Declaration of Independence

"He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people."

The fifteenth grievance in the Declaration of Independence simply lists how their former King - King George III - has waged war against them. All of the concerns that were listed showed the unfair, unjust attacking of the British. Although, the Americans were not the best at following orders and commands, their jumpy and rebellious demeanor was due to the insensible laws and acts passed by the British against the Americans. This grievance can naturally seem as if it has no relation to modern day United States, but if looked upon in a broader perspective, one could see that what this grievance is referring to is the fact that if anybody plans on waging a war against the United States, just or unjust, there is going to be retaliation.

"He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the consent of our legislatures."

The eleventh grievance in the Declaration of Independence directly takes a hit at the Quartering Act of 1744. In the Quartering Act, American citizens were to welcome English soldiers into their homes and provide for them. The reason for the Act was to ensure of no civilian wrongdoings and to be stationed and ready if a war to be waged. This grievance basically mocks the Quartering Act and shows the Americans' anger for the British mockery and distrust in them. The eleventh grievance in no way can relate to modern day Americans, but because of the British army's international reputation and renounced strength, the Americans' will to against them shows their true courage.

Nairobi Mall Terrorist Shooting

Nairobi Mall Shooting: Gunmen Throw Grenades, Open Fire At Upscale Shopping Center

JASON STRAZIUSO

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/21/nairobi-mall-shooting_n_3967042.html

The newly constructed, populated, Israeli-owned Nairobi mall was an important attraction for the the citizens of Kenya. Including big name stores such as Nike, Adidas, and Bose, a mall of such "luxury" was something to be proud of.  All changed on August 21st, a morning that the people of Kenya will surely never forget. Gunmen barged into Kenya's top mall equipped assault rifles and grenades. Bullets were fired, grenades were thrown, casualties were confirmed. Crying mothers, tightly grasping their innocent, wounded children running for their lives is what the scenario consisted off. The total number, for now, is at a solid 30. The gunmen - Al-Qaida linked, specifically part of Somalia's Islamic extremist group - raised a highly controversial religious issue. Many witnesses testified that the gunmen were holding down civilians with guns to their faces and the answer to one simple question could have saved their lives: "Are you Muslim?" Witnesses stated that if the answer was "yes," the civilian would be released, and if the answer were "no," the man would breathe the last breathe of his life. This sort of religious issue should not be ignored, and has to be acted upon immediately. Killing ones solely based off of their religion is not acceptable. 

Can We Trust What We Know?

Why The Internet Might Be Wrong About Nikola Tesla

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/13/internet-nikola-tesla_n_3921291.html?utm_hp_ref=technology

(No author named) The Huffington Post 

As the world knows - or may know - Serbian-American Nikola Tesla is the electrifying genius who defied all odds and invented and helped invent much of the devices which are widely used today such as the radar, ac/dc currents, sonar, the remote control, X-rays, radio, and many more. His groundbreaking intellect and unsurpassed vision of potential inventions made Tesla look superhuman. Although he is regarded as one of the greatest inventors the world has ever seen, is his inspirational story of stupendous wit and capabilities wholly truthful? The internet portrays Nikola Tesla as a "selfless creator for the people," but ironically so, Nikola Tesla was famous. Famous as in Time Magazine cover page famous. He was as high as they get when it came to scientific fame and wisdom. His unimaginable respect can seem tangible, but it was quite the contrary. There was a quote that said "aside from history being written by the winners, it was also written by the victims." This quote leaves us with a ginormous question mark: is what we know as history the truth, or one side of the story? The world will probably never know the actual truth, but it's an exciting way to start off a debate. 

Pulp Fiction

http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/pulp-fiction-19941014

Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction is often regraded as one of the greatest crime thrillers ever. When presented with a movie of such high caliber, it is naturally expected of a critic to not use claims of policy because there would be no need for change or amendment. However, this review written by Peter Travers for Rolling Stone on October 14, 1994 displays claims of value. For example, Travers mentions the acting of the movie to be "dynamite" and describes the careers of John Travolta and Bruce Willis after this movie as "revived." Claims like these are solely paused on one's point of view and it can easily be argued, for instance, that it was in fact the screenplay, plot, and directing that made the movie stand out as opposed to the acting. For the comments made on the careers of Travolta and Willis, they may be true; but one could easily argue that their careers were never "dead" for them to have been "revived." Throughout the review, Travers makes multiple claims of value to support his overall point: it was a great movie. That is what it all boils down to. Travers raves about Tarantino's storytelling and passion, mentioning how his relative youth contradicts that. This review was clear cut, to the point, and influential. Its purpose of telling potential viewers to watch this movie was surely reached.

Video Games For the Win!

A Multitasking Video Game Makes Old Brains Act Younger

Matt Richtel

nytimes.com

            When one is confronted with the thought of video games - especially if they are of the older age, therefore not being introduced to the video game crave of the modern-day video-gamers – it is not often associated with productivity and brain activity. Video games have an unfair title and reputation of being harmful, which is to not be true to a certain extent. Brain scientists have discovered that a simple multitasking effort of swerving a car and simultaneously picking out road signs in a video game “can help improve the short-term memory and long-term focus of older adults.” Impressively, adults as old as 80 were showing drastic improvements in their cognitive activity not only during the video game but during every day processes. This is one infinitesimal step for technology in general, but a grand step for the future of brain activity. A discovery like such opens door to many questions, and with questions there will come answers. To further prove the influence of video games on the brain performance’s of individuals, a four-year, $300,000 research program was launched at University of California, San Francisco led by Dr. Adam Gazzaley. They created a similar video game called “NeuroRacer,” and the results were similar although “NeuroRacer” helped point out how difficult it was for adults to successfully multitask. This invigorating discovery could possibly change the way scientists view neurology and spark up new interest in that field.

Cookies n Cream

One cannot claim they have lived life to the fullest without tasting Cookies n Cream. Cookies n Cream is a unique, delicious mix of Oreo crackers and vanilla ice cream. If you are a fan of the Oreo cookie, then Cookies n Cream is for you. Not only does the individual that thought of this brilliant, ground-breaking idea deserve an award, but the people who actually put it together and made it possible for us to devour. The combination of the sweet, creamy taste of the vanilla ice cream and the chocolaty, crunchy chunks of cookie leaves your mouth watering. It is as if your taste buds are being sent up to flavor heaven as soon as you take a bite of the Cookies n Cream ice cream (simile). The crunchy, crispy cookie and the creamy, celestial vanilla are often compared to as the yin-yang - a combination of two opposites magically perfect (alliteration). I mean there has to be a reason that on College Humor's poll for "Best Ice Cream Flavor" it was obviously voted #1, right? Who is more credible to judge the taste of ice cream than college students? They too agree that mixing velvety ice cream with a hearty cookie crunch is a match made in heaven.

Throughout most of the article - if not all - I implied the use of pathos.

LAUSD equips two public schools with iPads; first of many?!

LAUSD launches its drive to equip every student with iPads

by Howard Blume

latimes

One would think the schools with the most cash to spend would be the first to welcome the Apple tablets to their classrooms. Broadacres Elementary School in Carson and Cimarron Elementary School in Hawthorne were the two schools introduced to the iPads. Ironically, both were schools who either did not have working wireless internet or wireless internet in general. The bringing of iPads "levels the playing field" said Principal Cynthia M. Williams of Cimarron, where 70% of students are from low-income families. There is a potential 1 billion dollar push for iPads across LAUSD, half of the money to Apple and the other half to supply the schools with working internet various other expenses. The iPads are obviously meant for learning purposes, plausibly eventually eliminating heavy textbooks from children's backs. Also, tablets provide an interactive learning experience in which children could feel more excited about educating themselves. Over the next two weeks, iPads are being distributed at 45 other campuses. Each of the districts 650,000 students will get their share of technology within the next year or so. However, each iPad costs $678 - which is approximately 200-300 dollars more pricey than a normal iPad - but comes with programmed educational software, a sturdy case,  and three year warranty. Could this be a breakthrough for schools nationwide?