Assertion--I Am Evolution

Holly Dunsworth believes in evolution. Not because of faith, trust, effort, or strength but because it just is. Her curiosities as a child allow her to have a career and she asks “the ultimate question on a daily basis: where did I come from and how?” She believes so much in that she will live her life in service to it to put together the history of Homo sapiens. I really like her outlook on what she does with her life. She believes in what she does and that will make her do her best to doing that. If everyone went through life that way this world would be a better place. There would be no half ass jobs or people not taking pride in what they do. If you do not believe in what you are doing, then is there any point in dong it. Everyone should do something that they believe in and do it to the best that they can. Don’t waist your life doing something you do not like for there is no redo button you only get one go around make it worth it.

Assertion-- We Are Each Other's Business

In this essay Eboo Patel goes on explaining a story from when he was in high school, where a friend of his who was a Jew was getting made fun of a lot. He goes on to say that he did do anything to help his friend because back then he didn’t not want to be made fun of for help him. For his friends started to fear coming to school and felt that he was abandoned because his friends would not doing anything. Eboo Patel is a Muslim and believes in Pluralism and later when he is an adult he knows that he has to help stop thing like what happened to his friend in high school and quotes a port who says “We are each other’s business; we are each other’s harvest; we are each other’s magnitude and bond.” He says that in the Quran it says “I created you into diverse nations and tribes that you may come to know one another.” He later says that we live in a world where the forces that seek to divide us are very strong. With forces as strong as these getting to know the variety of people in this world becomes nearly impossible with out having some consequences within society and how people look at you. For things that happened to other people sooner or later become problems to everyone.

A- Writing with a purpose?

I don’t know if anyone else feels this way but I cannot seem to grasp my mind around the concept that authors write with a purpose. It is mind boggling to think that writers carefully choose the words they will use, the way they will construct their sentences, and the meaning and purpose behind it all. The theme and symbols of a piece of literature are not hard for me to grasp, that they were chosen for a reason; it is the diction, syntax, and other surface features that throw me for a loop. As we were reading Poe’s “The Raven” in class today, the rhymes captured me into the piece. I’m not normally a poetry person, but I surprisingly enjoyed this one. After, when we were discussing it, I felt lost as the rest of the class was able to easily pick out Poe’s purpose for choosing words or the placement of the pause. To me, I would have picked those words because they rhymed. Now I know I am not a professional writer and am still growing in my writing; nonetheless, I still feel overwhelmed to think that authors purposefully choose every aspect of their writing. It looks like they just got lucky with the way readers have interpreted their subtle details, and those interpretations have been taught to students and adults nationwide. I am aware I have asked this question once before to Mr. Bruno and did receive an answer; however, I would like to know if anyone else feels this way too.

A: There is no god!

In the article “There is No God” by Penn Jillette, Penn Jillette bluntly states that he believes in no god. He begins to try and reason out why having no god would be the best thing that could happen to this world. He explains that the belief in no god will shape society to be kinder and more generous. Jillette shows how his own belief in no god shows that the same thing he has experience can happen to everyone who fallows his lead.


Personally, I think the idea of god has, in fact, shaped the world to be better than it could be without it. The principles god sets forth are of kindness and generosity, which are the principles Jillette said had diminished because of the existence of god. Followers of god are normally kind and loving and almost always have other people in mind above themselves, yet Jillette tries to rationalize that they do not. There really isn’t any substantial evidence to back up his rational, other than his life experience. Since an outlier can happen his entire statement is pretty much null and void.

Essay from: http://thisibelieve.org/essay/34/

A- None of This Is Fair

In the article, None of This Is Fair by Richard Rodriguez, the author discusses the opportunities he has received because of Affirmative Action, which allows him a greater chance of being excepted into prestigious schools as a Mexican-American minority. A co-worker of Rodriguez voices his opinions on the unfairness of Affirmative Actions and how Rodriguez receives higher opportunities because of his race. I do partially agree that Affirmative Action gives an unfair advantage to people of a minority, but the problem cannot be blamed on the person receiving the advantages. They have no control over the regulations and a person cannot blame them to taking the highest job or school they are offered.

A; Sharing the Tragedy of War

In this artical by Aileen Mory, the responsibilites of a democracy are called into question. Mrs. Mory feels that we should all share burdens together. Her most detailed example involves the war in Iraq. Although Mory doesnt WANT her own sons to be drafted, she thinks that a draft is necessary for all of America to share this kind of burden. She doesnt think that its fair that some families are torn apart by events like war while others, like hers, are influenced in a much lesser way. In fact, Mory says that she doesnt really feel the burden at all.

In my opinion, every American is feeling the effects of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Obviously we cant all relate to the pain experienced when a family loses a loved one, but we feel it in a much less painful way. We feel it through gas prices, through the economy, through taxes, and other outlets. I agree with Ms. Mory that a draft system is fair in a democracy, but we cant forget our heroes that VOLUNTEER their lives for their country. Soldiers who serve their country, draft or no draft, should be appreciated. By no means am I asserting that Mrs. Mory does not value these men and women, but I mean to express that they are helping to shoulder the burden for us. Whether we know them personally or not, this is one of the greatest gifts a person can give.

Assertion-Gaurding The Gift Of Freedom

This article by Lucius D. Clay establishes the idea that here in the U.S we need to protect our freedom and contribute it to the other areas of the world. He feels that we have already done a glorious job of that. I however, feel that although many efforts have been put out in extending the hand of freedom, not only in our country but in others as well, our efforts have not been sufficient enough to stop trying.

Clay proposes the idea that the United States has increasingly protected our freedoms and has turned into a helping nation. I believe this is true to some extent. For example, the United States' help to bring democracy to the Middle East. Also, in newspapers locally and nationally people are seen contributing to charities and programs for the less fortunate. A new trend in America is the adoption of less fortunate children from other countries such as China and Africa. By sending money, Americans can help feed and clothes a child in another country. Through these efforts, America is shown as a positive influence in the fight for freedom.

While these efforts seem hearty, America is not always the giving counrty. Clay states that more people and more governments are more willing to work together and that people are more willing to help their neighbor. While some Americans have taken on the responsibility of a good citizen who is willing to work with others, some have become increasingly selfish. The rage of some Americans has reached extreme levels. Not too long ago this was shown with a man opening fire in Fort Hood, Texas. Each day on the news there is a new murder to be investigated because someone for whatever reason was pushed too far. The divorce rate in America has sky rocketed recently. It is not uncommon for a child to have only one parent or a step parent living with them.

While Clay makes an excellent point that Americans have protected their freedom and have shared their freedom with other countries, I do not believe this general statement can be made. Each individual is different in their actions and behavior towards others which effects the outlook of America as a whole.