This story is about a woman named Abigail, who is desperate and in love. She wants the chance to be reunited with her lover, Gregory. The only thing that separates the two is an alligator filled river. When her friend, Ivan, refuses to help her across, she is then faced with a boat captain’s offer. In order for Captain Sinbad to help Abigail across the river she would first have to perform intercourse with hem. At first, Abigail refuses the offer but then decides to take the boat captain’s offer. Once Abigail is reunited with her lover, Gregory, she confesses her wrong doing. Gregory gives Abigail the boat and she is left heartbroken. She then tells her other friend, Slug, about what had happened. Being the compassionate friend, Slug beats Gregory brutally while Abigail watches while laughing.
The person that I would choose as number one is Gregory, the boyfriend. I respect him the most simply because of the way and manner that he handled Abigail cheating on him. There were so many other ways that the story could have portrayed him with anger. Instead, he simply refused her love and sent her back to the other side of the river. He did it with respect and good taste.
Abigail’s friend, Ivan, gets my number two on the respect scale. He did not play much of a roll in this story. Being a friend, I would have hoped that Ivan could have helped Abigail get across the river. When Abigail came up to him for help he simply did not want any part of it.
Slug gets third on the respect scale. I do not care how compassionate he was for Abigail. It does not give him the right to take it upon himself and beat anyone up because of Abigail’s broken heart. The fact that he did this knowing what she had done makes the situation even worse. When Abigail was laughing and cheering while Gregory was being beaten, Slug should have opened his eyes and realized that she did not really love Gregory in the first place.
Number four spot goes to Sinbad, the boat captain. This man does not deserve any respect. This whole situation that Sinbad started was what we call an "Indecent Proposal." The moment that he requested for Abigail to have sex with him before taking her across the river showed that he did not have respect for her. Some people may call this situation sexual harassment or prostitution.
Abigail reaches the five on my respect scale. Five may be higher on the number scale but it is the lowest on the respect scale. Abigail took me by surprise. When beginning with the story I felt sorry and desperate because all she wanted to do was get to the love of her life. She could not cross the river by a bridge because it was under construction, she could not swim across the river because of the alligators, and her friend turned her away for his own reason. When Captain Sinbad told her his price for taking her across the river, she should have stuck with her first answer, no. No matter how strong you declare your love, it does not exist if you are willing to have intercourse with another. Abigail cheated on the love of her life in order to get to the love of her life. It just does not make sense. If cheating was not enough for her, then she cheered when the love of her life was getting beat up. What kind of respect does she deserve?
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Human Rights v. Majority Rule
I could probably be one of those people who is considered "riding the fence." Am I or am I not against abolishing discriminations in the work place based on a sexual preference? There are so many factors when making that claim. My thoughts are based on moral and social philosophy and that is why it is hard for me to say Yeah or Neh. The political aspect does not really play a role in this decision for me.
Morally, I feel that it is wrong to be gay. Some claim that people are born with the gay genes while some others are stating that it is a choice that people make. Everyone has their own attraction whether it is race, body build, gender or even as simple of hair color. I have chosen my preference. I have asked a close friend of mine, who happens to be gay, for his opinions on other couples that are straight. He cannot understand how we think our attractions are the only ones to have. My parents’ moral values were one of the reasons that has given me my opinion. I was raised with the thought that being gay was not acceptable. My church was an influence, also. The church never spoke of gays. It was one of those subjects that was never spoken of but everyone knew. Although morally, I think that being hay is wrong, I also know that this is only my opinion and preference.
Socially, I do not feel that gays should be discriminated when in the workforce. If people abided by the rules of most employers, conversations of personal lifestyles should not be brought in to work. Whether my examples include talking about what happened last night at home, what you are cooking of dinner or if you are gay. We should all be professionals in our careers. If you are or if you are not gay should not be a part of conversations. It reminds me of the saying "don’t ask, don’t tell." In my opinion, it should say "Just don’t ask."
I have asked myself how I would feel and react if a child of mine had a gay teacher and to be honest, I would have questions. Only my questions would be the same no matter who my child’s teacher was. I would want to know their credentials, how they perform in class, and if my child is getting a valuable education and such. When I first began this paper, I said that I was unsure of my decision but after thinking and rethinking my ideas, I have persuaded myself to be in favor of abolishing discrimination based on sexual preference in the workforce. Being gay in the in your chosen profession should not influence a negative opinion. If anything, it should be an example of how our country is slowly but surly doing away with diversity.
Morally, I feel that it is wrong to be gay. Some claim that people are born with the gay genes while some others are stating that it is a choice that people make. Everyone has their own attraction whether it is race, body build, gender or even as simple of hair color. I have chosen my preference. I have asked a close friend of mine, who happens to be gay, for his opinions on other couples that are straight. He cannot understand how we think our attractions are the only ones to have. My parents’ moral values were one of the reasons that has given me my opinion. I was raised with the thought that being gay was not acceptable. My church was an influence, also. The church never spoke of gays. It was one of those subjects that was never spoken of but everyone knew. Although morally, I think that being hay is wrong, I also know that this is only my opinion and preference.
Socially, I do not feel that gays should be discriminated when in the workforce. If people abided by the rules of most employers, conversations of personal lifestyles should not be brought in to work. Whether my examples include talking about what happened last night at home, what you are cooking of dinner or if you are gay. We should all be professionals in our careers. If you are or if you are not gay should not be a part of conversations. It reminds me of the saying "don’t ask, don’t tell." In my opinion, it should say "Just don’t ask."
I have asked myself how I would feel and react if a child of mine had a gay teacher and to be honest, I would have questions. Only my questions would be the same no matter who my child’s teacher was. I would want to know their credentials, how they perform in class, and if my child is getting a valuable education and such. When I first began this paper, I said that I was unsure of my decision but after thinking and rethinking my ideas, I have persuaded myself to be in favor of abolishing discrimination based on sexual preference in the workforce. Being gay in the in your chosen profession should not influence a negative opinion. If anything, it should be an example of how our country is slowly but surly doing away with diversity.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Hijack
A plane is hijacked with terrorists aboard and they are demanding the release of several convicted criminals in custody and I am faced with a decision on how my nation should respond. There are basic moral principles involved with the personnel and their family members. On the other hand, giving into the these demands will show them that we do have a weakness. With the way that the world is today, I would decide to ignore the terrorists’ demands. Why would I come to this decision? Would moral thoughts affect my overall decision? What is my country’s actual policy on terror?
When it comes to my own beliefs and morals, I firmly believe in preserving all human life. I do not believe that all violence is necessary but like I said, in today’s world, you have to make strong and touch decisions. Some might believe that losing one hundred passengers is better than several thousands. Down the road if terrorists, meaning Islamic "Extremists", truly believe that by causing harm to the Americans and losing their lives for a more rewarding after life, then there is nothing or no one who can stop them. I, myself, just retired from the military so I have been informed about the U.S Counter terrorism polices. I have to say for this country to protect itself with these policies like making no concessions to terrorists and striking no deals have to be up held. In today’s world, it is not like World War I and II where we were up against specific foes where we had a pretty good idea of what it would take to achieve this task. This war in Iraq is totally different. In simple terms, we are fighting in the middle of a civil war in which we are getting shot at by both sides. I believe that if we pulled out completely right now, it would be a catastrophe and be a safe haven for the terrorists that we are discussing right now. The United States Government believes that paying ransom or making other concessions to the terrorists in exchange for the release of hostages increases the danger that others will be taken. Its policy therefore rejects all demands for ransom, prisoner exchanges, and deals with terrorists in exchange for the release of hostages. At the same time, it will make every effort, including contact with representatives of the captors, to obtain the release of the hostages.
So, after all is said and done, maybe because of the eight years in the Air Force and being deployed to places like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Pakistan, and South Korea, I tend to support my commander and chief.
When it comes to my own beliefs and morals, I firmly believe in preserving all human life. I do not believe that all violence is necessary but like I said, in today’s world, you have to make strong and touch decisions. Some might believe that losing one hundred passengers is better than several thousands. Down the road if terrorists, meaning Islamic "Extremists", truly believe that by causing harm to the Americans and losing their lives for a more rewarding after life, then there is nothing or no one who can stop them. I, myself, just retired from the military so I have been informed about the U.S Counter terrorism polices. I have to say for this country to protect itself with these policies like making no concessions to terrorists and striking no deals have to be up held. In today’s world, it is not like World War I and II where we were up against specific foes where we had a pretty good idea of what it would take to achieve this task. This war in Iraq is totally different. In simple terms, we are fighting in the middle of a civil war in which we are getting shot at by both sides. I believe that if we pulled out completely right now, it would be a catastrophe and be a safe haven for the terrorists that we are discussing right now. The United States Government believes that paying ransom or making other concessions to the terrorists in exchange for the release of hostages increases the danger that others will be taken. Its policy therefore rejects all demands for ransom, prisoner exchanges, and deals with terrorists in exchange for the release of hostages. At the same time, it will make every effort, including contact with representatives of the captors, to obtain the release of the hostages.
So, after all is said and done, maybe because of the eight years in the Air Force and being deployed to places like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Pakistan, and South Korea, I tend to support my commander and chief.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Write or Wrong?
In determining what is write orwrong can be different for everyone. I feel that I am 95% a morl relatavist but some issues I feel very strongly about. I do assesss the situation before I determine if iI believe if it's write or wrong.
The basic building blocks of your decison makng is based on your childhood and the way your parents brought you up. Even the environment plays a role in the way you view the situation. A person growing up in the city will have diffrent views than a person growing up in the country. For example when it comes to the strictness of your parents you may look back on your childhood and decide whether or not your parents were hard on you. You may or may not take into consideration your childhood friends and the way ther parents treated them. By doing that yoy are taking diferent situations from different elements a putting a decision together. Overall when you are a kid you don't always want to be told what to do, and when ther parents are always screaming at them it's just because they are mean. Thats not always true , parents just don't want bad thibgs happing to ther kids.
Now the small part of me that I truly believe that I am a "absolutest" comes to the social situation of "gay Marrage" and ther right to adopt children. Overall I believe ehat I am an easygoing individual but when it comes to this issue I almost feel the hairs on the back of my neck stick up! Now again even with my strong view I have sat back and and thought of differnt views that society might bring to the table. Some people might say that what if ther was a young child ready to be adopted and the only one's qualified were a gay couple, would I rather that child be parentles or have a loving family? To me that answer is noty hat simple, my deep down concern is the evironment that child would be brought up in. That issue itself opens up a whole new can of beans. But I believe deep down that a new born child brought up 18-20 years in a house with two gay men, believe that the chid has the chance to be influenced into testing the waters in a gay invironment. this situation deeply troubles me.
Everyone is human an can be right or wrong. It come down to your own beliefs and everyone entitled to them. I decide by thinking about the situation and how other people think about it. What are your views about right or wrong? What meathod would you use?
The basic building blocks of your decison makng is based on your childhood and the way your parents brought you up. Even the environment plays a role in the way you view the situation. A person growing up in the city will have diffrent views than a person growing up in the country. For example when it comes to the strictness of your parents you may look back on your childhood and decide whether or not your parents were hard on you. You may or may not take into consideration your childhood friends and the way ther parents treated them. By doing that yoy are taking diferent situations from different elements a putting a decision together. Overall when you are a kid you don't always want to be told what to do, and when ther parents are always screaming at them it's just because they are mean. Thats not always true , parents just don't want bad thibgs happing to ther kids.
Now the small part of me that I truly believe that I am a "absolutest" comes to the social situation of "gay Marrage" and ther right to adopt children. Overall I believe ehat I am an easygoing individual but when it comes to this issue I almost feel the hairs on the back of my neck stick up! Now again even with my strong view I have sat back and and thought of differnt views that society might bring to the table. Some people might say that what if ther was a young child ready to be adopted and the only one's qualified were a gay couple, would I rather that child be parentles or have a loving family? To me that answer is noty hat simple, my deep down concern is the evironment that child would be brought up in. That issue itself opens up a whole new can of beans. But I believe deep down that a new born child brought up 18-20 years in a house with two gay men, believe that the chid has the chance to be influenced into testing the waters in a gay invironment. this situation deeply troubles me.
Everyone is human an can be right or wrong. It come down to your own beliefs and everyone entitled to them. I decide by thinking about the situation and how other people think about it. What are your views about right or wrong? What meathod would you use?
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Perception
I Stephen Butler believe that socrates had the right idea- It can be hard but if you can see the position of both sides of an issue then Objective Perception is possible! Gorgias asserted that objective perception is impossible. Socrates agreed that it is highly unlikely, but claimed that through knowledge of the self, through knowing where we individually are the most likely to distort data, we can come ever closer to perceiving the truth.
The world is a crazy place these days and it seems that Republicans and Democrats have totaly different views about the war in Iraq. Those who support President Bush like myself on the issue of sending more troops to "FINISH" the job, but there are also people who totaly disagree and say that we should pull out. Thes people should know that this would be the biggest mistake in American history, because leaving an unstable Middle East is leaving an unstable world!!!!!!
I see myself as an easygoing guy and try not to judge people, especially on first impressions. I myself try to see the good in people before I make a final judgement. In todays society it is getting harder, especially with Muslum stereotypes.
Today anytime I go to the airport and fly to New York, I look around for men dressed in Muslum attire. I believe that all the CNN that I watch contributes to this fear. For example I was watching a special on 20/20 about the Air Marshall Program in witch one of the criterias for them is to identify themselves before each flight. In my opinion that is the dumbest thing that I have ever heard. Hopfully 9/11 will never happen again!!!
We are always fearfull of the unknown. What we can't understand for ourselves makes us prejudice in out judgment!
The world is a crazy place these days and it seems that Republicans and Democrats have totaly different views about the war in Iraq. Those who support President Bush like myself on the issue of sending more troops to "FINISH" the job, but there are also people who totaly disagree and say that we should pull out. Thes people should know that this would be the biggest mistake in American history, because leaving an unstable Middle East is leaving an unstable world!!!!!!
I see myself as an easygoing guy and try not to judge people, especially on first impressions. I myself try to see the good in people before I make a final judgement. In todays society it is getting harder, especially with Muslum stereotypes.
Today anytime I go to the airport and fly to New York, I look around for men dressed in Muslum attire. I believe that all the CNN that I watch contributes to this fear. For example I was watching a special on 20/20 about the Air Marshall Program in witch one of the criterias for them is to identify themselves before each flight. In my opinion that is the dumbest thing that I have ever heard. Hopfully 9/11 will never happen again!!!
We are always fearfull of the unknown. What we can't understand for ourselves makes us prejudice in out judgment!
about me!!
My name is Stephen Butler and I just been Medically Discharged from the U.S. Air Force. You can say that my life has turned 180 degrees in a short amount of time!! While I was in South Korea from June, 2005 till June 2006 without my wife with me, I was told that I have what's called Ulcerative Colities witch is known more as Croans Disease, I basically have trouble with my digestive system. Medications have helped control my symptoms but I will have to deal with this disease for the rest of my life!!! The only bright spot about this situation is that I am now considered a Disabled Veteran witch helps me very much in trying to get a Government job when i finish my Business degree, because of what is called the 10 point preference system. Over all I firmly believe that Uncle Sam is trying to help his men and women of the armed forces Thank You for your time STEPHEN BUTLER
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)