JUST BECAUSE POEM

Just because I am Latino

Doesn’t mean I am Mexican.

Just because I live in a third world country

Doesn’t mean I live in trees.

Just because I am in AST

Doesn’t mean I am rich.

Just because I play sports

Doesn’t mean I am a jock.

Just because I get good grades

Doesn’t mean I don’t have a social life.



http://www.juntademisiones.org/jmla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=43:gam-lomas-verdes-a-honduras&catid=1:cartas-de-misioneros



The Brave Empire of Diplomataus

http://wn.com/noria

Once upon a time, in the Empire Diplomataus lived a ruler called Cegus. Diplomataus was a beautiful but small empire. It was not very rich but contained all the resources and people necessary to become a great empire. Unfortunately, Diplomataus had suffered a lot by its bad and corrupt rulers that were taking this precious land to ruins; Cegus was not different to these past rulers. Cegus was a very weak ruler easily influenced by other empires that wanted to obtain benefits for themselves. Cegus really did not care about his people and just thought about him and how he could become richer. He began being influenced by a near Empire called Develious which by a very mean and controlling King, Hugulios Totous. Hugulios wanted to conquer the entire world and destroy the greatest of all Empires, Rome. So bad was the society ruled by Cegus that the solid and generous Roman Empire had been helping Cegus by giving him money to get over all of the difficulties that his empire was passing. He, who was a dumb King, started breaking his relationships with Rome because of Hugulios’ advices. Hugulios started changing the way Cegus thought and ruled; he made Cegus very ambitious and made him hate Rome that had helped him so much. This was an evil plan that Hugulious had made so that many Empires could join his and all together destroy Rome. Cegus started using the same ideology of the Develious Empire; he was lying to his people by telling them fake promises and giving them money so that they would love him. This was all a plan to be reelected as the ruler of Diplomataus. In the empire ruled by Cegus each 10 years a new ruler was elected by the people and because of the bad rulers that had been in charge of Diplomataus through the past years reelection was strictly prohibited. The time of Cegus as a ruler was about to finish he had only two more years to go, so he started steeling like crazy every piece of money that came into the Empire. He was also brainwashing his people with the help of Hugulious so he could change the constitution and be reelected. With the reelection he could control the elections and become King of Diplomataus once and for all like Hugulious had made with the empire Develious. The lower class of Diplomataus was completely brain washed and wanted Cegus to stay because he gave them easy money that allowed them to have a better life, but this money was not going to last more than six months and then all their happiness would be over. The middle and upper class of Diplomataus were uniting with Rome to constitutionally remove Cegus and put an end to this tyrant. When Cegus tried to make the move and become the eternal ruler of Diplomataus he failed. His people made a revolution against him; they all at last saw that he was a tyrant and was controlled by the evil Hugulious. The people of Diplomataus were strong, loyal, honest, humble and most of all loved with all their hearts Diplomataus; it was impossible for Cegus or Hugulious to take into power this brave empire. Rome, Diplomataus and 10 other empires united themselves as one and destroyed Develious and all of their allies that sought evil on this world. 

http://gavinf.com/2010/01/

THE STRANGE TRAVALLER

Jean Valjean
http://www.musicayvino.com/?q=node/531

Me: Jacquin Labarre
http://www.zazzle.com/quixotedottv/escuela+gifts

It all started an October evening; I was at my wonderful inn called La Croix de Colbas when a strange traveler came in. La Croix de Colbas was known as the best inn in all D− because of its satiating meals and tranquil rooms, and I Jacquin Labarre was the proud host of it. The strange traveler entered the kitchen and I as seeing a new comer asked him what he wanted. This stranger had a very bad look; he seemed like a vagabond wearing dirty and torn cloth, having a very bad smell and walking like if he was very tired. He told me that he had money to pay for the room and meal so I allowed him to stay, but still this man was very suspicious. I felt pity for this man because he looked in the need of help like if he was very ill, tired or starving to death. Although I felt pity for the stranger he also looked like a dangerous man and I had to protect my inn and the rest of the visitors. All the other people at the lobby stared at him like if he was some freak or weird animal.

While I was preparing supper I wrote a note and told my servant, little Claude, to take it to the major. The note asked the major what kind of person was this traveler and if I should allow him in my inn. I could not stay with the doubt of the traveler being a distrustful person; my worst fear was him being an ex-convict. In our society being an ex-convict was the most disgusted and rejected thing. Even though our judicial system was not the best going to jail was like saying good bye to a normal life. After going to jail it was very difficult to getting a job, a family and getting accepted by the society. After about ten minutes little Claude came back with the note. The major wrote, “The strange traveler is called Jean Valjean, he is a very dangerous thief who has just been released from jail after being 14 years in it. Immediately kick him out of La Croix de Colbas.” Subsequent to reading this note I was very sorry for Jean but I would have to kick him out of the inn. It was not a good decision to give an ex-convict a room, you never know if he could steal again or kill someone. After he asked for supper a couple of times I had to tell him to leave the inn. Jean became somewhat surprised and sad when he heard this, and immediately tried to convince me that he would certainly pay. I had to lie to him and make up many excuses; like that there were neither rooms nor food. Jean Valjean begged a million times to let him stay in the inn but this was an impossible request. I had to be somewhat harsh to him to leave and I really feel bad for this. It was a decision I had to make and I hope that he finds a place to stay and overcomes all his problems.         

REFLECTIONS ON THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

This letter written by John Adams explains the effect that had the delay of the Declaration of Independence. Maybe if the Declaration had been made some months before and the small pox wouldn’t have attacked the troops, the providence of Canada would still have been part of the American Colonies. The good thing of the delay of the Declaration is that now everyone in the 13 colonies adopted the idea of them becoming independent from Great Britain. Although everyone is happy of this important event they now all the blood and lives it will cost them to maintain the Declaration.

Rhetorical Devices:

1. Appeal to Pathos: “All these causes however in Conjunction would not have disappointed Us, if it had not been for a Misfortune, which could not be foreseen, and perhaps could not have been prevented, I mean the Prevalence of the small Pox among our Troop…. This fatal Pestilence completed our Destruction” (J. Adams, 685). This quote is a good example for Appeal to Pathos because it makes us feel pity for the Troops that were attacked by the Small Pox. This quote is important for the letter because it tells us the reason why the American Colonists lost the providence of Canada.

2. Persuasion: “Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will triumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not” (J. Adams, 686). This quote is a good example of persuasion because John Adams is trying to convince Abigail that the war and all the lives put in danger are worth their liberty. This quote is important in the letter because John Adams is saying that after this sad times pass the sun will shine again and that they will have a better future being independent from Britain.

http://yesteryearsnews.wordpress.com/2010/03/23/forty-niner-profile-thaddeus-b-sturges/

SPEECH REFUTING PATRICK HENRY

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/
civil-war/virginia-constituent-convention.htm

Patrick Henry and fellow peers, war is not the solution to our problems! In these times of fear and doubtfulness we shall not seek war, especially not with our ally, Great Britain. Remember that it is because of them that these lands are our property and that we can live here. They protected us from the savages and the French. Bringing war against them is not a good way of saying thanks for all that they have done for us. Bear in mind, that this British that you are all criticizing are our brothers in blood and once our ancestors were also Brits. All the ones here, reunited today in the Virginia Convention, we must maintain peace with Great Britain and our lives will become better. Do not appeal to arms and God does not want a war between brothers he just wants peace for everyone. My solution sirs, is to make a diplomatic agreement with Great Britain and their King. Lets talk with them as civilized people and not fight and kill like savages. I know for sure that with violence we will not obtain our liberty, but with diplomacy we can persuade them to give us freedom and peace for eternity. The war has not begun, I repeat it, the war has not begun and it does not need to begin. Instead of planning a massacre for our and their people we should start a talk with the Parliament and the King. I also strongly disagree that a country which has supported us so much, Great Britain, will betray us. Great Britain has been living very difficult times in which they need our help and economical support. If we unite with them, then we will become more powerful and rich. Our petitions have not yet been answered because they have millions of things to worry about. But by making former petitions I am sure that they will make our wishes true and we all will stop feeling as slaves. America will never have to surrender to slavery because we are free people and always will be free. We have to form our own government but still be allies or an independent state of Great Britain. Lets not seek violence because violence is what we will obtain and whole America will be oppressed by the power of tyranny. We shall not make them our enemies, but yes our friends. All of us know that they are more powerful and have more fighting skills; a fight against them will be a very probable lost were 3 million patriots will die. We have also done mistakes during the last years making aggressions against read coats that were only following rules and have nothing to do with the Parliament Acts. Never shall this free COUNTRY, see war and death as a sign to get their liberty and peace. Follow my solutions and all of us will obtain peace and liberty for the rest of your lives and will form a country that gives an example and everyone will want to follow.

http://www.unitedstatesaction.com/northeast-emergency-preparedness.htm

FREE EDUCATION WORLDWIDE

http://elsereno.bligoo.cl/content/view/901467/Educacion-Profesores-Familia.html

Today my fellow citizens of the earth, I would like to propose a world changing idea. This idea will help everyone poor or rich, equally to have a better life. I propose to every government in the world to develop funds to have first class education worldwide. Education is the answer and solution to all the questions and problems. With the support of all the governments and the U.N. we can develop a plan to make enough teachers and equally distribute them around the world. Every town would have excellent teachers and first class schools were they can learn. Ignorance is the problem of the whole world, because ignorance causes corruption, enslavement, theft, and many other things. Abolishing this problem every community will grow intellectually and economically.

http://www.mytorontoprivateschool.com/fraser-institute-r
eport-card-shows-successful-schools-come-f
rom-all-neighbourhoods-not-just-wealthy-ones.htm

The key to make this plan work is by every single citizen in the world supporting this proposal and voting for this to be accepted in each and every country. Like I said before, this will favor the rich and the poor no matter their race or nationality. Although this proposal will benefit everyone it is specially so that third world countries with a high amount of illiteracy can overcome their problems and develop. It is pretty sad what is happening in these types of countries; bad people are taking advantage of the ignorance of the country so they can become rich. The only way that they can defeat this corruption is by having an educated country because like Henry Peter Broughan said, "Education makes people easy to lead, but difficult to drive; easy to govern, but impossible to enslave." This quote means that an educated country will know what is good or bad and will make good choices by choosing its governments. Also, by implementing free first class education over the world many problems will be solved or at least reduced. Some of these problems would be corruption, environmental problems, poverty, economical failure etc. This is why my fellow citizens you should support and become a beneficiary of this excellent and well elaborated proposal that will bring joy, happiness, development and intelligence to everyone.

http://verbalhoney.blogspot.com/

Captivity Blog: Lorenza Carrel

http://www.primeradivision.mil.co/index.php?idcategoria=190513

     It all started on the 28th of March in a dry and dusk afternoon at my father’s house. I was extremely tired and came from school with my driver. It hadn’t been my best day and I was starting to have many problems with my classmates. As soon as the car came to a stop I saw my driver dead with a bullet through his head; instantly I screamed and two big men grabbed me closing my mouth and eyes taking me to an unknown car. I was scared of what was going to happen to me, but this could help my mom and dad come together again or to worship me. The kidnappers covered my eyes, took my cell phone and then drugged me; everything came dark. I woke up in a small dark room; nothing surrounded me only four dirty walls. I was very nervous and frightened. My entire life my dad and mom have given me everything I wanted and I really needed to get out of here. I can’t be without my maids, cell phone or all my other expensive things. I was in need of a bath and makeup right away. It was clear that this stupid man had taken me away to get some money from my daddy, which was the richest person in Nicaragua. I really did not care because I did not even like my life, I could be dead and my parents couldn’t care.

     After two days of being in this horrible room I am very cold and hungry. They have only given me two tortillas with beans which I ate although I don’t even like them. I had never been so much hungry in my life and these beasts won’t even treat me right. During the past couple of days I have heard them negotiating with someone through a phone. I believe they want my daddy to pay 20 million dollars for my return. I believe that he does not have that money but I do not care he will have to get it from somewhere. I haven’t socialized with anyone but the one who brings my food, I pleaded him for more food but he only ignores me. Also, two times the leader of the kidnappers have come to tell me that I will be killed if my daddy doesn’t pay and I am very scared because he really doesn’t even care about me. I already talked with my dad by phone and he didn’t even seem preoccupied, he just told me “it will all be fine” in such a calm voice. He has never been with me when I needed him; neither of my parents.

http://derecho.laguia2000.com/derecho-penal/delito-de-secuestro

     Two weeks have passed since my kidnap and I am losing hope of ever going back to my home. I have become very skinny, pale and dirty. I eat whatever they give to me, but my hunger never ends. The kidnappers already told me that if in two days they don’t get the money they will cut me into pieces and send me to my parents. I now regret of my behavior while I was at home; always so bossy, angry and giving no love to my parents. I had everything and now lost it, I never had the chance to thank my parents for giving me all they could. Probably they are not together because of me. I have been praying in the last days, something very unusual for me but it gave me strength to still have faith of returning with my parents. I am so afraid that that day will never come.

     At last the day came, the 13th of April the exchange would be done. They again covered up my eyes and we were in the car about 2 hours until they stopped and throw me out of the car. I was in the middle of nowhere for about another couple of hours doing absolutely nothing my hands and feet tied. After a long wait I heard a car, then my dad uncovered my eyes and untied me; I just started crying and gave him a big hug. I told him that I was sorry for everything but that I would change and pleaded him to please return with mother. He told me, also crying, that he loved me so much and that everything would be fine. For my surprise they had already returned as couple and again I had a family. This last two weeks my life changed drastically, I began believing in God and was thankful for all I had, specially the fact that I was still a life. It came to knowledge how many people really loved me and cared for me. Thank God that everything turned out good and from this day on I will live like it is my last one, worshiping and giving thanks for all I have.

Blog #1: Current Event French Soccer Team

http://www.netjoven.pe/noticias/43321/Mundial-Sudafrica
-2010-Anelka-habria-insultado-fuertemente-a-Domenech.html

1. What is the current event that the article deals with?

The current event of this article is the French soccer players suspended over the world cup disaster that happened during the months of June and July. The French soccer players refused to play and started a riot against the coach Raymond Domenech; because of these problems France was eliminated in stage groups.


2. Who are the people involved?

The people involved in this current event are the French soccer players that assisted the World Cup like Ribery, Abidal, Anelka, Evra, and some others. Also, the French Football Federation (FFF) committee of discipline is involved in this event.

3. Analyze the article: What are the problems with the article? Is there a bias from the person who wrote the article? What aspects of the event are left out of the article?

I believe there is no bias in this article because it is written by the CNN staff which is an American company and the article is about French soccer team. Some aspects of the event that were not mentioned were exactly what happened at the World Cup and the exact reasons of why these players rebelled outrageously.

 4. What is your opinion of the article? Which of the argument do you support? Explain your opinion using examples from the article.

In my opinion, the French committee was too severe with the players because they really had the reason of rebelling against coach Domenech. This coach did not really want to win, instead it seemed like he was doing everything possible to get France out of the 2010 Soccer World Cup. After having such an excellent career in the last world cups, as mentioned in the article, this embarrassing event happens. It is not the fault of the players like they said, but of the coach that could not control them.

forum.rojadirecta.org

Article: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/football/08/17/france.soccer.meeting/index.html?hpt=T2#fbid=ssujoAOVRi2&wom=false