"Paler indeed than the moon ailing in some slow eclipse was the light of it now, wavering and blowing like a noisome exhalation of decay, a corpse-light, a light that illuminated nothing."
This is a quote from J.R.R. Tolkien's book "The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers." This book enthralled me with its intriguing characters.
J.R.R. Tolkien makes me believe in the characters as people. They are all brave and noble. Gandalf, a wizard, is kind and wise. In the book, he says "Do not regret your choice in the valley of the Emyn Muil, nor call it a vain pursuit. You chose amid doubts the path that seemed right: the choice was just, and it has been rewarded, For so we have met in time, who otherwise might have met too late..." Gandalf is telling Aragorn that he shouldn't regret the decision he made when choosing what path to take to search for the hobbits, because if he hadn't chosen that path, he wouldn't have met with Gandalf, and the hobbits would not have been saved in time.
What I dislike about J.R.R. Tolkien's style is that he spends too much time describing the scenery, and not enough time describing the characters' personalities. The book says "The trees were grey and menacing, and a shadow or a mist was about them. The ends of their long sweeping boughs hung down like searching fingers, their roots stood up from the ground like strange monsters, and dark caverns opened beneath them." There's just not enough written about the characters.
I recommend that you read this book, because it's an awesome sequel to "The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring."
Monday, December 3, 2012
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Male Model Convicted In Grisly Murder Of Portuguese TV Journalist
In a recent article by Michael Martinez, titled "Male model convicted in grisly murder of Portuguese TV journalist," Martinez informs readers of the murder of a male model's older lover.
The article states "He was a 20-year-old male model. His lover was a 65-year-old man who was a television journalist. They were from Portugal, visiting New York City. The older partner broke off the relationship and ended up mutilated and dead." Wow. I think this is a major overreaction to a breakup. I mean, the guy's 20 years old, it's not like he'll never find someone else. And besides that fact, his lover was 65. That's a 45 year age difference. Some say "age is but a number," but come on. To me, it seems a little ridiculous to be dating a guy who's 45 years older than he is.
The article also states "'This was a brutal and sadistic crime, where Renato Seabra bludgeoned, choked, and mutilated his victim before murdering him,' Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. said following Friday's verdict." According to the article, Carlos Castro, the victim, was found "bludgeoned and castrated in the hotel room in January 2011, a law enforcement source told CNN at the time." Renato Seabra must have been really sick to do something like this to a man that he supposedly loved, or I guess you could say that he really loved the guy to want to kill him for breaking up with him, because he couldn't stand being without him? Or, like I've said, he's just really sick. Which is what I believe.
The article also states "Following the prolonged attack, Seabra showered, took about $1,600 from Castro's wallet, and hung a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door, prosecutors said." As if killing and mutilating the guy wasn't enough, Seabra stole from him, too. That's not right(but neither is murder).
As I was reading this article, I was reminded of a book I once read, called "Blood Lies," that was about a grisly murder.
The article states "He was a 20-year-old male model. His lover was a 65-year-old man who was a television journalist. They were from Portugal, visiting New York City. The older partner broke off the relationship and ended up mutilated and dead." Wow. I think this is a major overreaction to a breakup. I mean, the guy's 20 years old, it's not like he'll never find someone else. And besides that fact, his lover was 65. That's a 45 year age difference. Some say "age is but a number," but come on. To me, it seems a little ridiculous to be dating a guy who's 45 years older than he is.
The article also states "'This was a brutal and sadistic crime, where Renato Seabra bludgeoned, choked, and mutilated his victim before murdering him,' Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. said following Friday's verdict." According to the article, Carlos Castro, the victim, was found "bludgeoned and castrated in the hotel room in January 2011, a law enforcement source told CNN at the time." Renato Seabra must have been really sick to do something like this to a man that he supposedly loved, or I guess you could say that he really loved the guy to want to kill him for breaking up with him, because he couldn't stand being without him? Or, like I've said, he's just really sick. Which is what I believe.
The article also states "Following the prolonged attack, Seabra showered, took about $1,600 from Castro's wallet, and hung a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door, prosecutors said." As if killing and mutilating the guy wasn't enough, Seabra stole from him, too. That's not right(but neither is murder).
As I was reading this article, I was reminded of a book I once read, called "Blood Lies," that was about a grisly murder.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Israel Holding Off On Ground Offensive As Clinton Travels To Region
In a recent article titled "Israel holding off on ground offensive as Clinton travels to region," the author informs readers about violence and rocket attacks on Israeli cities.
The article states "Eleven Hamas rockets came flying into the Israeli city of Beer Sheva, causing casualties, CNN's Wolf Blitzer reported from the city. More than 30 rockets were fired into the area Tuesday, but most were destroyed by Iron Dome interceptors." I think it's awful that rockets were sent into the city and caused casualties. There's so much violence happening everywhere, and I don't see why people can't just accept one another and make peace instead of war. The world would be so much better if it were peaceful and no one was in danger of being hurt or killed in the cross fire of war.
The article also states "In Tel Aviv, a man with an ax attacked a U.S. Embassy security guard, Israeli police said. The attacker, who also had a knife, was arrested, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said." I don't understand the reason for attacks like this, particularly on Americans. What has America done to deserve to be hated the way it is hated? I love America, and I am proud to be an American. Violence is never the way to solve problems.
"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is on her way to the region, in its seventh day of deadly conflict filled with huge explosions that have triggered fear on both sides." She is going to try to help stop the conflicts and understand why they are so violent.
As I was reading this article, I was reminded of a trailer I saw for a movie called "Red Dawn." I know it's not about Israel, but it's about foreign invasion and war. We need to stop being so violent and make peace with each other. Because as the Beatles said, "All you need is love."
The article states "Eleven Hamas rockets came flying into the Israeli city of Beer Sheva, causing casualties, CNN's Wolf Blitzer reported from the city. More than 30 rockets were fired into the area Tuesday, but most were destroyed by Iron Dome interceptors." I think it's awful that rockets were sent into the city and caused casualties. There's so much violence happening everywhere, and I don't see why people can't just accept one another and make peace instead of war. The world would be so much better if it were peaceful and no one was in danger of being hurt or killed in the cross fire of war.
The article also states "In Tel Aviv, a man with an ax attacked a U.S. Embassy security guard, Israeli police said. The attacker, who also had a knife, was arrested, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said." I don't understand the reason for attacks like this, particularly on Americans. What has America done to deserve to be hated the way it is hated? I love America, and I am proud to be an American. Violence is never the way to solve problems.
"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is on her way to the region, in its seventh day of deadly conflict filled with huge explosions that have triggered fear on both sides." She is going to try to help stop the conflicts and understand why they are so violent.
As I was reading this article, I was reminded of a trailer I saw for a movie called "Red Dawn." I know it's not about Israel, but it's about foreign invasion and war. We need to stop being so violent and make peace with each other. Because as the Beatles said, "All you need is love."
Monday, November 12, 2012
At what point does defending one's ideals turn to indefensible hysteria?
Defending one's ideals turns to indefensible hysteria when one has power. Adolf Hitler, gaining power, tried to exterminate the Jews. Accusing others of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials, the people of Salem gained power. A person could accuse another person, without evidence, of witchcraft. And the accused person would be hanged or thrown in prison, just because they were accused. The townspeople turned into monsters, hanging nineteen people without reason.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Why Bacteria, But Not Humans, Can Live on Caffeine
In an article by Veronique Greenwood titled "Why Bacteria, But Not Humans, Can Live on Caffeine," Greenwood informs readers about Pseudomonas putida CBB5 and why humans can't live on caffeine.
The article states "This doesn't seem to be a problem for the new bacterium, Pseudomonas putida CBB5..." Pseudomonas putida CBB5 can get energy from caffeine.
"But compare the calorie count for a black coffee with a latte and it's obvious that humans don't get energy, in the scientific sense, from caffeine." Humans don't get energy from caffeine, so they wouldn't be able to live off of caffeine.
The article also states "The specific reason caffeine isn't an energy source for us, thus, is that we don't have the gear to digest derivatives further." Humans can't digest caffeine derivatives like Pseudomonas putida CBB5 can.
I became an active participant in my learning because I didn't know that anything could live on caffeine.
The article states "This doesn't seem to be a problem for the new bacterium, Pseudomonas putida CBB5..." Pseudomonas putida CBB5 can get energy from caffeine.
"But compare the calorie count for a black coffee with a latte and it's obvious that humans don't get energy, in the scientific sense, from caffeine." Humans don't get energy from caffeine, so they wouldn't be able to live off of caffeine.
The article also states "The specific reason caffeine isn't an energy source for us, thus, is that we don't have the gear to digest derivatives further." Humans can't digest caffeine derivatives like Pseudomonas putida CBB5 can.
I became an active participant in my learning because I didn't know that anything could live on caffeine.
Government report on secret flying saucer program made available
In a recent article titled "Government report on secret flying saucer program made available," the author informs readers about the government's plan to build a flying saucer.
The article states "...came across a 114-page document from 1956 sure to interest the tin-foil-hat crowd: a document describing a secret program by the Air Force to build a flying saucer." Why would the government want to build a flying saucer? Perhaps they feared another Roswell incident and wanted to be prepared.
The article also states "The newly released documents, not yet posted on the website of the National Declassification Center, offer details on a Cold War-era plan to build a round vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that can only be described as a flying saucer." The government had planned on building a flying saucer, but that didn't work out.
"The report notes a follow up plan to develop weapons suitable for the saucer..." The government wanted to build the flying saucer and make sure it worked properly, and wanted to build weapons for it.
This article makes me think about all those movies about aliens.
The article states "...came across a 114-page document from 1956 sure to interest the tin-foil-hat crowd: a document describing a secret program by the Air Force to build a flying saucer." Why would the government want to build a flying saucer? Perhaps they feared another Roswell incident and wanted to be prepared.
The article also states "The newly released documents, not yet posted on the website of the National Declassification Center, offer details on a Cold War-era plan to build a round vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that can only be described as a flying saucer." The government had planned on building a flying saucer, but that didn't work out.
"The report notes a follow up plan to develop weapons suitable for the saucer..." The government wanted to build the flying saucer and make sure it worked properly, and wanted to build weapons for it.
This article makes me think about all those movies about aliens.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
France Plans To Legalize Gay Marriage
In a recent article titled "France set to ban words 'mother' and 'father' on official documents under plans to legalize gay marriage," the author informs readers that France plans to legalize gay marriage and ban the words "mother" and "father" from legal documents.
I believe that homosexual couples deserve the same rights that heterosexuals do. Gay people deserve the same rights that everyone else has.
The article states "France is set to ban the words 'mother' and 'father' from all official documents under new plans to legalize gay marriage and give equal adoption rights to homosexual and heterosexual couples." I agree that gay marriage should be legal and that homosexual couples and heterosexual couples deserve equal adoption rights. The article also states "Under the proposed law, only the word 'parents' would be used in marriage ceremonies for all heterosexual and same-sex couples, a move that has sparked widespread outrage, The Telegraph reports." I agree that "parents" should be used, rather than "mother" and "father". But I disagree with the fact that it would cause "widespread outrage".
"'Gay marriage would herald a complete breakdown in society,' Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, the head of the French Catholic Church, told Christian’s RFC radio last week." I don't understand why the legalization of gay marriage would cause a breakdown in society. There's nothing wrong with gay marriage, and it doesn't affect straight people.
As I was reading this article, I was reminded of the time I heard on the radio that "Don't ask, don't tell" was repealed. Society is beginning to recognize gay rights and beginning to give them more rights, as you can tell from this article, and the fact that "Don't ask, don't tell" was repealed.
I believe that homosexual couples deserve the same rights that heterosexuals do. Gay people deserve the same rights that everyone else has.
The article states "France is set to ban the words 'mother' and 'father' from all official documents under new plans to legalize gay marriage and give equal adoption rights to homosexual and heterosexual couples." I agree that gay marriage should be legal and that homosexual couples and heterosexual couples deserve equal adoption rights. The article also states "Under the proposed law, only the word 'parents' would be used in marriage ceremonies for all heterosexual and same-sex couples, a move that has sparked widespread outrage, The Telegraph reports." I agree that "parents" should be used, rather than "mother" and "father". But I disagree with the fact that it would cause "widespread outrage".
"'Gay marriage would herald a complete breakdown in society,' Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, the head of the French Catholic Church, told Christian’s RFC radio last week." I don't understand why the legalization of gay marriage would cause a breakdown in society. There's nothing wrong with gay marriage, and it doesn't affect straight people.
As I was reading this article, I was reminded of the time I heard on the radio that "Don't ask, don't tell" was repealed. Society is beginning to recognize gay rights and beginning to give them more rights, as you can tell from this article, and the fact that "Don't ask, don't tell" was repealed.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Book Review
"This thing all things devours;
Birds, beasts, trees, flowers;
Gnaws iron, bites steel;
Grinds hard stones to meal;
Slays king, ruins town,
And beats high mountains down."
This is a quote from J.R.R. Tolkien's book "The Hobbit." This book entranced me with its interesting storyline.
I like the author's writing style. The way it is written makes it seem more personal, and it makes me feel like I am included in the story, instead of just watching from the sidelines. The way it is told is as if he is sitting next to me telling me the story. I have not read any other books like that. An example from the book is "I imagine you know the answer, of course, or you can guess it as easy as winking, since you are sitting comfortably at home and have not the danger of being eaten to disturb your thinking." Another example from the book is "I suppose hobbits need some description nowadays, since they have become rare and shy of the Big People, as they call us." A third example is "They are (or were) a little people, about half our height, and smaller than the bearded dwarves."
A life lesson that this book illustrates is to step out of your comfort zone. In the beginning of the book, Bilbo was just a hobbit that never had any adventures, or any desire to go on any adventures. But by the end of the book he was very adventurous and he wasn't afraid to speak his mind.
I really liked the character of Bilbo. He was relatable. Bilbo had a shy personality. An example from the book is "'Hear, hear!' said Bilbo, and accidentally said it aloud."
I recommend that you read this book.
Birds, beasts, trees, flowers;
Gnaws iron, bites steel;
Grinds hard stones to meal;
Slays king, ruins town,
And beats high mountains down."
This is a quote from J.R.R. Tolkien's book "The Hobbit." This book entranced me with its interesting storyline.
I like the author's writing style. The way it is written makes it seem more personal, and it makes me feel like I am included in the story, instead of just watching from the sidelines. The way it is told is as if he is sitting next to me telling me the story. I have not read any other books like that. An example from the book is "I imagine you know the answer, of course, or you can guess it as easy as winking, since you are sitting comfortably at home and have not the danger of being eaten to disturb your thinking." Another example from the book is "I suppose hobbits need some description nowadays, since they have become rare and shy of the Big People, as they call us." A third example is "They are (or were) a little people, about half our height, and smaller than the bearded dwarves."
A life lesson that this book illustrates is to step out of your comfort zone. In the beginning of the book, Bilbo was just a hobbit that never had any adventures, or any desire to go on any adventures. But by the end of the book he was very adventurous and he wasn't afraid to speak his mind.
I really liked the character of Bilbo. He was relatable. Bilbo had a shy personality. An example from the book is "'Hear, hear!' said Bilbo, and accidentally said it aloud."
I recommend that you read this book.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Current Connection
A recent article titled "Exclusive: Al Qaeda leader's brother offers peace plan" informs readers that Mohamed al Zawahiri, the brother of Al Qaeda's leader, created a peace proposal. He stated that he and his brother were "ideologically inseparable," and that if anyone could convince his brother to agree to this peace proposal, it's him.
The article stated "He wants peace, he says, between Muslims and non-Muslims and has written a proposal that outlines the terms." I agree that there should be peace between Muslims and non-Muslims.
I had heard of Al Qaeda before, but I didn't know who the leader of it was, and I certainly didn't know he had a brother.
The article stated "He wants peace, he says, between Muslims and non-Muslims and has written a proposal that outlines the terms." I agree that there should be peace between Muslims and non-Muslims.
I had heard of Al Qaeda before, but I didn't know who the leader of it was, and I certainly didn't know he had a brother.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Remembering 9/11
They built fast elevators not for convenience, but for safety.
The elevators move at 2,000 feet per minute.
The fast elevators make it possible to quickly get to the bottom floor of the building and escape in case of another attack.
The elevators move at 2,000 feet per minute.
The fast elevators make it possible to quickly get to the bottom floor of the building and escape in case of another attack.
Dakota's Reading Bucket List
1. Lord of the Rings series - by J. R. R. Tolkien: The Lord of the Rings movies have been my favorite movies ever since I was a little kid, and I've seen them all multiple times. When I was little, I was never really interested in reading the books; in fact, I don't think I even knew that the movies were based off of books. I think it's finally time I get around to reading them.
2. The Silmarillion - by J. R. R. Tolkien: This book takes place before "The Hobbit", which is the prequal to the Lord of the Rings series, and I really enjoyed "The Hobbit". This book is about the creation of the worlds and creatures of the Lord of the Rings series and "The Hobbit".
3. Thirteen Reasons Why - by Jay Asher: This is a book about a girl who committed suicide and sent tapes to all the people who contributed in her death, which sounds very intereseting to me. All the people I know that have read this book have said it was good and have recommended it to other people, and it sounds like a great book that is really emotional.
4. Before I Fall - by Lauren Oliver: We read the first chapter of this book in my English class last year, and I automatically wanted to read it, but I never got around to it because I was in the middle of reading another book and just completely forgot about this one.
5. Speak - by Laurie Halse Anderson: I had never heard of this book until this year, and I found out that this book is about a girl who gets raped, and just completely stops talking. The book is a New York Times Best-Seller, and it sounds like it is a good book.
6. The Mortal Instruments series - by Cassandra Clare: My best friend recommended this book series to me. Every time I talk to her, she constantly talks about this series and how good it is. We both like the same stuff, and this series sounds like something I would enjoy reading.
7. The Book Thief - by Markus Zusak: This book sounds really interesting and unusual. It's the only book I've heard of that has been narrated by Death. I think it's interesting when death is personified; I used to watch a TV show that would have Death in some of the episodes. I also like reading about Nazi Germany.
8. The Princess Bride - by William Golding: This is a fantasy novel, and I think that the plot of this book sounds really interesting. I would like to watch the movie version, but I don't really like watching movie versions of books without actually reading the book first.
9. 11/22/63 - by Stephen King: This book is about a time traveller who tries to prevent JFK from getting killed, which I think is interesting because I've always liked JFK and the concept of time travel. Stephen King is a great author, so I'm sure this book will be great.
10. Heavier Than Heaven - by Charles R. Cross: This is a biography of Nirvana's frontman Kurt Cobain. Nirvana is one of my favorite bands and this book includes some information that other biographies and things have not included, and I like to find out as much as I can about Nirvana and Kurt Cobain.
2. The Silmarillion - by J. R. R. Tolkien: This book takes place before "The Hobbit", which is the prequal to the Lord of the Rings series, and I really enjoyed "The Hobbit". This book is about the creation of the worlds and creatures of the Lord of the Rings series and "The Hobbit".
3. Thirteen Reasons Why - by Jay Asher: This is a book about a girl who committed suicide and sent tapes to all the people who contributed in her death, which sounds very intereseting to me. All the people I know that have read this book have said it was good and have recommended it to other people, and it sounds like a great book that is really emotional.
4. Before I Fall - by Lauren Oliver: We read the first chapter of this book in my English class last year, and I automatically wanted to read it, but I never got around to it because I was in the middle of reading another book and just completely forgot about this one.
5. Speak - by Laurie Halse Anderson: I had never heard of this book until this year, and I found out that this book is about a girl who gets raped, and just completely stops talking. The book is a New York Times Best-Seller, and it sounds like it is a good book.
6. The Mortal Instruments series - by Cassandra Clare: My best friend recommended this book series to me. Every time I talk to her, she constantly talks about this series and how good it is. We both like the same stuff, and this series sounds like something I would enjoy reading.
7. The Book Thief - by Markus Zusak: This book sounds really interesting and unusual. It's the only book I've heard of that has been narrated by Death. I think it's interesting when death is personified; I used to watch a TV show that would have Death in some of the episodes. I also like reading about Nazi Germany.
8. The Princess Bride - by William Golding: This is a fantasy novel, and I think that the plot of this book sounds really interesting. I would like to watch the movie version, but I don't really like watching movie versions of books without actually reading the book first.
9. 11/22/63 - by Stephen King: This book is about a time traveller who tries to prevent JFK from getting killed, which I think is interesting because I've always liked JFK and the concept of time travel. Stephen King is a great author, so I'm sure this book will be great.
10. Heavier Than Heaven - by Charles R. Cross: This is a biography of Nirvana's frontman Kurt Cobain. Nirvana is one of my favorite bands and this book includes some information that other biographies and things have not included, and I like to find out as much as I can about Nirvana and Kurt Cobain.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Titanic
The Titanic's officers were blamed for failure to notify passengers of danger, to load lifeboats to capacity, and to maintain discipline. If I had been a passenger on the Titanic, I don't think it would be possible for me to forgive the Titanic's officers. And If I did, my forgiveness would be limited. I may have survived, but many others would have died, including members of my family. If the officers would have notified the passengers of the danger, it would have been less chaotic, and there probably would have been more time to load the lifeboats; the lifeboats could have been loaded to capacity and many people could have been saved.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Pity
"He sought my pity, but had he any right to pity? Did a man of his kind deserve anybody's pity?"
I don't believe that this man deserves pity because he is a murderer. The book says "When we were told that everything was ready, we went back a few yards, and then received the command to remove safety pins from hand grenades and throw them through the windows of the house." Although he wasn't the one who gave the command to throw hand grenades into the house full of Jews, he is just as guilty because he followed the order, killing innocent people. The book also says "'Look,' he said, 'those Jews died quickly, they did not suffer as I do-though they were not as guilty as I am.'" The dying SS man claims that the Jews he killed died quickly, but did he really know that? How could he? He didn't have any right to say that they did not suffer, especially when he doesn't know whether or not that was true. Just because he is dying and wants to confess everything he's done, doesn't mean that he deserves forgiveness; he made the choice to murder those innocent people.
I don't believe that this man deserves pity because he is a murderer. The book says "When we were told that everything was ready, we went back a few yards, and then received the command to remove safety pins from hand grenades and throw them through the windows of the house." Although he wasn't the one who gave the command to throw hand grenades into the house full of Jews, he is just as guilty because he followed the order, killing innocent people. The book also says "'Look,' he said, 'those Jews died quickly, they did not suffer as I do-though they were not as guilty as I am.'" The dying SS man claims that the Jews he killed died quickly, but did he really know that? How could he? He didn't have any right to say that they did not suffer, especially when he doesn't know whether or not that was true. Just because he is dying and wants to confess everything he's done, doesn't mean that he deserves forgiveness; he made the choice to murder those innocent people.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Does This Act Deserve Forgiveness?
A man that executed his best friend in order to save him from an angry mob is worthy of forgiveness. In the book Of Mice and Men, Lenny accidentally killed a woman, so an angry mob started chasing him because they wanted to kill him. George, Lenny's best friend, shot and killed him. George should be forgiven because instead of letting Lenny die slowly and painfully, he let him die quickly and easily.
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