as stepchildren or adopted children, because the social taboo has lessened, but men are still as intolerant of their woman being pregnant by another, because this still makes them feel less of a man, and less worthy as she has (most likely) cheated on him. And yet today, and in the past, women can forgive infidelity and even accept his children by other women. For example in the Colombian coast, the wives often know the mistresses and the children know each other. And they still have the ancient ranking system of the wife being first and most important to her husband and so on, which makes me think that polygamy is not an archaic and barbaric institution, but a normal process for humans, if the right atmoshpere is provided.

Tao Te Ching, 44-66

Chapter 44 struck me as being to conformist in its attitude, because it talks of being contented and moderation and staying "forever safe", but it sounds so dull and unambitious that I wonder the worth in this lesson which feels like a less than stellar repeat of all the previous things said by the Tao.

Chapter 46 enhances the Tao's antiwar attitudes but I am again struck by the anti individualism of the tao, in that chapter (46) its says:

No greater misfortune than wanting something for oneself.

However I will admit that I am most likely culturally biased, because my culture is huge on individuality, and the enviroment I've been raised in promotes ambition, which immediately clashed with the Tao's simplistic ideas. Another little culture clash when reading the Tao is the idea of wu-wei, not the actual idea but the fact that it means not doing, because my culture never seems to stop moving, which can be often seen in class, where people are always moving some part of their body. The idea of wu-wei, therefore, is hard to assimilate because stillness is not thought of as a real action or non-action.

Tao Te Ching, 29-43

The beginning of 29 sent me immediately back to Ishmael. The line:

Do you think you can take over the universe and improve it?

Made me think of taker culture, where everything must be conquered and made btter, made into taker things, so we may live in comfort. 29 talks baout how the universe is out of our control and the way life is inconsistent, as he says:

Sometimes breathing is hard, sometimes it comes easily.

Chapter 30 comes back to the Tao ideal of moderation, which is a recurring theme in the Tao, because it is one of the ways of the sage and essential to the Tao's working structure.

Chapter 31 I thought was very interesting because it has the ideals of peace and disgust towards war and weapons, because they mean death. I was struck by this especially as people are still attempting to reach that peace today, making the chapter completely relevant and valid in today's world.

Tao Te Ching, 13-28

Chapter Thirteen has alot of wu-wei because it talks about accepting tragedy easily and without a fight, because in this way one is more compliant with the Tao.

Chapter fourteen talks about the "mystery" I believe and again that the Tao as the beginning truly has no beginning and therefore no end, so those who follow the Tao will themselves have no end. This makes me think about how fear of the death is a universal fear and how most religions are popular because they give hope about life after death, how there is a place people will go, life will not simply end.

The Tao also seems to draw and talk about the past alot, especially when talking of the beginning, which is reminiscent of the Analects where Confucius drew heavily on the past, which is exemplified by his talking of the Odes.

Tao Te Ching, 1-12

I like the Tao, as it is much more lyrical and metaphorical than the Annalects and other works we've read, as it is composed of poem-like chapters. But bad come with good, which in this case means that the Tao is more difficult to undertand and one must strive to find the true meaning.

I really enjoyed chapter one as it does its job spendidly, as it draws in the reader by talking about "the mystery" which seems to mean the story or meaning of all things.

In chapter two, the Tao breaches what I consider to be a very modern idea, which is that with the absence of evil there cannot be good. In other words opposites are necessary.

I believe the "unfathomable source of the ten thousand things" is a reference to the mystery, but I had a hard time with chapter four, because the meaning escapes me.

I like the idea presented in chapter seven that that which is nto born cannot die, which menas that which has no beginning, has no end. This idea also struck me as modern, which really made me think about me notions of the past.

Go

I really liked Go. The tutorial was well explained and I could always aske my classmates for help. Howver I am not (yet!) a good player and probably don't have a whole lot of natural skill, but that can be overcome with practice.

I also like the fact that the game seems timeless, as I enjoyed the game, and realize that it is hundreds of years old and hundreds of people have enjoyed it before me.

Night, Pages 54-109

I was really shocked by the fact that Idek would so callously bring about suffering, just to be with a girl. It seems then that the Nazis really succeeded in making the Jews less than humans, unimportant and easy to hurt, because they didn't believe they suffered.

The hangings were very shocking, especially because it carries the important message of apathy. Wiesel feels nothing in the first prisoners' deaths, as he knew him not, but he did know the second and it hurt. Today we are in great danger of this, as the worlds' population is so big, we can be indifferent to problems if they don't directly affect us.

The man who kills himself during the raid, really affected me because of how much the camps destroyed his mind. When he sees cauldrons of soup, a dream come true, a dream in reach, the fact that he reached his goal iis so overwhelming that he chooses to die.

Another thing that stuck in my head is when on page 77 the hungarian sick man says he believes more in Hitler than anyone, because he kept his promises to the Jews, the promises to kill them.

The ending, though "happy" also rung with the author's style of deep but short phrases, taht really carry feeling. The last line is exemplary of this, and really carries the book's message. Not to forget, to not allow this again, this torture, for it yields death and pain and survivors that are less than human.

Night, Pages 1-Top of 54

The quote "I believed profundly" (first page) is great foreshadowing that his faith will be shaken which happens in page 32 where the author states "those flames which consumed my faith forever", and I like the effect it has on the opening of the book, with such quiet dramatism.

I also find the fact that young Wiesel cries when he prays shows great emotion within him, and the notion that religion can be tragic, which will come into play when the are persecuted because of their beliefs. Also when he is asked whyhe prays he asks why do I breathe? which shows that religion is intregal to him, which also strikes the reader greatly, as the reader has at least a general idea of what is to come. He demonstrates this again when he awakes early to pray on their last day in the ghetto (page 16)

Moshe seems to teach that all human are valid and with a worthy spirit, regardless of monetary status.

I found very charged in meaning when, on page 9, he says that his ftaher did die of having the wear the yellow star, because it symbolized all that the Nazis wanted, and all that was to come.

The line on page 22 "Those who no longer wished to taste the bitterness of terror" struck me, not only because of its power but because I feel as though I've read it before before, but it eludes me whether or not this is true. Regardless, it is sure to stick in my mind, because the amount of emotion it manages to convey.

During today's reading, I often had to stop, because the author conveys the very strong feeling of pain and claustrophobia, and it affected me so that I had to stop and take breaks because everything was so strong and tragic.

The Analects

What I truly liked about the Analects is that its teachings are so influential, even to us today. The teachings in the Analects are still taught today, but differently, whether they be in expressions or common knowledge, or even by direct quotes to Confucius.

This work also seems to set or belong to a pattern of works like these that give their teachings, (The Bible, Koran, Other holy books/works) but do not obligate the reader to follow the teachings, simply pointing the direction in which they must go, but not forcing them to do so.

The greatest similarity I saw between the Analects and other works is the fact that the Analects enforces the idea of filial piety, and the bible states in the Exodus (I believe, for I'm not entirely sure) "Honor thy mother and thy Father" which is what Confucius teaches, in different words.

In essence I likeed the Analects because it only points the way. The embark on the journey, the motivaation must belong to you.

Analects, Books Sixteen, Nineteen, and Twenty

These books seem to be collected fragments or ununified pieces of text, unlike the other books, in which the text all follows a theme or have a common element that connects them and gives them their place in whichever book. These books have (seemingly) arbitrary passages that were apparently grouped together because there was nowhere else to put them.

Book Nineteen is an exception as it is the sayings of Confucius' students rather than Confucius himself and some of them have been previously shown.

Analects, Books Fifteen, Seventeen, and Eighteen

Passage15:1 makes me believe that Confucius was a pacifist, which hadn't been seen or adressed in the previous books.

Passage 15:28 really made me think, because one can get very easily caught out in herd mentality and mob psychology. Often people make up ntheir minds about others based on gossip and the opinions of others, rather than their own, which is what this passage urges one to do.

I really liked passage 15:30 because it teaches people to learn from their mistakes, rathe rthan keep on making them, which people do often, even if they know they should not. The idea of changing according to experience is revisited in passage 17:3.

I dislike the fact that 17:25 treats women as a separate entity from humans or the rest of the race, as if they are common and unworthy as men are, which gives a lot of insight into Confucian China.

Analects, Books Twelve Through Fourteen

One again I see the roots of China's isolationism as they are told be Confucius to strictly adhere to ritual no matter what and ignore anything that does not conform to this. Also, passage 12:5 refers to China as entirely surrounded by seas, which contributes to the mindset that they must be independent and self sufficient.

Passage 12:8 struck me as "advanced" thinking because it talks of a concept I thought to have been conceived well after Confucius' time. The concept is that humans are equal. He says that all animals have the same skin underneath, which is why one msut study to be a gentleman, for one is born as just another human.

Confucianism seems to have high stock in leadership, as Confucius (the Master) would be in greatest and would teach his students, who in turn became Masters and taught others, creating a hierarchy, which Confucius believes in as he often helps nobles and believes they will lead those that follow them into following goodness, as he often says something along the lines of: raise up the straight and the crooked will become straight.

Analects, Books Seven, Eight, and Eleven

I find passage 7:4 most odd. It simply reads "In his leisure moments, the Master was composed and yet fully at ease". Why was this even here? Its lesson is inconsequential at best and completely ridiculous at worst. It seems to mean that even when relaxed you have to be prim and proper, which is a contradiction and this oddly seems to suggest that those who saw him at those moments saw him when he wasn't really leisurely.

I like that passage 7:8 says that the Master won't strive for those that won't strive, meaning that one must work as well, or not get anything at all. It implies that one really must have passion for what you want to achieve, which connects to 7:12 where the master states he follows what he loves.

Confucius seems to particularly like music, as seen in passages 7:14, 7:32, 8:8.

Paraphrasing Exercise

1."The Antarctic is the vast source of cold on our planet, just as the sun is the source of our heat, and it exerts tremendous control on our climate," [Jacques] Cousteau told the camera. "The cold ocean water around Antarctica flows north to mix with warmer water from the tropics, and its upwellings help to cool both the surface water and our atmosphere. Yet the fragility of this regulating system is now threatened by human activity." From "Captain Cousteau," Audubon (May 1990):17.

The Antarctic produces cold for the planet, as its cold waters mix with warm tropic water and it keeping water and general temperature at its regular rates. Unfortunately this balance is very delicate (As any changes in water flow can affect its results), making it vulnerable to human activity (Audubon 17).

2. The twenties were the years when drinking was against the law, and the law was a bad joke because everyone knew of a local bar where liquor could be had. They were the years when organized crime ruled the cities, and the police seemed powerless to do anything against it. Classical music was forgotten while jazz spread throughout the land, and men like Bix Beiderbecke, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie became the heroes of the young. The flapper was born in the twenties, and with her bobbed hair and short skirts, she symbolized, perhaps more than anyone or anything else, America's break with the past. From Kathleen Yancey, English 102 Supplemental Guide (1989): 25.

Drinking was against the law in 1920s America, but this law was broken easily and often. Because of the money made by illegal liquor mobs had a lot of power and the law couldn't stop it. Jazz music became very popular and the "flapper" movement appeared. both of these signs were taken to mean America was distancing itself from its previous history (Yancey 5)

3. Of the more than 1000 bicycling deaths each year, three-fourths are caused by head injuries. Half of those killed are school-age children. One study concluded that wearing a bike helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by 85 percent. In an accident, a bike helmet absorbs the shock and cushions the head. From "Bike Helmets: Unused Lifesavers," Consumer Reports (May 1990): 348.

There are many deaths a year caused by bycycle accidents and a large part of these deaths are because of injuries to the head. Amongst the dead are young kids. Bike helmets can help save lives as it protects the head and limit the shock. A study concluded that bike helmets can dimish the possibilities of injury to the head. (Consumer Reports 348)

4. Matisse is the best painter ever at putting the viewer at the scene. He's the most realistic of all modern artists, if you admit the feel of the breeze as necessary to a landscape and the smell of oranges as essential to a still life. "The Casbah Gate" depicts the well-known gateway Bab el Aassa, which pierces the southern wall of the city near the sultan's palace. With scrubby coats of ivory, aqua, blue, and rose delicately fenced by the liveliest gray outline in art history, Matisse gets the essence of a Tangier afternoon, including the subtle presence of the bowaab, the sentry who sits and surveys those who pass through the gate. From Peter Plagens, "Bright Lights." Newsweek (26 March 1990): 50.

French painter Henri Matisse is consider amongst the most talented artists at making the viewer feeling inside the painting. He uses color to give the time of day and type of place, and gave the illusion of texture and added precenses of people or things to make the setting depicted seem real. One of his paintings that is believed to be exemplary of this is "The Casbah Gate" (Plagens 50)

5. While the Sears Tower is arguably the greatest achievement in skyscraper engineering so far, it's unlikely that architects and engineers have abandoned the quest for the world's tallest building. The question is: Just how high can a building go? Structural engineer William LeMessurier has designed a skyscraper nearly one-half mile high, twice as tall as the Sears Tower. And architect Robert Sobel claims that existing technology could produce a 500-story building. From Ron Bachman, "Reaching for the Sky." Dial (May 1990): 15.

Sometimes belived to be the most amazing product of building, the Sears Tower is impressive. However other architects like William LeMessurier and Robert Sobel believe current tools can be used to build much larger buildings. (Dial 15)

Analects, Books Four Through Six

Though the prentense of being Good and teaching Goodness is admirable, this book seems self-promoting, more so than other similar texts, as it seems to push too much to follow the Confucian way.

The way wealth and social standing is talked about in passage 5 (book four) makes me think of societies today where people gain such things by illegal or immoral means.

In 4:6 it annoys me that he is talking about this perfect unknown person, his last line says: "but I have yet to meet him". Meet him, with absoluteky no thought to women, which haven't been mentioned in any of the analects, which, needless to say, greatly annoys me as a woman.

I am curious about Yan Hui, who was greatly praised in books 5 and 6 by both the master and his students, which makes me wonder why he was considered such a great man. all I've managed to gather about him is that he was a great learner.

Analects, Books One Through Three

I find that the insight to teaching comes from the fact that Confucius and his students were teachers themselves and thus see gigantic value in teaching and practicing what you preach, which is why passage 3 (book one) deals with deceitful people.

Passages 6, 9, and 10 (book one) all teach people to act a certain way, which immediately reminds me that this is done in the Bible and Greek myths as well, which serves to say that all or most religious or semireligious texts teach and enforce standards of behavior and conducts, usually by the example of the "heroes" of the text.

Confucius makes reference to ritual and keeping traditions, passages 11 and 12(book one) and 3(book two), which means he believes in keeping the ways of the past because they seem best. These ideas could've had great influence to China's isolationism in the nineteenth century.

Primary And Secondary Sources For Speech

1. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_abuse I found: http://www.childwelfare.gov/can/defining/

2. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mommie_Dearest#External_links I found: http://www.joancrawfordbest.com/c.htm#crawfordchristina

3. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirley_Ardell_Mason I found: http://www.astraeasweb.net/plural/spiegel.html

4. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_child_sexual_abuse_as_a_social_problem I found: http://www.klaaskids.org/pg-legmeg2.htm

5. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_Workers_in_Nepal#External_links I found: http://www.cwin.org.np/

Job, Chapters 12-End

I find it odd that God would have allowed Satan to so torture one of his most loyal and devout, in short most exemplary citizens, to get him to curse God. First off, if God created everything and is the most powerful thing in existence (and before existence), he created Satan. Second, he created Job. Why would he allow Satan to hurt Job, if Job was amongst his most "successful" creations.

Then it came to me. God is colored by human opinions, since it was translated by men. Like Greek Gods, they are a reflection of us, humans. Humans learn by experience, which turns them into who they are. We forgive, but don't forget and our past experiences influence all our future decisions. As God was betrayed by Adam and Eve, and subsequently other humans, like Lot's wife, he is less trustworthy, and more wary of humans, Thus, he is in a way insecure, and allows Satan, his own creation, to manipulate him into allowing the "torture" on Job.

Job, Chapters 2-11

When Job finally begins to curse as he agonizes, I immediately thought of Enkidu and his curses as he died. Why does this happen? It is obviously recorded in both texts because it is a human behavior present in both cultures. But they why wasn't directed at this, but at why humans curse at the hour of their deaths. Why they feel the need to shift blame on fate, or family, or whatever is present. I believe it lies in the root fear humans have, the fear of death. When it feels close, the fact they feel life is slipping, makes them lash out.

Job's cursing of the day he was born makes me think of the movie "It's a wonderful life", in which a man desires he had never been born. His angel acquiesces and he sees the effect this has on the life he knew, and as he sees, ultimately loved, no matter how horrible it seemed at certain times. This story line has been followed in many different forms of media, as people in a fit of deppression (and I have observed a few instances in real life) sometimes wish never to have existed, so they knew not pain, which we see is another ancient form of human behavior, as it was recorded in the times of Job.

Job, Chapter 1

I find it interesting that Job has 7 sons and 3 daughters, then 7000 sheep and 3000 camels. Both add up to a "ten" so to speak, and it seem that the most valued go first and are more numerous. As in, he has more sons and they are mentioned first. Not only that but as he has been mentioned as a good man, it subtley implies that he is rewared by more and of the best.

Satan having traveled all over the world (Verse 7) implies teh belief that evil is universal. He also seems to have come out of nowhere, and probably created by God himself, and is as clever as the snake, another of God's creations.

Five Tertiary Sources For Speech

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_abuse As my speech is about child abuse.

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mommie_Dearest#External_links As one of my points is that child abuse happens in all levels of society

3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirley_Ardell_Mason Pertinent to illustrating the consequences of child abuse.

4.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_child_sexual_abuse_as_a_social_problem Pertinent to topic.

5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_Workers_in_Nepal#External_links Illustrates a different kind of abuse.

Book Two Of Samuel, Chapters 1-12

What really struck me in this piece of reading is the fact that David had the Amalekite slain, as he did what was asked of him and took great pains to reach David. I also see how important Saul's pride and honor was to him, and upon reflecting I believe he purposely sent the Amalekite to David, so David would kill him and kepp Saul's honor intact.

I also see the great connection to nature, when he asks there to be no dew or rain, and I am reminded of things past, like the burning bush, showing a great link to nature, streching back to Genesis, as God makes the plants too. Men are also frecuently compared to animals, as in chapter 1 verse 23, where Jonathan and Saul are compared to lions and eagles.

I also saw the beginning of the biblic trend to belittle women, beginning with Eve being given as almost a comodity to Adam, seen in chapter one verse 26 when David's brotherly love for Jonathan is valued as higher than lover for/given by women.

As a footnote, in chapter 2 verse 18, Asahel is said to be as swift as "a wild roe". I searched this and found the two most common meanings are: fish eggs, and a small deer found in Europe and Asia.

Book One Of Samuel, Chapters 16-31

I find interesting that the "character" of God keeps changing so suddenly. This one is almost a third person as he is "The Lord or Lord" rather than "The Lord God". Also oddly in chapter 16 verse 7 he seems to be able to "read" minds, while in Genesis Chapter 3 verse 9 he asks where Adam and Eve are, meaning he is less perceptive of powerful than his earlier and later counterparts, which just makes this text more confusing as they are inconsistent in their character, even though they are supposed to be the same person. The Lord also seems to have a darker persona as in chapter 16 verse 14 he curses Saul with an evil spirit.

I wonder about the "evil spirit". Assuming these were real historical people, I would conjecture that it could be a form of epilepsy, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epilepsy, and when the times when the spirit visited him were just episodes, and misunderstood and assumed to be of supernatural origin. I would liken it to Julius Caesar's epilepsy, which was believed to be a curse from the gods. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_with_epilepsy#Miscellaneous

Exodus, Chapters 13-40

The jews become in a way "property" of God as their children are sanctified to him and they eat unleavened bread to show their rememberance of their being freed from egypt. I am breifly reminded of the devotion of those under the Soviet Union at its beginning, especiallu older people who had "suffered" under the old regime the most.

The pillar of clouds could be a metaphor for the sun or actual clouds, and the fire for the moon or the campfires of the people, which in the dark desert could be a comfort, becuase the fires would be signs of life and community. The parted seas can be seen as many things, but I believe it to be igorance and they pass through it because they are enlightend as they are God's children and have heard God's word directly. God's providing Manna is remarkably similar to a parent providing for a child, but also making them grow and be independent, as he did not provide on the seventh day.

Though likely unintentional I love how in chapter 17 verse one it says that the Israelites journeyed from the wilderness of Sin but if taken with today's meaning of sin it could be taken to mean that moses led them away from evil and bad habits until 40 years later they were ready and "pure" to be removed form the wilderness.

Exodus, Chapters 1-12

These first chapters also have the "us against them" mentality. In the very beginning it is said that the new king of Egypt knew not the men of Israel and they made them work, stressing the values that would have large complications and results throughout history. My two favorites would be The Holocaust and The Crusades.

The Holocaust would have found it easier to target jews as they would often live in all jew or mostly jew neighborhoods. (This behavior is of course not exclusive to them, after all we see this in many human groups, including black and white neighborhoods or places like Chinatown, where chinese immigrants concentrate).

The Crusades can be described as taking a step beyond the "us and them" frame of mind, to "if they are against Us because they are Them, then we should convert them and make them Us, therefore neutralizing the threat".

Genesis, Chapters 12-28

On pg 12 "the souls they had gotten in Haran" can be a euphemism for slaves. Abram is rewarded for spreading the word of god, which makes me wonder is this passage was used to motivate holy men to journey to the americas to convert the "pagans". Egypt's plague subtlely reinforces the point that God is good only to his chosen people and will greatly punish those not counted among his. Abram and Lot solving their quarrel may be a way to say "Let us not fight among ourselves, because we our holy. Those who are not are our enemies. We have enough enemies to not fight amongst ourselves". The fights between the kings in chapter 14 reinforces the point that those in the congregation not fight amongst themselves but against a common enemy.

God also made his people bare trials, such as slavery (th prophecy on page 15) and conquering other tribes (page 16), but to make them better and worthy. this could've been used to justify the hardships of the lower classes, and its power is illustrated in The Pearl by John Steinbeck, when Quino and his brother speak of the sermon that encourage them to keep their place in society as hard as it is. The idea of "staying in one's place" is shown in full with the story of Sarai and Hagar, as Hagar steps over her bounds by despising her mistress, even though she is but a handmaiden.

The circumsition can be seen as a sacrifice of honor and a way to gain status, like wearing a patch that declares rank, but with more honor, as the sacrifice is of one's own flesh.

Sarah and Abraham having a child at such old age can mean that it is never to late to change and repent and become part of God's kingdom.

The fate of Lot's wife can be taken to mean that those who abandon evil and don't look back are welcomed among God, but if they do look back they are condemned in equal measure as the evil.

Fallacies In a Rhetorical Article

FDR Pearl Harbor Address: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/fdrpearlharbor.htm

Pathos: Used often throughout the speech, notable mostly in the first line, when he states Dec. 7 will live on in infamy, setting the tone of outrage and shock of the rest of the speech. The parragraph in which pathos is most notable is the 6th, in which he describes the loss of military and naval power, as well as lives, which he leaves last, most likely for dramatic effect. OF course the time period is also highly relevant to the speech, as radio was one of the most common forms of communication, highly changing the way one would have received the speech, especially in one had loved ones serving in the military.

Logos: Used by my count once, when FDR states that due to the distance between Japan and Hawaii the attack was premeditated, which is logical and as we know now, true, as Japan was allied with Nazi Germany.

Ethos: Used at the beginning of the speech when FDR names those present, amongst those high-ranking politicians.

Genetic Fallacy: Used through all the piece against the Japanese, two notable examples are saying the Embassador reponded to a message during the attack, implying the Japanese are sneaky and the other detailing the attacks of Japan in the Pacific, making them seem a much greater enemy that at first thought.

Patriotic Approach: Through out the piece in subtle ways but a notable way is this, towards the end: "the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory"

Appeal to Emotion: Throught the piece, especially when detailing the results of Japanese attacks.

Genesis, Chapters 6-11

I find it interesting that women came into existence much later than men. If men had lived and reproduced for hundreds of years without women, how did they have children? Chapter five details men's lifetimes and offspring, that inexplicably came after women. Or it could be taken to mean that men are first in life, completly self sufficient and with no need for women, making women a commodity and would reinforce the time's belief that women were unequal to men.

Noah reminds me of Greek Mythology, for the bible also reinforces "proper" behavior in believers, or feel the wrath of God. the fact that He promises never to drown the Earth again personalizes the potential of punishment, as instead of hurting others, only the sinner will be hurt. The fact that the flood ends in a 600th year (ending in zero) on the first day of the first month can be a way of saying the world was new and good and clean, starting over from the very beginning.

I also find interesting that in verse 6, the whole "eye for an eye" philosophy is started, as it states that anyone who kills another human shall be put to death by other humans. This of course was made only a rule for men as God loved them most, humans making God's character like men's, as the Greeks did with their gods.

Genesis, Chapters 1-5

The King James Bible is very lyrical and dramatic, and two of the writing techiniques I saw were: the use of italics to denote important parts of the phrase that slightly alter its meaning but the effect does pay off in the long run, for example on the first page under 10 it says "and God saw that it was good". Normally "it was" would've been unremarkable parts of the speech but in reading (and especially when read aloud, as it was by preachers) it denotes the greatest of God's work and stresses the underlying meaning that God can do no wrong, ever. The other device I noted was repetitionof patterns and certain phrases, like the "it was good" I mentioned. It again stresses underlying meaning and is more likely to be remembered by the listener, and serves to make sure they remember the more important parts. Another notable device I saw was that on the second page under 26 when God makes man he says "Let us make man in out image" the "us" subtly implying that man was consulted on the project of making earth and being created and so we were made in God's image, making us as close to him as anything can ever hope to be.

Myths Blog 17

1. Bacchus: Talks once more about the foolishness of mortals and that women should be wary of defying their husbands. Bacchus was in a manner of speaking the god of partying and he was raised by nymphs, who often"partied" with mortal men. Perhaps this is a way of saying that he was raised by people of lower standards, fixated on enjoyment, like the drug crowd today, but not that extreme. Juno's "madness" would be a ephemism for drunkeness. The iv can signifiy punishment for the evil. The doors opening on their own is probably a way of saying he was released, most likely by Pentheus' men. Agave's crime speaks to how wine can cloud judgement.

2. Ariadne: Speaks to the manipulation of men and a teaching to women how their lovers can manipulate them for their own desires. The crown can be a way to speak of lovers loyalty even after death.

3. The Rural Deities: Pan was a "partyer", so to speak and a musician, probably a representation of "low class" people who were rough and wild, as were the nymphs. The connection to wood can be the use of wood in buildings and other uses as in the past they didnt use birck or cement, giving the horrendous quality to the attack of destroying trees.

Fallacies In a NYPost Op-Ed

Well, what I found wasn't exactly an Op-Ed but it did contain fallacies and personal opinions so I used it, as gossip is the layman's opinion column as each retelling carries the teller's opinion of the story and what each party involved in the story should do. http://www.nypost.com/seven/10022007/gossip/pagesix/pagesix.htm

SLEAZEBALL BEHIND BOY BANDS:
October 2, 2007 -- LOU Pearlman - the hog-fat, boy-band honcho who created *NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys and launched the careers of Justin Timberlake and Nick Carter - was a pervy pedophile who preyed on the young men he mentored, Vanity Fair reports.
"I would absolutely say the guy was a sexual predator. All the talent knew what Lou's game was," Steve Mooney, an aspiring singer who was Pearlman's assistant, told VF's Bryan Burrough. "Some guys joked about it. I remember [one singer] asking me, 'Have you let Lou [fellate] you yet?' "
The title is a fallacy at is a personal attack on Pearlman, calling him a "sleazeball" and in the first line "hog-fat" and "pervy pedophile" which is only half confirmed. Also the use an incorrect or inappropriate source, which is a likely disgruntled employed (as his career as a singer didnt work).

Mooney said he once asked Pearlman, who was known as "Big Poppa," what it would take for him to get into a band. "I'll never forget this as long as I live. He leaned back in his chair, in his white terry cloth robe and white underwear, and spread his legs," Mooney told Burrough. "And then he said, and these were his exact words, 'You're a smart boy. Figure it out.' " Mooney added that a singer groped by Pearlman told him, "Look, if a guy wants to massage me, and I'm getting a million dollars for it, you just go along with it. It's the price you got to pay."
Phoenix Stone, an early member of the Backstreet Boys, tells Vanity Fair Pearlman was "definitely inappropriate" with Nick Carter. Nick's mom, Jane Carter, wouldn't get into specifics, but said, "Certain things happened and it almost destroyed our family. I tried to warn everyone. I tried to warn all the mothers . . . I tried to expose him for what he was years ago."
Tim Christofore, a member of Take 5, recalls that during a sleepover at Pearlman's house, the music czar swan-dived onto his and another boy's bed and wrestled with them wearing only in a towel, which came off. "We were like, 'Ooh, Lou, that's gross.' What did I know? I was 13," Christofore told Vanity Fair.
Personal attack by using his nickname, "Big Poppa" which in this case would carry a negative connotation and the use of the same source that should be more thoroughly checked out. The singer Mooney quotes is also uncomfirmed.
Rich Cronin, lead singer of LFO, recalled Pearlman told him of an "ancient massage technique that if I massage you and we bond in a certain way, it will strengthen your aura."
Pearlman, 53, is in a Florida jail awaiting trial on bank fraud charges. Prosecutors say he scammed more than 1,000 investors out of $315 million. He'd been a fugitive until June when he was busted in Indonesia, living under a fake name. His lawyer did not return calls from Page Six.
Personal attack by bringing up Pearlman's other charges, which are irrelevant, and that he's been hiding, also irrelevant.

Myths Blog 16

1. Olympic Games: Ther eis snot much to say about this, except that the Olympic games are still a worldwide tradition.

2. Daedalus: Daedalus was a personification of the importance and danger of having sharp wit and that even if you are gifted you should not try to be more than what you can be, or let your ego grow too high. The evils of jealousy are also a theme.

3. Castor And Pollux: They are heroes and thus they are shown to be aof valor and with greta heavenly connections. In other words, they were so praised the were linked to the divine and so it was not a strech tthat they became constellations. Each had individual merits, Castor with horses, important for travel war and agriculture back then, and Pollux with boxing, and in those times fighting was a necessity.

Myths Blog 15

1. Hercules: He triumphs over jealousy and the serpents can be representations of evil and his goodnes/godliness allow him to easily overcome them. The lion skin is symbolic for triumph and honor and his wearing it can be seen as others seeing this in him or that he gained the right to wear it. The serpent can be the need to look at problems creatively or differnet and the ninth head means that not everything can be solved as originally thought, the same with the stable. The Amazons are a subtle way to say that women are both treacherous and innocent, so men must be wary of them. All of the tasks are symbols of difficulty and the great reward waiting for the brave. Antaeus' connection to earth is a way to illustrate the bond the agricultural greeks had to earth and the strength having crops gave them. Cacus is a warning to thieves. The Cerberus story serves to say that not everything can be solved with violence. Hercules also deals with humiliation and punishment with honor and dignity, like a true hero. During this time as he was dishonorable he would not wear his lion skin he had won through honor, but the righteous queen was allowed to. When his disgrace was cleansed he could once again wear the hero's lion skin. Dejanira is another example of the possible treachery of women. His dignity in defeat s also there in his death.

2. Hebe And Ganymede: Hebe is shown as another honorable prize for worthy heroes and men of valor.

3. Theseus: Theseus gaining the shoes is another way to praise men of worth. He is also a defeater of the exaggerated evils of men to warn humans to stay away from evil and be heroes. Medea is once more the symbol for female treachery. The taxes can be the horrible state any city-state would have had they to pay tribute to any nation, one which surely seemed worse in their eyes. Ariadne is an opposite of Medea, a symbol of the saving power of love. The Amazons can be outrage or anger in women or others perceived as weaker or unimportant, warning heroes not to underestimate their enemies. This myth also illustrates the bond between brothers in arms, still seen on battlefields today. A notable example would be the camaraderie displayed in the HBO miniseries "Band of Brothers". Pirithous' fate is a warning to not believe oneself invincible or immortal.

Myths Blog 14

1. Medea And Aeson: Medea illustrates the dark power assigned to obssessive females, the obssesive love seen in some myths. She is reminiscent of Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct and Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction, both examples of the human fascination with our "twisted" members.

2. Meleager And Atalanta: The giant boar can be taken as a metaphor of the difficult duty of preserving home. The men of the city-states must be militarily training in order to protect their home. Atalanta is oddly another strong female role in a society where women were meant to be stay at home moms and housekeepers. The fate of Meleager is a warning to not cross those that love you and have sacrificed for you because they can just as easily turn againt you.

3. Atalanta: Atalanta is a way of society's recognizing that (at leats then) marriage would lock women into house and home, so to be free they must be single. The use of golden apples can be seen as advice for lovers to give their partners gifts. Even today one of the most popular ideas is to give the woman you love jewels. The couple's ignoring of the gods can be taken as a away to say that love blinds you or makes you so focused on your love taht you forget all else.

Greek Vocab from NYT

1. Labyrinth: Complicated area of paths with high walls, or a difficult/really complex situation. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/09/opinion/09mon2.html



2. Palladium: A metallic element or a type of metal. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C04E0DA1231F937A35754C0A9649C8B63



3. Museum: A place where works of art are kept/displayed. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/02/arts/design/02cohe.html



4. Narcissism: Excessive love for self. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/10/magazine/10Section2b.t-5.html



5. Odyssey: A long series of adventures usually difficult ones.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/08/19/travel/19journeys.html



6. Meander: Wander around, without a destination. http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/chad/index.html?offset=90



7. Protean: Constantly changing.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F07EED91039F934A35754C0A960958260&n=Top%2FReference%2FTimes%20Topics%2FPeople%2FJ%2FJohnson%2C%20Philip



8. Stoical: No emotion, little emotion. http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9405E1DC1638F932A25755C0A96F958260



9. Herculean: Really ahrd to accomplish. http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/08/01/bud-watches-barry-grudgingly/



10. Laconic: Using few words. http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9A03E2DE1331F93BA35753C1A96F958260



11. Zephyr: A gentle mild breeze. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/zephyr



12. Nemesis: A great enemy. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/15/sports/football/15giants.html



13. Flora: Plants of a region, or general name for plants. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/flora



14. Hermetic: Airtight. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/22/books/review/22SHONEL.html



15. Promethean: Creative/Original. Relevant to Prometheus. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE7DE123FF930A35752C1A9649C8B63&n=Top%2FReference%2FTimes%20Topics%2FPeople%2FT%2FTurrell%2C%20James



16. Nectar: Juice of fruit, usually sweet. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/19/science/19bat.html



17. Sybilline: Prophetic or mysterious. http://www.nytimes.com/books/98/03/08/home/gordon-angels.html



18. Tantalize: Torment or tease. http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=950CEED61439E732A25756C2A9639C946890D6CF



19. Delphic: Obscure, not understandable. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/14/politics/politicsspecial1/14roberts.html



20. Halycon: Calm easy peaceful. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE7D81331F93BA3575BC0A965958260



21. Platonic: Impossible. Relating to Plato.http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/10/science/10puzz.html



22. Draconian: Cruel and unusual, unfair. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE4D91F39F932A3575AC0A966958260



23. Calypso: A tropical musical style. http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/86513/Calypso-Joe/overview



24. Amazon: Rainforest in South America. A strong woman. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/11/international/americas/11amazon.html



23. Siren: An attractive woman. A sea creature in mythology. A loud long sound. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/09/arts/music/09cheap.html



24. Mercurial: A changing or fast moving property of something. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE4DD1531F930A1575BC0A963958260



25. Procrustean: Using violent means. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CEFDF133FF931A3575AC0A966958260



26. Aurora: A female name, beginning of the dawn. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/aurora



27. Iridescent: With a lot of colors. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9505EEDB1038F93AA25750C0A961958260



28. Panacea: A cure for everything, problem fixer. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/03/business/03fed.html



29. Lethargy: Lazy, dull, without energy. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/19/magazine/19DIAGNOSIS.html



30. Gorgons: A terrifying person. http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/160542/Leila/overview



31. Harpy: A greedy bad tempered person. http://screens.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/06/21/sample-platter/



32. Hydra: A constellation. http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/n/national_academy_of_sciences/index.html?query=HYDRA%20(CONSTELLATION)&field=des&match=exact



33. Lycanthrope: A werewolf. http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/48882/Teen-Wolf/overview



34. Martial: Related to armed forces. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/26/world/middleeast/26marines.html



35. Sophistry: Subtle, tricky, false. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sophistry



36. Fauna: Animals in a region, or animals all together. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E01E2D71239F932A15756C0A96E958260



37. Stentorian: Loud. http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9E0CE4DE1531EF3ABC4851DFB467838B679EDE



38. Pyrrhic: Useless victory. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CEFDE1F3CF935A2575AC0A966958260



39. Victory: Success, triumph.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E02E4DC163AF934A25757C0A9659C8B63



40. Gordian Knot: Hard problem. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9804E0DB163BF930A25757C0A9659C8B63&n=Top%2FReference%2FTimes%20Topics%2FPeople%2FH%2FHomer%2C%20Winslow



41. Pandora's Box: Unforeseen problems. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9507E6DF1E30F932A35751C1A962958260



42. Cassandra: A person who prophesises doom. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cassandra



43. Sword of Democles: - No Information found -



44. Achilles Heel: Weak, vulnerable spot. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E05E6D81E31F934A1575BC0A9679C8B63&sec=&spon=



45. Oedipus Complex: Psychological condition in which a young boy is in love with his mother and sees his father as a rival. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=950DE6D81630F935A15752C1A96F948260



46. Midas: A person of great wealth. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/midas



47. Hades: the underworld, hell. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/12/books/review/12christopher.html



48. Spartan: Simple, frugal. http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/04/08/travel/08Bite.html



49. Titanic: Enormous size strength or power. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/titanic



50. Marathon: A long distance race. http://www.nytimes.com/pages/sports/sportsspecial/index.html

Vanessa is my heroine.

Myths Blog 13

1. The Pygmies: Can be taken as the peoples of foreign lands, or the greeks themselves, being attacked by otherwise mundane creatures for food and plenty. Hercules was great (possibly more morally or in spirit than physically) and defeating lesser men.

2. The Griffin: Can be taken as the difficulties to accomplish riches, or the strength and smarts of a rich man that fought for his riches (like kings). Griffin claw cups could have been made rather from cow horns and the story embellished.

3. The Golden Fleece: The golden fleece could be taken to mean glory and honor, quite prized in Ancient Greece, especially in the Age of Heroes, and in this text the Argonauts are referred to as heroes (pg 105). All the tasks Jason accomplishes are taken to mean the tasks and tests heroes must undertake to prove their worth.

Fallacies In An Op-Ed

http://www.realite-eu.org/site/apps/nl/content3.asp?c=9dJBLLNkGiF&b=2315291&ct=4477049

The Chavez-Iran Alliance
Fact Sheet
Facing the threat of international isolation and stiffer UN Security Council sanctions over its uranium enrichment work, Iran is keen to demonstrate the backing it enjoys from a number of Latin American leaders. In Venezuela’s president, Hugo Chavez, Tehran has found a friend.
Chavez is Latin America’s most vocal supporter of Iran and its president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad; the men call each other “brother” and relish their status as fierce opponents of Washington. “The two countries will unite to defeat the imperialism of North America,” a beaming Chavez told a news conference during an official visit to the Islamic Republic. i
In September 2005, Venezuela was alone in opposing an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) resolution that found Iran in violation of nuclear safeguards. Chavez has since spoken in support of Iran’s nuclear program, which the U.S. and European governments say is part of a project to build weapons.ii
In July 2006, Iran’s state-run TV reported that Ahmadinejad gave Iran’s highest state medal to Chavez for supporting Tehran in its nuclear standoff. “The medal was awarded as an expression of gratitude for Chavez’s support for Iran’s stance on the international scene, especially its opposition to a resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency,” the station said. iii
During a visit to Iran in September 2006, Chavez spoke in support of Iran’s nuclear program. “What gives the U.S. the right,” he asked “to stop any country developing nuclear power for peaceful purposes?” Chavez added an ominous warning to Washington: “We don't want another war, but there will be disastrous consequences if Iran is attacked.” iv
Uses Chavez's negative image in the US to reflect poorly on Iran, using a Personal Attack fallacy. It also uses a genetic fallacies by using many references to Venezuela and Iran preying on people's negative images of both South America and the Middle East. Argumentum ad Populum with the Bandwagon approach is used when it says that Venezuela alone was against a policy that negatively affected Iran. This agrument is used in the patriotic approach too as they often make reference to the countries being against the US.

Iran and Venezuela have signed bilateral agreements on issues ranging from oil exploration to cultural exchanges. In the financial sphere, Ahmadinejad and Chavez have tried to undermine the world’s economy by challenging the dollar.
In October 2005, Chavez announced that Venezuela was ready to follow Iran and move Venezuela’s foreign-exchange holdings out of the dollar. He called for the creation of a South American central bank to hold all foreign-exchange holdings of participating countries. v
In July 2007, the two presidents launched construction of a joint petrochemical plant with an annual capacity of 1.65 million tons on Iran’s Gulf coast. Chavez and Ahmadinejad also signed a series of other deals to expand economic cooperation, ranging from setting up a dairy factory in Venezuela to forming an oil company.vi Iranian officials said a second methanol plant would be constructed in Venezuela.
Each of the two plants would cost $650 million to $700 million and take four years to complete. Methanol, an alcohol, can be used as a solvent or an element in fuel. That would help Iran to access the Latin American market, while Venezuela would get closer to buyers in India and Pakistan. vii
Both leaders see themselves as revolutionaries, and the 29 agreements they have signed are, in their words, designed to fuel their revolutions. Along with the agreements cited above,, the presidents signed deals covering iron and steel production, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and health care equipment and munitions. viii
Uses the appeal to patriotism is also used when the challenging of the dollar is brought up. Repaets the leaders names often so they can build up their infamy, therefore its a subtle personal attack because the reader will negatively link them the next time they hear about them. Talks about developments as something bad or conspiratory, (Personal Attack) and citing their deals as plots for evil.

Both Iran and Venezuela have provided significant support to international terrorist organizations, particularly al Qaeda.
Chavez provided $1 million to al Qaeda following 9/11, according to Major Diaz Castillo of the Venezuelan Air force, who was Chavez’s personal pilot until he defected. In late September 2001, Diaz Castillo says, Venezuelan Vice President Diosdado Cabello funneled the money through Venezuela’s ambassador in India, Walter Marquez. The Taliban received the money and publicly acknowledged receipt of $100,000 in “humanitarian aid.” “The rest went straight to al Qaeda,” he said. ix
Chavez’s support for al Qaeda could help explain his increasingly close relationship with the government of Iran, where large numbers of al Qaeda leaders are known or suspected to be. x
Cuba’s General Intelligence Directorate has practically taken over Venezuela’s Directorate for Intelligence, Security, and Prevention, according to General Marcos Ferreira, who resigned as director of Venezuela’s border-control service.
In addition, Ferreira said, Interior Minister Ramon Rodriguez Chacin pressured him to cover up the identities of terrorists, many from the Middle East, to deceive U.S. terrorism investigators. xi
Chavez’s courting of radical regimes is not new. He fawned over Saddam Hussein in 2000, even as that dictator brutally tortured his own citizens, stole Oil-For-Food funds, and sent terrorists abroad to murder Iraqis who opposed him. Today, Chavez roots for the terrorists who bomb innocent Iraqis. xii
Personal attack when it cites the countries helping terrorists and slanders Iran when it says that many terrorists are suspected to be there. Improper Authority is also used as the pilot defected and therefore feels negatively towards Chavez and the need to please Americans as he needs asylum. Uses a Personal Attack against Hussein to negatively reflect on Chavez and this line "Chavez roots for the terrorist who bomb innocent Iraquis" needs no explaination towards its bias.

Myths Blog 12

1. The Sphinx: The Sphinx can be seen as the trigger for Oedipus tearing his eyes out, or as an in joke for readers, as he was knowledgeable enough to defeat the Sphinx but not to recognize his parents, one of the stressers that caused him to rip his eyes out.

2. Pegasus And The Chimaera: It is interesting that a creature as good as Pegasus should be born of the dreaded monster Medusa, a subtle metaphor for the ability of good to come out of evil, or that good prevails, possibly. The Chimera cansignify that evil is stronger when it combines forces, but is till defeatable by good.

3. The Centaurs: This myth talks about how evils, even if they are lesser evils, must still be feared. After all, centaurs were allowed amongst humans but were still dangerous. They too have the duality of humans, being able to choose to be good or bad.

Myths Blog 11

1. The Sea-Monster: In Greek mythology someone must pay for sins even if they arent their own, shown by Andromeda having to pay for her mothers crime, shown the myths other use, as teacher of social codes of behavior. Youth is also shown to have power over the mistakes of the old.

2. The Wedding Feast: shows the power of actions over words, as Perseus is shown to be a of more worth and valor (therefore tru husband to Andromeda) while cowards like Phineus are undeserving. This lesson would especially come in handy in the ancient world when wars were so frequent and everyone had to be capable of fighting.

3. Monsters: The monsters have human characteristics, perhaps extra frightening as they seemed to challenge humans as the gods' most magnificent beings. The creatures the gods' turn into are also note worthy because:
Apollo: A crow, close to the sun and a good hunter, as was the god.
Bacchus: A goat, as riled up and wild like a partygoer.
Diana: A cat, which are great hunters whether they are big or small.
Juno: A cow, gives calves and milk, very much a mother, the role which was given to Juno.
Venus: A fish, as her origin was in the sea.
Mercury: A bird, and a swift messenger. Messenger pigeons were used even in WW1.

Myths Blog 10

1. The Graeae And Gorgons: The gorgons once again show the ability of the greeks to give out strong females roles, but not in their everyday life. These women must have been personified as terrifying because these were the terros that afflicted voyages, and seafaring was integral to life as this poinjt, due to the fact that most inhabited islands and depended on sea travel to have a ink to the outside.

2. Perseus And Medusa: Once again mortals are punished by the gods and Medusa can be seen as the danger and poison of a bitter scorned woman. People turning to stone can be related to a "stone heart" or her lack of emotion other than anger/hatred.

3. Perseus And Atlas: Fate is shown to be as always inescapable, an iron clad contract. Everyone it seems has a predetermined path that can never be undermined, the most powerful example being the story of Oedipus.

Myths Blog 9

1. Hero And Leander: Once more this myth relates to the awesome power of love and near obsession and the act of dying for love whether in battle or suicide.

2. Minerva: I find it interesting that Minerva presided over both the male and female arts in times that women weren't considered equal or valid and that she too waged war. Other examples of strong women in thier mythology are Diana and Juno.

3. Niobe: The theme of divine punishment is still stron as it was in the preceding myth.

Fallacies In Op-Ed

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/20/opinion/20cohen.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&oref=slogin

The article is about France's president Sarkozy breaking French taboos by changing traditions and such. For example he disregarded the French tardition of patting a cow to show his link to agricultural France.

The mode of rhetoric used most is logos because Sarkozy's actions show his people (It's ok, I do it, so it's ok for you to do it). This is likely the most effective way to break taboo because the people will follow their elected leader and since he is held in the highest regard he will be easily followed.

This article also uses what I like to call anti-ethos because it shows their reputation and then disproves it. Kinda like "that was then, this is now". This is especially present in the last paragraph where the author states that french hypocresy will be paralyzed with the taboos gone.

The author himself uses suggestive language such as calling Sarkozy Europe's most dynamic president and therefore establishing a quiet reputation for him that will later be used in ethos rhetoric.

Myths Blog 8

1. Nisus And Scylla: This myth relates to the idea of dark dangerous love again, a love present in other myth and greek works like Medea.

2. Echo And Narcissus: Echo also experiences the punishment of defying the gods and the pain of love.

3. Clytie: I love that the sunflower was explained in this way. The ancients must have been overcome to see a moving flower a flower that followed no less than the sun. And as love is such a powerful and dangerous theme in greek and roman mythology that they must have assumed that the flower was in love with the sun.

Myths Blog 7

1. Cupid And Psyche: I found this quote very interesting "He is a monster whom neither gods nor men can resist" pg 65. I found it amusing that love is said to be impossible to resist (and we have seen this in the stories read thus far) and denominated a monster as it is so powerful and sometimes so torturous.

2. Cadmus: I'd like to note that Thebes is the city in which the plays "Oedipus Rex" and "Antigone" are set. I believe the snake symbolizes the difficulty of Cadmus' journey and his fears. Greeks were very loyal to their city-states and it must have been extraordinarily painful to leave his in shame. The men must be peasants or hard men from difficult backgrounds to be leaving their homes and likely temperamental and happy to fight until Cadmus puts them in line.

3. The Myrmidons: This story deals (as others have) with the jealous wrath of Hera which can be related with Cupid being referred to as a monster as love can turn into obssession.

Myths Blog 6

1. Apollo And Hyacinthus: Curious to see what the hyacinth looked like (as I originally missed the footnote explaining the flower wasn't the modern hyacinth) I googled it. Below the first hit about the actual flower there was a wikipedia article on the mythical Hyacinth: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyacinth_%28mythology%29. Evidently all sources point to a love triangle between Zephyrus Apollo and Hyancinth. Oddly enough people today can related to this theme and the trouble of two people falling in love with the same person and the pain when he/she chooses whom to love. Love triangles continue to happen in human communities everywhere and this myth shows that for all their powers, gods still feel and hurt as humans do.

2. Ceyx And Halcyone: I liked this myth because the heartache of being separated fro aloved one and knowing he could die is a pain we all feel. Think of mothers sending their sons of to war, some of which will never return. Or a wife whose husband was killed when his plane crashed. We still lose those who are dear to us, and are still wary of journeys because we love them and are afraid to never again see their face. Halcyone is not the first and won't be the last to wish her husband alive again, to want to keep living with him, to feel the pain of death.

3. Vertumnus And Pomona: I'd like to note that this myth contains a myth within itself. Vetumnus like men today and yesterday would do anything for a girl he loves, as the popular expression says "love makes a fool out of anyone". The seduction of Pomona was all the subtext. A woman she trusts and sees not as a threat tells her of the need for love using her plants as explamples, discreetly discredits her other suitors and empowers himself and them using a story and its subtext of the importance of love and its power convinces her of him being the bets suitor and them drops his guise and his beauty wins the rest of her over.

Myths Blog 5

1. Pygmalion: what I thought most interesting was Pygmalion abhorrishment to women occuring at the same time of his fascination with them. He hated them and resolved to remain unmarried but was so entranced by his ivory creation, whom he painstakingly created in the image of his perfect woman. In short, Pygmalion was afraid of women or repulse but his basic needs had to be met and he easily fell in love.

2. Dryope: Follows in the theme of mortals being punished for angering the gods and enforces the strict moral code and cohabitance of nature of those who followed these teachings.

3. Venus And Adonis: this story also heeds the listeners about believing themselves wiser than gods but I found Venus' slavish devotion more interesting as she who was the epitome of "Chic" would become as gritty as Diana, giving strength to the underlying theme that loves is strongest of all motivations.

Rhetoric In The NY Times

1. "As dawn broke, workers returning to the plant, which produced the speedy, efficient Mosquito bomber, shook their heads as they surveyed a scene of awesome devastation. Yet all was not as it appeared. In fact, none of it was. The entire event was staged, all for the benefit of the amazing Agent Zigzag." http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/12/books/12grimes.html?_r=1&ref=books&oref=slogin. This statement uses pathos as it tugs on the heartstrings by talking about a great explosion causing a heartwrenching scene in our imagination and since this is a sample of the books writing it persuades us to want to buy it.

2. "He was a longtime criminal turned double agent who, in the course of his career as a spy, would flit back and forth between Britain and Germany, occupied France and occupied Norway on one top-secret mission after another."
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/12/books/12grimes.html?_r=1&ref=books&oref=slogin
The description of the Agent's identity makes us want to learn more about him because we see the spy lifestyle as exciting and fascinating convinving us that Agent Zigzag is an interesting charismatic man, therefore it uses ethos. The charisma bit comes from our perception of James Bond.

3. "Britain and Germany, each mistakenly convinced that the other had a highly efficient spy network, were desperate to acquire agents." http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/12/books/12grimes.html?_r=1&ref=books&oref=slogin
From the statement of the countries' desperation for agents we can logically asume that this lead them to hire Agent Zigzag who then palyed both sides we them not knowing. As we know they already had mistakenly come to conclusions we know they can be fooled. This statement uses or causes logos.

4. "In this fevered atmosphere Mr. Chapman flourished like an exotic flower." http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/12/books/12grimes.html?_r=1&ref=books&oref=slogin
From this statement we can asume that he was cool under pressure and we good at his job, therefore we use logos.

5. "“It is not easy to judge the workings of Chapman’s mind,” one British spy handler reported."
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/12/books/12grimes.html?_r=1&ref=books&oref=slogin
Ftrom this statement we can asume that he was very charismatic and a good liar and good at covering his emotions as the trained spy handler can't read him. Therefore we use logos.

Myths Blog 4

1. Baucis And Philemon: Once a again the myth regalles the importance of proper manners and social behavior to please and be rewarded by the gods and if not suffer great punishment. Their wish to guard the temple also reenforces the social command of absolute subservience and labor for and to the gods.

2. Proserpine: This myth explains the phenomena of volcanoes, earthquakes and seasons. It also stresses the underlying power of love in ways we believe impossible in this time period as we desdain them for their arranged marriages. However the greeks prove us wrong by giving Venus such power and show that none escape love. It also revists the familiar theme of human foolishness when the boy is denied immortality but he is still rewarded and gives men the gift of agriculture following the Ishmael topic of taker culture being centered on agriculture. The life giving binding character of food and harvest are what binds Proserpine for the the seeds are from the soil of the underworld and belong to the underworld and thus make her part of the underworld.

3. Glaucus And Scylla: Once again agricultutre shows its power as the herb is the one that causes Glaucus to abandon his lifestyle. It also relates to the greeks seafaring nature as their fear of being torn aparts by rocks or monsters are reprensented by Scylla.

Myths Blog 3

1. Latona And The Rustics: Like most myths this tale restates that the gods will punish foolish humans ans stress social values/skills. Also as a myth is explain the origins of the frog or the frog temple.

2. Phaeton: It explains several geographic phenomena and stresses once again the foolishness and arrongance of humans as compared to the wise gods. This myth also exposes teh personification of many things, quite present in greek mythology, making earth a character in itself (a woman as it gives life like a mother) and how several natural vegetal species are said to have once been human.

3. Midas: Midas's story, like Phaeton shows that humans pale in front of the gods, as they are offered gifts and misuse them or say unwise things when before them. All greek myths enforce standards of behavior and the magnificence of the gods.

Myths Blog 2

1. Cephalus And Procris: This myth apparently relates to marital relationships the most. The ideas of fidelity jealousy and the the honesty are stressed to instruct the people to conduct a "better" marital relationship, one based on honesty and trust rather thna sneaking around and spying.

2. Juno And Her Rivals: This myth has several smaller myths withing it, the making of the Syrinx, the eyes on the peacock, and the naming of the Bosphorus and Ionian sea. It also relates to the idea of marital fidelity and jealousy that can often be disastrous and played such a role in Juno and Jupiter's relationship, another subtle warning to the populace: if you cheat, prepare of the hellish fury of your partner.

3. Callisto: My third myth also related marital infidelity and explains the Big Bear and Little Bear constellations that are always in the night sky. It carries the same arning about infidelity as the other myths and that spying on your spouse usually takes horrible turns for both of you.

Myths Blog

Before I start I would like to express my distaste towrads the author and his interjections. Obviuosly a man a some century past he does nothing but comment on the myths as inferior rather thna just letting the text be. That being said lets move on.

1. Prometheus and Pandora: This is a relatively well know myth (from which comes the expression Pandora's Box). I can see it relates directly to the idea in Ishmael in which man is promised to rule earth but have a great flaw that stopd them from this. humans are created and special given fire and they are "a nobler animal" (pg 10) and they look toward the stars and creatures toward sthe ground as stated on page 10 as well. Pandora was the embodiment of all we see as good in humans (beauty, persuasion, music, hope) but she also releases all that plagues us, both in the body and in the mind. Even from the time of the Romans and Greeks we have perceived ourselves as dual, rejoicing in our duality of favored but flawed as the Gods created us especially but we cannot fully accomplish their mission. Man can choose good over evil and in this myths he is seen to exercise this, to rob and kill until we are punished and learn the hard way to be good. All of us are taught that from the cradle if in different terms (If you're a bad boy you'll go to prison etc. ). Pandora and Prometheus is one of the first texts/myths/teachings that "explain" that to men.

2. Apollo and Daphne: I'd like to note the serpent's role as evil in this myth, as it is noted as evil in others and the catholic/christian belief states that a serpent tricked Eve. Snakes have always carried around that connotation of dark wisdom, a wisdom used for evil and deceit. I believe the connotation comes from their odd appearnce the venom of some snakes that alarms humans and led them to be seem as symbols for evil and wisdom. Another point to bring up is our fascination with gold and its beauty as seen in the sharp arrow to provoke love and how ordinary we take lead to be (in the era it was often used before it was determined poisonous maybe that's what made it take that workman's quality).

3. Pyramus and Thisbe: I noted the posistive and resourceful quality attributed to love, shown by their discovery of the discovery of the wall crack followed by "What will not love discover!" pg 19. The story is also very similar to Romeo and Juliet. The boy believes the girl dead and commits suicide, and she upon seeing the boy kill herself as well. Shakespeare could've found inspiration from this text but I am unaware if it was available to him at the time.

Response to How Much Shall We Bet?

I loved this story. The basic idea is to tell the story of the universe from an amusing point of view, making the universe the back story rather than the main story, focusing more on the gamblers. What I liked most is how the gamblers sit and watch the universe become what it is now, with no understanding or explanation as to why they are there or how. The gambler's are also very similar, even if they don't know it, considering themselves smarter and more delightful than the other and using this to gain the upper hand. Unfortunately I couldn't quite understand why they could foresee what was coming and how they could predict human civilizations befor ethere was even a human race. what i would like to note is that this is from Cosmicomics as noted as the bottom of the page, in likely reference to the comedic novelization of the universe/cosmos. I really love Calvino's style of gentle mockery, and his fascination with science. He seems to repeteadly use it (exaggerated to the point of impossibility of course) in his texts, in this one it is glaring obvious when he describes the formation of the universe " a few particles spinning around, some electrons scattered here and there at random, and protons all more or less on their own...each proton its electron started whirling and buzzing. An enormous hydrogen cloud was condensing in space." and he also uses medical science in "El Vizconde Demediado" when they save a man cut in half (each separate half) and who is later put back together. This time the mockery is with Dean (k)yK and Qfwfq who are contradictions themeselves as they see creation but they themselves appear to never be "created" and someone mingle with the human race with ease, even though they were present before the birth of human life. I'd like to read the rest of Cosmicomics to see the rest of Calvino's explanation of the universe.

Gilgamesh: Final Post

I really reallly enjoyed the Epic of Gilgamesh. It had teachings that were meant to teach the Mesopotamians but still affect us today, themes like bravery, honor, compnionship, valor and duty. Mesopotamians looked up to the hero Gilgamesh to learn from him, about their heritage and identity. He was a role model who taught them how to act in the face of danger and fear and passed on cultural beliefs, like that of having many sons and leaving men behind to mourn you. Gilgamesh is a hugely important cultural landmark, a true portrait of Mesopotamians society, painting vvivid pictures of their gods, ceremonies, beliefs, and relationships. Gilgamesh is an essential text in world history and history of literature, because of its age and its excellent narration. It has alll inds of metaphors and veiled meanings and should be read more than once for full understanding, not so hard to do as it uses plain english unlike some other older texts. Gilgamesh is important for us to understand our heritage, where were coming from and why it shaped us to be who we are today.

Gilgamesh: Pages 83-End

In this last bit, what I first have to ask is, what happened to continuity? No word is said as to what happened after Gilgamesh's return, so we smust assume this is shortly after when no notable events have occured. But oddly it would seem that Enkidu died twice, as he would have to be living to descend into the nether world to then die from the cry of the dead. Is there an adeventure missing in which Enkidu is brought back? I believe it happene that Enkidu felt Gilgameshes need and had he gone along with the king's instructions he could've lived, maybe removed himself from the nether world to rejoin his beloved Gilgamesh. Another interesting tidbit is the role and importance given to sons in respect a man's life and after life. The more he has and the more faithful they are the better life and afterlife their father has, making me more important and therefore contrasting with the strong roles they give goddesses like the embodiment of bitter and angry love, Ishtar, more lust than romance and also goddess of war or the dark Queen of the Nether World Ereshkigal.

Gilgamesh: Pages 65-82

In this entry I have two quick things to say and two longer ones. The first is to wonder what did the city do to displease Enlil so he would drown it. What did the Mesopotamians detest? As it is not sex, (Tkaing into account the roles of the prostitute and Ishtar) I find it likely to be crime and deception, and as the city was fortunate, greed for all that could be found there. The other quick note is the brief explaination by the Mesopotamians of why the snake sheds its skin, living longer and stronger. Some snakes continue growing the course of their entire lives, something probably observed by the mesopotamians who also saw them shed. Ea said to Utnapishtim "As for the city...in the morning dawning, abundance will then rain down: a flood of bounty" (p. 67) Afterwards Utnapishtim begins to build his boat and he feeds those that help him as if it were New Year's and then when see the flood of bounty his generousity in his payment of them. Ea was wisest of the gods meaning he knew this and saw what was to come. Perhaps he even knew that Utnapishtim would be granted immortality and be forever singing his praises as wise and kind and the sensible opposite to angry Enlil. The last point is likely my favorite. We can all se the similarities between Utnapishtim and Noah. Last year there was another I believe hindu myth that is also very similar. Could it be possible that in that area a large flood did happena nd someone like Noah/Utnapishtim escape in an Ark with animal species of the region and set loose brids todetermine if the Earth was safe to return to. Perhaps all of these are slightly altered versions of the same story that was passed on and accepted by all as a divine act. Mesopotamia was acradle of civilizations and we find our roots there. The roots to our story may be there as well, corrupted by the ages and adopted by different people and changed, so we could no longer see but the one true version of what happened in the great flood.

Gilgamesh: Pages 48-64

In this post I have two issues I wish to discuss. The first is the shorter one of the two, pertaining to Gilgamesh and Enkidu's relationship. Before I begin I would like to state that I read the Persian Boy and other such texts meaning I do have an idea what I'm talking about, this is based on facts not on the whim of an impressionable school girl. First off, Gilgamesh and Enkidu were not real brothers, evn though inter-family relationships were common in the time period. So it is possible that Enkidu andGilgamesh were in a relationship of romantic terms, again not uncommon in the time period and easily accepted. Kings kept harems of women and eunuchs for their use, Gilgamesh would not be a stranger to the situation and his grief over his "companion" was more appropriate for that of lover. Also the requests for an equal to Gilgamesh resulted Enkidu, however the requests were never for a brother or friend, leaving open the possibility of a lover. The second issue is the meaning of the pitch black mountain passage Gilgamesh faces. A place with no sunlight or vitality. A black hole, like the one those in deep pain describe themselves in. Could it be this place is a metaphor for Gilgamesh's grief and susbsequent depression? The depression is of course canon as Gilgamesh really does becomes depressed, abandoning his duties and roaming in animal skins and feeling hopeless, wandering without purpose. His loss and loneliness are clearly represented in the passage, as he cries and attempts to regain the courage he had when Enkidu was at his side. He tries to repeat the heartening phrase they spoke to each other but cannot bear to utter his beloved words and later the Wind licks at his face with a "rough" tongue. Is this a metaphor for heartbreak, or the cruelty/rejection he feels comes from the world/society he lives in? Or is it foreshadowing to what he must now face? Or a sign that the worst is past and the sunshine ahead? I chose foreshadowing, as even though he reaches the sun shortly afterward his troubles and trials and perils continue. He must continue on in his dangerous and painful journey, to face danger in the sea.

Gilgamesh: Pages 37-47

The main thing that drew me in these pages is the very human way in which Enkidu dies. He falls ill and passes through the stages we now recognize as the five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance) and so do his loved ones, which grieve in the ways we do and suffer the way we have, rendering a truly human pigment to the characters.
To better explain the 5 stages here are Enkidu's reactions.
1 Denial: Asking Gilgamesh what the dream meant, ven though throughout he had shown himslef to be the expert at dream divination.
2 Anger: Cursing others that he believes led him to his current state.
3 Bargaining: Both Gilgamesh and Enkidu offer things to the god's in exchange for Enkidu's life.
4 Depression: Demonstrated in Enkidu's silence near his end.
5 Acceptance: His comment to Gilgamesh showed he was near accpetance but perhaps he died before he reached it.
I liked these pages mostly because they make the brothers so human, because the psychological principles today apply to them, finally giving them a human quality rather than the demi-gods they have been throughout the text. This makes them more relatable and enjoyable to read, creating a sense of kinship with Gilgamesh, as we too have lost loved ones and understand his pain and his wish to run from his grief, we understand that near insane period immediately after death. For this I believe these have been my favorite pages of Gilgamesh.

Gilgamesh: Pages 21-36

I have to points to talk about in this entry. The first (and shortest) point is, why is it called the epic of Gilgamesh is Enkidu, is just as (even more) important? The second is a reflexion on Ishtar goddess of love. She is a darker kind of love than what usually jumps to our mind. She is scorned quickly and punishes her lovers. She falls in and out of love with incredible ease and has no mind towards the feelings of her lovers and many times she turns a blind eye to the repercussions of her actions. Why would the persians make this goddess such a voilent persona, so consumed with herself? Why in this male dominated society would they assign her so much power, so much independence and manipulative prowess? Women's roles in Gilgamesh so far have been few and far between, but the few that have made an impact have been strong, and the others mentioned often and in passing are the prostitutes. Why were they so important? I have already pinpointed my shock and attitude towards them, first because as a woman I am appalled by the very idea of selling my body, and second because of our society's attitude towards prostitutes creates the giant contradiction (in my mind) the a prostitute can be something holy or sacred or working for a religious entity, as my religious entity condenms them and propells them to the outer rim of society.

Gilgamesh: Pages 1-20

The main thing I focused on and would like to discuss is Enkidu's achievement of consiousness, of "humanhood" in the form of "enlightenment", without considering he couldve been better off as an animal, a gazelle in the plains. Instead he was converted into a man by some of man's most basic temptatons, which continue to be basic today: Sex and Alcohol. They made him turn against his beloved animals, to now attack and defend against the creatures he lived and thrived with. In the text, his humanity was a step up, a conversion to a greater life form, but there are those that could argue that his life was better and easier in the plains. That his contentment was fuller as a gazelle.

Introduction

This blog is essentially for 9th grade pre-ap english and many entries will be reading related, being with tomorrow's post on the first chapters of the epic of Gilgamesh. The readers will be Mr. Tangen and my other classmates, who will also be commenting on the reading and other assignments. Thank you and happy reading.