Newtown.

The recent events in Newtown, Conn. are tragic and inexplicable. I read article after article arguing the causes of it. I need to share some of my thoughts.
First of all, as noted by videoblogger Dan Brown, the epidemic of mass murders is a new phenomenon. He also notes that as more and more mass murders are committed, they get more and more twisted. In the beginning, there was a sense of strange justice. Brown talks about how there was a USPS worker who got fired and came in to work the next day and killed his boss. In interviews, the coworkers of the murderer said that the boss was a bully to the fired employee. And that there was some sort of justice. But as time goes on, things get more "f***ed up."
It seems that most recently, the mass murders have gotten more inexplicable and more unacceptable. Don't get me wrong, no murder is acceptable. Or at least, the vast majority of murders aren't. But the most recent murders have been the most twisted. It seems like the murderers are trying to see how much of a "wow" they can get. This isn't necessarily true, but it's just a trend that I have noticed.

I am on both sides of the debate of gun control. As a hunter and sportsman, I believe that gun ownership for sport shouldn't be restricted. I know from experience that hunters treat guns differently. We take different precautions. In my own family, guns are locked up in a fireproof safe. There is no circumstance in which we point a gun at another person, even if it's a toy gun. I think there is a difference between people who have guns for sport and people who just own guns. I don't believe that people should have guns to use on other people. I'm really on the border with owning guns for things like self defense. I haven't done enough research and I haven't heard enough opinions.
I think that our mental illness assistance in the US should be reofrmed. If someone is having a mental breakdown, they should be able to get help immediately. The mental institutions should somewhat resemble LAMP Community in Los Angleles, California. They provide shelter and food to the homeless with mental illness and provide services for them. They don't pressure patients into care but they nurture. I believe that this is the best way to help people with mental illness.
I am torn by the shooting and humbled by the entire nations support of Newtown. I think that this shooting is vastly different from the previous shootings because it really sounds like people truly want to prevent this. I am hearing "this can't happen again" more and more.

A Small Follow-Up on the Death Penalty

In class, we have recently finished talking about the death penalty after having several mock-capital court cases. Going into this unit, I didn't have a particular stance on the death penalty but I leaned against it. After all of the debates, I feel that the death penalty is far too imperfect to be implemented in all cases. The death penalty is too arbitrary. There are too many factors to consider such as the manner of the crime committed and the possible non statutory mitigating factors. There is too much burden on the jury and on the potential executioners to have to sentence someone to be executed or execute someone. I think that all non-statutory mitigating factors should also be considered by the jury. In a capital case, a life is at stake, therefore a culmination of one's life should be considered.
I think the only humane way to execute someone is through lethal injection. I am shocked that other methods such as electrocution and gas chamber aren't considered cruel and unusual punishment. I understand that if the crime is bad enough, the offender should be punished more severely, but there has to be limits. The punishment should be death, not the unnecessary pain that may come with it.
I am still unsure whether an inmate on death row should be allowed to change his/her ways, like Clifford Boggess. I think that there is no way to tell if someone has actually changed and therefore, there is no way to give someone the chance to change.
I am against the death penalty now because I believe there are better solutions that an eye for an eye.

R.I.P. Dave Brubeck

This week, jazz legend Dave Brubeck died on December 5th, 2012, one day before his 92nd birthday. Brubeck was born on December 6th, 1920 in Concord, California. His father, Peter, was a cattle rancher and his mother, Elizabeth, was a piano teacher. His mother taught him piano, but he could not read music and faked his way through. He entered College of the Pacific with the intention of studying zoology, but he switched over to study music. He was almost thrown out of the conservatory when his professor found out he could not read music but his understanding of harmony and counterpoint saved him. After graduating, Brubeck was drafted in to the army. He volunteered to play piano and was so popular that he was ordered to form a band. Brubeck then made one of the first integrated military bands. He returned to school after his service. His long musical career took off from there.
Brubeck's contributions to jazz are beyond the music. He has stood to fight racism in the music industry. His quartet's bass player was black and he was sometimes declined performances because they wouldn't let his bass player play. In 1958, Brubeck turned down a $17,000 deal to tour South Africa because of ordinances that prohibited a black person from being on stage into the country.
Dave Brubeck is not only inspiration through his music but through his actions against racism.

Live forever? Let's go!

I don't know about you, but aging is a natural thing. Aging is not a disease and it is unpreventable and unavoidable. British scientist Dr. Aubrey de Grey believes that aging is a disease and that we can prevent it. Ultimately, he believes that if we start this research and development today, then in the next century, people will be able to live for up to 1,000 years.
He explains that a body is like a car. A body can run for an infinite amount of time if taken care of. Like a car, a body needs to be maintained. If we begin developing the technology to keep people alive today, then there will be breakthroughs with time. de Grey says that the technology will boom just like every other major technological breakthrough in history.
de Grey makes certain that there is a distinction between what he is trying to do and immortality. His goal is to prevent the chronological advancement of time determine when you die. His goal is not to make it so that if you get hit by a truck you will be able to get up and be perfectly fine. de Grey has founded the SENS Foundation for Advancing Rejuvination Biotechnologies.
I think that we should really invest in this technology. On the surface, I see nothing wrong with this type of research and development. I can see how some people may argue that this invincibility will keep alive terrorists and murderers and criminals alike. I don't think this may be the case because with all new things, there are going to be restrictions on them.

The Presidency

Last Wednesday, Barack Obama was elected for his second term. My involvement in this presidential election. I had only known things about the two candidates from research in school. I couldn't really debate many things about the presidential candidates if I didn't do research in school.
Anyway, I loved reading Facebook throughout the night. There were so many different and unfiltered perspectives. In my opinion, the internet has changed the political battlefield. Nowadays, people can connect themselves with people across the nation in seconds. Propaganda can be viewed by thousands. Unfortunately, people often turn a this electronic marketplace of ideas into a "flame war".
Congratulations to Brad Schneider for becoming the representative for Illinois 10th Congressional District.

The Death Penalty

The criminal hearing is one aspect of a capital case that protects the right of the accused. This prevents someone from  eing tried without ufficient evidence. I think that there are enough steps in this process that would make it very hard for a person whom is innocent to be executed. This being said, it still happens. I feel like the process of a capital case is set up in a seemingly flawless way but in practice, may be really flawless. I don't think this guarantees that only the guilty are convicted. I think no system can guarantee that only the guilty are convicted.
I think that the most humane way of execution is lethal injection. It seems the most painless and the most practical. I feel that the ecexution team should be trained to insert IV needles properly so the execution can be a more efficient process with less pain. I feel of all the others, the electric chair is the most inhumane. The description of what happens to a victim is digusting and terrible. In no circumstance should a person be cooked in their own flesh. I disagree with this method of execution very strongly. The others are no better. The gas chamber and hanging are the next worse. I think the best way of execution next to lethal injection may be firing squad, but only if it is quick. I feel that an execution shouldn't ravage a body, it should simply put them to death.
From the data, I can see that in Illinios, where there is no death penalty, we have had 12 executions. That is just wrong. Whis is it this way? I don't know.  I am surprised to see that California has 723 death row inmates but only 13 executions. This seems either really good or really bad. Good- the process in California is refined and all the truly guilty criminals recieve the death penalty. Bad- the process in California is messed up and hundreds of people are on death row for nothing.
I think the capital murder laws in Illinois are fair. They outline the criteria needed for someone to be executed. In short, if the murder was premeditated or intentional, the murderer will recieve capital punishment. It seems very fair to me. I'm not sure why we have these laws and don't have the "death penalty" in our state when we very clearly do.
After taking a look at the charts, it seems that many people are actually opposed to the death penalty, and that the death penalty is given mostly in the south. I was surprised to see that states that do not have the death penalty still use the death penalty. I don't understand that and would like to see some of the cases where the death penalty was used.

It's YOUR Duty….

I will not be able to vote this upcoming election, but for the first time, some of my peers will be able to vote. I hate it when I hear the excuses. "I don't know where to go." "I don't care." "My vote won't make a difference." And the worst, "I'm too busy." Excuse me, did I just hear you say you were too busy to vote? It happens once every four years. It's not a commitment that you have to make over time. It's an obligation that all Americans have. Even if you don't have an opinion, I think you should go vote for someone who does have an opinion. Voting is the easiest way to make a big difference.

Ze Frank!

Here are my two views on the VP and Presedential debates from a YouTuber named Ze Frank

VP Debate:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM6XVk01lgQ&list=UUVpankR4HtoAVtYnFDUieYA&index=4&feature=plcp

Presedential Debate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKRz6640B04&feature=channel&list=UL

Gay Marriage and the Election

In class, we have been researching various issues that appear in the upcoming presidential election. I don't have any pressing opinions on medicare, taxes, oil, or the economy. But I do have an opinion when it comes to rights. I believe that all people should have the right to marry a person of the same or opposite gender.
Mitt Romney has firmly stated that marriage is between a man and a woman. President Obama believes that marriage should be between two people who are in love and wish to be married. In the beginning of Obama's presidency, he did not think this way. He thought that marriage must be between a man and woman. He said that after a while, he saw that there's nothing wrong with same-sex parents or couples, and they deserve the right to be married. I agree with Obama's current view on the issue.
I wonder, if Romney gets elected president, will his views sway like Obama's? I'm not sure. I think it will not because Romney's religion has strictly raised him otherwise.

A Thousand Splendid Suns

I am not an avid reader. I haven't read a book cover-to-cover for my own enjoyment in years. But, in my english class, we are reading Khaled Hosseini's novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns. Many of my friends had said the book was good. I didn't expect it to be anything special. Boy, was I wrong! The novel takes a look at the treatment of women in Afghanistan.
Before reading, I didn't know anything about Afghanistan, the Middle East, Pakistan, or the injustices that were being committed there. I knew that there was a war in the Middle East. The Taliban was just a word to me; it had no significance. This book has opened my eyes to the modern atrocities of man. I cannot believe what these women were being put through. The book partially takes place during my lifetime; I think that's what gets me the most. Stories of people being persecuted in foreign countries is supposed to be separated from me. History is supposed to be something that my grandparents lived through. But I was alive when these women were being abused, beaten, and bloodied!
A Thousand Splendid Suns reminds me that there is a world beyond the north-suburban Chicago area. It reminds me that not everybody is the same. But we all feel the same things.
I cannot speak highly enough about A Thousand Splendid Suns.

Is college worth it?

Today, a college education is a lot of time and a lot of money.  Some jobs do not require college but they are usually lower paying. Granted, there are exceptions to every rule. As I see it, most jobs today require a college education. 

At Indiana University, an Indiana resident would pay around $10,000 per year. If you are not a resident, you would pay around $30,000 a year. With college loans, interest, and all things considered, a college education may be around $140,000 total. Along with that $140,000, a ton of time has been spent writing papers, studying, taking classes, and partying. Is the opportunity cost worth it? 

I know that college is in fact worth it. College is not only an educational place. It is not strictly for learning material. College is a place to gain independence and freedom. College is where you learn to become an individual. As I talk to some of my friends who are freshmen in college they will remark on how "the laundry doesn't do itself." College is where not only you get an education, but an education in life. While the ridiculous price tag may not be worth its face value, college is worth it.

As if enough hasn't been said...

As if enough hasn't been said, I will be sharing my opinion on the plague of Deerfield High School. Class colors during homecoming week is a big deal at DHS. Freshmen wear white. Sophomores grey. Juniors red. And seniors black. Class colors are worn on the friday of homecoming week.
This year, our school decided that class colors were no more. Homecoming friday was now "red and grey" and my peers weren't happy. The topic consumed my class discussions. I have heard so many opinions on the issue that i want to pull my hair out. Senior claimed that their First Amendment rights were being violated because the school said that homecoming friday was red and grey day. There was such a commotion of this that enough people wined that they made class colors day earlier in the week. This is great, right? Apparently not. Everyone continued complaining! Why? I couldn't tell you.
I have heard both sides of the argument: "Class colors shouldn't happen because it singles freshmen out and they will get hazed." "Class colors is a right of passage and when I was a freshmen, nothing happened to me…"
Personally, I see validity on both sides. While freshmen are totally singled out for class colors, I think that it is part of the high school experience. Homecoming friday remained "red and grey" day and I still saw a large amount of students wearing their respective class colors. My main concern from all of this is how we let such minuscule things control us. I almost can't believe it. I think that things should go on as  we are told because a month from now, it won't matter what color shirt you were wearing on Friday, September 28th.

Jazz

Next year, I will be (hopefully) studying jazz in college. It is a dream come true for me. I am going to be able to learn about the music that brings me the most joy and fulfillment. But I ponder the question, "does it bring others joy and fulfillment?" I am becoming increasingly naive to the state of jazz today. It is an art music. Not by any means is it popular music. While filling college application after college application, I have to think of the future. What will a degree in jazz do for me? There's no answer.
The spectrum of what is considered jazz is getting broader by the minute. While traditionalists reject new music that won't swing, the overall idea is that jazz can be anything. I consider myself a traditionalist when it comes to my taste in jazz music. Duke Ellington said it best, "If it ain't got that swing, it don't mean a thing!"
I find people considering popular-instrumental music, from artists such as Chris Botti and Kenny G, with jazz. It upsets me. In the jazz world, Kenny G is taboo. He is labeled as a "sell out" and disregarded. That being said, the man can pay his bills. But regardless, Kenny G should be labeled in the genre of "instrumental pop music", not jazz. What makes jazz interesting, to me, is the swung feel and the interactive and improvised qualities between the musicians. Instrumental pop music is heavily rehearsed and focuses on melody. The contrast between the two makes it difficult for me to understand the appeal of instrumental pop music.
I would really just like to make a cry for attention. People, jazz isn't dead. If you would be so kind, listen to jazz. It is completely American and completely original. Let's all protect jazz because it is ours.

FIRE! FIRE! FIRE! in a crowded theatre.

Indiana University has pretty mild speech codes, in my opinion. They have restrictions on free speech zones, but really only to not disrupt the educational process. They also have codes on harassment and hate speech. But they are pretty standard measures. None of them catch my eye as striking or unfair. As a prospective student, Indiana University's speech codes do not offend me. They even advertise their commitment to free speech, "In accordance with the state and federal Constitution and university policy, the university recognizes the rights of all students to engage in discussion, to express thoughts and opinions, and to assemble, speak, write, publish or invite speakers on any subject without 
university interference or fear of university disciplinary action." That spells thing out for me. I believe that Indiana's codes are perfectly legitimate. 

If Indiana saw the parties at the fraternity, I would assume they would react the same way as Auburn did. They would withdraw recognition of the fraternities and dive into investigation. I cannot back this up with the rules of the university, but I believe that it would be common practice for a public school to punish kids engaging in such activities. The parties clearly accentuate stereotypes and demean minorities. Indiana has codes that restrict activities of that nature and I hope they would act upon their codes. I firmly agree to punish the fraternity after proper investigation.

I'm not too sure that I agree with everything that FIRE is saying. From what I've seen, they do not provide why the universities put speech codes in place. I believe that some speech codes are fair and have value. I don't believe that people, in an education setting, can demean others. While I understand that FIRE is trying to protect student's rights, it seems as though they are also trying to protect some really bigoted people from making others feel unsafe. The First Amendment shouldn't be compromised, but it shouldn't be taken to another level. I think the best judgement of speech is the speaker. If everyone would just put a filter on themselves and consider the time, place, and manner, I think we'd all get along just fine.

Ghetto Parties

What do you think? Should the behavior depicted be outlawed or banned on campus? Why or why not? Be sure to provide some context so that your readers know what you are writing about.

Students beware. The First Amendment doesn't fully protect everything you say or do at school. I feel that some actions taken on college campuses should be banned because of their clear offensive nature. A "ghetto party" is a modern day minstrel show. People show up in blackface makeup, KKK gowns, and other paraphanelia, to accentuate black stereotypes for entertainment. On college campuses, parties like this are becoming more and more popular. Ghetto parties should not happen. I feel that ghetto parties are extraordinarily offensive and a sick reminder of the racism that exists today.I think they should be banned on college campuses because they soil the marketplace of ideas. While participants may say it is harmless fun, ghetto parties are demeaning black people. They will reenact lynchings and promote racism. I know that banning ghetto parties may undermine the First Amendment but I feel more strongly that they are a moral misdemeanor. To see colege kids lynching a fellow student in balckface is offnsive to me! I am upset to their beliefs because they aren't ones  of acceptance and tolerance.

Ahmad Jamal

While at Birch Creek Music Camp this summer, my friend, Noah, introduced me to the music of Ahmad Jamal. I had many conversations at Birch Creek about the direction of jazz today. Noah claimed to be "stuck in the 50's". Noah showed me Ahmad Jamal's album Ahmad Jamal at the Pershing: But Not for Me. I instantly fell in love with the subtle elegance of Ahmad Jamal's playing. He has the most delicate touch on the piano. I can sing along to every tune on Ahmad Jamal at the Pershing. It is my favorite album as of right now.
This Saturday, I had the opportunity to see Ahmad Jamal play at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Illinois. The concert was amazing. Ahmad got a triple encore! For one of his encore tunes, he played "Poinciana". "Poinciana" is off his Ahmad Jamal Live at the Pershing album. It was fantastic! I can't speak of Ahmad Jamal highly enough! After the show, I got to meet the legend!

Check him out!

http://www.ahmadjamal.net/

The Incredible Mr. Nathaniel Anthony Ayers

Last night I had the pleasure of watching the movie "The Soloist", featuring Jamie Foxx as Nathaniel Ayers and Robert Downey Jr. as Steve Lopez. Based on a true story, the film is about Los Angeles journalist Steve Lopez and schizophrenic musician Nathaniel Ayers became friends. While trying to find a topic for a column, Lopez found Ayers playing a two-stringed violin on skid row. Lopez saw a story in this man and began the columns. The columns eventually came a book, which then became the movie. I highly recommend the movie, however, the true story of Nathaniel Ayers is fascinating. He went to Juilliard for double bass but dropped out during his third year because of a mental breakdown. His mother saw no other choice but to put him through electroconvulsive therapy. This therapy failed and scarred Ayers. Years later, he is homeless on the streets of Los Angeles playing music for himself to calm the voices in his head. Currently, he is living in Los Angeles at Lamp Community. Lamp Community is a non-profit organization that helps take homeless men and women with serious mental illness off the streets. Ayers's story is amazing. It shows the true healing capabilities of music.

There are thousands of great videos on YouTube, but one of my favorite YouTubers is Dan Brown. Dan is a 22 year-old who launched a YouTube show called "Dan 3.0" in August of 2010. The idea behind Dan 3.0 was that his audience would run his life. He ran a blog and his viewers could go post "tasks" for him to complete. Once the tasks were posted, people could vote on their favorite tasks. The show led him to travel to San Fransisco with his girlfriend, become a vegetarian for a week, but most of all, the show broke him down. He couldn't handle the work and his expectations were defferent than the result. He discontinued Dan 3.0 in April 2011. He started a new show called "Delicious Steak" in which he talks about current events and issues. His commentary really gets my mind running about issues. He is a firm believer that the internet is one of man's greatest inventions and that is one view of his I have adopted. Delicious Steak has stopped and Dan vlogs for his own pleasure. Nonetheless, his videos are stimulating and foster discussion.

Check him out!

Dan's YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/pogobat

The Pledge of Allegiance

Do you agree or disagree with the laws as they've been applied to the Pledge? How does the law support or go against your views on the Pledge? Is there anything you would change about the law or the Pledge itself?  Be sure to use specifics from the article to support your ideas.

The recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance is a multifaceted issue in public schools. The first, and the more legitimate issue in my mind, is whether kids are required to recite the Pledge every day. According to the 1943 decision West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette, students are allowed to opt out of the pledge. I entirely agree with this decision. It doesn't infringe on our First Amendment rights. The Pledge should be recited every day as long as it is not forced upon the students. When I was younger, I would always say the pledge because it was just something that happened. The words meant nothing to me. It was a mantra to begin my day at Wilmot Elementary School. I had no objections then. I have no objections now. As long as saying the pledge is voluntary, I think it is legitimate to have a daily recitation in schools. 

Because the Pledge is voluntary, I see the phrase "under God" as benign. Yes, country is separated from state. Yes, the phrase "under God" is talking about God. Yes, the phrase "under God" is in a patriotic slogan of our country. But no, we are not forced to recite the phrase "under God". So what's the big deal? If one is so vehemently against the phrase "under God", why don't they find a new Pledge? I just don't think the phrase "under God" is that big of a dilemma.

I wouldn't change anything about the Pledge of Allegiance. It is a patriotic slogan in our country. I find nothing wrong with the Pledge as long as we can speak it at our own will. 

Global Warming

As drum major of the marching band, I am required to go to a six-day drum major camp called Smith Walbridge. While at Smith-Walbridge, I perfected my marching skills from 7:45 am until around 7:30 pm. It was usually around 100 degrees every day. It was blisteringly hot while marching. I have never felt such extreme heat in my entire life! It seems to me that global warming is now more "real" than ever.

I think back on the weather we've experienced this year. The winter was dull. Barely cold enough to snow. And when it did snow, the very next day it would melt! Winter was extraordinarily bland. In March, we had a week of summer. I think back only a few years and there was still snow on the ground during March. This summer has been ridiculous. In early July, we experienced three days of record breaking heat. 

While I have never been skeptical of global warming, it was never truly apparent how realistic it was. This summer has really heightened my awareness of global warming. What this means for me? I'm not really sure. I would like to make some more "green" decisions about my lifestyle, but for right now, I'll just remember to keep turning off the lights when I leave the room.